ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Blood Donors’ Age, Haemoglobin Type, G6PD Status, and Blood Group Impact Storability of CPDA-1 Banked Whole Blood: A Repeated-Measure Cohort Study in Cape Coast, Ghana

Background. The high prevalence of haemoglobin variants and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase disorder (G6PDd) in sub- Saharan Africa means that substantial proportions of donor blood units carry these red cell abnormalities. Aim. This study investigated the impact that inherited haemoglobin variants and/or G6PD status have on whole blood banked at 4–6°C for 35 days. Method. This repeated-measure cohort study was undertaken on 103 donor blood units collected into blood bag containing CPDA-1 anticoagulant. On days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 35, full blood count, osmotic-induced haemolysis, and plasma K+ levels were estimated. Also, on day 0, G6PD status, haemoglobin variants, % foetal haemoglobin, and blood group of donor units were determined using methaemoglobin reductase, cellulose acetate electrophoresis, modiﬁed Bekte alkali denaturation assay, and slide haemagglutination test, respectively. Result. Overall, although plasma K+ levels increased during storage, donor units from individuals ≥20 years, G6PD normal, Hb AC, or blood group B had comparatively higher percentage change in plasma K+ during storage. Osmotically induced haemolysis of donor units was signiﬁcantly decreased in Hb AC (compared with Hb A or AS) donor units on days 7, 14, 21, and 35 (p < 0.0001 in each case). G6PDd donor units had comparatively reduced osmotic-induced lysis compared with G6PD normal units, reaching a statistical signiﬁcance on day 35 (p � 0.043). Also, Hb AC units had comparatively nonstatistically higher plasma K+ at all time points (compared with Hb A or AS). Furthermore, whereas donor units from individuals ≥20 years showed signiﬁcantly higher median free haemoglobin on day 21 (compared to donor <20 years), when donor units were stratiﬁed per Hb variants, only Hb AS units had median free haemoglobin below the 0.8% threshold after 35 days’ storage. Conclusion. Age of donor, blood group, Hb AC variant, and G6PD status may be important considerations in the storability of whole blood.

Source: UCC
Blood pressure control, glycemic control, and dyslipidemia among healthy adults in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana

Background: The World Health Organization recommends the implementation of interventions focused on the early detection of clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as effective strategies for the control of CVD in low resource settings. However, due to health system resource constraints, surveillance capacity for the identification of high-risk populations for non-communicable diseases, including CVD have been inadequate. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of CVD clinical risk factors among healthy adults residing in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana. The clinical risk factors assessed included glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, lipid control and blood pressure. Methods: The study participants included 70 healthy adults without a previous diagnosis of CVD from Cape Coast metropolis. Blood samples, blood pressure and anthropometric measurement were obtained for each participant. Serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels were measured. Results: Approximately four out of ten participants were either overweight or obese. Almost threequarters of the sample were considered prehypertensive or hypertensive. About three in ten were clinically prediabetic. About a third of the participants had high non-HDL cholesterol levels. Triglyceride concentration levels were found to be high in almost 10 percent of the study sample. Approximately six percent were identified as having metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: A significant proportion of the study participants were identified to be at risk for CVD. There is the need for adaptive and less resource-intensive CVD risk-factor screening interventions to allow for the timely detection and management of CVD risk factors in low-resource settings.

Source: UCC
Blood pressure control, glycemic control, and dyslipidemia among healthy adults in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana

Background: The World Health Organization recommends the implementation of interventions focused on the early detection of clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as effective strategies for the control of CVD in low resource settings. However, due to health system resource constraints, surveillance capacity for the identification of high-risk populations for non-communicable diseases, including CVD have been inadequate. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of CVD clinical risk factors among healthy adults residing in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana. The clinical risk factors assessed included glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, lipid control and blood pressure. Methods: The study participants included 70 healthy adults without a previous diagnosis of CVD from Cape Coast metropolis. Blood samples, blood pressure and anthropometric measurement were obtained for each participant. Serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels were measured. Results: Approximately four out of ten participants were either overweight or obese. Almost threequarters of the sample were considered prehypertensive or hypertensive. About three in ten were clinically prediabetic. About a third of the participants had high non-HDL cholesterol levels. Triglyceride concentration levels were found to be high in almost 10 percent of the study sample. Approximately six percent were identified as having metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: A significant proportion of the study participants were identified to be at risk for CVD. There is the need for adaptive and less resource-intensive CVD risk-factor screening interventions to allow for the timely detection and management of CVD risk factors in low-resource settings

Source: UCC
Blue Economy, Social Resilience, and Sustainable Development Goals in Ghana

For years resource economists studied the potentials of the green economy and how to achieve growth and development through it. The blue economy (i.e., the ocean resources) is an alternative that could drive growth and development. Human beings’ interactions with the oceans, in terms of exploitation and use of its resource have been changing causing an unsustainable use of the ocean. How to sustainably exploit and use ocean resources has lately come to be known as the blue economy. This study relates the blue economy to social resilience and sustainable development goals in Ghana. The first empirical chapter examines the socioeconomic characteristics of coastal communities and its implications for the blue economy using the Ghana Living Standard Survey round 7, and ordinary least squares regression (and descriptive, charts and tables). The second empirical chapter explores the state of social resilience of fishermen using primary data. The third empirical chapter did a systematic literature review on blue economy link to sustainable development goals. It was found that most marine communities in Ghana have some level of poor amenities that are potential threats to the blue economy. On another note, coastal households enjoy high welfare living, which is good ground for the blue economy principles as livelihood diversification could reduce pressure on fishing. However, rural coastal communities’ have appalling socioeconomic characteristics. Fishermen along the coast of Ghana are socially resilient to some extent. Also, the blue economy has a link to majority of the SDGs particularly goal 14. Policy lens should incorporate socio-economic concerns into blue economy strategies.

Source: UCC
Blue Economy, Social Resilience, And Sustainable Development Goals In Ghana

For years resource economists studied the potentials of the green economy and how to achieve growth and development through it. The blue economy (i.e., the ocean resources) is an alternative that could drive growth and development. Human beings' interactions with the oceans, in terms of exploitation and use of its resource have been changing causing an unsustainable use of the ocean. How to sustainably exploit and use ocean resources has lately come to be known as the blue economy. This study relates the blue economy to social resilience and sustainable development goals In Ghana. The first empirical chapter examines the socioeconomic characteristics of coastal communities and its implications for the blue economy using the Ghana Living Standard SUlvey round 7, and ordinary least squares regression (and descriptive, charts and tables). The second empirical chapter explores the state of social resilience of fishermen using primary data. The third empirical chapter did a systematic literature review on blue economy link to sustainable development goals. It was found that most marine communities in Ghana have some level of poor amenities that are potential threats to the blue economy. On another note, coastal households enjoy high welfare living, which is good ground for the blue economy principles as livelihood diversification could reduce pressure on fishing. However, rural coastal communities' have appalling socioeconomic characteristics. Fishermen along the coast of Ghana are socially resilient to some extent. Also, the blue economy has a link to majority of the SDGs particularly goal 14. Policy lens should incorporate socio-economic concerns into blue economy strategies.

Source: UCC
Board Diversity and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Ghana: the Role of Sustainability Reporting

ABSTRACT This study sought to examine the role of sustainability reporting on the link between board diversity and financial performance of commercial banks in Ghana. To serve this purpose, content analysis was conducted on annual reports of commercial banks between 2010 and 2019. The independent variable was proxied by educational background, qualification and tenure diversities whereas the dependent variable was measured by ROA. Furthermore, a sustainability disclosure index which comprises the economic, environmental and social dimensions was computed guided by Generation four (G4) Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines. The data was analyzed quantitatively through dynamic panel-data estimation, two-step system GMM using Stata. The findings of the study submit that board diversity has no significant effect on banks financial performance. The study also reveals that sustainability reporting has a significant positive effect on the financial performance of commercial banks. Finally, in relation to the moderation effect, the study concludes that sustainability reporting does not moderate the link between board diversity and banks financial performance. Therefore, the study recommends that banks embrace diversity on boards together with conflict control mechanisms to minimize disagreements that may arise and impede board performance in the course of duties. Again, the study recommends that proper measures to manage and enhance sustainability performance and disclosures be implemented to improve banks performance

Source: UCC
Board of Directors and Firm Performance of Banking Institutions: A Ghanaian Experience

We examine how board characteristics and activities affect firm performance of banking institutions listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The data come from the annual reports of the banking institutions for the period, 2007-2012. The results of the study show that the proportion of non-executive directors on boards of these institutions positively influence their performances. This clearly highlights that the presence of non-executive directors on boards of these banking institutions enhances monitoring and advisory role of boards thus leading to firm performance. The results also reveal that the number of board meetings per year by the boards of the banking institutions positively affects firm performance. This implies that as the number of board meetings increases, the monitoring and advisory role of boards improves, hence translating into firm performance. The study however, did not provide any significant relationship between board size, the composition of audit committee membership and chief executive status, and firm performance. Our findings have implications for the design of suitable corporate governance structures for listed banking institutions. More so, the results provide information that can inform policy debates within the Securities and Exchange Commission of Ghana and Bank of Ghana.

Source: UCC
BOARD SIZE, INTENSITY OF BOARD ACTIVITY AND ACCESS TO FINANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM GHANAIAN SMEs

Our paper examines the effects of board characteristics on access to finance among Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana by controlling for firm specific variables such as firm performance, firm size, owner/manager’s age and firm’s age. It contributes to our knowledge on how board characteristics facilitate SMEs access to finance. We employed primary data from 423 SMEs within the Accra Metropolis. Standard regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The study highlights that board size and intensity of board activity had positive association with access to finance by SMEs, although intensity of board activity was insignificant. We recommend that owner/managers of SMEs should strive to involve others with the necessary expertise in the governance of their business.

Source: UCC
Board Size, Intensity of Board Activity, and Financial Performance of SMEs: Examining the Mediating Roles of Access to Capital and Firm Reputation

This paper provides investigation on the effects of board size and intensity of board activity on the financial performance of small and medium scale enterprises. It further examines the mediating effects of access to capital and firms’ reputation on these relationships. This cross sectional study considered primary data from 423 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Accra Metropolis of Ghana using structured questionnaires. Standard regression and Baron and Kenny’s (1986) pattern of mediation analysis were employed to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that board size had a positive relationship with financial performance while intensity of board activity did not. In addition, access to capital and firm reputation mediated the nexus between board size and financial performance. Since the relationship between intensity of board activity and financial performance was insignificant, access to capital and firm reputation did not mediate this relationship. It is recommended that SMEs should expand their board sizes and reduce the number of board meetings. Finally, the Government should provide guarantees to facilitate SMEs’ access to financing from traditional banks. This would lead to the creation of more jobs and overall national development.

Source: UCC
Board Size, Internal Control, and Banks Performance in Ghana

ABSTRACT The study examines the moderating role of board size in the relationship between internal control and bank performance. Secondary data was obtained from the annual audited report of all the 23 commercial banks in Ghana. Descriptive research design with census method was used thus all the 23 commercial banks were used for the analysis. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the extent to which each of the objectives, concerning monitoring and control activities affects commercial banks’ performance in Ghana. The study found that there is a positive and significant relationship between control activities and the financial performance of banks in Ghana. The findings also revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between monitoring and financial performance. Further, it was shown that there is a positive and significant moderating effect of board size on the relationship between internal control and financial performance of commercial banks in Ghana. One can therefore conclude that a larger number of board members have the tendency to increase the Return on Asset (ROA) of the commercial banks because given the wide variety of industrial knowledge and skills available to help in effective decision making and monitoring. The study, therefore, recommended that stakeholders and shareholders in the banking industry in Ghana should consider appointing a relatively larger board of directors. Future research can exploit all the five components of the COSO Framework in the area of Internal Control systems and bank performance, by using secondary data.

Source: UCC
Body Compositon and Cardiorespiratory Endurance: Predictors of Physical Functioning Among Older Adults in Navrongo, Upper East Region-Ghana

Aging is an inevitable part of human life and everyone will grow and become old. The aging process is characterized by reduced physical activity levels, excess accumulation of fat and loss of muscle mass resulting in extra weight gain reduced cardiorespiratory function leading to loss of physical function among the aged. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which components of physical fitness (body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance) predict physical functional capacity of older adults in Navrongo. This study employs quantitative cross-sectional design to determine the role of physical activity in body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance which in turn influence physical functional capacity of the adults. A multistage sampling method was used to sample 998 participants for this study. The senior fitness test battery, international physical activity questionnaire short form for the elderly, weighing scale and tape measure were used to collect the data. The results indicated that older adults in Navrongo are minimally active with older women being overweight, with reduced cardiorespiratory endurance and physical functional capacity. The minimal physical activity levels of older adults correlated weakly with their cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, and physical functional capacity levels. Body composition and cardiorespiratory endurance were found to be predictors of physical functional capacity of older adults in Navrongo. It is recommended that, mass education on the health benefits of regular participation in physical activity is done through the media in Navrongo. Additionally, it is recommended that, older adults should spend less time sitting and be more active.

Source: UCC
Body image, self-esteem and health behaviour among senior high school students in Offinso Municipality

Body image is a subjective picture of one‟s own physical appearance established both by self-observation and by noting the reactions of others. Research stipulates that body dissatisfaction is linked to critical mental health problems, including eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. This study investigated body image, self-esteem and health behaviour and explored factors affecting body image perception among senior high school students in Offinso Municipality of Ashanti Region. The population for this study encompassed all students (N=5725) in the three senior high schools in Offinso Municipality. A sample of 561 students responded to answer the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE), Body shape questionnaire (BSQ) and Health Behaviour Questionnaire for Adolescents (HBQA). Majority (75%) of senior high school students have body image concerns ranging from mild to serious concerns. Correlation results showed that there was a moderate positive relationship between body image and self-esteem (r=.587) and a weak positive relationship was found between self-esteem and health behaviour (r = .057). Regression results indicated that family influence (β =.361, p =.000).was the strongest predictor of body image. Female students have higher body image concerns, higher self-esteem and more positive health behaviours than the male students. Male students are more likely to engage in negative health behaviours than their female counterparts. The Municipal Education Directorate should organise school-based preventive educational intervention for students who have body image concerns to reduce the risks of developing body image dissatisfaction and to improve their self-esteem.

Source: UCC
Body Measurement Practices and Garment Fit Among Male Garment Producers in Tamale Metropolis

The study examined the techniques of body measurement taking and its use by tailors to cut out and sew a shirt and a trouser and how these techniques affect the final fit of the garment. This study employed a qualitative research methodology. Data was acquired from five selected tailors using a method of purposive sampling. Data collection equipment included a designed observation checklist, a semi-structured interview guide, and an evaluation index for fit. Using statistics such as percentage and frequency, mean and standard deviation, along with thematic analysis, the acquired data was analyzed. According to the findings of the study, tailors omitted most measurement that were needed to achieve garments with a good fit. The investigation revealed that the tailors guessed ease to be added clothing production, which negatively affected the garments fit. Moreover, the tailors did not consistently identify the relevant body parts during body measurement. Through the study, it was observed that the tailor's capacity to form armholes and the shaping from the knee to the bottom of the trouser were the most difficult challenges encountered during garment manufacturing. The results show that all the tailors could not take all measurement and most of the measurements were not taken properly. This could be due to the wrong techniques passed down from master craftsmen to their apprentices. It is therefore recommended that measurement taking in custom sewing in the informal sector be looked into and the procedures improved.

Source: UCC
Bony Injuries In Trauma Patients Diagnosed By Radiological Examination

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the incidence of bony injuries in trauma patients who had plain radiographs done at the Central Regional Hospital in Cape Coast. Design: This is a retrospective study based on plain radiographs taken by trauma patients who reported to the Central Regional Hospital. Method: The case notes of all patients with a discharge diagnosis of Road Traffic Accident or trauma of all aetiologies that presented to the hospital between January 2005 and December 2011 were retrieved, and those patients that had skeletal radiographic examinations were included in this study. Results: The total number of cases seen was 1,133. The ages of the patients ranged between 1 and 72 years. Sixty-nine (6.1%) of the patients were between 1 and 4 years old, with the majority between 20 and 49 years old, constituting 52.3%, with patients 60 years and above at 9.2%. There was statistically significant difference between male and female patients (p=0.001). A total of 912 (80.5%) patients had radiographic examination done out of which only 324 (35.5%) radiographs could be retrieved. There were 106 (32.7%) radiographs with various bony injuries which was statistically significant (p=0.001). Rib fractures represented 19/106 (17.9%) of which 62.5% had multiple rib fractures. Fifty-eight (54.7%) had long bone fractures. Other anatomical sites included the pelvis and the skull. Conclusion: Trauma is a major public health problem in the country, involving mainly the productive age group. Unnecessary exposure to X-rays is common. Inadequate management of trauma patients negatively impacts on the outcome of trauma patients. Trauma prevention is the best way forward.

Source: UCC