ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Eradicating cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of death for women in low-and middle-income countries.1 This situation is unacceptable because cervical cancer has been shown to be one of the preventable cancers. Cervical cancer is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), which is an infectious agent. The pathogenesis of cervical cancer begins with HPV infection and then slowly progresses to a premalignant disease of the cervix, before developing into an invasive disease. This pathogenesis clearly shows that there are many stages and enough time to detect the disease at an early stage and thereby prevent the development of invasive cancer. There are also proven methods of curing cervical cancer if it is detected at the earliest stages of the disease. Cervical cancer is neither a common disease nor a leading cause of death in high-income countries because their health systems have effective measures in place to prevent, detect, and treat the condition. These facts are part of the reason why the World Health Organization (WHO) is leading a campaign to eradicate cervical cancer.2 FIGO is playing an active role in furthering this campaign, and in 2018 launched a joint global declaration on the elimination of cervical cancer with WHO and UNFPA.3 Infectious diseases such as polio have been successfully eradicated from many parts of the world,4 and there are some low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) that have been able to eradicate malaria.5 It is therefore understandable that WHO should take on the task of eliminating cervical cancer, which could be considered an infectious disease.

Source: UG
Eradicating extreme poverty in Africa through productive inclusion: A comparative assessment of two social protection programmes in Ghana

Ghana has experimented with two social protection programmes: the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, and the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) pilot project aimed at reducing extreme poverty and improving the standard of living of beneficiaries. This study comparatively assessed how the LEAP programme and the JSDF-LEAP project have contributed to improving the standard of living of beneficiaries. A sample of 167 respondents, comprising 81 LEAP households, 82 JSDF-LEAP beneficiaries and four District Social Welfare Officers, took part in the study. The study findings suggest that cash transfers alone, such as the LEAP program, may not yield significant improvement in the standard of living of the extreme poor without complementary programmes such as the JSDF-LEAP project to address the livelihood and other socio-economic challenges that they encounter. The study recommends a holistic approach to tackling extreme poverty through ‘cash plus. programmes.

Source: UG
Ergonomics assessment of locally fabricated passenger seats in trotro vehicles in Accra, Ghana

Trotro vehicles constitute one of the major means of transportation in Ghana by way of ferrying people and goods. Most trotros are originally brought into the country as load carrying vehicles, which are then converted into passenger vehicles. Locally designed seats are then fabricated and secured into the vehicles. The study explored the ergonomic evaluation of the locally fabricated passenger seats with anthropometric measures of passengers and also compared the seat dimensions to required standards. The study was undertaken at seven selected bus stations in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The study composed of 307 volunteer passengers comprising 175 females and 132 males with ages spanning from 18 to 60 years. The dimensions of ninety locally fabricated seats were collected from ninety randomly selected trotro vehicles. Ergonomic assessment was performed to determine match or mismatch between the anthropometric measures and vehicle seating dimensions. In addition, the fabricated seat dimensions were compared to both local and international vehicle seat standards. High mismatches indicating that the passenger seats were probably too deep or too high were observed for seat height – popliteal height, seat depth – buttock popliteal length, and seat breadth – hip breadth. A low mismatch was observed between the sitting height and backrest height for 99.4% of participants. Only four and ten out of the ninety seats complied with specified standard seat length and backrest to backrest distance, respectively. The high prevalence of mismatch is a possible indication that most locally fabricated seats do not adequately accommodate majority of passengers. Furthermore, it appears that anthropometric measures and standard vehicle seat dimensions are not considered during seat design, with potential health ramifications pertaining to the safety, comfort and sitting posture of passengers. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UG
Erratic electricity supply (Dumsor) and anxiety disorders among university students in Ghana: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Ghana is currently experiencing electricity supply crisis that is believed to have some impact on the mental wellbeing of the population, especially among university students that have become increasingly dependent on uninterrupted electricity supply to fully function academically. There is no known study that explores the link between infrequent electricity supply and generalized anxiety disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore that link and determine the proportion of university students whose anxiety levels may be influenced by the electricity supply crisis that the country is experiencing at the moment. Methods This exploratory study used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) to conduct the study on the University of Ghana campus. The likelihood ratio (LR) test and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to determine any association between the electricity supply crisis and anxiety levels among students. Unadjusted odds ratio and corresponding confidence intervals were estimated and ordinal logistic regression technique was used for the effect of covariates on anxiety. Results Overall, nearly 26 % of students interviewed felt nervous, anxious or on edge almost every day due to the erratic power supply. The proportion of students determined to be classified having minimal, mild, moderate and severe anxiety due to the erratic power supply was 24.2, 30.7, 22.1 and 23.1 % respectively. Students were significantly more likely to be anxious if the frequency of power outage increased (OR 1.36; CI 1.23–1.49). Conclusions Our finding in this study suggests that although the erratic power supply does not allude to any clinical confirmation of the students having anxiety disorders, it does point to a fact that even in a resource-poor country like Ghana, where constant supply of electricity is not always guaranteed, students may not be entirely immune to the health and well-being implications of failures in some sectors of the economy such as power supply.

Source: UG
Erratum to Effect of predicted sea level rise on tourism facilities along Ghana’s Accra coast[J Coast Conserv, 17:155–166, (2013), DOI 10.1007/s11852-012-0227-y]

Recent sea-level rise has mostly been attributed to global warming and this process is expected to continue for centuries. The extent of the impact of sea level rise on tourism in Ghana is unknown though there are predictions that some prominent tourism facilities are at risk. This paper assessed the potential impact of enhanced sea level rise (ESLR) for different IPCC scenarios on tourism facilities along the coast of Accra. Shorelines for 1974 and 2005 were extracted from orthophotos and topographic maps, and vulnerability for tourism facilities estimated. Mean sea level measurements indicated an average rise of 3.3 mm/year, while the shoreline eroded by as much as 0.86 m/year. Predictions for Ghana showed 10 cm, 23.4 cm and 36.4 cm sea level rise for 2020, 2060 and 2100 respectively with 1990 as base year. Modelled predictions for the years 2020, 2060 and 2100 based on A2 (enhanced regional economic growth) and B2 (more environmentally focused) IPCC scenarios indicated that 13 tourism facilities are at risk to sea level rise. Out of the total number of tourism facilities at risk, 31 % cannot physically withstand the event of sea level rise hazard. In terms of socio-economic vulnerability, accommodation facilities are the most susceptible. Salinization and sanitation problems along the coast will adversely affect tourism.

Source: UG
Erratum: Effect of removing direct payment for health care on utilisation and health outcomes in Ghanaian children: A randomised controlled trial (PLoS medicine (2009) 6:2 (e1000033)DOI:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000007)).

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
Erratum: Maternal deaths attributable to hypertensive disorders in a tertiary hospital in Ghana (International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2013) 123 (110-113))

Objective To determine the contribution of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to maternal deaths at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. Methods The retrospective descriptive study conducted at KBTH during 2010–2011 involved a comprehensive review of all maternal deaths attributable to hypertensive disorders. Results There were 21 385 deliveries, 21 742 live births, and 199 maternal deaths, resulting in a maternal mortality ratio of 915.3 per 100 000 live births. In total, 63 (31.7%) maternal deaths were attributable to hypertensive disorders with a case fatality rate of 3.9%. The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was 7.6%. Hypertensive disorders were the most common direct cause of maternal death followed by obstetric hemorrhage (26.6%), unsafe abortion (11.1%), and puerperal sepsis (3.5%). Most (38.1%) hypertension-related maternal deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission and the majority (79.4%) had been referred. Eclampsia was the leading immediate cause of hypertension-related death (23.8%), followed by acute renal failure (20.6%), intracerebral hemorrhage (15.9%), and pulmonary edema (12.7%). Conclusion Hypertensive diseases are the leading cause of maternal death at KBTH, having overtaken obstetric hemorrhage, with eclampsia, acute renal failure, intracerebral hemorrhage, and pulmonary edema representing the major immediate causes of hypertension-related maternal death.

Source: UG
Errors In Manual Radiotherapy Treatment Procedures And Their Evolution In A Low Resource Setting: Uganda’s Experience

Purpose: In Uganda, two-dimensional (2D) radiotherapy treatments have been in use since the establishment of radiotherapy in 1995. Preliminary investigations of treatment records in November 2019 showed evidence of gaps requiring urgent attention. The purpose of this study was to improve the safety of the treatments. Methods: Records of 1164 patients treated in 1387 courses (1412 sites) on Cobalt-60 units were reviewed to determine the frequency and dosimetric implications of events that occurred at different steps of the radiotherapy process. The results were presented and discussed with the different professionals for learning purposes. Results: Most common dosimetric events were omission of block tray, bolus and couch transmission factors in time calculations, incorrect field sizes and depths, wrong beam weighting, independent calculations and prescription doses contributing 28.6%, 10.1%, 6.0%,11.9 %, 10.1%, 5.4%, 4.8%, and 8.9% to the 168 observed errors. Comparison of the calculated treatment doses with the prescribed doses showed that 88 % of the 1412 sites were treated with radiation doses with an accuracy of ± 5%. However, an analysis of the evolution along the years demonstrated an improvement from 82.8% in 2018 to 86.1% in 2019 and 93.2% in 2020. Most common procedural events were incomplete setup instructions and missing patient data in the record and verify system of the Co-60 units for 57% and 61.1% of the 1164 patients, respectively. Conclusions: Opportunities for improving safety in the delivery of radiotherapy treatments were identified. Learning from these past errors should raise awareness within the team, leading to safer treatments.

Source: UG
Essai de Catalographie // D’Afrique Noire

Ce document, intitulé « Essai de Catalographie d’Afrique Noire » par Jean Fontvieille, aborde les défis et les propositions pour normaliser le catalogage des noms africains dans les bibliothèques et les bibliographies. Basé sur des travaux menés avec des stagiaires bibliothécaires africains à Dakar entre 1964 et 1966, l’essai met en lumière les particularités des patronymes traditionnels, islamisés et chrétiens, ainsi que les hybrides, dans les pays francophones d’Afrique subsaharienne. L’auteur souligne l’inadéquation des normes européennes face à la richesse anthroponymique africaine, où les noms reflètent l’histoire, la parenté, le rang de naissance ou des attributs symboliques. Il propose des règles pragmatiques pour déterminer les vedettes d’auteurs, en tenant compte des variations ethniques (comme l’ordre des composants chez les Wolof, Mossi ou Bété) et des titres religieux ou nobiliaires. Enfin, le texte plaide pour une collaboration entre écrivains, éditeurs et bibliothécaires africains afin d’uniformiser les pratiques, avec un appel à l’Unesco pour soutenir cette initiative. Ce travail s’inscrit dans les efforts postcoloniaux pour décoloniser les systèmes bibliographiques et affirmer une identité culturelle autonome

Source: UG
Essay on Child Training in Asante Akyem Bompata

This Essay on Child Training at Asante Akyem Bompata Has Been Written at the Stance of the Institute Of Education, University of the Gold Coast. It Is Part of the Course Leading Up To The Associate-ship Certificate In Education No Doubt It Is Calculated to Help to Establish A System of Educated Psychology Best Suited to the Needs of the Gold Coast Teacher in Particular and of the West African in General

Source: UG
The essence of practical problems of practical teaching

To live a worthy life man must contribute as much as he can to the happiness of others. The responsibilities towards the welfare of mankind particularly that of children calls for service and sacrifice and these are the duties of every man and woman. The greatest teacher places the love and education of children foremost when he says”And whoever receives a little child like this for my sake, receives me .but whoever is a hindrance to one of these little ones who believes in me better for him to have a milestone hung round his neck and be sunk in the deep sea

Source: UG
Establishing and Managing Development Networks in Africa: Perspective on the African Virtual Library and Information Network (AVLIN)

In times like this when libraries are facing problems with access and acquisition of materials, networking becomes very important. This paper discusses issues relating to networking in libraries with particular reference to the African Virtual Library and Information Network (AVLIN). The paper focuses on the goals and objectives of AVLIN; achievements and potential barriers; and the way forward for AVLIN. The paper also stresses the need for the sustenance of AVLIN in order to alleviate the problems of information provision in Africa.

Source: UG
Establishing and sustaining research partnerships in Africa: a case study of the UK-Africa Academic Partnership on Chronic Disease

Abstract This paper examines the challenges and opportunities in establishing and sustaining north&#8211;south research partnerships in Africa through a case study of the UK-Africa Academic Partnership on Chronic Disease. Established in 2006 with seed funding from the British Academy, the partnership aimed to bring together multidisciplinary chronic disease researchers based in the UK and Africa to collaborate on research, inform policymaking, train and support postgraduates and create a platform for research dissemination. We review the partnership&#8217;s achievements and challenges, applying established criteria for developing successful partnerships. During the funded period we achieved major success in creating a platform for research dissemination through international meetings and publications. Other goals, such as engaging in collaborative research and training postgraduates, were not as successfully realised. Enabling factors included trust and respect between core working group members, a shared commitment to achieving partnership goals, and the collective ability to develop creative strategies to overcome funding challenges. Barriers included limited funding, administrative support, and framework for monitoring and evaluating some goals. Chronic disease research partnerships in low-income regions operate within health research, practice, funding and policy environments that prioritise infectious diseases and other pressing public health and developmental challenges. Their long-term sustainability will therefore depend on integrated funding systems that provide a crucial capacity building bridge. Beyond the specific challenges of chronic disease research, we identify social capital, measurable goals, administrative support, creativity and innovation and funding as five key ingredients that are essential for sustaining research partnerships.

Source: UG
Establishing the First Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program in Ghana

As life expectancy in Ghana improves, a large and growing population of older adults require healthcare. Despite governmental support for the care of older adults, there have been no geriatricians and no in‐country educational path for those desiring to become specialists in this field. In fact, 23 of 54 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) lack even a single geriatrician. We describe a novel and collaborative approach used to develop the first geriatric training fellowship in Ghana. Faculty from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the University of Michigan worked together to develop a rigorous and evidence‐based geriatrics curriculum, based on US standards but adapted to be appropriate for the cultural, economic, educational, and social norms in Ghana. This approach led to a strong training model for care of older adults while also strengthening the ongoing collaboration between the two partner universities in Ghana and the United States. The fellowship has been inaugurated in Ghana and can serve as a concrete educational model for other countries in SSA

Source: UG
Establishment of a general medicine residency training program in rural west Africa

Ghana, a developing country in West Africa, has major medical burdens in taking care of a large population with limited resources. Its three medical schools produce more than 200 graduates per year, but most emigrate to developed lands after training. Ghana is working to educate and retain locally trained physicians, but it is difficult to get them to work in rural settings where the need is greatest. This article details the establishment of a General Medicine residency at a 150-bed hospital in rural Ghana. Early training comprises 6 months each in Medicine, Surgery, OB/GYN, and Pediatrics; the hospital in Techiman also has a Surgery residency. House officers choose the program for more hands-on experience than they can get in larger centers. They perform many tasks, including surgery, sooner and more independently than do residents in developed countries. The training program includes a morning report, clinical teaching rounds, and rotations on in-patient wards and in the Emergency Department and clinics. Teaching focuses on history, physical examination, good communication, and proper follow-up, with rigorous training in the OR and some clinical research projects pertinent to Ghana. Trainees work hard and learn from one another, from a dedicated faculty, and by evaluating and treating very sick patients. Ghana’s rural residencies offer rigorous and attractive training, but it is too soon to tell whether this will help stem the “brain drain” of young physicians out of West Africa. © 2014 Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Establishment of a quantitative and qualitative analysis and isolation method for tetracyclic iridoids from Morinda lucida Bentham leaves

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
Establishment of in-house quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay for HIV-1 viral load measurement: Application to evaluate efficacy of ART in Ghanaian patients in an urban setting

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Estimated Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in Ghana

Fungal infections are increasingly becoming common and yet often neglected in developing countries. Information on the burden of these infections is important for improved patient outcomes. The burden of serious fungal infections in Ghana is unknown. We aimed to estimate this burden. Using local, regional, or global data and estimates of population and at-risk groups, deterministic modelling was employed to estimate national incidence or prevalence. Our study revealed that about 4% of Ghanaians su er from serious fungal infections yearly, with over 35,000 a ected by life-threatening invasive fungal infections. Incidence of cryptococcal meningitis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, and disseminated histoplasmosis cases in AIDS was estimated at 6275, 12,610 and 724, respectively. Oral and esophageal candidiasis collectively a ect 27,100 Ghanaians and 42,653 adult asthmatics are estimated to have fungal asthma. We estimate a prevalence of 12,620 cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA and an incidence of 1254 cases of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Estimated cases of candidemia and candida peritonitis cases were 1446 and 217, respectively. The estimated prevalence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) and tinea capitis was 442,621 and 598,840, respectively. Mucormycosis and fungal keratitis each may a ect 58 and 810 Ghanaians. These data highlight the urgent need for intensified awareness to improve diagnosis and management.

Source: UG