ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Maize Supply Chain in some Selected Senior High Schools in Kumasi Metropolis

Maize, a staple food, is the most important feed grain because of its efficient conversion of dry substance to meat, milk and eggs, compared to other grains. It has high productivity due to its large leaf as compared to other cereal crops and this is also possible because of the low position of the ear, where it is able to capture a greater proportion of the nutrients. Okomasa, Obatanpa and other hybrid varieties of maize contain very high protein, and therefore have been recommended for the consumption of senior high schools. Majority of Ghanaians consume maize in large quantities because it is produced locally and consumed locally as well. Senior High Schools form a set of major consumers of maize of which each school consumes an approximation of 481.73 bags per year. This thesis examines the maize supply chain involving some selected senior high schools in Kumasi Metropolis in the context of network, actors, risk as well as the effect of legislature. Qualitative and qualitative studies were conducted with a series of focus actors with 38 respondents that helped to identify the actors and constructed the network diagram of the actors. Some of the findings were that the actors identified were different from the usual actors within normal supply chain of producers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Regulatory bodies such as Food and Drugs Board, Ghana Inspectorate Division are advised to do well to regulate the activities of all actors in food supply chain to offset any possible risk associated with food. The actors within the schools’ supply chain are advised to be more concerned about the activities of other factors.

Source: KNUST
Making watercolour paper from local plant sources

Watercolour paper is very important and pre-requisite to good results in watercolour painting. Its indispensability to the success of the art/painting programme in schools and colleges cannot be over-emphasized. But watercolour paper is scarce, unavailable, or expensive. This presents a grim picture of the future of watercolour painting, which is rather the handiest, quickest to be done and fastest selling of painting works. Due to its unavailability or scarcity in Ghana, most Senior Secondary Schools which offer picture- making, choose options other than watercolour work due to the problems stated above. This situation robs students of the knowledge and skills of this all important aspect of painting stifle their creativity in this field and limit their scope of choice of painting media. Yet it is possible to make watercolour paper locally from the denizens of plants in the environment, thus making it available and affordable for all who may need it especially students of art in schools and colleges in Ghana. This grim situation is what this project sought to address. Attempts were made to utilize parts of selected local plants to produce watercolour paper through experiments with them and tests of the papers produced were conducted with the watercolour medium as well as documenting the project as a first step towards solving the problem. The various experiments yielded fruitful results in most cases. It was discovered that most of the plants used were suitable for the production of watercolour paper. They produced strong, thick, textured and good light reflecting surfaces in most cases. The few that were too light to produce thick papers were good complementary material to other plants in combination papers produced. Results of the trial-testing revealed the effectiveness of most of the papers produced. Finally, it must be stated that watercolour paper can be made from most plants and sometimes the least expected plants produce the strongest and the best. The researcher does not lay claims to the finality of research in this field, this leaves room for other researchers to explore the many possibilities this area of study can unravel. This project is just a first step towards salvaging this grave situation. The potentials of these plants must be harnessed as a matter of urgency, into the production of watercolour papers locally, in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Malaria Coinfections in Febrile Pediatric Inpatients: A Hospital-Based Study From Ghana

Background. The epidemiology of pediatric febrile illness is shifting in sub-Saharan Africa, but malaria remains a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. The present study describes causes of febrile illness in hospitalized children in Ghana and aims to determine the burden of malaria coinfections and their association with parasite densities. Methods. In a prospective study, children (aged ≥30 days and ≤15 years) with fever ≥38.0°C were recruited after admission to the pediatric ward of a primary hospital in Ghana. Malaria parasitemia was determined and blood, stool, urine, respiratory, and cerebrospinal fluid specimens were screened for parasitic, bacterial, and viral pathogens. Associations of Plasmodium densities with other pathogens were calculated. Results. From November 2013 to April 2015, 1238 children were enrolled from 4169 admissions. A clinical/microbiological diagnosis could be made in 1109/1238 (90%) patients, with Plasmodium parasitemia (n = 728/1238 [59%]) being predominant. This was followed by lower respiratory tract infections/pneumonia (n = 411/1238 [34%]; among detected pathogens most frequently Streptococcus pneumoniae, n = 192/299 [64%]), urinary tract infections (n = 218/1238 [18%]; Escherichia coli, n = 21/32 [66%]), gastrointestinal infections (n = 210 [17%]; rotavirus, n = 32/97 [33%]), and invasive bloodstream infections (n = 62 [5%]; Salmonella species, n = 47 [76%]). In Plasmodium-infected children the frequency of lower respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, and bloodstream infections increased with decreasing parasite densities. Conclusions. In a hospital setting, the likelihood of comorbidity with a nonmalarial disease is inversely correlated with increas ing blood levels of malaria parasites. Hence, parasite densities provide important information as an indicator for the probability of coinfection, in particular to guide antimicrobial medication

Source: KNUST
Malaria case detection using rapid diagnostic test at the community level in Ghana: consumer perception and practitioners’ experiences

Background: Ghana has scaled-up malaria control strategies over the past decade. Much as malaria morbidity and mortality seem to have declined with these efforts, there appears to be increased consumption of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). This study explored the perception and experiences of community members and medi‑ cines outlet practitioners on malaria case detection using rapid diagnostic test (RDTs) to guide malaria therapy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative approaches for data. In-depth interviews with structured questionnaires were conducted among 197 practitioners randomly selected from com‑ munity pharmacies and over-the-counter medicine sellers shops within two metropolis (Kumasi and Obuasi) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Two focus group discussions were also held in the two communities among female adult caregivers. Results: Medicine outlet practitioners and community members often used raised body temperature of individuals as an index for malaria case detection. The raised body temperature was presumptively determined by touching the forehead with hands. Seventy percent of the practitioners’ perceived malaria RDTs are used in hospitals and clinics but not in retail medicines outlets. Many of the practitioners and community members agreed to the need for using RDT for malaria case detection at medicine outlets. However, about 30 % of the practitioners (n = 59) and some commu‑ nity members (n = 6) held the view that RDT negative results does not mean no malaria illness and would use ACT. Conclusions: Though malaria RDT use in medicines outlets was largely uncommon, both community members and medicine outlet practitioners welcomed its use. Public education is however needed to improve malaria case detec‑ tion using RDTs at the community level, to inform appropriate use of ACT

Source: KNUST
The malaise of landscape practice in Ghana

For a successful development of landscape practice in Ghana to achieve its objectives of being functional, ecological and aesthetic, certain limitations and constraints that plague the practice must be addressed. This study examined the problems that militate against proper functioning of professional landscape practice in Ghana. It revealed that in developed countries such as United Kingdom and United States of America, the practice has contributed immensely to the success and effectiveness of physical and environmental development through proper planning, design and management efforts. In these countries, institutional and professional framework have been established and where the three areas of interest and expertise in landscape practice namely architecture, science and management operate to fulfil the aims and objectives of the profession. A comparison showed that in Ghana the practice is in its formative stage and cannot achieve a wide range of objectives due to social, economic, technical and institutional/administrative factors. A recommendation based on the analysis of these problems put forward the following as solutions. First and foremost is a proposal to the educational authorities to factor the essentials of environmental science into our basic schools curricular to raise awareness which will later enforce public consciousness in the preservation and conservation of the environment. Effort must be made to train landscape practitioners to provide the professional manpower requirement and thereby minimising the unprofessional influence of quack practitioners. There should be the creation of proper of institutional/administrative structures for effective and efficient landscape administration and for the promotion of landscape practice. Lastly a call to the government of Ghana to accord the landscape professional body recognition when establish.

Source: KNUST
Malaria and anaemia in pregnant and non-pregnant women of child-bearing age at the University Hospital - KNUST,

Malaria infection during pregnancy is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. This study was conducted to compare the prevalence of malaria and anaemia in pregnant and non-pregnant women of child-bearing age at the University Hospital- KNUST, Kumasi. This is a cross sectional, comparative study conducted from February to December 2010 at the Hospital. Using a systematic method, 380 each of pregnant and non-pregnant women were screened for the study. Blood and stool samples were collected from participants who were referred to the laboratory for routine examination. Pregnant women have higher malaria parasitaemia (12.6 %) compared to 6.6% in non-pregnant women. The species isolated from the pregnant women were P. falciparum (85.4%), P. malariae (4.2%) and P. ovale (10.4%). Among non-pregnant women of child-bearing age, 76% P. falciparum, 8% P. malariae and 16% P. ovale were isolated. Anaemia was high in pregnant women (62.6%) compared to their non-pregnant counterparts (53.2%) and intestinal nematodes were not associated with anaemia in pregnant women. Age of pregnant women was a factor affecting malaria parasitaemia with a significant P-value and OR (P-value = 0.0041, 0R =7.61). Malaria infection was common in nulliparous women, and most of the pregnant women were in their second trimester at the time of screening. Malaria parasitaemia was higher in the primigravidae (14%) and multigravidae recorded the highest anaemia prevalence (67.1%). The highest prevalence of malaria (28.6%) and anaemia (69.0%) were among pregnant women in their third trimester. Pregnant women reporting at the antenatal care were not given intermittent preventive treatment (IPT). There was increased risk of malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy in the use of „others‟ (mosquito coils, creams, repellents and insecticide sprays) compared to ITN usage with a significant P-value (OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 1.90-9.19 and P-value = 0.0001 for „others‟ and OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.24-1.51 and P-value < 0.0001 for ITN). Malaria parasitaemia and anaemia are found to be common medical conditions associated with pregnancy. Pregnant women are more susceptible to malaria and anaemia compared to their non-pregnant counterparts. xix Malaria was the major cause of anaemia in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Efforts should be geared towards the control of malaria and anaemia during pregnancy. Other anaemia causing agents apart from malaria should be investigated in future studies.

Source: KNUST
Malaria transmission dynamics and insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in the Kassena-Nankana Districts of Ghana

ABSTRACT Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a serious tropical disease that causes more than one million deaths each year, mostly in Africa. It is transmitted by a range of Anopheles mosquitoes. Progress in global malaria control over the past decade is largely gained through investments in vector control; especially insecticide treated mosquito nets (ITNs). ITNs have been used extensively in the Kassena Nankana districts (KND) of Ghana for over two decades. This study aimed to investigate the intensity of malaria transmission and resistance status of vector populations in KND, relate these data to historical patterns of transmission intensity and determine whether the presence of insecticide resistance has an effect on malaria transmission in KND. Anopheles gambiae s.l. was the predominant Anopheles which constituted 68.82% (95% CI 68.18 - 69.45) (N=13938). Anopheles funestus constituted 10.97% (95% CI 10.55 – 11.41) (N=2222) whilst An. pharoensis and An. rufipes constituted the rest of 20. 21% (95% CI 19.66 - 20.77), (N=4092). Molecular analysis of the An. gambiae s.l. revealed only An. gambiae s.s. as sibling species, mainly of Anopheles coluzzii (M-form). Anopheles biting started early, peaked around 10.00pm and continued to the early hours of the morning. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infectivity results revealed active transmission by An. gambiae s.s.as early as 8pm and serious transmission occurred towards the early hours of the morning because of combined infective biting by both An. gambiae s.s and An. funestus. There was marked temporal variations in malaria intensity estimated as the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) with the irrigated zone experiencing the highest during the year. Compared to what was reported over a decade ago, the intensity of transmission has reduced by 66.7% from 418 to 139 infective bites/man/year. Results of the study indicated high phenotypic resistance to the insecticide classes tested. High frequencies of the Knock down resistance (kdr) and vi Ace-1R alleles (responsible for pyretroid/DDT and carbamate /organophosphate resistance respectively) including the N1575Y allele (reported to enhance resistance to pyrethroids) was observed. The variations observed in biting patterns, transmission intensity and the high insecticide resistance observed in the main malaria vector has important consequences for the success of the widely used insecticide-based strategies in KND.

Source: KNUST
Malaria transmission intensity and dynamics of clinical malaria incidence in a mountainous forest region of Ghana

Background. Malaria transmission is heterogeneous. Villages close to each other may have very different transmission characteristics. The presence and abundance of malaria vectors is governed by local ecology and microclimate. Knowledge of the dynamics of transmission is important for planning and evaluation of malaria control strategies. This study investigated the heterogeneity of malaria transmission in preparation for a vaccine trial and offers insights into dynamics of malaria incidence in the forest zone of Ghana. Methods: Malaria transmission was assessed in four villages with different micro-ecological features in the forest zone of the Akwapim-Mampong Range in Ghana, water shed with rivers flowing north to Lake Volta in the south. Human landing catches (HLC) of mosquitoes were conducted and Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite rates were assessed by ELISA. Sporozoite prevalence, annual biting rates (ABR) and entomological inoculation rates (EIR) from the four study sites were compared with climatological and ecological data. Regression analysis was used to compare transmission data and blood parasite prevalence, parasite density (PD) and malaria episodes from children in the study area. Additionally we examined trends in confirmed clinical malaria incidence from 2005 -2012. Results: In total 1307 Anopheles gambiae s.l. and 54 An. funestus females were caught by HLC from November 2003 to August 2005. Sporozoites in Anopheles vectors in four villages ranged from 4.0 to 10.2%, ABR from 371 to 1890 and EIR from 40 to 158. Linear regression on parasitological and clinical data of children from the villages revealed that the ABR significantly influenced the parasite density (PD) of P. falciparum. Conclusion: Malaria transmission was intense and heterogeneous and corresponded to the micro-ecological differences. Malaria transmission in the early evening hours before people went to sleep was enough to sustain stable malaria. Scaling up preventive measures to reduce exposure to vectors will be effective in reducing parasitemia in children. Variations in transmission intensity must be considered when evaluating impact of control strategies and interventions such as the vaccine trials.

Source: KNUST
Males’ involvement in fertility treatment in Ejisu Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Background Infertility is a global challenge confronting couples and even partners in consensual unions. Efforts to address the phenomena has largely focused on females to the neglect of men who ought to be equally brought on board as key players. Therefore, there is a need for empirical evidence on the determinant of male involvement in fertility treatment. Methods The study adopted a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional study design. The study population was 423 married men selected using a simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was administered to the participants and data were analysed using STATA 15. Statistical significance for all testing was set as 0.05. Results The study identified that most of the respondents (57.45%) had their education to the secondary level and more than half of the respondents (50.12 %) knew the correct definition of what infertility is. Majority of the respondents (76.83%) agreed that financial constraints and stigmatization (61.94%) were some of the challenges affecting males’ involvement in fertility treatment. Socio-demographic characteristics of married men such as marriage type (p-value=0.00), level of education (pvalue=0.01), employment status (p-value=0.04), occupation (Public service worker, p-value=0.04; trading, p-value=0.02), Monthly income (GH 3001 and above, pvalue=0.04), religion (p-value=0.03) and ethnic group (Ewe, p-value=0.01; Nzema, pvalue=0.02) influenced males’ involvement in fertility treatment. Moreover, reproductive characteristics of married men such as ever been able to impregnate their wives (p-value=0.00), ever been able to impregnate other woman (pvalue=0.00), and number of children (4-6 children, p-value=0.02) influenced their level of involvement in fertility treatment. Conclusion Majority of married men believed that infertility is the problem of both couples however, they were reluctant to accompany their wives for treatment since they saw it as a sole responsibility of their wives. Therefore, married men should be educated by the Ejisu Municipal Health Directorate to accompany their wives for treatment it would involve both for complete management.

Source: KNUST
Male involvement in family planning in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana

The study was undertaken in the Acera Metropolitan Area of Ghana. The survey sample composed of a multistage cluster sample of the Metropolis. Within the Metropolis, a random sample of the six sub-metros namely Kpeshie, Ayawaso, Osu Clottey, Ashiedu Keteke Ablekuma and Okai Koi sub-metro (administrative units in Accra) was selected. Within each sub-metro, a sample of 40 households was then selected using a random start and a sampling interval. To assess male involvement in family planning, all eligible men aged 1 8-59 years were interviewed within each sampled household. In all, 388 males were interviewed. Of those interviewed, nearly half were married. In 88 cases of the married men, their partners were also interviewed. The two sets of data provided an opportunity to compare the responses of males and females on selected issues related to family planning. The primary purpose of the study was to generate recent information on the proportion of males who actually participate in family planning services, and the level of support being offered to their partners. This will afford the opportunity to determine what informed policy decisions to incorporate into men’s reproductive health services in particular and in evaluating programmes on men’s health in general. The salient findings are as follows: The result indicated that gap between knowledge of FP (98 %) and use of contraceptives (65%) persists. Although respondents’ knowledge of FP on at least one method is high, their choice and use of any modem contraceptive is shrouded in fear of becoming “impotent” particularly with male sterilization (vasectomy), and their partners becoming promiscuous when allowed to have female sterilization or any modern contraceptives for that matter. The study also revealed a major lack of communication between husbands and their partners on acceptance of contraception. More than three-quarters of the married men reported that there was no communication or discussion with their partners on their reproductive goals or contraceptive use. Wherever it occurred, the wife upon persistence to use it initiated it. This has resulted in inadequate support, as more men do not support women using l-P. However, only about 42% of the unmarried males were adopting non-terminal methods, mainly use of condoms to avoid STIs including HIV/AIDS and not to limit childbearing. Seven percent of the men have four or more children. Among the reasons identified for low use of contraceptives among men, for example condom use, are dislike of the method, loss of sexual enjoyment and infidelity on the part on their spouses. This underlines the need to offer a wide range of reproductive health services including intense health education for men so that they can have a chance as well as the option of changing their perception as well as their behaviour to improve their reproductive goals in particular and contraceptive use in general.

Source: KNUST