ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Ocular conditions among women involved in palm kernel oil processing in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Background: While pro-poor economic activities have provided employment to poor and vulnerable groups in a number of African countries, some of the activities expose those involved to occupational hazards but these hazards are rarely discussed. One of such activities is oil palm kernel processing with its associated exposure to heat with consequences for ocular health. The paper explores the implications of oil palm kernel processing for the ocular health of the women involved in the industry in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: The study involved a survey, in-depth interviews and a Standard ophthalmic examination was carried out on 100 women aged 13 years and above some of whom had been in palm kernel oil processing for ten years or more. The participants were those who were available and willing to participate in the research. Results: The most commonly reported ocular complaints were itching (20.0%), red and painful eyes (13.0%) and blurred vision at distance (13.0 %). Among the ocular diseases identified were chronic conjunctivitis (21.0%), pterygium (11.0%) and cataract (8.0%). The prevalence of suspected glaucoma (C/D > 0.5) was about 3% while the prevalence of visual impairment (VA!6/18 in the better eye) was 24%. Only 22% of the impairment observed could be attributed to hazards associated with the job. Conclusions: The processes involved in the palm kernel oil business predispose women to risk of eye diseases. Provision of eye and vision care services at regular intervals could reduce the magnitude and severity of ocular problems associated with this industry

Source: UCC
Ocular Discomforts Following Eyelash Extension

Eyelash extension has become common practice for enhancing beauty among Ghanaian women on occasions such as weddings, festivities, and other social gatherings including funerals. This study was therefore conducted to ascertain the effect of eyelash extension on the eyelid and on vi-sion. One hundred and twenty (120) females who had had prior experience with eyelash extension were interviewed on; reasons for extension, frequency of extension, and various problems encoun-tered after extension of their eyelashes. Majorities (94.2%) of the respondents were aged 10-39 years and were literate (91.5%). About 70% (i.e. 69.2%) have undergone eyelash extension more than once. The major purpose (81.6%) for extending their eyelashes was to enhance their beauty, with eyelash replacement accounting for only 1.7% of respondents. One hundred and seventeen (97.5%) had one or more of these problems; dry eyes, itchy eyelids, tearing, burning sensation, lid swelling and pain, casting of shadows in vision, misdirected eyelashes, purulent discharge and eyelashes falling into the eye. Thirty nine (32.5%) had difficulty removing the eyelash extensions. Irrespective of the various difficulties they encountered 65% still intend fixing their eyelashes again because they thought it was fashionable. Eyelash extension could have unfavourable effect on the eyelid and vision. Beauticians should be well trained to ensure safety of the procedure while females should be educated on the potential ocular health hazards of eyelash extension.

Source: UCC
Ocular health among cocoa farmers at Mfuom in the central region of Ghana

Agricultural work is one of the riskiest occupations for the eye due to high level of exposure to hazards. However, most often the needs of such workers especially in developing countries such as Ghana are not met as a result of inadequate infrastructure and health professionals. A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out to evaluate the ocular health status, working conditions and perception of safety among 185 cocoa farmers at Mfuom. A structured questionnaire was used for the survey and a comprehensive eye examination was conducted. Of the 185 cocoa farmers, 68% were males and the rest females. The ages of the respondents ranged between 19 and 70 years with a mean age of 52.7 (SD= 11.7). About 37% had spent 5 to 9 years in farming with 12% spending more than 30 years. Disease conditions were observed among 58% of the farmers. The anterior segment eye diseases diagnosed were mainly conjunctivitis (13%), Pterygium (2.7%) and cornea opacity (2.2%). Major posterior segment diseases diagnosed were cataract (20.0%), glaucoma (11.7%) and hypertensive retinopathy (2.7%). Refractive conditions were identified in 41.1% of the participants. Weeding recorded the highest incidence (40.5%) of injury followed by spraying of chemicals (10.8%) and pruning (9.7%). Spraying of chemicals recorded the highest use of goggles (25.4%) among the farmers. The data suggests that cocoa farmers have high level of vision problems but make insufficient use of proper medical care. It is therefore recommended that cocoa farmers are educated on ocular health and safety and use of protective eye wear.

Source: UCC
Ocular Health Assessment of Cocoa Farmers in a Rural Community in Ghana

Cocoa farming provides employment for over 800,000 households in rural Ghana, with the country currently touted as the second largest producer of cocoa worldwide. Agriculture is one of the riskiest occupations for the eyes due to the numerous ocular hazards on farms. The authors conducted an ocular health assessment among cocoa farmers at Mfuom, a rural community in the Central Region of Ghana, to examine the ocular health status and the ocular safety measures used by cocoa farmers. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate demographic characteristics, ocular injuries, and uti- lization of eye care services and ocular protection, and a clinical examination was used to evaluate their ocular status. Cocoa farmers were at high risk for ocular injuries and farm-related vision disorders and utilized eye care services and ocular protection poorly. Ocular condition identified were mainly refractive error (28.6%), cataract (20.0%), glaucoma (11.7%), conjunctivitis (13%), pterygium (2.7%), and cornea opacity (2.2%). There is a need for the introduction of an interventional eye care program to help address the ocular health challenges identified among the farmers. This can be done through collaborative efforts by educational institutions, government, and other role players in the agricultural industry to improve the quality of life of the vulnerable cocoa farmers in rural Ghana.

Source: UCC
Ocular Health of the Emerging Elderly Population in Ghana: Evidence From a Peri-urban Community

As people age, the risk of visual impairment increases because the major eye diseases that cause visual disorders are age-related. By the age of 65, 1 in 3 people suffer from some degree of eye disease that contributes to impaired vision. This study assessed ocular disorders, visual impairment, and blindness among an elderly population at Yamoransa, Ghana. Method: A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 170 elderly (aged 60 years and over) persons. The research participants underwent a complete ophthalmic examination that involved visual acuity, external, and dilated internal examinations. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 70 years with 58.2% being females. Visual impairment and blindness were found among 58.7% and 5.9%, respectively, according to their presented visual acuity; these decreased to 45.3% and 5.2%, respectively, after optical correction. About 68.3% of the respondents had poor near vision with only 40% having near reading corrections. The major causes of visual impairment were cataract (42.5%), uncorrected refractive errors (21.8%), retinal disorders (11.4%), and glaucoma (9.8%). Among the elderly with bilateral blindness, cataract was the main cause. Multinomial logistic regression showed that sex had a higher likelihood of being associated with visual disorders compared with age and education (P = 0.001); similarly females, older patients, and the those with no education had higher odds ratios. Conclusion: The need for increased health education, regular eye examination, and the need to subsidize surgical and refractive eye care services for the elderly in Ghana cannot be over emphasized.

Source: UCC
Ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease at the Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana

Sickle cell hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited diseases characterized by an abnormality in the ~-chain of the hemoglobin molecule. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is found all over the world except in the Far East and in the Arctic countries. It is most common in Africans and people of African descent but also occurs in the non-black population of Saudi Arabia and India.

Source: UCC
Ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease at the Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana

Sickle cell hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited diseases characterized by an abnormality in the β-chain of the hemoglobin molecule. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is found all over the world except in the Far East and in the Arctic countries. It is most common in Africans and people of African descent but also occurs in the non-black population of Saudi Arabia and India.

Source: UCC
Ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease at the Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana

Sickle cell hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited diseases characterized by an abnormality in the β-chain of the hemoglobin molecule. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is found all over the world except in the Far East and in the Arctic countries. It is most common in Africans and people of African descent but also occurs in the non-black population of Saudi Arabia and India

Source: UCC
Ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease at the Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana

PurPose. To determine the magnitude and pattern of ocular manifestations in sickle cell disease at Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Methods. Hospital-based cross-sectional study including all patients with sickle cell disease reporting for routine follow-up at the Sickle Cell Clinic at Korle-bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana. results. A total of 201 patients with sickle cell disease (67 male and 134 female) were enrolled, comprising 114 subjects with genotype HbSS, aged 6-58 years, mean 19.26 (SD 11.70), and 87 with genotype HbSC, aged 6-65 years, mean 31.4 (SD 16.76). Visual impairment was found in 5.6% of eyes examined. Causes were cataract, proliferative sickle retinopathy (PSR), optic atrophy, phthisis bulbi, and central retinal artery occlusion. Common anterior segment signs of sickle cell disease, which were more common in HbSC patients, were tortuous corkscrew conjunctival vessels, iris atrophy, and cataract. Eyes with iris atrophy or depigmentation were 1.8 times more at risk of PSR than eyes without. Overall, PSR was found in 12.9% of subjects examined (3.5% of HbSS, 25.3% of HbSC; 15.9% of males and 11.2% of females). The prevalence of proliferative sickle retinopathy increased with age and increased systemic severity of sickle cell disease; sex did not have an influence. ConClusions. There is a high prevalence of ocular morbidity in sickle cell disease patients at Korle-bu Hospital. Prevalence increased with age, systemic severity of sickle cell disease, and HbSC genotype.

Source: UCC
Ocular Symptoms of SAR-CoV-2: Indication of Possible Ocular Transmission or Viral Shedding

The recently identified novel coronavirus (CoV), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While published data about other highly infectious human COVs [that is, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)] provide helpful information about the infec­ tivity of SARS-CoV-2, there is limited understanding surrounding knowledge of ocular manifestation of the virus. This paper reviews published data which reveal the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in tears and conjunctival scrappings of some COVID-19 patients by real-time-polymerase chain reaction assay, although the detection rate is low compared to samples from respiratory sites. Nevertheless, the ocular complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection are uncommon. The evidence partly supports the eye as a portal of entry for SARS-CoV-2 to infect respiratory cells or viral shedding from respiratory cells via the nasolacrimal duct unto the ocular surface. The possibility of ocular secretions as source for SARS-CoV-2 to spread externally has substantial public health implications

Source: UCC
Ocularfeatures Of Hytpocalcaemiain A 35- Year Old Woman - A Case Report

The case of a 35-year-old teacher who developed persistent hypocalcaemia following subtotal thyroidectomy for simple multinodular goitre is presented. She developed carpopedal spasm with positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs 10 days after surgery and was found with a calcium level of 1.94mmoljl. Her serum calcium has been persistently below normal levels since then. She developed hypermetropia and early onset of presbyopia 6 weeks after surgery; by this time her lens was clear on examination. She had enjoyed good vision prior to the thyroidectomy surgery. A year later, she had developed a fully mature bilateral presenile cataract. The case illustrates an uncommon cause of rapidly progressive bilateral mature cataract in Nigeria and the difficulty encountered in managing a patient with persistent hypocalcaemia in our environment.

Source: UCC
Oculo-Visual Findings among Industrial Mine Workers at Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa

Objective: The focus of this study was to evaluate the visual status of mine workers who were directly involved in mining and/or are exposed to the mining environment. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted. Four hundred and six (406) workers were conveniently sampled for the study. Information on their socio-demographic data was also collected. In addition, all participants underwent ophthalmic examination. Results: The mean age of the workers was 41.1 years. Visual impairment was found in 114 (28.1%) of the study population of which refractive error (56.8%) was the major cause. Presbyopia was also observed in 45.5% of the workers with only 30.3% of them wearing near correction. The prevalence of eye diseases were pterygium/pingueculae (25.8%), conjunctivitis (26.8%), suspected glaucoma (15.3%), and cataract (7.4%). Conclusions: Visual impairment and eye diseases were found among the miners.

Source: UCC
Off-farm labour participation and farm household income in Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese district of the Central region of Ghana

This study sought to determine the effects of off-farm economic activities on farm household income in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District in the Central Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey design was used and data was collected from farm household heads and their spouses in the district for the purpose of analysis. An interview schedule was used for the collection of the data from the respondents. In total 253 married farm households were interviewed. A bivariate probit model was first estimated to find the decision of household heads and spouses in a married farm household to participate in off-farm economic activities. Afterwards, a Heckman sample selection technique was used to estimate the effect of participation in off-farm economic activities on farm households’ income. For the participation equation, it was found out that age, farm size, household size, access to credit and also access to remittances were significant in explaining the decision to participate. For the income function, the participation in off-farm economic activities had a significant effect on the farm household income. In order to raise farm households’ income, it is recommended that employment activities, such as the National Youth Employment Programme, that train and provide income to beneficiaries be improved and expanded.

Source: UCC
Oil and Gas Expectation Management in Ghana

It is expected that the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the jubilee field in Ghana raises the hope and expectation of revenue flow and job creation for the citizens. However, oil and gas could end up as a resource curse or blessing depending on how the expectation of citizens are managed. This study therefore examined the expectation management of oil and gas in Ghana. Specifically, the study ascertained the framework of expectations management, examined the expectations management during exploration and development of oil and gas industry in Ghana and explored the efficacy of the expectation management framework. An in-depth interview guide was used to collect data from twenty respondents. Data was analysed manually using the qualitative content analysis. The study found that there is an existing expectation management framework. The study also found that the major expectation of individuals was job opportunities while at the community level, the major expectation was the development of sea defense and road constructions. It was also observed that various misconception and misinformation have negatively affected the efficacy of the expectation management framework. It is therefore recommended that the government and oil and gas production companies to increase efforts to sensitise the communities about oil and gas production.

Source: UCC
Old Welcome for New Visitors: A Study of Ntona Shrine of Elmina in the Context of Christianity in Africa

The study sought to investigate the concept of African Christianity and tried to relate it to the Ntona shrine. The study also aimed at explaining the nature of the Ntona shrine and the historical circumstances that accounted for its development. In doing this, the qualitative research approach was employed. The historical and phenomenological methods were used, since the phenomenon studied was based more on historical narratives. Also, the phenomenological method was used in order to establish how the people of the Ntona shrine experience the phenomenon. The target population of the study constituted the custodians of the shrine and some indigenes of Elmina. The purposive and snowball sampling procedures were used to select respondents for the study. Research tools such as interviews and participant observation were used. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found out that despite people’s view on the Ntona as a Traditional African shrine, the adherents claim otherwise. To them it is a Christian grotto. The study points out that scholars in the study of African culture and African Christianity pay close attention to this phenomenon of the fusing of Africanity and the Christian gospel, hence the need for the study.

Source: UCC
On a liquid drop ”falling” in a heavier miscible fluid

We report a new type of drop instability, where the density difference between the drop and the solvent is negative. We show that the drop falls inside the solvent down to a minimum height, then fragmentation takes place and secondary droplets rise up to the surface. We have developed a theoretical model that captures the essential of the phenomenon and predicts the correct scalings for the rise-up time and the minimum height

Source: UCC
On human life: Traditional AKAN ethical perspectives

Prior to the advent of foreign cultures and religions such as Christianity and Islam, issues such as teenage pregnancy, abortion and suicide that threaten the dignity of human life were very rare among traditional Akans. Currently, the acute prevalence of these aforementioned issues indicates that the success chalked by traditional Akan ethics with its traditional religious values is eroding. Is it because the traditional Akan ethics, with its strong deontological basis, is now gradually being replaced by the modern western cultural eudaimonistic and utilitarian ethical value systems? This paper explores this fast paradigm shift on the dignity of human life among the Akans in Ghana

Source: UCC
On Immanuel Kant’s concept of duty

Central to the philosophical discourse on duty is its ontology, the sanctioning entity, and what legitimises an act to assume the status of duty. Kant conceives of duty to involve the recognition of, and submission to the moral law. The focus of this work is to critically interrogate the Kantian conception of duty normatively and the veracity of its application when the conceptualisation assumes practical posture. This is to understand as to whether acting from duty on the one hand, and the universalizability of a moral law according to which a moral agent ought to act on the other hand, guarantees that one acts without any consideration, but for duty. The import is to offer a pragmatic perspective to understanding Kant’s conception and to realign his metaphysical conceptualisation of duty within human capabilities. We do this with the position that duty must be within the practical capabilities of humans in moral decision-making

Source: UCC
On inherent complement verbs in Kwa

Several analyses have been proposed for the “inherent complement erbs” (ICVs) of the Kwa languages. In this paper, I propose that given the morphosyntactic and semantic properties of both the erb and its complement, it makes sense to treat such erbs like light erbs (Butt 2010), with a more functional role. Following Langer (2005), I argue that the erb only c-selects its “inherent complement”(IC). e IC is thus only a syntactic argument but not a semantic argument of its erb. Accordingly, I base-generate the ICV in Little v (Hale and Keyser 1993), di erent from lexical erbs which are base-generated in (Big) V.is structural representation is not only conceptually motivated, in the sense that the erb is semantically weak, but also, that empirically, the focus properties of an ICV construction suggest that the IC incorporates into a phonetically empty V

Source: UCC
On the amplification of acoustic phonons in carbon nanotube

We present a theoretical study of acoustic phonons amplification in Carbon Nanotubes (CNT). The phenomenon is via Cerenkov emission (CE) of acoustic phonons using intraband transitions proposed by Mensah et. al., [1] in Semiconductor Superlattices (SSL) and confirmed in [2]. From this, an asymmetric graph of ΓCNT on Vd and Ωτ were obtained where amplification (ΓCNT) >> absorption (ΓCNT ). The ratio,|ΓCNT ||ΓCNT|≈ 3.5, at Vd = 1.02Vs, ωq = 3.0 THz and T = 85 K for scattering angle θ > 0 . A threshold field at which Γ CNT abs switches over to Γ CNT amp was calculated to be E Dc z = 6.2 × 103V/m. This field is far less than that deduced using Bloch Type Oscillation (BTO) [3] which is E dc O = 3.0 × 105 V/m. The obtained ΓCNT amp would enable the use of CNT for the production of SASER

Source: UCC
On the detection of influential outliers in linear regression analysis

In this paper, we propose a measure for detecting influential outliers in linear regression analysis. The performance of the proposed method, called the Coefficient of Determination Ratio (CDR), is then compared with some standard measures of influence, namely: Cook’s distance, studentised deleted residuals, leverage values, covariance ratio, and difference in fits standardized. Two existing datasets, one artificial and one real, are employed for the comparison and to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed measure. It is observed that the proposed measure appears more responsive to detecting influential outliers in both simple and multiple linear regression analyses. The CDR thus provides a useful alternative to existing methods for detecting outliers in structured datasets

Source: UCC
On the existence of positive periodic solutions for totally nonlinear neutral differential equations of the second-order with functional delay

We prove that the totally nonlinear second-order neutral diferential equation dt2x(t) + p(t)ddtx(t) + q(t)h(x(t)) =ddtc(t, x(t − τ (t))) + f(t, ρ(x(t)), g(x(t − τ (t)))) has positive periodic solutions by employing the Krasnoselskii-Burton hybrid fixed point

Source: UCC