ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The impact of an additional year in high school on academic performance at university: Evidence from a policy experiment in Ghana

Motivation: While education plays a fundamental role in economic development, the design of an appropriate educational structure, including duration of study at various levels, remains an issue of major policy debate in many low-income countries. In Ghana, the issue of the length of high school education is an issue of ongoing policy debate. Purpose: This study estimates the effects of an additional year in senior high school (SHS) on academic performance at university level. Methods and approach: Using data from the two largest public universities in Ghana, the article exploits a unique natural experiential variation in the years of secondary education created by policy changes in pre-university education in Ghana to estimate the impact of an additional year in SHS on a number of academic outcomes at university level. Findings: We find that an additional year of SHS education has no impact on academic performance. We did not find any statistical significant difference in the likelihood of completing undergraduate studies in four years, or of graduating with a first-class degree, or the final grade point average (GPA) of students who attended SHS for four years versus their counterparts, who attended SHS for only three years. However, our descriptive analyses show that an additional year in SHS improves chances of students from less-endowed SHS gaining admission to university, especially to health sciences programmes. Policy implications: The nuanced nature of the results suggests the need to further interrogate the policy on SHS duration in Ghana. This may help ensure that the implementation of the policy does not end up making some segment of the student population worse off

Source: UG
Impact of an Irrigation Dam on the Transmission and Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in a Seasonal Malaria Transmission Area of Northern Ghana

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
The impact of anti-malarial markets on artemisinin resistance: perspectives from Burkina Faso

Background Widespread artemisinin resistance in Africa could be catastrophic when drawing parallels with the failure of chloroquine in the 1970s and 1980s. This article explores the role of anti-malarial market characteristics in the emergence and spread of arteminisin resistance in African countries, drawing on perspectives from Burkina Faso. Methods Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. A representative sample of national policy makers, regulators, public and private sector wholesalers, retailers, clinicians, nurses, and commu nity members were purposively sampled. Additional information was also sought via review of policy publications and grey literature on anti-malarial policies and deployment practices in Burkina Faso. Results Thirty seven in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions were conducted. The study reveals that the current operational mode of anti-malarial drug markets in Burkina Faso promotes arteminisin resistance emergence and spread. The factors are mainly related to the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) supply chain, to ACT quality, ACT prescription monitoring and to ACT access and misuse by patients. Conclusion Study fndings highlight the urgent requirement to reform current characteristics of the anti-malarial drug market in order to delay the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance in Burkina Faso. Four recommenda tions for public policy emerged during data analysis: (1) Address the suboptimal prescription of anti-malarial drugs, (2) Apply laws that prohibit the sale of anti-malarials without prescription, (3) Restrict the availability of street drugs, (4) Sensitize the population on the value of compliance regarding correct acquisition and intake of anti-malarials. Funding systems for anti-malarial drugs in terms of availability and accessibility must also be stabilized.

Source: UG
Impact of antibiotics on gut microbiome composition and resistome in the first years of life in low- to middle-income countries: A systematic review

Background Inappropriate antimicrobial usage is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately burdened by AMR and young children are especially vulnerable to infections with AMR-bearing pathogens. The impact of antibiotics on the microbiome, selection, persistence, and horizontal spread of AMR genes is insufficiently characterized and understood in children in LMICs. This systematic review aims to collate and evaluate the available literature describing the impact of antibiotics on the infant gut microbiome and resistome in LMICs. Methods and findings In this systematic review, we searched the online databases MEDLINE (1946 to 28 January 2023), EMBASE (1947 to 28 January 2023), SCOPUS (1945 to 29 January 2023), WHO Global Index Medicus (searched up to 29 January 2023), and SciELO (searched up to 29 January 2023). A total of 4,369 articles were retrieved across the databases. Duplicates were removed resulting in 2,748 unique articles. Screening by title and abstract excluded 2,666 articles, 92 articles were assessed based on the full text, and 10 studies met the eligibility criteria that included human studies conducted in LMICs among children below the age of 2 that reported gut microbiome composition and/or resistome composition (AMR genes) following antibiotic usage. The included studies were all randomized control trials (RCTs) and were assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias for randomized studies tool. Overall, antibiotics reduced gut microbiome diversity and increased antibiotic-specific resistance gene abundance in antibiotic treatment groups as compared to the placebo. The most widely tested antibiotic was azithromycin that decreased the diversity of the gut microbiome and significantly increased macrolide resistance as early as 5 days posttreatment. A major limitation of this study was paucity of available studies that cover this subject area. Specifically, the range of antibiotics assessed did not include the most commonly used antibiotics in LMIC populations. Conclusion In this study, we observed that antibiotics significantly reduce the diversity and alter the composition of the infant gut microbiome in LMICs, while concomitantly selecting for resistance genes whose persistence can last for months following treatment. Considerable heterogeneity in study methodology, timing and duration of sampling, and sequencing methodology in currently available research limit insights into antibiotic impacts on the microbiome and resistome in children in LMICs. More research is urgently needed to fill this gap in order to better understand whether antibiotic-driven reductions in microbiome diversity and selection of AMR genes place LMIC children at risk for adverse health outcomes, including infections with AMR-bearing pathogens

Source: UG
The impact of antimalarial resistance on the genetic structure of Plasmodium falciparum in the DRC

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

Source: UG
The impact of antimicrobial resistance awareness interventions involving schoolchildren, development of an animation and parents engagements: a pilot study

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where antibiotics are widely available to consumers, leading to their misuse. However, AMR educational interventions for engaging parents of schoolchildren are mainly lacking in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the potential of AMR animation and schoolchildren in influencing parents’ AMR knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Methods: Parents of schoolchildren aged 11–15 years in Tema, a city in Ghana, watched and discussed an AMR animation designed with ideas from the schoolchildren’s top stories and picture drawings. The children from two schools were first engaged with AMR lessons, with one school using storytelling, the other school using picture drawing, and none serving as a control. The children were then asked to discuss the lessons with their parents. Baseline surveys of parents of randomly selected children were conducted to assess AMR knowledge, attitudes and beliefs before engaging the students and parents, and immediately after the parents participated in viewing and discussing the animation. McNemar and t-tests were used to assess changes in AMR knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. Results: Parents who participated in the animation event, and whose schoolchildren were in the storytelling intervention school had significantly improved knowledge regarding the statement “Antibiotics will cure any infection” (p=0.021, χ2=0.711; 88% vs 50%) between baseline and endline. However, these parents also had statistically significant decreased scores regarding the statement “Antibiotics do not kill our good bacteria” (p=0.021, χ2=1.042; 71.4% vs 40%) between baseline and endline. There was no significant effect on any statement among parents whose children were in the picture drawing school. However, t-test results combining the statements as composite scores showed statistically significant difference in only the attitude construct among parents whose children participated in storytelling intervention (p=0.043) or picture drawing intervention (p=0.019). There were no statistically significant changes in knowledge and beliefs constructs. Conclusions: This study shows that interventions involving schoolchildren with parents engagements and AMR animation could influence parents’ AMR attitudes. The intervention could also positively or negatively impact parents’ AMR knowledge. Modifications of the interventions may be needed for tackling AMR.

Source: UG
Impact of artificial intelligence on clinical radiography practice: Futuristic prospects in a low resource setting

Objectives: Current trends in clinical radiography practice include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and related applications to improve patient care and enhance research. However, in low resource countries there are unique barriers to the process of AI integration. Using Ghana as a case study, this paper seeks to discuss the potential impact of AI on future radiographic practice in low-resource settings. The opportunities, challenges and the way forward to optimise the potential benefits of AI in future practice within these settings have been explored. Key findings: Some of the barriers to AI integration into radiographic practice relate to lack of regulatory and legal policy frameworks and limited resource availability including unreliable internet connectivity and low expert skillset. Conclusion: These barriers notwithstanding, AI presents a great potential to the growth of medical imaging and subsequently improving quality of healthcare delivery in the near future. For example, AIenabled radiographer reporting has a potential to improving quality of healthcare, especially in lowresource settings like Ghana with an acute shortage of radiologists. In addition, futuristic AI-enabled advancements such as synthetic cross-modality transfer where images from one modality are used as a baseline to generate a corresponding image of another modality without the need for additional scanning will be of particular benefit in low-resource settings. Implications for practice: The urgent need for inclusion of AI modules for the training of the radiographer of the future has been suggested. Recommendations for development of AI strategies by national societies and regulatory bodies will harmonise the implementation efforts. Finally, there is need for collaboration between clinical practitioners and academia to ensure that the future radiography workforce is well prepared for the AI-enabled clinical environment.

Source: UG
Impact of Bioenergy Crop Adoption on Total Crop Incomes of Farmers in Northern Ghana: The Case of Jatropha Curcas

The present study examines the adoption of Jatropha Curcas as a bioenergy crop in West Mamprusi and Mion districts of Northern Ghana. A gender analysis is also undertaken. Using data from 400 farmers, the study employs a propensity score matching method to analyze the impact of the adoption of Jatropha Curcas on total crop incomes of farmers. The study concludes that Jatropha adoption significantly reduces the level of crop income per hectare of farmers. The reduction is worse for women-headed households compared to men. Specifically, the Average Treatment effect on the Treated (ATT) estimate is GHC −385.23 per hectare for the whole sample. The study recommends the development of appropriate strategies and a regulatory framework to harness the potential economic opportunities from Jatropha cultivation.

Source: UG
Impact Of Cash Transfers On The Association Between Prenatal Exposures To High Temperatures And Low Birthweight: Retrospective Analysis From The LEAP 1000 Study

Objective: To explore the associations between prenatal temperature exposures and low birthweight (LBW) and modification by cash transfer (CT) receipt. Design: a retrospective cohort study. Setting: Five rural districts in northern Ghana. Population or sample: A total of 3016 infants born to women interviewed as part of of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP 1000) impact evaluation between 2015 and 2017. Methods: Birthweight was collected using household surveys administered to LEAP 1000 eligible women. We used a UNICEF-developed multiple-imputation approach to address the missing birthweight and applied an empirical heaping correction to the multiply imputed birthweight data. Survey data were linked to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5-hourly temperature averaged to weeks for 2011–2017 using community centroids. Using distributed-lag nonlinear models, we explored the lag-specific associations between weekly average temperatures greater than 30°C and LBW, and stratified by LEAP 1000 treatment. Main outcome measures: low birthweight (<2.5 kg). Results: Twelve percent (n = 365) of infants were LBW; the mean ± SD birthweight was 3.02 ± 0.37 kg. Overall, increasing temperatures were associated with increased odds of LBW, with the greatest odds observed in the 3weeks before birth (odds ratio) 1.005–1.025). These positive associations were even larger among comparison infants and null among treatment infants. Conclusions: Our study found increased odds of LBW with high weekly average temperatures throughout pregnancy and the preconception period and demonstrate mitigated effects of the LEAP 1000 CT program. More evidence on the potential of CTs to serve as adaptation interventions in low- and middle-income countries needed to protect pregnant women and their infants from the impacts of climate change. change.

Source: UG
The Impact of CD-ROM in the University of Ghana Medical School Library

Reports on a study of the impact of CD-ROM on access to health information in the Ghana Medical School Library by faculty members, students, residents or medical officers and other health personnel. In particular, it assessed the impact of CD-ROM use on faculty research output and clinical practice of doctors. The results indicate a generally low level of CD-ROM use among respondents. Only 21 percent were found to use the service. Faculty members accounted for 47 percent of CD-ROM users, and the study showed that the use of CD-ROM has had a great effect on faculty research outputs. However, clinicians have been able to make only limited use of the service in support of clinical practice. In general, the CD-ROM service has had a positive impact due to its comprehensiveness and effectiveness in bibliographic identification and the useful abstracts it provides. Includes recommendations for the improvement of the service. © 2003, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Impact of Charcoal Production on Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region, Ghana.

Charcoal production, is one of the major drivers of land-cover change in Ghana. The trade has in recent time increased in the Central Gonja District of northern Ghana known to be one of the major food baskets of the country. This study assessed the impact of charcoal production on soil properties in the Central Gonja District of Ghana. Composite and core samples (60 samples) from ten (10) randomly selected sites were taken from 0-30 and 30-60 cm depths at the charcoal production site (CPS) and its adjacent field soils, which served as the control (CS). The samples were analyzed for soil texture, exchangeable bases, organic matter, percent carbon, total nitrogen, saturated hydraulic conductivity and electrical conductivity. The results showed that charcoal production site (CPS) had significantly (p < 0.01) higher content of sand, potassium, hydraulic conductivity and electrical conductivity than the control site (CS) within 0 – 30cm depth. Magnesium, calcium, sodium and percent carbon content decreased by 45.7, 2.7, 15.4 and 46.7% respectively in CPS when compared to CS within the top soil 0 -30cm. Hydraulic conductivity significantly (p < 0.01) increased from 0.5±0.3 (CS) to 1.8±1.0 h-1 (CPS), which is an increase of about 72 % in CPS due to soil heating. Soil organic matter in CPS decreases by 44% when compared with the CP site. There is a need for further research on the impact of charcoal production on soil nutrient, hydrology and crop production.

Source: UG
The impact of charging for insecticide on the Gambian national impregnated bednetprogramme

During the second year of the Gambian National Impregnated Bednet Programme (NIBP) charges for insecticide ($0.50 per net) were introduced into the half of the primary health care villages in the country where insecticide have been provided free of charge the previous year. Free insecticide was provided in the remaining villages that had acted as controls during the previous year. In villages where insecticide was provided free, 77% of nets were treated with insecticide. In contrast, in villages where charges were made coverage was only 14%. During the first year of the NIBP, mortality in children was significantly lower in villages where insecticide was provided free than in the control villages. Introduction of a charge for insecticide into the first group of villages and the provision of free insecticide in the latter abolished this difference. The cash income of rural Gambians is very limited and payment of even $2-3 for insecticide treatment for all the bednets in a household represents a substantial outlay. Further education on the benefits of treatment of nets and/or the provision of cheaper insecticide will be required before the full benefits of this powerful new malaria control measure can be fully realised in the Gambia. PIP: Insecticide for the treatment of bednets was provided free of charge to half of Gambia's primary health care (PHC) villages during the first year of the Gambian National Impregnated Bednet Program (NIBP). A high level of coverage was obtained and overall mortality among children aged 1-9 years was reduced 25% in villages where insecticide was provided. During the second year of the program, charges for insecticide of $0.50 per net were introduced to the 221 PHC villages which had previously received free insecticide, while the remaining PHC villages received free insecticide. In villages where insecticide was provided free during year 2, 77% of nets were treated with insecticide, far higher than the 14% coverage achieved in villages where fees were charged. During the first year of the NIBP, mortality in children was significantly lower in villages where insecticide was provided free compared to that in the control villages. Introducing a charge for insecticide in the first group of villages and providing free insecticide in the latter abolished that difference. Additional education on the benefits of net treatment and/or the provision of cheaper insecticide will be needed before the full benefits of net treatment can be fully realized in the Gambia.

Source: UG
Impact of children’s appropriate work participation in cocoa farms on household welfare: Evidence from Ghana

This study examines how children engaged in cocoa farming in Ghana affect household welfare. Data was gathered from 384 cocoa producers using a multistage sampling technique and analysed employing the Cragg double hurdle and propensity score method. The study found that only 2.3 % of cocoa farmers highly used children for cocoa activities. Additionally, household size, cooperative membership, and credit access were found to have significant impacts on both the use and extent of use of children on cocoa farms. Moreover, cocoa farmers who used children experienced improvements in their income, food security and assets compared to those who did not use children. The study also confirms the reality of the practice of employing children on cocoa plan tations in Ghana. Harnessing the considerable advantages of credit access and cooperative membership, we emphasize the importance of extension agents sensitizing cocoa farmers about the merits of forming co operatives. This approach could serve as a means of obtaining group/individual credits to support cocoa pro duction. Furthermore, in light of the notable improvements in the welfare of cocoa farmers, it is imperative for COCOBOD to take decisive action in invigorating the regulation against child labor and instead embrace agri cultural technologies as viable alternatives.

Source: UG
Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Hydropower in Ghana

Ghana continues to rely heavily on hydropower for her electricity needs. This hydropower reliance cannot ensure sustainable development since there is a strong association between hydropower production and climate variability and change including ENSO-related lake water levels reduction. Using regression analysis this study found that rainfall variability accounted for 21% of the inter-annual fluctuations in power generation from the Akosombo Hydroelectric power station between 1970 and 1990 while ENSO and lake water level accounted for 72.4% of the inter-annual fluctuations between 1991 and 2010. There is therefore the need to diversify power production to attain energy security in Ghana.

Source: UG