ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Multilingualism and language practices of Nigerien migrants in Ghana

This paper aims at examining language socialisation practices of members of two groups of migrants of Nigerien origin living in Ghana, i.e. Tamasheque-speaking beggars in Accra and Hausa/Zambarima/Buzu-speaking hawkers at the Akuapem Ridge. We examine the migrants’ language practices in various domains, such as work and home, interrogate whether such practices reflect the level of socioeconomic integration they experience and ascertain the role that members of the host communities play in their language socialisation. The Communities of Practice (CofP) framework, an ethnographic approach (which involves long-term observation and unstructured recorded interviews) is employed in the collection of data on the migrants’ language practices. However, two sets of data, from questionnaire surveys in Accra and the Akuapem Ridge, were collected to help describe these host communities’ language practices, which the migrants are expected to encounter. Batibo’s triglossic structure model was relied on in conducting those surveys and in interpreting the data. This study finds that there is strong correlation between a migrant group's socioeconomic integration and their sociolinguistic integration: while adult Tamasheque-speaking beggars are generally unable to learn any new languages in Ghana because they choose to remain marginalised, their children, who are the ones who beg and are the bread winners, as well as the hawkers, who sell wares roaming streets along the Ridge, typically get to learn at least Akan, the dominant local language of their host communities.

Source: UG
Multilocus analysis of hypertension: A hierarchical approach

While hypertension is a complex disease with a well-documented genetic component, genetic studies often fail to replicate findings. One possibility for such inconsistency is that the underlying genetics of hypertension is not based on single genes of major effect, but on interactions among genes. To test this hypothesis, we studied both single locus and multilocus effects, using a case-control design of subjects from Ghana. Thirteen polymorphisms in eight candidate genes were studied. Each candidate gene has been shown to play a physiological role in blood pressure regulation and affects one of four pathways that modulate blood pressure: vasoconstriction (angiotensinogen, angiotensin converting enzyme - ACE, angiotensin II receptor), nitric oxide (NO) dependent and NO independent vasodilation pathways and sodium balance (G protein-coupled receptor kinase, GRK4). We evaluated single site allelic and genotypic associations, multilocus genotype equilibrium and multilocus genotype associations, using multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR). For MDR, we performed systematic reanalysis of the data to address the role of various physiological pathways. We found no significant single site associations, but the hypertensive class deviated significantly from genotype equilibrium in more than 25% of all multilocus comparisons (2,162 of 8,178), whereas the normotensive class rarely did (11 of 8,178). The MDR analysis identified a two-locus model including ACE and GRK4 that successfully predicted blood pressure phenotype 70.5% of the time. Thus, our data indicate epistatic interactions play a major role in hypertension susceptibility. Our data also support a model where multiple pathways need to be affected in order to predispose to hypertension. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Source: UG
Multimodal Code-pairing and Switching of Visual-verbal Texts in Selected Nigerian Stand-up Comedy Performance

Scholars have often discussed the verbal form of code-switching involving different Nigerian languages and English from different perspectives; but the visual-verbal forms, involving a multimodal combination of different indigenous languages, paralinguistic features as well as costume, have enjoyed less attention. Visual-verbal texts are important means of conveying information and they are sometimes used by Nigerian stand-up comedians to elicit laughter during performances. Studies on stand-up comedy in Nigeria have also concentrated largely on monomodal verbal utterances, neglecting gestures/paralinguistic features. This study, therefore, examines multimodal pairing and switching of codes as features of visual-verbal texts and how they are used as strategies for eliciting laughter in Nigerian stand-up comedy. The study adopts Incongruity theory and Visual Semiotics as theoretical framework. Performances recorded in digital video discs (DVDs) and video clips of stand-up comedy performances downloaded from the Internet were selected through purposive random sampling method. Only those clips that involve the use of multimodal communication are randomly selected for the study. The stand-up comedians featured in the data spread across different cadres of stand-up comedians and across the major ethnic groups in Nigeria (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo) and a few others. Hence, the data is considered representative of different categories of stand-up comedians in Nigeria. They were analysed through content analysis.

Source: UG
Multimodal deep learning from satellite and street-level imagery for measuring income, overcrowding, and environmental deprivation in urban areas

Data collected at large scale and low cost (e.g. satellite and street level imagery) have the potential to substantially improve resolution, spatial coverage, and temporal frequency of measurement of urban inequalities. Multiple types of data from different sources are often available for a given geographic area. Yet, most studies utilize a single type of input data when making measurements due to methodological difficulties in their joint use. We propose two deep learning-based methods for jointly utilizing satellite and street level imagery for measuring urban inequalities. We use London as a case study for three selected outputs, each measured in decile classes: income, overcrowding, and environmental deprivation. We compare the performances of our proposed multimodal models to corresponding unimodal ones using mean absolute error (MAE). First, satellite tiles are appended to street level imagery to enhance predictions at locations where street images are available leading to improvements in accuracy by 20, 10, and 9% in units of decile classes for income, overcrowding, and living environment. The second approach, novel to the best of our knowledge, uses a U-Net architecture to make predictions for all grid cells in a city at high spatial resolution (e.g. for 3 m × 3 m pixels in London in our experiments). It can utilize city wide availability of satellite images as well as more sparse information from streetlevel images where they are available leading to improvements in accuracy by 6, 10, and 11%. We also show examples of prediction maps from both approaches to visually highlight performance differences

Source: UG
Multimorbidity of chronic diseases among adult patients presenting to an inner-city clinic in Ghana

Abstract Background Very little is known about multimorbidity and chronic diseases in low and middle income countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, and more information is needed to guide the process of adapting the health systems in these countries to respond adequately to the increasing burden of chronic diseases. We conducted a hospital-based survey in an urban setting in Ghana to determine the prevalence of multimorbidity and its associated risk factors among adult patients presenting to an inner city clinic. Methods Between May and June 2012, we interviewed adult patients (aged 18&#160;years and above) attending a routine outpatient clinic at an inner-city hospital in Accra using a structured questionnaire. We supplemented the information obtained from the interviews with information obtained from respondents&#8217; health records. We used logistic regression analyses to explore the risk factors for multimorbidity. Results We interviewed 1,527 patients and retrieved matching medical records for 1,399 (91.6%). The median age of participants was 52.1&#160;years (37&#8211;64&#160;years). While the prevalence of multimorbidity was 38.8%, around half (48.6%) of the patients with multimorbidity were aged between 18&#8211;59&#160;years old. The most common combination of conditions was hypertension and diabetes mellitus (36.6%), hypertension and musculoskeletal conditions (19.9%), and hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions (11.4%). Compared with patients aged 18&#8211;39&#160;years, those aged 40&#8211;49&#160;years (OR 4.68, 95% CI: 2.98&#8211;7.34), 50&#8211;59&#160;years (OR 12.48, 95% CI: 8.23&#8211;18.92) and 60&#160;years or older (OR 15.80, 95% CI: 10.66&#8211;23.42) were increasingly likely to present with multimorbidity. While men were less likely to present with multimorbidity, (OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.45&#8211;0.94, p&#8201;=&#8201;0.015), having a family history of any chronic disease was predictive of multimorbidity (OR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.03&#8211;1.68, p&#8201;=&#8201;0.027). Conclusions Multimorbidity is a significant problem in this population. By identifying the risk factors for multimorbidity, the results of the present study provide further evidence for informing future policies aimed at improving clinical case management, health education and medical training in Ghana.

Source: UG
Multinational Modelling Of PM2.5 And CO Exposures From Household Air Pollution In Peri-Urban Cameroon, Ghana And Kenya.

In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 85% of the population uses polluting cooking fuels (e.g. wood, charcoal). Incomplete combustion of these fuels generates household air pollution (HAP), containing fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). Due to large spatial variability, increased quantification of HAP levels is needed to improve exposure assessment in sub-Saharan Africa. The CLEAN-Air(Africa) study included 24-h monitoring of PM2.5 and CO kitchen concentrations (npm2.5 =248/nCO =207) and female primary cook exposures (npm2.5 =245/nCO =222) in peri-urban households in Obuasi (Ghana), Mbalmayo (Cameroon) and Eldoret (Kenya). HAP measurements were combined with survey data on cooking patterns, socioeconomic characteristics and ambient exposure proxies (e.g. walking time to nearest road) in separate PM2.5 and CO mixed-effect log-linear regression models. Model coefficients were applied to a larger study population (n=937) with only survey data to quantitatively scale up PM2.5 and CO exposures.The final models moderately explained variation in mean 24-h PM2.5 (R2 =0.40) and CO (R2 =0.26) kitchen concentration measurements, and PM2.5 (R2 =0.27) and CO (R2 =0.14) female cook exposures. Primary/secondary cooking fuel type was the only significant predictor in all four models. Other significant predictors of PM2.5 and CO kitchen concentrations were cooking location and household size; household financial security and rental status were only predictive of PM2.5 concentrations. Cooking location, household financial security and proxies of ambient air pollution exposure were significant predictors of PM2.5 cook exposures. Including objective cooking time measurements (from temperature sensors) from (n=143) households substantially improved (by 52%) the explained variability of the CO kitchen concentration model, but not the PM2.5 model. Socioeconomic characteristics and markers of ambient air pollution exposure were strongly associated with mean PM2.5 measurements, while cooking environment variables were more predictive of mean CO levels.

Source: UG
Multinomial logistic regression analysis of the determinants of anaemia severity among children aged 6–59 months in Ghana: new evidence from the 2019 Malaria Indicator Survey

Background Anaemia among children under age fve is a major public health issue. Although anaemia prevalence is declining in Ghana, the severity among anaemic children is worsening. This study aims to investigate the determi nants of anaemia severity among children aged 6 to 59 months in Ghana. Method The study utilized a weighted sample of 1,258 children with anaemia with data obtained from the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey. The predictor variables included maternal, household child and health system char acteristics. SPSS version. At the multivariate level, three diferent multinomial logistic models were run with selected predictor variables. All tests were conducted at the 95% confdence level. Results The overall anaemia prevalence among children under age fve was 43.5%. Of these, 2.6% were severely anaemic, 48.5% were moderately anaemic, and 48.9% had mild anaemia. The multinomial analysis showed that maternal, household, child and health system factors signifcantly predicted anaemia levels among anaemic children. The results indicate that a lower likelihood of anaemia severity is likely to be found among children whose mothers belong to Pentecostal/Charismatic faith (AOR=0.18-model I; AOR=0.15-model III) and children who tested negative for malaria (AOR=0.28-model II and III). Again, a higher probability of anaemia severity was found among anaemic children whose mothers were not aware of NHIS coverage of malaria (AOR=2.41-model II, AOR=2.60-model III). With regard to moderate anaemia level, children who belong to the poorest, poorer and middle household wealth index had a higher likelihood of being moderately anaemic compared to those in rich households. Similarly, anaemic children who were less than 12 months old (AOR=2.21-model II, AOR=2.29-model III) and those between the ages of 1–2 years (AOR=1.84-model II, AOR=1.83-model III) were more likely to have moderate anaemia levels. Conclusion The study fndings show the importance of understanding the interrelation among diferent factors that infuence anaemia severity among children under age fve as critical in developing strategies and programmes aimed at addressing childhood anaemia.

Source: UG
The Multiple Dimensions of Participation: Key Determinants of Nutrition Intervention Outcomes

Nutrition research benefits from broad and intensive participation by stakeholders. The articles in this series demonstrate that understanding participation is complex because it incorporates the dimensions of stakeholders, activity, time, and intensity. Early involvement in research can help prioritize the problems to be addressed, refine the specific research question, and determine acceptable community-based approaches to be used in an intervention. The included studies examined the construct of participation and the diverse means by which it can be measured. They demonstrated how knowledge gained from early participation influenced the direction of interventions and increased relevancy for the community. The researchers assessed participation intensity during the intervention phase to help explain project outcomes and provide estimates of the magnitude of the effect that could be achieved if high-level participation of stakeholders was universal. In addition, participation in the analysis process was a key component of some of the articles in this series, demonstrating the richness of understanding that can be obtained through collaborative analyses. The included papers provide insight into how to define and measure participation, how to explore approaches to encourage participation of direct and indirect beneficiaries, and how participation at different time points and by different stakeholders can validate and support interventions and enhance effectiveness. As such, the series serves as a valuable reference to researchers, program and policy designers, implementers, and evaluators to increase the benefits of community-based interventions for nutrition outcomes.

Source: UG
Multiple levels of social influence on adolescent sexual and reproductive health decision-making and behaviors in Ghana

Little is known about the multilevel social determinants of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) that shape the use of family planning (FP) among young women in Africa. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 63 women aged 15–24 years in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. We used purposive, stratified sampling to recruit women from community-based sites. Interviews were conducted in English or local languages, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory-guided thematic analysis identified salient themes. Three primary levels of influence emerged as shaping young women’s SRH experiences, decision-making, and behaviors. Interpersonal influences (peers, partners, and parents) were both supportive and unsupportive influences on sexual debut, contraceptive (non) use, and pregnancy resolution. Community influences included perceived norms about acceptability/unacceptability of adolescent sexual activity and its consequences (pregnancy, childbearing, abortion). Macro-social influences involved religion and abstinence and teachings about premarital sex, lack of comprehensive sex education, and limited access to confidential, quality SRH care. The willingness and ability of young women in our study to use FP methods and services were affected, often negatively, by factors operating within and across each level. These findings have implications for research, programs, and policies to address social determinants of adolescent SRH. © 2018 Taylor & Francis.

Source: UG
Multiple pathways towards achieving a living income for different types of smallholder tree‑crop commodity farmers

Many sources indicate that smallholder tree-crop commodity farmers are poor, but there is a lack of data on how many are poor and the depth of poverty. The living income concept establishes the net annual income required for a household in a place to afford a decent standard of living. Based on datasets on smallholder cocoa and tea farmers in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Kenya and literature, we conclude that a large proportion of such farmers do not have the potential to earn a living income based on their current situation. Because these farmers typically cultivate small farm sizes and have a low capacity to invest and diversify, there are no silver bullets to move them out of poverty. We present an assessment approach that results in insights into which interventions can be effective in improving the livelihoods of different types of farmers. While it is morally imperative that all households living in poverty are supported to earn a living income, the assessment approach and literature indicate that focusing on short- to medium-term interventions for households with a low likelihood of generating a living income could improve food security and health, funding of-farm and alternative employment, and social assistance programs. In the long term, land governance policies could address land fragmentation and secure rights. Achieving living incomes based on smallholder commodity production requires more discussion and engagement with farmers and their household members and within their communities, coordination between all involved stakeholders, and sharing of lessons learned and data.

Source: UG
Multiple perpetrator rape in Ghana: offenders, victims and offence characteristics

Multiple perpetrator rape (MPR) is criminalised in Ghana but there is a dearth of research and official statistics on the phenomenon. This study explores some of the key characteristics of MPR in Ghana as reported in the media. Keyword search of the news archives of 9 Ghanaian media outlets generated 57 cases of MPR reported from January 2000 through June 2016. Content analysis of the cases showed 61 all-female victims and 57 all-male perpetrator groups. The average victim age was 17.9 years and the modal perpetrator-group size was two. The majority of the victims knew at least one member of the perpetrator groups. The perpetrator groups approached their victims outdoors but raped them indoors, using violent techniques to compel compliance. Although the characteristics of MPR in Ghana, as observed in this study, are comparatively similar to those found in other African countries, further studies are recommended for a nuanced understanding of MPR in Ghana.

Source: UG
Multiple sexual partnership among school‑going adolescents in Benin: a population‑based study of prevalence and predictors

Aim The study investigated the prevalence and determinants of multiple sexual partnerships among school-going adolescents. Methods A secondary analysis of data from the 2016 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was conducted to determine the prevalence and determinants of multiple sexual partners among 2496 school-going adolescents aged 13–17 years in Benin. Results The overall prevalence of multiple sexual partnerships was 26.1% among adolescents. After adjusting for other factors, male sex (AOR=4.80, 95% CI 3.78–6.09), truancy (AOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.35–2.12), sedentary lifestyle (AOR=1.28) 95% CI 1.00–1.62), cigarette smoking (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.95–5.07) and alcohol use (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.44–2.20) were significantly associated with the increased odds of engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. However, younger age (AOR=.37, 95% CI 0.25–0.56), lower grade (AOR=.52, 95% CI 0.42–65), and parental monitoring (AOR=0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.91) were significantly associated with lower odds of engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. Conclusions Risky sexual behaviour interventions should focus on adolescents’ personal, school, and psychosocial characteristics using multidisciplinary approaches. These approaches will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3, target 3.4 of promoting adolescent mental health and well-being, and Goal 4, target 1 of ensuring equitable education toward effective learning outcomes among Beninese school-going adolescents.

Source: UG
The Multiple Streams Framework and the 1996 and 2007 Educational Reforms in Ghana

The paper examines the formulation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy and the Kuffour-led education reforms in the education system of Ghana in 1996 and 2007 respectively. The study is undertaken through the lens of the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) developed by John Kingdon in 1984 to underscore how different factors or streams collectively influence the adoption of certain policies. The paper argues that far more than mere pursuit of party manifesto promises, broad problem, policy and political occurrences conspired to call forth the reforms. By so doing, the paper puts the theoretical assumptions of MSF to test and finds that though developed within the context of the American democratic system to explain policymaking, the MSF finds utility in the Ghanaian context as well, making its postulations generalizable.

Source: UG
Multiplex PCR and Microarray for Detection of Swine Respiratory Pathogens

Various forms of body modification may be observed in sub-Saharan Africa. Hypotheses and theories of scarification and tribal marking in sub-Saharan Africa are described, plus the procedure of scarification, examples from several African countries, assumed effects in prevention and treatment of diseases, and the medical risks resulting from unsterile manipulation. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Source: UG
A Multiplex PCR/LDR Assay for Viral Agents of Diarrhea with the Capacity to Genotype Rotavirus

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