ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Hazard Indices of Heavy Metals in Bore Hole as Water Quality and their Probabilistic Risk Assessment

Water is known to be the most valuable natural resources present in our planet and without it, life on Earth will be no more. Most inhabitants of Kyebi and its environs in the Eastern Region, Ghana, largely consume groundwater from boreholes due the pollution of the Birim River which is main source of potable water by small scale or illegal mining and agricultural activities in the municipality. This study aimed to assess and evaluate the health risk of heavy metals of underground water consumption in small scale and illegal mining communities within the Kyebi catchment area. Twenty four boreholes were randomly selected and analyzed for lead, mercury, iron and arsenic levels using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) technique. Exposure questionnaires were completed by interviews with 200 local individuals who consume groundwater from boreholes and were used to estimate the hazard quotients, hazard index and the carcinogenic risk. The hazard quotients of lead, mercury, iron and arsenic were 0.33, 0.14, 0.005 and 0.63 respectively and a hazard index of 1.38. The carcinogenic risk of arsenic was found to be 3 × 10-5 and those at the 95th percentile recorded a risk of 2 × 10-4. The occurrence of mercury and lead in the groundwater bodies is largely due to contamination from surface sources, perhaps, as result of the indiscriminate use of mercury for gold processing and farming activities in the study area. This heavy intake can be attributed to their occupation (farmers, artisans, traders) which demand water and also the high temperature and humid environment. The East Akin Municipal Assembly should put in place a strict rules and regulations to stop or minimize the activities of the small scale or illegal mining in the Municipality.

Source: KNUST
Hazard Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Tema Municipal Water Supply

The study was undertaken to assess the quality status of drinking water in Tema municipal area. The concentrations of some selected toxic heavy metals (copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium, mercury, chromium, lead, iron, and manganese) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Among the nine selected heavy metals nickel and lead show higher concentration than the WHO recommended limits. This is an indication of pollution however their hazard quotients (HQ) of 0.04875 and 0.034938 is far less than 1. Besides, hazard index and incremental lifetime risk were calculated to be 0.0866 and 4.499 x 109 respectively. Since hazard quotient is far less than 1, and the risk value of 4.499 x 10-9 is also far less than 1 x 10-6 it implies no health risk is associated with the water and therefore their presence had no significant health effect on human life.

Source: KNUST
HAZARD PERCEPTIONS AND SELF-REPORTED NON INJURY OCCUPATIONAL AILMENTS AMONG ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN THREE MIDDLE ZONE REGIONS OF GHANA

Road construction activities are hazardous. Workers are exposed to hazards with high probability of illness, injury, disability or death. The objective was to determine road workers' perceptions of occupational hazards, ailments experienced and health seeking behaviour. This was an institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study using open-ended questions. A total of 353 road workers from Ashanti, Ahafo and Western North regions reported work-related hazards and ranked the top-3. Workers in each craft/stratum who gave consent were included in the study and interviewed. They also reported work-related ailments and health-seeking behaviour. The workers were primarily young (mean age 32.4 years) and male (97.7%). Most (70.2%) workers were contract/casual staff. Thirty eight hazards were reported, with the top five being dust (91.5% of workers reported this), extreme temperatures (72.0%), noise (40.5%), fumes (21.8%) and vehicles/trucks (21.1%). Most (86.8%) workers reported a work related ailment, with the most common being cough (41.1%) and headache (18.9%). Most (87.8%) workers with ailments sought treatment of any kind. Road construction workers in these regions of Ghana have good appreciation of hazards at work and the dangers they pose. Works supervisors should encourage workers on PPE use against dust, noise, fumes and good housekeeping. Regular worker-training on hazards is recommended.

Source: KNUST
he genomic epidemiology of multi drug resistant invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in selected sub-Saharan African countries

Background Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) is one of the leading causes of bacteraemia in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to provide a better understanding of the genetic characteristics and transmission patterns associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) iNTS serovars across the continent. Methods A total of 166 iNTS isolates collected from a multi-centre surveillance in 10 African countries (2010–2014) and a fever study in Ghana (2007–2009) were genome sequenced to investigate the geographical distribution, antimicrobial genetic determinants and population structure of iNTS serotypes–genotypes. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in the context of the existing genomic frameworks for various iNTS serovars. Population-based incidence of MDR-iNTS disease was estimated in each study site. Results Salmonella Typhimurium sequence-type (ST) 313 and Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 were predominant, and both exhibited high frequencies of MDR; Salmonella Dublin ST10 was identified in West Africa only. Mutations in the gyrA gene (fluoroquinolone resistance) were identified in S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in Ghana; an ST313 isolate carrying blaCTX-M-15 was found in Kenya. International transmission of MDR ST313 (lineage II) and MDR ST11 (West African clade) was observed between Ghana and neighbouring West African countries. The incidence of MDR-iNTS disease exceeded 100/100 000 person-years-of-observation in children aged <5 years in several West African countries

Source: KNUST
He impact of insufficient staff on production (treatment) of potable water at selected treatment plants of Ghana Water Company limited in the Volta Region

The research which was carried out in the Volta Region of Ghana analyses the impact of insufficient staff on the production of potable water at selected Headworks in the Volta Region. The study acknowledges other researchers, scholars and authors who have suggested in relation to the topic under investigation. The research work deals with how a company can work with limited staff and what are the effects on the staff, the company itself and the factors are responsible for this situation. The researcher analyzed and explained how this will impact the company positively and negatively. The researcher used both primary and secondary methods of collecting data with the emphasis on the primary source. The primary data refers to information received expressly for the purpose such as questionnaires and interview while secondary data refers to information collected from other sources and the work of other researchers Such as internet journals and libraries. A total of 38 questionnaires were distributed among staff and the various Station Managers. The researcher used tables and charts to give and illustrate critically what the respondents had in mind in respect of the topic, impact of insufficient staff on the treatment of potable water in Ghana Water Company Limited in the Volta Region. Some of the effects of understaffing on the staff are work overload, higher susceptibility to workplace hazard due to multitasking, extends task completion time, effects on mental/emotional wellbeing, effects on task completion rate, etc. Whereas, the impact of understaffing on the GWCL is in order of importance include work overload, higher susceptibility to workplace hazard due to multitasking, extends task completion time, affects mental/emotional wellbeing, etc

Source: KNUST
Health and Safety at the Sourcing Stage of Public Works Procurement: A Case of Procurement Entities in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Public authorities may legitimately wish to ensure that the candidates they select have endorsed certain policies in their general professional behavior including safe working environment in achieving value for money. Once contract has been signed for the tenderer to start work, it may be extremely difficult and costly for the contracting authorities to modify or terminate the contract where the chosen candidate is not performing to the required health and safety standards. The study became necessary from observation that some clients secure a low price tender at the expense of the health and safety of workforce resulting in winning tenderers likely to be the ones that do not provide health and safety for their workforce. The implications of such action prompt for investigation into the extent to which health and safety issues are considered by public entities during the sourcing stage of the public procurement process. The objectives were to identify how Health and Safety considerations are applied and the effect of considering health and safety at the sourcing stage of works procurement on project performance in terms of cost, quality and timely delivery by public entities. Procurement Entities of all the Municipal and District assemblies in the Brong Ahafo Region were chosen for the study. The total population for the research was made up of Heads of the Procurement Entities of all the Twenty Seven (27) Municipal and District Assemblies in the Brong Ahafo Region for whom questionnaires as research instrument were administered to for data collection. A response rate of 70.37% was obtained for analysis. The research concluded that though most of the procuring entities perform quite well in considering health and safety at the sourcing stage of works procurement, there is certainly more that could be done. In the recommendations clients were urged to act more responsibly in protecting the health and safety of workers while aiming at value for money in at the sourcing stage and enforce the implementation of all requirements in the procurement processes.

Source: KNUST
HE IMPACT OF SAVINGS GROUPS ON FEMALE AGENCY: INSIGHTS FROM VILLAGE SAVINGS AND LOANS ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTHERN GHANA

In this paper we examined how participation in savings groups like the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) influence women’s agency in rural Ghana, i.e. their ability to freely participate in group activities and act on other issues and matters that affect them. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from VSLA and nonVSLA members to compare the effect between participants and nonparticipants. We used three dimensions of agency adapted from the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) to assess female agency: women’s participation and decision making in groups; women’s comfort with public speaking; and women’s decision making in their households. A significant finding of this study is that VSLA membership has enhanced the agency of female participants as they are more economically and socially active and can act on their own compared to women who did not use the savings group.

Source: KNUST
Health and safety compliance in the mining sector a case study on AngloGold Ashanti projects

According to the ILO and WHO estimates, every year, more than 12 million people die of workplace related diseases and accidents. Most African nations are battling with safety and health practices as few endeavors from the companies and the governments are remarkable. The study assessed the level of compliance with health and safety standards on Anglo-Gold Ashanti Projects. With respect to the health and safety standards at Anglo-gold Ashanti, the study revealed that provision of safe workplace, provision of adequate equipment, materials and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to enable employees to carry out their work safely, provision of notices on all health and safety measures to the workers, organization of safety induction, orientation and refresher courses by my organization at the workplace, safety assurance by fellow workers were the common standards found at Anglo-gold Ashanti. The study further discovered that the level of compliance was moderate due to compliance to the following standards: the organization makes sure that they are not subjected to any unreasonable risks in the workplace; the organization conducts periodic reviews to assess health and safety standards in the work place, whether inspections at the workplace in relation to health and safety are conducted by both the trained management and representatives from the employees and there is an effective incident reporting procedure that is known by employees.With the findings of the study in mind, it is recommended that education should be done on the regular usage of the safety materials at the workplace. The study further suggests that fire drills should be conducted periodically at the workplace to check for emergency responses and preparedness of the workers and systems.

Source: KNUST
Health and Safety Management Practices by Building Contractors in the Ashanti Region

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) encompass the social, mental and physical well-being of workers, and for that matter the “whole person”. In the world at large, more people die at work than in wars (ILO, 2004). Health and safety management in the building industry in Ghana is of major concern to stakeholders and government. The aim of the study is to assess the level of Health and Safety Management practices of selected Building Contractors in Ashanti Region. Specific objectives include; document the pre-requisite conditions that support the operation of a Health and Safety Management system, document the current practices of selected construction firms in Occupational Health and Safety Management, identify the barriers to the operation of Occupational Health and Safety Management system in Ashanti Region and recommend measures to improve the operation of occupational health and safety management systems on construction sites The research methodology was carried out over three phases. In the preliminary phase, background information on occupational health and safety were gathered from literature. This helped to capture key issues that helped in developing the questionnaire in the second phase. The third phase of the research methodology focused on the analysis of data collected, using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS V. 16). The findings revealed that there exist formal health and safety programmes for employees on construction sites. The results also showed not much difference in the views of site managers and site operatives on how frequent health and safety trainings were organized on site. The research made recommendations to further improve Health and Safety management.

Source: KNUST
Health care workers indicate ill preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ashanti Region of Ghana

Background: The recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic that hit some countries in West Africa underscores the need to train front line high-risk health workers on disease prevention skills. Although Ghana did not record (and is yet to) any case, and several health workers have received numerous training schemes, there is no record of any study that assessed preparedness of healthcare workers (HCWS) regarding EVD and any emergency prone disease in Ghana. We therefore conducted a hospital based cross sectional study involving 101 HCWs from two facilities in Kumasi, Ghana to assess the level of preparedness of HCWs to respond to any possible EVD. Methods: We administered a face-to-face questionnaire using an adapted WHO (2015) and CDC (2014) Checklist for Ebola Preparedness and assessed overall knowledge gaps, and preparedness of the Ghanaian HCWs in selected health facilities of the Ashanti Region of Ghana from October to December 2015. Results: A total 92 (91.09%) HCWs indicated they were not adequately trained to handle an EVD suspected case. Only 25.74% (n = 26) considered their facilities sufficiently equipped to handle and manage EVD patients. When asked which disinfectant to use after attending to and caring for a suspected patient with EVD, only 8.91% (n = 9) could correctly identify the right disinfectant (χ 2 = 28.52, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates poor knowledge and ill preparedness and unwillingness of many HCWs to attend to EVD. Beyond knowledge acquisition, there is the need for more training from time to time to fully prepare HCWs to handle any possible EVD case.

Source: KNUST
Health care workers indicate ill preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ashanti Region of Ghana

Background: The recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic that hit some countries in West Africa underscores the need to train front line high-risk health workers on disease prevention skills. Although Ghana did not record (and is yet to) any case, and several health workers have received numerous training schemes, there is no record of any study that assessed preparedness of healthcare workers (HCWS) regarding EVD and any emergency prone disease in Ghana. We therefore conducted a hospital based cross sectional study involving 101 HCWs from two facilities in Kumasi, Ghana to assess the level of preparedness of HCWs to respond to any possible EVD. Methods: We administered a face-to-face questionnaire using an adapted WHO (2015) and CDC (2014) Checklist for Ebola Preparedness and assessed overall knowledge gaps, and preparedness of the Ghanaian HCWs in selected health facilities of the Ashanti Region of Ghana from October to December 2015. Results: A total 92 (91.09%) HCWs indicated they were not adequately trained to handle an EVD suspected case. Only 25.74% (n = 26) considered their facilities sufficiently equipped to handle and manage EVD patients. When asked which disinfectant to use after attending to and caring for a suspected patient with EVD, only 8.91% (n = 9) could correctly identify the right disinfectant (χ 2 = 28.52, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates poor knowledge and ill preparedness and unwillingness of many HCWs to attend to EVD. Beyond knowledge acquisition, there is the need for more training from time to time to fully prepare HCWs to handle any possible EVD case

Source: KNUST
Health effects of faecal sludge use as a soil improver in agriculture

The study was to investigate the effects of the use of faecal sludge as a soil improver (nutrient potential) to crops and on the health of the farmers and their labour force. Weekly faecal sludge samples exposed to direct natural sunlight on the farms were analyzed the faecal coliforms and enterococci using the Most Probable Number and Pour Plate techniques. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of the soil before the addition of sludge, the soil—sludge mixture and at harvest were determined using the digestion and distillation, Bray’s Method and the exchangeable potassium determination methods respectively. A questionnaire survey administered to 3() farmers, which sought to obtain information on possible reactions and diseases from sludge on the farmers, was also conducted Fresh faecal sludge contained high numbers of faecal coliform bacteria (I .82 x l0). However, these coliforms reduced by 56-82 % to 9. 1 5 x I 4,00 x I 0’ after 6 to 8 weeks respectively upon exposure to natural sunlight. Additionally, at 0-20cm depth soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium improved by 58.75%, 1,01% and 170.89% respectively after addition of faecal sludge. Available nutrients were more at the 0-20cm depth compared to the 20- 40cm. Sixty percent of the farmers had some knowledge on the need for protective clothing use. In spite of the health hazards associated with sludge use, sludge is a valuable resource to farmers and serves as a soil conditioner and humus replenisher an asset not shared by chemical fertilizers and other soil amendment materials.

Source: KNUST
Health Insurance of the Ga District of the Greater Accra Region; an operational feasibility study

The survey is a feasibility study of establishing a Health Insurance Scheme in the Ga District. The main objective of the study was to determine the ability of residents, especially the rural folk to access a health insurance scheme. The method used was cross-sectional descriptive study, in which quantitative and qualitative data was collected In the study, 59.2% of head of households were males and 40.8% females. The modal class for the age of head of households was between 20 - 29 years and the mean household size was 3.98 almost four (4), making them good potential clients (Weber and Normand, 1994). About 80 percent (80.1%) have a household expenditure of one million to ten million cedis and only 0.6% of households had expenditure below the poverty line while zero percent was below the extreme poverty line. Meanwhile, income patterns reflected that, about five percent (5.2%) were below extreme poverty line per annum and 20.8% was below the poverty line (GLSS 1999). This meant that almost all respondents could afford to pay and access Health Insurance. However, the people go to a health facility only when quality of care received is good (88.7%) the health facilities are geographically accessible but would choose to seek health care from other places like drug stores (98.4%) because of affordability. Almost ninety-eight percent (97.9%) of respondents were willing to join a health insurance scheme provided the management of the scheme was transparent. In conclusion, the residents of the Ga district have the ability to access health insurance provided they have geographic accessibility to health facilities, the quality of care rendered at health facilities is good and management of the scheme is transparent.

Source: KNUST
Health Hazards of Casual Workers in the Building Construction Industry in Ghana: A Case Study of the Accra Metropolis

The purpose of the study was to assess the health hazards of casual workers in the Building construction industry in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana. The study sought to provide the casual workers level of awareness on health hazards at construction sites, further identifying the causes of health hazards at construction sites and suggest strategies to put in places curb health hazards at construction sites.The research design adopted in the study was descriptive survey research. The sample size of 120 respondents was selected for the study by using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Also, a questionnaire was used to collect data on respondents’ views on health hazards on construction sites and their views were analyzed in mean scores, standard deviation, frequency tables and percentages. The findings of the study showed majority of the respondents asserted they had never received training regarding health hazards on construction sites. Again, the results revealed that majority of the respondents agreed management’s poor safety measures were the major causes of health hazards at the construction site. The study revealed majority of the respondents of the view working at heights as one of the most prominent types of health hazards identified amongst Building construction sites.It is recommended that government would adequately resource regulatory institutions to ensure frequent monitoring and inspection at construction sites.

Source: KNUST