ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Possible healthcare-associated transmission as a cause of secondary infection and population structure of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from two wound treatment centres in Ghana

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
Possible role of trace elements in the hypoglycemic effect of plants extract in diabetic rats

The present study is designed to investigate the possible role of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium on, the hypoglycemic action of a plants mixture and alfalfa using a diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced in male Wister rats using streptozotocin and confirmed by estimation of glucose levels in blood and urine and further by histologic examination of the pancreas. The animals were treated with the plants mixture and alfalfa extracts orally by gastric intubation for 7 days. Untreated normal and diabetic rats were included as controls. After evaluating glucose tolerance, animals were sacrificed and organs harvested for trace element analysis and histopathological study. The concentration of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium in plasma, liver, and pancreas of diabetic rats was significantly lower than those of nondiabetic controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with plants mixture and alfalfa significantly decreased the blood glucose concentration but increased the levels of zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium in plasma, liver, and pancreas. Similar changes occurred in the nondiabetic normal control animals treated with the same products. Histological and immunohistochemical examination also confirmed the presence of more β-cells in the islets of treated diabetic animals compared with untreated diabetic controls. There was no histological evidence of damage to the liver of either diabetic or normal control animals treated with the plants extract. The present study indicated that treatment of diabetes with naturally available plants mixture appears to be effective and the hypoglycemic effect could be through a multimechanism action including that exerted by the trace element content in the different tissues including the pancreas.

Source: UG
Post 911 Us Foreign Policy: A Comparative Study of Presidents George W. Bush Jr. and Barack Obama

The United States has been known for its isolationist, neutrality and noninterventionist tendencies since independence as a result of the caution sounded by its founding fathers, such as George Washington, that future foreign policy makers should ensure they do not involve the state in any permanently entangling alliances. Things, however, changed after World War II when the US saw the need to exert its influence on the world stage to advance its interest by spreading their values through a multilateral system. The US has been accorded the founder of the current multilateral system after leading the creation of the United Nations and its agencies through funding and provision of leadership since 1945. The expectation is that being the founders of the present multilateral system, the US, as a leader, will always stick to a multilateral approach to world problems. This has often not been the case as a lot of the presidents have either resorted to unilateralism or multilateralism or both in tackling world problems. The September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon presents an era where America’s power has been tested by terrorists and what everyone looks out for is how her leaders will approach the issue. This research studies how the first two presidents, George Bush Jr. and Barack Obama, who came after the September 11 attack, approached the challenge in the context of going it alone or involving alliances. What the researcher realised is that generally, analysts are divided, up to date, as to which of the two leaders was unilaterally or multilaterally oriented. Basing on related literature about the issues and inferring from face-to-face interviews, the researcher discovered that the policies and approaches of these leaders were determined by factors such as level of relationship between the president and Congress, War on Terror, personal attributes of the leaders, national interest among others. These determinants to a large extent influenced how Bush Jr. and Barack Obama accepted or shunned unilateralism or multilateralism in executing their policies. After careful analysis, the study revealed that President Barack Obama firmly embraced multilateral approach to solving world problems while Bush Jr. preferred unilateralism on the average. It is recommended that, in spite of achieving the national interest, the US might show considerable commitment to multilateral agreements as an example of leadership for others to emulate. It is also recommended that Congress and the Executive be encouraged to maintain bipartisanship to promote programmes and policies of international interest. Finally, the US might consider increasing aid to terror prone regions since terrorism, in part, emanates from economic deprivation.

Source: UG
Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Liberia-Whither the Peace Dividends?

In 1989, Liberia was plunged into one of the most devastating civil wars ever witnessed in the West African sub region. After eight year of war during which several factions of the warring parties emerged, a truce was reached leading to the election in July 1997, of Charles Taylor as President of the Republic of Liberia. Taylor’s ascendancy to the presidency however did not end the conflict. Challenged by factions that were made up basically of his former allies, namely the Liberians United for Reconstruction and Development (LURD) in 2001 and later by the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), an International Criminal Court arrest warrant hanging over his head, amidst the conclusion of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Accra, Taylor was forced into exile in Nigeria in 2003. In 2005, following democratic elections supervised by the United Nations, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf assumed power as President of the Republic of Liberia. Since then, Liberia has been engaged in a process of post-conflict reconstruction. With considerable UNMIL presence in Liberia, a significant number of aid agencies present and a population worn out by years of war, it is not far-fetched to expect that the peace achieved will last. This notwithstanding, examples of post-conflict countries that have relapsed into violent conflict abound in Africa. This together with indications of some unresolved issues relating to the conflict makes it prudent to question the extent to which the peace dividends if any achieved, can be sustained. This study thus, attempts to examine the post conflict reconstruction of Liberia based on information gathered on the field. It is with the aim of ascertaining the extent to which the peace reached is sustainable.

Source: UG
Post-dam construction and livelihood revitalization of affected communities at Ghana's Bui dam

Evidence around dam building worldwide has revealed that the impacts of dam projects can affect the livelihoods of the project-affected people worse off several years after the dam is commissioned. Despite six decades of Ghana's dam-building experience, there is paucity of information on the impact of new programs implemented during post-dam construction on local livelihoods. This study filled in the gap by examining whether the new livelihood enhancement programs introduced by the Bui Power Authority (BPA) at the Bui dam have revitalized local livelihood activities that had been disrupted by the dam construction and resettlement processes. Explorative qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and field observation in the seven resettled communities at Bui and Jama Resettlement Townships and in three non-resettled communities at the Bui Dam area, including the host community. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of 130 participants for the KIIs and FGDs. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis approach. The results showed that, in general, the new livelihood support programs in the resettled communities, such as cage aquaculture production, weaving, and pottery have positively impacted the socioeconomic livelihood activities of the residents in recent years compared to the period soon after resettlement. However, low crop yields are due to poor soil fertility, small farmlands, and a lack of appropriate equipment to fish on the open water, and land compensation delays werereported to be undermining the livelihood revitalization efforts of the BPA. For effective revitalization of socioeconomic livelihood activities, the new programs should be more inclusive to cover the elderly, the host community, and possibly the neighboring communities instead of its current tilt toward the youth and the resettled communities. The findings showed the persistent impacts of dams on local population and highlighted how livelihood programs could revitalize local socioeconomic livelihood activities. The study contributed to addressing the conceptual question on whether it is possible for livelihood activities of project-affected people to be reconstructed several years after disruption

Source: UG
Post-Deployment Difficulties and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms among Married Ghanaian Army Personnel. The Moderating Role of Post-Deployment Social Support

Transiting from deployment to living at home can have a profound influence on the psychological health of soldiers with regard to the occurrence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, the level of social support received from family and friends upon returning can help moderate the strength of this relationship. Little is known about these concepts within the Ghanaian context; therefore, the present study assessed the relationship between post-deployment difficulties and the occurrence of PTSD symptoms among married Ghanaian army soldiers at home, as well as the moderating role of social support. 92 army personnel in the Ghana Armed Forces were purposefully sampled to participate in the study. A quantitative research design was employed and survey questionnaires were used to collect data. primary analysis of data was done using hierarchical multiple regression. Findings from the study indicate that military post-deployment difficulties in Ghana have a positive correlation with personnel’s PTSD symptoms. In addition, social support received from family and friends, upon returning from deployment, did not moderate the relationship between post-deployment difficulties and military personnel’s experience of PTSD symptoms. The need to adopt and/or develop transition programs in Ghana should be considered in managing their experience of PTSD symptoms during post-deployment

Source: UG
Post-Discharge Feeding Challenges among Mothers with Preterm Infants at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra

The purpose of this study was to assess the post-discharge feeding challenges among mothers‟ of preterm infants. A qualitative design was employed in the study. A purposive sampling method was used to select nine participants at the Paediatric/Child Health out-patients department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. An interview guide was used to understand the post- discharge feeding challenges each mother and their preterm infants encounter after discharge. Participants were interviewed between Thirty to forty-five (30 - 45) minutes using a semi structured interview guide. Data were content analyzed and themes were generated. The main findings suggest that though mothers‟ of preterm infants were noted to have fairly adequate knowledge on feeding and care after discharge, they continued to have feeding challenges such as lactation problems, and inability to identify hunger and satiety clues. Their preterm infants also continued to have challenges with sucking, staying awake to feed, vomiting after feeding, and weight loss after discharge. In conclusion, Mothers of preterm infants were found to require a more individualized approach to their child’s specific needs and their own concerns. There is also a need for early follow up and support from health care personnel after discharge.

Source: UG
Post-Ebola Syndrome among Ebola Virus Disease Survivors in Montserrado County, Liberia 2016

Introduction. An increased number of survivors have emerged from the 2014 West African Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic. Post-Ebola Syndrome (PES) is a group of physical and psychological symptoms affecting EVD survivors. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PES among EVD survivors in Montserrado County, Liberia. Method. A cross-sectional study design was conducted to determine the prevalence of PES, types, onset, and duration among survivors. Survivors in Montserrado County were recruited using multistage sampling methods. Quantitative data was collected using semistructured questionnaire. Variables were collected on EVD survivors demographics, pre- and post-Ebola health history. Result. Prevalence of Post-Ebola Syndrome was estimated to be 90% (242/268). PES was experienced by 67% (162/242) females. PES occurred mainly in the adult population between ages 25-34, 35% (84/242). The commonest symptoms were reported from the following systems of the human body: neurological system (eyes problem, headache, sleep disorder, and unusual tiredness) and musculoskeletal system (abdominal pain, chest pain, and joints pains). The onset of PES occurred between the first 1-12 weeks after being discharged from a treatment unit. Conclusion. Prevalence of PES is high. Clinical care for survivors should be strengthened.

Source: UG
Post-licensure safety evaluation of dihydroartemisinin piperaquine in the three major ecological zones across Ghana

Background Uncommon and rare adverse events (AEs), with delayed onset may not be detected before new drugs are licensed and deployed. The present study examined the post licensure safety of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP) as an additional treatment for malaria in Ghana. The relationship between the incidence of AEs, treatment completion rate, participant characteristics and concomitant medications are reported. Methods A study conducted from September 2013 to June 2014 in Navrongo, Kintampo and Dodowa health research centres in Ghana is presented. Participants had confirmed malaria and no known allergy to study drug. Patients provided informed consent and had their symptoms and results of their clinical examinations documented. Treatment with Eurartesim® (20/160mg dihydroartemisinin and 40/320mg piperaquine by Sigma-Tau Incorporated) was given, according to the body weight of patients. First treatment doses were under observation but the second and third doses were taken at home except in a sub-study involving a nested cohort. Patients were contacted at Day 5 (± 2 days) either on telephone or by a home visit to document any AEs experienced. Patients were asked to report to the study team any other AEs that occurred within 28 days post-treatment. All patients in the nested cohort had electrocardiogram (ECG). Findings A total of 4563 patients, 52.1% females and 48.2% &lt;6 years completed the study. A total of 444 patients were enrolled into the nested cohort. About 33% had temperature ≥ 37.5°C at enrolment. Approximately 3.4% reported taking prior antimalarials, 19.4% other medications and 86% took at least one concomitant medication. Incidence of AEs was 7.6% includinginfections (4.6%), gastrointestinal disorders (1.0%) and local reactions at the site of venesection (0.5%). Others were respiratory disorders (0.4%) and nervous system disorders (0.3%). There were nine adverse events of special interest (AESI); itching/pruritus (7), dizziness (1), and skin lesions (1). Patients who took medications prior to enrolment had higher incidence of AEs compared with those without (9.3% vs. 6.1%; P&lt;0.001). Statistically significant associations were found between the reported AEs and age of patients (P&lt;0.001), their body mass index (BMI) (P&lt; 0.001) and parasite densities (P&lt; 0.001). Conclusion Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine was well tolerated with no serious safety concerns identified. Obesity and prior enrolment medication were among significant factors associated with increased AEs reporting.

Source: UG
Post-marketing surveillance of anti-malarial medicines used in Malawi

Abstract Background The growing concern over the extent of anti-malarial medicine resistance in sub-Saharan Africa, driven largely by administration of sub-therapeutic doses derived from falsified and substandard medicines necessitates regular monitoring of the quality of these medicines to avert any potential public health disaster. This study aimed at determining the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content of anti-malarial medicines available in Malawi with respect to the manufacturers’ label claim and pharmacopoeia specifications. Methods Samples of anti-malarial medicines (112) collected from both licensed and unlicensed markets throughout Malawi were subjected to visual inspection of dosage form and packaging, and registration verification with the regulatory body. Basic (colourimetric) tests were employed to establish the presence and identity of the requisite APIs. Semi-quantitative thin layer chromatography (SQ-TLC) was employed as a quick assay for the verification of identity and estimation of the API content while HPLC assays were used to quantify the APIs. The results were compared with pharmacopoeia specifications and manufacturers’ label claims. For combination therapies, a sample was considered to have failed if one or more of its component APIs did not meet pharmacopoeia specifications. Results There was 86.6% registration status and 100% compliance with visual inspection and basic tests confirming the presence of requisite APIs. The identification test was confirmed by the SQ-TLC assay. API quantification by HPLC assay however, showed that 88.4% (99/112) of the samples failed the quality tests due to the presence of either insufficient or excessive API. Conclusions The results suggest the existence of substandard anti-malarial medicines in Malawi. The presence of both excessive and insufficient artemisinin-based and non-artemisinin-based API, clearly points to poor adherence to GMP and improper handling during storage or distribution. The country relies heavily on imported anti-malarial medicines so there is an urgent need to carry out regular and thorough post-market surveillance of medicines to ensure better quality health care delivery.

Source: UG
Post-Migration Outcomes and the Decision to Return: Processes and Consequence on Development

Who and why return and its impact on development have received less attention in African migration literature. Therefore this paper examines migration and return decisions in the Ghanaian context, especially, since the introduction of government programmes in 2001 to encourage the return of skilled migrants who have the capacity to contribute their quota to the development agenda of Ghana. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information on the migration trajectories of 120 return migrants. This was followed by in-depth-interviews which primarily sought in-depth understanding on the decision making processes. The findings indicate hat these migrants were motivated to return for two main reasons, namely, economic and social reasons. The economic reasons include availability of job opportunities in Ghana, availability of nvestment opportunities in Ghana and loss of job abroad. The social reasons include, decision to oin family, feeling home sick and difficulty in integrating abroad. The paper concludes that pre- migration intentions may not always march with real migration outcomes because a lot of obstacles or opportunities may compel the migrants to adjust their initial plan. The migrant may decide to explore better opportunities, may move on to new goals or may return to the point of departure with the same plan. The paper recommends a developmental policy that will include needs assessment measure for categories of returnees based on their intentions for migrating and coming home.

Source: UG
A Post-mortem Analysis of a Merger and a Rightsizing Exercise: The Case of Ecobank Ghana Limited and the Trust Bank Limited

The study examined the after effect of a merger and rightsizing strategy employed by Ecobank Ghana Limited and the Trust Bank Limited when they merged in the year 2012. The aim of the study was to gather data to be able to create a practice guide for future corporate restructurings. As a qualitative study, data was collected from twenty (20) survivors using a semi-structured interview and secondary information for the period 2012–2019. The study found that while the merger had a significant effect on role and workload, it had little effect on productivity and job security. Although the merger had to an extent brought on certain efficiencies for EGH in terms of its share of operating assets and its asset quality, it had not achieved efficiency regarding its cost-to-income ratio and liquidity.

Source: UG
Post-partum weight change patterns in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study

The interplay of factors that affect post-partum loss or retention of weight gained during pregnancy is not fully understood. The objective of this paper is to describe patterns of weight change in the six sites of the World Health Organization (WHO) Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) and explore variables that explain variation in weight change within and between sites. Mothers of 1743 breastfed children enrolled in the MGRS had weights measured at days 7, 14, 28 and 42 post-partum, monthly from 2 to 12 months and bimonthly thereafter until 24 months post-partum. Height, maternal age, parity and employment status were recorded and breastfeeding was monitored throughout the follow-up. Weight change patterns varied significantly among sites. Ghanaian and Omani mothers lost little or gained weight post-partum. In Brazil, India, Norway and USA, mothers on average lost weight during the first year followed by stabilization in the second year. Lactation intensity and duration explained little of the variation in weight change patterns. In most sites, obese mothers tended to lose less weight than normal-weight mothers. In Brazil and Oman, primiparous mothers lost about 1kg more than multiparous mothers in the first 6 months. In India and Ghana, multiparous mothers lost about 0.6kg more than primiparas in the second 6 months. Culturally defined mother-care practices probably play a role in weight change patterns among lactating women. This hypothesis should stimulate investigation into gestational weight gain and post-partum losses in different ethnocultural contexts. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Source: UG
Postcolonial Disgust Or Regenerative Vision?: The Values And Significance Of “The Man” In Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born

Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born has been condemned for its severe criticism of newly independent Ghana, its disdain for its leaders and officials, and for the absence of hope displayed for a future in which the individual and the nation might triumph over societal corruption. This article analyzes Armah’s controversial novel through the caustic response of its main character, The Man, to contemporary national ethics and to the possibilities he himself embodies for genuine change and regeneration. The conflict in The Man’s alienated consciousness is rooted not only in the expediencies of the newly postcolonial Ghana he fastidiously observes, but also in his loyalty to the traditional Ghanaian values he inherits, remembers, and practices, thus indicating the possibility of hope and change for both character and nation

Source: UG