ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The diagnostic utility of inflammatory markers in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk among Ghanaians presenting with type 2 diabetes and hypertension

It is suggested that inflammation is associated with hypertension and type 2 diabetes occurring either before or as a consequence of the development of these diseases. Hence inflammation measurement may provide additional information regarding a person’s risk of cardiovascular morbidity and type 2 diabetes or contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases. This study sought to explore the utility of inflammatory markers in evaluating cardiovascular risk in Ghanaian type 2 diabetes and hypertensive subjects attending the Battor Catholic Hospital in the Volta Region. It also sought to determine the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease among the different groups in the study population. This case-control study was conducted between December 2012 and February 2013, involving 125 participants comprising 43 hypertensives, 40 type 2 diabetics and 42 with both conditions. The control group consisted of 62 age-matched healthy individuals in the study area. Socio-demographic variables were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire whiles other study parameters were obtained using standard methods. Inflammation was found to be associated with hypertensive and type 2 diabetic subjects recording higher levels of inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, ESR and WBC) with the exception of TNF-α. Type 2 diabetes and hypertensive subjects also recorded significantly higher cardiometabolic risk profiles compared to their control peers. Twenty- five percent (25%) of participants had a high risk of developing coronary disease over the next ten years. The percentage risk in general was higher in type 2 diabetes and hypertensive subjects compared to the healthy population. Gender variation in percentage ten year risk was observed with significant proportion of women recording high risk than men. Measurement of inflammation may be useful to identify cohorts of patients for clinical iv trials to determine whether reduction/inhibition of hs-CRP reduces CHD events. Further studies could expand the scope of biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, compare oxidised LDL-Cholesterol levels between type 2 diabetes and hypertensive individuals with their healthy counterparts in evaluating their future cardiovascular risk. The sample size could also be increased substantially so that a generalised conclusion could be made among the Ghanaian population

Source: KNUST
Dialectical dialogues in post modern sculpture.

Exhuming medieval spatial metaphors, the study expounds how these concepts Vis a Vis current thought, have informed and thus negotiated formal aesthetic dialogue over the centuries. Through experimental praxis this research openly confronts the noble media, the oversubscribed frontal alignment of the narrative, the pedestal and the preferred figure in the expression of commemorative and allegorical ideas with an interactive narrative which employs the use of found media (ready-mades) to a new aesthetic end.

Source: KNUST
A DFT mechanistic study of the generation of azomethine ylides from thering-opening reactions of stabilized aziridines and follow-up 1,3-dipolarcycloaddition reactions with acetaldehyde

This work investigated computationally with density functional theory calculations at the M06/6-311G∗level,the ring opening reaction of various methyl-, phenyl- and carbonyl- substituted aziridines to obtain azomethineylides and the subsequent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with acetaldehyde leading to 3-methyl and 4-methyl regioisomers andendo- andexo- stereoisomers. The activation barrier for the electrocyclic ring openingof the parent aziridine is very high (51.3 kcal/mol) but is lowered by at least 15.5 kcal/mol upon methyl andester group substitutions. In the reaction of 1,3-diphenyl-2,2-methoxycarbonylaziridineA2with acetaldehyde,the ring opening step is rate-determining with an activation barrier of 28.9 kcal/mol. The activation barrier forthe formation of the 4-methyl isomer from this reaction is at least 7.4 kcal/mol lower than that for the formationof the 3-methyl isomer, which is in accord with the experimentally-observed regioselectivity. Also, the formationof theexoisomer is more favoured than theendoisomer as the barrier of the former is 2.7 kcal/mol compared to6.1 kcal/mol for the latter. There is an inverse correlation between the activation barriers for the electrocycliccleavage of the aziridines and the electrophilicities of the resulting azomethine ylides. The results are rationa-lized in terms of perturbation molecular orbital theory.

Source: KNUST
Dietary diversity and opportunistic infections among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy in Kumasi metropolis; a facility-based cross-sectional study

Background: Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to face heightened susceptibility to opportunistic infections (OIs). Adequate nutrition remains an essential factor that positively influences disease progression and the occurrence of OIs. In Ghana, no study has evaluated the association between dietary diversity and OI occurrence among adults with HIV. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary diversity and the presence of OIs among HIV-positive adults receiving ART. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 291 HIV-positive adults receiving ART from February 2023 to April 2023 at Kumasi South Hospital, Ghana. The study participants were selected using a convenient sampling method. A pre-tested questionnaire and review of electronic health records were used to collect sociodemographic, nutritional and clinical data. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables significantly associated with the study outcome and hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between dietary diversity and the occurrence of OIs while controlling for confounders at p-value<0.05. Results: The mean age and dietary diversity were 46.2±10.9 years and 4.0 (IQR: 3.0 to 6.0) food groups, respectively. Out of 291 respondents, 152 (52.2%) had inadequate dietary diversity and 39 (13.4%) had at least one OI. The respondents with inadequate dietary diversity were three times more likely to have an OI than their peers with adequate dietary diversity [AOR 3.03, (95% CI: 1.20 to 7.64), p=0.019]. Conclusion This study revealed that inadequate dietary diversity is a significant nutritional problem and dietary diversity was associated with the presence of OIs among PLWHA on ART at the study site. Hence, there is the need to enhance the intake of diversified diets based on locally available foods. This could decrease the occurrence of OIs and eventually reduce HIV-related morbidity/mortality.

Source: KNUST
Dietary Exposure to Bisphenol a Associated with Consumption of Porridge (“Hausa Koko”)

Bisphenol A (BPA), a member of diphenylmethane and bisphenols with two hydroxyl groups is used to produce certain types of plastics that are used in packaging food products. Containers made with these plastics may expose people to small amounts of BPA in food. ‘Hausa koko’ is a breakfast meal, packaged in transparent plastic film and popularly consumed in Ghana. The porridge is served at a temperature likely to enhance migration of bisphenol A from the transparent plastic film. This research sought to determine the levels of bisphenol A in the ‘Hausa koko’ and establish the risk of consumption. A cohort study using five vendors was used in this study. Structured questionnaires were used to assess consumption characteristics of ‘Hausa koko’ by 320 respondents. A modified QuEChERS method was used for extraction and clean-up of BPA from 120 samples of “Hausa koko”. A Cecil-Adept Binary Pump HPLC coupled with Shimadzu 10AxL fluorescence detector (Ex: 230 nm, Em: 316) with Phenonix C18, 5 μm, 3.9 x 150 mm column was used at column temperature maintained at 40 °C to determine the level of BPA in ‘Hausa koko’. Palisade @ risk software was used to determine the hazard quotient (HQ), of consumption of ‘Hausa koko’ to characterize risk. Results from the study indicated that bisphenol A leached into the food product at concentration of BPA ranging from < 0.005 ng/ml (below limit of detection) to 1.92 ng/ml. The rate of migration was affected by temperature, pH, storage time and sugar concentration. The HQ of BPA in “Hausa koko” with or without sugar was <1 indicating that consumers within the study population were at no significant health risk.

Source: KNUST
Didactique Du Francais Et Carriere Diplomatique:Quel Avenir?

The main objective of this work is to try to examine: what future does the teaching of French language have on diplomatic career in Ghana, identifying the teaching and learning of the French language as a tool for Ghana’s diplomacy; the study seeks to answer the question: “Can the teaching and learning of the French language help Ghanaian diplomacy to act as a tool for the socio-economic development in Ghana?” French is important to Ghanaians considering the fact that Ghana shares her borders with francophone countries. This makes contacts with francophone businessmen or tourists inevitable. It has been noted that, despite the obvious importance of the French language to Ghanaians, the Ghanaian language policy in does not favour its learning at all levels of the education system. Ghanaian professionals are aware of the usefulness of the French language, so the unanswered question still remains: what efforts are we making to embrace the language wholeheartedly in our country? In an attempt to identify the loopholes in Ghanaian diplomacy and the effects that teaching and learning also have on the development of diplomacy in Ghana, this research work sets out to find solutions to some of the problems identified.

Source: KNUST
Dietary Exposure to Pesticide Contaminated Vegetables Grown in the Yilo Krobo District of Ghana

A total of 30 farmers within the Yilo Krobo District were interviewed using questionnaire to obtain their personal details and the types of pesticides they use. Pesticide residues in vegetables from three farming communities within the District (NKurakan, Huhuhnya, and Apkamu) were analyzed using gas chromatography. Twenty-five (25) pesticide residues which were made up of 13 organophosphates, 8 organochlorine and 4 pyrethroids were measured in all the vegetables (okra, pepper and cabbage) analyzed. The results from the questionnaire administered indicated that most farmers use organophosphates pesticides. Orgonophosphates and pyrethroid pesticide residues were detected in 80% of the vegetables. Phorate was found in 60%, 40%, and 30% of cabbage, okro and pepper samples respectively, whiles chlorpyrifos was found in 80%, 70%, and 50% of cabbage, okro and pepper samples. Fenvalerate was detected in 3 (30%) of the pepper samples from Akpamu. Permethrin was detected in 40% of the cabbage samples from Nkurakan whiles deltamethrin was detected in 60% of the cabbage samples from Akpamu. Hazards indices of chlorpyrifos residues detected in okra revealed that life time consumption of okra from the district could pose health risk to consumers.

Source: KNUST
Diels-Alder cycloaddition versus ring-opening esterification: Acomputational study of the mechanism of formation of oxa-norbonenelactones from the reaction of furfuryl alcohol and itaconic anhydride

The reactions of furfuryl alcohol with itaconic anhydride can proceedviafour plausible pathways–two path-ways involving initial Diels-Alder cycloaddition followed by lactonization and two pathways involving initialesterification followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition–to afford two distinct norbornene productsbearing either afive- or six-membered butyrolactone ring respectively. DFT calculations reported herein showthat thefirst-step Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions have barriers of 8.5 and 11.8 kcal/mol which are far lowerthan the barriers of 29.6 and 36.9 kcal/mol for the esterification pathways. The calculated energies for theexperimentally observedfive- and six membered oxa-norbornene lactone isomers are exergonic with reactionenergies of−17.1 and−12.8 kcal/mol respectively. Thermodynamically thefive-membered isomer is morestable adduct than the six-membered adduct. Thus the most preferred pathway is the one involving initial[4 + 2] cycloaddition followed by lactonization to form thefive-membered butylrolactone ring. Substitution ofmethyl groups on the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group shows that the substituents do not affects the reactionpathways markedly.

Source: KNUST
Dietary intake of organophosphorus pesticide residues through vegetables from Kumasi, Ghana

Contamination and health risk hazards of organophosphorus pesticides residues in vegetables were studied. Ethyl-chlorpyrifos, observed at an average level of 0.211 ± 0.010 mg kg 1 in 42% of tomato, 0.096 ± 0.035 mg kg 1 in 10% of eggplant and 0.021 ± 0.013 mg kg 1 in 16% of pepper was below the 0.5 mg kg 1 MRL. Dichlorvos was the most frequently detected residue in all the samples analyzed. Levels of malathion in tomatoes (0.120 ± 0.101 mg kg 1) and pepper (0.143 ± 0.042 mg kg 1) exceeded the MRL of 0.1 mg kg 1. Health risks were found to be associated with methyl-chlorpyrifos, ethyl-chlorpyrifos, and omethioate in tomatoes and methyl-chlorpyrifos, ethyl-chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, monocrotophos and omethioate in eggplant. Routine monitoring of these pollutants in food items is required to prevent, control and reduce the pollution and to minimize health risks.

Source: KNUST
Dietary Pattern And Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome In Hypertensive Outpatients And Associated Effect On Target Organ Damage

Hypertension is a common and major public health problem associated with metabolic syndrome, causing complications including cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems and liver diseseases. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive outpatients and its associated effect on target organ damage. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 hypertensive outpatients and 50 non-hypertensive patients. Questionnaire was administered to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history and physical activity. Food frequency questionnaire was used to solicit information on past dietary patterns over a three month period. Anthropometric data including weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, body fat, visceral fat and resting metabolic rate were measured. Biochemical data including; fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, coronary risk, serum urea, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and serum bilirubin were also determined. The results revealed that metabolic syndromes were significantly prevalent among hypertensives (70.0%) than non-hypertensives (10.0%, p≤ 0.005). Overweight and obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high total cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol and high coronary risk were significantly higher among participants with metabolic syndrome (p≤0.05). Coronary risk (r= 0.192, p= 0.007) and alanine aminotransferase (r= 0.162, p= 0.023) had weak, significant positive correlation in participants with metabolic syndrome. Consumption of fish and fish products were high in both hypertensives(87.3%) and nonhypertensives (92%) than other protein meals like meat and dairy products. ALT and HDL-C were the two biochemical idex that revealed statistically significant differences between hypertensives(26.9±13.1U/l)and non-hypertensive(21.3±13.7U/l) (p≤0.05). In conclusion, MetS was found to be prevalent among hypertensive patients than healthy controls. Hypertensive patients were highly at increased risk of heart, kidney and liver damage compared to non-hypertensive groups which require intensive evaluation and monitoring of diet and clinical care of these patients.

Source: KNUST
Dietary patterns and type 2 diabetes among Ghanaian migrants in Europe and their compatriots in Ghana: the RODAM study

Background/objectives We aimed to study the associations of dietary patterns (DPs) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Ghanaian adults. Subjects/methods In the multi-centre, cross-sectional RODAM (Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants) study (n = 4543), three overall DPs (“mixed”, “rice, pasta, meat and fish,” and “roots, tubers and plantain”) and two site-specific DPs per study site (rural Ghana, urban Ghana and Europe) were identified by principal component analysis. The DPs–T2D associations were calculated by logistic regression models. Results Higher adherence to the “rice, pasta, meat and fish” DP (characterized by legumes, rice/pasta, meat, fish, cakes/ sweets, condiments) was associated with decreased odds of T2D, adjusted for socio-demographic factors, total energy intake and adiposity measures (odds ratio (OR)per 1 SD = 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70–0.92). Similar DPs and T2D associations were discernible in urban Ghana and Europe. In the total study population, neither the “mixed” DP (whole grain cereals, sweet spreads, dairy products, potatoes, vegetables, poultry, coffee/tea, sodas/juices, olive oil) nor the “roots, tubers and plantain” DP (refined cereals, fruits, nuts/seeds, roots/tubers/plantain, fermented maize products, legumes, palm oil, condiments) was associated with T2D. Yet, after the exclusion of individuals with self-reported T2D, the “roots, tubers and plantain” DP was inversely associated with T2D (ORper 1 SD = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.69–1.12). Conclusion In this Ghanaian population, DPs characterized by the intake of legumes, fish, meat and confectionery were inversely associated with T2D. The effect of a traditional-oriented diet (typical staples, vegetables and legumes) remains unclear.

Source: KNUST
Dietary pattern in relation to obesity in adolescents in Hohoe Evangelical Presbyterian Senior High School (HEPSS) in the Hohoe Municipality

Data available revealed that prevalence of overweight and obesity are increasing globally, more specifically in sub- Saharan Africa. Increase in weight is a risk factor for developing Non-Communicable Diseases such as hypertension, and other metabolic disorders. The objective of the study was to assess the dietary patterns in relation to obesity in female adolescent students in Hohoe Evangelical Presbyterian Senior High School in the Hohoe Municipality. A cross-sectional study of all female boarding students age 19 years and below (15-19 years) was undertaken. In all a total of 179 were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurement, 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency method were used to collect data. The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity was 15.6% and 3.4%, respectively, and it was highest among 17 year old adolescents. Average calories consumption was 2086 ± 465kcal/day. Nearly two-thirds (62.6%) of the female adolescents exceeds the DRI of calories intake/day whiles, 67.6%’s protein intake was below the DRI/day. Intake of fruits and vegetables was very low as no daily consumption of fruits was recorded among the respondents. Most of the respondents whose weight was normal perceived their body size/image as normal. There was an association between only BMI and perceived body size and intake of fibre. The study revealed that the dietary pattern and lifestyle of the female students was influenced by the meals served at the dining hall. Further studies should consider the consumption of micronutrients in addition to calories and proteins.

Source: KNUST
Dietary Pattern and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Hypertensive Outpatients and Associated Effect on Target Organ Damage

Hypertension is a major global public health problem due to its related high morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries, with a prevalence of 46% in the adult population. The study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among hypertensive outpatients and its associated effect on target organs. Questionnaire was administered to 150 hypertensive outpatients and 50 non-hypertensives. Anthropometrics such as body mass index, waist circumference, body fat, visceral fat, blood pressure and biochemical parameters including lipid profile, urea, AST, ALT, and coronary risk were determined using standard procedures. Dietary pattern of hypertensives was not different from non-hypertensives. Metabolic syndrome was found to be significantly prevalent among hypertensive group than non-hypertensive group. Among cardiovascular disease markers, high coronary disease risk was significantly higher among participants with metabolic syndrome compared to those without metabolic syndrome (p=0.000). Coronary risk and ALT had weak, significant positive correlation in patients with metabolic syndrome. In effect, there is a high risk of heart, kidney and liver damage in hypertensives than non-hypertensives, which require comprehensive intervention and monitoring to reduce this burden of the disease.

Source: KNUST
Dietary Practices, Nutrition Knowledge And Nutritional Status Of Fitness Centre Users At Some Selected Fitness Centres In Accra

Physical activity and healthy eating have become important means for improving health conditions of people. Physical activity and healthy eating help to prevent obesity and other noncommunicable diseases. Since people are increasingly patronizing fitness centers for fitness and health promotion, especially in urban areas, there is the need for a study on the dietary practices nutrition knowledge, and nutritional status of fitness center users. This will help provide basis to design measures to improve the nutritional and health status of fitness center users. The aim of this study sought to examine the dietary practices, nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of users of three (3) fitness centre in Accra, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was used and 110 users of fitness centres in Accra were used for the study. The weight, height, BMI, percentage body fat, visceral fat and percentage muscle mass of the participants were measured using bioimpedence analyzer. The biochemical markers such as glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles of the participants were also assessed. Data on dietary intakes and nutrition knowledge of the participants were collected using a 24-hour recall and semi-structured questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data collected. Generally, 44 (40.1%) participants were overweight, 40 (36.4%) had a very high body fat and majority (83.7%) had high or very high muscle mass. Less than one-third of the participants (30.9%) had a high or very high visceral fat. The study also reported a low incidence of high HbA1c, low HDL and high Triglycerides. Majority of the participants also had optimal LDL (73.6%), low Total cholesterol (59%) and almost (82.7%) all the participants had a good knowledge of nutrition since participants were able to score more than half of the nutritional knowledge question that they were asked. The study also showed that the nutrition knowledge observed did not affect their dietary practices and nutritional status. Regular exercise without healthy nutrition could still increase a person‟s risk of cardiovascular disease. Most of participants were healthy considering the dietary intake, nutrition knowledge and nutritional status observed in the study

Source: KNUST