ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Views and the “National Friday Wear”

The study investigated 180 students, purposively selected, to get their views on the “National Friday Wear” programme. The data were collected and analysed using a structured questionnaire and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS/PG) software respectively. The respondents were quite young – between 18 and a little over 28 years of age. The females were 64% and males, 36%. About 93% said the programme was laudable or cultural and economic reasons. There was a wide gap between knowledge and practice as 85.6% knew about the programme and 41.5% practiced it due to financial constraints. However, locally-produced fabrics were preferred to be used to sew garments to use as “Friday Wear” because of their beautiful colours and motifs that depicted Ghanaian culture. There was no significant difference (P≤0.05) between gender and views about the programme. If textile raw materials are subsidized by government. Ghanaian industries might produce affordable and beautiful fabrics for garments to be worn on Fridays in Ghana. This may enhance the success of the programme.

Source: UG
Vigilantism in Ghana: Trends, Victim Characteristics, and Reported Reasons

Vigilantism is gaining popularity in Africa as a means of self-defence, enacting justice, policing morality, and sanctioning (perceived) wrongdoings. Drawing on content analysis of 172 media reports from 2001 to 2018, this study examined the trends and patterns of vigilantism, characteristics of victims, and reported reasons for recourse to vigilantism within the Ghanaian context. Results showed a considerable increase in reported cases of vigilantism within the 18-year period, with most of the cases reported in urban settings. Theft and robbery emerged as the most frequently suspected crimes for which victims were attacked and, in many cases, killed. The study underscores the implications of vigilantism in terms of disdaining human life and dignity. It calls for the need to revisit the justice administration systems and punishment procedures, as well as resourcing and empowering law enforcers to fight crime, including vigilantism

Source: UG
Violence against women and the macroeconomy: The case of Ghana

Violence against women (VAW) is a widely recognized human rights violations, but whose wider economic ramifica tions are less understood. In this article, we apply the multiplier analysis based on 2015 social accounting matrix of In Ghana, we outline how the individual microlevel income loss is translated to a macroeconomic loss. We argue that the macroeconomic loss due to VAW, which amounts to about 0.94% of Ghanaian GDP, is not a once-off loss but a permanent, invisible leakage from the circular flow of the economy. The article highlights the potential consequences of the loss over a period of time in the status quo scenario.

Source: UG
Violence against women and the macroeconomy: The case of Ghana

Violence against women (VAW) is a widely recognized human rights violation but whose wider economic ramifications are less understood. In this article, applying the multiplier analysis based on 2015 social accounting matrix of Ghana, we outline how the individual microlevel income loss is translated to a macroeconomic loss. We argue that the macroeconomic loss due to VAW, which amounts to about 0.94% of Ghanaian GDP, is not a once-off loss but a permanent invisible leakage from the circular flow of the economy. The article highlights the potential consequences of the loss over a period of time in the status quo scenario.

Source: UG
Violence against women in Ghana: a look at women's perceptions and review of policy and social responses

This study examines violence against women in Ghana and how it affects and is perceived by them. It looks at violence as experienced by Ghanaian women of varying ages, socio-economic status and professional standing. It defines domestic violence as violence intentionally perpetrated by husbands or male partners-people known to be intimate associates. Domestic violence is approached from a multidimensional perspective by examining the multiple facets of violence against women: sexual, socio-economic. cultural, pseudo-religious and mental torture. Women's perceptions of their rights, responsibilities, duties and abuses or violations are evaluated using open-endedqualitative questions in two major cities in Ghana: Accra and Kurnasi, Policy responses to domestic violence are then examined by first reviewing what provisions exist in the country's constitution to address the problem and then the specific steps the government itself has taken. Civil society's response in the form of activities by non-governmental organizations is also reviewed. Finally, the effects of domestic violence on women's health and well-being are examined and suggestions for addressing the problem are made. 9 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Violence against Women in Ghana: A look at Women’s Perceptions and Review of Policy and Social Responses

This study examines violence against women in Ghana and how it affects and is perceived by them. It looks at violence as experienced by Ghanaian women of varying ages, socio-economic status and professional standing. It defines domestic violence as violence intentionally perpetrated by husbands or male partners--people known to be intimate associates. Domestic violence is approached from a multidimensional perspective by examining the multiple facets of violence against women: sexual, socio-economic, cultural, pseudo-religious and mental torture. Women's perceptions of their rights, responsibilities, duties and abuses or violations are evaluated using open-ended qualitative questions in two major cities in Ghana: Accra and Kumasi. Policy responses to domestic violence are then examined by first reviewing what provisions exist in the country's constitution to address the problem and then the specific steps the government itself has taken. Civil society's response in the form of activities by non-governmental organizations is also reviewed. Finally, the effects of domestic violence on women's health and well-being are examined and suggestions for addressing the problem are made.

Source: UG
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE GHANAIAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN : THE ARCHITECTURE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN GHANA ED. KATHY CUSACK AND TAKYIWAA MANU

The paper investigates the phenomenon of violence against women in the Ghanaian Muslim community. First, the paper does a theological reflection of Quranic texts and raises the issue of interpretation/misinterpretation and the extent to which religion has played a critical role in sanctioning violence against Muslim women. Then it examines how Muslim women in Ghana have imbibed these texts through socialization and ignorance. Second, it discusses how parallel reading of the text can be used as theological resources for improving the lot of Muslim women the various avenues available for redress and recommendation to help curb the incidence of violence.

Source: UG
Violence Increases Psychological Distress Among Women Trafficking Survivors in Ghana

Human trafficking is a crime that is often shaped by violence, particularly for women who are trafficked. Additionally, trafficking survivors often report severe psychological distress, though research on the causes of this psychological distress is lacking, as there is little longitudinal data available on trafficking survivors. Informed by past literature on the links between violence and mental health among other traumatized groups of women, we investigate how experiences of violence influence posttraumatic stress, depression, and suicide ideation among a unique longitudinal sample of 116 labor-trafficked women in Ghana. We find that experiencing sexual violence while being trafficked is associated with higher levels of both depression and posttraumatic stress years after the trafficking period ended. This indicates both the long-term effects of stress and the enduring nature of psychological distress among the women in this study. Our analytic account of how violent experiences while trafficked impact mental health over the period of reintegration contributes to the general literature on violence and mental health among women, as well as to literature on the health implications of human trafficking.

Source: UG
Violence predicts physical health consequences of human trafficking: Findings from a longitudinal study of labor trafficking in Ghana

Research consistently finds high rates of both poor physical health and violent victimization among survivors of human trafficking. While this literature documents the immediate effects of human trafficking on health, no published literature has compared short- and longer-term physical health consequences of trafficking or exam ined the role of violence in shaping physical health outcomes across the period of reintegration. Here, we utilize longitudinal data to document the prevalence of various forms of violence experienced by women and girls trafficked for labor in Ghana, as well as examine the effects of violence on self-reported physical health condi tions at two time points following exit from trafficking. Consistent with the stress process model, we find a higher prevalence of physical health complaints during the second wave of data collection, suggesting a delayed so matization effect. We also find that while psychological violence has a strong effect on the number of physical health complaints in the period immediately after exit from trafficking, sexual violence experienced while being trafficked is most predictive of physical health complaints later in the reintegration period. These findings have implications for understanding the role of violence, more generally, in shaping physical health. Our research also suggests the importance of monitoring the physical health of trafficking survivors beyond the immediate post trafficking period and of providing on-going access to healthcare.

Source: UG
Viral decay rates are similar in HIV-infected patients with and without TB coinfection during treatment with an efavirenz-based regimen

Viral decay rates during efavirenz-based therapy were compared between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients without tuberculosis (n = 40) and those with tuberculosis coinfection who were receiving concurrent antituberculous therapy (n = 34). Phase I and II viral decay rates were similar in the 2 groups (P >.05). Overall, concurrent antituberculous therapy did not reduce the efficacy of the HIV treatment. © The Author 2011.

Source: UG
Viral Hepatitis B/C Co-Infection and Its Association With Haematological and Virological Parameters in HIV Patients in Northern Ghana

Human immunodefciency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) share common routes of transmission and increase the morbidity and mortality of infected patients. In developing countries, including Ghana, HBV/HCV diagnoses are not routinely performed for patients in HIV clinics. Tus, the haematological impacts of hepatitis B/C are not evaluated before the inception of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Tis was a hospital-based cross-sectional study that assessed the prevalence of HBV and HCVinfectionsamong135HIV-1infectedpatientsinanHIVclinicintheTamaleMetropolisofGhanausingrapiddiagnostictest kits. Haematological parameters and HIV load were evaluated and compared between HIV monoinfected and HIV-HBV or HIV-HCV coinfected patients. HIV-HBV and HIV-HCV coinfection rates were 8.9% and 5.9%, respectively. One participant (0.7%) was triply infected with HIV-HBV-HCV. HIV viral load was comparable in the diferent disease groups (p>0.5 for all comparisons). Neutrophils and lymphocyte counts were lower in HIV/HCV coinfected patients in contrast to HIV-monoinfected patients (p>0.05 for all comparisons). Signifcantly lower total WBC counts in HIV/HCV coinfected patients (p � 0.002) as compared to HIV monoinfected patients were observed. Generally, the rates of haematological abnormalities (anaemia, leu copenia, lymphocytopenia, neutropenia and monocytopenia) were higher in coinfected cases than in monoinfected cases. In conclusion, patients at HIV clinics in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana have a high rate of HBV/HCV coinfection, which can have a signifcant negative infuence on haematological counts, particularly lymphocyte counts. Tis highlights the necessity of routine testing for HBV/HCV among HIV clinic patients to infuence the choice of ART drugs prescribed.

Source: UG
Viral load monitoring and antiretroviral treatment outcomes in a pediatric HIV cohort in Ghana

Background: HIV-infected children in sub-Saharan Africa may be at a high risk of staying on a failing first-line regimen and developing drug-resistance HIV variants due to lack of routine viral load monitoring. We investigated whether cumulative viral load, measured as viremia copy-years (VCY) could predict morbidity in a setting where viral load is not routinely monitored. Methods: This was a single-center prospective observational longitudinal study of HIV-infected children initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Care program at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. The main outcome was morbidity measured as frequency of hospitalizations, opportunistic infections, and outpatient sick visits. The main explanatory variable was viral load measured as VCY. Results: The study included 140 children who initiated ART between September 2009 and May 2013 and had at least 2 viral load measurements. There were 184 hospitalizations, with pneumonia being the most common cause (22.8 %). A total of 102 opportunistic infections was documented, with tuberculosis being the most common opportunistic infection (68 %). A total of 823 outpatient sick visits was documented, with upper respiratory infections (14.2 %) being the most common cause. Forty-four percent of our study participants had &gt;4 log10 VCY. Children in this sub-cohort had a higher frequency of sick visits compared with those with &lt;4 log10 VCY (p = 0.03). Only 6.5 % of children with &gt;4 log10 VCY had been identified as treatment failure using WHO clinical and immunological treatment failure criteria. Conclusions: High level of cumulative viral load may translate to virological failure and subsequent increased all-cause morbidity. Our finding of potential utility of VCY in pediatrics warrants further investigations. VCY may be a good alternate to routine viral load measurement as its determination may be less frequent and could be personalized to save cost.

Source: UG
Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response

Clinical Anatomy, Clinical Pathology, Medicine, Surgery, Theriogenology, Epidemiology and Disease Prevention, Food (Meat and Milk Hygiene and Inspection, Zoonoses and Environmental Health, Obstetrics, Mastitis and Udder Management, Veterinary Economics and Business Management, Veterinary Ethics, Jurisprudence and Extension, Clinics and Student Project. Long Vacations

Source: UG
Virological Characterization of Dual HIV-1/HIV-2 Seropositivity and Infections in Southern Ghana

Background: Dual HIV-1/HIV-2 seropositivity (dual seropositivity) is common in West African countries including Ghana. The diagnosis of dual HIV-1/HIV-2 infections is however complicated as HIV-2 DNA is more often not detected in dual seropositive individuals. Objectives: To detect the presence of HIV-1 and HIV- 2 pro-viral DNA in dual seropositives and to determine the correlation between HIV-2 antibody titers and presence of HIV-2 DNA. The growth kinetics of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in vitro were also determined using plasma and lymphocyte cultures. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Urban and semi-rural HIV/AIDS clinics Participants: 13 dual HIV-1/HIV-2 seropositives from Agomanya and Accra Results: HIV-1 DNA was detected in uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all 13 patients but HIV-2 DNA in 4 (30.8%). HIV-2 antibody titres were not useful in determining the presence or absence of HIV-2 DNA (P=0.28, Mann-Whitney U test). HIV-2 specific antibody was detected in 12 of the 13 dual seropositives by peptide-inhibition, the only patient with an Innolia gp36 band rating of 1+ was shown not to be reactive. HIV-2 grew efficiently in the presence or HIV-1 in vitro. Conclusion: HIV-2 DNA may not be detected in all dual seropositives thus not all of such patients may need drugs effective against HIV-2. Peptide based assays will be useful for correctly diagnosing dual seropositivity. Since HIV-2 may grow efficiently in the presence of HIV-1 and no commercial HIV-2 HIV RNA tests are available, dual seropositives on HAART need to be monitored to determine if a lack of immune restoration may correspond to an efficient suppression of HIV-1 RNA levels.

Source: UG
Virological surveillance of influenza-like illness among children in Ghana, 2008-2010

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Virtual platforms: Assessing the challenges of e-learning in Ghana

This paper investigates virtual platforms (VPs) and how they are used for e-learning. It assesses the challenges students face when they use VPs for e-learning from the perspectives of student capacity, institutional perspectives, and external factors, such as the environment or context. Students in Ghana who are engaged in e-learning through external universities outside Ghana were targeted as respondents for this study. It is generally established that different types of computer systems have been adopted by students engaged in e-learning. Two types of computer systems were adopted by the respondents in this study: Open edX and Latitude Learning systems. Three sets of challenges are identified: 1) institutional challenges (ineffective orientation of students by service providers, systems failures, and speaking patterns); 2) student-technological challenges (poor computer skills and self-efficacy, inadequate knowledge and skills in the use of online handles, and poor time management by students); and 3) environmental factors (poor Internet connections, lack of advanced ICT technologies to support e-learning.

Source: UG
Virtual process control modelling in organisational semiotics: A case of higher education admission

This study explores Web-based virtual process control modelling based on organisational semiotics, Web modelling language (WebML), and higher education admission process. Despite some discussions on control activities in the organisational semiotics literature, less attention has been paid to process control modelling in general and Web-based virtual processes in particular. Process controls help to implement required organisational constraints as regulatory norms that enforce established rules, procedures, and standards for meeting intended organisational goals. This study contributes to organisational semiotics research by extending the discourse on control norms to the realm of Web-based virtual process modelling in a real life situation. © 2015 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.

Source: UG
Virtual process modelling informed by organisational semiotics: A case of higher education admission

The purpose of this study is to explore virtual process modelling based on organisational semiotics and WebML. The Internet and the Web afford opportunities to virtualize physical processes. Research on process virtualization has so far focused on theorizing or testing which activities can or cannot be virtualized. However, studies on virtual process modelling remains limited. This study therefore uses a university's admission process as a case to explore virtual process modelling in a higher education environment. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2014.

Source: UG
Virtualization of government‐to‐citizen engagement process: Enablers and constraints

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that constrain or enable process virtualization in a government‐to‐citizen engagement process. Past research has established that most e‐government projects, especially in developing countries, are regarded as total failure or partial failure. Citizens' unwillingness to use government electronic services and lack of awareness are among some of the reasons why these electronic services fail. Using the process virtualization theory (PVT) as theoretical lens, the authors investigated the various activities within the driver license acquisition process at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority. The PVT helped in identifying factors which enable or inhibit the virtualization of the driver license acquisition process in Ghana. Based on a survey data of 317 participants, we report that process characteristics in the form of relationship requirements affect citizens' willingness toward the use of government virtualized processes. Situating the PVT within a developing country context, our findings reveal that some cultural and behavioral attributes such as socialization hinder the virtualization of some activities within the driver licensing process.

Source: UG
Virtue Out of Necessity? Urbanisation, Urban Growth and Okada Services in Accra, Ghana

Rapid urbanisation in Ghana over the last two decades in particular is straining the capacity of the cities to provide basic infrastructure, degrading the quality of life and impoverishing the urban environment. In Accra, an obvious lack of co-ordinated land-use planning and the enforcement of appropriate regulations have made the challenges in the transport sector very daunting, with traffic congestion growing by the day. The situation has compelled some commuters to adopt strategies to navigate themselves in the city in order to avoid the traffic menace. Based on questionnaire and in-depth interviews with individuals and stakeholders engaged in and connected to one such strategy, ‘Okada transport’, the study demonstrates why the commercialisation of the motor-cycle still thrives though it is in conflict with and a clear violation of the existing road transport regulations. The findings confirm that the authorities’ inability to plan holistically has dislocated the urban system and indeed led to a virtual infrastructural systemic breakdown, compelling frustrated commuters to find adaptation strategies. The study posits that the trend is likely to continue and perhaps even accelerate unless a well planned policy intervention, such as the Rapid Bus Transit, is adopted and efficiently implemented

Source: UG
Virulence Potential of Nonclinical Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolates From Vietnam: Evidence for Functional T3SS2‐Mediated Enterotoxicity

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Virulence potential of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Buruli ulcer patients

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG