ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Assessment of Children with Sickle Cell Diseases at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic haemolytic disease mostly associated with impaired growth, delayed maturation and poor nutrition status. It is also one of the major contributing factors for childhood mortality. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children with sickle cell diseases. This was done using dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers. A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 children with sickle cell diseases aged 3- 12 years at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Multiple 24-hr dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary intake. Serum protein, albumin and ferritin, as well as full blood count were used to assess biochemical status. Weight, height and Mid-Upper-Arm-Circumference were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), weight-for-age (percentile), height-for-age (percentile), BMI-for-age (percentile) and MUAC-for-age (percentile). The mean intake of iron was 5.9±3.0 mg/d, zinc was 5.1±3.0 mg/d, and vitamin A was 107 ± 112.4 μg/d, while vitamin E was 4.2±2.9 mg/d for the children with SCD. Energy consumed were 852 ± 342.3 kcal while proteins were 25.0 ± 10.7 g/d. Low BMI-for-age, MUAC-for-age, weight-for-age and height-for-age were observed in 40%, 37%, 22%, and 69% of the children, respectively. There was significant association (p = 0.00, r = 0.64) between vitamin B12 and the Red Blood Cell count. The study observed inadequate nutritional intake of the children who were assessed.

Source: KNUST
Nutritional Assessment of Children with Sickle Cell Diseases at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic haemolytic disease mostly associated with impaired growth, delayed maturation and poor nutrition status. It is also one of the major contributing factors for childhood mortality. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children with sickle cell diseases. This was done using dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers. A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 children with sickle cell diseases aged 3- 12 years at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Multiple 24-hr dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary intake. Serum protein, albumin and ferritin, as well as full blood count were used to assess biochemical status. Weight, height and Mid-Upper-Arm-Circumference were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), weight-for-age (percentile), height-for-age (percentile), BMI-for-age (percentile) and MUAC-for-age (percentile). The mean intake of iron was 5.9±3.0 mg/d, zinc was 5.1±3.0 mg/d, and vitamin A was 107 ± 112.4 µg/d, while vitamin E was 4.2±2.9 mg/d for the children with SCD. Energy consumed were 852 ± 342.3 kcal while proteins were 25.0 ± 10.7 g/d. Low BMI-for-age, MUAC-for-age, weight-for-age and height-for-age were observed in 40%, 37%, 22%, and 69% of the children, respectively. There was significant association (p = 0.00, r = 0.64) between vitamin B12 and the Red Blood Cell count. The study observed inadequate nutritional intake of the children who were assessed.

Source: KNUST
Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of three varieties of carrot ( Daucus carota )

Carrots are a potentially rich source of antioxidants in addition to their nutritional proper- ties. In this study, the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of three varieties of carrots, namely Kuroda, Pamela and Amazonia cultivated in Ghana were determined. The peroxide scavenging method was used to determine the antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extracts of the carrot varieties at different concentrations. The protein, crude fi- bre, fat and carbohydrate contents of the carrot varieties ranged 6.46 –10.73 %, 7.18 –8.87 %, 1.97 –4.31 % and 6.25 –8.39 % respectively. The three varieties had high moisture contents ranging from 69.06 to 75.30 %. The antioxidant properties were high even at low concentrations of extract, and their activity increased with time in the order Amazonia > kuroda > pamela. Amazonia had the highest fibre, protein and carbohydrate contents and the lowest moisture content, making it the most preferred variety.

Source: KNUST
Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of three varieties of carrot (Daucus carota)

Carrots are a potentially rich source of antioxidants in addition to their nutritional proper ties. In this study, the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of three varieties of carrots, namely Kuroda, Pamela and Amazonia cultivated in Ghana were determined. The peroxide scavenging method was used to determine the antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extracts of the carrot varieties at different concentrations. The protein, crude fi bre, fat and carbohydrate contents of the carrot varieties ranged 6.46 – 10.73 %, 7.18 – 8.87 %, 1.97 – 4.31 % and 6.25 – 8.39 % respectively. The three varieties had high moisture contents ranging from 69.06 to 75.30 %. The antioxidant properties were high even at low concentrations of extract, and their activity increased with time in the order Amazonia > kuroda > pamela. Amazonia had the highest fibre, protein and carbohydrate contents and the lowest moisture content, making it the most preferred variety.

Source: KNUST
Nutritional Status of Status of Pre-School Children; a Comparative Study of Two Communities in Savelugu-Nanton District Northern Region

A well-nourished child is one whose weight and height measurements compare very well with the standard normal distribution of heights and weights of healthy children of the same age and sex. The study was conducted in two communities all the 160 children aged between 6 and 23 months where assessed in Savelugu/ Nanton District in the Northern Region of Ghana during the year 2007. The main objective was to compare nutritional Status of children 6-23months in two communities, one with food supplementation, and the other without the intervention. The study was a comparative study using a structured questionnaire and measurements of weight and height. Participants were recruited in July, 2007 using purposive and random sampling procedures. A structured questionnaire was administered to mothers in their home setting. Information on child health, socio-economic status of parents, childhood illness, mothers’ knowledge in nutrition and weaning practices, cultural practices that affect complementary feeding and anthropometric measurement of children were gathered. Reference standards used were those of the National Center for Health Statistics NCHS standards for weight for age was utilize to classify children in various grades of nutritional status. We found that the ignorance of mothers (94% had no education) about good nutrition is affecting the prevalence of infection and under nutrition. The level of childhood illness (malaria) was very high in both communities, 58% in Janjori and 81% in Nyoligu. Mothers did not meet the recommendation of WHO on the initiation of complementary feeding at 6 months as they introduced food at 4weeks. Corn-based food accounts for almost 90% of the food consumed by the children. Sixty-four percent (64%) children in Janjori and 68% in Nyoligu were underweight (W/H). There was no statistically significant difference as far as underweight was concerned in the two communities. (Chi square= 1.3; df=1; p-value=0.03) There was no difference with respect to nutritional status of children in both communities (p-value=0.02). The null hypothesis of no difference between the two communities cannot be rejected. The food supplement therefore has not made any impact as far as the nutritional status of children in Janjori is concerned. The food supplement therefore has not made any impact as far as the nutritional status of children in Janjori is concerned. It is important to teach mothers how to prepare nutritious weaning mixes from the various ingredients of their farm output and add vegetables and fruit in whatever amount these are available.

Source: KNUST
Nutritive Value of Samanea saman Seed and Whole Pod Meals as Feed Ingredients for Broiler Chickens

Two studies, using broiler chickens, were conducted to determine the nutritive values of Samanea saman seed meal (SSSM) (containing seed only) and Samanea saman whole pod meal (SSPM) (containing pods and seeds) as feed ingredients. The studies also aimed at determining the effect of Samanea saman seed and whole pod meals on the growth performance, carcass quality, haematological and blood indices and economics of production of the broiler chicken. Three hundred (300) unsexed day old Cobb commercial strain of broilers each were used for the two studies (experiment 1 with Samanea saman seed meal and experiment 2 with Samanea saman whole pod meal). At 28 days of age (before the commencement of the feeding trial), two hundred and forty birds each were randomly selected and divided into four groups, each group constituting a treatment with three replicates per treatment in a completely randomised design. Four experimental diets each for seed meal and whole pod meal were formulated: a control diet with no Samanea saman seed or whole pod meals and three other diets containing processed Samanea saman seed or whole pod meals each incorporated at levels of 20 g, 40 g and 60 g kg-1 diet to replace fish meal and soyabean meal. These experimental diets and water were provided to the broiler chickens ad-libitum throughout the experiments. Chemical analyses of SSSM and SSPM indicated they are both fairly good sources of protein and mineral elements to partly meet the requirements of poultry. The results of experiment 1 (SSSM) revealed that the broiler chickens fed the control diet (T1) and 20 g (T2) Samanea saman seed meal kg-1 diet were significantly (p < 0.05) better in all the growth parameters evaluated than those on the 40 g SSSM kg-1 (T3) and 60 g SSSM kg-1 diets (T4). In study 2 using the whole pod meal, growth performance of all the parameters measured were similar (p > 0.05). Percentage carcass yield was significant (p < 0.05) among the various dietary treatments and had a decreasing trend as the dietary level of SSSM increased. However, it was rather the opposite for the SSPM where there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences among dietary treatments with an increasing pattern as the SSPM inclusion level increased. There were no significant differences in organ weights for both experiments. Also mortalities recorded in both feeding trials, were not ascribed to SSSM or SSPM. Haematological and blood biochemical indices for the two studies suggest that the physiological and health status of the birds were not affected by the various inclusion levels of Samanea saman seed and whole pod meals. It is recommended that both Samanea saman seed and pod meals could be valuable feed ingredients to be included up to 20 g kg-1 and 60 g kg-1, respectively of broiler chickens diets without any deleterious effects on growth performance and even confer economic benefits.

Source: KNUST
Obesity and type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africans – Is the burden in today’s Africa similar to African migrants in Europe? The RODAM study

Background: Rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are impending major threats to the health of African populations, but the extent to which they differ between rural and urban settings in Africa and upon migration to Europe is unknown. We assessed the burden of obesity and T2D among Ghanaians living in rural and urban Ghana and Ghanaian migrants living in different European countries. Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted among Ghanaian adults (n = 5659) aged 25–70 years residing in rural and urban Ghana and three European cities (Amsterdam, London and Berlin). Comparisons between groups were made using prevalence ratios (PRs) with adjustments for age and education. Results: In rural Ghana, the prevalence of obesity was 1.3 % in men and 8.3 % in women. The prevalence was considerably higher in urban Ghana (men, 6.9 %; PR: 5.26, 95 % CI, 2.04–13.57; women, 33.9 %; PR: 4.11, 3.13–5.40) and even more so in Europe, especially in London (men, 21.4 %; PR: 15.04, 5.98–37.84; women, 54.2 %; PR: 6.63, 5.04–8.72). The prevalence of T2D was low at 3.6 % and 5.5 % in rural Ghanaian men and women, and increased in urban Ghanaians (men, 10.3 %; PR: 3.06; 1.73–5.40; women, 9.2 %; PR: 1.81, 1.25–2.64) and highest in Berlin (men, 15.3 %; PR: 4.47; 2.50–7.98; women, 10.2 %; PR: 2.21, 1.30–3.75). Impaired fasting glycaemia prevalence was comparatively higher only in Amsterdam, and in London, men compared with rural Ghana. Conclusion: Our study shows high risks of obesity and T2D among sub-Saharan African populations living in Europe. In Ghana, similarly high prevalence rates were seen in an urban environment, whereas in rural areas, the prevalence of obesity among women is already remarkable. Similar processes underlying the high burden of obesity and T2D following migration may also be at play in sub-Saharan Africa as a consequence of urbanisation

Source: KNUST
Observable artistic changes in the funerals of Adanse Traditional Area.

Funeral rites have been with mankind since creation. Funerals are observed to pay the last respect to the deceased. Art has played a major role in funerals since creation. However, art in funerals has seen some changes in Adanse Traditional Area since the past fifty years due to modernity and technology. The researcher, in an attempt to find out the changes in art forms in the area understudy used qualitative and descriptive research methods. The researcher adopted qualitative research method to help him to obtain a clear picture of what he observed. So also he chose descriptive method to enable him describe in detail all the art forms he observed and information he got from interviewees. From the study, the researcher realized that the many art forms that have been added to funeral celebrations in the Adanse traditional area have brought employment opportunities to some of the people living there. Despite the creation of jobs during funerals others see funerals with its attendant hardships. Some people are of the view that because of the affluence that people attach to it, huge sums are spent on the many use of arts. They made mention of the high cost of coffins, the many souvenirs, announcements and cloths, among others. They are of the view that such monies could be used to help brilliant but needy pupils in schools and developmental projects in the towns. The researcher recommends that affluence which goes with funerals in Adanse should be minimized. The Traditional rulers and opinion leaders should take it upon themselves to educate the masses to reduce the many art forms thereby saving some money to help the needy or schools in the area. It is appropriate to use various art forms in funerals to showcase the rich culture of the people of Adanse. Its attendant advantages over weigh the disadvantages, yet the importance of the art forms is dear to the heart of the researcher. In all the funeral literature read so far by the researcher, the authors failed to show the importance and advantages of art forms used in funerals though they made mention of the arts. This constitutes an academic vacuum which this thesis has filled. The researcher suggest to future researchers to look at the financial problems that the use of many art forms have brought to bear on many homes especially the children of a deceased person and the inheritor.

Source: KNUST
Obstacles to infrastructure financing in the public sector: the case of Urban Road Projects in Accra

Infrastructure development has been noted as one imperative pathway for socio-economic development of any country. Yet many developing countries still face the challenge of providing infrastructure. Among other things, finance has been a major issue when it comes to infrastructural development particularly urban road projects. This study was conducted to ascertain the various obstacles that inhibit urban roads financing in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. A total sample of 50 respondents were selected from various key institution such as the Ghana Highway Authority, Ministry of Road and Transportation, Urban Road Contractors and African Development Bank. Using a structured questionnaires, data were gathered from them and analyzed...

Source: KNUST
Obesity related habit among adult obese women in Ejisu-Juaben District, Ghana

Obesity prevalence is rising at an alarming rate throughout the world, as it is in Ghana It is reported that 25.5% of Ghanaian women are obese with 33.0% of annual maternal death being as a result of obesity (Ghartey (Dr.), 2005) Although the seriousness if this condition may be overlooked due to marginal increases in the prevalence rates, it provides a serious threat to public health. Due to the hidden and gradual spread of the disease in the Ejisu-Juabeng district, the study was undertaken with the aim of identifying the risk factors that serve as an auxiliary to the increase of the disease and develop a behaviour change strategy that will serve as a framework in management’s effort in curbing the situation. The study used a cross-sectional design in which all data were collected from 150 adult women and 10 key informants by the use of open and closed-ended questionnaires and interview guide. The study revealed that 60.0% of the prevalence in the district could be attributed to the lifestyle of the people, which is a reflection of their cultural, social and personal attributes. Ghanaian culture sees obesity as a value, (a sign of good living) and as a standard, which one must achieve. From the findings of the study, Hereditary and Dietary factors of the people also were among the major factors enhancing the persistence of the disease in the district. The study showed a skewed trend of exercises undertaken by the adult women in the district. The few, who do engage in exercises, did it in the form of endurance exercises such as walking, dancing and mopping. Therefore the absence of other forms of basic exercises had had a negative impact on the health of the people, especially the adult women who serve as breadwinners for the family. In Ghana, there is no form of clinical therapies available at such areas for patients to visit for frequent check-ups. This therefore has propelled the minor causes of the condition to rise in number. In conclusion, it could be said that the awareness level about obesity is not enough, therefore the necessary structures and urgent response with consistency on the part of the government and the individuals are relevant in controlling and combating the issue at stake.

Source: KNUST
Obnoxious Facility Problem: Optimal Site for Refuse Dump in Ejisu Township

The study seeks to find the optimal sites to locate a refuse dump at Ejisu, small town and the capital of Ejisu-Juaben Municipal, a district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, using the Maxisum location model. We seek to locate facilities so that the average distance covered by the inhabitants of Ejisu will be minimized. Various location models and methods were studied and we proposed the appropriate model for the location problem. Greedy Add heuristic was used to estimate the demand-weighted distance. Data on distances between various suburbs and population were collected and the Floyd’s algorithm was used to find the shortest distance matrix between suburbs. The results show that the first facility has to be located at Krapa No. 2 and the second facility, at Serwaa Akura. Overall solution is 23465km (Total demand weighted distance) and in this case the average maximum of distance (4.13km) is covered by the inhabitants. The researcher recommended that corporate bodies including Zoomlion Ghana, Ejisu Municipal Assembly and individuals, who want to develop a refuse dump at Ejisu Township must be sited at the two stated towns accordingly.

Source: KNUST
Obstetrics Complications: Effects And Concerns At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kath)

Obstetrics complication is an acute condition arising from indirect or direct causes of maternal death. Approximately 20 million of these claim the lives of 67,000 women. These deaths represent 11% of all pregnancy-related mortality in Ghana. A logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of age, marital status, education level, occupational status and place of delivery on the likelihood that women experienced obstetric complications. The study was based on 320 women between 15 − 49 years from May to August, 2015. Women who were younger than 30, unemployed, single with low education and of low socio-economic status were thrice more likely to have abortion than those with eclampsia complications. Increasing levels of education was associated with increased likelihood of having eclampsia. Increasing in age was associated with increased likelihood of experiencing eclampsia complication but decreasing in age was associated with reduction in the likelihood of having abortion. Also, a unit change in marital status (being married) was associated with a reduction in experiencing eclampsia. It was evident that only 107(33.4%) of the women used contraceptives after treatment indicating unmet need of family planning. It is recommended that women should use contraceptives in order to avert unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion and eclampsia which ends in maternal morbidity and mortality.

Source: KNUST
Occupational Health and Safety Issues Involving Casual Workers on Building Construction Sites in Ghana, A Kumasi Study

The term “casual workers” refers to individuals who are engaged on temporary basis to work for a period of time not exceeding six (6) months, and whose remunerations are calculated and paid on daily basis. Typically of many construction economies, this type of employment has increased over the years with its accompanying occupational health and safety issues. Interestingly, very little research on occupational health and safety of casual workers in the Ghanaian construction industry has been done. The objective of this study is to establish the health and safety practices with a view of proposing a framework for evaluating health and safety on construction sites. Using purposive sampling technique, 100 questionnaires were distributed to contractors, project engineers, project managers, foremen and casual workers. Seventy-five were retrieved. Twenty out of the seventy-five were found to be too badly completed to be useful for the analysis and were therefore discarded. This brought the responses effectively to fifty-five, representing a response rate of 55%. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, scale ranking, chi-squared () test and one sample statistics of importance. The findings indicate that 60% of building contractors in the Kumasi Metropolis do not provide welfare facilities and safety materials to casual workers. The findings also indicate that first-aid equipments, safe drinking water, sanitary facilities, provision of personal protection equipment (PPE) and training of casual workers on safety procedures, were the measures needed for addressing the occupational health and safety issues confronting casual workers on construction sites. It is recommended that Safety Officers from Ghana Labour office should liaise with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and in conjunction with the Association of Civil Engineering and Building Contractors, regularly visit construction sites to ensure the enforcement of laws governing the provision of welfare facilities and safety materials, employment, and rights of casual workers It is also recommended that contractors should be encouraged to set up Human Resource and Safety Departments for the purpose of executing iii safety education campaigns and training programmes to all casual workers. It is further suggested that five to ten minutes each morning be apportioned to briefing on health and safety to all workers, including casual workers, before commencement of work, to inculcate in them safety awareness, and improving safety on construction sites.

Source: KNUST