ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the adverse events following immunization surveillance system, Ghana, 2019

Background With over 80% of children worldwide vaccinated, concerns about vaccine safety continues to be a public health issue. Ghana’s Adverse Events Following Immunization surveillance started in 1978 with the objective to promptly detect and manage AEFI cases either real or perceived. Periodic evaluation of the surveillance system is critical for optimal performance; hence we evaluated the system to assess its attributes, usefulness and system’s performance in meeting its objectives. Methods A case of AEFI was defined as any untoward medical event occurring within 28 days after vaccination and may not necessarily have causal relationship with the vaccine use. We reviewed surveillance data and procedures for the period 2014 to 2018 and interviewed key stakeholders. Adapting the CDC’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems, we assessed the system’s attributes and usefulness. We performed summary descriptive statistics on quantitative data and directed content analysis on information gathered from interviews. Results In all, 2,282 AEFI cases including 476 (21%) serious cases (life threatening events) were reported for the period. The highest case detection rates of 61.45 AEFIs per 100,000 surviving infants was recorded in 2018. Reporting forms were modified to accommodate new indicators without any disruption in the function of the system. At the national level, completeness of 100 randomly sampled reporting forms (100%) and was higher than the region (27%) but timeliness (50%) was lower than the region (83%). All (16/16) Community Health Nurses interviewed indicated “fear of being victimized” as the reason for underreporting, nonetheless, the system was useful as it made them cautious when vaccinating children to prevent reactions. Data on AEFI surveillance was also useful in guiding training needs and provision of vaccination logistics. Conclusion The AEFI surveillance system is useful at all levels but partially meeting its objective due to underreporting. We recommend training and supportive supervision to improve timeliness of reporting, data completeness and acceptability.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the Association Between Health State Utilities and Obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence From World Health Organization Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health Wave 2

Background: Obesity is a major public health challenge and its prevalence has increased across the age spectrum from 1980 to date in most parts of the world including sub-Saharan Africa. Studies that derive health state utilities (HSUs) stratified by weight status to support the conduct of economic evaluations and prioritization of cost-effective weight management interventions are lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To estimate age- and sex-specific HSUs for Ghana, along with HSUs by weight status. Associations between HSUs and overweight and obesity will be examined. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey of the Ghanaian population. Methods: Data were sourced from theWorld Health Organization Study of Global AGEing and Adult Health (WHO SAGE), 2014 to 2015. Using a “judgment-based mapping” method, responses to items from the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life (WHOQOL-100) used in the WHO SAGE were mapped to EQ-5D-5L profiles, and the Zimbabwe value set was applied to calculate HSUs. Poststratified sampling weights were applied to estimate mean HSUs, and a multivariable linear regression model was used to examine associations between HSUs and overweight or obesity. Results: Responses from 3966 adults aged 18 to 110 years were analyzed. The mean (95% confidence interval) HSU was 0.856 (95% CI: 0.850, 0.863) for the population, 0.866 (95% CI: 0.857, 0.875) for men, and 0.849 (95% CI: 0.841, 0.856) for women. Lower mean HSUs were observed for obese individuals and with older ages. Multivariable regression analysis showed that HSUs were negatively associated with obesity (20.024; 95% CI: 20.037, 20.011), female sex (20.011; 95% CI: 20.020, 20.003), and older age groups in the population. Conclusions: The study provides HSUs by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) categories for the Ghanaian population and examines associations between HSU and high BMI. Obesity was negatively associated with health state utility in the population. These data can be used in future economic evaluations for Ghana and sub-Saharan African populations.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the City and Guilds Level 3 Adult 8umeracy Support Course at Merton College in the UK

This paper looks at the evaluation of the Level 3 Certificate in Adult Numeracy Support (City and Guilds 9484) course at Merton College. The latter is a general further education (FE) college and the main provider of post-16 education and training in the London Borough of Merton. The College also runs a number of higher education (HE) courses. The course was introduced into the School of Community Education following the college’s successful bid to run a Level 3 course in numeracy in partnership with other colleges in the South London learning Partnership. The main objective of the evaluation of the course at Merton College was to find out how the course measured up to the standards specified by the DfES/FENTO Subject Specifications and echoed by City and Guilds in the Course handbook (City and Guilds, 2005) as well as the procedures specified in the Merton College College’s Quality Assurance system. It was clear that the team was faced with challenges in understanding the level of the mathematics content required, and of linking this with strategies, methods and skills to teach adult numeracy learners. One critical observation the author made was the team’s inability to change the course structure and content to suit the needs of the candidates. One other limitation of the course was the absence of information and computer technology use. Candidates were not introduced to adequate use of information and computer technology (ICT) as part of their learning. The author observes further that initial teacher education is a complex combination of knowledge as it requires specialist knowledge but at the same time much depends on experience and learning on the job. There is little doubt that the lack of thorough and systematic support for trainees in the place of teaching is a profound systemic weakness that impoverishes all teacher education programmes, not just those discussed in this paper

Source: UG
An evaluation of the diagnostic performance characteristics of the Yellow Fever IgM immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit from SD Biosensor in Ghana

Yellow fever is endemic in Ghana and outbreaks occur periodically. The prodromal signs due to Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) infection are non-specific, making clinical signs unreliable as the sole criteria for diagnosis. Accurate laboratory confirmation of suspected yellow fever cases is therefore vital in surveillance programs. Reporting of ELISA IgM testing results by laboratories can delay due to late arrival of samples from the collection sites as well as limited availability of ELISA kits. In this study, the diagnostic performance characteristics of a rapid immunochromatographic Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit (SD Biosensor) was evaluated for the rapid diagnosis of Yellow Fever infection in Ghana. A panel of 275 sera, comprising 81 confirmed YFV positives and 194 negatives were re-tested in this study using the Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit. Using the CDC/WHO Yellow Fever IgM capture ELISA as a benchmark, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the Standard Q Yellow Fever test kit were 96.3%, 97.9% and 97.5%, respectively. The false positivity rate was 5.1% and there was no cross-reactivity when the Standard Q Yellow Fever test kit was tested against dengue, malaria and hepatitis B and C positive samples. In addition, inter-reader variability and invalid rate were both zero. The results indicate that the diagnostic performance of the Standard Q Yellow Fever IgM test kit on serum or plasma is comparable to the serum IgM detection by ELISA and can be used as a point of care rapid diagnostic test kit for YFV infection in endemic areas.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the DWT-PCA/SVD Recognition Algorithm on Reconstructed Frontal Face Images

The face is the second most important biometric part of the human body, next to the finger print. Recognition of face image with partial occlusion (half image) is an intractable exercise as occlusions affect the performance of the recognition module. To this end, occluded images are sometimes reconstructed or completed with some imputation mechanism before recognition. This study assessed the performance of the principal component analysis and singular value decomposition algorithm using discrete wavelet transform (DWT-PCA/SVD) as preprocessing mechanism on the reconstructed face image database. The reconstruction of the half face images was done leveraging on the property of bilateral symmetry of frontal faces. Numerical assessment of the performance of the adopted recognition algorithm gave average recognition rates of 95% and 75% when left and right reconstructed face images were used for recognition, respectively. It was evident from the statistical assessment that the DWT-PCA/SVD algorithm gives relatively lower average recognition distance for the left reconstructed face images. DWT-PCA/SVD is therefore recommended as a suitable algorithm for recognizing face images under partial occlusion (half face images). The algorithm performs relatively better on left reconstructed face images.

Source: UG
An Evaluation of the Effects of International Anarchy on International Organisations: A Case Study of the United Nations Security Council

The study sought to examine how anarchy affects the international system, particularly in the UNSC organ that depicts the realists‘ model of world politics. The study relied on both scholarly literature and key UN documents, particularly the UN Charter to analyze and discuss how anarchy affects the functions and roles of the UNSC to maintain international peace and security in the world. It is an arena where states conduct their foreign policy through the national interest as well as a game of power politics, even at the heart of maintaining peace and security. The study found that even though the UN Charter gives every authority to the UNSC members to determine what threatens international peace and security with some limits, the mandate also inexplicably gives the powerful states the authority to translate or make certain decisions to their advantage, for instance, the use of the veto power. These decisions often lead to major crisis than promoting international peace, for example, the Iraqi war, the Gulf war, the Libya Crisis, which all escalated into global conflicts and are even yet to recover or achieve stability from the impact caused. The study recommended, among others, the elimination of the use of veto to make the UNSC more effective in its mandate as the organization can resort to decisions based on a simple majority or two thirds voting of all the member states.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the efficacy of a commercial formulation of beauveria bassiana for the control of the invasive fruit fly bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Evaluation of the efficacy of a commercial formulation of Beauveria bassiana (Botanigard® ES) for the control of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) was carried out on three developmental stages. Botanigard® ES containing 11.3% Beauveria bassiana GHA strain was applied to larvae, pupae and adults at concentrations of 106, 53.0, 26.5, 13.3 and 6.65 (× 106 spores/mL). The effect of B. bassiana on B. dorsalis was dose dependent, increasing with fungal spore concentration. The results showed that an optimum dose of 26.5 × 106 spores/mL killed 50% of adult flies within 4-5 days and 99% within 8-9 days. The same dose reduced adult emergence from infected pupae from 97% in the control to 46% in the treated groups. Fungal treatment at 26.5 × 106 spores/mL also killed almost all adults emerging from pupae and adults treated directly. Comparing methods of fungal application in the field, the result indicated that applying the fungus in fruit fly traps in mango canopies is a better method for fruit fly control in the field as compared to soil surface spray method. However, both methods could be used simultaneously for better results. © 2016 (KRF).

Source: UG
An evaluation of the efficacy of indocid for the control of laboratory and wild rodents

Rodents are well-known pests of stored and cultivated agricultural products. Their control is of great concern to human societies worldwide. Different rodenticides exist but most of these pose varying degrees of risk to the general public. This work aims to establish the efficacy of a human anti-inflammatory drug, INDOCID, as a potential rodenticide, using the widely-used BARAKI as a reference rodenticide. Doses of indocid found to be lethal to laboratory rats (Rattus rattus) were lower than that of baraki and for a given concentration of active ingredients, death occurred relatively faster in indocid-administered than baraki-administered rats. Indocid further proved lethal to five species of wild rodents. There is the need for further work on recommended lethal doses required for the control of the various wild rodent species.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the enhanced meningitis surveillance system, Yendi municipality, northern Ghana, 2010-2015

Background: Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges of the brain and or spinal cord. Global mortality rates vary from 2% to 30%. Epidemic meningitis remains a public health concern along the meningitis belt of Africa. Despite the operation of an enhanced meningitis surveillance system in Ghana, institutional mortality rates are estimated to range from 36% to 50%. In 2014, Yendi recorded 83 confirmed cases; with focal epidemics in some sub-municipals. We evaluated the system over a five-year period to find out whether it was achieving its objectives of systematic collection and analyses of data for the prevention or early detection of meningitis epidemics. Methods: We used cross-sectional design. Both qualitative and quantitative data from Yendi Municipality between January 2010 and December 2015 were collected and analyzed. The updated guidelines for evaluating surveillance systems from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used. Content analysis was performed on the responses of key informants. Surveillance data was analyzed using MS-Excel. Results: Fifteen healthcare workers were interviewed. For the period under evaluation, the annual incidence of meningitis ranged from 1.6/100,000 in 2012 to 62.6/100,000 in 2014. The average case fatality rate for the period was 8.3%. The system was sensitive, representative, and acceptable. The predictive value positive was 100% from 2010 to 2014 and 63.3% in 2015. Data quality was good, but timeliness of reporting was poor. Conclusions: The enhanced meningitis surveillance system in Yendi Municipality is achieving most of its objectives. However, financial constraints and poor personnel motivation pose threats to the sustainability of the system.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the environmental polio surveillance system—Northern Region, Ghana, 2021

Background Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance is the gold standard in the polio eradication initia tive. The environmental component of polio surveillance can detect circulating Polioviruses from sewage without relying on clinical presentation. The effectiveness of the Environmental Surveillance (ES) is crucial to global polio eradication. We assessed the usefulness and attributes of the ES system in the Northern region and determined if the system is meeting its objectives. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional evaluation in the Northern region from 2019 to 2020 using the updated US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline. We inter viewed stakeholders, reviewed records, and observed surveillance activities from 29th March to 7th May, 2021. Quantitative data were analyzed manually as frequencies and pro portions whiles thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results One of 48 (2.1%) samples collected tested positive for circulating vaccine-derived Poliovirus (cVDPV). The cVDPV detection triggered enhanced AFP surveillance that resulted in the identification of a case of AFP. Three rounds of polio vaccination campaigns were orga nized. All surveillance officers interviewed were willing to continue providing their services for the ES. Reporting form has few variables and is easy to complete. The completeness of forms was 97.9% (47/48). Samples collected were dispatched on the same day to the test ing laboratory. The system’s data was managed manually. Conclusion The system was useful in detecting polio outbreaks. Data quality was good, the system was simple, flexible, acceptable, representative, and fairly stable. Sensitivity was high but predic tive value positive was low. Timeliness in reporting was good but feedback from the national level could not be assessed. There is a need to improve on the feedback system and ensure that, the surveillance data is managed electronically

Source: UG
Evaluation of the fluorescent-thin layer chromatography (f-TLC) for the diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease in Ghana

Buruli ulcer is a tissue necrosis infection caused by an environmental mycobacterium called Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU). The disease is most prevalent in rural areas with the highest rates in West and Central African countries. The bacterium produces a toxin called mycolactone which can lead to the destruction of the skin, resulting in incapacitating deformities with an enormous economic and social burden on patients and their caregivers. Even though there is an effective antibiotic treatment for BU, the control and management rely on early case detection and rapid diagnosis to avert morbidities. The diagnosis of Mycobacterium ulcerans relies on smear microscopy, culture histopathology, and PCR. Unfortunately, all the current laboratory diagnostics have various limitations and are not available in endemic communities. Consequently, there is a need for a rapid diagnostic tool for use at the community health centre level to enable diagnosis and confirmation of suspected cases for early treatment. The present study corroborated the diagnostic performance and utility of fluorescent-thin layer chromatography (f-TLC) for the diagnosis of Buruli ulcer.

Source: UG
An evaluation of the Free Senior High School Policy in Ghana

Based on 65 interviews and secondary information, this study evaluated the programme, process and political dimensions of the Ghana Free Senior High School Education (SHS) Policy. The evidence from the data showed that the programme and its political dimensions were emphasised to the neglect of the process dimension. Effectiveness, one of the criteria in the programme dimension, was somewhat stressed. The remaining five criteria, including Equity, efficiency and responsiveness, were ignored. Overall, the political dimension was the most popular focus given that the introduction of the policy itself had been positively welcomed and this served to bolster confidence in the political regime as a whole. Some of the five stages of the process dimension, e.g. agenda setting and formulation, were poorly executed or were skipped, and implementation was fraught with challenges, such as inadequate funding and limited space. Implications in relation to the Multiple Streams Model, policy success/failure theory and the political settlement framework are discussed.

Source: UG
An evaluation of the genesis and suitability of groundwater for irrigation in the Volta Region, Ghana

Stable isotope data and concentrations of the major cations and anions of groundwater from the northern part of the Volta Region, Ghana, were used to determine the source of recharge and the suitability of groundwater in the area for irrigation. This study finds that the delta deuterium (δD) and delta Oxygen-18 (δ18O) data from the area fall along the global meteoric water line (GMWL). An equation of regression derived for the relationship between δD and δ18O bears very close semblance to the equation which describes the GMWL. On the basis of this, groundwater in the study area is probably meteoric and fresh. The apparently low salinities and sodicities of the groundwater seem to support this interpretation. The suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigation purposes is related to its source, which determines its constitution. A plot of the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and electrical conductivity (EC) data on a semilog axis, suggests that groundwater serves good irrigation quality in the area. Sixty percent (60%), 20% and 20% of the 67 data points used in this study fall within the medium salinity-low sodicity (C2-S1), low salinity-low sodicity (C1-S1) and high salinity-low sodicity (C3-S1) fields, which ascribe good irrigation quality to groundwater from this area. Salinities range from 28.1 to 1,956 μS/cm, whilst SAR values fall within the range 0-3. Extremely low sodicity waters of this kind, with salinities lower than 600 μS/cm, have the tendency to affect the dispersive properties of irrigation soils when used for irrigation. About 50% of the groundwater in the study area fall within this category and need prior treatment before usage. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.

Source: UG
Evaluation of the impact of magnetic feld homogeneity on image quality in magnetic resonance imaging: a baseline quantitative study at 1.5 T

Background Magnetic resonance images can be afected in a number of ways by magnetic feld inhomogeneity. The study aimed to optimize the main magnetic feld homogeneity (MFH) by assessing how magnetic feld inho mogeneity afects the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and geometric distortion of images acquired along the diameter of a spherical volume phantom from the isocenter of the MRI scanner. Results The MFH ranged between 0.10 and 0.60 ppm. The best MFH and the maximum SNR were determined in the isocenter at 400 mm feld of view with the application of shim. However, for all the phantom positions, geomet rical distortion in images acquired at 200 mm feld of view was generally better and worse at 400 mm feld of view. MFH could be optimized to reduce geometrical distortion and increase SNR by increasing the receiver bandwidth and the number of excitations whiles complementing it with shimming during image acquisition. According to Chi square independent test, there were no signifcant diferences (p>0.05) in the MFH, SNR, and geometrical distortion values. Compared to fndings at higher feld strengths, it was observed that MRI systems of higher feld strengths (greater than 1.5 T) could ofer superior magnetic feld homogeneity and SNR without causing observable geometri cal distortion. Conclusions The optimal feld of view for the fast feld echo (FFE) sequence required to maximize MFH, SNR, and reduce distortion during image acquisition may vary across MRI systems of diferent feld strengths. To determine the appropriate feld of view, the method and results of this study could serve as a guide for medical physicists as part of their routine quality assurance test procedures

Source: UG