ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An Institute of Residual Studies? Nkrumah and the “Afroepistemic” Origins of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana

This paper examines the development of the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies (IAS), arguing that the landscape of decolonial epistemology is more complex than is often assumed. Drawing on new archival documents it maps out the different landscape of ideas regarding its decolonial origins — phase one (1948–50), phase two (1954–61), and phase three (1960–63) — not only to elucidate problems of defining what decolonial work should entail but also as a historical study of how people associated with the IAS contributed to defining and activating a decolonial project. It shows Nkrumah’s specific instrumentality to its emergence through an African-centred or “Afroepistemic” approach to African Studies. It also highlights how the decolonial imperative was shaped by different historical moments.

Source: UG
An overview of Ghana¿s mental health system: results from an assessment using the World Health Organization¿s Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS)

Abstract Background This survey provides data on the Mental Health System in Ghana for the year 2011. It supplies essential planning information for the implementation of Ghana&#8217;s new Mental Health Act 846 of 2012, a renewal of the Ghana 5&#160;year plan for mental health and it contributes to international knowledge base on mental health. It provides a baseline from which to measure future progress in Ghana and comparison data for use in other countries. In addition to reporting our findings we describe and analyse deficiencies and strengths of the Ghana mental health system. Methods We used the World Health Organization&#8217;s Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS) to collect, analyse, and report data on the mental health system and services for all districts of the ten regions of Ghana. Data was collected in 2012, based on the year 2011. Results In 2011, Ghana was a lower middle income country with a population of approximately 25 million. A mental health policy, plan and legislation were in place. Mental health legislation was outdated and no longer in line with best practice standards. Services were significantly underfunded with only 1.4% of the health expenditure going to mental health, and spending very much skewed towards urban areas. There were 123 mental health outpatient facilities, 3 psychiatric hospitals, 7 community based psychiatric inpatient units, 4 community residential facilities and 1&#160;day treatment centre, which is well below what would be expected for Ghana&#8217;s economic status. The majority of patients were treated in outpatient facilities and psychiatric hospitals and most of the inpatient beds were provided by the latter. There were an estimated 2.4 million people with mental health problems of which 67,780 (ie 2.8%) received treatment in 2011. The were 18 psychiatrists, 1,068 Registered Mental Nurses, 19 psychologists, 72 Community Mental Health Officers and 21 social workers working in mental health which is unbalanced with an unbalanced emphasis on nurses compared to what would be expected. Conclusions The main strength of the mental health system was the presence of a long established service with staff working across the country in outpatients departments and hospitals. The main weakness was that government spending on mental health was very low and the bulk of services, albeit very sparse, were centred around the capital city leaving much of the rest of the country with almost no provision. Service provision was dominated by nurses with few other professions groups present.

Source: UG
An-Essay on the Superstitions, Customs, and Arts Common to the Ancient Egyptians, Abyssinians, and Ashantees.

THE traditions of emigration, not of the whole population but of particular families, so current in Ashantee and the neighbouring nations, the numerous exceptions to the negro countenance, and the striking similitude of most of their more extraordinary superstitions, laws, and customs to those of ancient- Egypt, persuaded me that most of the higher classes are descended from eastern Ethiopians who had been improved by an intercourse with the Egyptian emigrants and colonists. The connection and intercourse of Egypt and Ethiopia seem, naturally, to have existed from the foundation of these kingdoms. The Greek writers agree, that the Ethiopians frequently bursting into Egypt with their vast armies, by the same route so fatal to the troops of Cambyses, subdued and occupied it for ages. The Ethiopic dynasties are recorded in the Egyptian chronicles: an Ethiopian had been elevated to the throne of Egypt long before the reign of Sesostris. A kind of Ethiopia, celebrated for his moderation and his prudence, was invited to expel and succeed the tyrant Amosis:another seized the throne which the Egyptians had before proffered or accorded to his countryman, emigration

Source: UG
Anaemia after Enalapril in a Child with Nephrotic Syndrome

A girl aged 7 years with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and nephrotic syndrome failed to respond to prednisolone for 7 weeks, and to prednisolone with cyclophosphamide for a further 8 weeks Blood pressure was normal and oedema was controlled with diuretics Creatinine had increased from 30 μmol/L to 50 μmol/L, and the urine protein/creatinine ratio from 2400 mg/mmol to 4000 mg/mmol From week 10 to week 40, creatinine rose from 30 μmol/L to 85 μmol/L and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio fluctuated between 2000 mg/mmol and 4000 mg/mmol She was started on enalapril 2·5 mg twice daily After 3 months, enalapril was discontinued because her haemoglobin had fallen from 127 g/L to 62 g/L with haematocrit of 0·16, but with normal ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 There is a relation between onset of anaemia and use of enalapril (figure) A weaker relation was seen with prednisolone withdrawal.

Source: UG
Anaemia at antenatal care initiation and associated factors among pregnant women in west Gonja district, Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: anaemia in pregnancy remains a critical public health concern in many African settings; but its determinants are not clear. The purpose of this study was to assess anaemia at antenatal care initiation and associated factors among pregnant women in a local district of Ghana. Methods: a facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 378 pregnant women attending antenatal care at two health facilities were surveyed. Data on haemoglobin level, helminths and malaria infection status at first antenatal care registration were extracted from antenatal records booklets of each pregnant women. Questionnaires were then used to collect data on socio-demographic and dietary variables. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to assess factors associated with anaemia. Results: the prevalence of anaemia was 56%, with mild anaemia being the highest form (31.0%). Anaemia prevalence was highest (73.2%) among respondents aged 15-19 years. Factors that significantly independently reduced the odds of anaemia in pregnancy after controlling for potential confounders were early (within first trimester) antenatal care initiation (AOR=5.01; 95% CI =1.41-17.76; p=0.013) and consumption of egg three or more times in a week (AOR=0.30; 95% CI=0.15-0.81; P=0.014). Conclusion: health facility and community-based preconception and conception care interventions must not only aim to educate women and community members about the importance of early ANC initiation, balanced diet, protein and iron-rich foods sources that may reduce anaemia, but must also engage community leaders and men to address food taboos and cultural prohibitions that negatively affect pregnant woman.

Source: UG
Anaemia caused by asymptomatic plasmodium falciparum infection in semi-immune african schoolchildren.

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Anaemia prevalence and nutrient intake among women in peri-urban settlements in Accra, Ghana

Anaemia among women is a major public health concern globally. In developing countries, nutritional anaemia may be due to poor bioavailability of dietary iron, haemoglobinopathies, or intestinal parasites. The study objectives were to determine the prevalence of anaemia and current nutrient intakes essential to erythropoiesis among women of reproductive age (WRA) in peri-urban settlements in the Ga-East Municipality, Accra, Ghana. This cross-sectional study assessed the nutrient intake, sickling and haemoglobin levels of 134 women aged 15-49 years enrolled in a peanut-based field trial at baseline. A pretested semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess energy and nutrient intake using the Food Processor (ESHA) software. Whole blood was used to determine full blood count using the haematology automated analyser. Sickling was determined by blood staining. Anaemia was classified based on recommended cut-offs. Chi-square analysis was used as a test of independence between anaemia and age groups. Linear regression was used to determine predictors of haemoglobin concentration. The mean age of the women was 29 ± 8 years. The mean total caloric intake was 2315 ± 915 kcal, whilst protein and fat intakes were 67 ± 27g and 68± 30g, respectively. Almost three-quarters of the women met the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron and vitamin C. However, only a third met the RDA for fat, and about two-thirds met their needs for energy and protein. None of the women met the RDA for folate which is integral for haem formation. Also 17% (23/134) of the women were sickle cell anaemia positive. Mean haemoglobin concentration was 12.1 ± 1.8 g/dL. Mild, moderate and severe anaemia due to iron deficiency was present in 35.8%, 6.7% and 1.5%, of the women respectively. All categories of anaemia was present in 44% of the women. Anaemia, prevalence increased during the early stages of the reproductive age (15-29 years) and declined towards the end of the reproductive age period (40-49 years). An increase in age of one year was significantly associated with a 0.056 g/dL rise in haemoglobin level (p=0.014). Anaemia due to iron deficiency exists as a public health problem among women in peri-urban settlements in the Ga-East Municipality, Accra, Ghana. Dietary diversity to include green leafy vegetables which are rich in folate and pro-vitamin A may reduce the current level of prevalence.

Source: UG
Anaemia, vitamin-A deficiency, anthropometric nutritional status and associated factors among young school children in Kodzobi, Ghana, a peri-urban community

Anaemia, vitamin-A deficiency and under nutrition are prevalent among children at levels of public health significance in developing countries of which Ghana is no exception. The objective of this study was to assess the anaemia, low vitamin-A level and anthropometric nutritional status of 162 randomly selected young Ghanaian school children 4 – 8 years in Kodzobi, a peri-urban community and establish associated factors. Questionnaires were used to collect background data from parents of study participants. Vitamin-A and haemoglobin concentrations were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Haemocue hemoglobinometer, respectively. Malaria parasitaemia was examined by the Giemsa staining technique. Weight and height measurements were taken according to WHO’s standard procedures to assess participants’ nutritional status. The mean haemoglobin and serum retinol concentrations were 11.6 ± 1.1 g/dl and 22.8 ± 6.5 μg/dl, respectively. Prevalence of anaemia and vitamin-A deficiency among study participants were 38.3 % and 24.0 %, respectively. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, thinness and overweight were 9.3 %, 9.9 %, 4.3 % and 3.7 %, respectively. Haemoglobin correlated positively and significantly with weight, weight-for-age and body mass index-for-age z scores. Child’s sex, vitamin-A status and parental monthly income associated with anaemia status. Females had a higher risk of being anaemic compared to males (OR = 2.519; 95 % CI: 0.965 - 6.580; p = 0.049). Participants with normal vitamin-A concentration were at lower risk of being anaemic (OR = 0.302; 95 % CI: 0.109 - 0.840; p = 0.022) than those with low vitamin-A concentration. Anaemia and young child age negatively associated with vitamin-A status, at p = 0.039 and p = 0.037, respectively. Anaemia and vitamin-A deficiency are issues of public health importance among school-aged children in Ghana. There is, therefore, the need to invest in actions that prevent their occurrence and management especially among children of school going age.

Source: UG
Anaerobic bacteria in chronic otitis media.

The bacteriology of 200 patients aged between 2 months to 80 years (mean 23 years) with chronic ear infections was studied. A total of 142 patients had otitis media with effusion, and 58 had chronic otitis media but no effusion. A total of 222 specimens were cultured. From the 142 patients with active disease, 16 specimens were taken from the mastoid antrums. Anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 10% of the draining ears; none occurred in the ears without effusion; and 17% of specimens from the infected mastoids grew anaerobic organisms. All of them were Bacteroides species. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates showed a 100% sensitivity of the Bacteroides isolates to metronidazole and chloramphenicol and a high level of resistance to commonly used systemic antibiotics. Fungal infection of the middle ear was found in 6.5% of the isolates.

Source: UG
Anaesthesia manpower recruitment at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital -A survey of house officers

A survey was conducted among housemen at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to find out young doc· tors ' al1itude towards the speciality of Anaesthesia. Out of 83 housemen contacted, there were 56 respondents. Out of the 56 respondents, 15 would consider specializing in anaesthesia and 29 would consider doing a rotation in anaesthesia. Reasons that were thought important in deterring doctors from anaesthesia were the heavy workload and stress in anaesthesia. Factors that were thought would increase interest in anaesthesia were facilities for intensive care and pain clinics and also the possibility of going abroad for part of the anaesthesia training. It is suggested that increased efforts are made to attract young doctors into the speciality of anaesthesia

Source: UG
The Anaesthetic Management of a Case of Phaechromocytoma

The anaesthetic management of a case of phaeochromocytoma is presented. It is pointed out that the number of cases in our environment may be higher than we think and that a high index of suspicion is necessary to pick out cases of phaeochromocytoma from the population of hypertensive patients. In our setting it is often difficult getting the necessary drugs to manage cases of phaeochromocytoma. Limited monitoring equipment may also be a handicap. It is however pointed out that with attention to care and detail, cases of phaeochromocytoma can be successfully managed in our environment

Source: UG
Analgesic activity and safety assessment of heliotropium indicum linn. (boraginaceae) in rodents

This study presented the analgesic and safety assessment of Heliotropium indicum, a plant traditionally used for the management of abdominal pains, dysmenorrhoea and post-labour inflammatory conditions in Ghana using formalin-induced pain model in mice. For comparison of analgesic effect, morphine (1-10 mg kg-1) and diclofenac sodium (1-10 mg kg-1) were used as a reference opioid and NSAID, respectively. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts (30-300 mg kg-1) dose-dependently inhibited both the first and second phases of the formalin-induced nociception. Oral doses of the aqueous extract (1-5 g kg-1) in imprint control region mice were well tolerated in acute toxicity studies; however a 14-day oral administration of 1-2 g kg-1 of the extracts in sprague-Dawley rats produced pathologic effects on the heart, kidney, liver and lungs. Therefore, although the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of H. indicum have analgesic activity, it could have a cumulative toxic effects hence prolonged and continuous use is not advised.

Source: UG
Analgesic effects of a hydro-ethanolic whole plant extract of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats

Background: Synedrella nodiflora is used by traditional healers in Ghana for the management of epilepsy and pain. The hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant has demonstrated antinociceptive effect in various animal models of pain. This study investigated the potential benefit of the hydro-ethanolic extract in a rat model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: Neuropathy was induced in rats by a continuous intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel (2 mg/kg) for 5 days. Baseline latencies to thermal pain were recorded before the first injection of paclitaxel and during the 5 day induction period. Following the induction, the rats in designated treatment group were treated with the hydro-ethanolic extract (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o) or pregabalin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle (distilled water) and their responses to thermal hyperalgesia measured every 30 for a total period of 3 h. Results: There was a significant difference between the baseline reaction latency and what was observed on the 5th day of the induction of neuropathy. Two days after the induction of neuropathy, the extract and pregabalin significantly and dose-dependently produced antinociceptive effect during the 3-h test period. Conclusion: The hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Synedrella nodiflora possess analgesic effect in paclitaxel-induced neuropathy in rats.

Source: UG
Analyse De L’interaction Verbale En Classe De Fle Au Lycée Ghanéen

This study analyses verbal interaction in the French as Foreign Language (FFL) class by focusing on phenomena such as choice of theme, turn taking, speaking time and interruptions as established by Kerbrat- Orecchini (1992). The study adopts mainly qualitative analysis but also relies on some quantitative data. The target population includes 95 learners of FFL comprising 63 females and 32 males selected from three senior high schools in Ghana. Data have been collected through audiovisual recordings in the schools. The results show that teachers engage and support learner participation through personal and impersonal themes. In addition, learners record a slightly higher level of turn taking than their teachers. However, teachers talk more and interrupt mostly students’ turns although the interruptions do not interfere with the flow of the verbal interaction in class.

Source: UG
Analyse des alternances codiques dans la production orale des futurs enseignants en classe de français langue étrangère (FLE) a l’école normale supérieure de Somanya au Ghana

This research focuses on code switching in the oral presentation of trainee teachers in French as a foreign language (FLE) class. The study seeks to examine how future teachers deploy code switching as an oral communication strategy during FLE. To draw on the intricacies of this phenomenon, this study adopts a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The instruments used for data collection include questionnaire and audiovisual recording. The target population of our study includes 77 learners from the Mount Mary College of Education Somanya in Ghana. The results of the quantitative analysis serve as clues to comprehend and appreciate the intensification of the alternate use of the two languages (French and English) in oral presentation. Moreover, the articulation of the two approaches, macro and micro, allows us to highlight the functions of code alternation both in the epilinguistic discourse of the speakers than in their actual language practices. The study also shows that code switching is a way of speaking, which in our investigations contributes on the one hand to the development of the verbal repertoire in interaction and leads to code convergence. On the other hand, it fulfills several functions such as serving as a stylistic strategy and a resource for regulating turns during a speech event.

Source: UG
Analyse Des Stratégies De Communication Orale Des Futurs Enseignants En Classe De Fle A L’école Normale Supérieure De Somanya Au Ghana

This work aims to analyze the oral communication strategies that Ghanaian learners of French implement to overcome their difficulties in communication situations in French classes. The objective of this work is to study and analyze the main oral communication strategies deployed by learners of at the Mount Mary College of Education, Somanya. In this perspective, we examined different oral communication strategies used by learners using a mixed approach of data analysis which is both quantitative and qualitative: audiovisual recording and a questionnaire. To complete the questionnaire, 77 students including 53 women and 24 men volunteered. Regarding the audiovisual recording we called on volunteers and 38 students: 13 men and 25 women were recorded from a tablet. Analysis of the data revealed that the oral communication strategies used by learners of French are: message abandonment, explanation, foreignising, repetition, word-for-word translation. The results obtained serve as a basis for future theoretical reflections and as a guide for the identification of oral communication strategies in French class.

Source: UG
Analyses of health outcomes from the 5 sites participating in the Africa and Asia clinical efficacy trials of the oral pentavalent rotavirus vaccine

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG