ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Non oliguric acute renal failure associated with G-6PD Deficiency complicated by Gastro-testinal bleeding and ischaemic optic neuropathy.

A case of non oliguric Acute Renal Failure due to acute tubular necrosis is presented. This was associated with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency. and was complicated by hyperkalaemia. massive gastrointestinal bleed due to extensive haemorrhagic gastritis and blindness from ischaemic optic neuropathy. These complications are unusual with non oliguric renal failure and forms the basis of this report.

Source: UG
Non-application of the nursing process at a hospital in Accra, Ghana: lessons from descriptive research

Background Registered nurses in Ghana are trained to plan the care that they provide to their patients in a systematic and organized manner. This scientific approach to care is known as the nursing process. There is evidence that the nursing process is not being practised by professional nurses in Ghana, as expected. This research seeks to explore what informs nursing interventions in the clinical area. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with ten registered nurses; and this was descriptive in nature. One-on-one interviews were conducted with the research participants, as a means of collecting the data. A semi-structured interview guide was used as the data-collecting tool. The collected data were analysed by using latent-content analysis. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis. Results It was found that registered nurses did not plan their nursing care. The care that the nurses provided was based on routine nursing care and doctors’ orders, both verbal and non-verbal; or written communication were the means whereby the care was provided; and that was communicated among the nurses. Conclusion Registered nurses are taught the nursing process; and they are expected to implement the acquired knowledge in the clinical area. The failure of nurses to practise the expected standard of care results in their relying on the decision of other health-care professionals, such as doctors. This makes registered nurses appear to be assistants to doctors. We, therefore, conclude that nurse leaders must supervise nurses to put into practice what they were taught during their training; so that they can have professional autonomy in their practice as nurses. It is also suggested that nurses must show evidence of using the nursing process in their daily work by the use of the nursing care-plan form.

Source: UG
Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulation and Risk-Taking

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between regulation of non-bank financial institutions and their risk-taking behaviours in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is performed using data derived from the Bank of Ghana Database during a five-year period, 2006-2010. Correlated Panels Corrected Standard Errors model is used to estimate the regression equation. Capital adequacy requirements and the restrictions on non-bank financial institutions' (NBFIs') ability to take deposits are used as proxies for regulatory pressure. The study also used the ratio of risks weighted assets-to-total assets, the ratio of non-performing loans-to-net loans and the Z-scores of NBFIs as measures of risk. Findings – The results of the study show a negative relationship between minimum capital adequacy requirement and the risks weighted assets of NBFIs. This indicates that, asking NBFIs to keep higher minimum capital adequacy ratio results in reducing their risk-taking. The results also indicate a positive relationship between regulatory pressure and risk weighted assets of NBFIs. The paper however found a negative relationship between restrictions on deposits and the risk of insolvency. The findings suggest that, non-deposit-taking NBFIs have higher risk weighted assets and are more prone to the risk of insolvency than deposit-taking NBFIs. Originality/value – The value of this study is in respect of its contribution to the extant literature on financial regulation and risk-taking of NBFIs.

Source: UG
Non-communicable diseases among children in Ghana: health and social concerns of parent/caregivers

Background: Globally, there is a progressive rise in the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This paper examined the health and social concerns of parents/caregivers on in-patient care for children with NCDs in Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in three large health facilities in Ghana (the largest in the South, the largest in the North and the largest in the Eastern part of Ghana. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire among 225 caregivers (≥18 years) of 149 children with NCDs in health facilities in the three regions. Data was analyzed with simple descriptive statistics. Results: Most caregivers 169(75.0%) were women, relatively young (median age 35years), mostly married and resided in urban areas. Sickle cell disease was the commonest NCD among the children. All 169(75.0%) caregivers believed children suffer NCDs because of sins of parents/ancestors, 29(12.9%) believed herbalists/spiritualists have insights into treating NCDs and 73(32.6%) have previously used herbs/traditional medicine for child's illness. NCD in children was a burden and caused financial difficulties for families. Most caregivers (>96.0%) indicated NCDs in children should be included in national health insurance benefits package and a comprehensive national NCD policy is needed. Conclusion: Absence of national NCD policy for children is a major challenge. The burden of care rests mainly on the parents/caregivers. A national strategic intervention on the importance of awareness generation on the causes, risk factors, prevention and treatment of NCDs for families and communities is essential. Government support through national health and social policy initiatives are essential.

Source: UG
Non-enzymatic browning and estimated acrylamide in roots, tubers and plantain products

Acrylamide has been discovered in foods, especially high carbohydrate foods that are dry-cooked (baked, fried or roasted) at high temperatures which also create the conditions for non-enzymatic browning. Baking, frying and roasting are common food preparation methods in Ghana. Fifteen different high carbohydrate foods in Ghana, that undergo dry-cooking, have been investigated for non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide production. The products that showed notable non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide levels include fried sweet potato, plantain chips from the fresh produce, with their respective non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide values as 0.095 ± 0.006 optical density (OD), 1043 ± 47.6 parts per billion (ppb); 0.034 ± 0.03 OD, 568 ± 22.9 ppb. Roots and tuber products had relatively high non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide levels while plantain products showed low levels of non-enzymatic browning and acrylamide. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Non-Farm Enterprises and the Rural Youth Employment Challenge in Ghana

Non-farm enterprises have generally been perceived as a silver bullet solution for rural unemployment. This article therefore provides some insights on their potential to resolve the youth unemployment challenge in rural Ghana. Non-farm enterprises in Ghana are heterogeneous in nature based on type of enterprise, range of activities and productivity. Evidence suggests that motivations for operating these enterprises are mixed. Some households operate them as a coping mechanism to deal with household or agricultural shocks, while others may also be operated as business entities with the potential to grow sustainably and offer employment to young people. In order to harness the full potential of non-farm enterprises to address the rural youth employment challenge, it is imperative for policymakers in Ghana to identify specific sub-sectors that lend themselves to growth and have the capacity to offer sustainable employment avenues, and to critically interrogate and examine the primary reason of their establishment.

Source: UG
Non-farm Income Diversification in Rural Ghana: Patterns and Determinants

Evidence abounds in the rural livelihoods literature that rural households do not only receive a significant proportion of their incomes from non-farm sources, but also it is a significant source of employment for rural folks. This paper examines the pattern and determinants of non-farm income diversification in rural Ghana. Results show that off-farm income constituted 43 percent of rural household income in 2005/06. Female-headed households tend to have larger off-farm income shares compared to male-headed households. Non-farm income shares followed the same gender pattern albeit less pronounced. Unlike in Latin America and Asia, in rural Ghana, non-farm self-employment income is more important than non-farm wage-employment income. Regression results show that the gender composition of households, age, education, and access to credit, electricity and markets are important determinants of multiple non-farm activities and non-farm income. The findings call for strategies that can help rural households maximize the benefits from income diversification.

Source: UG
Non-formal education and women’s empowerment: an assessment of the contemporal relevance of Freire’s concept of conscientisation in increasing district assemblywomen’s participation in community development and governance in Northen Ghana

The study examined the contemporary relevance of Freire’s concept of conscientisation as a framework, as well as how organized non-formal education (NFE) programmes have increased women’s participation in local-level governance as assembly members in Ghana’s Northern sector. The study investigated women’s abilities to contest assembly elections, effectively campaign for election, lobby for an appointment, raise funds for assembly election activities, and actively participate in assembly business. Using the simple random sampling technique, data was collected from all 276 assemblywomen (2015 cohort) in three randomly selected regions (Upper East, Upper West, and Brong Ahafo) of Northern Ghana using a cross-sectional survey. Percentages, frequency counts, and correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. The study findings revealed that a significant correlation exists between NFE skills and knowledge acquired and the assemblywomen’s participation. The NFE, based on Freire’s ideas of conscientisation, was significant and necessary, but it was insufficient as a geo-socio-cultural setting for women’s participation as assembly members. Recommendations include organizing similar education programmes for the custodians of socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices alongside those for women to increase women’s participation in assembly work, community development, and governance.

Source: UG
Non-genetic factors affecting grasscutter production traits. 1. Growth traits

This study was conducted at the grasscutter section of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, to estimate effects of non-genetic factors on growth traits. Data consisted of records of 502 kids born from 136 does and 40 sires from 2006 to 2010. Feed intake increased (P<0.01) with increasing parity and years, whilst feed efficiency declined (P<0.01) with years. Animals consumed less (P<0.01) feed in the dry season compared to the rainy season. Increased litter size resulted in decreased body weight (P<0.01) and growth rate (P<0.05) from birth to six months, after which the effect diminished (P>0.05). Males were significantly heavier (P<0.05) and grew faster (P<0.01) than females from weaning to adulthood. Body weight and growth rate increased significantly with increasing years (P<0.05). Animals that were conceived in the rainy season had heavier (P<0.01) weights at sexual maturity and grew faster (P<0.01) than those conceived during the dry season and those that were born in the dry season grew faster (P<0.05) at the age of 4-8 months than those born in the rainy season. It was concluded that the non-genetic factors influenced the traits studied; so appropriate adjustments must be made when estimating genetic values for a breeding programme in grasscutter. © IDOSI Publications, 2012.

Source: UG
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) boards and corporate governance: The Ghanaian experience

This paper seeks to examine the Boards of NGOs in line with best corporate governance practices using evidence from Ghana. Data collected were analysed using a comparative case approach which involved a comparison of the Boards of the four (4) main categories of NGOs in Ghana to ascertain whether they exhibit differences or similarities. NGOs in Ghana exhibited some weaknesses ranging board appointment to other board characteristics which depart from international best practices. Besides, there are no reference guides for NGO Board or codes on governance for NGOs in Ghana like in other countries. Therefore, there is the need to develop codes/by-laws or reference guidelines for NGOs, supported by an enabling environment to realise the full potential of NGOs.

Source: UG
Non-Invasive Imaging Modalities in Intravesical Murine Models of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the sixth most prevalent cancer in men and seventeenth most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. Current treatment paradigms have limited therapeutic impact, suggesting an urgent need for the investigation of novel therapies. To best emulate the progression of human BCa, a pre-clinical intravesical murine model is required in conjunction with existing non-invasive imaging modalities to detect and evaluate cancer progression. Non-invasive imaging modalities reduce the number of required experimental models while allowing for longitudinal studies of novel therapies to investigate long-term efficacy. In this review, we discuss the individual and multi-modal use of non-invasive imaging modalities; bioluminescence imaging (BLI), micro-ultrasound imaging (MUI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) in BCa evaluation. We also provide an update on the potential and the future directions of imaging modalities in relation to intravesical murine models of BCa.

Source: UG
Non-invasive methods to detect schistosome-based bladder cancer: is the association sufficient for epidemiological use?

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Non-linear approach to Random Walk Test in selected African countries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the weak form efficiency of five African stock markets (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Mauritius) using various tests to assess the impact of non-linearity effect and thin trading which are prevalent in African markets on market efficiency. Design/methodology/approach The weekly returns of S&P/IFC return indices for five African countries over the period 2000-2013 were obtained from DataStream and analyzed. The study adopted the newly developed Non-Linear Fourier unit root test advanced by Enders and Lee (2004, 2009) which allows for an unknown number of structural breaks with unknown functional forms and non-linearity in data generating process of stock prices series to test the Random Walk Hypothesis (RWH) for the five markets, and an augment regression model. Findings In light of the empirical evidence the author(s) using Non-linear Fourier Unit Root Test only fail to reject the RWH for South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt leading to the conclusion that these markets follow the RWH and weak-form efficient whilst Ghana and Mauritius are weak-form inefficient. Besides, evaluating non-linear models without adjusting for thin trading effect shows that, South Africa and Ghana markets are weak-form efficient while Nigeria, Egypt and Mauritius are not. However, after accounting for thin trading effect, the author(s) find that South Africa and Egypt markets follow the RWH. The findings imply that market efficiency results depend on the methodology used. Originality/value This paper provides further evidence on stock market efficiency in emerging markets. The finding suggests that thin trading and non-linearity effect influences markets efficiency tests in African stock markets. Thus, recent structural adjustment and liberalization policies have not enhanced stock market operations in Africa. This paper therefore has implications for policy makers and international investors.

Source: UG
Non-Metallic Particles in Solar Grade Silicon (SoG-Si)

This study investigated the non-metallic inclusions in Solar 2rade Silicon (SoG-Si), especially the distribution of inclusions in the top 15mm layer of multicrystalline silicon ingot. The SoG-Si ingot produced from directional solidification process usually pushes the impurities to the top and finally cut off and discarded, which leads to material loss. The hard inclusions lead to wire breakages during the cutting of the ingot into wafers. The main kinds of inclusions found in top-cut silicon scraps from two manufacturers have been investigated using acid extraction, automated feature analysis techniques and SEM-EDS and optical Microscope: they are needle-like Si3N4 and lumpy SiC inclusions. Surface observations of the scraps before polishing revealed that, Si3N4 inclusions are usually bigger and in some cases can be about a few millimeters. SiC inclusions are usually smaller, ∼200μm but can be ∼500μm in some cases. F or the directional solidified silicon ingot, it was determined that an approximate distance of ∼10mm is a good enough cutoff thickness.

Source: UG
Non-tariff measures and household welfare: Evidence from Ghana

Most studies on the impacts of non-tariff measures (NTMs) economic outcomes are at the macro-level with limited micro-level studies. This study uses primary data on 604 commercial farm households in Ghana to examine the relationship between NTMs and household welfare outcomes. The results show that NTMs are positively associated with assets, household expenditure and income, but negatively associated with food expenditure, household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and poverty probability index (PPI). We find that the results are not likely to be driven by unobserved heterogeneity. Our results suggest that the Potential mechanisms through which NTMs influence welfare outcomes are household income and expenditure. The main implication of the study is that a reduction in the number of customs formalities and the cost of testing and certification can facilitate trade and contribute to the economic development of commercial farm households.

Source: UG
Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs): Clearing the Confusion in Semantics

Though a significant volume of information has been documented on the importance and potential of NTFPs’ utilisation and its impacts on poverty reduction, livelihoods improvement and environmental sustainability, a lot of confusion is still associated with NTFPs semantics and terminologies. NTFPs have proved to be difficult to clearly define because of the blurred boundaries between timber and non-timber products and the underlying difficulty in defining a forest. The overabundance of terminologies relating to a single term having a range of interpretations, and none of which is universally recognised is at the heart of the NTFPs semantic confusion. Consequently, the meaning of “NTFPs” has generated a lot of controversy. In other words, there is no universally accepted operational definition of NTFPs. Various definitions proposed in literature tend to expound on specific species, aspects and products according to different authors’ focal interests. The increasing realisation of the importance of all forest resources makes the dichotomisation of forest resources into “timber” and “non-timber” overly simplistic. The lack of a common definition, terminologies as well as the multiplicity of interest, constitutes a real hindrance to research on and development of NTFPs. Through an extensive and critical review of literature and consultations with experts, this paper examines the semantics and the difficulties in defining NTFPs, the ensuing confusion and the consequences for research, and development and promotion of these products.

Source: UG
Non-timber forest products farming and empowerment of rural women in ghana.

United Nations estimates indicate that up to 70% of the world’s poor are female, and women in developing countries constitute the majority of the labour force, playing a key role in managing community resources and helping to improve food security and protect the environment. Increased attention in recent years has been focused on the potential role of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in improving the incomes and health of women in developing countries. NTFPs farming and marketing are very critical for the economic empowerment of rural poor, particularly women. Despite this potential, the contribution of NTFPs farming to the empowerment of women remains largely undervalued and understudied. This paper examines the potential contribution of NTFPs farming in poverty reduction and livelihood improvement of women in Ghana using the Sefwi Wiawso District (SWD) and Bibiani-Bekwai District (BBD) in the Western Region of Ghana as a case study. The paper explores the contribution of NTFPs farming to the total annual income, acquisition of assets, health, and food security of women through participatory research methods. ANOVA and Pearson Correlation (p < 0.05) show that a significant association exists between total annual income of women, acquisition of assets, health, food security, and the income earned from NTFPs in the SWD and BBD. The study revealed that NTFPs can contribute significantly to the economic empowerment of women. The paper asserts that commercialisation of NTFPs will have a greater impact on women’s livelihoods and therefore any opportunity for increasing their involvement is very essential for the empowerment and sustainable development of rural communities in Ghana.

Source: UG
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections—A neglected and emerging problem

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