ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Voices That Influence HIV-Positive Mothers’ Breastfeeding Practices in an Urban, Ghanaian Society

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that HIV-positive mothers should breastfeed for at least 1 year. There are people in the lives of these mothers who influence their decisions. Research aim: The aim was to explore the role of social persuasion in the decision-making processes of HIV-positive breastfeeding mothers. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory research design was employed (N = 13). Participants were recruited from a public hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. One-on-one interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the contents of the transcripts were analyzed for emerging themes. Results: The perspectives of spouses, health workers, counselors, and siblings about breastfeeding affect the breastfeeding practices of mothers living with HIV in Ghana. Most of the women had negative experiences with their midwives. Because of complex social and cultural influences, the opinions of spouses, health professionals, siblings, and members of the communities in which breastfeeding mothers with HIV live influence breastfeeding practices. Conclusion: This study described HIV-positive, breastfeeding mothers’ perceptions of the role played by spouses, health professionals, siblings, and the community in breastfeeding decisions and practices. Influential people in the lives of breastfeeding mothers with HIV should be involved during interventions by HIV counselors to promote breastfeeding practices.

Source: UG
Volatile compounds of maari, a fermented product from baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seeds

The volatile compounds associated with baobab seeds fermentation for Maari production were extracted and analysed by Likens-Nickerson simultaneous steam distillation-extraction method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. Furthermore, the titratable acidity, tannin content and proximate composition were evaluated. A total of 96 compounds were identified with esters, acids, alcohols and ketones being quantitatively the major groups. Fermentation led to an increase in the concentration of total volatile compounds from 121.6 in unfermented cooked seeds to 809.1 mg kg -1 in the fermented product. Drying resulted in a significant loss of up to 80.7% of the total volatiles. © 2011 Academic Journals.

Source: UG
Volatile compounds produced by Lactobacillus fermentum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida krusei in single starter culture fermentations of Ghanaian maize dough

Aims: To identify and compare the volatile compounds associated with maize dough samples prepared by spontaneous fermentation and by the use of added starter cultures in Ghana. Methods and Results: The starter cultures examined were Lactobacillus fermentum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida krusei. For identification of aroma volatiles, extracts by the Likens-Nickerson simultaneous distillation and extraction technique were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and using a trained panel of four judges by GC-Olfactometry (GC-sniffing). Compounds identified by GC-MS in maize dough samples after 72 h of fermentation included 20 alcohols, 22 carbonyls, 11 esters, seven acids, a furan and three phenolic compounds. Of the total 64 volatile compounds, 51 were detected by GC-sniffing as contributing to the aroma of the different fermented dough samples. Spontaneously fermented maize dough was characterized by higher levels of carbonyl compounds while fermentations with added L. fermentum recorded the highest concentration of acetic acid. S. cerevisiae produced higher amounts of fusel alcohols and increasing levels of esters with fermentation time and C. krusei showed similarity to L. fermentum with lower levels of most volatiles identified. Conclusion: The present study has given a detailed picture of the aroma compounds in fermented maize and demonstrated that the predominant micro-organisms in fermented maize dough can be used as starter cultures to modify the aroma of fermented maize dough. Significance and Impact of the Study: The study has documented the advantage of using starter cultures in African traditional food processing and provided a scientific background for introducing better controlled fermentations.

Source: UG
Volatility Analysis of Exchange Rate with Correlated Errors: A Sliding Data Matrix Approach

The main objective of this study is to propose a method of analysing the volatility of a seemingly random walk time series with correlated errors without transforming the series as performed traditionally. The proposed method involves the computation of moving volatilities based on sliding and cumulative data matrices. Our method rests on the assumption that the number of subperiods for which the series is available is the same for all periods and on the assumption that the series observations in each subperiod for all the periods under consideration are a random sample from a particular distribution. The method was successfully implemented on a simulated dataset. A paired sample t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, repeated measures (ANOVA), and Friedman tests were used to compare the volatilities of the traditional method and the proposed method under both sliding and cumulative data matrices. It was found that the differences among the average volatilities of the traditional method and sliding and cumulative matrix methods were insignificant for the simulated series that follow the random walk theorem. The implementation of the method on exchange rates for Canada, China, South Africa, and Switzerland resulted in adjudging South Africa to have the highest fluctuating exchange rates and hence the most unstable economy.

Source: UG
“Volk aut dem Weg’: Transnational migration of the Russian-Germans from 1763 to present day”

This article traces the migration patterns of the Russian-Germans across international borders from their initial settlement in the Russian Empire starting in 1763 up to the present day. In particular it analyses the reasons behind these migration flows. Both push and pull factors motivated the immigration of ethnic Germans into the Russian Empire in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A similarly complex combination of factions spurred the various waves of emigration by Russian-Germans out of this territory during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This article seeks to illustrate the primary courses of these migration flows.

Source: UG
The Volta Lake system in Ghana. An overview of the physical attributes, resource management and environmental change.

This paper presents an overview of the Volta lake system in Ghana, highlighting key issues which need urgent public attention and policy response. Data for the study were derived from both published and unpublished literature. The paper discussed the physical characteristics of the lake and its basin, resource management and environmental challenges of the lake system. The strategic location of the Volta Lake in the heart of the Volta basin was noted together with its importance as a reservoir for hydro-electric power generation, fishery resources, lake transportation, opportunities for irrigation, lakeside commerce and tourism. The paper catalogued environmental issues affecting the lake system, which included lakeshore deforestation, loss of biodiversity, fluctuating water levels, seasonal flooding of riparian areas, water-borne diseases, growth of aquatic weeds, climate variability and water quality degradation. Other challenges as highlighted by the paper included lakeshore erosion and sedimentation, proliferation of aquatic weeds, problems associated with lake transportation, water governance and downstream hydrological changes and the consequential changes in the ecological conditions of the residual river and the adjoining floodplain. The main concern presently is that the threshold or conflict situation has emerged where people have to choose between extensive exploitation of the lakeshore resources for economic livelihood enhancement and environmental protection for sustained power generation. The paper concludes that a better way forward is to begin looking at the Volta Lake system as a shared responsibility with a transnational concern, if the future of this resource is to be sustained.

Source: UG
The Volta River Project (I) Report of the Preparatory Commission

This report is made by the Preparatory Commission which was set up in 1953 to carry forward the work which had already been done in investigating the Volta River Project, and to advance the planning of the scheme to a stage where a decision could be made whether it should be undertaken. 2. The report is supported by sixteen appendices which are being published simultaneously in a separate volume. A list of them will be found at page xv of this volume. 3. The Engineering Report of the consulting engineers, Sir William Halcrow & Partners, is also being published separately. It deals with the technical aspects of the dam and power installation and the new railways

Source: UG
The Volta River Project: planning, housing and resettlement in Ghana, 1950–1965

This paper investigates the housing schemes proposed in connection with the Volta River Project, Ghana, in the mid-1950s to early 1960s. The Volta River Project formed part of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision for Ghana’s modernisation and industrialisation in the wake of political independence. Three associated worker housing schemes demonstrated somewhat contradictory design and construction methods, from high specification, extensive amenities, and comprehensive servicing, through to self-build ‘core’ houses amounting to little more than single-room dwellings. The paper traces the complex and controversial history of these schemes, supplemented with findings of several field trips to the settlements in question, to unravel the value of the ‘Core Houses’ approach. The most successful project to incorporate indigenous agency and true collaboration was the semi-formal ‘Combined Area’ housing at Akosombo, a positive model for shared agency and collaboration in planning, housing, and facilities delivery. Sitting alongside the carefully manicured plan of Akosombo, with its regulated market, excellent health care and desire to set high standards of cleanliness, the Combined Area has not only provided homes for the lower-paid and labouring workers of the town, but has developed over time into a settlement where professionals and retired government workers are also now residing, not out of necessity but by choice. By actively developing their own homes, shared spaces and amenities there has developed a strong sense of ownership, community, and identity. The success and level of attachment to this settlement clearly extends beyond its material presence and through the shared experience of helping to cultivate a place of one’s own.

Source: UG
Voluntary ingestion of natural cocoa extenuated damage in rat with experimentally induced chronic alcoholic toxicity.

Background: Chronic ethanol ingestion causes hepatic damage imputable to an increased oxidative stress engendered by alcoholic toxicity. Polyphenols in cocoa have antioxidant properties, and natural cocoa powder (NCP) contains the highest levels of total antioxidant capacity when compared to all other kinds of edible cocoa products. This study tested the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with NCP mitigates hepatic injury resulting from chronic ethanol consumption. Three groups of eight randomized Sprague-Dawley rats were fed standard rat food and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: (i) the Ethanol-water group was given unrestricted access to 40% (v/v) ethanol for 12 hours (at night) followed by water for the remaining 12 hours (daytime), (ii) the Ethanol-cocoa group had similarly unrestricted access to 40% ethanol for 12 hours followed by 2% (w/v) NCP for 12 hours, and (iii) the control group was not given alcohol and had unrestricted access to only water which was synchronously replenished every 12 hours as it was for the ethanol treated animals

Source: UG
Volunteer responsibilities, motivations and challenges in implementation of the community-based health planning and services (CHPS) initiative in Ghana: qualitative evidence from two systems learning districts of the CHPS+ project

Background: Community volunteerism is essential in the implementation of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in Ghana. We explored the responsibilities, motivations and challenges of community health management committees (CHMCs) in two CHPS+ Project districts in Ghana. Methods: We used a qualitative approach to collect data through 4 focus group discussions among a purposive sample of community health volunteers in December 2018 and analysed them thematically. Results: Community health management committees (CHMCs) were found to provide support in running the CHPS programme through resource mobilisation, monitoring of logistics, assisting the Community Health Officers (CHO) in the planning of CHPS activities, and the resolution of conflicts between CHOs and community members. The value, understanding and protective functions were the key motivations for serving on CHMCs. Financial, logistical and telecommunication challenges, lack of recognition and cooperation from community members, lack of motivation and lack of regular skill development training programmes for CHMC members who serve as traditional birth attendants (TBAs) were major challenges in CHMC volunteerism. Conclusion: Community health volunteerism needs to be prioritised by the Ghana Health Service and other health sector stakeholders to make it attractive for members to give off their best in the discharge of their responsibilities

Source: UG
Volunteering for Health Services in the Middle Part of Ghana: In Whose Interest?

Background In many developing countries like Ghana, community volunteers assist in the provision of certain health services to rural and hard-to-reach communities. This study examined factors that influence the motivation and retention of community-based volunteers supporting with work on health-related activities at the community level in Ghana. Methods Using a sequential mixed-method design, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 205 selected community-based volunteers in Kintampo North Municipality (KNM) and Kintampo South District (KSD) of Ghana between December, 2014 and February, 2015. Qualitative interviews, including 12 in-depth interviews (IDIs) among health workers and community opinion leaders and 2 focus group discussion (FGD) sessions with volunteers were conducted. Results Personal interest (32.7%) and community leaders’ selection of volunteers (30.2%) were key initial reasons for volunteering. Monetary incentives such as allowance for extra duty (88.8%) and per diem (49.3%) and non-monetary incentives such as T-shirts/bags (45.4 %), food during training (52.7%), community recognition, social prestige and preferential treatment at health facilities were the facilitators of volunteers’ retention. There was a weak evidence (P = .051) to suggest that per diem for their travels is a reason for volunteers’ satisfaction. Conclusion Community-based volunteers’ motivation and retention were influenced by their personal interest in the form of recognition by community members and health workers, community leaders’ selection and other nonmonetary incentives. Volunteers were motivated by extra-duty allowance but not per diems paid for accommodation and feeding when they travel. Organizations that engage community volunteers are encouraged to strengthen the selection of volunteers in collaboration with community leaders, and to provide both non-monetary and monetary incentives to motivate volunteers.

Source: UG
Voter's choice of a presidential candidate: An empirical study

Since the consolidation of democracy and the inception of reforms thereof in Ghana, one raging subject matter that has over time come under intense scrutiny and, consequently, altogether eminently preoccupied the attention of political scientists, pollsters, marketers and strategists in particular, has been one bordering on voter's behavior. Understanding voter's behavior is crucially indispensable to reshaping the democratic process and devising political strategies. In spite of this, there is, however, a paucity of research focus targeted at unraveling the distinct behavior patterns and underpinnings relative to voters' choices. Against this backdrop, the main idea of this research is to explore the antecedents of voters' choice. The theory of consumer behavior has been used as the theoretical framework. Using the survey approach, data was elicited from card-bearing registered voters and analyzed with the aid of the structural equation modeling technique. results of data (n = 363) analysis revealed a confluence of voters' choice antecedents anchored on quality, trust, attractiveness, expertise and image. Based on the results, study implications are discussed, and suggestions for future research are subsequently delineated.

Source: UG
Voyage De Monsierur Le Vaillant Dans Linterieur De L’Afrique

Il a plu aux Nom.encbteurs de I'Hifroire Naturelle d'etablir des rapports & de catq'l1er l'anatomie des :J.ni1l1.aux fur celie de l'homme; J.U moyen de eet -arrangement qui n'efr gueres C~nti gue des gens de l'Art, it arrive que la partie fur laguelle pofe

Source: UG
Voyages. En Guinee ET Dans Les Iles- Caraibes En Amerique

Sollicit E par mes amis de rendre ces Lertres utiles au Public, je m'en avoue l'Auteur; mais je ne me fuis de- terrnine a .les mettre fous fes yeux qu'a.: pres les avoir revues &. corrigees avec fain. On ne. doit pas' attendre de moi une (defcription cofmologique, geographique au topographique 'des pays dont il y eft queftion. On trouve dans les Encyclcpedies &.dans les e volumes ou font . . - entaffees compilations .fur compilations, routes les notions relatives a cet objet. Leprincipal' motif qui m'a conduit en Guinee &. enfuite en Amerique, a ere l'etude de la nature, Amon arrivce dans ces con trees , je trouvai mille objets nouveaux, qui fans appartenir proprement

Source: UG
Vs30 mapping at selected sites within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area

A large part of Accra is underlain by a complex distribution of shallow soft soils. Within seismically active zones, these soils hold the most potential to significantly amplify seismic waves and cause severe damage, especially to structures sited on soils lacking sufficient stiffness. This paper presents preliminary site classification for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana (GAMA), using experimental data from two-dimensional (2-D) Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) technique. The dispersive characteristics of fundamental mode Rayleigh type surface waves were utilized for imaging the shallow subsurface layers (approx. up to 30 m depth) by estimating the 1D (depth) and 2D (depth and surface location) shear wave velocities at 5 selected sites. The average shear wave velocity for 30 m depth (Vs30), which is critical in evaluating the site response of the upper 30 m, was estimated and used for the preliminary site classification of the GAM area, as per NEHRP (National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program). Based on the Vs30 values obtained in the study, two common site types C, and D corresponding to shallow (>6 m < 30 m) weathered rock and deep (up 30 m thick) stiff soils respectively, have been identified within the study area. Lower velocity profiles are inferred for the residual soils (sandy to silty clays), derived from the Accraian Formation that lies mainly within Accra central. Stiffer soil sites lie to the north of Accra, and to the west near Nyanyano. The seismic response characteristics over the residual soils in the GAMA have become apparent using the MASW technique. An extensive site effect map and a more robust probabilistic seismic hazard analysis can now be efficiently built for the metropolis, by considering the site classes and design parameters obtained from this study. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UG
Vulcanization kinetics and reinforcement behaviour of natural rubber-carbon black composites Addition of Shea-butter versus aromatic oil as plasticizers

This work is a comparative study between Shea butter (SB) and treated distillate aromatic extract oil (TDAE) as plasticizers in the vulcanization of natural rubber (NR)- carbon black (CB) vulcanizates (—CB—S—NR—). The plasticized CB—S—NR composites extended scorch (Ts2) and optimum (T90) curing times. The delays in crosslinking reaction were suspected to be due to the increased viscosity (ML) and insulation of the reacting species (NR, CB, Sulfur and other curing aids) by the films of plasticizers. This effect increased the activation energy (Ea (KJ/mol)) for vulcanization. The CB—S—NR— without plasticizer SB (SBO) showed higher ML, crosslinking density index (ΔM), rheological strength (MH) and low cure reversion properties than others. In comparison, the SB-loaded CB-S—NR— composites showed improvement in ML, ΔM, T90, with lower Ea (KJ/mol) than TDAE samples. Also, the SB compounds exhibited higher Young’s modulus Eo (MPa) than SBO and TDAE compounds. For instance, the Eo (MPa) of SB5 was over 7 and 1200 % higher than SBO and STD5, respectively. However, —CB—S—NR— filled with TDAE generally showed higher strength (MPa), attributed to stronger CB-NR interactions. Therefore, environmentally friendly SB could replace petroleum-based oils for compounding rubbers.

Source: UG
Vulnerabilities in Ghanaian orphans: Using the ecological systems theory as a lens

International studies have suggested that parental loss is a risk factor for poor physical and mental health, but all orphans do not develop the same kind and intensity of wellbeing indicators. This disparity is associated with certain biopsychosocial characteristics of the developing orphan which may interact with certain environmental factors to determine the levels of vulnerability a child may experience following parental death. While studies have been devoted to orphanhood in Ghana, no study has examined the nature of multisystemic risks within the sociocultural environment, and the factors within orphans which may interact to determine their experiences and developmental outcomes in Ghana. In the present paper, the Ecological Systems Theory is used to depict different vulnerabilities associated with orphanhood in the Ghanaian context. Using this theory, I demonstrate that Ghanaian orphans may experience vulnerabilities at all systems of the theory. Implications of the identified vulnerabilities for research, interventions and policy making are discussed.

Source: UG