ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Surgical Site Infection after Caesarean Section delivery at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Surgical Site infection (SSI) is one of the health problems that are caused by the invasion of pathogenic organisms. Information on local pathogens and sensitivity to antimicrobial agents is crucial for successful treatment of wounds. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of SSI after caesarean section delivery, identify the type and frequencies of bacteria causing these infections and determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of pathogens involved with these infections at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).A cross sectional study was conducted among women with Caesarean Section delivery at KATH, from June to December, 2015. Wound swab was collected from 40 clinically infected wounds using sterile cotton swabs and processed for bacterial isolation and susceptibility testing to antimicrobial agents following standard bacteriological techniques. Biochemical tests were done to identify the species of the organisms. Sensitivity testing was done using Kirby- Bauer disk diffusion method. Structured questionnaire were administered to harness socio demographic, surgical and antibiotic data of women. Results: The overall prevalence of SSI after Caesarean Section delivery in KATH within the study period was 9.67%. No anaerobic bacteria were isolated. The common bacteria that caused SSI after Caesarean Section at KATH was Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.25%) (n=21), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.4%) (n=13). The least isolated bacteria were Proteus vulgaris (1.7%) (n=1) and Acinetobacter baumanii (1.7%) (n=1). Gentamicin, ciprofloxacillin and amikacin showed greater sensitivity on isolates than other antibiotics such as cefuroxime, levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. All the isolated bacteria showed high frequency of resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and tetracycline. Significant risk factors causing SSI after Caesarean Section delivery in this study was interrupted skin closure technique, emergency C/S, 2 or more vaginal examination before C/S and patient to whom antibiotic prophylaxis was not given. The prevalence rate of SSI after caesarean section delivery in this study was 9.67%, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most common bacteria isolate. Gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and amikacin should be used judiciously to treat wound infections. Empirical prescription of ampicillin, tetracycline and levofloxacin at the O & G Directorate for treating SSI should consider the resistant pattern of bacteria in this study. Infection reducing strategies should target women at high risk of developing SSIs such as those for emergency C/S, and women with more than 2 vaginal examinations before C/S.

Source: KNUST
A Survey And Laboratory Studies On The Effects Of The Sources Of Irrigation Water And Pesticides On Postharvest Quality Of Three Vegetables In The Wa Municipality Of The Upper West Region Of Ghana

A study was carried out in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana to investigate the effects of sources of irrigation water and pesticides on postharvest quality of three vegetables. The objectives of the study were to document the sources of water for irrigation, coliform load in the water sources and the vegetables, The pesticides used and pesticides residue as well as the postharvest treatment methods in the study area using a survey and laboratory experiments were also investigated. One hundred (100) respondents were interviewed comprising 50 farmers and 50 consumers and the survey data analyzed using SPSS version 19. Laboratory assessment of microbial quality and pesticides residue were analyzed using Statistix 9. From the results, the major source of irrigation water used in vegetable productions was dug out wells (88%). The use of watering can and bucket was the commonest irrigation method (82%) used for dry season vegetable farming. Apart from farming, sixty eight percent ( 68% ) of the respondents also used the available water for domestic purposes and another 26% for livestock rearing. Organic fertilizer was the major source of soil amendment applied by the farmers (52%). Cypermethrine, DDT, Lambda and Actelic 25 EC were the most common pesticides used in controlling pests and diseases on the farm in the study area. The major postharvest treatment given to the vegetables was the washing of vegetables in water (45%). It was also observed that 79.5% of the consumers normally obtained their vegetables from the retail market. Some complications associated with the consumption of vegetables included stomach ache (77.5%) and diarrhea (22.5%). The microbial presence in the irrigation water used and vegetables produced were poor as total coliforms, faecal coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella were recordedx. Heptachlor, Alpha Endosulfan, Endrin, 1, 1-dichloro-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethylene (PP-DDE), 1, 1, 1-dichlo-2, 2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane (PP-DDT) and Permethrin were pesticides found to be above the International MRL in the vegetable samples.

Source: KNUST
Survey and evaluation of okra pectin extracted at different maturity stages

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an economically important crop in sub-Saharan Africa. The vegetable is of major technological interest in food and medicinal applications. A survey was conducted by administering structured questionnaires (1560) in major okra-producing regions in Ghana to determine the level of okra utilization and nutritional and medicinal attributes of the crop. The okra pectin yield and intrinsic viscosity at different maturity stages were also investigated. Isolation of okra pectin from the pods at different harvest maturity was performed by aqueous extraction at pH 6.0. The intrinsic viscosity [η] of the okra pectin solutions was deter mined at 20°C using Ubbelohde capillary viscometer. The survey showed that okra is well known (96.9%) across the country among the various ethnic groups. The majority (94.7%) of the respondents use okra as food, whereas few utilized the crop as medicine (22.1%) and for other applications (9.6%). The respondents widely used okra in the form of soup (73.1%) and stew (68.7%) consumed popularly with banku (81.3%) and tuo zaafi (38.8%). The majority of respondents (65.2%) showed interest in the development of new products from okra. Highest pectin yield was obtained for intermediate matured fruits, followed by that of immature fruits and lowest for overgrown fruits. The intrinsic viscosity value, however, was highest for immature fruits. The study showed that okra is mainly used as food among various ethnic groups and that it is important to identify the most appropriate stage of development to harvest the okra fruit. This knowledge would enhance the potential of okra for specific use or functionality.

Source: KNUST
A Survey of Antibiotic Usage at Cocoa Clinic, a Quasi- Government Hospital

High levels of antibiotics use, often clinically unnecessary, have led to a steady increase in drug resistance. Diseases of bacterial origin are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income countries [26]. Antibiotic usage was studied retrospectively from clinical records of all patients who had antibiotic prescription from all the various centres in Cocoa Clinic for the month of July 2008 and were served at the clinic’s pharmacy. Data were retrieved with the assistance of the Clinic’s Biostatistician from the records department as well as from computer entries of all transactions at the pharmacy. Informal interviews were also conducted with the prescribers and the pharmacists available. Records were examined for whether microbiological investigations were done before or after antibiotics prescriptions. The commonest antibiotics prescribed for all the age groups include Amoxycillin + Clavulanic acid, Ciprofloxacin, Cefuroxime, Amoxycillin, Metronidazole and Flucloxacillin. Age group 15-44years received the highest percentage of antibiotic prescriptions. The most common infections requiring antibiotics use were upper respiratory tract infection including common cold accounting for 377 (23.44%) of therapeutic prescriptions. Gastroenteritis was next (13.81%) followed by respiratory tract (12.19%) and skin and soft tissue infections (10.14%) then urinary tract infections (7.71%). Most prescriptions were given empirically based on known pathogens. In some cases prescription were changed when laboratory results determined so. More study is required to determine the trend or pattern in antibiotic usage and the factors influencing this. A multidisciplinary prospective study is recommended.

Source: KNUST
A survey of asymptomatic urinary tract infection in the Kumasi Community

Asymptomatic UTI is an important health problem in the Kumasi community. Among the objectives of the study were to identify the organisms involved in community UTI, their proportion and distribution, to determine the characteristics of these organisms and also to estimate the importance of recurrent UTI in the community Subjects were males and females from the community of the age of 15 up to 50 and above years who did not show symptoms of UTI With the aid of a questionnaire relevant information such as previous UTI treatment and recurrent antibiotic usage were collected A total of 1531 mid-stream urine samples were collected for processing in the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital microbiology laboratory. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer method. Prevalence rates as occurring in males and females were 3.9% and 11 .7% respectively. There was a highly significant difference (p 0.0001) in infection rates between the males and females. Among the various subject groups, females at University of Science and Technology (UST) had the highest prevalence rate of 26.0%. There was significant association (P=0.05) between infection rates and the age groups. The most predominant bacterial uropathogens were staphylococus aureus (26.8%), Escherichia coli (19.3%) and Kiebsiella species (12.4%). Others were Proteus species (11 .7%), Coliforms (11 .7%), Pseudomonas species (5.5%), Staphlococus (3.4%), Streptococcus species (1.3%), Serratia species (0.7%) and Enterobacter species (0.7%). High susceptibility rates were exhibited by urine isolates towards nalidixic acid, nortloxacin and cefuroxime. However, susceptibility by these organisms towards ampocllin, cotrimoxazole and tetracycline was low. A considerable number (149) of people had previous history of UTI, of which 20 (13.4%) still carried the infection. Among sexually active young women, the prevalence of asymptomatic UTI is high. Also the level of recurrent UTI in the community is high, thus, there is the need for the proper investigation of UTI and effective treatment rendered to avoid future complications.

Source: KNUST
Survey of cowpea viral disease symptoms and detection of associated viruses in selected cowpea growing areas in Ghana

A survey was conducted in 2014/2015 growing seasons covering 100 fields within four locations in Ghana. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) plants showing leaf mosaic and other virus-like symptoms, were noticed during the 2014 growing season in fields located at Mampong, Ejura- Sekyeredumasi, Nkoranza (Humid forest zone) and Amantin-Atebubu (Derived savannah zone) in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. Incidence and severity of some viral symptoms as well as farmers’ perception of viral diseases in the surveyed areas were obtained with the aid of survey sheets and questionnaires. Symptomatic leaf and mature seed samples were collected from each location for virus identification in the laboratory. Seed and Aphid transmission tests, Mechanical (sap) transmission, ACP-ELISA and RT-PCR were used for virus detection. The survey showed that farmers cultivate virus-infected cowpea seeds season after season, thus causing high incidence and severity of viral diseases. High incidence and severity of viral diseases were observed in the Ejura-Sekyeredumasi District where most farmers in the other districts obtained seeds for cultivation. Mosaic and mottling were the commonest symptoms observed. The highest incidence (81.6%) and mean severity (3.01) values of virus symptoms were observed in Ejura. Percent incidences (72.5 and 70.7%) and severities (2.7 each) recorded at Atebubu and Mampong, respectively were not significantly different (P>0.01). Nkoranza recorded the lowest incidence (46.7%) and severity (2.4) of cowpea virus symptoms. Viruses detected in the leaf and seed samples serologically were: Cowpea Aphid Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV), Bean Common Mosaic Virus strain Blackeye Cowpea Mosaic Virus (BCMV-BICM), Cowpea Mottle Virus (CPMoV), Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus (CPMMV), Southern Bean Mosaic Virus (SBMV), Cowpea Yellow Mosaic Virus (CYMV) and Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV). The viruses were detected infecting cowpea plants in all the four districts surveyed. BCMV-BICM was detected to be seed borne with transmission rates between 0.8 and 27%. Aphis craccivora Koch. also transmitted BCMV-BICM in a non-persistent manner. In all cases, only symptomatic seedlings were found infected with the virus. Also, systemic infections were observed on mechanically inoculated ‘Ife brown’ cowpea plants. The study identified seven (7) cowpea viruses in the country of which six (6) are reported to be seed-borne. This, therefore, necessitates the need for the production and use of virus-free seeds, development of virus resistant genotypes and adoption of efficient seed certification systems.

Source: KNUST
A Survey of Antibiotic Usage at Holy Trinity Medical Centre

Exposure to antibiotics is the principal risk factor in the emergence and selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The casual relationship between the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the widespread use of antibiotics cannot be disputed. The emergence of antibiotic resistance is primarily due to excessive and often unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans and animals. Antibiotic prescribing patterns was studied in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana at the Holy Trinity Medical Centre which is a private health facility. Clinical records of 140 adult patients prescribed antibiotics over a 7day period at the general Out-Patient department were studied. Respiratory tract infections and urinary tract infections accounted for a greater percentage of antibiotic prescriptions. The average number of antibiotics prescribed in the above two sconditions was 1.09(SD=0.33) and 1.22(SD=o.42) respectively. The commonest antibiotics prescribed were penicillins (55.4%), macrolides (29.3%), cephalsoporins (10.8%), quinolones (2.7%), aminoglycosides (1.4%) and clindamycin (1.4%). Other antibiotics included tetracyclnes, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin and co-trimoxazole. In the management of the various disease conditions standard treatment guidelines in most cases were not being followed and many more interventions should have been considered than what was recorded.

Source: KNUST
A Survey of Home Management of Malaria in Pre-school Children in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District, Ashanti Region

Malaria is the most important disease claiming the lives of millions of children in Africa south of the Sahara. The burden of sickness due to malaria remains high in the sub region. Much effort is underway to reduce the burden of malaria to the barest minimum. Previous efforts to control malaria appear to have had little or no impact. Probably, the full impact of malaria control could be much felt with the coverage of many interventions. What appears to be missing in the control strategies is empowerment and inclusion of household level to identify, take early and appropriate action towards management of malaria at home. The study sampled 150 respondents to explore knowledge level, practices, sources of care, cost of treatment and sources of health information for malaria. Respondents identified actual malaria as high temperature (75%) and severe malaria as convulsion (5 8%). There is a high knowledge of mosquito bite (58%) as the main cause of malaria. Personal preventive measures include use of bed nets (32%) and insecticide spray (43%). Approximately 70% of respondents take action in 72 hours contrary to WHOIRBM protocol of 24 hours or less using chloroquine syrup/tablet (5 7%). Only 8% of the total respondents interviewed treat malaria within 24 hours. About 74% of caregivers treat malaria inappropriately. The inappropriateness of malaria treatment is high in children under one and reduces as the age increases. Chemical shops (65%) are the main source of health care while treatment at home constitutes (19%). Caregivers spend 5-10,000 cedis (51%) per treatment and lose 7 working days (52%) whilst treating their children with malaria. Gong-gong beating (49%) and interpersonal communication (49%) constitute the main sources of health information. Keywords: appropriate, burden, caregivers, control, effective, home management, impact, inappropriate, intervention, malaria, protocol.

Source: KNUST
A survey of customer satisfaction with service provision: a case study of Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) Kumasi

Ensuring Customer Satisfaction is one of the most important tasks facing businesses today. Unless an organisation is able to meet the expectations of its consumers with the product or service performance, the long-term survival of the company is threatened. The main focus of the study was on the extent of customer satisfaction with the provision of electricity and problems facing Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) Kumasi in its customer service satisfaction in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The findings of the study revealed a number of important issues. First, the general/overall level of customer satisfaction was estimated using interval estimate at 95% confidence level. The satisfaction level fell within the range of 5.96 to 6.30 on a scale of 1 to 10 given that l(units) represents excellence and 10 represents worse. The satisfaction level was between average and unsatisfactory. That is, the satisfaction level was very low. The study also revealed statistical equivalence of customer satisfaction level and customer classes that is residential, non-residential and industrial. This was determined by using the chi-square. The critical value for chi-square distribution with 2 degrees of freedom at 0.05 significance level was 5.991. Since the test value (1.035) was less than the critical value (5.991), it was established that there was statistical equivalence between customer class and customer satisfaction. In other words the sample data led to a conclusion that satisfaction was similar with regard to customer class. The implication of this is that ECG can apply the same policy measure on customer satisfaction for all classes of customers. The study also brought to light some problems faced by ECG. Among them were inability of the company to charge economic price (tariffs), high operating cost and the depreciation of the cedi, loss of electric power through theft and transmission. Others were overdue debts and cash flow problems, generation capacity constraints as against growing demands, natural occurrences such as rainfall and inadequate materials and transport facilities. In order for ECG to build, operate, maintain and expand capacity to meet energy demand and provide excellent delivery, the researcher offered a number of recommendations for policy consideration. For example it was recommended that there should be regular review of flat rates, installation of quality meters and ultimately the use of prepaid meters to ensure that customers pay the right amount for power consumed. It was also recommended that the company should establish more cash collection points to enable customers to easily pay their electricity bills and avoid joining long queues at ECG main office at Adum before paying their bills.

Source: KNUST
A Survey of Painting Programmes in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Education, Winneba

The UEW Painting programme is producing professional teachers for the education enterprise while KNUST is producing professional painters to satisfy industrial demand. The UEW four-year programme is titled “Art Education Programme” and comprises five main components namely: General Education, Departmental Courses, Subject Studies, Professional Studies and Student Internship. 50% of the entire UEW Programme is on art whereas the remaining in on education. The KNUST’s four-year duration Painting programme is titled “Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting)” which offers in-depth knowledge in painting. Practical instruction is rated 75% whereas the theory is 25%. The UEW programme is designed to give students fundamental knowledge in art, objective studies of landscape painting and drawing, experimentation, and an internship programme to help the students to develop competencies, philosophies and portfolios on the teaching of Painting. The KNUST programme also offers fundamentals in Painting and Sculpture, objective studies, industrial attachment, exploratory activities, and independent studies. Although both institutions possess competent and experienced lecturers, all the three UEW lecturers have education background whereas three out of eight lecturers have education at KNUST. Poor maintenance culture and the ever increasing population of students have placed great pressure on the facilities and infrastructure in both institutions. Both programmes are sponsored from internally generated funds. Although similar learning habits are formed but that of KNUST painting students develop more executants’ abilities, media usage and experimentation than UEW Picture Making students. The reason being that KNUST ensures continuity of practical courses but UEW does not but go ahead to treats such courses as topics.

Source: KNUST
A survey of seat belt use

Out of the 18 districts which constitute the Ashanti region, Kumasi Metropolitan Area (KMA) alone, accounted for 22.6% of the fatalities that occurred through road traffic crashes, from 2008-2009. Approximately 22.6% of these fatalities were vehicle occupants. In the wake of this carnage on KMA’s roads and the fact that seat belts have been proven to save lives in road traffic crashes, the cardinal objectives of this study were to conduct observation survey to determine the extent of seat belt use among drivers and front-right seat passengers and also to ascertain the attitudes of people towards seat belt use in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. Observations of seat belt use were conducted at 31selected observations sites which were mostly signalized intersections and toll booths, where vehicles were momentarily stopped. Attitudinal survey was also carried out at bus terminals, taxi ranks and parking lots. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and SPSS. The overall seat belt wearing rate in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area was 18.30%. The wearing rates for drivers and front-right passengers were 24.40% and 8.10% respectively. Private car drivers (33.40%) were more likely to use seat belts compared with bus drivers (29.10%), taxi drivers (12.20%), truck drivers (19.8%) and minibus drivers (18.80%). Female drivers (48.0%) were more likely to use seat belts than male drivers (22.90%). Seat belt use was highest in the outskirts of town (24.02%) and lowest in the CBD (15.90%). The primary reasons for non-use of seat belts were No/Faulty seat belts (81.10%), Forgetfulness (73.90%) and lackadaisical attitude towards enforcement of seat belt laws (75.90%). The use of seat belt was generally low in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area and it depended on seating position, gender, vehicle type and location. Wearing rate was low because most vehicles do not have seat belts and the serious laxity in the enforcement of seat belt laws. Concerted efforts are therefore required by the National Road Safety Commission, police and civil society to improve road safety in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area in particular and nationally in general, by ensuring mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in all vehicles that do not have, preferably free of charge and strict enforcement of the seat belt laws.

Source: KNUST