ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
World Hepatitis Day in Burkina Faso, 2016: Awareness, Screening, Identification of HBV Markers, HBV/HCV Coinfection, and Vaccination

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HBV leads to a higher risk of liver damage. Development of HBV awareness campaigns could reduce the prevalence of this disease and limit the consequences. Objectives: The aim of this study was to sensitize, detect, and identify HBV markers and propose vaccination for people not infected with HBV. Methods: With the support of “SOS Hepatitis Burkina” association, an HBV screening program, available for all volunteers, was implemented in several localities of Ouagadougou and the surroundings. A rapid HBsAg detection test was performed on 2207 subjects, who voluntarily answered a series of questions. A rapid detection test of HCV antibodies was performed in HBsAg-positive cases. HBV markers were also determined in HBsAg-positive cases. Results: In a sample of 2207 individuals, aged 1 - 85 years (mean age, 31.4 ± 15.7 years), the prevalence of HBsAg was 9.8% (217/2207) after screening. Before screening, 6.8% (150/2207) of the participants claimed that they were vaccinated against HBV. Also, multivariate analysis revealed that HBV infection was significantly associated with age (21 - 30 years) and vaccination status (P = 0.03; OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.69 and P = 0.003; OR, 5.69; 95% CI, 1.80 to 18.00, respectively). Among 217 HBsAg-positive cases, the prevalence of HBV markers was reported as follows: AbHBs (0.9%), HBeAg (6.0%), AbHBe (87.6%), and AbHBc (100.0%). Based on the findings, HCV was detected in 0.9% (2/217) of HBsAg-positive subjects. In this study, 628 out of 1990 HBsAg-negative subjects were vaccinated for three doses, resulting in a vaccination rate of 31.6%. Conclusions: The present study reported an HBsAg prevalence of 9.8% in the study population. This intervention could contribute to major vaccination coverage against HBV after screening. Therefore, raising awareness and development of screening campaigns on HBV can increase the vaccination coverage of the population. The findings also showed that absence of vaccination against HBV constitutes a high-risk factor for HBV infection.

Source: UCC
Worship songs and rituals of the sankofa of duakor, Cape Coast

Sankofa in Duakor, is a derivative of the Afrikania Mission (AM); a reformed traditional movement established in 1982 by an ex-catholic priest–Osofo Okomfo Kwabena Damuah who was convinced that the African cosmology and philosophy of a supreme creator is superior to that of the West. In the face of missionary activities, defamation, and globalization against indigenous religious practices within Ghana and Africa, as well as social pressures, the Sankofa continually thrives on the premise of their music and spiritual practices (rituals). This study is an investigation of how the group has thrived in a Christian-dominated community. Using the ethnographic procedure, primarily, through oral interviews and observation, a possibly consequence of their music making to the case is examined. The study reveals a substantial connection between Sankofa music’s function -ritual, worship, social, and a preservation of oral knowledge transmission of their indigenous cultural organism, notwithstanding the enormity of the seeming break-up of indigenous communities in Ghana. The study concludes that Sankofa’s spiritual, cultural, and philosophical values are revealed in the broader concepts of Ewe knowledge systems through the elucidation of songs and song texts. Also, there is an indication that Sankofa draws on indigenous knowledge systems as well as modern trends to create a ‘religio-socio-cultural’ identity that may be sustainable in an ever-changing global world.

Source: UCC
Wound dressing where there is limitation of choice

Background Many sophisticated dressings are available to the wound care practitioner in the developed countries. These materials are made from a wide range of products like polyurethane, salts of alginic acid and other gelable polysaccharides. The situation is different in the developing countries where what is commonly available to wound care provider are traditional agents such as sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen-peroxide, cetrimide solution, chlorhexidine and others. The aim of this study is to reappraise the problem of limitation of wound dressing selection in the developing countries and to sensitize the wound care practitioner on the use of the commonly available products based on the needs of a different wound or even the same wound throughout its healing course. Patients and methods Patients attending the General Outpatient Department (GOPD) of our hospital for wound dressing were used for the study. Five surgeons who are familiar with wound care management visited the dressing unit of the GOPD daily for one week in October 2005. A proforma was designed where information on each of the patient was recorded. Results Fifty-three patients attended the dressing unit of our GOPD during the study period. Twenty-six patients (49.1%) had their wounds dressed with hypochlorite solution (Eusol), seventeen patients (32.1%) had their wounds dressed with honey and two patients, wound were being dressed with hydrogen peroxide. Conclusion While we are still awaiting the availability of the newer products in the developing countries, we should make use of the traditional products that are readily available to us according to the need of a particular wound, by this, our choice of wound dressing will not be arbitrary, ineffective and wasteful both in terms of time and physical resources.

Source: UCC
Wound healing: Contributions from plant secondary metabolite antioxidants

Plants by their genetic makeup possess an innate ability to synthesize a wide variety of phytochemicals that help them to perform their normal physiological functions and/or to protect themselves from microbial pathogens and animal herbivores. The synthesis of these phytochemicals presents the plants their natural tendency to respond to environmental stress conditions. These phytochemicals are classified either as primary or secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolites have been identified in plants as alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, anthraquinones, and triterpenes. These plant-based compounds are believed to have diverse medicinal properties including antioxidant properties. Plants have therefore been a potential source of antioxidants which have received a great deal of attention since increased oxidative stress has been identified as a major causative factor in the development and progression of several life-threatening diseases, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and wound infection. Consequently, many medicinal plants have been cited and known to effect wound healing and antioxidant properties. This chapter briefly reviews antioxidant properties of medicinal plants to highlight the important roles medicinal plants play in wound healing

Source: UCC
Wound healing:contributions from medicinal plants and their phyto-constituents

Wound is an inescapable condition in one’s lifetime that may arise due to physical injuries that can result in an opening or break of skin or chemical means. Wounds represent a significant burden on patients and can affect the physical and mental health of millions of patients thereby imposing a significant cost on them. Wounds are major cause of physical disabilities. The wound area is an ideal medium for the manipulation of many infecting organisms. The injured skin, therefore, remains vulnerable to invasive microbial infections. The primary objective of wound care, therefore, is to prevent or minimize infection and promote healing. Various materials and methods, especially antibacterial drugs are employed. Some of these wound care methods employed include the topical antimicrobial therapy of plant extracts. The present article, therefore, focuses on the review of the role medicinal plants play in wound healing with special attention on plants that have demonstrated both wound healing and antioxidant properties. Further attention was given to isolated compounds from wound healing plants that exhibited wound healing properties

Source: UCC
Writing Anxiety And Essay Writing Performance Among Senior High School Students In Greenville Education District, Sinoe County, Liberia

The current study was purposed on investigating writing anxiety and essay writing performance among senior high school students in Greenville Education District, Sinoe County, Liberia. It was theoretically hinged on the Affective Filter Hypothesis and the Three-System Response Theory of Anxiety. Adopting a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional survey design, a questionnaire was utilised as the main instrument of collection of data. A sample of 313 students were selected through the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. In addition, 60% of respondents‘ averages in English were collected as essay writing performance scores. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, independent-sample t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, multiple regression, and analysis of variance. The results of the study showed that SHS students experience a moderate level of overall writing anxiety and moderate levels of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and avoidance behaviour. It was also found that students‘ cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety were significantly higher than their avoidance behaviour. However, there was no difference in students‘ cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety. The study further revealed that cognitive anxiety and avoidance behaviour significantly predicted students' essay writing performance. However, somatic anxiety did not contribute to students‘ essay writing performance. Moreover, it was found that there was no significant difference in students‘ writing anxiety based on sex. Furthermore, it was revealed that lowly anxious and moderately anxious groups of students performed significantly higher in essay writing than highly anxious students. It was recommended, among others, that English language teachers should help students to reduce their fear and worry about essay writing by counselling students. Teachers of English language should identify students who show signs of shivering and sweating during essay writing and help them by boosting their self-confidence and, as well, avoid giving negative feedback on students' written products. English language teachers‘ efforts to minimise students‘ level of writing anxiety should target both male and female students.

Source: UCC
Xylopia aethiopica fruit extract exhibits antidepressant-like effect via interaction with serotonergic neurotransmission in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Xylopia aethiopica has been used traditionally to treat some central nervous system disorders including epilepsy. Aim of the study: Despite the central analgesic and sedative effects, there is little evidence for its tra- ditional use for CNS disorders. This study thus assessed the antidepressant potential of Xylopia aethiopica ethanolic fruit extract (XAE). Material and methods: Antidepressant effect was assessed in the forced swim test (FST) and tail sus- pension test (TST) models in mice. The role of monoamines in the antidepressant effects of XAE was evaluated by selective depletion of serotonin and noradrenaline, whereas involvement of NMDA/nitric oxide was assessed with NMDA receptor co-modulators; D-serine and D-cycloserine and NOS inhibitor, L- NAME. Results: Xylopia aethiopica (30, 100, 300 mg kg 1) dose dependently reduced immobility in both FST and TST. The reduced immobility was reversed after 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depletion with tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor—p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) and after monoamine depletion with vesicular monoamine transporter inhibitor—reserpine. The observed antidepressant effect was not affected by catecholamine depletion with the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, α-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT). Similarly XAE did not potentiate the toxicity of a sub-lethal dose of noradrenaline. XAE had a synergistic effect with the glycineB receptor partial agonist, D-cycloserine and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME. However established antidepressant effects of XAE were abolished by NMDA and NOS activation with D- serine and L-arginine. Conclusion: This study shows that Xylopia aethiopica has antidepressant potential largely due to effects on 5-HT neurotransmission with possible glutamatergic effect through the glycineB co-binding site and nitric oxide synthase inhibition

Source: UCC
Xylopia aethiopica fruit extract exhibits antidepressant-like effect via interaction with serotonergic neurotransmission in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Xylopia aethiopica has been used traditionally to treat some central nervous system disorders including epilepsy. Aim of the study: Despite the central analgesic and sedative effects, there is little evidence for its traditional use for CNS disorders. This study thus assessed the antidepressant potential of Xylopia aethiopica ethanolic fruit extract (XAE). Material and methods: Antidepressant effect was assessed in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) models in mice. The role of monoamines in the antidepressant effects of XAE was evaluated by selective depletion of serotonin and noradrenaline, whereas involvement of NMDA/nitric oxide was assessed with NMDA receptor co-modulators; D-serine and D-cycloserine and NOS inhibitor, LNAME. Results: Xylopia aethiopica (30, 100, 300 mg kg1) dose dependently reduced immobility in both FST and TST. The reduced immobility was reversed after 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depletion with tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor—p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) and after monoamine depletion with vesicular monoamine transporter inhibitor—reserpine. The observed antidepressant effect was not affected by catecholamine depletion with the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, α-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT). Similarly XAE did not potentiate the toxicity of a sub-lethal dose of noradrenaline. XAE had a synergistic effect with the glycineB receptor partial agonist, D-cycloserine and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-NAME. However established antidepressant effects of XAE were abolished by NMDA and NOS activation with Dserine and L-arginine. Conclusion: This study shows that Xylopia aethiopica has antidepressant potential largely due to effects on 5-HT neurotransmission with possible glutamatergic effect through the glycineB co-binding site and nitric oxide synthase inhibition.

Source: UCC
Xylopic Acid-Amodiaquine and Xylopic Acid-Artesunate Combinations are Effective in Managing Malaria in Plasmodium Berghei-infected Mice.

Background: Evidence of plasmodium resistance to some of the current antimalarial agents makes it imperative to search for newer and effective drugs to combat malaria. Therefore, this study evaluated whether the co-administrations of xylopic acid-amodiaquine and xylopic acid- artesunate combinations will produce synergistic antimalarial effect. Methods: Antiplasmodial effect of xylopic acid (XA: 3, 10, 30, 100, 150 mg kg-1), artesunate (ART: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 mg kg-1), and amodiaquine (AQ: 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg kg-1) were evaluated in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice to determine respective ED50s. Artemether/lumefantrine (AL: 1.14/6.9) p.o. was used as the positive control. XA/ART and XA/AQ were subsequently administered in a fixed-dose combination of their ED50s (1:1) and the combination fractions of their ED50s (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32) to determine the experimental ED50s (Zexp). An isobologram was constructed to determine the nature of the interaction between XA/ART, and XA/AQ combinations by comparing Zexp with the theoretical ED50 (Zadd). Body weight and 30-day survival post-treatment were additionally recorded. Results: ED50s for XA, ART, and AQ were 9.0 ± 3.2, 1.61 ± 0.6, and 3.1 ± 0.8 mg kg-1 respectively. The Zadd, Zexp and interaction index for XA/ART co-administration was 5.3 ± 2.61, 1.98 ± 0.25 and 0.37, respectively while that of XA/AQ were 6.05 ± 2.0, 1.69 ± 0.42, and 0.28 respectively. The Zexp for both combination therapies lay significantly (p<0.001) below the additive isoboles showing XA acts synergistically with both ART and AQ in clearing the parasites. High doses of XA/ART combination significantly (p<0.05) increased the survival days of infected mice with a mean hazard ratio of 0.40 while all the XA/AQ combination doses showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the survival days of infected mice with a mean hazard ratio of 0.27 similar to AL. Both XA/ART and XA/AQ combined treatments significantly (p<0.05) reduced weight loss. Conclusion: Xylopic acid co-administration with either artesunate or amodiaquine produces a synergistic anti-plasmodial effect in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

Source: UCC
Xylopic Acid-Amodiaquine and Xylopic Acid-Artesunate Combinations are Effective in Managing Malaria in Plasmodium Berghei-infected Mice.

Background: Evidence of plasmodium resistance to some of the current antimalarial agents makes it imperative to search for newer and effective drugs to combat malaria. Therefore, this study evaluated whether the co-administrations of xylopic acid-amodiaquine and xylopic acidartesunate combinations will produce synergistic antimalarial effect. Methods: Antiplasmodial effect of xylopic acid (XA: 3, 10, 30, 100, 150 mg kg-1), artesunate (ART: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 mg kg-1), and amodiaquine (AQ: 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg kg-1) were evaluated in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice to determine respective ED50s. Artemether/lumefantrine (AL: 1.14/6.9) p.o. was used as the positive control. XA/ART and XA/AQ were subsequently administered in a fixed-dose combination of their ED50s (1:1) and the combination fractions of their ED50s (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32) to determine the experimental ED50s (Zexp). An isobologram was constructed to determine the nature of the interaction between XA/ART, and XA/AQ combinations by comparing Zexp with the theoretical ED50 (Zadd). Body weight and 30-day survival post-treatment were additionally recorded. Results: ED50s for XA, ART, and AQ were 9.0 ± 3.2, 1.61 ± 0.6, and 3.1 ± 0.8 mg kg-1 respectively. The Zadd, Zexp and interaction index for XA/ART co-administration was 5.3 ± 2.61, 1.98 ± 0.25 and 0.37, respectively while that of XA/AQ were 6.05 ± 2.0, 1.69 ± 0.42, and 0.28 respectively. The Zexp for both combination therapies lay significantly (p<0.001) below the additive isoboles showing XA acts synergistically with both ART and AQ in clearing the parasites. High doses of XA/ART combination significantly (p<0.05) increased the survival days of infected mice with a mean hazard ratio of 0.40 while all the XA/AQ combination doses showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the survival days of infected mice with a mean hazard ratio of 0.27 similar to AL. Both XA/ART and XA/AQ combined treatments significantly (p<0.05) reduced weight loss. Conclusion: Xylopic acid co-administration with either artesunate or amodiaquine produces a synergistic anti-plasmodial effect in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

Source: UCC
The Yaa Amponsah Effect: an Analytical Study of a Popular Ghanaian Guitar Riff

ABSTRACT The Yaa Amponsah guitar riff has been described as the lingua franca indigenous Ghanaian guitar play (Collins, 2006). Researches like (Adum-Attah, 1997; Collins, 1989, 2006, 2018) provide a brief history of Yaa Amponsah focusing on her identity, but there is no analysis based on the lyrics of the recorded versions the song. Sprigge (1961), analysed the rhythm used in Yaa Amponsah and found similarities with Akan ensembles like sikyi, apart from this there is little to no analysis of the guitar riffs used in the recorded versions of the Yaa Amponsah song. This research sought to analyse guitar riffs used in five recorded versions of the Yaa Amponsah song and also tell a narrative about the Yaa Amponsah song. Using the qualitative research, discourse analysis method and key informant interviews, I sought to fill the lacuna identified. Analysis of the data pointed out that the Yaa Amponsah originated from the seperewa music, however, the guitar riff became popular as a result of the National dance band competition held in 1972 with the riff built on the chord I, IV, V progression. Analysis of the song text brought about the narrative about Sam refusing to give up on lost love and his inability to act on his feelings for Yaa Amponsah. The findings revealed that there are inconsistencies in the narrative of the recorded versions that I analysed. The inconsistencies could have arisen from the fact that the underpinning motives of the original and the subsequent ones were not identical. It stands to reason that whereas Sam’s version was targeted at winning a loved one back, the subsequent artists who recorded intended it to serve a more hedonic and aesthetic function

Source: UCC
“You cannot collect data using your own resources and put it on open access”: Perspectives from Africa about public health data-sharing

Data-sharing is a desired default in the field of public health and a source of much ethical deliberation. Sharing data potentially contributes the largest, most efficient source of scientific data, but is fraught with contextual challenges which make stakeholders, particularly those in under-resourced contexts hesitant or slow to share. Relatively little empirical research has engaged stakeholders in discussing the issue. This study sought to explore relevant experiences, contextual, and subjective explanations around the topic to provide a rich and detailed presentation of what it means to different stakeholders and contexts to share data and how that can guide practice and ethical guidance. A qualitative design involving interviews was undertaken with professionals working in public health institutions endowed with data (HDSS), ethics committees, and advisory agencies which help shape health research in Africa. A descriptive form of thematic analysis was used to summarize results into six key themes: (1) The role of HDSSs in research using public health data and data-sharing; (2) Ownership and funding are critical factors influencing data-sharing; (3) Other factors discourage data-sharing; (4) Promoting and sustaining data-sharing; (5) Ethical guidance structures; and (6) Establishing effective guidance. The themes reveal factors regarding the willingness or not to share and an intricate ethical system that current discourse could reflect. Many of the concerns resonate with the literature, but a whole other gamut of people and process issues; commitments, investments, careers, and the right ethical guidance are needed to realize a sustainable goal of reaching ‘share’ as a default.

Source: UCC
You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have: Assessing Practicing Teachers’ Capacity to Teach Personal Finance among Senior High Schools in Ghana

A survey of practicing Senior High School teachers was conducted to determine teachers‘ background and capacity to teach personal finance. The results indicate that a majority of teachers have little personal finance education. Therefore, there is a great need to expand personal finance educational opportunities for teachers in order to meet both their personal and professional needs. Finally, because a majority of teachers see financial education as a subject that is appropriate primarily for higher grades, teachers must be educated on the developmental nature of financial reasoning and in learning how to make financial concepts accessible at different educational levels.

Source: UCC