ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Reducing Dietary Sodium Intake among Young Adults in Ghana: A Call to Action

The positive association between excessive dietary sodium intake, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been widely investigated in observational studies and clinical trials. Reducing sodium intake is a proven strategy to prevent hypertension and the onset of CVD, a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Africa has the youngest population globally, which is key to the continent’s sustainable development. However, in Africa, the epidemics of hypertension and CVD negatively impact life expectancy and economic growth. Ghana, like other African countries, is no exception. The factors contributing to the increasing burden of CVD and excessive sodium consumption are multi-faceted and multi-level, including individual lifestyle, neighborhood and built environments, and socio-economic and health policies. Thus, the implementation of evidencebased interventions such as the World Health Organization Best Buys that target the multi-level determinants of sodium consumption is urgently needed in Ghana and other African countries. The aim of this commentary is to highlight factors that contribute to excessive sodium consumption. Second, the commentary will showcase lessons of successful implementation of sodium reduction interventions in other countries. Such lessons may help avert CVD in young adults in Ghana and Africa.

Source: UG
Reducing Exclusion through Social Intervention Programme: Lessons from Implementation of MDGs in Ghana and South Africa

Reducing exclusion within and among countries in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa would require basic understanding of the effectiveness of the various policies and programmes currently being implemented to improve welfare. The paper contributes to this discussion through a comparative analysis of the social protection paradigms applied during the era of the Millennium Development Goals in Ghana and South Africa. The authors investigated whether transformative measures such as changing regulatory framework to protect vulnerable groups, operationalizing economic, social and cultural rights of citizens, and public sensitisation campaigns have in-built mechanisms for tackling exclusion. The main approach of the study was a review of empirical literature that has examined the paradigms of so cial protection in the two countries. The study revealed that investment in education and enforcement of laws on social rights could reduce inequality within and between the two countries. It was therefore recommended that much effort should be made to imp rove investment in education and enforce laws on social rights in order to achieve better results from the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.

Source: UG
Reducing medical claims cost to Ghana’s National Health Insurance scheme: a cross-sectional comparative assessment of the paper- and electronic-based claims reviews

Background: A robust medical claims review system is crucial for addressing fraud and abuse and ensuring financial viability of health insurance organisations. This paper assesses claims adjustment rate of the paper- and electronic-based claims reviews of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional comparative assessment of paper- and electronic-based claims reviews of the NHIS. Medical claims of subscribers for the year, 2014 were requested from the claims directorate and analysed. Proportions of claims adjusted by the paper- and electronic-based claims reviews were determined for each type of healthcare facility. Bivariate analyses were also conducted to test for differences in claims adjustments between healthcare facility types, and between the two claims reviews. Results: The electronic-based review made overall adjustment of 17.0% from GHS10.09 million (USD2.64 m) claims cost whilst the paper-based review adjusted 4.9% from a total of GHS57.50 million (USD15.09 m) claims cost received, and the difference was significant (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in claims cost adjustment rate between healthcare facility types by the electronic-based (p = 0.0656) and by the paper-based reviews (p = 0.6484). Conclusions: The electronic-based review adjusted significantly higher claims cost than the paper-based claims review. Scaling up the electronic-based review to cover claims from all accredited care providers could reduce spurious claims cost to the scheme and ensure long term financial sustainability.

Source: UG
Reducing Pediatric HIV Infection: Estimating Mother-to-Child Transmission Rates in a Program Setting in Zambia

Background: Vertical transmission of HIV remains the main source of pediatric HIV infection in Africa with transmission rates as high as 25%–45% without intervention. Even though effective interventions to reduce vertical transmission of HIVare now available and remarkable progress has been made in scaling up prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services, the effectiveness of PMTCT interventions is unknown in Zambia. In this study, we estimate HIV vertical transmission rates at different age bands among perinatally exposed children. Methods: The study analyzed program data of DNA polymerase chain reaction results and selected client information on dried blood spot samples from perinatally exposed children aged 0–12 months sent to the polymerase chain reaction laboratory from 5 provinces between September 2007 and January 2009. Results: Samples of 8237 babies between 0 and 12 months were analyzed, with 84% of the mothers having ever breastfed their children. The observed transmission rate was 6.5% (5.1%, 7.8%) among infants aged 0–6 weeks when both mother and infant received interventions compared with 20.9% (12.3%, 29.5%) where no intervention was given to either mother or baby. Observed HIV transmission with single-dose nevirapine (sdNVP) was 8.5% (5.9%, 11.0%) among infants aged 0–6 weeks, whereas zidovudine with sdNVP (zidovudine + NVP) and highly active antiretroviral therapy were associated with observed transmission rates of 6.8% (4.5%, 9.1%) and 5.0% (3.0%, 7.0%), respectively; whereas these estimates were not significantly different from one another, they were all significantly lower than no intervention for which the estimated rate was 20.9%. Regardless of the intervention, the observed transmission rates were higher among infants aged 6–12 months. Conclusions: PMTCT interventions, including sdNVP, are working in program settings. However, postnatal transmission especially after 6 months through suboptimal feeding practises remains an important challenge to further reduce pediatric HIV

Source: UG
Reducing the Male Monopoly of State Drumming in Ghana: The Axim Experience.

This paper, based on empirical research using Axim as a case study, looks at the changing role of women in the area of court music. It explores the genesis, dynamics and challenges of women in drumming in Axim. The methodology for the study is based on participant observation and interviews conducted during fieldwork between 2001 and the early part of 2007, in Axim in the Western Region of Ghana. The structure of the work is in four parts, as follows: i. the evolution of chieftaincy in Ghana, ii. male dominance of state drumming and beliefs about menstrual blood, iii. women's incursions into state drumming, and iv. conclusion.

Source: UG
Reduction In Diarrhea Cases Following Implementation Of COVID-19 Hand Hygiene Interventions In Ghana: A Causal Impact Analysis.

Background The human hand has constant contact with the environment, hence requires regular hand hygiene. Hand hygiene has gained recognition because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is a largely effective, affordable preventive measure against infectious diseases. This study used both national and sub-national analyses to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 handwash ing guidelines on instances of diarrhea in Ghana. Methods Data on diarrhea cases spanning February 2018 and March 2022 were retrieved from the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS 2) using a data extraction guide. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics. The difference in diarrhea cases between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods was measured using a two-sample t test across Ghana’s 16 administrative areas. Causal Impact package in R statistical soft ware was employed to determine the impact of the introduction of COVID-19 hand hygiene protocols on diarrheal disease. Results A total of 5,645,533 diarrheal cases reported between February 2018 and March 2022 through the routine MIS (DHIMS2) were examined. Fifty-three percent of the cases occurred before the introduction of the hand hygiene protocol. Descriptive statistics indicated a statistically significant decrease in average diarrheal cases during the hand hygiene implementation era (13,463 cases reduction, p<0.001). Sub-national analyses revealed significant reductions in various regions: Greater Accra, Ashanti, Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, and Volta (p<0.05). Causal impact analysis confirmed 11.0% nationwide reduction in diarrheal cases attributed to the COVID-19 hand hygiene protocols (p<0.001). Conclusion This study underscores the effectiveness of COVID-19 hand hygiene protocols in reducing diarrheal morbidity in Ghana, with varying regional impacts. These findings advocate for the sustenance of investments and commitments made at the COVID hand hygiene protocols, particularly in this era where the pandemic appears controlled.

Source: UG
Reduction in the urinary aflatoxin M1 biomarker as an early indicator of the efficacy of dietary interventions to reduce exposure to aflatoxins

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
Reduction of aflatoxins in peanut meal by extrusion cooking in the presence of nucleophiles

This study explored the feasibility of degrading aflatoxins in contaminated peanut meal by extruding in the presence of calcium chloride with lysine and methylamine. A 2 × 2 × 3 experiment (moisture, pH and nucleophile) was designed to screen for a nucleophile to use in a study of extrusion conditions to degrade aflatoxins in peanut meal. The nucleophile was mixed with peanut meal at 2 g/100 g protein level and the samples "spiked" with aflatoxin standards. They were extruded using a single screw extruder, and aflatoxins quantified by HPLC.The presence of calcium chloride impeded the degradation of aflatoxins by extrusion. However, methylamine and lysine showed comparable efficacies to mediate aflatoxin reduction. There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) interactions between moisture and pH, as well as moisture and temperature. Contour plots from regression models (R2 = 0.85) showed a bimodal effect of moisture on aflatoxin degradation. Extrusion cooking reduced aflatoxins from an initial 417.72 μg/kg to 66.87 μg/kg (i.e. 84% reduction) in the peanut meal. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
REE mineralization related to carbonatites and alkaline magmatism in the northern Tarim basin, NW China: implications for a possible Permian large igneous province

Permian magmatism occurred widely in the Tarim basin and adjacent areas of NW China, resulting in the emplacement of numerous carbonatite plutons and alkaline rock intrusions, which are likely to have been derived from mantle sources. In addition, at least one large igneous province (LIP) can be recognized in NW China; namely, the ca. 270–290 Ma Tarim LIP, and it can be inferred that the peak age of magma activity is~280 Ma. Therefore, the mantle plume is limited spatially within southern Tianshan and the Tarim Basin and temporally in the Early Permian. Age and feld evidence suggest a spatial and temporal relationship between the carbonatites and alkaline rocks within the Tarim LIP, and their genesis is related to the Tarim mantle plume. In this paper, we direct our attention to the mineral assemblages that are related to carbonatites and alkaline rocks which host REE deposits (Wajilitag, Boziguoer) in the northern Tarim Craton. Alkaline rocks typically are related to rifts and/or extensional tectonics, and we suggest that these magmatic and metallogenic events occurred during an extensional regime, possibly related to the Tarim mantle plume event that affected much of South Tianshan during the Permian.

Source: UG
Reference intervals for common biochemical analytes in serum and plasma of a random adult population in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Background: The reference interval (RI) is arguably the most widely used decision making tool in clinical practice. Using the manufacturer's reference values may not be appropriate for other ethnic populations. Objective: The objective was to determine the reference intervals (RI) of Ghanaians and compare them to that provided in kits. Methods: 6300 adults, 25-65 years were selected by cluster sampling from three communities in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. A total of 4733 (male/female ratio = 1:1.5) participated. Fasting Blood Glucose (FF), 2-hour post-glucose plasma glucose (2HPP), total cholesterol (TCHOL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), uric acid (UA), urea (U), albumin (ALB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Results: Male and female mean ages were 44.9 ±14.7 and 44.0 ±14.6 years, respectively. Most assays had mean values between the 25th and 75th percentile apart from HDL-C whose mean values fell within the 50th percentile. Thus half of the manufacturers RI (MRI) represented <25 percentile for FF, 2HPP, LDL-C, ALB and ALP. The MRI for Urea was <25th - >97.5th. Conclusions: Mean values of most of the parameters determined represented the 25th-75th and not the 95th or 97.5th percentile.

Source: UG
Reference set of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strains: A tool for research and product development

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Reflections from Cross-Gender Fieldwork Experiences in Open Markets in Ghana

Fieldwork can be an enjoyable academic adventure producing lifelong experiences of excitement and a sense of academic accomplishment. However, it can be an equally frustrating undertaking, especially when carried out in ‘unfamiliar’ environments. This paper adds to the growing number of studies about fieldworkers’ experiences by reflecting on the complexities involved in the process and proffering ways to respond to them. We share our perspectives as three adult African males conducting research in a predominantly female space in two informal markets in Accra, Ghana. To do this, we engage with five issues related to fieldwork: preparing to enter the field; negotiating access; handling interviews; dealing with ethical dilemmas; and exiting the field. We found that being male is not a barrier to conducting research in a predominantly female space. The success of our fieldwork was a product of our ability to adapt, be creative, appreciate our inadequacies, learn quickly and also take some practical and common-sense steps. Our hope is that the insights shared in this paper will serve as a compass for prospective fieldworkers.

Source: UG
Reflections on By-Elections in the Fourth Republic of Ghana

Besides their obvious function of filling vacancies in the legislature, by-elections have several other potential functions in a political system - ranging from new political recruitment, through boosting party popularity, to conducting dry-runs for future elections. After a brief theoretical analysis of by-elections, this paper examines the dynamics, intricacies, and impacts of by-elections in Ghana since its return to constitutional rule in 1993 vis-à-vis the constitutional provisions and concludes by drawing out the major emerging issues with a discussion of the raging debate on the relevance of by-elections in the current constitutional dispensation

Source: UG
Reflections on Ghana’s Recent Elections

Ghana's last elections represented a cru- cial aspect of the transition to multi-party democracy that began with a 'founding' election in 1992 and ushered in the country's Fourth Republic. A second 'confirming' election in 1996 continued that process, and the third, held on 7 December 2000 with a runoff on 28 December 2000, signalled Ghana's com- mitment to constitutional democracy.

Source: UG
Reflections on selected tertiary music programmes in Francophone and English-speaking Africa: A report

This report deals with a real gap between music programmes in Francophone and English- speaking tertiary institutions within selected West and Central African countries. It is not a theoretical article, but rather a presentation of historical information with minimal speculation. This report was initially a response in January 2004 to a request from the Pan-African Society for Musical Arts Education (Pasmae) to write about my involvement in music education, especially in African Francophone countries, for an appointment as an Ambassador-extraordinary. I have dwelt solely on my own experiences with music curricula from West Africa, especially from Ghanaian and Nigerian universities. More clearly, this report is not designed to offer scholarly opinions and arguments on the adequacies/inadequacies of syllabi and course contents in African tertiary music education, because this is definitely a different and open issue. I narrow the focus to concentrate on the discrepancy between English-speaking and Francophone music curricula in West and Central Africa, where Legon may validly stand for a number of other tertiary institutions that have developed a curriculum based on Africa-driven and Western approaches. For instance, the seeds planted in each one of the above directions in Kenya and South Africa— representing an axis between African identities and Western curricula—will necessarily be reflected in my present assessment. Students from English-speaking countries would find curricula they would regard as standard in, for instance, the 1990s handbooks of the University of Ghana, Legon or the Legon website <University of Ghana>. On the other hand, scholars and cultural agents from Francophone Africa may need an example of such contents for their decision- making.

Source: UG
Reforming the African public sector: Retrospect and prospects

Reforming the African Public Sector: Retrospect and Prospectsis an in-depth and wide-ranging review of the available literature on African public sector reforms. It illustrates several differing country experiences to buttress the main observations and conclusions. It adopts a structural/institutional approach which underpins most of the reform efforts on the continent. To contextualize reform of the public sector and understand its processes, dynamics and intricacies, the book examines the state and state capacity building in Africa, especially when there can be no state without an efficient public sector. In addition, the book addresses a number of theories such as the new institutional economics, public choice and new public management, which have in one way or another influenced most of the initiatives implemented under public sector reform in Africa. There is also a survey of the three phases of public sector reform which have emerged and the balance sheet of reform strategies, namely, decentralization, privatization, deregulation, agencification, co-production and public-private partnerships. It concludes by identifying possible alternative approaches such as developing a vigorous public sector ethos and sustained capacity building to promote and enhance the renewal and reconstruction of the African public sector within the context of the New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD), good governance and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). © Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, 2008.

Source: UG
Reforms in Katsina and the Kano Government Crisis of 1908

This paper examines the success of colonial government reforms in Katsina division of Kano province in 1908, and the failure of the reforms in the neighbouring division of Kano within the same province. These developments, the study explores within the context of indigenous cooperation to colonial rule involving the concept of clientage and its attribute of pretended cooperation, taqiyya. The crisis of local government in Kano during 1908 derived from colonial consolidation such as reforms in territorial organization and tax administration, which met with resistance from indigenous rulers, contrary to the success of the reforms in Katsina. There, colonial reforms developed with capable and responsive indigenous clients, and astute management of relations between the colonial patron and clients. The reforms in Kano experienced some cooperation but passive resistance from the ruling emir. Efforts to nullify the emir’s opposition led to a crisis in administration and slackening of the reform movement. The Kano crisis and the contemporary reforms in Katsina epitomize the relationship of attraction and repulsion between the colonizer and the colonized in determining and implementing colonial policies. Considering the inter-dependent nature of colonial rule, the attitudes and values of the colonial clients would influence colonial ideology and practice.

Source: UG
Reframing motivation as ‘investment’ in teacher continuing professional development

This study is framed within Norton’s notion of ‘investment’ to explore the factors influencing teachers’ reasons and decisions to participate in continuing professional development (CPD) activities. Data were collected from 522 junior high school teachers in the Central region of Ghana using a survey and in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that teachers more frequently participated in informal CPD activities than in organized ones. Also, motivation to participate in CPD activities extended beyond intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to include sociocultural factors such as the nature of teachers’ identity and agency, which were shaped by existing contextual conditions in teachers’ professional practice. Such social conditions increased teachers’ expectations of resources from CPD participation. Therefore, teachers invested in CPD activities where their expectations of resources from participation outweighed the cost to be expended on such involvement. The study opens up a debate for rethinking teacher motivation to include the notion of ‘investment’ to provide a much deeper understanding of the complexities involved in teachers’ reasons for participating in CPD activities.

Source: UG