ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Possible mechanisms involved in the anti- nociceptive effects of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica

Context: Various parts of Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst ex. A. Rich (Rhamnaceae) have been used in Ghanaian and African traditional medicine as an analgesic. However, there are little scientific data to sup- port the anti-nociceptive effects of the hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica (EthE) as well as the possible mechanisms involved in its anti-nociceptive effects. Purpose: To predict possible nociceptive pathways involved in the anti-nociceptive effects of EthE. Materials and methods: The effect of EthE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) on intraplantar injection of pain mediators such as interleukin-1b, tumour necrosis factor-a, prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats using Randall–Selitto test for 5 h. The effect of specific antagonists to the opioidergic, adenosinergic, ATP-sensitive Kþ channels, nitric oxide, serotonergic, muscarinic, adrenergic and voltage-gated calcium channel on the anti-nociceptive effect of EthE (100 mg/kg) was evaluated using the formalin test in male imprinting control region (ICR) mice for 1 h. Results: Pretreatment of the rats with EthE significantly reversed the hypernociception induced by intra- plantar injection of TNF-a (F4,120 ¼ 10.86, p < 0.0001), IL-1b (F4,120 ¼ 14.71, p < 0.0001), bradykinin (F4,80 ¼ 12.52, p < 0.0001) and prostaglandin E2 (F5,144 ¼ 6.165, p ¼ 0.0001). The anti-nociceptive effect exhibited by EthE in the formalin test was reversed by systemic administration of NG-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester, naloxone, theophylline and glibenclamide. Conclusions: EthE inhibits hypernociception induced by TNF-a, IL-1b, bradykinin and prostaglandin E2. EthE exhibited anti-nociceptive effects possibly mediated through opioidergic, adenosinergic, ATP-sensitive potassium channels and nitric oxide cyclic GMP pathways.

Source: UCC
Possible mechanisms involved in the antinociceptive effects of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica

Context: Various parts of Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst ex. A. Rich (Rhamnaceae) have been used in Ghanaian and African traditional medicine as an analgesic. However, there are little scientific data to support the anti-nociceptive effects of the hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica (EthE) as well as the possible mechanisms involved in its anti-nociceptive effects. Purpose: To predict possible nociceptive pathways involved in the anti-nociceptive effects of EthE. Materials and methods: The effect of EthE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) on intraplantar injection of pain mediators such as interleukin-1b, tumour necrosis factor-a, prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats using Randall–Selitto test for 5 h. The effect of specific antagonists to the opioidergic, adenosinergic, ATP-sensitive Kþ channels, nitric oxide, serotonergic, muscarinic, adrenergic and voltage-gated calcium channel on the anti-nociceptive effect of EthE (100 mg/kg) was evaluated using the formalin test in male imprinting control region (ICR) mice for 1 h. Results: Pretreatment of the rats with EthE significantly reversed the hypernociception induced by intraplantar injection of TNF-a (F4,120¼ 10.86, p < 0.0001), IL-1b (F4,120¼ 14.71, p < 0.0001), bradykinin (F4,80 ¼ 12.52, p < 0.0001) and prostaglandin E2 (F5,144¼ 6.165, p ¼ 0.0001). The anti-nociceptive effect exhibited by EthE in the formalin test was reversed by systemic administration of NG-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester, naloxone, theophylline and glibenclamide. Conclusions: EthE inhibits hypernociception induced by TNF-a, IL-1b, bradykinin and prostaglandin E2. EthE exhibited anti-nociceptive effects possibly mediated through opioidergic, adenosinergic, ATP-sensitive potassium channels and nitric oxide cyclic GMP pathways.

Source: UCC
Possible risk factors for respiratory complications after thyroidectomy: An observational study

It is widely accepted that thyroid surgery is not without morbidity. One well known postoperative complication is respiratory distress. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the incidence of post thyroidectomy respiratory complications and to identify possible predictive factors. The study population was made up of 262 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for goiter at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria from January 1989 through December 2003. Information was collected on 8 possible predictive factors for respiratory complications: (1) the duration of the goiter, (2) the preoperative status of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, (3) the presence or absence of tracheal narrowing or deviation, (4) the presence or absence of retrosternal extension, (5) the ease or difficulty of endotracheal intubation, (6) the presence or absence of thyroid cancer, (7) the presence or absence of giant goiter, and (8) whether or not the goiter represented a recurrence. Respiratory complications occurred in 20 of the 262 patients (7.6%). Of these 20 patients, 16 (80%) had a goiter of at least 5 years' duration, 12 (60%) had a giant goiter, 5 (25%) had tracheal narrowing, 4 (20%) had a malignant goiter, 3 (15%) hadpalsy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve preoperatively, and 2 patients each (10%) had tetrosternal extension, a difficult intubation, ora recurrent goiter. Twelve patients (60%) had at least4 of the 8 possible risk factors, and 6 others (30%) had 3 factors. Postoperative tracheotomy was necessary for 4 patients. No deaths occurred. While the findings of this observational study can only suggest the possibility of causation, preoperative factors such a long-standing goiter and giant goiter should be taken into consideration in postoperative management and the prevention of respiratory complications. In addition, the presence of at least4ofthe8factors studied should likewise alert the management team.

Source: UCC
Post Conflict Psychosocial Effects on Children in the Egyeikrom Refugee Camp

This study was carried out to examine the post-conflict effects on children in the Egyeikrom refugee camp in the Central Region of Ghana. The study employed qualitative approaches in getting the relevant data to satisfy the purpose and objectives of the study. Respondents for the study were selected purposively. In-depth interviews were also conducted to elicit qualitative data. Computer software programme, Nvivo (version 7), was employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed that children in the camp suffered from psychological problems such as hallucination, lack of concentration and sleep disorders. In addition, it was found that children were vulnerable to malnutrition due to low calorie intake resulting from the poor status of their parents and more significantly the withdrawal of food ration to the camp since 2015. With respect to education, language barrier, inadequate number of qualified teachers and the use of the Ghanaian curriculum were identified as challenges affecting the education of the children in the camp. On the social aspect, it was found that the children reported of discrimination and the fear of losing their identity as Ivorians. In addition, it was found that children adopted different coping strategies to survive. Interventions by United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners were ineffective in dealing with the children’s problems. The study recommended among other things that a language support system should be set up for children, that the UNHCR should take immediate steps to restore the supply of ration to the children and other vulnerable refugees and lastly a guidance and counselling centre should be established and manned by competent counsellors and professional psychologist to offer counselling and psychotherapeutic services to the children.

Source: UCC
Post Graduate Students Readiness for Elearning (A Case Study at the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast)

The use of eLearning is changing teaching and learning processes from the sage on the stage to the guide on the side approach. Students can easily access their study materials on an eLearning platform regardless of time and space through digital means. In this research, Post Graduate students of the College of Distance Education (CoDE) of the university of Cape Coast, offering Business and Education programmes were assessed on their readiness for the use of the College of Distance Education’s eLearning platform. A total number of 60 students enrolled for the 2015-2016 Academic Year using the eLearning platform were sampled for the study. A questionnaire was administered to all of the students to assess their perceived self efficacy in the use of ICT tools, their attitude towards eLearning and the perceived barriers to the use of an eLearning platform. Research findings showed that most students had a positive attitude towards the use of ICT tools and were ready to use the eLearning platform.

Source: UCC
Post Hepatitis B vaccination sero-conversion among health care workers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

Background HBV vaccine is known to offer protection against transmission of HBV infection. Health care workers are mandated to have this vaccination as part of their occupational health safety measures. Post vaccination response data for HCWs in our setting is not available. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the anti-HBs titre levels after Hepatitis B vaccination among HCWs from selected heath facilities in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Methods A multicenter (3 selected sites) analytical cross-sectional study involving 711 HCWs was conducted. Five (5mls) of blood samples were collected from each study participant and the serum used for HBV immunological profile testing anti-HBs quantification by ELISA test (Fortress Diagnostics Limited, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom). Data analyses were performed using Stata version 14.0 software (STATA Corp, Texas USA). Results The median age of participants was 29 years (IQR = 26–35 years). Majority (80.9%, n = 575) took their vaccination from Government health facilities compared with 19.1% (n = 136) from private vaccination sources. A total of 7 (3 males and 4 females) were found to be HBsAg positive giving prevalence of 1%. In all, 8.2% (n = 58) of the HCWs had anti-HBs titre levels <10IU/ml giving a sero-protection rate of 91.8%. HCWs who received 3 doses of HBV vaccine were more likely to be sero-protected as compared to those who received only one dose in multivariate analysis (aOR = 3.39, 95%CI: 1.08–10.67), p<0.037). Gender, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were not found to be associated with seroprotection. Conclusion There is a high HBV vaccine efficacy among HCWs in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana with higher prevalence of anti-HBs titre level associated with full vaccine dose adherence. Post vaccination antibody titre determination could be an integral part of HBV vaccination protocol for HCWs in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Post Traumatic Cerebral Oedema in Severe Head Injury is Related to Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Perfusion Pressure but not to Cerebral Compliance

This was a prospective cohort study, carried out in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian Kelantan. The study was approved by the local ethics committee and was conducted between November 2005 and September 2007 with a total of 30 patients included in the study. In our study, univariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between mean intracranial pressure (ICP) as well as cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) with both states of basal cistern and the degree of diffuse injury and oedema based on the Marshall classification system. The ICP was higher while CPP and compliance were lower whenever the basal cisterns were effaced in cases of cerebral oedema with Marshall III and IV. In comparison, the study revealed lower ICP, higher mean CPP and better mean cerebral compliance if the basal cisterns were opened or the post operative CT brain scan showed Marshall I and II. These findings suggested the surgical evacuation of clots to reduce the mass volume and restoration of brain anatomy may reduce vascular engorgement and cerebral oedema, therefore preventing intracranial hypertension, and improving cerebral perfusion pressure and cerebral compliance. Nevertheless the study did not find any significant relationship between midline shifts and mean ICP, CPP or cerebral compliance even though lower ICP, higher CPP and compliance were frequently observed when the midline shift was less than 0.5 cm. As the majority of our patients had multiple and diffuse brain injuries, the absence of midline shift did not necessarily mean lower ICP as the pathology was bilateral and even when after excluding the multiple lesions, the result remained insignificant. We assumed that the CT brain scan obtained after evacuation of the mass lesion to assess the state basal cistern and classify the diffuse oedema may prognosticate the intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure thus assisting in the acute post operative management of severely head injured patients. Hence post operative CT brain scans may be done to verify the ICP and CPP readings postoperatively. Subsequently, withdrawal of sedation for neurological assessment after surgery could be done if the CT brain scan showed an opened basal cistern and Marshall I and II coupled with ICP of less than 20 mmHg. [Asian J Surg 2009;32(3):157–62]

Source: UCC
Post-divorce experiences of women in the Cape Coast metropolis

Divorce has been one area of nuptiality that has attracted little attention in Ghana. This study sought to investigate the multiple experiences of divorce on divorced women. This study was approached from a phenomenological and interpretivist paradigm using the lived experiences of women as sources of knowledge. Divorce and impact literature provided a theoretical framework for understanding the phenomenon as well as the issues related to post-divorce experiences in the Cape Coast metropolis and the effective coping strategies the women adopted to enable them survive in the patriarchal societies they found themselves. Twenty-five divorced women with diverse backgrounds were selected purposively through snowball technique for interviewed using an unstructured interview guide. The participants discussed their perspectives on divorce and post-divorce financial encounters, their experiences with faith groups, friends and family, as well as the surviving strategies they adopted following the divorce. The study revealed that, contrary to what the literature says, majority of the women were financially stable after divorce. Further, most of them were able to cope after the divorce because of the little support they received from faith groups, friends and family members, though some were neglected by these same groups of people. Most of them also became more religious after the divorce. It was recommended that, women should be active both in the formal and informal sectors for a better financial experience post-divorce. Again, faith groups, friends and families should support and encourage divorced members regardless of the cause or reason for the divorce.

Source: UCC
Post-divorce experiences of women in the Cape Coast metropolis

Divorce has been one area of nuptiality that has attracted little attention in Ghana. This study sought to investigate the multiple experiences of divorce on divorced women. This study was approached from a phenomenological and interpretivist paradigm using the lived experiences of women as sources of knowledge. Divorce and impact literature provided a theoretical framework for understanding the phenomenon as well as the issues related to post-divorce experiences in the Cape Coast metropolis and the effective coping strategies the women adopted to enable them survive in the patriarchal societies, they found themselves. Twenty-five divorced women with diverse backgrounds were selected purposively through snowball technique for interviewed using an unstructured interview guide. The participants discussed their perspectives on divorce and post-divorce financial encounters, their experiences with faith groups, friends and family, as well as the surviving strategies they adopted following the divorce. The study revealed that, contrary to what the literature says, majority of the women were financially stable after divorce. Further, most of them were able to cope after the divorce because of the little support they received from faith groups, friends and family members, though some were neglected by these same groups of people. Most of them also became more religious after the divorce It was recommended that, women should be active both in the formal and informal sectors for a better financial experience post-divorce. Again, faith groups, friends and families should support and encourage divorced members regardless of the cause or reason for the divorce.

Source: UCC
Post-Market Safety and Efficacy Surveillance of Herbal Medicinal Products from Users’ Perspective: A Qualitative Semi-Structured Interview Study in Kumasi, Ghana

Objective: Despite the increased patronage of herbal medicinal products (HMP), they remain poorly regulated in Ghana and their efficacy and safety data is seldom adequate. The objective of the present study is to provide insight into concerns regarding post-market HMP safety and efficacy from the perspectives of users in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods: Thirty-seven randomly selected HMP consumers in Kumasi, were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Non-users of HMPs and users less than 18 years were excluded from the study. Mixed method sampling method was used for the study. Results: HMPs were reported to be gentle and safer than orthodox medicines by informants. Only 19% of informants voluntarily reported HMP use to their general practitioner. Informants (94.6%) experienced minimal effects, whiles (5.4%) experienced moderately severe adverse effects. Conclusion: It was observed from the study that some HMPs are however non-effective and harmful. We would suggest that HMP users should exercise caution with regards to where to buy and when using HM. “Shyness” and the “feeling of being condemned by the physician” were identified to be the possible causes of the communication barrier between the physicians and the HM users. We recommend physicians to initiate discussion on this topic during consultations and guide users on safe use of these HMPs.

Source: UCC
Post-transition Issues and Performance of Family Businesses in Cape Coast and Elmina: the Moderating Role of Employee Satisfaction

This study sought to determine whether post-transition issues such as leader-subordinate-relationship; family values; control and planning activities affect performance of family businesses and also determine whether employee satisfaction moderate the relationship between post-transition issues and family business performance. The research also examined whether family business successors exhibit transformational leadership style in their quest to ensure effective grooming of successors to take over operations. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to select respondents from family-owned hotels/guest houses and its auxiliary service providers such as family-owned restaurants/eateries and family-owned wholesale/retail shops in Cape Coast and Elmina. A total of 158 responded questionnaires were used for the analysis. The study adopted correlation and regression in its data analysis. The study discovered that family business owners exhibit transformational leadership styles. Also, Post-transition issues statistically affect business performance and independent business performance indicators. However, employee satisfaction negatively moderated the relationship between planning and control activities, and post-transition performance of family businesses. It was recommended that employee satisfaction should not be to the detriment of planning and control activities since that could negatively affect family business performance. In addition, family business owners should adhere to family values since it is the main indicator that affect family goals/satisfaction.

Source: UCC
Post-truth, the print media and political messages in Ghana

Post-truth is a regular component of electioneering campaigns and political discussions among politicians in sub-Saharan Africa. This regularity and dearth of literature have made the concept attractive to researchers who are interested in exploring its intricacies. This article examines the post truth strategies adopted by Ghanaian politicians of the two leading parties in their politically aligned newspapers -The Daily Statesman and The Enquirer. Three strategies were detected, namely kairos, disinformation/misinformation and strategic transmission of lies. By strengthening their gatekeeping performance through close examination and vetting of political statements before publishing them, newspaper editors stand the chance of moderating post truth politics and its attendant notoriety on the political scene of Ghana

Source: UCC
Post-weaning growth performance of the Ashanti black pig under intensive management system

The post weaning growth performance of the Ashanti Black pig (ABP) at National Pig Breeding Station at Babile in the Upper West Region of Ghana was assessed. The records of 211 weaners over a seven-year period (1999-2005 inclusive) were used in the study. The influence of year of birth, sex and size of litter at weaning on performance traits – weaning weight at 42 days, body weights at 120 days, at 180 days and at 240 days of age and post weaning growth rates were investigated. All the traits studied were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the effect of the year of birth, sex and litter size at weaning. The average performance levels attained during the study were weaning weight of 5.9 kg ± 0.08, body weight of 12.7 kg ± 0.2 at 120days, body weight of 17.7 kg ±0.3 at 180 days and body weight of 24.1 kg ±0.48 at 240 days. The average post weaning growth (PWG) rates measured from weaning to 120 days (PWG1), from weaning to 180days (PWG2) and from weaning to 240days (PWG3) were 87.1g/day ±2.2, 86.0g/day ± 2.2 and 92.0g/day ± 2.38 respectively. From the study, the post weaning growth performance of the ABP under intensive management is very encouraging as they compare well with other breeds of pigs under the local conditions. It has further added to the documentation of the performance of the breed which was hitherto non-existent. There is therefore the need to preserve the breed under such system of production to bring out its potential to become a national breed for use in commercial pork production in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Postcolonial trajectories of foreign news selection in the Ghanaian press BBC remains the ultimate reference

This paper investigated, from multiple levels and perspectives, the influences exerted by global news on the representation of Africa in the Ghanaian press detailing the conditions that have accounted for these influences, which remain celebrated as universal news values. Relying on content analysis, survey and ethnographic interview, the study uncovered a postcolonial ambivalence in which Ghanaian journalists rather largely sought to rationalize these multiple ideological influences on their news-selection with little resistance. The self-reflexive appropriation of an African perspective by these journalists was not reflected in their coverage of the continent. Their heavy reliance on global news organizations, especially the BBC, depicts a lingering postcolonial influence. Although they constructed their increasing use of Xinhua news agency as a form of resistance, the invasion of their subconscious mind by qualities of the BBC is rather submissive

Source: UCC