ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Indigenous knowledge in freshwater resource governance of lake Bosomtwe, Ghana

Indigenous knowledge (IK) plays an essential role in reducing degradation and support structures for improving livelihood in freshwater resources. It is asserted that local knowledge helps to build stable governance structures and policies to control abuse and misuse of freshwater resources. The study, therefore, sought to examine institutions and institutional arrangements that govern Lake Bosomtwe. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires were used to solicit data from five hundred and twenty respondents in the communities around the Lake. The qualitative data were analysed using QDAS NVIVO to bring out the themes and patterns for coding and transcription. SPSS was used in addition to CRAMER'S V test and STATA to analyse and test the questionnaires. The results show no clear participatory approach to policy formulation and implementation. The findings revealed a dual governance system operating around the Lake, making it difficult for rules enforcement. It was established that IK was essential to freshwater conservation, yet the meaning of IK and practice could only reveal its usefulness to freshwater conservation. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the lack of leadership and control in enforcing formal and informal rules and regulations are not helping to conserve the Lake. It was also resolved from data that IK in freshwater governance is acceptable to almost all the local communities, for its usefulness to be allowed to dwindle. Recommendations were that IK practices should be examined by both local and government authorities for better understanding and use in freshwater policy formulation and implementation. Additionally, all local people irrespective of the gender, education or class must be allowed to contribute their ideas at all levels of Lake Bosomtwe's governance

Source: UCC
Indigenous knowledge in water resource management in the upper Tano river basin, Ghana

This study assessed indigenous knowledge in water resource management in the upper Tano River basin of Ghana. Despite the effort of formal water resource management institutions, human activities along the Tano river continued to put the Tano basin in danger hence the need to find other vital means to help in managing the basin.Respondents for the study were chiefs, elders, some selected community members in five riparian communities along the Tano River and the Tano basin secretariat officer among other stakeholders who were involved in the management of the river. Purposive and snow ball sampling techniques were used. Data from the study was analysed manually by transcribing recorded data; organising it into themes where discussions were done under each theme and supporting discussions with pictures, where relevant. The results of the study revealed that, River Tano takes its source from the Tano sacred grove in Tanoboase near Techiman. It was also found out that, deities were mounted along the river in the upper basin and this was manned by sub chiefs and their court of servers to ensure that the use of the river wasregulated. Indigenous knowledge included holding the river as sacred god hence prohibiting people from fishing in it. It was further established that, indigenous institutions faced several challenges such as non-existing bye-laws or legislative instrument to support the enforcement of indigenous knowledge. It is thus recommended that, bye-laws are enacted by the Water Resource Commission basin secretariat together with MMDAs and other formal institutions to assist with the enforcement of indigenous knowledge since it can help significantly in the management of the water resource.

Source: UCC
Indigenous Medicinal Plants as Biofilm Inhibitors for the Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance

)e majority of indigenes in the rural areas of Ghana use herbal medicines for their primary health care. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to document medicinal plants used by traditional healers in the Ejisu-Juaben district in the Ashanti region of Ghana to treat infections and to further investigate the antibiofilm formation properties of selected plants in resisting pathogenic bacteria. Seventy medicinal plants used by traditional practitioners for the treatment of skin infections and wounds were documented from the ethnobotanical survey. Forty out of the seventy plants were collected and their methanol extracts evaluated for antimicrobial activity by the agar diffusion assay. Extracts that showed antibacterial activity were tested for biofilm inhibitory activity, and the most active plant was subsequently purified to obtain the active constituents. Biofilm formation was significantly mitigated by petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Holarrhena floribunda stem bark. Bioassayguided fractionation of an alkaloidal extract prepared from the methanol fraction led to the isolation of three steroidal alkaloids, namely, holonamine, holadienine, and conessine. )e isolated compounds demonstrated varying degrees of biofilm formation inhibitory properties. )e current study reveals that screening of indigenous medicinal plants could unravel potential leads to salvage the declining efficacy of conventional antibiotics. Holarrhena floribunda stem bark extract has strong biofilm formation inhibition properties, which could be attributed to the presence of steroidal alkaloids.

Source: UCC
Indigenous Medicinal Plants as Biofilm Inhibitors for the Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance

The majority of indigenes in the rural areas of Ghana use herbal medicines for their primary health care. In this study, an ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to document medicinal plants used by traditional healers in the Ejisu-Juaben district in the Ashanti region of Ghana to treat infections and to further investigate the antibioﬁlm formation properties of selected plants in resisting pathogenic bacteria. Seventy medicinal plants used by traditional practitioners for the treatment of skin infections and wounds were documented from the ethnobotanical survey. Forty out of the seventy plants were collected and their methanol extracts evaluated for antimicrobial activity by the agar diﬀusion assay. Extracts that showed antibacterial activity were tested for bioﬁlm inhibitory activity, and the most active plant was subsequently puriﬁed to obtain the active constituents. Bioﬁlm formation was signiﬁcantly mitigated by petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Holarrhena ﬂoribunda stem bark. Bioassay- guided fractionation of an alkaloidal extract prepared from the methanol fraction led to the isolation of three steroidal alkaloids, namely, holonamine, holadienine, and conessine. The isolated compounds demonstrated varying degrees of bioﬁlm formation inhibitory properties. The current study reveals that screening of indigenous medicinal plants could unravel potential leads to salvage the declining eﬃcacy of conventional antibiotics. Holarrhena ﬂoribunda stem bark extract has strong bioﬁlm formation inhibition properties, which could be attributed to the presence of steroidal alkaloids

Source: UCC
Indigenous ways of creating environmental awareness: A case study from Berekum traditional area, Ghana

The people of Berekum Traditional Area, Brong Ahafo region, Ghana, use their religio-cultural practices to instill and impart traditional ecological knowledge to their youth. Qualitative methodology research identified the main means by which indigenous ecological knowledge is transmitted to students: proverbs, myths, folktales, and rituals. There is evidence that indigenous methods of imparting ecological knowledge and thereby dealing with environmental problems are facing some challenges that appear to have interfered with their effectiveness. These challenges may be attributed to a change in the people's worldview resulting from cultural contact and modernity. The findings indicate that indigenous ecological knowledge is a potential resource that can complement scientific means of dealing with the region's environmental problems

Source: UCC
Indiscipline behaviour among students of Mampong Technical College in Ashanti region of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate the causes, effects and how to control indiscipline in the Mampong College of Education. Both theoretical and empirical literature covered the acts of school indiscipline, causes, effects and methods used in controlling school indiscipline. Descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The study involved both students and tutors of Mampong College of Education. The sample size for the study was 220. Stratified sampling technique was used to select students for the study. Simple random technique was used to select 180 students. All the 40 tutors were purposively selected for the study. The reliability coefficient obtained from the pre-test was 0.91. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect data. The items were mostly multiple choice items. The data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The major findings were that tutors saw truancy and breaking of bounds as major acts of indiscipline in the college, while students regarded stealing as a major act of indiscipline in the college. Both students and tutors selected poor feeding by school authorities as a major cause of school indiscipline among students. On controlling indiscipline in the college, tutors suggested that involving students in formulation of school rules and regulations was the option, while the students indicated that giving moral and social talks to students was the best option. It was recommended that class registers needed to be marked at the beginning and end of each lesson in order to check truancy. It was also recommended that student feeding should be improved so as to reduce acts of indiscipline in the college.

Source: UCC
Indiscipline in Senior High Schools in Techiman North District, Ghana

The study explored indiscipline of Senior High Schools in Techiman North District of Ghana. Specifically, it examined the most common acts of indiscipline, identified factors contributing to indiscipline and assessed the effects of indiscipline on students. It also investigated gender differences in indiscipline and explored strategies for improving discipline in Senior High Schools in the Techiman North District. This study was based on the positivism paradigm and adopted the descriptive research design. The target population for the study were 138 teachers and 4029 students of the Senior High Schools in the Techiman North District. In all, a sample of 138 teachers and 364 students were selected based on the Taro Yamane formula at a confidence interval of 95%. The data collection instrument was questionnaire. The findings highlighted substance abuse, vandalism, and aggressive behaviour as the most prevalent act of indiscipline in the District. Other factors included poor classroom management, inadequate teacher-student relationships, and inconsistent enforcement of school policies. Moreover, the study revealed the significant effects of indiscipline on students‟ academic performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to address these challenges. The study recommended that school management and teachers should prioritise restorative approaches that focus on accountability, reconciliation, and learning from mistakes. Interventions should be tailored to individual student needs, with a focus on addressing underlying issues and promoting personal growth.

Source: UCC
Indiscipline in Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

This study aimed to examine changes in disciplinary issues in senior high schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana, following the abolition of corporal punishment. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study was grounded in a phenomenological paradigm. A total of eighteen (18) participants comprising six students, six teachers, three counsellors, and three headteachers were select using purposive and census sampling techniques from three senior high schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Analysis. The findings revealed that indisciplined behaviours such as absenteeism, examination malpractices, sexual promiscuity, and vandalism were prevalent among students. The study also identified several factors that contributed to the elimination of corporal punishment, including concerns about physical and psychological injury, parental worries, and the indoctrination of other cultures. In response to the ban, schools implemented alternative disciplinary measures such as signing bonds, introducing guidance and counselling programmes, suspensions, and expulsions. However, the study found that school indiscipline increased following the prohibition of corporal punishment. Based on these findings, school administrators and policymakers should develop targeted behavioural interventions to address the most prevalent forms of indiscipline. Strengthening guidance and counselling services, implementing restorative disciplinary practices, and fostering positive behavioural reinforcement strategies are recommended to enhance discipline while ensuring students’ well-being.

Source: UCC
Indiscriminate Disposal of waste in Amamoma

Waste generation is an integral aspect of human existence that is unavoidable. It is a product of resource use process that has the capacity of abusing the environment and constitute a threat to public health if not well managed. Therefore, waste generated through human activities needs to be properly managed through concrete efforts to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment. The volume of solid waste generated does not measure the degree to which the environment will be polluted. Thus, if the waste can be evacuated and disposed of satisfactorily, and as fast as it is generated, there would be no accumulation and hence no abuse or pollution of the environment. It is when evacuation perpetually lags behind the rate of generation that solid waste becomes an environmental nuisance. This study assesses the effect of indiscriminate solid waste disposal and environmental issues associated with the management of solid waste in Amamoma community, a suburb of Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly. Primary data were used for the study. Primary data were acquired through structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 91 respondents which was randomly selected from the study area. The major environmental issues resulting from improper disposal and poor management of solid waste in Amamoma are physical nuisance of the waste to the environment, harbourage of rodents and vermin, breeding of houseflies and other vectors. Therefore, this paper recommends that a strong legislation with severe penalty be put in place and there should be a continuous public enlightenment/education on the danger of indiscriminate waste to the general public. It is also recommended that available market be created for these waste that can be recycled.

Source: UCC
Individual and Combined Bioscore Model of Presepsin, Procalcitonin, and High Sensitive C - Reactive Protein as Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Paediatric Sepsis

Paediatric sepsis remains a major public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Clinical symptoms associated with sepsis are unreliable and laboratory parameters unspecific, making an early diagnosis of paediatric sepsis difficult. The lack of definitive biomarker(s) for early diagnosis of sepsis further leads to the misuse of antibiotics. Diagnosis based on a single biomarker does not provide adequate accuracy. Subsequently, combining multiple biomarkers into a single score will help clinicians make a better diagnostic judgment. Aims: This study for the first time evaluated the individual and combined diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT), presepsin (sCD14-ST) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) using a Bioscore model. Materials and methods: In a case control study conducted at the Paediatric Emergency Unit (PEU) and the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), sixty (60) paediatric subjects aged zero to six (0–6) years, were diagnosed with sepsis using case-definition by the national neonatal bloodstream infection surveillance and Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Congress. Thirty (30) other paediatric subjects, aged and sex matched without sepsis or inflammatory conditions were used as controls. One-time blood sample was taken at the time of admission for blood culture and measurement of PCT, hs-CRP, and presepsin by ELISA. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS release 20.0, Copyright ©SPSS Inc.) was used for analysis. Results: Out of the sixty septic paediatric subjects, 14 patients (23.3%) had positive blood cultures (LCS) and 46 (76%) had negative for blood cultures (CS). Klebsiella spp. recorded the highest median levels of PCT, and hs-CRP while Pseudo. Aeruginasa recorded the highest of sCD14-ST levels. Significant elevations in PCT, sCD14-ST and hs- CRP levels were observed among septic cases in comparison to controls (p < 0.0001). Individually, PCT showed better accuracy (AUC ¼ 78.7%) followed by hs-CRP (AUC ¼ 78.4%) and sCD14-ST (AUC ¼ 74.8%). Combination of PCT þ hs-CRP had the highest accuracy (AUC ¼ 80.1%) followed by hs-CRP þ sCD14-ST (AUC ¼ 77.2%), PCT þ sCD14-ST þ hs-CRP (AUC ¼ 77.0%) and PCT þ sCD14-ST (AUC ¼ 75.9%). Conclusion: hs-CRP, PCT, and sCD14-ST are independent predictors of paediatric sepsis due to their high prognostic values. Moreover, Bioscore combination of these biomarkers was significantly associated with increased odds for sepsis. The incorporation of these biomarkers into routine diagnostic tests will aid in prompt diagnosis of paediatric sepsis.

Source: UCC
Individual and combined bioscore model of presepsin, procalcitonin, and high sensitive C - reactive protein as biomarkers for early diagnosis of paediatric sepsis

Background: Paediatric sepsis remains a major public health problem with signiﬁcant morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Clinical symptoms associated with sepsis are unreliable and laboratory pa- rameters unspeciﬁc, making an early diagnosis of paediatric sepsis difﬁcult. The lack of deﬁnitive biomarker(s) for early diagnosis of sepsis further leads to the misuse of antibiotics. Diagnosis based on a single biomarker does not provide adequate accuracy. Subsequently, combining multiple biomarkers into a single score will help clinicians make a better diagnostic judgment. Aims: This study for the ﬁrst time evaluated the individual and combined diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT), presepsin (sCD14-ST) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) using a Bioscore model. Materials and methods: In a case control study conducted at the Paediatric Emergency Unit (PEU) and the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), sixty (60) paediatric subjects aged zero to six (0–6) years, were diagnosed with sepsis using case-deﬁnition by the national neonatal bloodstream infection surveillance and Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Congress. Thirty (30) other paediatric subjects, aged and sex matched without sepsis or inﬂammatory conditions were used as controls. One-time blood sample was taken at the time of admission for blood culture and measurement of PCT, hs-CRP, and presepsin by ELISA. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS release 20.0, Copyright ©SPSS Inc.) was used for analysis. Results: Out of the sixty septic paediatric subjects, 14 patients (23.3%) had positive blood cultures (LCS) and 46 (76%) had negative for blood cultures (CS). Klebsiella spp. recorded the highest median levels of PCT, and hs-CRP while Pseudo. Aeruginasa recorded the highest of sCD14-ST levels. Signiﬁcant elevations in PCT, sCD14-ST and hs- CRP levels were observed among septic cases in comparison to controls (p < 0.0001). Individually, PCT showed better accuracy (AUC ¼ 78.7%) followed by hs-CRP (AUC ¼ 78.4%) and sCD14-ST (AUC ¼ 74.8%). Combination of PCT þ hs-CRP had the highest accuracy (AUC ¼ 80.1%) followed by hs-CRP þ sCD14-ST (AUC ¼ 77.2%), PCT þ sCD14-ST þ hs-CRP (AUC ¼ 77.0%) and PCT þ sCD14-ST (AUC ¼ 75.9%). Conclusion: hs-CRP, PCT, and sCD14-ST are independent predictors of paediatric sepsis due to their high prog- nostic values. Moreover, Bioscore combination of these biomarkers was signiﬁcantly associated with increased odds for sepsis. The incorporation of these biomarkers into routine diagnostic tests will aid in prompt diagnosis of paediatric sepsis.

Source: UCC
Individual and Combined Diagnostic Accuracy of Biochemical Markers for Detecting Early On-Set Preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality across the globe. Existing diagnostic parameters of PE have not proven to be sufficient in detecting the condition in its early stage. It is imperative to evaluate the biomarkers that are involve in the pathogenesis of PE, to identify which of them is specific and sensitive enough to detect early onset PE to prevent its associated adverse outcomes. This study evaluated the individual and combine diagnostic accuracy of angiogenic factors oxidative stress biomarkers, spot urine protein, creatinine and uric acid for detecting early onset PE. Methods: A total of 165 pregnant women comprising of 110 women with PE and 55 pregnant women without PE (controls) were recruited from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Blood samples were collected and assayed for Placental Growth Factor (PIGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and 8-epi-Prostaglandin F2alpha (8-epi-PGF2α) levels using ELISA kits whilst total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), urea, creatinine and uric acid were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: Levels of PIGF, T-AOC, PIGF/sFlt-1 ratio, PIGF/8-epiPGF2α, and sFlt-1/8-epiPGF2α were significantly reduced in early onset PE whilst sFlt-1, 8-epi-PGF2α, sFlt-1/PIGF ratio, 8-epiPGF2α/PIGF, 8-epiPGF2α/sFlt-1, spot urine protein/creatinine (Cr) ratio and Uric Acid (UA) were significantly increased in early-onset PE compared to late-onset PE (p < 0.05). In descending order, the most specific and sensitive biomarker for early onset PE were PIGF/sFlt-1 ratio (0.81; 75.0% and 97.0%; p < 0.0001) followed by 8-epiPGF2α/PIGF (0.73; 60.0% and 81.0%; p = 0.0020), sFlt-1/PIGF ratio (0.79; 55.0% and 81.0%; p < 0.0001), PIGF/8-epiPGF2α (0.71; 60.0% and 78.0%; p = 0.0010) and UA (0.70; 50% and 79.0%; p = 0.0340). At the various diagnostic cut-off of the markers, levels of PIGF, PIGF/sFlt-1, and PIGF/8-epiPGF2α were reduced whilst elevated level of sFlt-1, sFlt-1/PIGF, and 8-epiPGF2α/PIGF were significant predictors of early onset preeclampsia.

Source: UCC