ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Microbiological quality assessment of some drugs on the Ghanaian market

Pharmaceutical products may be found to contain micro-organisms. Some of these are responsible for the spoilage of the products while others may cause infections in consumers. In this study samples of drugs collected from various pharmacies and licensed chemical shops in Kumasi were tested for the presence of micro-organisms. The study involved 161 samples made up of 102 liquid preparations and 59 tablet samples. It was found that 45.3 4% of all the drugs tested were contaminated. 15.53% had bacteria while 7.50% had fungi as sole contaminants. 22.36% had both bacteria and fungi. 41.18% of the liquid preparations and 52.54% of the tablet samples were contaminated. The organisms isolated included coagulase positive and coagulase negative staphylococci, salmonellae, E. coli and other enterobacteria, anaerobic bacteria, moulds and yeast-like fungi. Some of these organisms occurred together in the same product while others were found as sole contaminants. Pseudomonads were absent from all the products. All the contaminated liquid products were locally manufactured while both the locl1y manufactured and the imported tablets had contaminants. The study showed that some of the products on the market are not acceptable due to their poor microbial quality. These included products that had harmful organisms and those with aerobic viable counts in excess of the acceptable limit of 5x103 cfu/ml or g. In all 20 50% of all the products failed the tests.

Source: KNUST
Microbiological Quality Of Water In Handwashing Bowls In Basic Schools In The Ablekuma South Sub- Metropolis Of Accra, Ghana

Inadequate hand-washing facilities have been reported as a barrier to hand washing. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of the water in the stand alone bowls for hand washing in the Tunga Islamic Community Basic School and Zamarama Line Basic School in the Ablekuma South Sub-metropolis of Accra. It also determined the Frequency in changing the water for hand washing in the selected schools. Water samples from stand alone hand washing bowls in front of classrooms in the ‗Tunga‘ Islamic Community Basic School where students washed without soap and the ‗Zamarama‘ Line Basic School where an amount of liquid soap is poured into the hand washing water immediately it is placed there (although its efficacy could not be ascertained) for pupils to use on communal basis in the Ablekuma South Sub-metropolis of Accra were sampled before use at 8.00am and after use at 8.00am 11.00am and 2.00pm. The study revealed that the microbiological quality of water in hand washing bowls used in the selected basic schools in the Ablekuma South Sub-metropolis of Accra were unacceptable for use by the pupils. The microbial quality was often relatively good before use in the morning but deteriorates as the day wears on mainly because there is no running tap water in the schools and the pupils have to carry water in plastic gallons to school. Average total heterotrophic plate counts were initially 4.81×101 cfu /ml when it was placed there for use in hand washing, but increased to 1.04×108 cfu/ml after use by the children at 8.00am. This increased to 1.33×108 cfu/ml after use at 11.00am and to 2.18×109 cfu/ml after use at 2.00pm. That of Zamarama Line Basic School also showed a similar trend. Average heterotrophic plate count before use by the pupils at 8am was 2.08×101 and increased to 1.34×104 cfu/ml after use at 8am. It later increased to 3.09x104 cfu/ml at 11am after use and then to 2.46×105 cfu/ml at 2.00pm after use. Staphylococcus aureus and faecal coliform were however absent in the hand washing water before use in both schools but were detected after use at 8:00 am and the levels increased with the passage of time in both schools. E. coli which must not be present in water for hand washing, bathing and dish washing according to WFP/UNESCO/WHO (1999), and the Drinking Water Quality Standards by US EPA (2002), which has the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of this microorganism in drinking water to be zero was detected. The water used for hand washing in the schools studied was not changed throughout the day. It was concluded that the aim of hand washing which is to decontaminate the hands and prevent cross transmission was not achieved because the hand washing water was being used on communal basis by the pupils in the schools, and this would contributes to, rather than prevent, cross-contamination as pathogens present on hands of infected persons and could be transferred to those who subsequently dip their hands in the same bowl of water as a result of inadequate hand-washing facilities.

Source: KNUST
Microbiological quality of water in handwashing bowls in basic schools in the Ablekuma South Sub- Metropolis of Accra, Ghana

Inadequate hand-washing facilities have been reported as a barrier to hand washing. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of the water in the stand alone bowls for hand washing in the Tunga Islamic Community Basic School and Zamarama Line Basic School in the Ablekuma South Sub-metropolis of Accra. It also determined the Frequency in changing the water for hand washing in the selected schools. Water samples from stand alone hand washing bowls in front of classrooms in the ‘Tunga’ Islamic Community Basic School where students washed without soap and the ‘Zamarama’ Line Basic School where an amount of liquid soap is poured into the hand washing water immediately it is placed there (although its efficacy could not be ascertained) for pupils to use on communal basis in the Ablekuma South Sub-metropolis of Accra were sampled before use at 8.00am and after use at 8.00am 11.00am and 2.00pm. The study revealed that the microbiological quality of water in hand washing bowls used in the selected basic schools in the Ablekuma South Sub-metropolis of Accra were unacceptable for use by the pupils. The microbial quality was often relatively good before use in the morning but deteriorates as the day wears on mainly because there is no running tap water in the schools and the pupils have to carry water in plastic gallons to school. Average total heterotrophic plate counts were initially 4.81×101 cfu /ml when it was placed there for use in hand washing, but increased to 1.04×108 cfu/ml after use by the children at 8.00am. This increased to 1.33×108 cfu/ml after use at 11.00am and to 2.18×109 cfu/ml after use at 2.00pm. That of Zamarama Line Basic School also showed a similar trend. Average heterotrophic plate count before use by the pupils at 8am was 2.08×101 and increased to 1.34×104 cfu/ml after use at 8am. It later increased to 3.09x104 cfu/ml at 11am after use and then to 2.46×105 cfu/ml at 2.00pm after use. Staphylococcus aureus and faecal coliform were however absent in the hand washing water before use in both schools but were detected after use at 8:00 am and the levels increased with the passage of time in both schools. E. coli which must not be present in water for hand washing, bathing and dish washing according to WFP/UNESCO/WHO (1999), and the Drinking Water Quality Standards by US EPA (2002), which has the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of this microorganism in drinking water to be zero was detected. The water used for hand washing in the schools studied was not changed throughout the day. It was concluded that the aim of hand washing which is to decontaminate the hands and prevent cross transmission was not achieved because the hand washing water was being used on communal basis by the pupils in the schools, and this would contributes to, rather than prevent, cross-contamination as pathogens present on hands of infected persons and could be transferred to those who subsequently dip their hands in the same bowl of water as a result of inadequate hand-washing facilities.

Source: KNUST
Microbiological Safety and Antimicrobial Susceptibility (Resistance) Evaluation of Weanimix

Weaning food is a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding babies and infants less than 12 months of age. It is usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder (mixed with water) or liquid (with or without additional water). The nutritional benefits of complementary foods or weaning foods and the sensitivity period in which they are fed on by infants, it is very important to investigate the microbiological safety of the weanimix as well as determination of antibiotic resistance of pathogens that may be isolated against commonly used antibiotics for treatment of infections. An aggregate of 90 samples were gathered and were allocated unique codes and instantly taken to the laboratory for isolation of Pathogens. From the study, weanimix were found to be highly contaminated with Salmonella, S. aureus and E. coli. And in terms of Antimicrobial activities; some isolates from the weanimix were susceptible to some antibiotics while other isolates were resistant. It is recommended that Regulatory agencies(FDA, Ghana Health Services, Local District Assemblies) should take up the challenge in helping local food manufactures to produce safe foods especially weanimix.

Source: KNUST
Microbiological Safety And Hygienic Practices Of Food Vendors And Handlers In The East Mamprusi District, Ghana

Patronage of street food has increased in the Northern Region of Ghana as a result of lifestyle changes. This has the potential to cause outbreak of diseases. This study therefore sought to assess the microbiological safety and hygienic practices of food vendors and handlers in Nalerigu and Gambaga, Ghana. A cross sectional study was conducted, using fifty rice and tuo zaafi (local food) food vendors, purposively selected from the communities within the study area. Structured questionnaires, observations, and hand swab test were performed following standard procedures. The results indicated that 20 (40%) of the food vendors have medical certificate to sell. In total, 25 (50%) prepared their food under poor sanitary conditions, 15 (30%) under average sanitary conditions, and 10 (20%) under strict sanitary conditions. Results from the hand swabbed test indicated a microbial load of 6.74 ×102 cfu/ml at Nalerigu Station and loads of 7.55×102 cfu/ml, 6.78×102 cfu/ml and 1.05×102 cfu/ml at selling area two, selling area Three and selling area four respectively, for Staphylococcus aureus count. For Salmonella spp., loads of 7.40 × 102 cfu/ml, 6.15 × 102 cfu/ml, 6.33 ×102 cfu/ml and 11.37 ×10 2 cfu/ml were recorded at Nalerigu Station, Nalerigu Market, Gambaga Station and Gambaga market respectively. Escherichia coli load ranged from 9.4 × 101 MPN/100ml at Gambaga Market to 1.16 × 102 MPN/100ml at Nalerigu Station. These findings lead to the conclusion that rice and tuo zaafi food vendors in Nalerigu and Gambaga communities generally do not adhere to food hygiene practices and microbiological safety measures. The training of rice and tuo zaafi food vendors on food hygiene has not yielded significant results as most food vendors are mostly illiterate or semi-literate and regulatory bodies inadequately resourced. The study proposes development of training programmes for food vendors as well as capacity building of the stakeholders to protect public health.

Source: KNUST
Microcomputer and its uses as a tool for the entrepreneur

1.0 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AS A WORKING TOOL : There is the need for everyone to know how to use the computer, not only for business purposes but, to be able to communicate with the computer if one is to be able to get through the rest of life. The future holds virtually endless opportunities for computers in most aspects (if not all) of human activities. The use of computers about four decades ago was mainly for military purposes. Three decades ago, it was the tool of large institutions and a decade ago a common business technology. Today, it has reached the ordinary man for computation and in games for the hobbyist. This proliferation is not just a consequence of growing acceptance, but primarily a result of enormous cost performance improvements, a trend that is likely to continue over the next century. Currently most business firms are using computers in the day- to-day running of their businesses and are also exchanging information or making enquiries via the computer network (INTERNET). A recent development is the fast growing INTERNET, which is a global computer-to-computer connections covering most countries the world over. It has become possible for a businessman to sit in his office and access information relating to his field or area of operation without necessarily having to travel for the same information.

Source: KNUST
Microenterprise development and rural women in Bawku West District

Women own a large percentage of small scale enterprises worldwide and continue to play important roles in local development. Yet too little is being done for them and they remain disadvantaged when it comes to obtaining financial support for business start-ups and expansion. Micro-credit targeting of women-owned microenterprises will pull women out of current unacceptable high levels of poverty among poor women. A mixed methods descriptive research design, incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques was adopted for the study. Hundred and forty-three (143) respondents were selected from the five area councils via a stratified simple random sampling technique. Primary data were complemented by information gathered from BWDA Profile (2009) and other institutional reports. Each respondent reacted to a number of both negative and positively worded questions. Main micro entrepreneurial activities of BWD women are groundnut oil extraction, farming/dry season gardening, shea-butter oil extraction, malt production and pito brewing, dawadawa and rice processing, and weaving of smock materials. Funding for women-owned micro-enterprises included personal savings, loans from credit unions and Toende Rural Bank, NGOs/BWDA and family members. Lack of capital, collateralization of loans, high interest rates and delays in processing loans, lack of adequate markets for products and lack of adequate business management know-how were the main challenges to micro-enterprise development. Micro-enterprise development through micro-credit has positively impacted the lives of rural poor women entrepreneurs and their households, in terms of better and higher incomes, food security, ability to send and retain their children in school, generation of employment, greater access to health care and information on reproductive health issues, and economic and social empowerment to assert women rights, and to participate in discussions leading to household and community decision making. Financial and social intermediation schemes, insurance, training in business records keeping and financial numeracy, market-networking and life-long education for women can further promote microenterprise development and poverty reduction.

Source: KNUST
Microfilaridermia assessment of the efficacy of Ivermectin alone and Ivermectin plus Albendazole against Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease which affects approximately 37 million people world wide, mostly in sub-Saharan African countries. In Ghana, the standard treatment of onchocerciasis is annual mass drug administration with ivermectin at a dose of 150-200µg/kg. However, this regimen kills only microfilariae and therefore repopulation of microfilariae by adult female worms resumes 3 to 6 months after ivermectin treatment. In this study, an open-labelled clinical trial was conducted using microfilariae levels to assess the efficacy of ivermectin alone and ivermectin plus albendazole given annually and semi-annually. A total of 272 onchocerciasis-infected volunteers were randomised into ivermectin alone annually, ivermectin alone semi-annually, ivermectin plus albendazole annually and ivermectin plus albendazole semi-annual treatment arms. Participants in the annual treatment arms received vitamin C at 6 months. Microfilariae loads of all study volunteers were monitored at pre-treatment, 6 months and 18 months using skin biopsies. All four treatment arms significantly (p=0.0001) reduced microfilariae loads but the bi-annual treatment arms of ivermectin alone and ivermectin plus albendazole were the most effective regimens for clearing skin microfilariae. Ivermectin is therefore still effective in clearing microfilariae among participants in the Adansi South District of Ghana. Bi-annual treatment of ivermectin alone and ivermectin plus albendazole was found to have additional benefit in reducing microfilariae loads compared to annual treatment. However, co-administration of ivermectin (200µg/kg) and albendazole (800µg/kg) did not have additional effect of reducing microfilariae loads.

Source: KNUST
Microfinance and Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women: A Case of Opportunity International Savings and Loans Clients

Governments, donors and NGOs have over the years initiated and implemented programmes aimed at empowering women economically and socially. Despite these efforts some challenges still remain. Microfinance as tool for women empowerment has become the main subject of many global and regional conferences, seminars and workshops. This study therefore examined the contribution of microfinance to the socio-economic empowerment of women in Ghana by using Opportunity International savings and Loans (OISL) microfinance programme as a case study. The survey method was adopted where questionnaires were administered to beneficiaries of the OISL’s microfinance programme. The findings from the study revealed that access to microfinance has contributed immensely to the economic empowerment of women through improvement in their businesses. Besides, the study shows that access to microfinance has improved the status of women both at the family level and in society as a whole. The study therefore recommends that OISL should endeavour to extend more credit facilities to clients to expand their businesses. Finally, OISL should provide more training programmes to women in order to improve their entrepreneurial skills and help reduce the problems which hinder their access to microfinance.

Source: KNUST
Microfinance and Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank Ltd.

Microfinance is provision of small amounts of institutional loans to low income people who could not access loans from formal sector finance firms. Major objective of extending the loans is to alleviate poverty by creating jobs and incomes. While reducing poverty, microfinance services are supposed to build asset bases of their clients to manage and cope up with risks. Microfinance programmes are also expected to empower women clients by improving their decision-making roles and self-esteem, among others. However, whether microfinance programmes are bringing about desired changes is debatable. In addition, some argue that microfinance has been pushing the low income people further into poverty. Many rural banks and non-bank institutions have implemented several microfinance schemes over the last two decades. The thesis, Microfinance and women empowerment, a case study of Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank Ltd .was aimed at assessing how their microfinance has been able to socially and economically empower women clients. Data was collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Specific methods applied included the focus group discussion and administration of structured questionnaires and the interviews. Data was analysed using such statistical tools as MS Excel, where frequency distribution tables, bar graphs and pie charts were used in presenting the data collected. Data analysis revealed a considerable number of women as beneficiaries who have either been given start-up capital or have boosted their capital to enhance various forms of farm and non-farm activities. There was a marginal increase in the levels of income. However, there was a marked improvement in the social empowerment in the participation of women in the decision making process within their households. There was also an improvement in the self esteem and level of confidence of beneficiaries. It is recommended that Within AKRB and for that matter MFIs, gender issues need to become not only part of their mission statement but also of their social intermediation packages. MFIs will need to widen their training packages beyond loan management. They will also need to customize their delivery mechanisms, such as in the loan cycle, loan terms, lending methods, loan management, loan performance monitoring, and investing in policy issues that help safeguard gender equality.

Source: KNUST
Microbiological Safety Assessment of ‘‘asaana’’, a Traditional Ghanaian Beverage

‘‘Asaana’’ is a refreshing drink made from maize. It is mostly produced on a fairly small scale and usually for local consumption at home or vended on the street. This study sought to assess the hygienic practices of ‘‘asaana’’ vendors as well as the microbial quality of ‘‘asaana’’ produced and sold by these vendors in some selected markets in the greater Accra region of Ghana. The study recruited 8 vendors using the random sampling method. A structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to gather data on the environmental and personal hygiene status of the vendors. Laboratory analysis of the microbial load of samples of the beverage collected from the vendors was also carried out. Results from the survey showed that all the respondents were females, 62% of them had no formal education, and 75% did not have any knowledge on food handling. Although all manufacturers washed hands before processing, they used normal soap instead of antibacterial soap. Also, 87.5% of food vendors used the same hands to serve and collect money and 75% were not medically certified to sell. The study revealed that of the 16 beverage samples collected, coliforms were isolated in 5 (31.3%), Escherichia coli in 1 (6.25%), Staphylococcus aureus in 3 (18.8%), yeast and moulds in 13 (81.3%) and 4 (25%) samples, respectively. Salmonella typhi was however not identified in any of the samples analyzed. Total mesophilic counts were found ranging from 2.49-5.01 log10 cfu/ml and 0-2.49 log10 cfu/ml for home and market beverages respectively while coliform counts ranged from 2.32-5.75 log10 cfu/ml and 0-3.5 log10 cfu/ml for home and market beverages respectively. The unhygienic processing of the beverage leads to bacterial contamination. Consuming such contaminated product may lead to foodborne illness. The study confirmed that there is a need for regular training and medical screening of street food vendors within the Metropolis to ensure the observance of food hygiene practices and increase consumer and regulatory demand for the assurance of safe food.

Source: KNUST