ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Metformin: A Cross-Sectional Study from South-Western Part of Ghana

ABSTRACT Introduction: Metformin is the most widely administered anti-diabetic medication among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, metformin induces vitamin B12 malabsorption which may increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency among T2DM patients. We determined the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and related risk factors among Ghanaian T2DM patients on metformin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 196 T2DM patients attending the outpatient diabetic clinic at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Ghana. Fasting venous blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum B12 <100 pg/ml and methylmalonic acid (MMA) ≥ 0.4μmol/L. Results: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency based on serum vitamin B12, MMA, and the combination of both methods were 32.1%, 14.8%, and 14.3%, respectively. Longer duration of metformin use [5-9 years; aOR= 2.83, 95% CI (1.03-7.81), p=0.045 and ≥10 years; aOR= 4.17, 95% CI (1.41-12.33), p=0.010], higher daily dose of metformin [1000-2000 mg/day; aOR= 1.34, 95% CI (0.25-2.74), p=0.038 and >2000 mg/day; aOR= 1.13, 95% CI (0.39-2.97), p=0.047], and very high body fat [aOR= 2.98, 95% CI (1.47-6.05), p=0.020] were significantly associated with increased odds of vitamin B12 deficiency. For daily dose of metformin, a cutoff value of 1500 mg/day presented with a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 71.4%, 40.1%, and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.53-0.54), respectively, in predicting vitamin B12 deficiency. A ≥ six (6) years duration of metformin therapy presented with a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 70.4%, 62.9%, and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.57-0.75), respectively, in predicting vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency is high among T2DM patients on metformin therapy in Ghana. There is the need for regular monitoring of vitamin B12 levels especially in T2DM patients on metformin daily dose of ≥ 1500 mg for duration of therapy ≥ 6 years.

Source: UCC
Vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetic patients on metformin: a cross-sectional study from SouthWestern part of Ghana

Introduction: Metformin is the most widely administered anti-diabetic medication among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, metformin induces vitamin B12 malabsorption which may increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency among T2DM patients. We determined the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and related risk factors among Ghanaian T2DM patients on metformin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 196 T2DM patients attending the outpatient diabetic clinic at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Ghana. Fasting venous blood was collected for biochemical analysis. Vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as serum B12 <100 pg/ml and methylmalonic acid (MMA) ≥ 0.4µmol/L. Results: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency based on serum vitamin B12, MMA, and the combination of both methods were 32.1%, 14.8%, and 14.3%, respectively. Longer duration of metformin use [5-9 years; aOR= 2.83, 95% CI (1.03-7.81), p=0.045 and ≥10 years; aOR= 4.17, 95% CI (1.41-12.33), p=0.010], higher daily dose of metformin [1000-2000 mg/day; aOR= 1.34, 95% CI (0.25-2.74), p=0.038 and >2000 mg/day; aOR= 1.13, 95% CI (0.39-2.97), p=0.047], and very high body fat [aOR= 2.98, 95% CI (1.47-6.05), p=0.020] were significantly associated with increased odds of vitamin B12 deficiency. For daily dose of metformin, a cutoff value of 1500 mg/day presented with a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 71.4%, 40.1%, and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.53-0.54), respectively, in predicting vitamin B12 deficiency. A ≥ six (6) years duration of metformin therapy presented with a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 70.4%, 62.9%, and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.57-0.75), respectively, in predicting vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency is high among T2DM patients on metformin therapy in Ghana. There is the need for regular monitoring of vitamin B12 levels especially in T2DM patients on metformin daily dose of ≥ 1500 mg for duration of therapy ≥ 6 years.

Source: UCC
Vocal Performance Teaching And Learning In Cape Coast Metropolis Senior High Schools

It is a worldwide common knowledge that every ‘normal’ human being can sing. But singing has become an art that requires professional training, techniques, and skills. The primary concern of this study is to explore the impact of the teachers’ instructional methods in vocal performance studies on senior high school music voice students’ singing in order to create awareness of vocal music instructional procedures necessary for training the voice students in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study employed stratified sampling, simple random sampling, and purposive techniques in choosing a school and participants (students and teachers) respectively. Four senior high schools were selected for the study. Convenience sampling is utilized in selecting WAEC examiners. Questionnaire, interview, observation and field notes were used to collect data from 144 voice students and five teachers, and three examiners in addition to The Chief Examiner. The findings revealed that rote approach/technique is main method music teachers used in teaching vocal performance studies. It was also discovered that attention is not paid to the necessary vocal practices such as integrating scientific concepts, the use of descriptive language, teacher demonstration, coordination of vocal register and many other essential concepts critical for developing the students’ singing voices. The teachers’ mode of directing the students on breathing suggested they had little knowledge in the breathing techniques. Additionally, enough vocal activities that would help develop the students creatively, artistically, and vocally were not employed in the vocal performance classroom. Inasmuch as vocal performance teaching and learning is concerned, “rote teaching” would not be enough for an effective vocal performance learning outcome.

Source: UCC
The voice of African woman: A theological reflection of the emerging feminism in Africa

The voices of African women cry out with expressions of genuine concerns that are not very well understood from afar. It is therefore extremely important that every one who hears the echo of the voice draws a little closer in order that he or she might hear well and understand this voice. One most important factor portrayed in the study is that the African woman’s voice as expressed by the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (A Feminist organization) is a universal voice in the sense that from all walks of life, both men and women are sounding the alarm of the necessity to pay attention to this voice that advocates for tangible changes in the lives of women who are marginalized, deprived of the basic necessities of life and/or are underprivileged. It would be seen that the woman’s cry is God’s cry because God has always been seen as the helper of the helpless; the father of the fatherless; the husband of the widow and the lifter up of the head of the marginalized. Feminist theological discourse has seen considerable and consistent improvement on the conditions of women in every society and in every generation as noted in the Chapter on Women’s and Feminist movements. Voices of African Women, the first part of the title describes most of the voices that advocate the full participation of women and tries to enhance the potential of women in Africa. And by, A Theological Reflection of the Emerging Feminism in Africa, I focus on the theological discourse of some of the members of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, emphasizing the theology of Mercy Amba Oduyoye and Musa Dugbe. The study contributes to knowledge by exploring biblical texts such as Numbers 27:1-8 that talks about Moses and the daughters of Zelophehad, the story of Esther and Vasti in the book of Esther and the story of Deborah in the book of Judges Chapter 4. The Imago Dei theology has also been expounded to assert the value of human being and the need to handle everyone with care. The story in Numbers 27:1-8 suggests that customs and traditions as well as cultural elements that have enforced and strengthened female subordination and inferior status can be changed or modified. It also tries to establish that issues raised by African Feminist Theology are global issues running through all societies of the world hence a brief history of women’s right’s movements and Feminists movements throughout all ages in various socio-cultural contexts has been given. Also domestic violence which is currently a major concern of Feminist in Africa and other parts of the world has been examined.

Source: UCC
Volatility model choice for Sub-saharan frontier equity markets – A Markov regime switching Bayesian approach

We adopt a granular approach to estimating the risk of equity returns in sub-Saharan African frontier equity markets under the assumption that, returns are influenced by developments in the underlying economy. Four countries were studied – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. We found heterogeneity in the evolution of volatility across these markets and also that two-regime switching volatility models describe better the heteroscedastic returns generating processes in these markets using the deviance information criteria. We backtest the results to assess whether the models are a good fit for the data. We concluded that, the selected models are the most suitable for predicting the volatility of future returns in the markets studied

Source: UCC
Voltammetric detection of the polycation protamine by the use of electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers of thioctic acid

The detection of protamine, a polycation, by use of electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers of thioctic acid is reported. These sensors can detect protamine concentrations as low as 0.5µg/mL when [Ru(NH3)6]3+ is used as marker and 2.0 µg/mL when [Fe(CN)6]3- is used as marker. Binding of protamine to the thioctic acid monolayers controls the reduction rate of [Ru(NH3)6]3+ and [Fe(CN)6]3- at the electrode surface due to electrostatic attraction or repulsion between these markers and the monolayer, allowing the indirect detection of protamine. In physiological concentrations, the blood electrolytes sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium do not interfere. The sensors respond to protamine in diluted horse serum. They are selective for protamine over Polybrene, another polycation that neutralizes the anticoagulant activity of heparin. Protamine once bound to the electrode surface can be removed by washing with 0.1 M KCl of pH 5.1. An increase in the scan rate of cyclic voltammetry decreased the detection limit for protamine and increased the dynamic range. The sensor was used to detect the end point in heparin protamine titrations

Source: UCC
Voluntary employee turnover phenomenon in Newmont Ghana Gold Limited: Is Hay pay system the force behind employee exit decisions?

The paper examines voluntary employee turnover in Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, a multinational gold mining company operating in Ghana. The aim is to investigate whether the company’s pay system contributes in any way to the employee exit decisions. Data was predominantly in-company and collected from three sources, including; employee resignations from the company’s electronic database; exit interview notes from personal manual files; and interviewing of some serving employees. The electronic data and exit interview notes were discussed after tabular presentation of the results, while the face-to-face interview was transcribed and discussed qualitatively. It is concluded that dissatisfaction with pay is a major contributor to the employee exit decisions; that employees’ concern over their career development and progress influence their decisions to look for alternative employments; that the phenomenon is more of collective in nature which has more serious organisational consequences than individual turnover; and that senior management are less concerned about the situation. The paper ends with three recommendations including effective use of exit interviews; conduct of employee engagement survey; and strategic approach to retention of talented employees, which could help check the phenomenon and also have policy implications for other organisations in tackling employee turnover.

Source: UCC
Vulnerability of cocoa production to climate change: a case of the Western and Central Regions in Ghana

This research work focused on the effect of climate change on cocoa yield in some selected cocoa districts in the Eastern, Ashanti, Western and Central Regions of Ghana. For sustainable cocoa production, weather, which is an uncontrollable variable, is an important factor whose effect on cocoa is difficult to quantify in a field environment. This research has two components; effects of climate change on cocoa production in Ghana and coping strategies of cocoa farmers. The Heckman’s probit model and multinomial logit regression were used to measure the level of vulnerability and determine the factors that influence farmers’ choice of coping strategies. The effects of two major weather parameters – rainfall and temperature – on cocoa yield were evaluated over thirteen years. The study revealed that there is a weak positive correlation with rainfall, that is, increase in rainfall results in an increase in yield. A relatively stronger positive correlation was established for maximum temperature. About seventeen percent (17.2%) of the variations in yield can be explained by the predictor variables. A one unit increase in temperature will result in a 2593.67 unit in yield and a one unit increase in rainfall will result in a 11.76 unit increase in yield. Cocoa production is thus vulnerable without adaptation. It was observed that adaptation could be behavioural, institutional and technological, and may differ from one locality to another.

Source: UCC
Vulnerability of the economy of Ghana to the renewable energy transition dynamics

Renewable energy transition is a major mitigation strategy for climate change. Yet, its implications on emerging petroleum economies such as Ghana are sparse. This study analyses the vulnerability of the economy of Ghana to the renewable energy transition dynamics. The study uses data from the WB, BoG, US EIA and Census Bureau, Federal Reserve Economic Data, PURC, and PIAC. The study employs the dynamic ARDL simulation and state-space models. From the simulated scenarios, the study concludes that energy transition at five percent and business as usual increase access to electricity up to the sixth year after which access to electricity decreases. Also, renewable energy transition scenarios increase energy availability after the second year until after the eighth year, when it increases energy availability at a decreasing rate. Again, the study concludes that the IEA’s investment scenarios have negative consequences on Ghana’s oil exports between 2020 and 2040. Further, the study concludes that business-as-usual energy transition scenario increases employment by more than five percent transition scenario in the industrial sector, five percent scenario hampers employment in the agriculture sector, while both scenarios of renewable energy transition increase employment in the services sector up to the next six years. However, each scenario reduces vulnerable employment. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends that Ghana should continue with the energy mix strategies and systematically integrate renewables into the overall energy mix. Again, petroleum authorities should look out for more countries that would import crude oil from Ghana. Also, Ghana must craft a crucial policy framework that supports energy transition and must address the upstream barriers and challenges of renewables by making it easy for the private sector to invest in renewables. Ghana must organise retraining and education programmes for Ghanaians to take up the opportunities in the renewable energy sector to mitigate employment vulnerabilities. Moreover, Ghana should operate its refinery to be able to absorb much of the crude oil produced in the country rather than relying on foreign consumption.

Source: UCC
War on terror: on re-reading Dracula and waiting for the barbarians

Framed by the emerging emphasis in postcolonial studies on terror and narratives of terror, this paper argues that Waiting for Barbarians (1980; hereafter Barbarians) can be read as a counter discourse of resistance to Dracula’s (1898) representation of “war on terror” which revolves around the relationship between empire and its embattled subjects. To demonstrate this the paper examines how Barbarians deconstructs Dracula’s trope of barbarian invasion, resists the techniques of liquidating Dracula, and reimagines Dracula’s the notion of the end of history and the last man. The paper concludes that Dracula and Barbarians offer us radically different conceptualisations of the war on terror and contending visions of the future that cunningly reflect contemporary attitudes since the 9/11 attacks

Source: UCC
Waste As Resource: Rethinking Scenic Design Through Biomimicry For A Sustainable Ecology

Theatre performances have gradually gained recognition as an essential tool for information, education and entertainment. During such performance, set design constitutes a major indication for the overall understanding of the story, and spectacle. The general observation has been that these sets do not last long due to wear and tear from construction and striking down. In the context of global sustainability talks, however, designers have not explored much with environmentally-friendly materials outside of the defined conventions of set designing and building. Employing an Arts-Based Research design, with theatre as the mode of enquiry, I explored the appropriation of waste materials for the purposes of designing scenery for theatre performance. Data for this study was gathered on two levels: generating data – through theatre performance; and collecting data – through interviews of some selected Ghanaian set designers for an assessment of the production process and output. The qualitative analytic tool of deductive interpretivism was used in aid of providing explanation for the outcomes. The findings revealed that the output of waste designing is highly dependent on the sophistication of technology used. The method of remolding the waste plastics particularly of grades low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) by melting was unsustainable as it posed a health hazard of emitting toxic gases into the atmosphere. In the end, water and beverage bottles belonging to grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and water sachet plastics of grade LDPE were determined as conducive for the project based on the facilities available at the time of implementation.

Source: UCC
Waste management practices in Sunyani municipality, Brong-Ahafo region-Ghana

The study sought to survey waste management practices in Sunyani municipality. Some of the specific objectives of the study were to: assess the nature of waste generated in the Municipality, the pattern of waste disposal in the Municipality, assess the waste disposal practices used in the study area and establish the willingness of the polluter pay system. Two broad types of data, the secondary and primary data were used in the study. Interviews and personal observations were also used to collect some of the data. Among the findings were that: Waste management practices differ in urban, peri-urban and rural areas of Sunyani Municipality. Burning of refuse or solid waste is rare in the Municipality; 43.3% of households did not have toilet facilities in their homes; 78.7% of the household disposed of liquid waste anywhere, 15% in nearby gutter while 5.9% dispose off liquid waste in a soak away pit. Some of the recommendations made in the study were that waste management should involve the use of the Integrated Waste Management approach, where combination of the management measures is used. The authorities should ensure that the ban of pan latrine is enforced, there should be more collaboration between the EPA, Municipal Assembly and the Private waste management company to deal with waste in the Municipality. It could be concluded that waste was not being managed efficiently since the various comprehensive approaches were not applied but rather waste was being displaced.

Source: UCC
Waste management practices of small hotels in Accra: An application of the waste management hierarchy model

One of the most visible impacts of hotels on the environment is waste. Waste generated by hotels tends to have adverse impacts on the environment. There are, therefore, concerns that the proliferation of small hotels in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, could have adverse impacts on the environment since small hotels have been found to take little action to address their environmental impacts. This paper examines the waste management practices of small hotels in Accra, based on the Waste Management Hierarchy (WMH) model. A survey of 260 managers of small hotels in various parts of Accra was undertaken, employing the simple random sampling method. Results of the study indicate that waste management practices of hotels did not strictly adhere to the WMH model. Waste disposal, prevention and reduction practices were the most frequently undertaken whilst practices relating to reuse, recycling and recovery were less frequently undertaken. It is recommended that the hotels should employ the sufficiency approach by positively influencing the attitudes of employees and guests toward waste prevention and reduction

Source: UCC
Waste segregation practices in health facilities in Akuapem North Municipality

The desire of international organizations and governments to ensure health care waste from our various health care facilities are properly sorted and segregated is enormous. As a result, different policy programs have been rolled out from sectorial ministries and departments to ensure this noble agenda is achieved. However, it appears the efforts and resources deployed by government and other foreign donors are not yielding the desired outcomes. As a result, the researcher sought to evaluate the awareness level of health care workers on the policies on waste segregation practice under the ministry of health policy guidelines on waste management in Akuapem North municipality. The overall aim of the study is to examine the state of existing waste segregation practices employed by the health care facilities within the Akuapem North municipality as well as the efficiency level of the segregation. This became very necessary due to the likely outbreak of diseases which will adversely affect public health when health care waste is not properly segregated. The methodology used were descriptive design which was used to study the level of awareness of health care workers on the color-coding system as well as the existing health care waste segregation practices, however experimental design was used to study the level of efficiency of the segregation at health facilities. The statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) 20th version as well as Microsoft excel was used for data analysis. From the findings of the study, it was also evident most of the health care workers are ignorant of the need for waste segregation hence they do not practice it, the few ones who practice it, only segregate the waste at the various units but end up mixing them up with other wastes at the end of the day. I recommend that, supervisory ministries should enforce the guidelines of the ministry of health policy on managing waste at the various health facilities.

Source: UCC