ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mobility and HIV Risk among Fishers in Elmina Fishing Community in the Central Region of Ghana

Human population mobility has long been strongly linked to high HIV transmission among fishers, and yet little empirical research has been undertaken to establish any inter-connections. This study investigates the relationship between mobility and HIV risks amongst fishers, focusing on fishers in Elmina. The theories used are the Push and Pull Model, Social Control Theory, Health Belief Model, and Theory of Gender and Power. Using a cross-sectional approach which employed mix-methods for data collection and analysis, this study has provided clarification and added to existing documentation on fishers’ mobility and its interrelation with HIV risks among them. The study finds that mobility constitutes an integral and important aspect of fulfilling the occupational goal of fishers, but elevates their risks of contracting HIV through increased casual sexual behaviours, inconsistent use of condom, and limited participation in HIV and AIDS education programmes. Through a binary logistic regression, the study reveals that younger fishers are less likely to use condoms, and having higher education increases the likelihood of non-use of condoms compared to fishers with lower or no education. These findings are important signposts for the planning of related interventions in the future. Another major finding is that most women in the study area are vulnerable to HIV because of their inability to negotiate decisions that border on sexuality, such as the use of condoms. This stems from prevailing inequalities in the fishing communities that favour men against women. The study also reveals the occurrence of fish-for-sex (FFS) transactional relationships in the study area, and the engagement of fifteen percent of the sample studied. The results show that 6 out of every 10 of the respondents did not use condoms in FFS sexual encounters they had in the last 12 months, their reason being that FFS is a harmless intimate primary relationship but not a casual one that elevates HIV risks hence the use of condoms is not necessary. This signifies a gap in HIV and AIDS knowledge and also exposes the serious threat of the possible infection of the virus among this group. Future programmes need to explore ways of supplying free condoms and encouraging fishers to be consistent with the use of them. Since the study found that mobility limits participation in HIV programmes, ways must be explored to reach population groups who due to their highly mobility are limited in participating in HIV education interventions, Programme planners must also introduce initiatives that improve selfefficacy amongst women and empower them to insist on their rights on sexual issues. An additional boost of empowering women to insist and negotiate on their sexual rights is to explore ways of granting them capital to buy fish. If women have the means to buy, they will not have to do so on credit and get indebted to their male counterparts which compels them to engage in FFS transactions which elevates their risks to HIV infection.

Source: UG
Mobility Disruptions in Accra: Recurrent Flooding, Fragile Infrastructure and Climate Change

This paper analyzes the mobility disruptions experienced by urban residents in relation to heavy precipitation and flooding of roads. The empirical focus is Accra, Ghana, a rapidly growing African city with discernible challenges in its transport system and a longstanding history of recurrent flood hazards, which are likely to be exacerbated by climate change in the future. In a context where there is very little mobility data available from official sources; the paper utilizes data from a large mobility survey (n = 1053) conducted through in-person interviews in July–August 2021 in 10 selected neighborhoods in Accra’s sprawling periphery. The survey targeted economically active adults. who are travelling regularly in relation to their income-generating activities. The survey recorded respondents’ experiences with a wide range of mobility disruptions caused by heavy precipitation and water on the roads. The analysis of survey data is supplemented with insights from qualitative interviews with a range of local key informants (n = 75). The research illuminates the diversity of mobility disruptions experienced by Accra’s residents during and after heavy precipitation events and the adverse implications for livelihoods and access to markets and services. The results highlight that mobility disruptions related to heavy precipitation are an extremely commonplace experience for residents in Accra’s periphery, across a diverse collection of neighborhoods and across travel patterns and traveler characteristics. While existing research tends to privilege the most dramatic and disastrous flood events and the associated destruction of property; this research, however, draws attention to the somewhat under-researched topic of mobility disruptions to everyday activities and their implications for livelihoods and access to markets and services.

Source: UG
Mobilizing Culture for E-Business in Developing Countries: An Actor Network Theory Account

The purpose of this study is to understand how developing country cultures can be mobilized for e-business. Within the developing country e-business literature, culture has been highlighted as a barrier. Less is however known about culture as an enabler. Despite calls for cultural fit, empirical evidence on how to achieve the fit remains limited. This study follows actor-network theory (ANT) as a lens and interpretive case study as a methodology to understand how funeral culture in the developing country context of Ghana was mobilized for an e-business venture. The findings demonstrate an enabling perspective of developing country culture, complementing the dominant constraining view in the literature. The paper argues that although e-business emerged from the developed world, it could be malleable to varied contexts. The paper encourages developing country entrepreneurs and researchers to seek ways to align e-business to local contexts.

Source: UG
Mobilizing the African diaspora for development: The politics of dual citizenship in Ghana1

The euphoria of political independence in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s was not accompanied by economic independence. Africa’s economic decline peaked in the mid-1970s. So grave was Africa’s economic decline during the 1980s that the period has generally been referred to as the “lost decade.”2 Standards of living plummeted in country after country, and by the mid1980s, the majority of the continent’s citizens were as “poor or poorer than they had been at the time of independence.”3 With unserviceable debts, mismanagement, and a collapse in tax revenues, African governments could no longer maintain proper public services. Decline was observed at every level of government, and this greatly a ected the capacity of governments to design and implement new policy initiatives. For instance, in the 1970s and early 1980s, the political instability in Ghana and the near collapse of the Ghanaian economy sparked a new surge in di erent groups of migrants.4 Worst of all, the economic crises were exacerbated by bad governance presided over by military dictators. Freedoms and basic human rights were curtailed. Generally, this period was characterized by severe economic austerity measures and political oppression among others. The cumulative e ect was the exodus of Africans to various parts of the world. Many citizens, both skilled and unskilled, left the shores of the continent for Western Europe and North America. A current World Bank report estimates that about 22 million sub-Saharan Africans have left the continent.5

Source: UG
The mode of insertion of umbilical cord and vessels: association with maternal haemoglobin genotype, neonatal factors, and placental component volumes

We investigated whether variations in mode of attachment of umbilical cords and vessels coincided with differences in maternal haemoglobin genotype and neonatal factors or placental micro-volumetric composition. The incidence of placentae with marginally inserted cords, or those in which umbilical vessels separated prior to insertion, was not statistically different in samples from sickle cell patients having haemoglobin-SS and haemoglobin-SC genotypes, as compared with haemoglobin-AA controls. Results obtained from analysis of variance (ANOVA) suggest that the mode of insertion (status) of umbilical vessels may have clinical significance, because it produced differences in the main effects associated with neonatal gestational age, placental weight, and placental index. Point counting stereology was employed to estimate the microscopic compartment volumes of placentae prior to an assessment of statistical association between the data obtained and the status of umbilical vessels and maternal haemoglobin genotype. Furcate placentae (with separated umbilical vessels) had statistically greater than normal volumes of villi, villous trophoblast, and syncytial knots. We deduce that furcate placentae are prone to early delivery, because they are heavier, having more voluminous villi with more trophoblast and syncytial knots than controls.

Source: UG
Model for assessing quality of online health information: a fuzzy VIKOR based method

Today, tens and thousands of websites provide health-related information on various topics to a growing number ofconsumers. However, the lay user is often faced with a challenge of determining the quality of information provided byone site from the other. To ensure the protection of users from sites that provide unreliable and unsafe information, therehas to be a competent reviewing body that rates and ranks the quality of information provided by each site. This paper (i)proposes a new criteria framework for assessing the quality of online health information and (ii) uses a fuzzy‘visekriterijumska optimicija i kompromisno resenje’method to demonstrate how online health information providers couldbe assessed and ranked based on their quality. The fuzzy modelling uses pre-defined linguistic variables parameterized bytriangular fuzzy numbers in the assessment and subsequent ranking of providers under a particular health topic. A numericalexample is demonstrated using diabetes online information providers to show how the assessment and ranking is carried out.The proposed framework provides functional basis for evaluating the quality of internet health information providers on anyparticular health topic

Source: UG
Model for assessing quality of online health information: a fuzzy VIKOR based method.

Today, tens and thousands of websites provide health-related information on various topics to a growing number of consumers. However, the lay user is often faced with a challenge of determining the quality of information provided by one site from the other. To ensure the protection of users from sites that provide unreliable and unsafe information, there has to be a competent reviewing body that rates and ranks the quality of information provided by each site. This paper (i) proposes a new criteria framework for assessing the quality of online health information and (ii) uses a fuzzy ‘visekriterijumska optimicija i kompromisno resenje’ method to demonstrate how online health information providers could be assessed and ranked based on their quality. The fuzzy modelling uses pre-defined linguistic variables parameterized by triangular fuzzy numbers in the assessment and subsequent ranking of providers under a particular health topic. A numerical example is demonstrated using diabetes online information providers to show how the assessment and ranking is carried out. The proposed framework provides functional basis for evaluating the quality of internet health information providers on any particular health topic.

Source: UG
A model for height and sex prediction from percutaneous lengths of forearm bones

Estimating the probable height, sex and age of unknown human remains is not uncommon to forensic experts. Applying mathematical formula derived from metric data of a population is accepted as an alternative when anatomical methods are not feasible during this process of identification. Although each population has to generate their own formulae because of differences in the genetic, environmental and racial attributes of populations, little is known of Ghanaians. Thus, we attempted to derive equations for height and sex prediction, by measuring the ulna and radial lengths of 300 Ghanaian subjects, composed of 160 males and 140 females, with a spreading calliper and a tape measure, and their heights with a stadiometer. Regressions and discriminant function analysis were applied to the variables in SPSS to generate formulae for height and sex prediction respectively. The mean height, ulna length and radial length for sampled individuals were 167.4, 28.6 and 25.9 cm respectively. Height exhibited a strong and significant positive correlation with ulna length (r = 0.720, p < 0.0001) and radial length (r = 0.664, p < 0.0001). However, for our data, ulna length is a better predictor of height and sex than radial length. Overall accuracy of sex determination based on radial or ulna length alone was 75.3% and 82.3% respectively. © 2018, © 2018 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Source: UG
A model for height and sex prediction from percutaneous lengths of forearm bones

Estimating the probable height, sex and age of unknown human remains is not uncommon to forensic experts. Applying mathematical formula derived from metric data of a population is accepted as an alternative when anatomical methods are not feasible during this process of identification. Although each population has to generate their own formulae because of differences in the genetic, environmental and racial attributes of populations, little is known of Ghanaians. Thus, we attempted to derive equations for height and sex prediction, by measuring the ulna and radial lengths of 300 Ghanaian subjects, composed of 160 males and 140 females, with a spreading calliper and a tape measure, and their heights with a stadiometer. Regressions and discriminant function analysis were applied to the variables in SPSS to generate formulae for height and sex prediction respectively. The mean height, ulna length and radial length for sampled individuals were 167.4, 28.6 and 25.9 cm respectively. Height exhibited a strong and significant positive correlation with ulna length (r = 0.720, p < 0.0001) and radial length (r = 0.664, p < 0.0001). However, for our data, ulna length is a better predictor of height and sex than radial length. Overall accuracy of sex determination based on radial or ulna length alone was 75.3% and 82.3% respectively.

Source: UG
A Model of New Keynesian Philip Curve and Inflation Dynamics in Ghana

To date, there is little econometric investigation on the New Keynesian Philip Curve (NKPC) in Ghana. Therefore, this study contributes to the empirical fit of the New Keynesian Philip Curve for the Ghanaian economy. We test the NKPC fit to both the deflator-based and CPI-based inflation for headline, food, non-food, and core inflation by adopting GMM and Campbell-Shiller (1987) techniques in the analysis. The study found that both the deflator-based and CPI-based headline inflation fit the traditional NKPC as against the hybrid. However, the CPI-based core inflation fits both the traditional and hybrid NKPC models accurately. The study identified that the forecasts of core inflation generated by the Campbell and Shiller (1987) technique mimic well the behavior of actual core inflation and so providing a good signal worth consideration by the Bank of Ghana. The findings of the study signal that the NKPC model can be adopted to investigate inflation dynamics in Ghana.

Source: UG
Model prepared for Institute of Continuing and Distance Education, Administration, UGBS 103, Introductory French

This primer introduces learners to the French Alphabets and Sounds. It runs them through the various parts of speech and introduces them to basic vocabulary across a number of professions and general fundamental knowledge. Various aspects of financial institutions, health and educational institutions as well as Entrepreneurial and Manufacturing firms, Telecommunication, the Hotel Industry and Road, Air and Rail transport are broached.

Source: UG
Model-Based Geostatistical Mapping of the Prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus in West Africa

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Model-based prediction of the potential geographical distribution of the invasive coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) based on MaxEnt

1. The coconut mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a destructive mite pest of coconut, causing significant economic losses. However, an effective pest man- agement strategy requires a clear understanding of the geographical areas at risk of the target pest. 2. Therefore, we predicted the potential global distribution A. guerreronis using a machine learning algorithm based on maximum entropy. 3. The potential future distribution for A. guerreronis covered the 2040 and 2060 periods under two climate change emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5) in the context of the sixth assessment report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 4. The MaxEnt model predicts the habitat suitability for A. guerreronis outside its pre- sent distribution, with suitable habitats in Oceania, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The habitat suitability for the pest will decrease from 2040 to 2060. 5. The areas with the highest risk of A. guerreronis are those with an annual average temperature of around 25 C, mean annual precipitation of about 1459 mm, mean precipitation seasonality close to 64%, an average variation of daytime temperature of about 8.6 C, and mean seasonality of temperature of about 149.7 C. 6. Our findings provide information for quarantine measures and policymaking, espe- cially where A. guerreronis is presently still absent.

Source: UG
Modeling future flows of the Volta River system: Impacts of climate change and socio-economic changes

As the scientific consensus concerning global climate change has increased in recent decades, research on potential impacts of climate change on water resources has been given high importance. However in Sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have fully evaluated the potential implications of climate change to their water resource systems. The Volta River is one of the major rivers in Africa covering six riparian countries (mainly Ghana and Burkina Faso). It is a principal water source for approximately 24 million people in the region. The catchment is primarily agricultural providing food supplies to rural areas, demonstrating the classic water, food, energy nexus. In this study an Integrated Catchment Model (INCA) was applied to the whole Volta River system to simulate flow in the rivers and at the outlet of the artificial Lake Volta. High-resolution climate scenarios downscaled from three different Global Climate Models (CNRM-CM5, HadGEM2-ES and CanESM2), have been used to drive the INCA model and to assess changes in flow by 2050s and 2090s under the high climate forcing scenario RCP8.5. Results show that peak flows during the monsoon months could increase into the future. The duration of high flow could become longer compared to the recent condition. In addition, we considered three different socio-economic scenarios. As an example, under the combined impact from climate change from downscaling CNRM-CM5 and medium+ (high economic growth) socio-economic changes, the extreme high flows (Q5) of the Black Volta River are projected to increase 11% and 36% at 2050s and 2090s, respectively. Lake Volta outflow would increase +1% and +5% at 2050s and 2090s, respectively, under the same scenario. The effects of changing socio-economic conditions on flow are minor compared to the climate change impact. These results will provide valuable information assisting future water resource development and adaptive strategies in the Volta Basin. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG
Modeling Ghanaian cocoa farmers’ decision to use pesticide and frequency of application: the case of Brong Ahafo Region

Pesticides are a significant component of the modern agricultural technology that has been widely adopted across the globe to control pests, diseases, weeds and other plant pathogens, in an effort to reduce or eliminate yield losses and maintain high product quality. Although pesticides are said to be toxic and exposes farmers to risk due to the hazardous effects of these chemicals, pesticide use among cocoa farmers in Ghana is still high. Furthermore, cocoa farmers do not apply pesticide on their cocoa farms at the recommended frequency of application. In view of this, the study assessed the factors influencing cocoa farmers’ decision to use pesticide and frequency of pesticide application. A total of 240 cocoa farmers from six cocoa growing communities in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana were selected for the study using the multi-stage sampling technique. The Probit and Tobit regression models were used to estimate factors influencing farmers’ decision to use pesticide and frequency of pesticide application, respectively. Results of the study revealed that the use of pesticide is still high among farmers in the Region and that cocoa farmers do not follow the Ghana Cocoa Board recommended frequency of pesticide application. In addition, cocoa farmers in the study area were found to be using both Ghana Cocoa Board approved/recommended and unapproved pesticides for cocoa production. Gender, age, educational level, years of farming experience, access to extension service, availability of agrochemical shop and access to credit significantly influenced farmers’ decision to use pesticides. Also, educational level, years of farming experience, membership of farmer based organisation, access to extension service, access to credit and cocoa income significantly influenced frequency of pesticide application. Since access to extension service is one key factor that reduces pesticide use and frequency of application among cocoa farmers, it is recommended that policies by government and non-governmental organisations should be aimed at mobilizing resources towards the expansion of extension education. In addition, extension service should target younger farmers as well as provide information on alternative pest control methods in order to reduce pesticide use among cocoa farmers. Furthermore, extension service/agents should target cocoa farmers with less years of farming experience and encourage cocoa farmers to join farmer based organisations in order to decrease frequency of pesticide application. © 2016, The Author(s).

Source: UG