ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Influence of tourist pressure on beach Litter and microbial quality - Case study of two beach resorts in Ghana

Beach litter accumulation and reduced water quality are important aspects of beach degradation which have adverse effects on the users of the beach and marine life. The study aims at determining how the degree of human pressure at the La and Korle Beach resorts in Accra, Ghana, which serve different social communities, contributes to beach degradation. A weekly collection of fresh and accumulated litter from a belt transect of 500 m2 and samples of seawater from each beach were obtained during a 3-week festive period (Dec. 26, 2005-Jan. 9, 2006) and a 3-week non-festive period (Jan. 23, 2006-Feb. 6, 2006). Thirty-two types of litter were identified and the total number and weight of litter collected from La were 2261 and 72695 g, and that of Korle were 2691 and 43239 g, respectively. Plastic material dominated the total litter at 66% for Korle and 53% for La, respectively. The numbers of litter increased with increasing visitor pressure during the festive season for Korle, although the type and diversity of the beach litter was location specific irrespective of the season for both sites. Microbial values for coliforms were higher for Korle than La, with significant increase in Korle during the festive season. The implications for leisure activity like swimming at both sites has minimal health risks since the mean levels of the indicators are within the WHO international permissible range.

Source: UG
The influence of traditional religion on fertility regulation among the kassena-nankana of northern Ghana

This article presents findings from a study of the influence of traditional religion on reproductive preferences of Kassena-Nankana lineage heads in northern Ghana. Seven reproductive preference questions were administered to nine lineage heads who are primary practitioners of the cult of sooth-saying. With the assistance of soothsayers, interviews were repeated in conjunction with the invocation of religious rites in order to determine the views of ancestral spirits on the seven questions. Pairs of lineage head and ancestral interviews are compared to determine the role of traditional religion in shaping male reproductive preferences. Interview pairs reflect a shared preference for sons, large compounds, and a growing lineage. Findings nonetheless show that some ancestral spirits want small families, some even wanting fewer children than corresponding lineage heads. Spiritual consultations are nondogmatic and open to external ideas and influences, suggesting that family planning introduction will not encounter systematic religious opposition among the Kassena-Nankana.

Source: UG
Influence of Tree Density on Vegetation Composition and Soil Chemical Properties in Savanna Rangeland of Eastern Cape, South Africa

The proliferation of woody species alters the vegetation structure, leading to loss of rangeland productivity. It aimed to assess the influence of tree density on vegetation and soil chemical properties at three levels of encroachment; open, moderate and dense. Each level of encroachment was replicated 3 times, a 5000 m2 plot was marked per replicate. Four belt transects 200 m2 were placed per plot. Woody species within each belt transect per replicate were identified and recorded to evaluate woody species composition. Grass species composition was assessed using a step point method. Soil was sampled per replicate and analysed for chemical properties. Results showed that 71% of grasses were increasers and 29% decreasers. Digitaria eriantha and Eragrostis obtusa were the most dominant species. Vachellia karoo and Aloe ferox were the most dominant woody species. The dense had high nitrogen (1.48%) compared to the moderate (0.23%) and the open (0.17%). Increaser species, soil carbon, soil pH increased with the increase of tree density. It was concluded that the replacement of highly palatable grasses with inferior ones was due to improper rangeland management practices. It was recommended that land users form rangeland management associations and set up conservation agreements for proper management of resources.

Source: UG
Influence of β-Ionone in the Phytotoxicity of the Rhizome of Iris pallida Lam

Iris pallida Lam., also known as Sweetie Iris, is a perennial ornamental and medicinal plant that produces a wide range of secondary metabolites. The Sweetie Iris was recently reported to have high allelopathic properties with the potential to be explored in sustainable weed management. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the contributions of compounds involved in the inhibitory effects of the rhizome of Sweetie Iris. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to determine the content of β-ionone in the rhizome of Sweetie Iris. The phytotoxicity of β-ionone was evaluated on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and other test plants. The content of β-ionone The crude extract of Sweetie Iris rhizome was found to be 20.0 mg g1 by HPLC analysis. The phytotoxicity bioassay showed that β-ionone had strong inhibitory activity on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and the other test plants, including Taraxacum officinale, Stellaria media, Eleusine indica, Amaranthus hybridus, Vicia villosa, and Brassica napus. At a concentration of 23.0 µg mL−1, , β-ionone inhibited the growth of all test plant species treated. Therefore, β-ionone is an active compound among the other allelopathic substances contained in the rhizome of Sweetie Iris.

Source: UG
Influences of intermittent preventive treatment and persistent multiclonal Plasmodium falciparum infections on clinical malaria risk

Background: Intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of malaria involves administration of curative doses of anti-malarials at specified time points to vulnerable populations in endemic areas, regardless whether a subject is known to be infected. The effect of this new intervention on the development and maintenance of protective immunity needs further understanding. We have investigated how seasonal IPT affects the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum infections and the risk of subsequent clinical malaria. Material and Methods: The study included 2227 Ghanaian children (3-59 months) who were given sulphadoxinepyrimethamine (SP) bimonthly, artesunate plus amodiaquine (AS+AQ) monthly or bimonthly, or placebo monthly for six months spanning the malaria transmission season. Blood samples collected at three post-interventional surveys were analysed by genotyping of the polymorphic merozoite surface protein 2 gene. Malaria morbidity and anaemia was monitored during 12 months follow-up. Results: Monthly IPT with AS+AQ resulted in a marked reduction in number of concurrent clones and only children parasite negative just after the intervention period developed clinical malaria during follow-up. In the placebo group, children without parasites as well as those infected with â‰¥ 2 clones had a reduced risk of subsequent malaria. The bimonthly SP or AS+AQ groups had similar number of clones as placebo after intervention; however, diversity and parasite negativity did notpredict the risk of malaria. An interaction effect showed that multiclonal infections were only associated with protection in children without intermittent treatment. Conclusion: Molecular typing revealed effects of the intervention not detected by ordinary microscopy. Effective seasonal IPT temporarily reduced the prevalence and genetic diversity of P. falciparum infections. The reduced risk of malaria in children with multiclonal infections only seen in untreated children suggests that persistence of antigenically diverse P. falciparum infections is important for the maintenance of protective malaria immunity in high transmission settings.

Source: UG
Influences of parental occupation on children’s occupational choices

Purpose – This study examines the relationships between parents’ and children’s occupations to determine the existence of intergenerational transmission of occupations. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the purpose of the study, four predominant occupational types based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO): agriculture and forestry; services and sales; managerial/administrative; and professional/technical are examined using data from the latest (7th) round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS). Two complementary methods involving the correlational analysis and regression-based techniques are used. Findings – The findings indicate the presence of parental influences on children’s occupational choices (same sex and cross-sex) in the Ghanaian labour market, with maternals and same-sector effects having a more substantial influence on children’s occupational choices, especially in agriculture and forestry, and services and sales sectors. Research limitations/implications – The lack of panel data in observing children’s occupational choices over time makes it challenging to assume direct causation. Originality/value – The study is the first to highlight the relative strengths of paternal influence (father’s effect) and maternal impact (mother’s effect) on sons’ and daughters’ occupational choices in Africa. The findings have several implications for intergenerational (im)mobility of occupations including how policymakers can make career guidance more effective. Peer review – The peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ IJSE-10-2022-0705

Source: UG
Influences of parental occupation on children's occupational choices

Abstract Purpose – This study examines the relationships between parents’ and children’s occupations to determine the existence of intergenerational transmission of occupations. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the purpose of the study, four predominant occupational types based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO): agriculture and forestry; services and sales; managerial/administrative; and professional/technical are examined using data from the latest (7th) round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS). Two complementary methods involving the correlational analysis and regression-based techniques are used. Findings – The findings indicate the presence of parental influences on children’s occupational choices (samesex and cross-sex) in the Ghanaian labour market, with maternals and same-sector effects having a more substantial influence on children’s occupational choices, especially in agriculture and forestry, and services and sales sectors. Research limitations/implications – The lack of panel data in observing children’s occupational choices over time makes it challenging to assume direct causation. Originality/value – The study is the first to highlight the relative strengths of paternal influence (father’s effect) and maternal impact (mother’s effect) on sons’ and daughters’ occupational choices in Africa. The findings have several implications for intergenerational (im)mobility of occupations including how policymakers can make career guidance more effective.

Source: UG
Influences on participant reporting in the World Health Organisation drugs exposure pregnancy registry; a qualitative study

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation has designed a pregnancy registry to investigate the effect of maternal drug use on pregnancy outcomes in resource-limited settings. In this sentinel surveillance system, detailed health and drug use data are prospectively collected from the first antenatal clinic visit until delivery. Over and above other clinical records, the registry relies on accurate participant reports about the drugs they use. Qualitative methods were incorporated into a pilot registry study during 2010 and 2011 to examine barriers to women reporting these drugs and other exposures at antenatal clinics, and how they might be overcome. Methods Twenty-seven focus group discussions were conducted in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda with a total of 208 women either enrolled in the registry or from its source communities. A question guide was designed to uncover the types of exposure data under- or inaccurately reported at antenatal clinics, the underlying reasons, and how women prefer to be asked questions. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Results Women said it was important for them to report everything they had used during pregnancy. However, they expressed reservations about revealing their consumption of traditional, over-the-counter medicines and alcohol to antenatal staff because of anticipated negative reactions. Some enrolled participants' improved relationship with registry staff facilitated information sharing and the registry tools helped overcome problems with recall and naming of medicines. Decisions about where women sought care, which influenced medicines used and antenatal clinic attendance, were influenced by pressure within and outside of the formal healthcare system to conform to conflicting behaviours. Conversations also reflected women's responsibilities for producing a healthy baby. Conclusions Women in this study commonly take traditional medicines in pregnancy, and to a lesser extent over-the-counter medicines and alcohol. The World Health Organisation pregnancy registry shows potential to enhance their reporting of these substances at the antenatal clinic. However, more work is needed to find optimal techniques for eliciting accurate reports, especially where the detail of constituents may never be known. It will also be important to find ways of sustaining such drug exposure surveillance systems in busy antenatal clinics.

Source: UG
Influences on participant reporting in the World Health Organisation drugs exposure pregnancy registry; A qualitative study

Background: The World Health Organisation has designed a pregnancy registry to investigate the effect of maternal drug use on pregnancy outcomes in resource-limited settings. In this sentinel surveillance system, detailed health and drug use data are prospectively collected from the first antenatal clinic visit until delivery. Over and above other clinical records, the registry relies on accurate participant reports about the drugs they use. Qualitative methods were incorporated into a pilot registry study during 2010 and 2011 to examine barriers to women reporting these drugs and other exposures at antenatal clinics, and how they might be overcome. Methods: Twenty-seven focus group discussions were conducted in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda with a total of 208 women either enrolled in the registry or from its source communities. A question guide was designed to uncover the types of exposure data under- or inaccurately reported at antenatal clinics, the underlying reasons, and how women prefer to be asked questions. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Results: Women said it was important for them to report everything they had used during pregnancy. However, they expressed reservations about revealing their consumption of traditional, over-the-counter medicines and alcohol to antenatal staff because of anticipated negative reactions. Some enrolled participants' improved relationship with registry staff facilitated information sharing and the registry tools helped overcome problems with recall and naming of medicines. Decisions about where women sought care, which influenced medicines used and antenatal clinic attendance, were influenced by pressure within and outside of the formal healthcare system to conform to conflicting behaviours. Conversations also reflected women's responsibilities for producing a healthy baby. Conclusions: Women in this study commonly take traditional medicines in pregnancy, and to a lesser extent over-the-counter medicines and alcohol. The World Health Organisation pregnancy registry shows potential to enhance their reporting of these substances at the antenatal clinic. However, more work is needed to find optimal techniques for eliciting accurate reports, especially where the detail of constituents may never be known. It will also be important to find ways of sustaining such drug exposure surveillance systems in busy antenatal clinics. ï¿½ 2014 Allen et al.

Source: UG
Influencing dynamics of culture and employee factors on retail banks’ performances in a developing country context

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the influencing dynamics of culture (national and organizational), employee characteristics, employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment in determining the organizational performances of firms in the retail banking sector in a developing country such as Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual framework linking national and organizational cultures to employees’ job satisfaction, job characteristics, organizational commitment and organizational performance was developed, and their measurement scales were adapted to guide the empirical investigation. Data were collected using a questionnaire filled in by 300 employees in nine retail banks in Ghana. The results were first analyzed by carrying out data reduction of the measured scales by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-based factor analysis approach. The reduced data obtained from the factor analysis were then analyzed for model goodness fit by using the Analysis of Moment Structures-based structural equation modeling approach. Findings: Effective organizational performance of retail banks in Ghana is directly influenced by the relationships among organizational culture, employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Research limitations/implications: The study sample was drawn from a single sub-sector of the Ghanaian economy. Replications and extensions of the study in different sectors that are experiencing high growth will help test the robustness and generalizability of the findings. Practical implications: The study provides empirical knowledge that could be used to understand the influencing interrelationships among organizational culture, employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment on the organizational performances of retail banking firms in a developing country context. Originality/value: The study adds to the literature as one of the most comprehensive studies of the links between culture, job satisfaction, employee characteristics and organizational commitment toward organizational performance within the banking sector in Ghana to date. © 2016, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Source: UG
Influencing Organisational Behaviour through the Application of Learning Theories.

Over the years, learning has been seen as an active and rewarding aspect of peoples’ personal and collective experiences. Learning is a feature of all human activities and defines humanity. As the business environment continually changes, organisations increasingly need innovative ideas to stay ahead of competition. Learning therefore is viewed as the key factor that underpins organisational competitiveness. It enables organisations to achieve a better balance between long-term effectiveness and short-term efficiency; hence, a focus on capturing and sharing learning produces a wider range of solutions to organisational issues. Renowned psychologists have identified learning theories that thoroughly analyse the effect of learning on behaviours. Learning theories have therefore influenced a range of people management best practices. This paper seeks to analyse how organisational behaviour can be influenced through the application of these learning theories.

Source: UG
Influencing policy change: The experience of health think tanks in low- and middle-income countries

In recent years there has been a growth in the number of independent health policy analysis institutes in low- and middle-income countries which has occurred in response to the limitation of government analytical capacity and pressures associated with democratization. This study aimed to: (i) investigate the contribution made by health policy analysis institutes in low- and middle-income countries to health policy agenda setting, formulation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation; and (ii) assess which factors, including organizational form and structure, support the role of health policy analysis institutes in low- and middle-income countries in terms of positively contributing to health policy. Six case studies of health policy analysis institutes in Bangladesh, Ghana, India, South Africa, Uganda and Vietnam were conducted including two NGOs, two university and two government-owned policy analysis institutes. Case studies drew on document review, analysis of financial information, semi-structured interviews with staff and other stakeholders, and iterative feedback of draft findings. Some of the institutes had made major contributions to policy development in their respective countries. All of the institutes were actively engaged in providing policy advice and most undertook policy-relevant research. Relatively few were engaged in conducting policy dialogues, or systematic reviews, or commissioning research. Much of the work undertaken by institutes was driven by requests from government or donors, and the primary outputs for most institutes were research reports, frequently combined with verbal briefings. Several factors were critical in supporting effective policy engagement. These included a supportive policy environment, some degree of independence in governance and financing, and strong links to policy makers that facilitate trust and influence. While the formal relationship of the institute to government was not found to be critical, units within government faced considerable difficulties. © The Author 2011; all rights reserved.

Source: UG
The Influenece of Azolla pinnata on Floodwater Chemistry, Grain Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Rice in Dano, Southwestern Burkina Faso

Nitrogen fertilizer recovery by lowland rice can be as low as 10% and rarely exceeds 60%. Azolla contributes to the nitrogen (N) nutrition of rice plant through biological N fixation (BNF). This study aimed at assessing the influence of Azolla pinatta on floodwater chemistry, rice yield, total dry matter and N uptake of rice. The study was carried out at the Dreyer Research Station in South Western Burkina Faso in 2005 using a split urea application method called Experiment 1 (E1) which was compared with what the farmer’s practice (E2), which is basal application of NPK (16 16 16) and one top-dress of urea. Four levels of nitrogen was used in the experiments (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha-1). The full Azolla cover on the floodwater surface by the time of urea application prevented rapid increase in floodwater pH in the range of 0.52 to 0.68. The presence of Azolla lowered floodwater temperature by 1.9 to 2.0 oC. There was a significant increased (p < 0.01) in total dry matter yield of rice by 7.8% in E1 and 9.8% in E2 as results of the presence of Azolla on floodwater surface. Similarly, Azolla significantly (p < 0.01) increased grain yields in both experiments. Apparent N-recovery of rice increased between 13.3 and 16.8% in grain and 39.1 and 42.6% in straw. There was however no significant interaction (p > 0.05) between Azolla and nitrogen. It is concluded that Azolla brought about an additive effect and could be an efficient fertilizer alternative or supplement in flooded rice cropping system in Dano.

Source: UG