ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Antecedents to leisure participation among people with physical disability in Ghana

Notwithstanding the complex relationships between antecedents to leisure participation among people with disabilities, limited empirical studies have explored these relationships. This study analyses the interactional relationships between the antecedents to leisure participation among people with physical disability in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, with data obtained from 322 people with physical disability. The results indicate that intellectual motivation, competence mastery and social motivation positively influenced participation while interpersonal and structural constraints negatively influenced participation. Specific dimensions of motivation influenced the conception of specific types of constraint, while specific types of constraint influenced the choice of specific negotiation strategies. Meanwhile, only cognitive negotiation strategy had a significant positive effect on participation, while participation had a positive influence on psychological, educational and social satisfaction. It is recommended that leisure and disability education should be introduced in both formal educational curriculum and public education fora so as to reduce the interpersonal and structural constraints encountered by people with physical disability

Source: UCC
Antenatal Care Contents and Caesarean Section in Ghana

ABSTRACT Antenatal care (ANC) is very necessary for mothers and their unborn children. The need to start on time helps to avoid certain dangers during pregnancy. The rate of caesarean deliveries is significantly increasing in many countries, and Ghana is no exception. This study will assess the effect of the timing of the first antenatal care initiation and the contents of care on caesarean delivery. The study used secondary data that was extracted from the maternal health survey. The study population was 25,062 women who are between the ages of 15 and 49, as defined in the Ghana Maternal Health Survey 2017. The study included only 9237 mothers who have delivered before and also utilized antenatal care during pregnancy. Data were analysed in Stata, where frequencies and percentages with figures were used as illustrations. The rate of caesarean sections is low among mothers who start their antenatal clinic in the first trimester. There is a higher rate of caesarean sections in urban residences as compared to those in rural residences. This was evidenced by the major cities in Ghana. This could be a result of the availability of well-resourced health facilities within these areas. Antenatal care is improving because most women began with it as a preventive measure. This number is comparable to the 69% who stated that they started their antenatal care in the first trimester. Yet antenatal care needs to be encouraged to be started within 16 weeks of pregnancy. This will have a positive impact on caesarean deliveries

Source: UCC
Anterior intermeniscal ligament: an anatomic study of its insertion pattern in Ghanaians

The purpose of this study was to identify the various patterns of attachment of the anterior intermeniscal ligament that is predominate in the Ghanaian as there is no known publication on this subject. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of the School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast and involved 42 paired cadaveric knees, from 16 males and 5 females. The incidence of the AIML was 40.5%. The mean length of the AIML was 28.95mm; the mean width was 1.94mm, while the mean distance from mid-portion of the AIML to the insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament was 4.32mm. Type I pattern of attachment was the most common pattern of insertion observed (64.7%), followed by type II (29.4%) and then type III (5.9%). The incidence of the AIML may be lower in the Ghanaian populace than most reported studies.

Source: UCC
Anthostema aubryanum Baill: Its Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of the root bark extract

The stem and root bark of Anthostema aubryanum (Baill, family, Euphorbiaceae) are extensively used in African ethnomedicine for treating and managing a number of disease conditions which include inflammation, wounds, boil, dyspepsia and a variety of other disease conditions. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of many phytoconstituents isolated from the family are fairly established, the plant has not yet been investigated. In the present study, the crude aqueous-alcohol extract of the root bark was demonstrated to display a time- and dose (30- 300 mg/Kg p.o.)- dependent anti-inflammatory effect in rats. The extract showed a good anti-inflammatory activity (ED50 = 5.294±0.020 mg/Kg BDW) compared to diclofenac (ED50=1.994±0.001). The root bark also showed a high total phenolic content (74.53±0.004) vitamin E equi valent (VEE)/g) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 8.841 µg/ml) compared to the standard vitamin E (8.605±0.01). The observed activities may be attributed to the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, anthraquinones, fatty acids, reducing sugars and tannins found in the phytochemicals screening of the plant. The present study for the first time has established the scientific basis for the traditional uses of A. aubryanum for treating inflammation, edema, boil and wounds

Source: UCC
Anthostema aubryanum Baill: Its Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of the root bark extract

The stem and root bark of Anthostema aubryanum (Baill, family, Euphorbiaceae) are extensively used in African ethnomedicine for treating and managing a number of disease conditions which include inflammation, wounds, boil, dyspepsia and a variety of other disease conditions. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of many phytoconstituents isolated from the family are fairly established, the plant has not yet been investigated. In the present study, the crude aqueous-alcohol extract of the root bark was demonstrated to display a time- and dose (30- 300 mg/Kg p.o.)- dependent anti-inflammatory effect in rats. The extract showed a good anti-inflammatory activity (ED50 = 5.294±0.020 mg/Kg BDW) compared to diclofenac (ED50=1.994±0.001). The root bark also showed a high total phenolic content (74.53±0.004) vitamin E equivalent (VEE)/g) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 8.841 µg/ml) compared to the standard vitamin E (8.605±0.01). The observed activities may be attributed to the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, anthraquinones, fatty acids, reducing sugars and tannins found in the phytochemicals screening of the plant. The present study for the first time has established the scientific basis for the traditional uses of A. aubryanum for treating inflammation, edema, boil and wounds.

Source: UCC
Anthropogenic sources and environmentally relevant concentrations of heavy metals in surface water of a mining district in Ghana: a multivariate statistical approach

The levels of heavy metals in surface water and their potential origin (natural and anthropogenic) were respectively determined and analyzed for the Obuasi mining area in Ghana. Using Hawth’s tool an extension in ArcGIS 9.2 software, a total of 48 water sample points in Obuasi and its environs were randomly selected for study. The magnitude of As, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Hg, Zn and Cd in surface water from the sampling sites were measured by ﬂame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Water quality parameters including conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids and turbidity were also evaluated. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefﬁcient analysis, were used to identify possible sources of these heavy metals. Pearson correlation coefﬁcients among total metal concentrations and selected water properties showed a number of strong associations. The results indicate that apart from tap water, surface water in Obuasi has elevated heavy metal concentrations, especially Hg, Pb, As, Cu and Cd, which are above the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) permissible levels; clearly demonstrating anthropogenic impact. The mean heavy metal concentrations in surface water divided by the corresponding background values of surface water in Obuasi decrease in the order of Cd > Cu > As > Pb > Hg > Zn > Mn > Fe. The results also showed that Cu, Mn, Cd and Fe are largely responsible for the variations in the data, explaining 72% of total variance; while Pb, As and Hg explain only 18.7% of total variance. Three main sources of these heavy metals were identiﬁed. As originates from nature (oxidation of sulphide minerals particularly arsenopyrite-FeAsS). Pb derives from water carrying drainage from towns and mine machinery maintenance yards. Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn mainly emanate from industry sources. Hg mainly originates from artisanal small-scale mining.It cannot be said that the difference in concentration of heavy metals might be attributed to difference in proximity to mining-related activities because this is inconsistent with the cluster analysis. Based on cluster analysis SN32, SN42 and SN43 all belong to group one and are spatially similar. But the maximum Cu concentration was found in SN32 while the minimum Cu concentration was found in SN42 and SN43

Source: UCC
Anthropometric indices and cardiometabolic risk factors in a Ghanaian adolescent population

Objectives: Adolescent overweight and obesity is a public health concern globally, especially in lower- and middle-income countries where there is an additional burden of undernutrition. The prevalence of adolescent overweight/2obesity has increased markedly over the past three decades. The transition in dietary habits coupled with reduced physical activity has been blamed for the increasing trend. Overweight/obesity in adolescence is complicated by cardiometabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal and psychosocial disorders. Additionally, adolescent obesity is a predictor of future development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. The burden of cardiometabolic risk factors associated with adolescent overweight/obesity in Ghana is lacking, the project, therefore, was undertaken to add to the existing knowledge. Methods: The study was undertaken in adolescent students of a tertiary institution in Ghana. Two hundred and one students consented to participate in the study. Questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary and substance abuse habits were self-administered. Blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference measures were performed and venous blood drawn for the determination of fasting serum total/LDL/HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Body mass indices were determined as the weight per square of their heights. Results: The prevalence of obesity was determined to be 15.81% generally, 27.71% in the females and 7.08% in the males. Diastolic blood pressure was the only cardiometabolic risk factor significantly associated with obesity in our study. Conclusion: Overweight/obesity is common in Ghanaian adolescents, with the prevalence highest in the female population.

Source: UCC
Anthropometric indices and cardiometabolic risk factors in a Ghanaian adolescent population

Objectives: Adolescent overweight and obesity is a public health concern globally, especially in lower- and middle- income countries where there is an additional burden of undernutrition. The prevalence of adolescent over- weight/2obesity has increased markedly over the past three decades. The transition in dietary habits coupled with reduced physical activity has been blamed for the increasing trend. Overweight/obesity in adolescence is complicated by cardiometabolic, respiratory, musculo- skeletal and psychosocial disorders. Additionally, adoles- cent obesity is a predictor of future development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. The burden of cardiometabolic risk factors associated with adolescent overweight/obesity in Ghana is lacking, the project, therefore, was undertaken to add to the existing knowledge. Methods: The study was undertaken in adolescent stu- dents of a tertiary institution in Ghana. Two hundred and one students consented to participate in the study. Ques- tionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary and substance abuse habits were self-administered. Blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference mea- sures were performed and venous blood drawn for the determination of fasting serum total/LDL/HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Body mass indices were determined as the weight per square of their heights. Results: The prevalence of obesity was determined to be 15.81% generally, 27.71% in the females and 7.08% in the males. Diastolic blood pressure was the only car- diometabolic risk factor significantly associated with obesity in our study. Conclusion: Overweight/obesity is common in Ghanaian adolescents, with the prevalence highest in the female population.

Source: UCC
Anthropometric indices and cardiometabolic risk factors in a Ghanaian adolescent population

Adolescent overweight and obesity is a public health concern globally, especially in lower- and middleincome countries where there is an additional burden of undernutrition. The prevalence of adolescent overweight/ 2obesity has increased markedly over the past three decades. The transition in dietary habits coupled with reduced physical activity has been blamed for the increasing trend. Overweight/obesity in adolescence is complicated by cardiometabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal and psychosocial disorders. Additionally, adolescent obesity is a predictor of future development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. The burden of cardiometabolic risk factors associated with adolescent overweight/obesity in Ghana is lacking, the project, therefore, was undertaken to add to the existing knowledge.

Source: UCC
Anthropometrics Evaluations in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients, with and Without Metabolic Syndrome. A Case Control Study

Back ground: Many developing countries have taken measures to shift from curative to preventive medical services, and Ghana has since spearheaded a Regenerative Health and Nutrition (RHN) programme aimed at empowering lay communities to adopt healthy lifestyles through the application of anthropometric measurements. It is against this background that this work is designed to determine the correlation between some anthropometric indices as predictors of diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome in a section of Ghanaian population. Methods: Anthropometric parameters; Waist circumference, hip circumference and height were measured using a non-extensible tape and WHtR, WHR, calculated. BMI was determined by weighing subject with weighing scale and dividing the weight by the height squared in meters. Blood pressure was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were determined by enzymatic methods, using Envoy® 500 reagents on BT 5000® Random Access Chemistry Analyzer. Results: Diastolic and systolic Blood Pressure and all other anthropometric parameters; waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, WHtR, were significantly (p< 0.0001) higher in the diabetic subjects. Waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, WHtR were significantly (p< 0.0001) higher in the female diabetics than in male diabetics.WHR and WTR were significantly and positively correlated (r=0.218**; r=0.205**) with triglycerides. Whilst WHtR was positively correlated (r=0.300**, ,r=0.299**) with LDL and TC. WHR, WHtR, WC, WTR, and BMI predicted obesity by 83.4%, 79.8%,50.9%, 31.9% 30.7% respectively. BMI and WHtR and WC were significantly (p< 0.0001) higher in the diabetics with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: WHR and WHtR were more predictive of obesity than BMI and WTR, whilst, WC was more definitive of central obesity. In the female diabetics WC, HC, BMI, WHtR were more predictive of obesity in that order. Obesity remains the predictor of type II diabetes.

Source: UCC
Anti-asthmatic property and possible mode of activity of an ethanol leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa

Context: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms (Araliaceae) is used as a traditional remedy for asthma in Ghana. Objective: The objective of this study is to establish the anti-asthmatic property and a possible mode of activity of an ethanol leaf extract of P. fruticosa (PFE). Materials and methods: The time (min) for pre-convulsive dyspnea, and time for recovery, after sensitization with 150 mg OVA and induction of bronchospasm with 1% acetylcholine or histamine in normal, and 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg PFE-treated Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs, were recorded. Atropine (0.1 mg), mepyramine (0.1 mg), and PFE (1 mg) effect on a contractile response of 2.0 10 2 mg/ml acetylcholine and 5.8 10 2 mg/ml histamine on the isolated guinea pig ileum was investigated. Cytological and histological studies were conducted using guinea pig peritoneal mast cells and mesenteric cells, respectively, to establish PFE effect on compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation. Results: PFE (100–500 mg/kg) prolonged the onset of pre-convulsive dyspnea by 76.1–180.2% (p 0.01–0.001), and decreased recovery time by 71.9–78.5% (p 0.01–0.001). It also enhanced percentage protection against histamine-induced bronchospasm by 15.8–80.1-fold (p 0.05–0.01), and decreased percentage recovery time 2.5–3.3-fold (p 0.05–0.01). PFE significantly inhibited (60.4 ± 8.3%) contractile responses of histamine and produced significant inhibition (56–79%: p 0.001) of mast cell degranulation. Conclusion: PFE has anti-asthmatic, antihistaminic, and mast cell stabilization effect making it useful in traditional asthma management

Source: UCC
Anti-Asthmatic Property and Possible Mode of Activity of An Ethanol Leaf Extract of Polyscias Fruticosa

Context: Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms (Araliaceae) is used as a traditional remedy for asthma in Ghana. Objective: The objective of this study is to establish the anti-asthmatic property and a possible mode of activity of an ethanol leaf extract of P. fruticosa (PFE). Materials and methods: The time (min) for pre-convulsive dyspnea, and time for recovery, after sensitization with 150 mg OVA and induction of bronchospasm with 1% acetylcholine or histamine in normal, and 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg PFE-treated Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs, were recorded. Atropine (0.1 mg), mepyramine (0.1 mg), and PFE (1 mg) effect on a contractile response of 2.0 10 2 mg/ml acetylcholine and 5.8 10 2 mg/ml histamine on the isolated guinea pig ileum was investigated. Cytological and histological studies were conducted using guinea pig peritoneal mast cells and mesenteric cells, respectively, to establish PFE effect on compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation. Results: PFE (100–500 mg/kg) prolonged the onset of pre-convulsive dyspnea by 76.1–180.2% (p 0.01–0.001), and decreased recovery time by 71.9–78.5% (p 0.01–0.001). It also enhanced percentage protection against histamine-induced bronchospasm by 15.8–80.1-fold (p 0.05–0.01), and decreased percentage recovery time 2.5–3.3-fold (p 0.05–0.01). PFE significantly inhibited (60.4 ± 8.3%) contractile responses of histamine and produced significant inhibition (56–79%: p 0.001) of mast cell degranulation. Conclusion: PFE has anti-asthmatic, antihistaminic, and mast cell stabilization effect making it useful in traditional asthma management.

Source: UCC
Anti-glaucoma potential of Heliotropium indicum Linn in experimentally-induced glaucoma

Background: Heliotropium indicum is used as a traditional remedy for hypertension in Ghana. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-glaucoma potential of an aqueous whole plant extract of H. indicum to manage experimentally-induced glaucoma. Methods: The percentage change in intraocular pressure (IOP), after inducing acute glaucoma (15 mLkg−1 of 5 % dextrose, i.v.), in New Zealand White rabbits pretreated with Heliotropium indicum aqueous extract (HIE) (30–300 mgkg−1), acetazolamide (5 mgkg−1), and normal saline (10 mLkg−1) per os were measured. IOPs were also monitored in chronic glaucoma in rabbits (induced by 1 % prednisolone acetate drops, 12 hourly for 21 days) after treatments with the same doses of HIE, acetazolamide, and normal saline for 2 weeks. The anti-oxidant property of the extract was assessed by assaying for glutathione levels in the aqueous humour. Glutamate concentration in the vitreous humour was also determined using ELISA technique. Histopathological assessment of the ciliary bodies was made. Results: The extract significantly reduced intraocular pressure (p ≤ 0.05–0.001) in acute and chronic glaucoma, preserved glutathione levels and glutamate concentration (p ≤ 0.01–0.001). Histological assessment of the ciliary body showed a decrease in inflammatory infiltration in the extract and acetazolamide-treated group compared with the normal saline-treated group. Conclusion: The aqueous whole plant extract of Heliotropium indicum has ocular hypotensive, anti-oxidant and possible neuro-protective effects, which therefore underscore its plausible utility as an anti-glaucoma drug with further investigation.

Source: UCC
Anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of an alkaloidal extract derived from zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides

Background: The global burden of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) has increased. Consequently, exploring newer treatment modalities for HCC such as herbal medicines has become a necessary. Objective: The study investigated anti-HCC effects of an alkaloidal extract derived from leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides. Materials and methods: Alkaloidal extract (ZZAE) from cleaned dried leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides was prepared using Soxhlet extraction and liquid-liquid extraction methods and then phytochemically analyzed. CCl4/olive oil HCC was induced in rats and subjects grouped into 6 groups 10 after the HCC was established, except for the control group with no HCC and the prophylaxis group with concurrent induction and treatment. Anti-HCC effects of ZZAE, was assessed in CCl4/olive oil-induced HCC of rats by prophylactic treatment with ZZAE (100 mg/kg po) and curatively with ZZAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg po) daily for nine weeks. Results: Soxhlet extraction yielded 462.806 g (10.59%) of crude extract that contained terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and phenol. Liquid-liquid extraction for alkaloids yielded 119.349 g (2.73%). ZZAE produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of growth of A. cepa root tip meristems. ZZAE also improved all liver enzyme indices and liver histology in a dose-dependent manner. ZZAE treatment restored loss in bodyweight relative to the model. ZZAE prevented progression of fibrosis into HCC. Conclusion: ZZAE demonstrated anti-HCC effects that needs further studies.

Source: UCC