ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of Hyperglycaemia in HIV Positive Patients Visiting the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Background: Hyperglycaemia is a metabolic syndrome and common endocrine disease where there is increased blood glucose level. It can result in long-term damage and failure of different organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels and finally cause death. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hyperglycaemia in HIV subjects visiting the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) in Cape Coast and its relationship with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out and blood samples of 120 HIV positive subjects of age groups ranging from 2 to 74 years were collected for screening and confirmation after an informed consent was obtained from them. The blood glucose level was then tested using OneTouch glucometer and test strips. The results were analysed using chi square goodness-of-fit and cross tabulation. Results: A total of 9 patients out of the 120 HIV subjects had an increased glucose level, giving a prevalence rate of 7.5%. They were within the ages of 20-60 years and were significantly lower compared to those without hyperglycaemia (p<0.05), those married (p=0.001) and those divorced (p=0.001). There was an inverse relationship between the period of living with HIV and the high glycaemia status (r= -0.949, p=0.017). There was also an inverse relationship between the use of HAART and high glycaemia status (r=-0.071, p=0.0028). There was a significant number of participants, who were experiencing increased thirst (p=0.003). Also a significant number of participants experienced increased hunger (p=0.010). Conclusion: The study revealed that there was hyperglycaemia among the study population. This may be reduced during therapy and changes in their lifestyle. Regular monitoring of glucose levels in HIV infected patients and counselling on lifestyle changes are recommended

Source: UCC
Seroprevalence of Syphilis Infection in Individuals at Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The disease becomes very common among individuals with multiple sexual partners without protection. Aim: This research aimed at assessing the prevalence of syphilis infection in Cape Coast Metropolis and the factors associated with the transmission of the disease Methodology: 200 participants from Cape Coast were sampled and assessed for syphilis infection using Venereal Disease Research Laboratory syphilis test strips (a nontreponemal test) and positive samples were confirmed with Treponema palladium haemagglutination (TPHA) test. Questionnaires, reflecting the participant’s sociodemographic data were also administered. The results were analysed, to assess the relationship between various risk factors and syphilis infection. Results: The prevalence of syphilis infection in Cape Coast was found to be 8.5%, mainly associated with participants having multiple sexual partners and having unprotected and indiscriminate sex. Other factors found to be indirectly affecting the rate of infection were illiteracy, lack of knowledge and information concerning the disease. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of syphilis infection in the Cape Coast Metropolis is an indication that the disease is endemic.

Source: UCC
Seroprevalence, risk factors and impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on haematological parameters in the Ashanti region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular, apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Although the global prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been estimated to be approximately 30%, there is limited seroprevalence data in Ghana, with a dearth of information on the impact of T. gondii on haematological parameters in exposed persons. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 300 consenting individuals to obtain demographic information and assessment of their risk of exposure to T. gondii. Using anti-T. gondii IgG/IgM combo test kits, seropositivity to parasite-specific IgG and/or IgM was determined. A haematological analyser was used to measure haematological parameters. Results: The participants included 58 males and 242 females, and ranged in age from 6 months to 84 years, with a median age of 27 years. There was an overall seroprevalence of 50.3% (n=151), with 49.7% (n=149) of the study participants seropositive for IgG and 1% (n=3) testing positive for IgM. Furthermore, the observed seroprevalence among pregnant women was 56.4% (n=62). With regards to the different communities in which the hospitals were located, a seroprevalence of 55.6% was observed in the rural community, 50.6% in the peri-urban community and 47.1% in the urban community. The study identified cat ownership, contact with cat litter [RR (95% CI: 1.76 (1.23-2.53), 1.66 (1.03-2.67), 1.25(1.00-1.57)] and age (p<0.001) as risk factors for infection. Analyses of haematological data also revealed significant differences between the red blood cell counts (p=0.038) and mean corpuscular volumes (p=0.0007) of seropositive and seronegative study participants. Conclusions: About half of the study population, including a significant number of women of reproductive age carried antibodies against T. gondii, raising questions about the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis, as well as possible links to anaemia. We, therefore, recommend that screening for Toxoplasma gondii be included in the routine screening of pregnant women seeking antenatal care.

Source: UCC
Serotonin (5-HT) neuron-specific inactivation of Cadherin-13 impacts 5-HT system formation and cognitive function

Genome-wide screening approaches identified the cell adhesion molecule Cadherin-13 (CDH13) as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, nevertheless the contribution of CDH13 to the disease mechanism remains obscure. CDH13 is involved in neurite outgrowth and axon guidance during early brain development and we previously provided evidence that constitutive CDH13 deficiency influences the formation of the raphe serotonin (5-HT) system by modifying neuron-radial glia interaction. Here, we dissect the specific impact of CDH13 on 5-HT neuron development and function using a 5-HT neuron-specific Cdh13 knockout mouse model (conditional Cdh13 knockout, Cdh13 cKO). Our results show that exclusive inactivation of CDH13 in 5-HT neurons selectively increases 5-HT neuron density in the embryonic dorsal raphe, with persistence into adulthood, and serotonergic innervation of the developing prefrontal cortex. At the behavioral level, adult Cdh13 cKO mice display delayed acquisition of several learning tasks and a subtle impulsive like phenotype, with decreased latency in a sociability paradigm alongside with deficits in visuospatial memory. Anxiety-related traits were not observed in Cdh13 cKO mice. Our findings further support the critical role of CDH13 in the development of dorsal raphe 5- HT circuitries, a mechanism that may underlie specific clinical features observed in neurodevelopmental disorders

Source: UCC
Serotonin deficiency increases context-dependent fear learning through modulation of hippocampal activity

Brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system dysfunction is implicated in exaggerated fear responses triggering various anxiety-, stress-, and trauma-related disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we investigated the impact of constitutively inactivated 5-HT synthesis on context dependent fear learning and extinction using tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) knockout mice. Fear conditioning and context-dependent fear memory extinction paradigms were combined with c-Fos imaging and electrophysiological recordings in the dorsal hippocampus (dHip). Tph2 mutant mice, completely devoid of 5-HT synthesis in brain, displayed accelerated fear memory formation and increased locomotor responses to foot shock. Furthermore, recall of context-dependent fear memory was increased. The behavioral responses were associated with increased c-Fos expression in the dHip and resistance to foot shock-induced impairment of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). In conclusion, increased context-dependent fear memory resulting from brain 5- HT deficiency involves dysfunction of the hippocampal circuitry controlling contextual representation of fear-related behavioral response

Source: UCC
Serum Biomarkers Distinguishing Malaria from Nonmalaria Fever in Paediatric Patients in Blantyre, Malawi

Identifying the aetiology of fever is challenging in paediatric patients, particularly in resource-limited settings like Malawi. Most infectious diseases, including malaria, present with overlapping clinical signs associated with fever. This study aimed to identify specific serum biomarkers that differentiate malaria from non-malarial fever in paediatric patients in Blantyre, Malawi. Ninety archived serum samples obtained from paediatric patients who presented with fever were grouped into non-malarial (n=25), malarial (n=46) and healthy controls (n=19) based on temperature and mRDT results. Serum samples were used to measure the concentration of CRP, ICAM-1, IL -6, IL-1β, IL -10, Ang- 2 and vWF-1 biomarkers using Luminex xMAP® technology. The biomarker and haematology results obtained from participants’ records were analysed using R statistics software. Malaria cases presented with a higher temperature (p=0.0089), low platelet counts (p=0.02) and haemoglobin levels (p=0.01) compared to non-malarial fever. Malarial fever had elevated IL-6 (AUROC=0.66, p= 0.04), IL-10 (AUROC = 0.81, p= ≤0.0001) and CRP (AUROC=0.60, p=0.09) compared to non-malarial fever and controls. Nonmalarial fever had elevated IL-1β (AUROC =0.9, p=0.02), ICAM-1 (AUROC= 0.76, p= <0.05), Ang -2 (AUROC=0.79, p=0.005), vWF-1 (AUROC=0.71, p ≤ 0.001) compared to malaria and controls. IL-10 and IL-1β correctly differentiate malarial fever from non-malarial fever with IL-10 levels increased in malarial fever and IL-1β increased in non-malarial fever. These biomarkers can significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes in resourcelimited settings and can be effectively utilized in point-of-care testing.

Source: UCC
Serum calcium and magnesium levels in women presenting with pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension: a case–control study in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are important causes of morbidity and mortality. The levels of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in pregnancy may implicate their possible role in pregnancy-induced hypertension. This study assessed serum Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels in women with PIH (pregnancy-induced hypertension) and PE (pre-eclampsia), compared to that in normal pregnancy. Methods: This case–control study was conducted on 380 pregnant women (≥20 weeks gestation) receiving antenatal care at three hospitals in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana. This comprised 120 women with PIH, 100 women with PE and 160 healthy, age-matched pregnant women (controls). Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and obstetric data were gathered using an interview-based questionnaire. Venous blood samples were drawn for the estimation of calcium and magnesium. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly raised in women with PIH (p < 0.0001) and PE (p < 0.0001). Women with hypertensive disorders (PE and PIH) had significantly lower serum calcium and magnesium levels than those in the control group (p < 0.0001 each). Of those with PIH, SBP correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.575, p < 0.01) and Ca2+ correlated positively with Mg2+ (r = 0.494, p < 0.01). This was similar amongst the PE group for SBP and BMI as well as for Ca2+and Mg2+ but was not significant. Multivariate analysis showed that women aged ≥40 years were at a significant risk of developing PIH (OR = 2.14, p = 0.000). Conclusion: In this study population, serum calcium and magnesium levels are lower in PIH and PE than in normal pregnancy. Mineral supplementation during the antenatal period may influence significantly, the occurrence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

Source: UCC
Servant Leadership and Employees’ Organisational Citizenship Behaviour in Ghana

The study examined the influence of servant leadership on organisational citizenship behaviour of employees in Ghana through the intervening roles of public service motivation and length of time spent with leader. The study adopted the positivism philosophy thus relying on the quantitative approach and explanatory design. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 328 respondents randomly selected within the 6 metropolitan assemblies in Ghana for data analysis. The data was processed using the IBM SPSS (version 26) and SmartPLS (version 3.3.3) softwares. Inferential statistics through partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to address objective of the study. The study found that servant leadership has a significant positive influence on organisational citizenship behaviour and public service motivation. The study also found that public service motivation significantly and positively influences organisational citizenship behaviour. The study finally established that whiles public service motivation significantly mediated the relationship between servant leadership and organisational citizenship behaviour, length of time spent with leaders did not moderate the servant leadership and organisational citizenship behaviour nexus. The study recommended that key stakeholders in the local government service such as the Local Government Service should lay emphasis on the employing or promoting leaders who are servant leadership driven to occupy key position within the local government structure.

Source: UCC
Servant Leadership and Service Delivery: the Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction and Perceived Organizational Support

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the mediating role of job satisfaction and perceived organizational support on the relationship between servant leadership and service delivery among hotels in the Upper East Region. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of servant leadership on service delivery; assess the role of job satisfaction in mediating the connection between servant leadership and service delivery; examined the role of perceived organizational support in mediating the relationship between servant leadership and service delivery. The study was guided by explanatory research design. Data collected from 253 staff of the hotels in the Upper East Region through simple random sampling technique was analysed by employing partial least square estimation. The main finding of the study was that hotels that practiced servant leadership were better placed to satisfy employees and also tend to enhance employee perceived organizational support, which then turns to improve their service delivery. Hence, it was recommended that the managers of hotels should improve their servant leadership practices to enhance service delivery. Further, the managers in these hotels should note that, for them to increase service delivery, satisfying employees’ job and enhancing perceived organizational support should be a key objective they should try to achieve.

Source: UCC
Servant Leadership and Socially Responsible Behaviour Of Employees of Oil Marketing Companies in Ghana: the Mediating Role of Ethical Climate

ABSTRACT The study examined the effect of servant leadership on socially responsible behaviour among workers in oil marketing companies [OMCs] and controlled for the mediating effect of perceived CSR as well as the moderating effect of ethical climate. The study targeted OMCs in the Accra metropolis of Ghana which had an estimated population of 700 workers. The study adopted an explanatory research design owing to the cause-and-effect relationships the study sought to examine through structural equation modelling. A quantitative research approach was adopted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. The convenience sampling technique was used to select the 216 participants that were surveyed. The path analysis proves servant leadership accounts for a moderate improvement in the state of socially responsible behaviour among workers in the OMCs. Servant leadership accounts for a weak improvement in the state of perceived CSR among workers in the OMCs. Furthermore, perceived CSR accounts for a moderate improvement in the state of socially responsible behaviour among workers in the OMCs. Perceived CSR partially mediates significantly and in a positive manner, the predictive relationship between servant leadership and socially responsible behaviour but ethical climate fails to significantly moderate such relation. Management of OMC should inculcate among their managerial leadership style the conceptualized servant leadership modelled in this context of study if the essence is to significantly influence employees to demonstrate socially responsible behaviour at their workplace to ensure efficient delivery of their assigned duties to promote excellence service delivery

Source: UCC
Service failures in 3- to 5-Star hotels in Accra, Ghana

This paper examines service failures in 3- to 5-star hotels in the Accra Metropolis in Ghana. The objectives of the research were to ascertain the categories of service failures commonly experienced by guests and assess guests’ level of dissatisfaction with the service failures. Descriptive survey design using critical incident questionnaires (CIQ) was used to collect data from a purposive sample of 174 guests who experienced service failures in ten 3- to 5-star hotels. The data were analyzed using SPSS. The most dominant service failures experienced by guests were service system failures, such as unavailable/irregular service and defective products, occurring mostly in the housekeeping departments. With the revelation of potential service failures experienced by guests and their effect on guests, this study offers suggestions to managers to revamp some policies to curtail some service failures and improve service delivery. This study contributes to the literature on service failure in the context of a developing country

Source: UCC
Service Quality and Behavioural Purchase Intention Among Hotels in Ghana: The Moderating Role of Personality Traits

Dwelling on the Service Quality Model, Consumer Behaviour Theory, and Personality Traits Theory, this study evaluated the moderating role of the Big Five personality traits on the relationship between service quality and behavioural purchase intention among star rated hotel guests in Ghana. The current study was driven by the positivist research worldview, utilized the quantitative research methodology, and explanatory research design. The sample size of 751 respondents was determined using the stratified sampling procedure. Selfadministered structured questionnaire were utilized for the data gathering. Descriptives, and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling were the data analytical techniques employed. The SPSS version 24 and SMART-PLS version 4 software were utilized for processing the data. The inquiry found a statistically significant relationship between reliability, tangibles, as well as responsiveness and behavioural purchase intention respectively. It also revealed a partially significant relationship between service quality as well as personality traits. Extraversion and openness, were also significantly associated with behavioural purchase intention. Moreover, neuroticism significantly moderated the relationship between reliability as well as behavioural purchase intention. Furthermore, openness significantly moderated the relationship between assurance as well as behavioural purchase intention; reliability and behavioural purchase intention. However, there were no statistically significant differences among male as well as female guests in their service quality perception. Likewise, there was no statistically significant relationship between assurance, empathy as well as behavioural purchase intention respectively. The study recommends that hotels should value their guests, and adopt excellent service quality regime for a favourable behavioural purchase intention.

Source: UCC
Service Quality And Behavioural Purchase Intention Among Hotels In Ghana: The Moderating Role Of Personality Traits

Dwelling on the Service Quality Model, Consumer Behaviour Theory, and Personality Traits Theory, this study evaluated the moderating role of the Big Five personality traits on the relationship between service quality and behavioural purchase intention anlOng star rated hotel guests in Ghana. The current study was driven by the positivist research worldview, utilized the quantitative research methodology, and explanatory research design. The sample size of 751 respondents was determined using the stratified sampling procedure. Selfadministered structured questionnaire were utilized for the data gathering. Descriptives, and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling were the data analytical techniques employed. The SPSS version 24 and SMART-PLS version 4 software were utilized for processing the data. The inquiry found a statistically significant relationship between reliability, tangibles, as well as responsiveness and behavioural purchase intention respectively. It also revealed a partially significant relationship between service quality as well as personality traits. Extraversion and openness, were also significantly associated with behavioural purchase intention. Moreover, neuroticism significantly moderated the relationship between reliability as well as behavioural purchase intention. Furthermore, openness significantly moderated the relationship between assurance as well as behavioural purchase intention; reliability and behavioural purchase intention. However, there were no statistically significant differences among male as well as female guests in their service quality perception. Likewise, there was no statistically significant relationship between assurance, empathy as well as behavioural purchase intention respectively. The study recommends that hotels should value their guests, and adopt excellent service quality regime for a favourable behavioural purchase intention.

Source: UCC
Service quality and customer satisfaction at agricultural development bank, Cape Coast branch

Service quality is an essential factor for organisational competitiveness. It was against this backdrop that the study examined the effect of the perceived service quality attributes on customer satisfaction at ADB, Cape Coast branch. Specifically, the study examined the perceived service quality attributes at ADB, and analysed the effect of the perceived service quality attributes on customer satisfaction at ADB. The study employed descriptive research design and a quantitative approach. The sample size of the study was three hundred and six (306) customers but with a response rate of 62.4% (191 customers). The study used a structured questionnaire and was analysed using frequencies, percentages, exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. The study found that the perceived service quality attributes at ADB were responsiveness, reliability and tangibility. Also, the study revealed that 78.9% variation in customer satisfaction is explained by these service quality attributes. Furthermore, the study discovered that tangibility had a favorable significant influence on customer satisfaction, as did reliability, and responsiveness had a favorable significant effect on customer satisfaction. It was therefore recommended that for Managers of ADB to enhance customer satisfaction, the bank strategies must be cantered on their services can trusted and dependable by clients.

Source: UCC