ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Exposure of street food consumers to sodium and fat in the Kumasi Metropolis

Most foods eaten away from home have been linked to poor diet quality and adverse dietary factors such as high sodium, fat and sugar levels which are related to obesity and cardiovascular diseases. This study set out to analyse the sodium and fat content of street foods and to further quantify the risk of consumers to CVD in the Kumasi Metropolis. Fifteen (15) popular food vendors of light soup typically eaten with fufu, fried rice, and noodles ‘indomie’ were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Forty-five (45) food samples were collected and analysed for their sodium content and fatty acid composition. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the sodium content while Soxhlet extraction methods were used to estimate total fat content of the food samples (Noodles, light soup and fried rice). Triglyceride content was assessed using an Agilent 1260 HPLC system with a refractive index detector. Two hundred and fifty (250) food consumers were also interviewed to assess their frequency and quantity of consumption of street foods. Sodium and fat intakes by consumers per week was calculated by multiplying the frequency of consumption in a week and serving sizes (or weight in grams) for each food consumed by the salt/fat content of that food. ‘Indomie’ and fried rice, which are processed by frying, had more sodium and fat than soup. The fat and sodium contents per serving of ‘indomie’, fried rice, and soup were 112.11g and 862.90 mg, 61.02 g and 709.61 mg, and 13.03 g and 583.02 mg respectively. The results also revealed that samples high in sodium were also high in fat. Intakes of ‘indomie’ and fried rice at the 95th percentile were associated with significant risk (Hazard Index > 1.0). However, consumers of light soup were not at risk even at the 95th percentile.

Source: KNUST
Exposure of the population of Monrovia to heavy metals through fish consumption

Heavy metal contaminants in fish are of particular global interest because of the potential risk to humans who consume them. While attention has focused on self-caught fish, most of the fish eaten by the populace come from commercial sources. In this study, concentrations of some heavy metals were determined in muscle tissue of sixty samples covering twenty nine (29) commercial fish species from eight markets in Monrovia, Liberia. A mixture of HNO3, HClO4 and H2SO4 was used for complete oxidation of organic tissue. Total mercury was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry technique using an automatic mercury analyzer; while the levels of Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The muscle concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, Fe and Zn ranged from 0.014-0.727, 0.101-2.990, 0.027-0.256, 0.002-0.347, 2.122-6.804 and 1.783-6.013 µg g-1 wet weight respectively. Inter-metal correlations and relationships between metal concentrations and fish body size were discussed. Estimation of the dietary exposure of the consumers to these metals were determined based on data from the American Food Consumption Index and the associated risk was evaluated by comparing intakes with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWIs). Both the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) for Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, Fe, and Zn in all the species were less than the USEPA guideline value of 1. This suggests that the exposure to the tested metals from the consumption of the studied fish species is not significant and is unlikely to pose any imminent health risk to the population of Monrovia.

Source: KNUST
Exposure to heavy metal and kidney function among adults population residing near an open dumpsite: a cross-sectional study at Abokobi, in the Ga East municipal assembly

Waste in open dumps often becomes breeding grounds for lot things and other likely carriers of communicable diseases. Although open waste dumpsite are known in Ghana, there appears to be little research undertaken on them. The study sought to assess the prevalence of renal parameters and the levels of toxic metals in the environmental and biological media (urine and blood) in adults residing near Abokobi Dump site in the Ga East Municipality. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the frequency and percentages on the demographic characteristics of the participant. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the outcome variable and exposure variables. Both Unadjusted Odds Ratio and Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to show an association between the outcome variable and the independent variables. The determinant of symptoms of renal infection was smoke (40.64%). Except for Manganese and Silver, urine residual levels of Zinc, Cadmium and Lead were high. Similarly, the indicators of kidney function proportions in the blood samples of the participant were within detection level. There was no significant association between self-reported symptoms of renal infection and occupational exposure to heavy metals in urine samples. There was significant association between heavy metals and kidney function in blood samples. For example, the proportion of participant who had traces of BUN in blood was 0.08 times more likely to have Manganese in their urine (COR=0.08; 95%CI=0.01-1.06). There was no significant association between heavy metals in urine and occupational exposure to heavy metals. The study concluded that the prevalence of renal parameters, smoke, was high. Additionally, there was no significant association between symptoms of renal infection and exposure to heavy metals, but there was significant association between persistent urge to urinate, frequency of urination, lower abdominal pain, pain whiles urinating and indicators of kidney infection

Source: KNUST
Exposure To Carbon Monoxide In Rural Households In Kintampo-North Municipality, Ghana

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, scentless and profoundly poisonous gas, virtually undetectable by an individual during exposure and causes non-specific side effects such as headache or nausea. Accurate estimation of health risks has been hampered by a paucity of quantitative exposure information, with women and children being the main groups exposed to this form of smoke. This study looked at the environmental health risk of exposure to CO from biomass fuel smoke. Carbon monoxide monitoring took place in a total of 60 households purposively selected from Babatokuma, in the Kintampo-North Municipality of Ghana. The cooking technologies studied were the tripod stove of the area, LPG stoves, and a modified version of the tripod stove. Measurements were made on a minute basis using Aeroqual Series 500 (S500) gas monitor. It was discovered that CO concentrations produced during the use of the tripod stove surpassed background values by a large margin (on average by a factor of around ten to twenty times) with high levels of COHb of 23.44 % compared to 7.13 % of the cohort group (LPG). With regards to the improved tripod stove, an independent test revealed that, despite a reduction in CO concentration (of 47.91- 26.703 ppm), the rate of impact is not significant (p = 0.208). The study further revealed that, an increase in the number of windows, significantly reduced CO concentration (r = -0.666, pvalue < 0.001). The study results further revealed that, almost all the study population showed mild symptoms from CO exposure, with only few within the moderate zone. LPG users showed no symptoms. Chronic exposure could further worsen the situation, therefore, the improved stove should be constructed by the Municipality as fast as possible to help salvage the situation.

Source: KNUST
Exposure to needlestick injury among healthcare support staff in Greater Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional stud

Objectives This study aims to determine the prevalence and predisposing factors of a needlestick injury (NSI) among healthcare support staff in the Greater Accra region, Ghana. Methods An analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out from 30 January 2023 to 31 May 2023, involving 10 major health facilities. A multistage sampling method was adopted. The data analyses were performed using STATA V.15 software. 2, Fisher’s exact and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to identify the preliminary association between the outcome variables and predisposing factors. Log- binomial regression analyses were used to confirm factors associated with NSI at a significance level of p<0.05. Results The study was conducted among 149 healthcare support staff. The 1-year exposure to NSI was 68 (45.6%) (95% CI (37.5% to 54.0%)). Being a healthcare assistant (APR=2.81 (95% CI 1.85 to 4.25)), being married (APR=0.39 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.63)), being a supervisor (APR=0.34 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.57)), had training on standard precaution (APR=0.27 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.57)) and non- existence of needlestick reporting system (APR=0.46 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.74)) were significantly associated with NSI. Conclusion The prevalence of NSI was high compared with other regional studies, and the risk factors were related to sociodemographic, behavioural and organisational factors. The study recommends guidelines that are geared towards NSI exposure among healthcare support staff.

Source: KNUST
Expression of the ordeals of “kayayie” through mixedmedia textile art

Teenage girls and young women come principally from the Savanna Regions of Northern Ghana to the Southern zone for greener pastures in the city and are popularly known as female head potters “kayayie”. This practice exposes them to varying dangers and struggles just to make a living. To bring to the fore such challenges in textile art, the project sought to employ mixed-media materials and techniques to produce art works that communicate their struggles. Mixed media is a versatile means of self-expression and creativity where ideas and forms are represented in a unique way. To achieve the project’s focus, the studio-based methods was exercised supported by the Aesthetico-Action Research model by Cora marshal. Non-participant observation and unstructured interview were the main instruments used for data collection. The study revealed three major findings. The first set of findings revealed that, cyanoacrylate adhesive is suitable for varieties of materials and has the ability to wet the fabric to give strong bond with high resistance. Unprimed background before painting resulted in more absorption of paint to fill the amorphous areas of the canvas. Cotton fabric is a suitable substrate for producing mixed media textile art works. The project revealed the possibility of producing textile art using materials available in the environment using combined techniques like assemblage, painting, sewing and applique to communicate a message. The project recommends that vocational training centres should be built to train “kayayie” and practicing artists as well as students on how to use waste materials in the environment to produce textile art.

Source: KNUST
Exposures and risks of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in cocoa beans and cocoa-based foods: a systematic review

Background: The World Health Organization has expressed concern about arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury as potentially harmful to human health. As such, the world body has called for appropriate preventive and interventionary measures. In response, food regulatory bodies including European Food Safety Authority are monitoring the levels of these heavy metals in cocoaand cocoa products. Objective: Therefore, the objective of this paper is to synthesize the latest relevant available peerreviewed publications on arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury with a view to highlighting thegaps to encourage further research and informing industry. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the European Food Safety Authority guide in PubMed database and the result was reported according to the PRISMA checklist. Results: The results show that processing may dilute or concentrate the levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, depending on processing factors including the product type, processing method, and raw materials. In addition, some products exceed the European Union and Chinese Maximum Contaminant Level and may pose risk. Furthermore, the findings show that the risk of heavy metal toxicities was higher among children relative to adults at the same exposure in cocoa-based products and that correcting risk estimates for bioavailability reduces the level of estimated risk. Conclusion: Therefore, the review concludes that further research is required to clarify the effect of processing on the level of these contaminants in specific cocoa-based foods. Moreover, conducting risk studies based on age groups and correcting for bioavailability of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury enhance accuracy of risk estimates. Recommendations: The review, therefore, recommends that a value chain approach be adopted to assessing the levels, exposures, and risks of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in cocoabased foods and the effect of processing on these levels.

Source: KNUST
Exposures and risks of children to some toxic heavy metals in packaged drinking water

The exposure of children from the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana to Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg) were estimated in packaged drinking water. The purpose of the study was to estimate the exposure and risk associated with the ingestion of packaged drinking water due to long term exposures. The water samples were obtained from Adum, Bantama, Kejetia and Sofoline markets. Digestion was carried out using the Nitric-Sulphuric acid method. The digestates were then analysed using AAS, to quantify the heavy metals. Monte Carlo Simulation of hazard data was performed using dataset of heavy metals. Regulatory recommended values were used for contact rate of ingestion of water and body weight of children. Non-carcinogenic risk was evaluated for Cd and Hg. Additionally, carcinogenic risk of As and Pb were also evaluated. The results revealed that oral exposure to the Cd and Hg does not pose a health hazard threat to children who consume packaged drinking water. In dealing with Pb, the results revealed that the oral exposure to Pb in 50% of the packaged water does not pose a health risk; however, 5% of the packaged water samples pose a health risk to children who consume drinking water. Finally, the results for As revealed that oral exposure to As in 95% of the packaged drinking water poses a health risk to children who consume packaged drinking water. Therefore, this suggests that packaged water consumed in the study area may pose a significant health risk to children in relation to the presence of Pb and As.

Source: KNUST
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in local and imported poultry meat in Ghana

Antibiotic use in animal husbandry has raised concerns on the spread of resistant bacteria. Currently animal products are traded globally with unprecedented ease, which has been challenging the control of antimicrobial resistance. This study aims to detect and characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from imported and locally produced poultry products sold in Ghana. Local and imported chicken meat was collected from 94 stores and markets throughout Kumasi (Ghana) and cultured on selective ESBL screening agar. Phenotypic ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were confirmed by combined disc test and further characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, amplification of the blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes as well as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and linked to the country of origin. Out of 200 meat samples, 71 (36%) samples revealed 81 ESBL-producing isolates (46 E. coli and 35 K. pneumoniae), with 44% (30/68) of local poultry and 31% (41/132) of imported products being contaminated. Most ESBL-producing isolates harboured the blaCTX-M-15 gene (61/81, 75%) and the dominant Sequence Types (ST) were ST2570 (7/35, 20%) among K. pneumoniae and ST10 (5/46, 11%) among E. coli. High numbers of ESBL-producing bacteria, particularly on local but also imported poultry meat, represent a potential source for human colonization and infection as well as spread within the community. Surveillance along the poultry production-food-consumer chain would be a valuable tool to identify sources of emerging multidrug resistant pathogens in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
The extent of applicability of project management knowledge bybanking institutions – A case study of Republic Bank Ghana limited

The dynamic nature of the banking industry undoubtedly puts management in the position to undertake projects that require responsibilities of the project managers to remain tactful in their duties in order to meet ever changing industry demands and as well remain competitive. The application of project management which encompasses the necessary tools which when carefully applied can help meet the dynamic demands of the banking industry is therefore inevitable. Consequently, the need for banks to have a project management office to manage and perform project management objectives cannot be overstated and must be a priority of general management to make the necessary commitment to this office in order to yield successful achievement of project management objectives within the banking sector. Hence, this research was aimed at assessing the extent to which project management knowledge is applied to projects in banking institutions in Ghana, using Republic Bank Ghana Limited as a case study. In order to achieve this aim the following objectives were set: to document policies that mandate the use of project management methodology, to assess the level of expertise of project inclined employees, to assess the suitability of the organizational structure to project management practice and to investigated the perception of the banks regarding the success or failure in project delivery. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out to ascertain the extent to which project management knowledge is applied to projects in banking institutions in Ghana. The study employed a quantitative research design by means of preliminary literature review and subsequently a survey using the structured questionnaire approach. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII) method, the One-sample T-test and correlation method of analysis. Findings of this study revealed that project management knowledge especially in the banking industry yields effective service delivery by helping to keep customer demands in synchronization with service deliver in order to help any service organization cope with change. However, the potential of project management has not been fully realized in the Ghanaian banking industry. Also a recommendation for this study suggested that, there is the need for banking sector to be innovative and come up with project management policies that makes provision for continuous improvement on systematic measurement and focus on customer satisfaction.

Source: KNUST
Extension of shelf life of pork using spices (Plant Extracts: Xylopia aethiopica, Allium sativum and Piper nigrum).

Microbial growth, changes in colour and pH are the major problems causing shortening of shelf life in meat and meat products. Chemicals and refrigerators could be used to preserve meat. However, the chemicals are polluting to the environment and have adverse effects on human health. The refrigerators cannot be used in places where there is no electricity. The objective of this project therefore was to find natural spices with antibacterial capacities that could be potentially used as natural preservatives in fresh pork and to compare the natural spices with artificial bacteriostatic agent (vinegar). The inhibitory effects of xylopia (Xylopia aethiopica), garlic (Allium sativum) and black pepper (Piper nigrum) extracts either alone or in combination and vinegar on the microbiological and chemical quality of fresh pork during storage at room temperature of 23oC were investigated. Qualitative analysis of aqueous extracts of the spices tested positive for the presence of phenols, alkaloid, glycoside, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and reducing sugars. The results showed that addition of the extracts either alone or in combinations significantly delayed the proliferation of aerobic plate counts or extended the shelf life of the product up to nine days versus one day only for control. During storage the pH and colour parameters of extract-treated pork samples changed slightly, in comparison with significant changes in the control. Overall, the sensory scores of mixture spice-treated samples was the best, followed by the vinegar-treated meat, xylopia-treated meat, garlic-treated meat, black-pepper treated meat. The study suggests that the tested extracts, especially xylopia and combinations of the spices have potential as natural preservatives to reduce microbial growth, maintain the chemical quality and extend the shelf life of pork during storage at room temperature.

Source: KNUST
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in local and imported poultry meat in Ghana

Antibiotic use in animal husbandry has raised concerns on the spread of resistant bacteria. Currently animal products are traded globally with unprecedented ease, which has been challenging the control of antimicrobial resistance. This study aims to detect and characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from imported and locally produced poultry products sold in Ghana. Local and imported chicken meat was collected from 94 stores and markets throughout Kumasi (Ghana) and cultured on selective ESBL screening agar. Phenotypic ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were confirmed by combined disc test and further characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, amplification of the blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV genes as well as multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and linked to the country of origin. Out of 200 meat samples, 71 (36%) samples revealed 81 ESBL-producing isolates (46 E. coli and 35 K. pneumoniae), with 44% (30/68) of local poultry and 31% (41/132) of imported products being contaminated. Most ESBL-producing isolates harboured the blaCTX-M-15 gene (61/81, 75%) and the dominant Sequence Types (ST) were ST2570 (7/35, 20%) among K. pneumoniae and ST10 (5/46, 11%) among E. coli. High numbers of ESBL-producing bacteria, particularly on local but also imported poultry meat, represent a potential source for human colonization and infection as well as spread within the community. Surveillance along the poultry production-food-consumer chain would be a valuable tool to identify sources of emerging multidrug resistant pathogens in Ghana

Source: KNUST