ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Preservice Mathematics Teachers’ Content and Pedagogical Knowledge for Teaching Logical Reasoning in Senior High School

The purpose of the study was to investigate the content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge of preservice Mathematics teachers for teaching Logical reasoning in senior high school. The research design used was a cross-sectional survey. Target population was 184 and accessible population was 138 level 400 preservice Mathematics teachers from the Department of Mathematics and ICT Education, University of Cape Coast participated in the study. Questionnaire and Achievement were data collection instrument employed in the study. The questionnaire covered sections testing the pedagogical knowledge and Achievement test also covered the section test content knowledge of preservice Mathematics teachers on Logical reasoning. The data collected was analysed using mean, standard deviation, and independent sample t-test. The study revealed that preservice Mathematics teachers possess much content knowledge in the sub-strands on Logical reasoning except compound statements. Also, female preservice Mathematics teachers possess more content knowledge on Logical reasoning than their male counterparts. However, there is no significant difference in the knowledge of strategies for teaching Logical reasoning possessed by West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and Diploma in Basic Education applicants. Also, difference in knowledge of teaching strategies in Logical reasoning possessed by male and female preservice Mathematics teachers is not significant. Content and methods courses mounted by the DMICTE have a positive impact on preservice Mathematics teachers’ strategies for teaching Logical reasoning. It was concluded that preservice Mathematics teachers are most likely to avoid teaching compound statements when they are deployed to senior high school. It was recommended that Departments of Mathematics education at the university should ensure that preservice Mathematics teachers are given more exposure to compound statements in their course content.

Source: UCC
Prevalence and antibiogram of Klebsiella species recovered from clinical samples at the Komfo Anokye teaching hospital in Ghana

Background and Objective: The antibiogram of the various species of Klebsiella implicated in many infections in Ghana are not known. This study was designed to determine the antibiogram of the various species of Klebsiella isolated from clinical samples in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. Materials and Methods: 2197 clinical specimens from the hospital were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar and the isolates investigated. The antibiogram of the various Klebsiella species isolated were determined and compared with antibiotics chosen for empirical treatment of 51 paediatric patients in the hospital. Results: Klebsiella species were recovered from 205 clinical samples (9.3% prevalence rate) with K. pneumoniae being the highest recovered species (74.1%), followed by K. oxytoca (24.4%), K. rhinoscleromatis (1%) and K. ozaenae (0.5%). Amikacin was the most potent (80%) against the recovered species whilst cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and gentamicin exhibited approximately 60% potencies. Cefuroxime and ampicillin on the other hand were respectively 75% and 100% resistant. Conclusion: The dominant species of Klebsiella infections were K. pnuemoniae and K. oxytoca. The third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides were the potent antibiotics for treatment of Klebsiella infections reported in KATH

Source: UCC
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: In most African countries, including Ghana, treatment of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is based on syndromic management owing to lack of laboratory equipment and resources in primary care facilities where most patients first visit. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and evaluate its susceptibility pattern to standard antimicrobials used for empirical treatment of the infection in patients that attended Ellolab Diagnostic Centre at Kumasi from November 2014 to July 2017. Methodology: Four hundred and twenty-seven (427) clinical specimens from suspected patients were cultured on chocolate agar. Positive cultures were tested for resistance against twelve antimicrobial agents using the disk diffusion method. Results: N. gonorrhoeae was identified in 117 of the clinical samples. This represents an overall prevalence of 27.4%, with 39.3% and 60.7% occurring in males and females respectively. Maximum cases were observed in the 16-24 age group. Interestingly, the organism showed high levels of resistance to the nationally recommended drugs for first-line empirical treatment; Ceftriaxone 85.5%, Ciprofloxacin 46.2% and Amikacin 1.7%. Conclusion: The local susceptibility trends of N. gonorrhoeae need to be monitored closely in order to establish appropriate local empirical therapy.

Source: UCC
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoeaein Kumasi, Ghana

Background:In most African countries, including Ghana, treatment of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is based on syndromic management owing to lack of laboratory equipment and resources in primary care facilities where most patients first visit. Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and evaluate its susceptibility pattern to standard antimicrobials used for empirical treatment of the infection in patients that attended Ellolab Diagnostic Centre at Kumasi from November 2014 to July 2017. Methodology:Four hundred and twenty-seven (427) clinical specimens from suspected patients were cultured on chocolate agar. Positive cultures were tested forresistance against twelve antimicrobial agents using the disk diffusion method. Results:N. gonorrhoeae was identified in 117 of the clinical samples.This represents an overall prevalence of 27.4%, with 39.3% and 60.7% occurring in males and females respectively. Maximum cases were observed in the 16-24 age group. Interestingly, the organism showed high levels of resistance to the nationally recommended drugs for first-line empirical treatment; Ceftriaxone 85.5%, Ciprofloxacin 46.2% and Amikacin 1.7%. Conclusion:The local susceptibility trends of N. gonorrhoeae need to be monitored closely in order to establish appropriate local empirical therapy

Source: UCC
Prevalence and associated factors of fetal macrosomia in a rural community in Ghana

Foetal macrosomia is known to contribute to various perinatal and maternal complications. Additionally, it has been proven to be a primary determinant of the survival of a newborn baby. We sought to determine the prevalence and associated factors of fetal macrosomia in Eikwe, a rural community in the Western part of Ghana. This hospital-based cross-sectional survey conducted from January 2017 to May 2017 engaged 200 women with singleton pregnancies at the maternity/labor unit of the St Martins de pores Hospital. Questionnaires were administered to establish socio- economic and demographic characteristics of respondents while obstetric data were retrieved from participants’ medical records/files. Maternal factors associated with macrosomia were examined using multiple logistic regressions. Of the 200 partici- pants, the prevalence of fetal macrosomia was 6.5% [95% CI: 3.50%–10.86%]. Majority of the participants’ ages ranged between 21–25 (28.5%) and 26–30 (26.30%) years. Most of the participants were multigravida 99 (49.5%) and multipara 76 (38.0%) respectively. Aspiration of the meconium (p < 0.001) and poor Apgar score at the first minute were significantly associated (p = 0.011) with fetal macrosomia. Obesity 7 (53.8%) [11.91 (1.91–63.08), p = 0.019] and history of fetal macrosomia 9 (69.2%) [172.5 (29.37–1088.63), p < 0.001] were significantly associated with macrosomia. The prevalence of fetal macrosomia was 6.5% [95% CI: 3.50%–10.86%]; the previous history of fetal macrosomia and obesity were the main predictors of macrosomia. Moreover, poor Apgar score and aspiration of the meconium were the complications associated with fetal macrosomi

Source: UCC
Prevalence and awareness of Hypertension among urban and rural Adults in the Keta Municipality, Ghana

Background: With the changing trends in the epidemiology of hypertension (HPT), recent studies have shown an increasing prevalence of HPT in rural than urban communities. This study examined the prevalence of HPT and its awareness among urban and ruraladults in Keta Municipality. Method: A population-based cross-sectional study involving 264 adults (18-65 years). Face-to-face interview using semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were taken following standard procedures. Differences in means were determined using t-test. Associations between independent categorical variables and HPT were determined using Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression model. The correlation coefficient was computed to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between anthropometric indices and hypertension. Results: At the time of the survey, HPT prevalence was 146 (55.3%). Out of this, 49 (43%) were from urban and 65 (57.0%) from rural areas. Diagnosed HPT was 49 (30.1%), of which the majority, 32 (65.3%) were from urban and 17 (34.7%) from rural areas. Of the 32 Hypertensives from the urban areas, 20 (62.5%) were uncontrolled. Of the 17 Hypertensives among the rural adults, 12 (70.6%) were uncontrolled. Undiagnosed HPT was 114 (53.0%), with 19 (49.0%) among urban and 65 (56.5%) among rural adult population. Females were 0.29 times less likely to have HPT as compared to males (AOR=0.29, p=0.007]. Thosewith JHS, SHS and tertiary education were 0.48, 0.25 and 0.29 times less likely to have HPT (AOR=0.48, p=0.043), (AOR=0.25, p=0.004) and (AOR=0.29, p=0.031) respectively. Those with a family history of HPT were 2.46 times more likely to have HPT (AOR=2.46, p=0.003). Adults with moderate and high-risk WHR were 2.58 and 2.61 times more likely to have HPT [AOR=2.58, p=0.039] and [AOR=2.61, p=0.032] respectively. There was a positive linear relationship between age and BMI in both urban and rural settings and HPT. Conclusion: The prevalence of HPT is very high among adults in the Keta Municipality.Rural adults are more affected than urban, probably due to higher awareness and control of HPT among the urban population.Creation of awareness on HPT and its management are needed to enhance the prevention and control among rural adults

Source: UCC
Prevalence and awareness of hypertension and prehypertension among traders in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

Hypertension (HPT) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and it is now emerging as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. This study reports on prevalence and its awareness of HPT among traders in Hohoe Municipality (HHM). This was a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in 2015 involving 328 traders (18-65 years) using a random cluster sampling technique. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on background characteristics, awareness and predictors of HPT. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure and random blood sugar (RBS) were measured following standard procedures. Chi-square was used to determine associations between independent variables and HPT (dependent variable). Means in quantitative variables were determined using t-test. Overall prevalence of HPT including those on treatment was 43.3%. At the time of the survey, HPT prevalence was 28.4%, Pre-hypertension (Pre-HPT) was 33.8% and normal Blood pressure (BP) was 37.8%. Out of the 28.4% of the traders who were aware they have HPT, only 13.1% could control their BP. Also, of the 28.4% traders who had high BP during the survey, 15.3% were not aware that they have hypertension. Increasing age, obesity, overweight, high WHR and marital status of traders were independently associated with HPT. Prevalence of HPT and Pre-HPT was very high among the traders’ population. Uncontrolled and undiagnosed HPT was also very high. Targeted periodic screening and creation of awareness on HPT and Pre-HPT are needed to enhance the prevention and control of HPT

Source: UCC
Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness among Cocoa Farmers in Ghana

To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness among cocoa farmers in Ghana in order to formulate early intervention strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study using multistage random sampling from four cocoa growing districts in Ghana was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014. A total of 512 cocoa farmers aged 40 years and older were interviewed and examined. The brief interview questionnaire was administered to elicit information on the demographics and socioeconomic details of participants. The examination included assessment of visual acuity (VA), retinoscopy, subjective refraction, direct ophthalmoscopy, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and intraocular pressure (IOP). For quality assurance, a random sample of cocoa farmers were selected and re-examined independently. Results: Moderate to severe visual impairment (VA <6/18 to 3/60 in the better-seeing eye) was present in 89 participants (17.4%) and 27 (5.3%) were blind (presenting VA <3/60 in the better eye) defined using presenting VA. The main causes of visual impairment were cataract (45, 38.8%), uncorrected refractive error (42, 36.2%), posterior segment disorders (15, 12.9%), and corneal opacity (11, 9.5%). Conclusion: The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness among cocoa farmers in Ghana is relatively high. The major causes of visual impairment and blindness are largely preventable or treatable, indicating the need for early eye care service interventions.

Source: UCC
Prevalence and determinants of anaemia in pregnant women receiving antenatal care at a tertiary referral hospital in Northern Ghana

Abstract Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem in developing countries. It is important to regularly monitor haemoglobin level in pregnancy and factors associated with it to inform clinical and preventive services. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of anaemia in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) of a tertiary referral hospital in Northern Ghana. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study involving 400 pregnant women receiving antenatal care in Tamale Teaching Hospital was conducted. Using a semi-structured questionnaire and 24-h dietary recall, data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, health practices, dietary diversity, anaemia knowledge and haemoglobin level of the women. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin concentration less than 11 g/dl. Chisquare test and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the independent determinants of pregnancy anaemia. Results: The mean age and haemoglobin of the women were 28.3 (±4.5) years and 10.81 (±1.41) g/dl respectively. About half of the women 50.8% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 45.8–55.7] were anaemic and the prevalence of anaemia increased with pregnancy trimester. Among a host of socio-demographic, dietary, and preventive health service factors evaluated, the women’s knowledge on anaemia and pregnancy trimester at interview were the independent determinants of anaemia in pregnancy. Compared to women of the highest anaemia knowledge tertile, women belonging to the lowest (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.50–4.61) and middle (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12–3.27) anaemia knowledge tertiles were about 3 and 2 times more likely to be anaemic respectively. Similarly, women in third trimester of pregnancy were about 4 times more likely to be anaemic compared to those in first trimester at the time of interview (AOR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.91–6.67). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of anaemia, which increases with pregnancy trimester, in pregnant women attending ANC in a tertiary referral hospital in Northern Ghana. The women’s knowledge on anaemia and pregnancy trimester at the time of interview are associated with their anaemia status. The high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy needs urgent intervention to prevent the occurrence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Education on anaemia should be intensified at ANCs.

Source: UCC
Prevalence And Determinants Of Overweight And Obesity In Adult Residents Of Cape Coast, Ghana: A Hospital-Based Study

The prevalence of obesity in developing countries is more noticeable in urban areas with as much as 20-50% of the urban population of African countries estimated to be either overweight or obese. Studies investigating the prevalence of overweight and obesity in developing countries have mainly been concentrated in the capital and major cities of these countries whilst neglecting other urban settlements. It is against this background that a hospital-based cross-sectional design was employed to determine the overweight and obesity prevalence in Cape Coast, an urban settlement in the Central Region of Ghana, to identify the vulnerable groups and factors associated with the disease within this urban population. Anthropometric methods and structured questionnaire were used to determine the BMI status of 300 adults sampled from the Out Patients Department of the main hospital in the area and establish the predisposing factors of the disease in the area. Prevalence of overweight and obesity within this population was relatively high with rates of 21% and 17%, respectively. Several socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and parity were found to be associated with overweight and obesity in the area. Of the socio-demographic parameters studied age, sex, occupation, marital status and ethnic origin of respondents were highly associated with overweight and obesity (p<0.05). Obesity prevalence increased with age with middle age adults (46-55 years) found to be most vulnerable. Females were more likely to be overweight or obese than their male counterparts (p<0.05). Snacking in-between meals, time of supper and lack of exercise were the lifestyle characteristics found to be associated with overweight and obesity in the area (p<0.05). The multivariate analysis, however, found the association with snacking and exercise to be confounded by sex and age of respondents. Exercise nevertheless remained a strong determinant of obesity in the area with respondents who did not exercise found to be about four times more likely to be obese than their counterparts who did exercise (OR = 4.174; CI = 1.886 – 9.234; p<0.05). A concerted effort by health professionals is thus needed to reduce the overweight and obesity burden and associated co-morbidities in this urban population.

Source: UCC
Prevalence and determinants of proteinuria among type 2 diabetics in Kumasi, Ghana

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end stage kidney disease among type 2 diabetics worldwide. Proteinuria has been noted to be the cardinal symptom of progressive loss of renal func- tion. This study examined the impact of duration of diabetes, demography (age, gender) and meta- bolic factors on the frequency of proteinuria among type 2 diabetics visiting the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). In this cross-sectional study, 350 type 2 diabetics aged between 28-87 years were randomly selected from January to April 2004, and parameters estimated include fasting blood glucose (FBS), body mass index (BMI), urine protein and blood pressure. Proteinuria among the study cohorts was graded no proteinuria, mild proteinuria to heavy proteinuria. The frequency of proteinuria for the varied grades in type 2 diabetics enrolled in the study ranged from 73.3% (no proteinuria), 15.2% (mild proteinuria) and 15.6% (heavy proteinuria). 1(100%) patient with heavy proteinuria presented with grade 3 hypertension; and 4(33.3%) and 11(20.8%) patients presented with grade 1 and isolated systolic hypertension respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed study participants with duration of diabetes ranging from 11-15 years (OR=2.8; 95% CI=1.1- 7.2; p=0.028) and 16-20 years (OR=5.6; 95% CI=1.4-22.5; p=0.016) were at an increased risk of pro- teinuria. The frequency of nephropathy is promoted independently by advanced age, hypertension and duration of diabetes.

Source: UCC
Prevalence and Management of Malaria in Ghana: A Case Study of Volta Region

Volta Region, one of Ghana’s ten administrative regions, has the highest prevalence of malaria in the country. The present paper assesses the patterns, levels, and trends of malaria prevalence among inhabitants in the 12 districts of the region, and examines whether those at risk of malaria have assess to protective measures and have effective treatment for malaria in Volta Region. The study focused on secondary analysis of data from the Volta Regional bio-statistical office, Ho, the region’s capital, supplemented by the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The results show that malaria cases are prevalent in the Jasikan, Hohoe, Kpando, Ho and Keta Districts. Districts that lie within the middle and southern belts enjoy two rainy seasons that are conducive to the vector that causes malaria. Overwhelming majority of the in-patients (41.5%) are children aged 0 – 4 years, while the number of the in-patient cases generally decreases with advancing age. The majority of children who had fever in the last two weeks (34.8%) were aged 12 – 23 months, followed by 34.4% for age group 0 – 11 months. The highest malaria cases in the region are from the Hohoe district (24.2%) in year 2003, followed by Ho 20.1% in 2000 and 2002, and Keta (17.2%) also in 2003. The least recorded is the North Tongu with 0.9% for 2 different years (2000 and 2002). It is anticipated that with a considerable reduction in poverty levels, households and communities would become increasingly responsible for the improvement of their health status and quality of life

Source: UCC
Prevalence and Predictors of Academic Dishonesty among Undergraduate Students in Public Universities in Ghana

This study, which was a cross-sectional survey, was designed to determine the prevalence and predictors of academic dishonesty among undergraduate students in public universities in Ghana. A sample of 1,200 undergraduate students and 144 lecturers were drawn from three public universities in Ghana using simple random, multistage, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The study used prevalence and predictors of Academic Dishonesty Instrument for Students (PPADIS) and prevalence and predictors of Academic Dishonesty Instrument for Lecturers (PPADL) to collect data from students and lecturers respectively. The results of the study indicated that the students reported a prevalence rate of 48% among themselves with the most prevalent academic dishonest behaviour reported by students being "‘seeing another student copying in a quiz/examination but failing to report them to authorities”. Lecturers reported a prevalence rate of 90% and they noticed “copying another student” as the most prevailing academic dishonest behaviour. The proposed academic dishonesty predictive model was tested using structural equation model (SEM). Results showed that attitude, goal, subjective norms, cost and self-efficacy accounted for a significant variance in academic dishonest behaviour among students using intention as mediator. Similarly, moral obligation was significant moderator of the relationship between intention and academic dishonesty. It is therefore, concluded that the model offers a useful conceptual framework about the effects of attitude, goal. cost, self-efficacy and subjective norms as predictors of academic dishonesty among undergraduate students. It is recommended that university authorities should institute and enforce examination codes of conduct to make academic dishonest behaviours unattractive to students.

Source: UCC