ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of municipal solid wastes (MSW) for utilisation in energy production in developing countries.

In countries such as Ghana, which are still undergoing restructuring in their economies, low-cost energy s upplies are most vital for development initiatives and may not only be the main constraint to their economic growth, but a principal source of conflicts in th is century. But whether a meaningful and sustainable economic growth would be ach ieved or not rests exclusively on the removal of these energy constraints either by way of substitution for increasingly expensive conventional ener gy sources or new discoveries of cheaper alternatives that would power th eir industries. Such alternative sources should not only be cheap with great capability of promoting viable economies of scale, but also should be eco-efficient. Today, the traditional energy sources su ch as hydroelectric power, wood fuel, and oils are increasingly less attractive with a grown knowledge of their effects on the natural environment. This paper di scusses research experiences gathered during a study that was undertaken in Accra, Ghana, to explore the potential for utilising municipal solid waste (MSW) for energy generation in a low-income economy and at the same time, address worsening MSW problems in the major cities. The results show that MSW in a typical low-income country is wet with low calorific values between 14 MJ/kg and 20 MJ/kg and an average energy recovery efficiency of about 40%.

Source: UG
Evaluation of pharmacovigilance systems for reporting medication errors in Africa and the role of patients using a mixed-methods approach

Background Reviewing the epidemiological profile of medication errors (MEs) reported by African countries and the systems put in place to report such errors is crucial because reporting plays an important role in improving patient safety. The objectives of this study were to characterize the profile of spontaneously reported MEs submitted by African countries to VigiBase; the World Health Organization (WHO) global database of individual case safety reports, describe systems in place for reporting these errors, and explore the challenges and facilitators for spontaneous reporting and understand the potential role of patients. Methods In the present study, we used, a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design involving a quantitative review of ME reports over a 21-year period (1997–2018) and qualitative interviews with employees from African countries that are members of the WHO Program for International Drug Monitoring (WHO PIDM). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize key variables of interest. Results A total of 4,205 ME reports were submitted by African countries to VigiBase representing 0.4% of all reports in the database. Only 15 countries out of the 37 WHO PIDM members from Africa contributed ME to reports, with 99% (3,874) of them reports originating from Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa. The reasons given for low reporting of MEs were weak healthcare and pharmacovigilance systems, lack of staff capacity at the national centers, illiteracy, language difficulties, and socio-cultural and religious beliefs. Some facilitators suggested by the participants to promote reporting included proactive engagement of patients regarding issues relating to MEs, leveraging on increased technology, benchmarking and mentoring by more experienced national centers. Sixteen of the twenty countries interviewed had systems for reporting MEs integrated into adverse drug reaction reporting with minimal patient involvement in seven of these countries. Patients were not involved in directly reporting MEs in the remaining 13 countries. Conclusions MEs are rarely reported through pharmacovigilance systems in African countries with limited patient involvement. The systems are influenced by multifactorial issues some of which are not directly related to healthcare.

Source: UG
Evaluation of piperonyl butoxide in enhancing the efficacy of pyrethroid insecticides against resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Ghana

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Evaluation of possible effects of Persea americana seeds on female reproductive hormonal and toxicity profile

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The seed of Avocado (Persea americana, Lauraceae), non-edible part of the fruit is used as health product. It has been reported as traditional female contraceptive and sterilizer in Peru and some Asian countries and in Nigeria as cardio-protective agent. The present study focused on the effect of hydro methanolic seed extract of Persea americana on female hormones and toxicity profile using animal models. Materials and methods: The serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone (PROG) concentrations in mature non-pregnant female rats were assayed using hormonal kits. The toxicity profile was assessed using Lorke’s acute toxicity model, haemato-biochemical evaluation and histopathological studies of reproductive related organs. Parameters were measured on day-30, 60 and 90. Presence of biomarker flavonoid compounds were confirmed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results: The extract at 20, 100 and 500 mg kg -1 altered FSH and PROG hormone profile of the treated groups. The extract initially, dose-dependently decreased FSH level in day-30 (6.95, 3.97, 2.08 IU/L respectively) compared to untreated group before a significant increase was observed for day 60 and 90. Progesterone increased dose dependently in the treated groups throughout the 90-day treatment duration. This may be Indicating cumula tive effect on the hormone. No deleterious or toxicity effect was noticed. Conclusions: The extract of Persea americana seed affects female hormone activity. This may find application in various hormonal management procedures, maternal and reproductive health and fertility control/help health facilities. However, it should be used with caution in women intending to conceive.

Source: UG
Evaluation of Preplant Seed Protectants for the Management of Root-Knot Nematode of Okra in Ghana

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) poses a signifcant threat to okra production, resulting in substantial yield losses. Te objectives of this study were to assess the impact of biological seed protectants on the growth and establishment of okra plants and nematode population reduction in soil. Okra seeds were coated with 40% sesame oil, 50% neem oil, 100% citrus oil, velum at 3.8 ml/7l of water, and a control (sterilized distilled water) at diferent time intervals of 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min to determine the germination percentages and vigor. Te experimental setup was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD), with three replications, utilizing a Jacobson table for the germination test. Te laboratory results demonstrated signifcant diferences (P < 0.05) in germination percentage and vigor index across the diferent time intervals. Neem oil, citrus oil, and velum exhibited higher germination percentages and vigor indices at all time intervals. Notably, 30-minute time interval proved to be efcient with 100% citrus oil producing 80.33% germination and 965 vigor index and 50% neem oil producing 75% germination and 994 vigor index. Field evaluations revealed citrus at 100% concentrations as seed coating (T5) and neem at 50% concentrations as seed coating (T3), with the highest nematode reductions (90.1% and 90.4%) and least reproductive factors (RFs) of 0.05 and 0.04, respectively, at the Atomic farms. Te study has revealed that treating okra seeds with 100% citrus oil and 50% neem oil has the efcacy of reducing nematode reproduction in soil, while enhancing germination and seedling vigor, together with an improvement in growth and yield. Sesame oil has a negative infuence on seed germination and vigor and is therefore not recommended as a preplant protectant

Source: UG
Evaluation of Public Weather Services by Users in the Formal Services Sector in Accra, Ghana

We undertook a study that evaluated the public weather services used by people working in the formal services sector of the Ghana based in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The study employed randomly-sampling survey technique to request information from 102 respondents on their use of services and information produced by the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), the country’s official producer and archival of meteorological data, information, products and services. The results of the analysis of survey data indicated that virtually all the respondents used public weather services produced by GMet. The users generally considered the quality of the public weather services to be of moderate quality. Using the contingent valuation method to ascertain the economic value of public weather services, 87.7% of the respondents were prepared to pay for the public weather services rather than be without them. The average WTP per person per month was 16.67 Ghana cedis per month or 200.04 Ghana cedis per year or 51.96 United States dollars per year. The aggregate economic value, based on only the users of public weather services in the formal services sector of Accra, who constitute just about 2.1% of the total work force of Ghana, is over four times the value of the annual budget provided by the Government of Ghana to GMet in 2016. Users in the formal services sector wanted GMet to produce more locality-specific weather forecasts and services with advance warning times. Further the information from the Agency needs to be distributed and publicised by the mass media through radio and television including the emerging and fast growing local language-based mass media on hourly basis rather than the current system where they are supplied to the general public once a day via the evening television news through the English-language radio and TV channels.

Source: UG
Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative aspects of mitochondrial function in human skeletal and cardiac muscles

Techniques and protocols of assessment of mitochondrial properties are of physiological and physiopathological important significance. A precise knowledge of the advantages and limitations of the different protocols used to investigate the mitochondrial function, is therefore necessary. This report presents examples of how the skinned (or permeabilized) fibers technique could be applied for the polarographic determination of the actual quantitative and qualitative aspects of mitochondrial function in human muscle samples. We described and compared the main available respiration protocols in order to sort out which protocol seems more appropriate for the characterization of mitochondrial properties according to the questions under consideration: quantitative determination of oxidative capacities of a given muscle, characterization of the pattern of control of mitochondrial respiration, or assessment of a mitochondrial defect at the level of the respiratory chain complexes. We showed that while protocol A, using only two levels of the phosphate acceptor adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentration and the adjunction of creatine, could be used for the determination of quantitative changes in very small amount of muscle samples, the ADP sensitivity of mitochondrial respiration was underestimated by this protocol in muscles with high oxidative capacities. The actual apparent Km for ADP and the role of functional activation of miCK in ATP production and energy transfer in oxidative muscles, are well-assessed by protocol B (in the absence of creatine) together with protocol C (in the presence of creatine) that use increasing concentrations of ADP ranging from 2.5-2000 microM. Protocol D is well-adapted to investigate the potential changes at different levels of the respiratory chain, by the use of specific substrates and inhibitors. As can be seen from the present data and the current review of previous reports in the literature, a standardization of the respiration protocols is needed for useful comparisons between studies.

Source: UG
Evaluation of request forms submitted to the haematology laboratory in a Ghanaian tertiary hospital

Background: Laboratory request forms provide information about the laboratory test being requested for. They carry demographic data and other information such as location of patient, laboratory number, doctor’s name, signature of the doctor, telephone number of the requesting doctor. Omission of information on the forms may lead to laboratory errors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of completion of laboratory request forms at the haematology department of a Ghanaian tertiary hospital. Methods: Three thousand request forms submitted to the haematology department between January and April 2010 were retrieved and studied. The information provided on each request form was recorded in a spread sheet and analyzed. Results: The patient’s age and sex were missing in 25.6% and 32.7% of the forms respectively. About half of the request forms did not have the patient’s location. No clinical detail was provided on 22.7% of the forms. Doctors were more likely to sign their request forms and provide a name but they all failed to provide an address or a contact telephone number. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, the standard of completion of request forms was poor. Essential information required on the forms was often missing. This can lead to limited advice given by laboratory physicians and may increase the potential for errors. Conversely, provision of all the information needed on the forms will aid laboratory diagnosis and enhance patient care and save time and resources. There should be closer interaction between clinicians and laboratory personnel to improve quality of services.

Source: UG
Evaluation of risk factors for advanced glaucoma in Ghanaian patients

Purpose: This study was to determine factors associated with individuals presenting late with advanced glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Methods: A case-control study recruiting 123 patients with early features of primary open angle glaucoma (control) and 93 patients with advanced glaucoma (cases) was carried out for risk-factor analysis. Exposures of interest included those already established as major risk factors for glaucoma. These were initial intraocular pressure (IOP), age, and family history. In addition, occupation, ethnic origin, history of diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sickle cell disease, and previous eye examination were of interest. Results: Univariate analysis showed that initial IOP>31mmHg, age of > 60 years, absence of family history of glaucoma, occupational grouping, ethnicity, and male sex were associated with advanced glaucoma at presentation. Adjusted odds ratio or by multiple logistic regression model showed that initial IOP>31mmHg in a patient was more likely to present with advanced glaucoma (OR 2.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45, 4.91; P-value 0.0017) than lower pressures. Patients aged 60-69 years (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.01, 6.31; P-value 0.0473) and 70-90 years (OR 5.16, 95% CI 1.97, 13.51; P-value 0.0008) were more likely to present with advanced glaucoma than younger ones. Conclusions: Subjects with initial IOP>31 mmHg were nearly three times more likely to present with advanced glaucoma than those with IOP<32mmHg. Subjects over the age of 60 years were more than two times likely to present with advanced glaucoma than younger subjects. © 2005 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Evaluation of serum metallothionein-1, selenium, zinc, and copper in Ghanaian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Metabolic disturbances of trace elements may be implicated in the complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the study was to determine the level of Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu) and the metal binding protein Metallothionein-1 (MT-1) in T2DM. Fifty-five (55) T2DM subjects and 30 Controls (C) were studied for, Se, Zn, Cu and MT-1. Zn, Se and Cu were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Mean FBG in the T2DM and C groups were 183 ± 5 mg/dl and 88 ± 5 mg/dl, respectively. Mean Se, Zn and Cu levels in the T2DM group were 204 ± 91 μg/l, 407 ± 117 μg/l and 1,337 ± 527 μg/l, respectively. The control group had Se, Zn and Cu levels of 123 ± 25 μg/l, 750 ± 190 μg/l and 989 ± 197 μg/l, respectively. While Zn levels in T2DM were half that of the C, Se levels were ≈ 2-fold. Se, Zn and Cu differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P = 0.000; P = 0.000, P = 0.000, respectively). The metabolic derailment of MT-1 in the T2DM group showed a wide variation with the T2DM having significantly lower MT-1 values (P = 0.000). A negative correlation was seen between Cu and Zn in the T2DM group (P = 0.022). A standardized canonical discriminant function was obtained as D = 0.823FBG-0.149MT-0.457Zn + 0.172Cu + 0.362Se with contributions of FBG > Zn > Se > Cu > MT-1. In conclusion, alterations in the levels of Zn, Se and Cu were observed in Ghanaian T2DM patients. © 2013 Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India.

Source: UG
Evaluation of student-teacher questions: A study of pedagogical practices relating to proportions and rate per-minute of questions asked in physical education class setting

Questioning is one of the pedagogical strategies that ensures that students appropriately engage in relevant activities in teaching and learning environment. Questioning plays a critical role in refreshing memories of learners on their previously acquired knowledge or in the acquisition of new knowledge while a lesson is in progress. Regular questioning of students is a good practice to help learners think for themselves instead of being “spoon-fed” by the teacher. However, over concentration on lower-order questions has a dire consequence on the thinking skills of students. In this study, we used a descriptive approach to examine proportions and rate per minute of questions that occurred in a theory physical education (PE) lesson. The study involved a class of 38 students of a College of Education and one teacher (intern) of a University in Ghana. The PE lesson was video-recorded. Self-developed event recording instrument was used to collect data on questioning behaviours of both the teacher and students. Data collection instrument was validated by an expert in research (senior university faculty). Descriptively, data were analysed and presented in tables and figures. Intra-observer results of classroom events relating to questioning behaviours of the teacher and students were evaluated. Findings revealed that the proportion of lower-order questions was generally larger than higher-order questions that occurred during the lesson. Findings also showed that a total of 36 questions were asked by the teacher during the 35 minutes interaction. Specifically, the rate per minute of questions asked by the teacher at various question levels was 0.38 for knowledge, 0.35 for understanding, 0.2 for synthesis, 0.25 for evaluation, and zero for application and analysis questions. No question was asked by any of the students in the entire 35 lesson duration. We recommend that teachers should make conscious efforts to create opportunities for learners to ask questions in every teaching and learning environment.

Source: UG
Evaluation of Suitability of Some Soils in the Forest-Savanna Transition and the Guinea Savanna Zones of Ghana for Maize Production

Suitability of four soils located in the Forest-Savanna Transition zone and four others located in the Guinea Savanna zone of Ghana were evaluated for maize production using Soil Quality Index (SQI), Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) yield simulations and the Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA). Wenchi (Ferric Dystric Leptosol), Ejura (Haplic Lixisol), Damongo (Dystric Nitisol) and Lima series (Eutric Gleysol) were located in the Forest-Savanna Transition agro-ecological zone whereas Kpelesawgu (Eutric Plinthosol), Varempere (Ferric Luvisol), Mimi (Haplic Lixisol) and Kupela (Eutric Gleysol) series were located in the Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone. The study sites in the Forest-Savanna Transition zone were located in the Brong-Ahafo region whereas those in the Guinea Savanna zone were in the Northern region of Ghana. Properties used for the SQI rating included bulk density, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, texture and water holding capacity. For the DSSAT, 1980 – 2010 weather variability impacts in addition to soil and management effects were used. The MCA evaluation included factors such as price, input and labour costs, distance to market, soil erosion and conservation factors. The three approaches gave different rankings of the soils for maize production. The SQI results rated the soils in the order: Wenchi > Damongo > Mimi > Ejura > Kupela > Lima > Varempere > Kpelesawgu. From the DSSAT simulations, the order was Varempere > Kpelesawgu > Damongo > Ejura > Kupela > Mimi > Lima > Wenchi. From the MCA, the rankings under different soil management options was in the order: Damongo > Mimi > Ejura > Wenchi > Lima > Varempere > Kupela > Kpelesawgu. Whereas both the SQI and the MCA ranked Kpelesawgu series as the least suitable for maize production, the DSSAT ranked it as the second most suitable. From the results, the soils in the Forest-Savanna Transition zone were more suitable for maize production than those in the Guinea Savannah zone. The soils with negligible gravel content could generally be considered as more suitable for intensive maize production. Although the SQI and the DSSAT yield simulations gave less desirable outcomes than the MCA simulations, they should be considered as useful basis for evaluating and designing the MCA criteria. © 2018, Ecological Laboratory. All rights reserved.

Source: UG