ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Group versus individual family planning counseling in Ghana: A randomized, noninferiority trial

Background Group, rather than individual, family planning counseling has the potential to increase family planning knowledge and use through more efficient use of limited human resources. Study Design A randomized, noninferiority study design was utilized to identify whether group family planning counseling is as effective as individual family planning counseling in Ghana. Female gynecology patients were enrolled from two teaching hospitals in Ghana in June and July 2008. Patients were randomized to receive either group or individual family planning counseling. The primary outcome in this study was change in modern contraceptive method knowledge. Changes in family planning use intention before and after the intervention and intended method type were also explored. Results: Comparisons between the two study arms suggest that randomization was successful. The difference in change in modern contraceptive methods known from baseline to follow-up between the two study arms (group-individual), adjusted for study site, was - 0.21, (95% confidence interval: - 0.53 to 0.12) suggesting no difference between the two arms. Conclusions: Group family planning counseling was as effective as individual family planning counseling in increasing modern contraceptive knowledge among female gynecology patients in Ghana. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
The Growing Population of Ethnic Minorities in the Gymnasium: A Case for New Self-Consciousnesses in the Gymnasium: A Case for New Self-Consciousness

In this discussion of the relationship between ethnic majority teachers and minority group students the following issues are addressed: (1) teacher expectations; (2) modes of conversation; (3) styles of communication; (4) teacher calling-on-student behavior; and (5) eye contact. A recommendation is that action be taken on these issues and that they be incorporated into teacher education programs. A 22-item bibliography is included. (JD)

Source: UG
Growing problem of multidrug-resistant enteric pathogens in Africa

Control of fecal–orally transmitted pathogens is inadequate in many developing countries, in particular, in sub-Saharan Africa. Acquired resistance to antimicrobial drugs is becoming more prevalent among Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella enteritidis, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, and other pathogens in this region. The poor, who experience most of the infections caused by these organisms, bear the brunt of extended illness and exacerbated proportion of deaths brought about by resistance. Improved antimicrobial drug stewardship is an often cited, but inadequately implemented, intervention for resistance control. Resistance containment also requires improvements in infectious disease control, access to and quality assurance of antimicrobial agents, as well as diagnostic facilities. Structural improvements along these lines will also enhance disease prevention and control as well as rational antimicrobial drug use. Additionally, more research is needed to identify low-cost, high-impact interventions for resistance control

Source: UG
The Growing Threat Of Terrorism In West Africa: Implications For Peace And Security In Ghana

The study sought to address the maintenance of peace and security in Ghana by questioning the implications of terrorism on the country. Other aims and objectives included, understanding the root causes of terrorism in the sub-region, Ghana’s role in combatting terrorism, and the challenges they face in the performance of their roles. Relying on the theories of national security and human security, as well as extensive qualitative research methods for a descriptive study of this nature, the researcher came to a few conclusions. The study mainly found that terrorism in the sub-region has immense implications for the peace and security of Ghana. However, the steps that the nation is taking have managed to prevent the state of terrorism in Ghana, and in the region. The causes of terrorism identified included poverty, demographic factors, as well as issues with human dignity. The implications of terrorism in the region on Ghana included exacerbating religious tensions and crime, as well as economic stagnation, reduced attractiveness for investment, disruptions in trade activities, and so on. The implications of terrorism on Ghana’s peace and security, include national security implications like the proliferation of SALWs, and an increase in crime, as well as human security threats like religious tensions, economic stagnation, as well as increase the fear of the people. Some of the challenges in addressing terrorism include, porous borders and harbors; lack of political will and political interference; corruption, financial constraints and poverty; as well as the lack of reliable information and support. The data necessary for the conduct of the study was collected through interviews, books and journals, and content analysis was made on the data gathered to arrive on the conclusions outlined.

Source: UG
Growing up HIV-positive in Uganda: &quot;Psychological immunodeficiency&quot;? A qualitative study

Background: This study is part of a longitudinal study among children and adolescents with HIV in both urban and rural Uganda: 'Mental health among HIV infected CHildren and Adolescents in KAmpala and Masaka, Uganda (CHAKA)'. Method: The study is constructed of both quantitative and qualitative components. In this article we report a qualitative study on the experiences of 21 adolescents (twelve to seventeen years) living with HIV in Uganda. The purpose of the study was to investigate both the protective and the risk factors in HIV-infected adolescents' care environment in order to understand what might contribute to negative outcomes and what might provide a protective buffer against harmful life events. Semi-structured interviews with vignettes about mental disorders were employed and a phenomenological analysis was done. Results: The findings uncovered that the adolescents' families were mostly characterized by instability and diffuse relationships that provided an insecure basis for secure attachment and emotional support. Even in stable and secure family environments, there was no guarantee for getting sufficient emotional support in order to develop a positive self-concept due to the fate being the only infected child in the family. Both secure attachment and positive self-concept are known psychological protective mechanisms that provide the individual with resilience. The adolescents in this study seemed hampered in the development of protective mechanisms and consequently seemed psychologically vulnerable and badly equipped for coping with challenges, which paves the way for the possible development of mental disorders. Conclusion: To change the focus towards strengthening the children and adolescents' development of psychological protective mechanisms implicates a change in focus from illness to health and has consequences for both treatment and prevention. Psychological health promotion must be systemic and aim at strengthening the family environment, but also to establish peer group support. © 2017 The Author(s).

Source: UG
Growing up of Children in Pedu: A study of Child Training in different Cultures

Pedu is a Village about three miles away from Cape Coast on the main road to Jukwa.The Village which is divided almost into two by the main road consists of one storey buildings. Although few live in that village a considerable number of people in Cape Coast come from Pedu and visit it from time to time. People in the villages around pass through Padu daily with foodstuffs which they carry on their heads

Source: UG
Growing up with disabilities in Ghana: Experiences and perspectives

Despite the international conventions and national laws that exist to ensure the welfare of people living with disabilities, major issues of abuse and neglect continue to persist in Ghana. The paper looks at the challenges associated with growing up with disabilities in Ghana. It examines the factors that contribute to the maltreatment of children living with disabilities (CWDs), and the nature and effects of such maltreatment. In-depth interviews were held with children and adults with disabilities, community members and officials working with or on behalf of CWDs. The findings indicate that poverty, ignorance and societal perceptions, and the general inadequacy of facilities for the care of CWDs contribute to their abuse and neglect. The study recommends community-wide education on the causes of disability and the need for social workers to act to influence policy implementation.

Source: UG
The Growth and Development of Choral Music in Ghana: The Contributions and Aspects of the Choral Style of Ephraim Amu

Choral music has seen tremendous growth and development since colonial times when the Ghanaian was first introduced to Western music, especially the hymn and anthem. Many composers of substance have contributed to this growth and development, but it is the work of Ephraim Amu, more than any other, which helped shape the direction of growth of choral music in Ghana. This paper looks at the man Ephraim Amu, his background and formative years, his contributions to choral music in Ghana and some aspects of his choral style, drawing on his choral works.

Source: UG
Growth and diarrhoeal disease surveillance in a rural Ghanaian pre-school child population

This paper is a report of the first year of follow-up on 250 pre-school children in a village in Ghana. The mean weight for age and the mean height for age at the start of the study, ranged between 81 and 97% and 91 and 101·4% of the median WHO reference standards respectively. Classified according to Waterlow (1973) 59·6% of the children were normal, 27·2% were thin, 8·9% were stunted, 3·4% were wasted and 0·9% were stunted and wasted. The mean velocity of height gain was 26·8 cm/year at birth; 9·6 cm/year at age of six months and thereafter the rate decreased almost linearly to a rate of 5cm/year at the age of 60 months. The curve for weight velocity had a similar shape to that of the height. The rate was on the average 5 kg/year at birth, and 1·7 kg/year at age of six months. Children over 30 months of age gained approximately, 0·5 kg/year compared to an expected gain of about 2 kg/year. The mean incidence of diarrhoeal diseases was 1·9 episodes per child per year. 34·4% of the cohort did not report on any episode of diarrhoea over the one year period. Highest incidence occurred in children between the ages of 7 and 12 months. Children who were less than 80% of the standard weight for age at the start of the study had significantly more diarrhoeal episodes than the rest. The mean incidence of diarrhoeal diseases per year increased as both height for age and weight for height decreased. It is suggested that primary intervention against diarrhoeal morbidity might be better aimed at improving childhood nutrition.

Source: UG
Growth and mortality of the catfish, Hemisynodontis membranaceus (Geoffroy St. Hilaire), in the northern arm of Lake Volta, Ghana

Estimates of growth and mortality of the catfish, Hemisynodontis membranaceus (Geoffroy St. Hilaire), in Lake Volta were obtained from length composition data compiled in 1995 and 1996. The von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) estimates were: L∞=44.5 cm standard length; K=0.62 year -1; and t o=-0.23 years. Natural mortality rate, M, was 1.20 year -1. Total mortality rate, Z, was computed as 4.39 year -1 and the exploitation ratio (E=F/Z) was 0.72. Although the fish is estimated to have longevity of about 5 years, those exploited are normally less than 2 years of age, which is indicative of growth over-fishing. In order to arrest over-exploitation of the species, there is a need to establish 'lake reserves'. In addition, the fisheries management should be devolved from the state to the local level to compel fishermen to take greater responsibility for the sustainability and conservation of the fisheries.

Source: UG
Growth and mortality parameters of P. senegalensis and P. typus (Sciaenidae) in nearshore waters of Benin (West Africa) and their implications for management and conservation

Most fisheries in Africa are overexploited or are at the peak of exploitation. A key contributor to this overfishing is poor data on fisheries, inefficient management strategies and unenforced policies. Pseudotolithus species off Benin nearshore waters are mainly fished by beach seining. Unfortunately, since 1994, the production of these species has been decreasing, with more small-sized fishes appearing in catches, and little is known about the species' population dynamics. Therefore, the growth and mortality parameters of two commercially important Sciaenids (Pseudotolithus senegalensis and Pseudotolithus typus) off Benin's nearshore waters were investigated using length-frequency data of 2019 specimens sampled from beach seine hauls over a period of 18 months. The length-weight relationship was computed from linear regression analysis. P. senegalensis exhibited isometric growth while P. typus exhibited negative allometric growth. The von Bertalanffy growth constants for P. senegalensis were TL∞=51.4cm, K=0.24yr-1, and t0=-0.60yr with a derived growth performance index of φ'=2.753. The corresponding estimates for P. typus were TL∞=56.2cm, K=0.19yr-1, t0=-0.73yr and φ'=2.652. The growth patterns determined by the growth performance index (φ') were higher for P. senegalensis than for P. typus of similar sizes. The total mortality rate, Z, for P. senegalensis was estimated as 4.39yr-1, with the fishing mortality, F, being calculated as 3.70yr-1. The mortality estimates for P. typus were Z=4.12yr-1 and F=3.70yr-1. The exploitation rate of the two fish species was higher than the optimum exploitation criterion, which is indicative of over-fishing. Several immediate management actions, such as size-limit regulation by gradually increasing beach seine mesh size and time-limit regulation by restricting fishing outside the spawning season, are considered necessary for sustainable exploitation of these stocks. © 2012.

Source: UG
Growth and nodulation response of six indigenous trees and two shrubby legumes to phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers in two soils of Ghana

Fast growth and high N<inf>2</inf> -fixation make multipurpose trees attractive in agroforestry. We assessed the effects of N and P fertilizer application on nodulation and growth of Millita thonningii native to West Africa and compared its attributes with five known multipurpose leguminous trees Acacia auriculiformis, A. mangium, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia zygia, Leucaena leucocephala, and two shrubby legumes, Cajanus cajan and Crotalaria ochroleuca in Hatso and Toje soils. They all were nodulated without inoculation, with nodulation being higher in Toje soil. Up to 90 kg P ha -1 enhanced nodulation and growth, but further increase to 120 kg P ha -1 caused from 53% to 600% reduction in nodules on M. thonningii and A. zygia, respectively and significant reduction in tree growth. Nitrogen fertilization decreased nodulation in the tree legumes more in the two shrubs and also more when the N fertilizer was combined with 90 kg P ha -1. M. thonningii had highest yield in both un-amended and amended soils, almost 3 and 7 times more than the lowest, A. zygia, in the un-amended Toje and Hatso soils, respectively. M. thonningii used less P for growth, on average 22 and 18 mg P g -1 dry matter in the Toje and Hatso soils, compared to 50 and 39 mg P g -1 for the six trees. Thus M. thonningii with its high yield, nodulation and P use efficiency has great potential in agroforestry. © 2015 Kerala Agricultural University. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Growth and reproductive performance of west african Dwarf Sheep (Djallonké) at the livestock and poultry research centre, University of Ghana

The West African Dwarf Sheep (Djallonké) is popularly raised in Ghana and serve as important source of protein in the diet, provide a source of income and play important socio-cultural roles. This study evaluated the growth and reproductive performance of the Djallonké sheep at the Livestock and Poultry Research Centre of the University of Ghana between the years 2008 and 2016. Production records were analyzed to determine the effects of non-genetic factors (sex of lamb, parity of dam, year of birth, season of birth and type of birth) on birth weight, weaning weight, pre-weaning growth rate and lambing interval. The overall means obtained for the traits were 1.74 kg for birth weight, 11.0 kg for weaning weight at 4 months (120 days), 76.9 g/day for pre-weaning growth rate and 327 days for lambing interval. Type of birth and sex of lamb affected birth weight with singles (1.94) weighing heavier than twins (1.60 kg) and triplets (1.50 kg), and males weighing heavier than females at birth (1.80 versus 1.70 kg). Also lambs delivered in the major rainy season recorded higher weaning weights than those delivered in the minor season (11.3 versus 10.8 kg). Lambs delivered in the major rainy (79.5 g/day) and dry seasons (79.6 g/day) had higher pre-weaning growth rate than those delivered in the minor rainy season (74.5 g/day). Lambing interval average 327 days. It was prolonged in the year 2016 compared with the other years. Results from the study suggest improving husbandry practices especially nutrition of the Djallonké will enhance its productivity.

Source: UG
Growth and survival of Juvenile Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis in recirculating aquaculture systems

Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis is one of the largest killifish species. It is a euryhaline teleost and a popular baitfish occurring along the coastal Gulf ofMexico and southern Atlantic states. There is currently limited information on the grow-out characteristics of killifish in indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). This preliminary study aims at determining the effects of stocking density on the growth and survival of juvenile Gulf Killifish in indoor RAS. Individuals of 0.45 ± 0.01 g (mean ± SE) weight were stocked at initial densities of 2 and 5 fish/L in 60-L tanks in RAS with four replicates each.After 82 d of culture, difference in growth at these densities was not significant (P>0.629).Mean survival and gross and net yields differed by stocking density. Survival (94.6%) in the lowest density was significantly high (ANOVA: P < 0.01) compared with survival (83.9%) in the highest density. Gross and net yields were significantly high (ANOVA: P < 0.01) at the 5 fish/L stocking densities. Compared with the traditional pond system, the use of RAS in this preliminary study enabled stocking of killifish at very high densities. However, cultured fish grew relatively slow in RAS compared with pond culture and did not reach market size (≈3.3 g). © American Fisheries Society 2013.

Source: UG
Growth and yield performance of Bird Eye pepper in the forest ecological zone of Ghana

Objective: To evaluate the growth and yield performance of Bird Eye pepper (Capsicum frutescence) in the forest ecological zone of Ghana. Methodology and results: Field experiments were conducted at the teaching and research farm of the University of Ghana Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre, Kade during the rainy seasons of 2009 and 2010. The treatments were randomized in complete block design and replicated three times. The parameters assessed were: plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of branches/plant, stem girth, shoot, fruit number, fruit weight and yield as well as quantitative characters. Results showed that there were significant differences in growth parameters as well as in the yield and yield components of the four cultivars and in both seasons. Plant heights were highest in cultivar 7777 and local in both seasons. Cultivar 7777 had significantly higher number of branches, canopy girth, fruit number and weight compared to the other cultivars. In terms of fruit colour, cultivar 7777 had dark green colour, a characteristics required in the export industry. Based on the results, cultivar 7777 is recommended for release to farmers and stakeholders in the vegetable industry in Ghana due to its colour, yield and consumer preference on the export and local market. Conclusion and application: The use of this cultivar will increase the foreign exchange earnings of Ghana and well-being of farmers not forgetting that it is going to be a good material for breeding purposes.

Source: UG
Growth and Yield Performance of Maize Hybrids on the Vertic soils of Accra Plains Ghana

Maize is the most important food staple in Ghana; however, the yield potential of 6t/ha for this cereal has yet to be realized. Increasing yield productivity has become crucial in recent times due to food security pressures as a result of a growing population and a rapidly expanding use in the local industry. Maize hybrids offer the opportunity to significantly increase yields in the country and this has led to an increasingly greater number of hybrids being developed and released. There is therefore a need to test maize hybrids before recommending them to farmers in specific agroecological areas. In this study, a recently released hybrid, ‘Legon Aburo’ (released by West African Centre for Crop Improvement, WACCI), tested alongside two commonly used hybrids ‘Opeaburo’ (local hybrid) and ‘Pan 53’ (imported hybrid) and two open-pollinated Pollinated Varieties (OPVs) (‘Obatanpa’ and ‘Abontem’), in the coastal savannah agro-ecological zone with distinctive vertices and heavy clayey soils. The results show significant differences (p < 0.05) in the leaf area index (LAI) among the maize varieties and was highest in ‘Obantanpa’ in both seasons. Biomass, which varied significantly among varieties, was highest in ‘Legon Aburo’ and ‘Pan 53’ and lowest in ‘Abontem’. In terms of yields, the most popular OPV is ‘Obatanpa’ was comparable to the local hybrid ‘Opeaburo’ and the foreign hybrid ‘PAN 53’. The OPV ‘Abontem’ had the lowest grain yield, while the WACCI hybrid ‘Legon Aburo’ produced the highest grain (<7t/ha) for both years. This novel hybrid variety may offer an opportunity for farmers in the Coastal Savannah with predominantly vertice clayey soils to increase their yields.

Source: UG
Growth assessment of mixed cultures of probiotics and common pathogens

Objectives: In this work, an isothermal microcalorimeter was applied to investigate the antipathogenic activity of three probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium bifidum) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the probiotics in mixed culture with the pathogenic microorganisms. Methods: A microcalorimeter was used to monitor the growth of the microorganisms as pure cultures and as co cultures at 37 ◦C. Relative growths of the probiotics and pathogenic species were determined after microcalo rimetric measurements by serial dilution and plate incubation. Relative growth of mixed cultures of E. coli with L. acidophilus or B. lactis was also determined by traditional plate growth assay for 5.5 h. Results: The results showed growth profiles of the microorganisms that were characteristic and showed different lag and peak times for the species. The pathogenic species grew faster than the probiotic species. In the co cultures, the growth profile of both pathogenic species and probiotics could be identified with the microcalo rimeter. Although the pathogenic species grew faster, at the end of the assay, the results showed that the pathogenic species were inhibited in growth by the probiotics as no viable growth of the pathogenic species was detected whereas 107 –108 CFU/mL of the probiotics were enumerated after the microcalorimetric assay. Using the traditional plate assay, the data confirmed co-growth of the probiotics and E. coli although cell numbers of E. coli were higher than the probiotics during 5.5 h of co-culture incubation when both were inoculated at 106 CFU/mL. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the antipathogenic effects of probiotics and highlights the potential of microcalorimetry in live mixed culture assays and its limitation.

Source: UG