ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Environmental Sustainability Requirement by MMDA’S in Procurement of Works

Sustainable procurement is reviewed from previous works to identify some of the environmental issues and challenges faced by the procurement officers. Questionnaires was established on a scales for which the respondents are to use in administering the questionnaires. This study identified some of the environmental factors being considered by the MMDA’s during procurement activities and the challenges they face in implementation of sustainable procurement. The research was carried out in Upper East Region of Ghana were all the 13 Districts were considered during the study. Maximum of 26 questionnaires were sent out to be administered by the procurement officers with in the Districts. Only 20 of the questionnaires were retrieved and the analysis of the findings is based on the 20 questionnaires retrieved. The analysis of the quantitative survey data reveals that, some of the environmental sustainability issues were not considered during procurement. Environmental issues such as; water pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, deforestation and energy wastage were only considered often while issues like protection of endanger species and greenhouse effect were mostly ignored. Cost, budget constraint and top management support were identified as some of the barrier or challenges to the sustainable procurement. Therefore, there is a need to review public procurement Act, Act 663 in order to include sustainability during procurement activities. Sustainability manual can be produce as a guide for the attainment of sustainability during procurement.

Source: KNUST
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of starch in tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus L.) milk using two enzymes and its sensorial effects

The aqueous beverage of Cyperus esculentus L. also known as tigernut milk has been considered as substitute to cow milk. But its starch content imparts an undesirable organoleptic attribute: chalkiness. In order to improve tigernut milk sensorial quality, the enzymes α-amylase and glucoamylase was used at 5 different combinations (1% α-amylase, 0.8% α-amylase+0.2% glucoamylase, 0.5% α-amylase+0.5% glucoamylase, 0.2% α-amylase+0.8% glucoamylase, 1% glucoamylase) for starch hydrolysis at 50°C for 4 hours. Physico-chemical properties (starch and glucose contents, pH and °Brix) were analyzed hourly. Two hydrolyzed samples with the most effective enzyme combinations were subjected to sensory analyses with the raw sample as control. The initial starch content was 33.08 ± 3.82% and decreased hourly to 19.36 ± 0.39% after four hours. However, glucose content increased from 3.66 ± 0.16% to 6.00 ± 0.5%. The pH of the fresh sample was 5.48 ± 0.02. It increased throughout hydrolysis up to 6.13 ± 0.01. The °Brix was initially between 3.17 and 4.27 and this increased to 6.13 ± 0.06. It was shown that 1% α-amylase and 0.8% α-amylase+0.2% glucoamylase have the closest and highest physico-chemical results but reduction in starch content was higher in 1% α-amylase than 0.8% α-amylase+0.2% glucoamylase. The optimum time for hydrolysis was found to be 3 hours. Sensory analyses showed that hydrolysis resulted in the browning of the samples, but did not affect the chalky mouthfeel to the extent that it could not be effectively noticed by respondents. Raw tigernut milk sample had the highest consumer preference, followed by 0.8% α-amylase+0.2% glucoamylase hydrolyzed tigernut milk. More work should be done to meet the need of the industry in terms of chalkiness reduction by targeting enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and pectinase. Key words: tigernut milk, starch, enzymatic hydrolysis, sensory attributes

Source: KNUST
Environmental pressure, green logistics strategy, and sustainability performance: the moderating roles of ownership origin, top management environmental orientation, and competitive intensity

Due to the significant environmental danger that business operations cause as a result of traffic congestion, carbon monoxide emissions, disposable packaging materials, the use of scrapped harmful materials, and numerous pollutants, it has become more necessary than ever to adopt sustainability strategies. Hence, as a consequence, businesses everywhere are under pressure to change their operations to be more sustainable while balancing social, economic, and environmental issues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out how market and non-market environmental pressure affects the use of green logistics strategies and sustainability performance on all fronts: economic, environmental, and social in ghanaian manufacturing firms. Additionally, find out how the relationship is influenced by the moderating roles of competitive intensity, top management's environmental orientation, and ownership origin. To wit, the study employed a quantitative research method and used purposive and convenience sampling techniques to draw out a sample for the study. Questionnaires were sent to the sampled manufacturing firms. The 220 valid returned questionnaires were analyzed using spss and smart pls software. The results from the data analyses revealed that both market and non-market environmental pressure influences the adoption of green logistics strategy. The study also found out that, gls positively influence the sustainability performance. The study also revealed that competitive intensity, firm ownership origin, and top management environmental orientation had no significant moderating role on the relationship between environmental pressure and green logistics strategy. This study also adds to the body of knowledge by revealing that, green logistics strategy negatively mediates the relationship between environmental pressure and sustainability performance. Finally, further studies can use firm ownership origin, top management environmental orientation and competitive intensity as moderators or mediators between green logistics strategy and sustainability performance.

Source: KNUST
Epidemiological investigation and profiling of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of burn wound isolates in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital

Burns is the destruction of the skin barrier caused by scalds, chemicals, electricity, radiation and friction provides a suitable medium for the growth of pathogens, delaying wound healing and may result in development of deep scars and contractures. Burn wound infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients worldwide. The study aimed at the epidemiological investigation the bacteriological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of burn wound isolates. Swabs were taken from burn wounds of patients admitted to ward D2C and Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) from December 2014 to November 2015. Samples were processed at the Microbiology Laboratory for culture and sensitivity. Bacteria isolated were identified using their morphological characteristics, Gram staining reaction and biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Questionnaire were also administered to study participants to obtain information on demography, kind of first aid received, antibiotics received prior to culture and sensitivity. A total of 86 patients comprising 45 patients from old burns ward D2C and 41 patients from Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) participated in the study. Males were 51(59.3%) and females 35 (40.7%). Age of participants ranged from 0-56+ years. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the commonest pathogen isolated 26(30.2%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. 21(24.4%), Escherichia coli 17(19.8%), Klebsiella spp. 12(14.0%). Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus accounted for 2(2.3%). Overall prevalence of infection in the current study was 90.7%. Burn wound infection continues to be a major challenge in Burn centers. Hence, regular surveillance of commonly identified pathogens in the ward and their antimicrobial susceptibility will guide proper empiric selection of antibiotics for management of burn wound.

Source: KNUST
Epidemiological Model of Influenza A (H1N1) Transmission in Ashanti Region of Ghana

The pandemic potential of influenza A (H1N1) has required decision makers to act in the face of uncertainties. In this thesis we develop a deterministic Susceptible – Exposed – Infectious – Recovered (SEIR) model to study the spread of H1N1 using data from the Ashanti region of Ghana. The study is based on the assumption that the population is constant with birth rate equals death rate. It is also assumed that the population interacts freely (homogeneous mixing). The model has two equilibrium states. The stability of each equilibrium point namely, the disease – free and the endemic equilibrium points are discussed. The basic reproduction number (R_O) was estimated to be 1.0064 and was found to persist with〖 R〗_O>1 whenever the transmission rate was increased or the recovery rate reduced but turned to〖 R〗_O<1, whenever the transmission rate was reduced or the recovery rate increased. A simulation was run for five months and extended to sixteen months in the neighbourhoods of the disease – free and endemic states and showed that near the disease – free state, the proportion of infectives had no effect on the susceptible population. However, as the number of infectives was increased in the neighborhood of the endemic equilibrium point, the susceptible population declined gradually reaching a minimum value at the last month. The recovered proportion of the population on the other hand, increased exponentially with time reaching a maximum value at the last month of the simulation. It is concluded that rapid vaccination is the most important factor to control the spread of H1N1 in case of an outbreak and that 0.64% of the susceptible population needs to be vaccinated in order to bring the disease under control.

Source: KNUST
An epidemiological model of Malaria transmission in Ghana

The study of the transmission dynamics and control of malaria (an epidemiological model) in Ghana is done using di erential equations. Using tools and conditions under which an epidemiological model is stable, this study determines the control measures that best decides how malaria can be eradicated from Ghana. Sensitivity analysis is also employed to nd which model parameters are highly responsive to the basic reproduction number (R0). From the results of the sensitivity analysis, the model is modi ed to assess the impact of four control measures; the use of treated bednets to minimize mosquito human contacts, the use of insecticide spray to control the mosquito population, the treatment control to the infected human and the intermittent treatment control to pregnant women. Numerical simulations using MATLAB is done to determine the e ectiveness of all possible combinations of malaria control measures. The results contribute to e ective ways of controlling the spread of malaria in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Epidemiological modeling of promiscuous life style on University Campus

This work looks at the mathematical analysis of promiscuous life style on uni-versity campus. An epidemiological model depicting the dynamics of campus promiscuous life style as an epidemic and is used to study the existence and how the 'disease' is spread.The promiscuous life style include drug taking, alcoholism, obesity, prostitution and many others.In the work the one considered is prostitu-tion.The terms promiscuous life style and prostitution are used interchangeably . The model used is the SIR model. Three models are considered; promiscuous life style among students, promiscuous life style among male lecturers and one among female students and male lecturers. The basic reproductive numbers are established and analyze in each model. The stability analysis of the disease-free and endemic state reveals unstable disease free and stable endemic state. Graph-ical result is presented and discussion on them is done. The numerical analysis reveals transmission rate being more sensitive to the model than the recovery and departure rate. Numerical solutions are presented to illustrate the stability analysis using Generalized Euler method. The model suggests that the admitting and recruitment of new members play a signi cant role in reduction of campus promiscuous life style problem. Thus, minimizing recruitment of prostitute student and prostitute lecturers reduces the spread of the disease, revealing that basic reproductive numbers are not enough to predict whether or not culture of prostitution will persist on university campus

Source: KNUST
Epidemiological profile of SARS-CoV-2 among selected regions in Ghana: A cross-sectional retrospective study

Background Global cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, causing havoc to several economies. So far, Ghana has recorded 48,643 confirmed cases with 320 associated deaths. Although sum maries of data are usually provided by the Ministry of Health, detailed epidemiological profile of cases are limited. This study sought to describe the socio-demographic features, pattern of COVID-19 spread and the viral load dynamics among subjects residing in northern, mid dle and part of the southern belt of Ghana. Methods This was a cross-sectional retrospective study that reviewed records of samples collected from February to July, 2020. Respiratory specimens such as sputum, deep-cough saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from suspected COVID-19 subjects in 12 regions of Ghana for laboratory analysis and confirmation by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results A total of 72,434 samples were collected during the review period, with majority of the sam pled individuals being females (37,464; 51.9%). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 identified

Source: KNUST
Epidemiological studies on the disease and vector of Mansonella Perstans in The Asante-Akim North District of Ghana

Large parts of African and South American countries are colonized by Mansonella a very common but poorly described filarial nematode. Blood-sucking flies of the genus Culicoides are suspected to be the vector of Mansonella perstans but no study in Ghana has confirmed that it can transmit the parasite. An epidemiological survey was conducted in eight communities in the Asante-Akim North district of Ghana to determine the prevalence of M. perstans. A total of 1,216 residents comprising 601 males and 615 females with an age range of 9 years and above, participated in the study after an informed consent. All participants were examined for the presence of microfilariae. The average prevalence of M. perstans was 33.2% with the range between 1.6% and 72.3%. The prevalence of the parasite among the males was 57.2% and females 42.8%. Microfilariae were detected among all the age groups with the highest prevalence in the 30-39years age group. Culicoides flies were investigated in the study communities for M. perstans. In all, 2,194 Culicoides species (spp) were collected at the end of the study. Light trap collections gave diverse species where as HLC gave only one species. Investigations of seasonal abundance revealed a higher prevalence in the rainy season (58.7%). Biting activities had a peak period between 5-6pm. The monthly biting rates ranged from 83 bites per person per month to 2250 bites per person per month. Bebusu was the community with the highest monthly biting rate (2250). No Culicoides spp was found positive for M. perstans and its vector still requires identification. In conclusion, M. perstans has been detected in the Asante-Akim North District of Ghana with high prevalence. Hence, similar studies should be carried out in other parts of the country to determine the actual prevalence of the disease.

Source: KNUST
Epidemiological, Hematological And Biochemical Features In Complicated (Severe) And Uncomplicated Malaria Infection In Ghanaian Children

Malaria, a common parasitic infection, can progress from uncomplicated, possibly asymptomatic, to complicated/severe cases, characterised by a wide range of symptoms, depending on the pathophysiology of the disease. Due to the presence of Fe2+ of heme, arising from hemoglobin, oxidant stress is believed to drive the pathophysiology. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the levels of oxidative stress, derangements in hematological parameters and the distinctive features of pediatric complicated malaria in the study area. To provide an epidemiological background, a survey in which views of 80 healthcare personnel were sought on the various features of severe falciparum malaria, using a structured questionnaire, whilst vitamin C and malondialdehyde (MDA) were targeted as ideal markers for the oxidative stress investigation. Subjects were recruited from hospitals in the Kumasi Metropolis. As a cross-sectional study, 17 complicated malaria subjects, 51 uncomplicated malaria subjects and 15 non-parasitemic subjects were recruited into the oxidative stress aspect of the study. The hematological parameters of the subjects were also assessed using their full blood counts. In uncomplicated malaria, increased hemoglobin (HGB) levels were significantly associated with increased levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (r=0.404, p=0.009), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (r=0.581, p<0.0001) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p=0.413, p=0.007). Red blood cell (RBC) levels were also found to be significantly associated with increased levels of hematocrit (HCT) (r=0.897, p<0.0001) and decreased levels of MCV (r=-0.764, p<0.0001) and MCHC (r=-0.731, p<0.0001). Among the complicated malaria cases, there was a positive significant correlation between HGB and RBC (r=0.628, p=0.007), HCT (r=0.640, p=0.006) and PLT (r=0.573, p=0.041). RBC positively correlated with HCT (r=0.652, p=0.005) and negative correlated with MCV (r=-0.717, p=0.001) and MCH (r=-0.607, p=0.010). Malaria disease progression was found to increase MDA levels and decrease ascorbate concentration. In conclusion, this research showed changes in the selected hematological and biochemical parameters studied with prostration and hyperpyrexia reported as the most distinctive features of complicated malaria in the study area. Severity of malaria brought extreme changes in the parameters studied.

Source: KNUST
Epidemiology of Enterobacteriance resistance and prevailing conditions in pig farms in Ashanti Region of Ghana

Pig production in Ghana is increasing at an unprecedented pace under intensive farming conditions. With this shift, farmers have adopted the use of antibiotics for the prophylaxis and treatment of pig diseases; creating a concern that their handling practices could affect the susceptibilities of pathogens to these antibiotics. Due to the public health hazard posed by the antibiotic handling practices of these farmers, a total of 110 pig farms from five districts within the Ashanti Region of Ghana were surveyed using......................

Source: KNUST
The epidemiology of human papilloma virus infection and vaccination, its impact on cervical cancer in Ghana

This thesis is devoted to assess the impact of bivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and Pap test on prevalence of carcinogenic HPV 16/18 types in Ghanaian females. For this purpose, a non-linear dynamic SIR model of homoge-neous transmission for HPV 16/18 type's infection is developed, which accounts for immunity due to vaccination in particular. The recovery class was R parti-tioned into two compartments, temporal recovery RT and permanent recovery Rp . We propose ODE equations to study HPV infection in the general female pop-ulation. Since HPV infection and its vaccination is age dependent, we propose PDE equations to study their behavior in two age groups, adolescent (9 25) and adult 25 and above. The vaccinated reproduction number R0 for general female population was derived using the approach described by Diekmann (2010) called the Next Generation Operator approach. We used a theory by Kermsck and McKendrick (1927) to derived basic reproductive number R0 for the adoles-cent and adult female population. The two models proposed were analyzed using quantitative method, with regard to steady-state stability and sensitivity analy-sis. Precisely, the stability of the models is investigated depending on the value for R0 for the disease free steady-state and Routh-Hurwitz criterion employed to study the stability of the endemic steady-state. Prevalence data are used to t a numerical HPV model, so as to assess infection rates. We also support our theoretical analysis with numerical simulations. This pro-vides a framework for future research and public-health policy to determine the dependence of HPV vaccination programs on age, as well as how the vaccine and Pap test can reduce the number of infections and deaths due to cervical cancer.

Source: KNUST
Epidemiology of Klebsiella Infections at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Different Kiebsiella species may be responsible for various infections which may also differ with the site of the infection. These species may also present with different antimicrobial sensitivity patterns. However, the identification of Kiebsiella to species level is not practiced in most of our hospitals, during bacteriological diagnosis, because of time constraints and labour. In view of these, antibiotics are normally adniinistered o treat Kiebsiella infections without considering the type of species responsible for that particular infection, or site of isolation of the Klebsieiia species. The objective of this project was to determine Kiebsiella species responsible for causing infections, their sensitivity patterns to the commonly used antimicrobial agents and the effectiveness of empirical treatment at KATH. Samples were collected from 2197 patients. These samples were cultured to isolate the Kiebsielia species. Isolates were differentiated to the species level and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns determined. The empincal treatment on 51 pediatric patients were monitored and compared with the laboratory sensitivity patterns of the isolates. Two hundred and five (205) Kiebsiella species were isolated, these included Kiebsiella pneurnoniae, K. oxyloca, K. rhinoscleroinatis and K. ozaenae. K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca were the commonest isolates. Prevalence of Kiebsie i/a infections in the commonest clinical specimens were sputum (14.1%), wound (12.6%), urine (10.7%) and blood (5,1%). The highest female cases were found in urine and the male cases were found in sputum. There was no significant difference between the outpatient and in-patient cases and among sexes of Klebsiella infections at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Mother Baby Unit (MBU) registered 21 Kiebsiella isolates, Block A which accommodates pregnant women recorded 19 Kiebsielia isolates, Block B which accommodates children registered 16 Klebsielia isolates and the pediatric emergency unit (PEU) recordered 1 5 Kiebsiella isolates. Results also indicated that K. pneutnoniae was commonest species, but K. oxytoca was found to be more drug resistant than K. pneumoniae. The study also revealed that, aminoglycosides and third generation cephalosponns were the most effective invitro antimicrobials for managing KlebieIIa infections at KATH. Results gathered from empirical treatment showed that, aminoglycosides and third generation. cephalosporins were the most prescribed antimicrobials for KIebsiella infections. Although empirical treatment is very relevant, it cannot be relied upon completely, but should be combined with laboratory antibiotic sensitivity testing for effective Kiebsie 1/a infection treatment.

Source: KNUST