ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Input Policies and Crop Diversification: Evidence from the Collines Region in Benin

Formulating policy to strengthen rural livelihood in a country like Benin may be very challenging. This paper investigates the effect of input policies on crop diversification in rural Benin. Multistage sampling techniques have been used to collect primary data from 522 households in the Collines Region. Considering access to fertilizer and seed policies, we used a linear regression analysis to find that access to fertilizer and seed negatively affect the extent of crop diversification. Although some factors (household size and access to extension services) have a positive relationship with crop diversification, we maintain that if the government wants to promote crop diversification as a farmer's strategy to manage risk and uncertainty, there is a need to rethink the input policies. Nevertheless, making fertilizer and seed accessible to farmers is a great opportunity in a country where access to inputs is the major agricultural constraint. © 2017 The Authors. African Development Review © 2017 African Development Bank

Source: UG
“Insanity is from home”: The expression of mental health challenges in Akan

This paper examines selected expressions relating to the articulation of mental health challenges in three Akan speaking communities in Ghana, in the context of considering that language is reflective of human thought, and that human cultural practices and behavior emanate from people’s underlying appreciation of particular issues. Expressions of mental health challenges were extracted from a total of 37 one-on-one interviews and 12 focus group discussions. We note that the expressions used fall into 3 categories: idioms and proverbs, non-figurative language and code mixed utterances. Overall, indirection permeates all the categories. Furthermore, our observation is that the expressions provide an indication of the manifestations and perceived causes of the illnesses, which are familial, spiritual or biomedical. There is a strong tendency towards an expectation of communal support for the mentally ill. An appreciation of the languages and cultures of local communities provides the basis for appropriate diagnosis, effective management of mental illness and efficient public health education.

Source: UG
Insect Diversity of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site: An Important Site for Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana

An inventory of species diversity of insects of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site, with special reference to species of conservation concern, was carried out as part of an evaluation of changes in the ecological character of the site, twenty years after designation.Samples were taken from two protected areas within the Ramsar site, in the wet (July), dry (January), and intermediate (June) seasons. Community diversity was characterized in terms of number of species accumulated, species richness, Shannon-Weiner indices of diversity, Pielou’s evenness, and Bray-Curtis similarity. A total of 134 families from 19 insect orders were recorded during the entire study period. Yenku Block A recorded the highest species richness (98) and the highest diversity index (14.97), corroborated by the highest Margalef index of 3.82 with a relatively even distribution of species (0.834) during the intermediate season, and recorded the lowest diversity (6.957) and species richness (41) during the dry season. On the whole, theMuni-Pomadzi Ramsar site showed a high diversity of insect species. The presence of species such as Junonia oenone and Papilio demodocus which are specialized in degraded habitats at Yenku Block A in large numbers is a clear indication of degradation of the forest, but the presence of forest species such as Salamis anacardii and Euphaedra crokeri is an indication that some parts of this reserve are still in good shape. A comparison of the butterfly species recorded with findings in a 1997 survey showed a marked increase in numbers from 75 to 130; this may be attributed to the habitat changes that have taken place at the site offering more diverse habitat types.

Source: UG
Insecticidal activities of cinnamic acid esters isolated from Ocimum gratissimum L. and Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn leaves against Tribolium castaneum Hebst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

BACKGROUND: Pest management using botanicals has been widely practiced in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of theworld in recent times. The natural compounds present in these botanicals are known to be responsible for the protection they offer against insect pests. Someof these compoundsmay act as single compounds to produce an effect or theymay be synergistically effective. In the present study using a bioassay guided approach, two cinnamic acid derivatives,methyl cinnamate and sitosterol cinnamate, were isolated fromthe leaves of Ocimum gratissimumand Vitellaria paradoxa, respectively. RESULTS: The two cinnamic acid derivatives were found to show higher levels of insecticidal, larvicidal and larval growth inhibition activities against Tribolium castaneum. The LC50 of methyl cinnamate was determined to be 26.92mgmL−1 (95% CL: 1.18.66–38.84mgmL−1; slope±SE: 2.84±0.81) for the adult 8.31mgmL−1 (95% CL: 2.39–28.83mgmL−1; slope±SE: 0.66±0.28) for the larvae while the LC50 of sitosterol cinnamate was determined to be 6.92mgmL−1 (95% CL: 3.97–12.06mgmL−1; slope±SE: 1.59±0.12) the adult and 3.91mgmL−1 (95% CL: 2.21–6.93mgmL−1; slope±SE: 1.52±0.13) for the larvae. CONCLUSION: Generally, the susceptibility of adult T. castaneum to these cinnamic acid esters can be directly associated with the concentration aswell as time of exposure to the compounds. The isolated compounds support the use of O. gratissimumand V. paradoxa as important botanicals for the management of storage pests.

Source: UG
Insecticide resistance profiles for malaria vectors in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana

Abstract Background Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana. The current strategy of the National Malaria Control Programme is based on effective case management and the use of insecticide treated bed nets among vulnerable groups such as children under-five years of age and pregnant women. Resistance to pyrethroids by Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus has been reported in several African countries including neighbouring Burkina Faso. Methods Indoor resting Anopheles mosquitoes were collected. Blood-fed and gravid females were allowed to oviposit, eggs hatched and larvae reared to 1&#8211;3 days old adults and tested against permethrin 0.75%, deltamethrin 0.05%, cyfluthrin 0.15%, lambdacyhalothrin 0.1% and DDT 4%, based on WHO methodology. PCR analyses were carried out on a sub-sample of 192 of the An. gambiae for sibling species complex determination. Resistance to pyrethroids and DDT was determined by genotyping the knock-down resistance kdr gene mutations in the study area. Results A total of 9,749 1&#8211;3 days-old F1 female Anopheles mosquitoes were exposed to the insecticides. Among the pyrethroids, permethrin, 0.75% had the least knockdown effect, whilst cyfluthrin 0.15%, had the highest knock-down effect. Overall, no difference in susceptibility between An. gambiae 93.3% (95% CI: 92.5&#8211;94.1) and An. funestus 94.5% (95% CI: 93.7&#8211;95.3) was observed when exposed to the pyrethroids. Similarly, there was no difference in susceptibility between the two vector species (An. gambiae = 79.1% (95% CI: 76.6&#8211;81.8) and An. funestus = 83.5% (95% CI: 80.2&#8211;86.4) when exposed to DDT. Overall susceptibility to the insecticides was between 80% and 98%, suggesting that there is some level of resistance, except for cyfluthrin 0.15%. The kdr PCR assay however, did not reveal any kdr mutations. The analysis also revealed only the molecular M (Mopti) form. Conclusion The findings in this study show that An. gambiae and An. funestus, the main malaria vector mosquitoes in the Kassena-Nankana district are susceptible to the insecticides being used in the treatment of bed nets in the malaria control programme. There is however, the need for continuous monitoring of the pyrethroids as the efficacy is not very high.

Source: UG
Insecticide resistance profiles for malaria vectors in the Kassena-Nankana District of Ghana

Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana. The current strategy of the National Malaria Control Programme is based on effective case management and the use of insecticide treated bed nets among vulnerable groups such as children under-five years of age and pregnant women. Resistance to pyrethroids by Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus has been reported in several African countries including neighbouring Burkina Faso. Indoor resting Anopheles mosquitoes were collected. Blood-fed and gravid females were allowed to oviposit, eggs hatched and larvae reared to 1–3 days old adults and tested against permethrin 0.75%, deltamethrin 0.05%, cyfluthrin 0.15%, lambdacyhalothrin 0.1% and DDT 4%, based on WHO methodology. PCR analyses were carried out on a subsample of 192 of the An. gambiae for sibling species complex determination. Resistance to pyrethroids and DDT was determined by genotyping the knock-down resistance kdr gene mutations in the study area. A total of 9,749 1–3 days-old F1 female Anopheles mosquitoes were exposed to the insecticides. Among the pyrethroids, permethrin, 0.75% had the least knockdown effect, whilst cyfluthrin 0.15%, had the highest knock-down effect. Overall, no difference in susceptibility between An. gambiae 93.3% (95% CI: 92.5–94.1) and An. funestus 94.5% (95% CI: 93.7–95.3) was observed when exposed to the pyrethroids. Similarly, there was no difference in susceptibility between the two vector species (An. gambiae = 79.1% (95% CI: 76.6–81.8) and An. funestus = 83.5% (95% CI: 80.2–86.4) when exposed to DDT. Overall susceptibility to the insecticides was between 80% and 98%, suggesting that there is some level of resistance, except for cyfluthrin 0.15%. The kdr PCR assay however, did not reveal any kdr mutations. The analysis also revealed only the molecular M (Mopti) form.

Source: UG
Insecticide resistance profiles for malaria vectors in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana

Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana. The current strategy of the National Malaria Control Programme is based on effective case management and the use of insecticide treated bed nets among vulnerable groups such as children under-five years of age and pregnant women. Resistance to pyrethroids by Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus has been reported in several African countries including neighbouring Burkina Faso.

Source: UG
Insecticide resistance profiles for malaria vectors in the Kassena-Nankana District of Ghana

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
Insecticide susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci to Karate® and Cydim super® and its associated carboxylesterase activity

Bemisia tabaci is a pest of several economic crops worldwide and is mostly managed in Ghana by farmers through the use of insecticides. However, vegetable farmers have recently expressed concerns about the susceptibility of B. tabaci to insecticides. Hence, the susceptibility status of field populations of B. tabaci on cassava, okra and tomato in vegetable growing sites in Accra to two commonly used insecticides, Karate® 2.5 EC (λ-cyhalothrin) and Cydim Super® (36 g Cypermethrin + 400 g Dimethoate per litre), using a modified dipping method and their carboxylesterase activity levels were assessed. The LC50 values of the B. tabaci populations to the insecticides were low and ranged from 0.12-0.55 mL/L to 0.07-0.36 mL/L for Karate® and Cydim Super®, respectively. There was a wide variation in carboxylesterase activity levels of the insect populations with high levels recorded in some of the populations. The elevated activity levels could negatively impact on future whitefly management methods. This study provides baseline information on the insecticide resistance status and carboxylesterase levels of whitefly populations in these areas and for monitoring future insecticide resistance development. © Copyright Reserved 2007 Sains Malaysiana.

Source: UG
Insects of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site

A variety of collection methods were used to inventory the insect diversity of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline. A total of 75 butterfly species in five families were collected and identified. Twenty-six percent of the butterfly species were open country species. The butterflies were all typical of the coastal zone and no endangered or narrowly endemic species were recorded. The Muni-Pomadze site was also rich in other insect species (67 insect species belonging to 15 orders) as a result of the diverse terrestrial habitats surrounding the lagoon. Butterfly species composition changed with habitat indicating a fine-grained response by the butterfly communities to habitat changes. Data from long-term monitoring of butterfly communities at Muni-Pomadze could prove useful as indicators of habitat quality.

Source: UG
Insertion sequence element single nucleotide polymorphism typing provides insights into the population structure and evolution of Mycobacterium ulcerans across Africa

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
An Insight Into the Preoperative Experiences of Ghanaian General Surgical Patients

The unknown outcome of surgery has always been a source of anxiety for patients and their relatives. However, the experiences of Ghanaian surgical patients have not been adequately explored. This study sought to have an in-depth exploration of the preoperative experiences of Ghanaian general surgical patients to inform effective preoperative care. The study employed an ethnographic design and was conducted at two hospitals in Accra. Thirteen general surgical patients were purposively recruited and interviewed. Data analysis occurred concurrently and themes that emerged included reaction to impending surgery with subthemes of inappropriate disclosure, fear of death, readiness for surgery, and effect of waiting in the theatre. Also, the theme information gap had subthemes of preoperative care, expectations at the theatre, and undue delays. The study emphasized the need for health professionals to provide effective education to the public and patients, on surgery and its effects, to curb negative perceptions about surgery. © The Author(s) 2013.

Source: UG
An insight into the preoperative experiences of ghanaian general surgical patients

The unknown outcome of surgery has always been a source of anxiety for patients and their relatives. However, the experiences of Ghanaian surgical patients have not been adequately explored. This study sought to have an in-depth exploration of the preoperative experiences of Ghanaian general surgical patients to inform effective preoperative care. The study employed an ethnographic design and was conducted at two hospitals in Accra. Thirteen general surgical patients were purposively recruited and interviewed. Data analysis occurred concurrently and themes that emerged included reaction to impending surgery with subthemes of inappropriate disclosure, fear of death, readiness for surgery, and effect of waiting in the theatre. Also, the theme information gap had subthemes of preoperative care, expectations at the theatre, and undue delays. The study emphasized the need for health professionals to provide effective education to the public and patients, on surgery and its effects, to curb negative perceptions about surgery.

Source: UG
Insights and genetic features of extended‑spectrum beta‑lactamase producing Escherichia coli isolates from two hospitals in Ghana

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

Source: UG
Insights into deregulated TNF and IL-10 production in malaria: implications for understanding severe malarial anaemia

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
Insights into deregulated TNF and IL-10 production in malaria: Implications for understanding severe malarial anaemia

Abstract Background: Severe malarial anaemia (SMA) is a major life-threatening complication of paediatric malaria. Protracted production of pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting erythrophagocytosis and depressing erythropoiesis is thought to play an important role in SMA, which is characterized by a high TNF/IL-10 ratio. Whether this TNF/IL-10 imbalance results from an intrinsic incapacity of SMA patients to produce IL-10 or from an IL-10 unresponsiveness to infection is unknown. Monocytes and T cells are recognized as the main sources of TNF and IL-10 in vivo , but little is known about the activation status of those cells in SMA patients. Methods: The IL-10 and TNF production capacity and the activation phenotype of monocytes and T cells were compared in samples collected from 332 Ghanaian children with non-overlapping SMA (n= 108), cerebral malaria (CM) (n=144) or uncomplicated malaria (UM) (n=80) syndromes. Activation status of monocytes and T cells was ascertained by measuring HLA-DR + and/or CD69 + surface expression by flow cytometry. The TNF and IL-10 production was assessed in a whole-blood assay after or not stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohaemaglutinin (PHA) used as surrogate of unspecific monocyte and T cell stimulant. The number of circulating pigmented monocytes was also determined. Results: Monocytes and T cells from SMA and CM patients showed similar activation profiles with a comparable decreased HLA-DR expression on monocytes and increased frequency of CD69 + and HLA-DR + T cells. In contrast, the acute-phase IL-10 production was markedly decreased in SMA compared to CM ( P = .003) and UM ( P =.004). Although in SMA the IL-10 response to LPS-stimulation was larger in amplitude than in CM ( P =.0082), the absolute levels of IL-10 reached were lower ( P = .013). Both the amplitude and levels of TNF produced in response to LPS-stimulation were larger in SMA than CM ( P =.019). In response to PHA-stimulation, absolute levels of IL-10 produced in SMA were lower than in CM ( P =.005) contrasting with TNF levels, which were higher ( P =.001). Conclusions: These data reveal that SMA patients have the potential to mount efficient IL-10 responses and that the TNF/IL-10 imbalance may reflect a specific monocyte and T cell programming/polarization pattern in response to infection.

Source: UG
Insights into malaria susceptibility using genomewide data on 17,000 individuals from Africa, Asia and Oceania

The human genetic factors that affect resistance to infectious disease are poorly understood. Here we report a genome-wide association study in 17,000 severe malaria cases and population controls from 11 countries, informed by sequencing of family trios and by direct typing of candidate loci in an additional 15,000 samples. We identify five replicable associations with genome-wide levels of evidence including a newly implicated variant on chromosome 6. Jointly, these variants account for around one-tenth of the heritability of severe malaria, which we estimate as ~23% using genome-wide genotypes. We interrogate available functional data and discover an erythroid-specific transcription start site underlying the known association in ATP2B4, but are unable to identify a likely causal mechanism at the chromosome 6 locus. Previously reported HLA associations do not replicate in these samples. This large dataset will provide a foundation for further research on the genetic determinants of malaria resistance in diverse populations.

Source: UG
Insights into nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in an urban and a rural community in Ghana

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

Source: UG
Insights into Past Ritual Practice at Yikpabongo, Northern Region, Ghana

Varied interpretations have been provided for the figurine mound sites located in Koma Land and in the Mogduri District, Northern Region, Ghana, including that they represent burial mounds or shrines. In particular, the producers or affiliates of the mounds are unknown, as the traditions of the present inhabitants of the archaeological region dissociate themselves from the mounds. Current excavations of the mounds have provided considerable contextual information, leading the excavation team to hypothesise that the mounds are best understood within a shrine context and that the figurines, possibly representing ancestors or other beings, were used in ceremonies aimed at communicating with the supernatural world for healing or other purposes. This article presents the current understanding of these mound sites with particular reference to the 2010 and 2011 excavation seasons and the ethnography of existing groups in the area. Possible future avenues of enquiry are also discussed. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Source: UG