ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Host and Parasite Genetic Factors that affect Plasmodium Falciparum Gametocytogenesis and Malaria Transmission in Southern Ghana

Several factors affect gametocyte production and are proposed to vary in different endemic settings and seasons. The current study assessed gametocyte production rates in P. falciparum isolates from malaria patients in ex vivo assays. Effect of host (G6PD, HBB and ABO blood groups) and parasite (msp2 and Pfg377 diversity, and drug resistant strains) factors on gametocyte prevalence were assessed in asymptomatic infections. Study participants were children aged one to twelve years living in Obom and Cape Coast. In an ex vivo assay, 54% of the P. falciparum isolates produced gametocytes by day three with the mean production rate of less than 1%. High P. falciparum prevalence was observed, in up to 60% and 86% of children harbouring the parasites at microscopic and submicroscopic levels respectively. The parasite prevalence in Obom exhibited an extensive seasonal variation (P < 0.001) in microscopic and submicroscopic infections. Neither HBB, G6DP variants nor any of the ABO blood groups was associated with gametocyte prevalence; but participants with heterozygous or homozygous HbC had more gametocytes than the other HBB genotypes. Low P. falciparum sexual and asexual diversities (MOI<1.5) were observed and gametocyte positivity was significantly (P = 0.001) higher in individuals with msp2 dimorphic infections. Different levels of drug mutant P. falciparum strains with crt 76T (< 23%), Pfindrl 86Y (< 18%), dhfr S108N (< 40%) and Pfdhps A437G (> 3%) were observed. Low frequencies (2.1%) of K13 (C469C and A558S) mutant parasite strains were recorded. Plasmodium falciparum infections with both the mutant and wild type drug resistant strains also had msp2 dimorphic alleles and this will result in the formation of new parasite strains in the Anopheles vector for onward transmission.

Source: UCC
Host and parasite genetic factors that affect plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis and malaria transmission in southern Ghana

Several factors affect gametocyte production and are proposed to vary in different endemic settings and seasons. The current study assessed gametocyte production rates in P. Falciparum isolates from malaria patients in ex vivo assays. Effect of host (G6PD, HBB and ABO blood groups) and parasite (msp2 and Pfg377 diversity, and drug resistant strains) factors on gametocyte prevalence were assessed in asymptomatic infections. Study participants were children aged one to twelve years living in Obom and Cape Coast. In an ex vivo assay, 54% of the P. Falciparum isolates produced gametocytes by day three with the mean production rate of less than I%. High P. Falciparum prevalence was observed, in up to 60% and 86% of children harbouring the parasites at microscopic and submicroscopic levels respectively. The parasite prevalence in Obom exhibited an extensive seasonal variation (P < 0.001) in microscopic and submicroscopic infections. Neither HBB, G6DP variants nor any of the ABO blood groups was associated with gametocyte prevalence; but participants with heterozygous or homozygous hbc had more gametocytes than the other HBB genotypes. Low P. Falciparum sexual and asexual diversities (MOI<l .5) were observed and gametocyte positivity was significantly (P = 0.001) higher in individuals with msp2 dimorphic infections. Different levels of drug mutant P. Falciparum strains with crt 76T (< 23%), Pfmdrl 86Y (< 18%), dhfr S108N (< 40%) and Pfdhps A437G (> 3%) were observed. Low frequencies (2.1%) of Kl 3 (C469C and A558S) mutant parasite strains were recorded. Plasmodium falciparum infections with both the mutant and wild type drug resistant strains also had msp2 dimorphic alleles and this will result in the formation of new parasite strains in the Anopheles vector for onward transmission.

Source: UCC
Host Genetic Variants That Protect Against Clinical Malaria May Influence Asymptomatic Malaria Parasite Carriage

The outcome of a Plasmodium falciparum infection is influenced by host genetic factors. The relationship between host genetics and severe malaria has been studied more intensely than the relationship between host genetics and the more common mild and asymptomatic malarias. With a global change of focus from malaria control to elimination, there is the obvious need to understand and target all forms of the disease, particularly asymptomatic malaria, with its high burden and transmission potential. The Candidate Gene Approach was used to test the hypothesis that symptomatic Malaria-Protection Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with protection against asymptomatic parasite density. Five SNPs, Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR 4)-Asp299Gly (A>G), Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS2)-954 G>C, Interleukin 10 (IL 10)-592 A>C, Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL2) G230A and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)+874 T>A. These SNPs, with “pro-parasitic” and antiparasitic effects in symptomatic malaria, were genotyped by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and sanger sequencing and tested for associations with asymptomatic P. falciparum parasite density, as detected by Photo-Induced Electron Transfer Polymerase Chain Reaction, in school-going children in Simiw, Ghana. IFN-γ+874 T>A was associated with a lower asymptomatic parasite density while MBL2 G230A was monomorphic in the population. According to these results, a host genetic influence on asymptomatic malaria parasite density does exist, partly overlapping that of clinical malaria infections. Parasitic immunity among the malarias may share a similar, yet complex immunogenetics despite their differences in symptomatic severity.

Source: UCC
Host perspectives of international volunteer tourists in Ghana: the case of Asebu community

Volunteer tourism discourse seems to have a disproportionate emphasis on the guest at the expense of the host. This trend seems to be replicated in the Ghanaian studies although it is well understood that without host support, tourism cannot be sustainable. Thus, this inquiry sought to examine the host guest relationship from the lens of the host, mainly from the relatively unexplored dimensions of language, power and reciprocity. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to solicit data from forty three participants in the Asebu community from November 2015 to April 2016. The data was analyzed using QDA miner, to bring out the themes and patterns in the transcript. The results indicate that the host has different perspectives towards the international volunteer tourist. These perspectives appear to be shaped by the degree of host involvement in the volunteer tourism enterprise. The findings revealed a spectrum of attitudes toward the guest which ranged from tolerance, indifference to suspicion. It was established that the host uncertainty about the motives of the guest was predicated on resident’s perceptions of direct benefits from volunteer tourism. Based on the findings, it was concluded that host perspectives of the volunteer tourist is function of contact factors which either enabled or mitigated interactions. It was recommended that the volunteer tourism organisation consider addressing the feelings of uncertainty among the host, by giving communities enough information about the motives and activities of the volunteer tourists.

Source: UCC
Hot electrons injection in carbon nanotubes under the influence of quasi-static ac-field

Hot electrons injection in carbon nanotubes (CNTs ) where in addition to applied dc field (E), there exist simultaneously a quasi-static ac electric field (i.e. when the frequency ω of ac field is much less than the scattering frequency v (ω v or ωτ 1, v = τ−1, where τ is relaxation time) is considered. The investigation is done theoritically by solving semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation with and without the presence of the hot electrons source to derive the current densities. Plots of the normalized current density versus dc field (E) applied along the axis of the CNTs in the presence and absence of hot electrons reveal ohmic conductivity initially and finally negative differential conductivity (NDC) provided ωτ 1 (i.e. quasi- static case). With strong enough axial injection of the hot electrons, there is a switch from NDC to positive differential conductivity (PDC) about E ≥ 75kV/cm and E ≥ 140kV/cm for a zigzag CNT and an armchair CNT respectively. Thus, the most important tough problem for NDC region which is the space charge instabilities can be suppressed due to the switch from the NDC behaviour to the PDC behaviour predicting a potential generation of terahertz radiations whose applications are relevance in current-day technology, industry, and research

Source: UCC
Hotel characteristics and location decisions in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

This study identified and assessed the differences in the extent to which location factors were considered y hotel owners based on certain characteristics of their hotels in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The behavioral thought on industrial location decisions was used as a framework to identify and assess hotel owners’ location decisions. Data on hotel location decisions were collected from 153 hotel owners in the Kumasi Metropolis and analyzed with the chi-square test of independence. It was found that the extent to which location factors such as economic, neighborhood characteristics, physical site characteristics, laws and regulations, socio-cultural and transport factors considered y hotel owners differed y hotel location, hotel category, ownership, age of hotel and the number of rooms in a hotel. Hotel location factors are considered differently based on hotel characteristics

Source: UCC
Hotel location decision-making in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana: with whom and why?

Knowledge on the people involved in hotel location decision-making and why they are involved is key to destination planning and development. Insights gained into this subject are useful to future destination planners. Despite its importance, the subject of whom to involving in the hotel location decision and why they should be involved, has received limited research interest in Ghana. This study identifies the people involved in hotel location decisions and assesses the reasons why they are involved. Data was collected from hotel owners in the Kumasi Metropolis and analysed with the chi-square test of independence. Extended family members were mostly involved in the hotel location decisions and for mainly personal reasons. It was concluded that hotel owners in the Kumasi Metropolis involve their family members in the location choice for non-professional reasons

Source: UCC
Hotels’ adoption and utilization of information and communication technology (ITC) in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Despite the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in hotels’ service delivery and its implications on service efficiency and customer satisfaction, limited number of studies exist in the context of Ghana on ICTs adoption and utilization among hotels. This study examined how hotels in the Kumasi Metropolis adopt and use ICTs in service delivery. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted for the study. Survey data was collected from 174 hotel employees and in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted among 20 hotel managers using questionnaires and IDI guides respectively. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data while frequencies, percentages, independent sample t-test and Pearson chi-square were employed in the analysis of quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that even though all hotels in the study adopted and used ICT in their service delivery, not all made maximum use of ICT. Managers opined that adoption of ICT in hotel service is relevant since ICT aids access to information, improvement of productivity and makes work easier. The results showed that employees had positive attitude towards the use of ICT. Nonetheless, results from Pearson chi-square established that hotel characteristics had statistically significant association with barriers to the use of ICT in hotel service delivery. It is recommended that managers of hotels that were able to achieve the target of using ICT should maintain such standards and continue to motivate their employees to work with enthusiasm. The study concluded that the assent use of ICT by hotels is as a result of the cognizance hotels have taken of the role ICT play in their service delivery.

Source: UCC
Household air pollution and the sustainable development goals

Globally, 41% of households, over 2.8 billion people, rely on solid fuels (coal and biomass) for cooking and heating. In developing countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa where these fuels are predominantly used, women who are customarily responsible for cooking, and their young children, are most exposed to the resulting air pollution. Solid fuels are still in widespread use and it appears that intervention efforts are not keeping pace with population growth in developing countries. Here we pinpoint the challenges and identify opportunities for addressing household air pollution while mitigating global climate change and promoting the sustainable development goals. We recommend the following actions: implementation of the WHO indoor air quality guidelines on household fuel combustion; effective promotion and dissemination of improved cookstoves through formation of country alliances for clean cookstoves; expansion of liquefied petroleum gas production facilities and distribution networks; harnessing renewable energy potential; promotion of biogas production at both household and community level; ensuring improved ventilation of homes through education and enforcement of building standards; and exploiting opportunities in the health and other sectors for changing health-damaging cooking behaviour.

Source: UCC
Household Air Pollution from Solid Fuel Use and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Empirical Evidence

Background: About 41% of households globally, mainly in developing countries rely on solid fuels for cooking with consequences for fetal growth and development. Previous reviews were limited in scope, assessing only two outcomes (birth weight, stillbirth). With important evidence accumulating, there is a need to improve the previous estimates and assess additional outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the quality and strength of available evidence on household air pollution (HAP) and the whole range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Scopus and CINAHL were searched from their inception to the end of April 2013. All epidemiological study designs were eligible for inclusion in the review. The random-effects model was applied in computing the summary-effect estimates (EE) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 1505 studies screened, 19 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Household combustion of solid fuels resulted in an 86.43 g (95% CI: 55.49, 117.37) reduction in birth weight, and a 35% (EE51.35, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.48) and 29% (EE51.29, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.41) increased risk of LBW and stillbirth respectively. Conclusion: Combustion of solid fuels at home increases the risk of a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Access to clean household energy solutions is the surest way to combat HAP and mitigate their adverse effects.

Source: UCC
Household Air Pollution from Solid Fuel Use and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Empirical Evidence

About 41% of households globally, mainly in developing countries rely on solid fuels for cooking with consequences for fetal growth and development. Previous reviews were limited in scope, assessing only two outcomes (birth weight, stillbirth). With important evidence accumulating, there is a need to improve the previous estimates and assess additional outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the quality and strength of available evidence on household air pollution (HAP) and the whole range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Scopus and CINAHL were searched from their inception to the end of April 2013. All epidemiological study designs were eligible for inclusion in the review. The random-effects model was applied in computing the summary-effect estimates (EE) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 1505 studies screened, 19 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Household combustion of solid fuels resulted in an 86.43 g (95% CI: 55.49, 117.37) reduction in birth weight, and a 35% (EE51.35, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.48) and 29% (EE51.29, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.41) increased risk of LBW and stillbirth respectively. Conclusion: Combustion of solid fuels at home increases the risk of a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Access to clean household energy solutions is the surest way to combat HAP and mitigate their adverse effects.

Source: UCC
Household economic status and risk of HIV/ AIDS infection among young people: Evidence from Ghana

Recent evidence suggests that the burden of new HIV infection in developing countries is concentrated among young people even with the increasing knowledge of how to protect oneself from infection. Many scholars have explained this under the economic thesis that the daily situations of economic and social disadvantage that characterize the lives of many young people push them to indulge in risky sexual behaviours that increase their risk of contracting HIV. This study empirically tests the veracity of this economic thesis among young people in Ghana. Extracting data on young men and women aged 15-24 years from the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data, a national household survey; the study explores the association between economic status and three risky sexual behaviours - age at sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and inconsistent use of condom. Interestingly, the long held poverty hypothesis is not confirmed in this study. However, variables such as knowledge of one's HIV/AIDS status, frequency of watching television, years of schooling and staying away from home for more than a month are found to be significantly associated with risky sexual behaviours among young people in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Household Energy Choices for Cooking in the Mfantseman Municipality, Ghana

The study explored energy choices for household cooking in the Mfantseman Municipality. Pragmatic approach based on the mixed-method research approach as well as Cluster, random and purposeful samplings were for the study. Research instruments including questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data for the study. Descriptive statistics were employed in the analysis of the socio-demographic research questions one, two three and four. Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic approach was used in the qualitative data analysis. A multivariate statistical tool such as ANOVA was used to analyse the differences in means of energy choices in the selected communities. The findings showed that charcoal was the primary energy source for residents within the Mfantseman zone. LPG was the second-best thing to charcoal. Wood fuel, electricity, kerosene, and biogas were also key energy sources in Mfantseman. From the quantitative and qualitative results, income level, consumption level, and energy scarcity are the main factors that determine household energy use choices in the selected communities. However, other variables like market price of fuel, energy resource availability, efficient cooking, social status, and so on were also present. In light of the aforementioned discoveries, it was recommended that the development of woodlots in the Mfantseman region should be promoted. Agricultural expertise can educate individuals on woodlot development for charcoal manufacturing. An LPG sales station should be established in the Mfantseman region. This will increase the inhabitants' access to LPG consistently.

Source: UCC
Household Fuel And Garbage Combustion, Street Vending Activities And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Air pollution is a major concern in urban areas of developing countries as a result of industrial expansion and increased vehicular ownership, and in most households due to solid fuel use and garbage burning at home. Urban poverty is also widespread in developing countries, and besides perpetuating household air pollution (HAP), it has also meant hazardous occupational choices such as street vending by the urban poor. The epidemiologic evidence linking HAP exposure with adverse pregnancy outcomes is very limited. Research on the health effects of street vending is also scarce with its relationship with fetal growth still unexplored in spite of women dominating this venture. This project assessed the effects of HAP practices and ambient air pollution exposure on fetal growth and gestational duration, and elaborated the role of environmental exposures in the influence of socioeconomic deprivation on pregnancy endpoints. The project comprised an epidemiologic study, and a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of evidence. A cross-sectional study of 1,151 mothers-infant pairs accessing postnatal services at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra (n = 592), and the four main health facilities in Cape Coast (n = 559) was conducted. Information on socioeconomic characteristics and activity patterns of mothers, and characteristics of the indoor and outdoor environment were collected in a structured questionnaire. Birth weight and gestational age was retrieved from hospital records. PUBMED, Ovid MEDLINE, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases were searched for studies investigating HAP exposure and pregnancy outcomes for the review. Multivariate modeling adjusting for confounders resulted in a 243g (95% CI: 496, 11) reduction in birth weight and 41% (risk ratio [RR] = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.62, 3.23) increased risk of low birth weight (LBW) for use of charcoal. Garbage burning was associated with a 195% (RR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.10, 7.92) increased risk of LBW. The meta-analysis indicated an 86.43g (95% CI: 55.49, 117.37) reduction in birth weight and a 35% (summary-effect estimate [EE] = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.48) increased risk of LBW for solid fuel use. Increased risk of other pregnancy endpoints with use of solid fuels was also noted in the meta-analysis. Moderate street vending activity and high traffic density in the vending area jointly resulted in 84% (RR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.24) and 29% (RR = 1.29; 95% CI: 0.68, 2.46) increased risk of LBW and preterm birth, respectively. Evidence of the effects of maternal socioeconomic disadvantage on pregnancy outcomes was noted, with HAP especially substantially mediating the observed effects. Interventions for mitigating the effects of solid fuel use on health call for eliminating barriers to the adoption of cleaner fuels and educating women about behavioral changes required to minimize exposure. Government should also extend their social safety net programs to pregnant women engaged in hazardous occupations to enable them give up or minimize the number of hours in the work.

Source: UCC
Household Savings and Women’s Bargaining Power in Ghana

This study investigates the effect of women’s bargaining power on household’s ownership and amount of savings in Ghana. Unlike previous empirical studies, this study considers the differences in preference among household members that leads to bargaining over allocation of resources in the household. To achieve the objective of this paper, the fifth round (2005) of the Ghana Living Standards Survey was employed. Women’s bargaining power is measured as the share of woman’s education among the couple. Probit and Heckman two-stage estimation techniques are employed. The latter is justified, in view of potential sampling selection bias in the annual savings model. The main finding is that, an increase women’s bargaining power engenders a corresponding increase in the probability of ownership of savings account and amount saved. We therefore recommend that, one of the strategies to improve household savings habit in Ghana, is through empowering women via better education.

Source: UCC