ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of methicilin resistant staphylococcus aureus in Kumasi

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious therapeutic problem worldwide, however data on prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns is lacking in Africa and for that matter Ghana. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of MRSA in Kumasi. MRSA was diagnosed using lμg oxacillin discs and 10 unit penicillin, on a total of 250 clinical isolates of S. aureus. Susceptibility of MRSA isolates to penicillin, ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, flucloxacillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamicin and cefuroxime were determined using modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The MIC of 50 MRSA isolates was determined using E-test (AB-Biodisk, Solna, Sweden). The study determined a prevalence rate of 34.8%, (hospital acquired (HA) MRSA was 26.8% (67), and community acquired (CA) was 8%, though not statistically significant), compared with the rate of 12.1% reported in 2004. Penicillin, ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, gentamicin and flucloxacillin showed resistance rates ranging from 50-100% but cefuroxime and erythromycin, showed resistance of below 50%. The MIC of 50 isolates tested was as follows: oxacillin; 4 - ≥256μg/ml, gentamicin; 0.125 - ≥ 256μg/ml, trimethoprim sulfamethoxa.zole; 0.064 - ≥32μg/ml and ceftriaxone; 1.5 -≥32μg/ml. The study showed that the problem of MRSA was urgent. To reduce the prevalence of MRSA, regular surveillance of hospital and community associated infections, monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility patterns and formulation of definitive antibiotic policy may be helpful. Several measures to help reduce the spread of Staphylococci have been discussed.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and identification of yam viruses responsible for seed yam degeneration in the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Atebubu-Amantin Districts of Ghana

Yam viruses are reported to be widespread in all areas where yam is grown. In Ghana, viral diseases are known to cause about 50% of yield reduction on yam. It was for this reason that this research was carried out to manage yam viruses in Ghana. Surveys were conducted in the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons in two major growing districts, Ejura-Sekyedumase and AtebubuAmantin of Ghana to determine the prevalence of yam virus. There was the need to identify the specific viruses producing the symptoms that were observed during the survey, as such symptomatic leaf samples were taken for analysis at the laboratory using RT-PCR. Out of the 40 leaf samples collected from each district, Ejura-Sekyedumase District had six mixed infections for both Yam mosaic virus (YMV) and Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV) while eight single infections were recorded for YMMV. Atebubu-Amantin District had 10 mixed infections for both viruses and eight single infections for YMV. Molecular-based diagnostics techniques were also employed to monitor the health status of seven plants (Diosecorea rotundata Poir) established from positive selection, of which five of them did not amplify for any of the two viruses tested while two amplified for both viruses that were tested. Seed yams (‘Dente’, ‘Pona’ and ‘Laribako’) selected in 2015 from symptomless or mildly infected plants (positive selection), as well as those purchased from the Ejura market (farmer practice) and those selected from field diseased plants were established in field experiments in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at Ejura and Fumesua using a 3 x 3 factorial in randomized complete block design. The performances of the three seed yam sources were compared for their reaction to yam mosaic virus infection and tuber yield. The three white yam (D. rotundata) varieties used were; ‘Dente’, ‘Pona’ and ‘Laribako’. Plants raised from positive selection performed significantly (P<0.05) better with least virus percentage infection and disease severity scores irrespective of the variety. Positive selection Dente out-yielded farmer practice Dente and diseased Dente by 35 and 66.7% respectively in the 2016 cropping season at Ejura. Similar result was obtained at Fumesua with positive selection Dente out-yielding farmer practice and diseased seed yams by 32.6 and 60.7% respectively. In the 2017 cropping season, even though there was general yield reduction indicating loss of seed yam quality with time, similar trend occurred with positive selection plants performing significantly (P<0.05) better with least virus incidence and severity scores at both locations. Positive selection Laribako produced the highest yield at both locations. With farmers’ current practice of recycling seed yams from one season to another, this study showed that positive selection was a good approach to reducing virus load in farmers’ farms as well as reducing seed yam degeneration while maintaining fairly good yields.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and identification of yam viruses responsible for seed yam degeneration in the Ejura-Sekyedumase and Atebubu-Amantin Districts of Ghana

ii ABSTRACT Yam viruses are reported to be widespread in all areas where yam is grown. In Ghana, viral diseases are known to cause about 50% of yield reduction on yam. It was for this reason that this research was carried out to manage yam viruses in Ghana. Surveys were conducted in the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons in two major growing districts, Ejura-Sekyedumase and AtebubuAmantin of Ghana to determine the prevalence of yam virus. There was the need to identify the specific viruses producing the symptoms that were observed during the survey, as such symptomatic leaf samples were taken for analysis at the laboratory using RT-PCR. Out of the 40 leaf samples collected from each district, Ejura-Sekyedumase District had six mixed infections for both Yam mosaic virus (YMV) and Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV) while eight single infections were recorded for YMMV. Atebubu-Amantin District had 10 mixed infections for both viruses and eight single infections for YMV. Molecular-based diagnostics techniques were also employed to monitor the health status of seven plants (Diosecorea rotundata Poir) established from positive selection, of which five of them did not amplify for any of the two viruses tested while two amplified for both viruses that were tested. Seed yams (‘Dente’, ‘Pona’ and ‘Laribako’) selected in 2015 from symptomless or mildly infected plants (positive selection), as well as those purchased from the Ejura market (farmer practice) and those selected from field diseased plants were established in field experiments in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at Ejura and Fumesua using a 3 x 3 factorial in randomized complete block design. The performances of the three seed yam sources were compared for their reaction to yam mosaic virus infection and tuber yield. The three white yam (D. rotundata) varieties used were; ‘Dente’, ‘Pona’ and ‘Laribako’. Plants raised from positive selection performed significantly (P<0.05) better with least virus percentage infection and disease severity scores irrespective of the variety. Positive selection Dente out-yielded farmer practice iii Dente and diseased Dente by 35 and 66.7% respectively in the 2016 cropping season at Ejura. Similar result was obtained at Fumesua with positive selection Dente out-yielding farmer practice and diseased seed yams by 32.6 and 60.7% respectively. In the 2017 cropping season, even though there was general yield reduction indicating loss of seed yam quality with time, similar trend occurred with positive selection plants performing significantly (P<0.05) better with least virus incidence and severity scores at both locations. Positive selection Laribako produced the highest yield at both locations. With farmers’ current practice of recycling seed yams from one season to another, this study showed that positive selection was a good approach to reducing virus load in farmers’ farms as well as reducing seed yam degeneration while maintaining fairly good yields.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and determinants of childhood obesity among school-age children in the Sunyani municipality

Childhood obesity is one of the persisting problems of our generation. There is a growing burden of overweight and obesity among children in Ghana. It poss several health problems to the individual later in life. In Ghana, the studies done on obesity focused on adult obesity with fewer on childhood obesity as compared to other countries where interventions are being implemented even at the school level. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-age children in the Sunyani Municipality. Methods The study was a cross-sectional design involving school children between the ages of 6 and 18years. A total of 423 participants were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurement of children‘s height and weight. The age-specific and sex-specific distribution of the body mass index using specific international classification body mass index standards. Questionnaires were administered individually to a school child that met the inclusion criteria and self-administered questionnaire to key informants in the selected schools. Results The finding of the study revealed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is 9.7% and 6.4% respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity 16.1%. The results indicated that children attending private schools are about three times more likely to be overweight (3.84; 95% CI: .1.94 - 7.6; p 0.001) and obese (4.43; 95% CI: .1.92 - 10.24; p 0.001) compared to children in public schools. (4.43; 95% CI: .1.92 - 10.24; p 0.001) It also revealed that females have 1.9 times at risk rate of vi overweight but are 20% less likely to be obese than their male counterpart. Increase in age was associated with reduced risk of being overweight (, 0.4, 95% CI:0.17-0.946; p<0.037). Sex (p=0.004), age (p=0.014), mother‘s education (p= 0.011), number of times of eating breakfast in a week (p=0.032), consumption of snack per day(p=0.029), time spent playing digital games(p=0.021) and watching TV (p=0.01) were significantly associated with the overweight and obesity. Conclusion Childhood overweight and obesity is prevalent in the Sunyani Municipality predominantly among private school children (10.4%). Age sex maternal education, high socioeconomic status, times of eating breakfast in a week, time spent playing digital games and watching TV are direct predictors of childhood overweight and obesity. All schools had a policy relating to food but not all of those schools had a policy on physical education. A greater number of them constituting about two-thirds of them had.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and identification of yam viruses responsible for seed yam degeneration in the Ejurasekyedumase and Atebubu-Amantin Districts of Ghana

Yam viruses are reported to be widespread in all areas where yam is grown. In Ghana, viral diseases are known to cause about 50% of yield reduction on yam. It was for this reason that this research was carried out to manage yam viruses in Ghana. Surveys were conducted in the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons in two major growing districts, Ejura-Sekyedumase and AtebubuAmantin of Ghana to determine the prevalence of yam virus. There was the need to identify the specific viruses producing the symptoms that were observed during the survey, as such symptomatic leaf samples were taken for analysis at the laboratory using RT-PCR. Out of the 40 leaf samples collected from each district, Ejura-Sekyedumase District had six mixed infections for both Yam mosaic virus (YMV) and Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV) while eight single infections were recorded for YMMV. Atebubu-Amantin District had 10 mixed infections for both viruses and eight single infections for YMV. Molecular-based diagnostics techniques were also employed to monitor the health status of seven plants (Diosecorea rotundata Poir) established from positive selection, of which five of them did not amplify for any of the two viruses tested while two amplified for both viruses that were tested. Seed yams (‘Dente’, ‘Pona’ and ‘Laribako’) selected in 2015 from symptomless or mildly infected plants (positive selection), as well as those purchased from the Ejura market (farmer practice) and those selected from field diseased plants were established in field experiments in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at Ejura and Fumesua using a 3 x 3 factorial in randomized complete block design. The performances of the three seed yam sources were compared for their reaction to yam mosaic virus infection and tuber yield. The three white yam (D. rotundata) varieties used were; ‘Dente’, ‘Pona’ and ‘Laribako’. Plants raised from positive selection performed significantly (P<0.05) better with least virus percentage infection and disease severity scores irrespective of the variety. Positiveiii selection Dente out-yielded farmer practice Dente and diseased Dente by 35 and 66.7% respectively in the 2016 cropping season at Ejura. Similar result was obtained at Fumesua with positive selection Dente out-yielding farmer practice and diseased seed yams by 32.6 and 60.7% respectively. In the 2017 cropping season, even though there was general yield reduction indicating loss of seed yam quality with time, similar trend occurred with positive selection plants performing significantly (P<0.05) better with least virus incidence and severity scores at both locations. Positive selection Laribako produced the highest yield at both locations. With farmers’ current practice of recycling seed yams from one season to another, this study showed that positive selection was a good approach to reducing virus load in farmers’ farms as well as reducing seed yam degeneration while maintaining fairly good yields.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and Management of Diarrhoea in Out- Patient Children Less Than 5years of Age at the Princess Marie Louis Hospital (P.M.L.), Accra Ghana

The outpatient department of the Princess Marie Louis Hospital (children’s hospital) is in a community at Korle-Wokon; an indigenous settlement in Accra, Ghana. Diarrhoea is a factor to be considered because from the hospitals records it forms 29.94% of out-patients visit to the hospital. The study seeks to find out the prevalence and management of diarrhea for children less than five years and find out the treatment as pertaining to the PML and access or prove otherwise whether the WHO/MOH prescription of using the treatment guidelines is being followed. The study used two weeks with the aim of getting a varied correct representation of the issue from 5th January, 2004 to 20th January, 2004 to avoid rush periods and occasions like Christmas and other pressures to affect the number of visit leading to more pressure on the prescribers. Data was collected from prescription cards using a questionnaire. The total number of children under age 5 who visited the hospital for the 14 days were 1186, three hundred and twenty seven (327) were diagnosed with diarrhoea giving a high prevalence of nearly 28 percent. One hundred and forty (43%) were prescribed ORS and two hundred and forty (73 %) were prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotics used includes amoksiklav (amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid), erythromycin syrup, chloramphenicol syrup, syrup co-trimoxazole, crystalline penicillin injection, amoxycillin, tetracycline capsules, cloxacllin syrup and suspension fluclaxacillin, nystatin oral drops, nalidixic acid tablet, metronidazole tablet and syrup, metrolex-F (metronidazole plus flurazolide).

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension in Adansi South, Ghana: A Case for Health Promotion

Hypertension continues to emerge globally as one of the most dangerous cardiovascular disease risk factors. The toll of hypertension as a chronic disease on population health and the resultant impact on the often already stressed medical systems of developing nations is a serious concern. Shifting existing paradigm and resources from communicable to chronic disease prevention continues to be a formidable task. This article presents the results of a cross-section analysis of Adansi South, Ghana, residents (N = 539) 5 years and older to investigate the blood pressure status and select hypertension risk factors across all age groups. Approximately a third of Adansi South respondents (27.1%) were identified as hypertensive. While the largest percent of the hypertensive subset was in the 40 to 59 age group, of concern was the emerging pattern among young and adolescent respondents who were either identified as hypertensive and/or having modifiable risk factors for hypertension like elevated body mass index (BMI). A rationale for expanding adolescent health education and health promotion is offered, and alternative methods for deploying health promotion activities in resource-limited areas are proposed and discussed.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Myopia: A Case Study Of Senior High School Students In Sekyere East District Of Ghana

Myopia is a global public health problem leading to visual impairment and blinding complications. It is the most common type of refractive error and is a complex trait including both genetic and environmental factors. Numerous studies have been conducted to elucidate the aetiology of myopia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of myopia and the effect of reading, writing outside class and childhood stress on the occurrence of myopia among senior high school students in Sekyere East District of Ghana. The study was a cross-sectional study of students attending senior high schools in the Sekyere East District of Ghana. Out of the six senior high schools in the district, three were randomly selected and students were selected from these schools by systematic sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to all students and non-cycloplegic refraction was carried out for all students who failed the plus one blur test or with improvement of vision with a pin hole on the Snellen chat. Myopia for purposes of this study was defined by the investigators as spherical error of at least –0.50 diopters in one eye. The prevalence of myopia among the student was 27%. The mean total-number of hours study by the students who suffer from myopia was significantly different from the mean total-number of hours study by those who do not suffer from myopia. Childhood stress was highly associated with the occurrence of myopia. The study showed students who experience significant childhood stress are 13 times more likely to develop myopia compared to children who do not experience significant childhood stress. There was also a significant association between myopia and gender, age and socio economic status of students. This study concludes that myopia is a significant cause of visual impairment among senior high school students in the Sekyere East District of Ghana, and is therefore an issue of public health concern among senior high school students in the district. Cost effective strategies for vision screening of school children will be very beneficial to the school health program of the Ministry of Health.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence and risk factors of virological failure among children on antiretroviral therapy

An unprecedented global effort at scaling up universal access to antiretroviral therapy has decreased the progression of HIV. However, due to challenges with supplies and adherence to intermittent antiretroviral therapy (ART) for mothers, infants continue to be infected, some with resistant viruses. Exposure to these resistant strains leads to non responsiveness to therapy resulting in virological failure. Children are more vulnerable to HIV drug resistance because of their life long treatment, the possible selection of resistant strains as a result of prophylaxis for mothers with HIV enrolled in PMTCT. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of virological resistance among HIV-1-positive children on antiretroviral therapy.

Source: KNUST
Prevalence And Source Of Fenvalerateresdidues In Cocoa Beans

The monitoring of pesticide residues in food has become a paramount global objective and this warrant the development of a comprehensive assessment of food safety measures to avoid adverse health effects. The fact that cocoa beans must be a medium to carry hazards to humans cannot be over-emphasized. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the sources and levels of Fenvalerate which has been banned in cocoa beans. Thirty (30) samples of cocoa beans were collected in five (5) districts of the Western South region of Ghana with six (6) replications in each district. Fenvalerate was extracted from cocoa beans using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and clean up was done by solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges using Bond Elut GCB/NH2 and SI. Analysis was done using Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detector after the extracts were solubilized in acetone:hexane (1:1 v/v). Pesticides were identified by their retention times and quantification was done using an external calibration method, recoveries ranged between 85% and 90%. Bogoso district recorded the highest Fenvalerate concentration of 0.015 mg/kg, which was above the international Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of 0.01 mg/kg. However, 27 cocoa bean samples representing 90% of the total 30 farms sampled had their Fenvalerate concentrations within the MRL of 0.01 mg/kg.

Source: KNUST
The Prevalence and Transmission of Onchocerciasis in the Black Volta Basin: A Case Study of Some Communities within the Bui Dam Environ, Ghana

The constructions of dams are generally known to create ideal environmental conditions for the proliferation of the vectors of diseases and the consequent increase in parasitic infections including onchocerciasis. The Bui Hydroelectric Project by its location in an area endemic with human onchocerciasis poses a health concern related to the construction of the dam. The study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and transmission of onchocerciasis in communities around the environ of the Bui Dam, in order to provide data for appropriate interventions. Skin snips were obtained from 240 study participants in four study communities and kept in physiological saline at room temperature and the emerged microfilariae were counted under the microscope 10x microscope objective. Also, 1,490 black flies were caught by eight volunteers at the four study communities. Horizontal and cross sectional procedures were used to assess the prevalence, intensity and transmission of human onchocerciasis among selected communities in order to evaluate the risk of exposure to the working population and inhabitants around the Bui Project area. The results from the MBR, MTP and crude prevalence were used as indicators of the risk of onchocerciasis in the area. Results showed the combined prevalence of onchocerciasis in the four selected communities as 7.2%. The prevalence of the onchocerciasis in all four communities with prevalence ranged from 1.1% in Bui Village to 11.8% in Gborlekame is considerably high. The intensity of infection as measured by the community microfilarial loads (CMFL) was highest in Gborlekame (0.28 mf/ss) followed by Resettlement Part B (0.24 mf/ss) and lowest in Bui Camp (0.08 mf/ss) and Resettlement Part A (0.08 mf/ss). There were no significance differences among the CMFL at Gborlekame, Resettlement Part B as well as Bui Camp and Resettlement Part A (P > 0.05). Gborlekame also had the highest monthly biting rate (MBR) of 3,565 whiles Part A had the least MBR of 1,240 among the 4 communities studied. The results showed the area was endemic with onchocerciasis. These findings call for further strengthening of current onchocerciasis control campaigns that rely solely on ivermectin distribution in the Bui environ so as to achieve the set goal of elimination of onchocerciasis.

Source: KNUST