ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Nurses' behavioural intentions towards intravenous fluid administration for pediatric patients: Application of the theory of planned behaviour

Background: For pediatric patients, the demand for quality and safe Intravenous Fluid (IVF) therapy is huge. This is because, compared to adults, children have a lower tolerance for IVF therapy errors and present devastating phys iological responses to errors. Nurses play a vital role in IVF administration; therefore, adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, positive perceived behavioural control, and good behavioural intentions are required to achieve effective and successful therapy, patient safety and prevention of complications, and overall positive patient outcomes. This study sought to assess the behaviour of nurses towards IVF administration for pediatric patients. Method: A cross-sectional facility-based study was designed and randomly recruited 112 nurses. The theory of planned behaviour was used as a conceptual framework to assess nurses' behavioural intentions towards IVF ad ministration for pediatric patients. Mean scores and their respective standard deviations, reliability tests, explor atory factor analysis, and linear logistic regression were all performed using SPSS version 27, with the level of significance set at 0.05. Results: Nurses' behavioural intentions for IVF administration for pediatric patients were influenced by their knowledge of standards and protocols for IVF use (β = 0.320; p = 0.01), attitudes (β = 0.339; p = 0.006) subjec tive norms (β 0.240; p = 0.003) and perceived behavioural control (β = 0.26; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Nurses' behavioural intentions for IVF administration were significantly influenced by their knowledge of procedures and standards for IVF administration. Additionally, the nurses' subjective norms, perceived behav ioural control, and attitude towards IVF administration have a significant effect on their behavioural intentions to administer IVFs to pediatric patients. For nurses to administer IVF effectively, safely, and successfully to pediatric patients, there is a need to enhance their knowledge of standards and guidelines for IVF administration. The nurses need to have good attitudes and positive support and influence from all others to be able to administer IVFs safely and successfully to their pediatric patients.

Source: UG
Nurses’ Experiences with Pain Assessment and Management in Patients with Burns. A Study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Pain experienced during burns has been linked to discomforts, preventing patients from fully participating in their care. Inadequate burns pain assessment and management has also been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The nurse has a professional and legal responsibility to promptly assess and manage pain as well as administration of prescribed analgesics and other pain relief methods to facilitate recovery. This research sought to explore the nurses‘ experiences with pain assessment and management in patients with burns using the Pain Transaction model by Keen et al., (2017) as the main conceptual framework for the study. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used and a purposive sampling technique was employed in the recruitment of the participants for the research. The researcher recruited 11 participants from the burns unit of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital. Findings suggested that participants of the study had general knowledge on the management of burns pain. However, they had limited knowledge on tools to assess burns pain which resulted in inadequate pain management. Again, the lack of knowledge by some nurses on pain assessment tools resulted in the prevalence of poor pain management practices such as administration of placebo, ignoring patient‘s pain complain due to the fear of addiction to opioids. Additionally, it was revealed from the study that good interpersonal communication between the nurse and the patient had positive influence on burns pain management. The adverse psychological effect of burns pain management on nurses was also another finding from the study. There is the need to emphasize developing the right attitudes in nurses through adequate training and provision of resources which will lead to improved professionalism and supportive care for patients. A revision of policies on the funding of health care services, especially for patients with burns will also result in appropriate and effective care.

Source: UG
Nurses’ Perception Of Legal Responsibilities Towards Patients: A Study At Achimota Hospital

Nurses have legal and professional responsibilities toward patients to promote a high standard of care. However, in the course of performing the duty of care owed to the patient, omissions and breaches may result. Nurses ought to have the requisite knowledge about the legal responsibilities to ensure adherence to professional standards. This study sought to assess the perception of nurses about their legal duties in caring for patients. The exploratory qualitative approach was employed. The in-depth face-to-face interviews involved 17 participants who were professional nurses working at Achimota Hospital, Ghana. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed to derive six (6) themes and twenty-eight (28) sub-themes. Findings suggest participants had inadequate knowledge about legal concepts and laws governing their practice. Participants were conscious of their professional responsibilities and noted professional competence, protecting privacy, providing physical care, documentation, communication and protecting patient‘s right as some of the duties owed to the patient. Participants had experiences with legal breach, identified reasons for such breaches, appreciated the consequence thereof, and measures used in dealing with breach of the duty of care. Legal suits and liabilities minimise if nurses are well trained and supervised to deliver quality care and to ensure safe practices informed by scientific evidence.

Source: UG
Nurses’ Perspectives on Invasive Procedural Pain Among Paediatric Patients At The Regional Hospital, Koforidua.

Paediatric patients undergo various painful invasive procedures in paediatric settings which are not managed effectively. The study aimed to explore the perspectives of nurses about invasive procedural pain management among paediatric patients. A qualitative interpretive design was used in this study. Nurses were recruited from the paediatric units at the Regional Hospital, Koforidua and a semi-structured interview guide was used for the data collection. Saturation was achieved at the 16th participant. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis and five main themes emerged from the data. These are knowledge and process on invasive procedural pain management, attitudes of nurses towards invasive procedural pain management, subjective norms towards invasive procedural pain management, intentions to manage invasive procedural pain, and perceived control of invasive procedural pain management. The findings showed that the nurses had limited knowledge about pain assessment scales and pharmacological strategies for managing invasive procedural pain. However, most of the nurses had positive intentions towards invasive procedural pain management while few of the nurses thought that it was a waste of time and money. The nurses were also motivated to manage the pain when they believed that the parents, nurses, doctors, and the managers expected them to manage the procedural pain. Parental support and continuous professional development, and personal initiative were identified as facilitators while lack of knowledge, shortage of staff, lack of policies and facilities and cost implications were the barriers to effective procedural pain management. Nurses in the paediatric settings expressed both positive and negative perceptions about invasive procedural pain in children. There is therefore the need to make invasive procedural pain management a priority in paediatric units and also design interventions to change the nurses‟unfavourable attitudes towards invasive procedural pain management among paediatric patients.

Source: UG
Nursing documentation of inpatient care in eastern Ghana

Background: Despite the usefulness of a well-documented nursing care record, documentation still has its setbacks and receives varying levels of priority among nurses and other health professionals. However, since the quality and standard of patient care is often measured from retrospective records, it is imperative to examine the practice of nursing care documentation. Aim: The study described in this article examined current practices of nursing care documentation in Ghana. Method: By means of multiple sampling strategies, a retrospective approach was used to evaluate 100 patient care records in two hospitals between 1 November and 31 December 2012. Findings: Major findings are that 46% of care given to patients was not recorded in the nursing care records; that nurses' progress notes were not written for 63% of patients after the first day of admission; and that 57% of documentation was not signed by nurses. Conclusion and recommendation: The standard of nursing care documentation is not on a par with that in developed countries, partly owing to a lack of guidelines, as well as a persistent shortage of nurses and the limited use of nursing care records. It is recommended that nursing stakeholders use a multidisciplinary approach to develop policies/guidelines on nursing care documentation and provide training opportunities for nurses on effective documentation. © 2014 MA Healthcare Ltd.

Source: UG
Nursing Workforce Retention in Rural Ghana: The Predictive Role of Satisfaction, Rural Fit, and Resilience

Introduction. High turnover of nurses in rural healthcare settings contributes to challenges in healthcare delivery. Various incentive packages have been introduced in rural healthcare settings to curb this phenomenon, but the canker still exists. The study aimed at assessing the predictive role of job satisfaction, rural fit, and resilience on nurses’ retention in rural Ghana. Materials and Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional design was adopted to collect data from 462 nurses. Analysis through descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson moment product correlation, and multiple regression was done. Results. There was low resilience and rural fit among nurses with higher turnover intention, which was predicted by average daily attendance (β 0.108), rural fit (β −0.144), resilience (β −0.350), satisfaction with prospects (β −0.187), and satisfaction with prospect and pay (β −0.171) at the significance of 0.05. Conclusion. Policymakers can be assured that not just improving financial incentives to nurses, but the integration of nurses to rural settings, commensurate workload and improving pay and prospects for professional growth and resilience are needed for rural retention. Implications for nursing management, nurse managers, and policymakers have a role to develop sustainable strategies to integrate rural fit, resilience, and job satisfaction to help reduce turnover among nurses.

Source: UG
Nutrient and sensory quality of soymilk produced from different improved varieties of soybean

The study aimed to determine the most nutritionally and organoleptically suitable improved variety of soybean sample for soymilk production. Soymilk sample were extracted from different varieties of soybean namely; TGX-4482E, TGX-814496E, SAMSOY 1, SAMSOY 2, SAMSOY 3 for sample A, B, C, D and E, respectively. The processed soymilk samples were subjected to nutrient analysis using standard methods. Also sensory evaluation was carried out using another batch of extracted soymilk using 9-point hedonic scale to rate panellist preference for the organoleptic qualities of the soymilk products. The results were subjected to statistical analysis to determine whether significant difference existed between their nutrient compositionsS and also in the various organoleptic qualities. Results from the proximate analysis of soymilk showed that the crude protein values ranged from 4.52±0.03 to 4.84±0.02 with sample A (TGX4482E) having the highest value of 4.84±0.02 and SAMSOY 1 the least value of 4.52±0.03. TGX 4482E did not differ significantly from the other sample at (p>0.05). The moisture content ranged from 89.62±0.11 to 90.46. The % crude fat ranged from 1.98 to 2.17 with the highest recorded for TGX 4482E and the least SAMSOY 2. The Vitamin composition showed that the Vitamin B1 ranged from 0.058±0.00 to 0.074±0.00, vitamin C content ranged from 0.34±0.0 to 0.435±0.02. The mineral composition showed that TGX448-2E has the highest phosphorous of 89.63 mg/100 g and highest zinc content of 0.96 mg/100 g. SAMSOY 3 has the highest Iron content and TGX 81449E has the highest calcium content. Also sensory evaluation result revealed that SAMSOY 2 was mostly preferred. The study has shown that soymilk is a good source of macronutrient however, it also was observed that the sample highly preferred had lower nutritional quality when compared to others used in the study. There is need therefore to fortify the product with micronutrients so that it can conveniently serve as a good alternative to animal proteins. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2015.

Source: UG
Nutrient chemistry of the Densu River in Ghana

The impact of anthropogenic activities on the fluctuation of nutrients along the Densu River and its tributaries was studied. High concentrations of nutrients were observed in the study area but the river was found to be circumneutral and fresh with pH ranging between 6.54 and 7.84. The levels of NH4 +-N ranged between 0.21 and 2.1 mg L-1 with mean concentration of 1.19 ± 0.02 mg L-1 while that of nitrate is between 0.13 and 5.21 mg L-1 with a mean concentration of 2.07 ± 0.01 mg L-1. The levels of PO4 3--P fluctuated within the range 0.54 and 1.04 mg L-1 with a mean of 0.84 ± 0.01 mg L-1. The Densu River Basin was also found to be with organic matter with depleted dissolved oxygen. The river recorded high BOD values ranging from 6.91 to 18.8 mg L-1. Concentration of nutrients and organic pollutants increased as a consequence of anthropogenic inputs particularly from domestic, agricultural and municipal sources. The highly impaired sites were those located close to the urbanized, agricultural and high-density residential areas. The relatively high concentration of nitrate and phosphate in the river indicated that it was quite eutrophic. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.

Source: UG
Nutrient composition and protein quality of four species of the Curcubitaceae family

The kernels of most Curcubitaceae species have tremendous food value in Africa where protein-energy malnutrition is high but they are not widely used in food preparations. This study assessed the nutritional composition and protein quality of four species of Curcubitaceae seeds using laboratory rats. Moisture, ash, fibre, minerals and protein of the Curcubitaceae seeds were determined. Rats were randomly assigned to seven groups of five and were fed for four weeks on the following diets: the four species of the Curcubitaceae seed meal and control diets of Soya Bean Meal (SBM), protein free diet and normal rat chow respectively. Their urine and faeces were collected for analysis and feed intakes determined. After four weeks feeding, the rats were weighed, lyophilized and protein utilization determined. The moisture, crude protein, fat and ash content of the seeds were 5.44-6.66, 30-36, 44-58 and 3.18-4.90%, respectively. Crude fibre was less than 2.5%. The Curcubitaceae seeds contained high amounts of: Zn (5.0-7.1 mg/100 g), Cu (1.4-7.9 mg/100 g) and Fe (5.6-8.5 mg/100 g). All the seeds had good protein quality as judged by the PER (0.75-1.36) and (NPU) (46.10-69.10). The four Cucurbitaceae seeds have good protein quality, fat and minerals which may help reduce under nutrition. These are important food resources and thus their consumption should be promoted.

Source: UG
Nutrient load of the sakumo lagoon at the sakumo ramsar site in Tema, Ghana

Water samples were collected from three sections (South, Centre and North) of the Sakumo lagoon for a period of 6 months and analyzed for NO2-N, PO4-P3, NO3-N and NH4-N, and the results were compared with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Ghana permissible guideline values for effluents discharged into water bodies and values from similar studies on the lagoon in 1995 and 2003. Observations showed that, of all the nutrients studied, phosphates were the highest in the Sakumo lagoon. The decreasing order of nutrient concentrations in the lagoon were PO4-P &gt; NH3-N &gt; NO3-N &gt; NO2-N. The nutrient levels in the lagoon have also shown significant increase over the years.

Source: UG
Nutrient-Dense African Indigenous Vegetables and Grains in the FAO Food Composition Table for Western Africa (WAFCT) Identified Using Nutrient-Rich Food (NRF) Scores.

Nutrient profiling (NP) models that assess nutrient density of foods can help remedy micronutrient deficiencies. We used NP methods to identify the most nutrient-rich foods in the 2019 FAO/INFOODS Western Africa Food Composition Table (WAFCT). The WAFCT had complete data for 909 foods. Three versions of the well-established Nutrient-Rich Food (NRF) model were used: (1) the original NRF9.3 based on 9 micronutrients (protein, fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D); (2) a new NRF6.3 based on 6 priority micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B12); and (3) NRF 15.3, based on 15 nutrients to encourage (NRF6.3 nutrients + vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, copper, and magnesium). Data analyses used one-way ANOVAs and independent t-tests, with significance at α = 0.05. Animal-source foods were rated higher by NRF6.3 priority micronutrient and NRF15.3 NP models than by the NRF9.3 model. African indigenous vegetables had higher protein content and higher nutrient density compared to non-indigenous vegetables, and African indigenous grains had higher nutrient density compared to non-indigenous grains. Though animal-source foods received some of the highest scores, NP models adapted to the West African context showed that African indigenous vegetables and grains were also nutrient rich. Indigenous foods could be important sources of priority micronutrients for the region.

Source: UG
Nutrients and harmful algal blooms in Kenya’s coastal and marine waters: A review

Nutrients and Phytoplankton composition are important indicators of coastal water quality used for fisheries, tourism, and recreational purposes, which are the cornerstone of the blue economy. This is a comprehensive review and synthesis of the outcome of previous empirical studies conducted on anthropogenic nutrients (ni trogen and phosphorus) and phytoplankton productivity and community composition with a particular focus on harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Kenya’s coastal and marine waters. Our results indicate that localized nutrient pollution occurs in estuaries and creeks adjacent to urban areas. Nitrogen speciation was characterized by high ammonium relative to nitrate concentrations with evidence of nitrogen limitation (N: P < 16). Based on all studies’ average chlorophyll a concentration, seawater in coral and seagrass ecosystems was classified as mesotrophic, mangroves and nearshore as higher mesotrophic, and estuarine and creeks as eutrophic. Addi tionally, 44 species of potential toxin-producing HAB-forming species belonging to 22 genera were established in low abundances (3±2 - 210±11 cells/l) below the standards of HAB’s warning thresholds. Their drivers, spatial and temporal trends are, however, unclear. This review revealed the existence of localized nutrient pollution and a low abundance of toxin-producing HABs species in Kenya’s coastal waters. The existing data is, however, very fragmented and inadequate to guide coastal managers in addressing the problem of anthropogenic nutrient pollution and HABs in the area. We, therefore, recommend the inclusion of anthropogenic nutrients and toxic HABs in routine water quality monitoring in the area, especially in potential fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and recreational sites.

Source: UG
Nutrition And Health-Related Information Disclosure On Pre-Packed Food Products From Local Retail Shops In Accra

The prevalence of obesity and diet related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rapidly increasing in Africa. Consumption of pre-packaged foods is one of the main drivers of these NCDs. Pre-packaged foods tend to contain high levels of energy, fat, sugar, and salt, which are known risk factors for NCDs. Food labels can guide consumers to make informed healthy food choices. Therefore, it is important to analyze how healthrelated information is communicated on food labels. In Ghana, there is paucity of evidence on what health-related information is available to consumers of pre-packaged foods. This study describes health-related information on labelled pre-packaged foods sold in local retail shops in Accra. A cross-sectional survey and quantitative content analysis of food label information were employed in this study. Pre-packaged food labels photograph data were sourced from shops and content analyzed to describe their healthrelated information. Nutrition and health-related information were classified using the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) system. Three hundred and fifty-one (N=351) pre-packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages were sampled, out of which 2.3% products were unlabelled. Out of 343 labelled products, 92% disclosed ingredient list information and 68.8% had nutrition declaration. Between the two nutrition labelling formats: Back-of-Pack (BOP) and Front of Pack (FOP), BOP was the dominant (87.3%) format. Various types of FOPs were identified however, Guidelines Daily Allowance (GDA) was the most common format. The study found that 18% of labelled pre-packaged foods carried nutrition claim and about 7% had a health claim. Most of the claims were written and the others were a combination of words, numbers, and pictures/symbols. This study has shown a high disclosure of health-related label information on pre-packaged food but information presentations on labels were not consistent. The insight gained from this study shows that the presentation of health-related label information does not meet the current recommendations of Codex and the benchmarks set out by INFORMAS in promoting a healthy food environment.

Source: UG