ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Guilty in Whose Eyes? Student-Teachers’ Perspectives on Cheating on Examinations

The study explored student- teachers’ views on cheating during examinations. A mixed method approach which involved a survey and focus group interviews was employed. Nine hundred undergraduate education students from a public university and three colleges of education in Ghana were surveyed. Focus group interviews were held with six students from each institution selected. A total of 942 students participated in the study. The findings indicate that fear of failure seem to be the main motivation for cheating; students perceived cheating acts treated as minor offences as ‘helping’ peers; the severity of the punishment applied if students are caught cheating negatively influence their propensity to cheat; students’ perception of ethical values does not determine the level of prevalence of cheating; peer loyalty or fellow feeling is dominant; and students perceive a correspondence between social corruption and cheating. It is recommended that the risk of detection should be increased and the penalty for the ‘less serious offences’ reconsidered. If students perceive cheating within the context of their social experience, the overall quality of student experience needs to be considered if the likelihood of cheating is to be minimised. It is suggested that more attention needs to be paid to institutionalizing academic integrity instead of managing cheating.

Source: UCC
Gut Microbiome, Malaria Prevention in Pregnancy and Maternal Health Indices among Pregnant Women in Cape Coast

Gut microbiome during pregnancy offers a ‘modulatable’ organ to influence pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. It is as unique at the individual level as it is in the third trimester of gestation. It affects and is affected by hormones, host metabolism and host immunity. Given the enormous changes associated with pregnancy, the gut microbiome structure oscillates between different states, resulting in normal pregnancy and a potential for pathogenic infections and unhealthy outcomes. The study sought to characterize the gut microbiome peculiar to third trimester of gestation and how it relates with IPTp-SP usage and other maternal health indices. Next generation 16S rRNA sequencing techniques were employed to sequence extracted DNA from stool of 22 healthy pregnant women in Cape Coast. Sequences were profiled on the QIIME platform to identify and classify bacterial taxa. Bacterial relative abundances and associations with gestational BMI, IPTp-SP, and deworming status were analysed with several statistical tests using the open-source R software for statistical analysis. The study reports a widely diverse gut bacterial structure with a predominance of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria phyla, and genera Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium. Three or more doses of [sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP)] were significantly associated with increased gut bacterial diversity (P = 0.031, Kruskal-Wallis) whilst neither gestational BMI nor deworming status influenced bacterial gut diversity (P > 0.05). Gut microbiome in the third trimester of gestation is widely diverse and is associated with number of doses of SP taken.

Source: UCC
Haematological and biochemical reference values for healthy adults in the middle belt of Ghana

Background: Reference values are very important in clinical management of patients, screening participants for enrolment into clinical trials and for monitoring the onset of adverse events during these trials. The aim of this was to establish gender specific haematological and biochemical reference values for healthy adults in the central part of Ghana. Methods: A total of 691 adults between 18 and 59 years resident in the Kintampo North Municipality and South District in the central part of Ghana were randomly selected using the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System and enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. Out of these, 625 adults made up of 316 males and 309 females were assessed by a clinician to be healthy. Median values and nonparametric 95% reference values for 16 haematology and 22 biochemistry parameters were determined for this population based on the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute guidelines. Values established in this study were compared with the Caucasian values being used currently by our laboratory as reference values and also with data from other African and western countries. Results: Reference values established include: haemoglobin 113–164 g/L for males and 88–144 g/L for females; total white blood cell count 3.4–9.26109/L; platelet count 88–3526109/L for males and 89–4036109/L for females; alanine aminotransferase 8–54 U/L for males and 6–51 U/L for females; creatinine 56–119 mmol/L for males and 53–106 mmol/L for females. Using the haematological reference values based on the package inserts would have screened out up to 53% of potential trial participants and up to 25% of the population using the biochemical parameters. Conclusion: We have established a panel of locally relevant reference parameters for commonly used haematological and biochemical tests. his is important as it will help in the interpretation of laboratory results both for clinical management of patients and safety monitoring during a trial

Source: UCC
Haematological Changes among HIV-Positive Persons on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Haematological abnormalities such as anaemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia are common complications of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Few researchers have studied the changes in HIV positive patients before and during antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ghana. This study is aimed at determining the haematological profile of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at baseline and whilst on ART in a tertiary facility in Cape Coast, Ghana. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with a retrospective component among PLHIV assessing ART services at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Full blood count (FBC) test was performed on blood samples and the results were analyzed and categorized based on WHO definitions. RESULTS: A total of 440 participants were included. The mean haemoglobin level (g/dL) for females at baseline, 6 months after ART and during this study were 9.6 (±1.8), 10.9 (±1.4) and 11.6 (±1.4); and 10.2 (±2.1), 11.6 (±1.7) and 11.8 (±1.6) for males. At baseline, the commonest type of anaemia for both females and males was microcytic hypochromic anaemia. The mean platelet count was 382 x 109/l at baseline but reduced to 298 x 109/L after 6 months on ART. Among male participants in this study, the main factor associated with being anaemic after 6 months on ART was the ART regimen with non-Zidovudine based regimen, having reduced odds of anaemia of OR 0.3 (95%CI 0.1 – 0.9), pvalue of 0.04. Among females, having plasma viral load >1000 copies per ml was found to have increased odds of being anaemic (OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.7 – 2.6), though not statistically significant (P-value of 0.32). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia, though improved on ART, was high among PLHIV. It is essential to ensure that full blood count of PLHIV in Ghana are done regularly, at all levels of service provision, with appropriate referral systems in place. The change to the current TDF based preferred first line ART regimen must also be enforced to reduce the potential risks associated with AZT use. This will improve outcome for PLHIV. WAJM 2020; 37(1): 40–47

Source: UCC
Haematological Changes among HIV-Positive Persons on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana

BACKGROUND: Haematological abnormalities such as anaemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia are common complications of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Few researchers have studied the changes in HIV positive patients before and during antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ghana. This study is aimed at determining the haematological profile of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at baseline and whilst on ART in a tertiary facility in Cape Coast, Ghana. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with a retrospective component among PLHIV assessing ART services at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Full blood count (FBC) test was performed on blood samples and the results were analyzed and categorized based on WHO definitions. RESULTS: A total of 440 participants were included. The mean haemoglobin level (g/dL) for females at baseline, 6 months after ART and during this study were 9.6 (±1.8), 10.9 (±1.4) and 11.6 (±1.4); and 10.2 (±2.1), 11.6 (±1.7) and 11.8 (±1.6) for males. At baseline, the commonest type of anaemia for both females and males was microcytic hypochromic anaemia. The mean platelet count was 382 x 109/l at baseline but reduced to 298 x 109/L after 6 months on ART. Among male participants in this study, the main factor associated with being anaemic after 6 months on ART was the ART regimen with non-Zidovudine based regimen, having reduced odds of anaemia of OR 0.3 (95%CI 0.1 – 0.9), pvalue of 0.04. Among females, having plasma viral load >1000 copies per ml was found to have increased odds of being anaemic (OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.7 – 2.6), though not statistically significant (P-value of 0.32). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia, though improved on ART, was high among PLHIV. It is essential to ensure that full blood count of PLHIV in Ghana are done regularly, at all levels of service provision, with appropriate referral systems in place. The change to the current TDF based preferred first line ART regimen must also be enforced to reduce the potential risks associated with AZT use. This will improve outcome for PLHIV. WAJM 2020; 37(1): 40–47.

Source: UCC
Haematological parameters and plasma levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in malaria-sickle cell co-morbidity: A cross sectional study

Malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) co-morbidity have previously been reported in Ghana. However, there is paucity of data on haematological profiles and oxidative stress in comorbidity states. This study identified novel inflammatory biomarkers associated with malaria in SCD and analyzed the levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidative stress biomarker in malaria SCD co-morbidity in Ghanaian patients. Methods Blood (5ml) was collected from malaria patients into K3-EDTA tube. Malaria parasites speciation and quantification were then done according WHO guidelines. All eligible samples were assayed for haematological profile, sickle cell phenotyping, infectious markers (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV 1&2) and plasma levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α. .Results Prevalence of malaria in SCD (malaria-SCD) was 13.4% (45/335). Male: female ratio was 0.8:1 (X2=1.43, p=0.231). Mean ages for malaria in normal haemoglobin type (malaria-HbAA) and malaria-SCD were 12.79±4.91 and 11.56±3.65 years respectively (p=0.048). Geometric mean of parasite density was higher in malaria-HbAA (20394 parasites/µl vs. 9990 parasites/µl, p=0.001) whilst mean body temperature was higher in malaria-SCD (39.0±0.87°C vs. 37.9±1.15°C, 41 p=0.001). Mean leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, platelets and platelet indices values were significantly elevated in malaria-SCD. Significant reduction in RBC and RBC indices in malaria-SCD were also observed. Eosinophils-to-basophils ratio (EBR) and monocytes-to basophils ratio (MBR) were novel cellular inflammatory biomarkers which could predict malaria in SCD. The sensitivities of cut-off values of EBR>14, MBR>22 and combined use of EBR>14 and MBR>22 were 79.55%, 84.09% and 91.11% respectively. Mean 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α was 338.1pg/ml in malaria-HbAA and 643.8pg/ml in malaria-SCD (p=0.001). 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α correlated with parasite density (r=0.787, p=0.001), temperature (r=0.566, p=0.001) and leucocytes (r=0.573, p=0.001) and negatively correlated with RBC (r=-0.476, p=0.003), haemoglobin (r=-0.851, p=0.001) and haematocrit (r=-0.735, p=0.001).Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia increases oxidative damage and causes derangement haematological parameters. Cut of values of EBR>14 and MBR>22 could predict malaria in SCD

Source: UCC
Haematological parameters and plasma levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in malaria-sickle cell co-morbidity: A cross sectional study

Introduction Malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) co-morbidity have previously been reported in Ghana. However, there is paucity of data on haematological profiles and oxidative stress in co- morbidity states. This study identified novel inflammatory biomarkers associated with malaria in SCD and analyzed the levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α oxidative stress biomarker in malaria- SCD co-morbidity in Ghanaian patients. Methods Blood (5ml) was collected from malaria patients into K3-EDTA tube. Malaria parasites speciation and quantification were then done according WHO guidelines. All eligible samples were assayed or haematological profile, sickle cell phenotyping, infectious markers (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV 1&2) and plasma levels of 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α. . Results Prevalence of malaria in SCD (malaria-SCD) was 13.4% (45/335). Male: female ratio was 0.8:1 (X2=1.43, p=0.231). Mean ages for malaria in normal haemoglobin type (malaria-HbAA) and malaria-SCD were 12.79±4.91 and 11.56±3.65 years respectively (p=0.048). Geometric mean of parasite density was higher in malaria-HbAA (20394 parasites/µl vs. 9990 parasites/µl, p=0.001) whilst mean body temperature was higher in malaria-SCD (39.0±0.87°C vs. 37.9±1.15°C, p=0.001). Mean leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, platelets and platelet indices values were significantly elevated in malaria-SCD. Significant reduction in RBC and RBC indices 2bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/441998; this version posted October 12, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY 4.0 International license. in malaria-SCD were also observed. Eosinophils-to-basophils ratio (EBR) and monocytes-to- basophils ratio (MBR) were novel cellular inflammatory biomarkers which could predict malaria in SCD. The sensitivities of cut-off values of EBR>14, MBR>22 and combined use of EBR>14 and MBR>22 were 79.55%, 84.09% and 91.11% respectively. Mean 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α was 338.1pg/ml in malaria-HbAA and 643.8pg/ml in malaria-SCD (p=0.001). 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α correlated with parasite density (r=0.787, p=0.001), temperature (r=0.566, p=0.001) and leucocytes (r=0.573, p=0.001) and negatively correlated with RBC (r=-0.476, p=0.003), haemoglobin (r=-0.851, p=0.001) and haematocrit (r=-0.735, p=0.001). Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia increases oxidative damage and causes derangement haematological parameters. Cut of values of EBR>14 and MBR>22 could predict malaria in SCD.

Source: UCC
Haematological Profile and Intensity of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Ghanaian Children

Background. Urogenital schistosomiasis is a widely contracted parasitic helminth infection often associated with haematological abnormalities. Aim. We investigated the relationship between the haematological profile and the intensity of schistosomiasis among children in the Yeji district. Materials and Methods. A total of 100 participants comprising 50 Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infected and 50 noninfected controls aged 6–17 years matched for age and sex were recruited into the study. Blood and urine samples were collected and haematological profile and presence of S. haematobium eggs were assessed using standard protocols. Results. Haemoglobin (HGB) (𝑃 < 0.0001), haematocrit (HCT) (𝑃 < 0.0001), mean cell volume (MCV) (𝑃 = 0.0053), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (𝑃 < 0.0001), and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (𝑃 = 0.005) levels were reduced in cases compared to controls. Mixed cell percentage (MXD) (𝑃 = 0.018) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV) (𝑃 = 0.012) were significantly elevated among cases as compared to controls. Haematuria was a clinical characteristic of heavy infection. Conclusion. S. haematobium infection creates an imbalance in the haematological profile. We found low HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels coupled with increased % MXD count and RDW-CV. Also, low MCV, MCH, and MCHC and high % MXD count are independently associated with S. haematobium infection among our study participants.

Source: UCC
Haematology of N’Dama and West African Shorthorn Cattle Herds under Natural Trypanosoma Vivax Challenge in Ghana

Background: Animal trypanosomosis is a major cause of economic loss in livestock production in Africa. A suggested control measure is to use breeds with traits of trypanotolerance. The study examines the effect of natural Trypanosoma vivax challenge on haematological parameters in two trypanotolerant cattle [N’Dama and West African Shorthorn (WASH)] herds. Methods: Trypanosoma vivax-specific primers were used to diagnose T. vivax infection in an N’Dama herd at Cape Coast in southern Ghana and a WASH herd at Chegbani in northern Ghana from May to July 2011 in a cross-sectional study. Levels of haematological parameters comprising packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) and total white blood cell (TWBC) counts; differential WBC counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils); and RBC indices of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined in blood samples and then compared between infected and uninfected cattle. Results: We found that haematological indices for infected and uninfected animals in both breeds were within the normal range. However, the mean PCV values for T. vivax-infected WASH and N’Dama were lower in infected compared to uninfected animals. The difference was significant ( p< 0.05) in N’Dama but not in WASH. Conclusion: Despite the presence of infection by T. vivax, N’Dama and WASH cattle maintained their haematological parameters within acceptable normal ranges, which confirms their trypanotolerant trait. This highlights the need for low-input traditional African farmers in medium, high and severe tsetse challenge areas to be educated on the advantages of N’Dama and WASH breeds to increase their utilization in integrated tsetse and trypanosomosis control programmes.

Source: UCC
Haematology of N’Dama and West African Shorthorn cattle herds under natural Trypanosoma vivax challenge in Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background: Animal trypanosomosis is a major cause of economic loss in livestock production in Africa. A suggested control measure is to use breeds with traits of trypanotolerance. The study examines the effect of natural Trypanosoma vivax challenge on haematological parameters in two trypanotolerant cattle [N’Dama and West African Shorthorn (WASH)] herds. Methods: Trypanosoma vivax-specific primers were used to diagnose T. vivax infection in an N’Dama herd at Cape Coast in southern Ghana and a WASH herd at Chegbani in northern Ghana from May to July 2011 in a cross-sectional study. Levels of haematological parameters comprising packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) and total white blood cell (TWBC) counts; differential WBC counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils); and RBC indices of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined in blood samples and then compared between infected and uninfected cattle. Results: We found that haematological indices for infected and uninfected animals in both breeds were within the normal range. However, the mean PCV values for T. vivax-infected WASH and N’Dama were lower in infected compared to uninfected animals. The difference was significant ( p< 0.05) in N’Dama but not in WASH. Conclusion: Despite the presence of infection by T. vivax, N’Dama and WASH cattle maintained their haematological parameters within acceptable normal ranges, which confirms their trypanotolerant trait. This highlights the need for low-input traditional African farmers in medium, high and severe tsetse challenge areas to be educated on the advantages of N’Dama and WASH breeds to increase their utilization in integrated tsetse and trypanosomosis control programmes.

Source: UCC
HAEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT FOR END STAGE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN AFRICA

In this issue of the journal Okunola and colleagues ( page 4) report their experience of haemodialysis management of 180 patients with chronic kidney failure and 45 patients with acute kidney injury (formerly called acute renal failure) in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, Nigeria.

Source: UCC
…The Hairs of Your Head Are All Numbered: Symbolisms of Hair and Dreadlocks in the Boboshanti Order of Rastafari

This article’s readings of Rastafari philosophy and culture through the optic of the Boboshanti (a Rastafari group) in relation to their hair – dreadlocks – tease out the symbolic representations of dreadlocks as connecting social communication, identity, subliminal protest and general resistance to oppression and racial discrimination, particularly among the Black race. By exploring hair symbolisms in connection with dreadlocks and how they shape an Afrocentric philosophical thought and movement for the Boboshanti, the article argues that hair can be historicised and theorised to elucidate the link between the physical and social bodies within the contexts of ideology and identity

Source: UCC
The hairs of your Head are all numbered: Symbolisms of hair and dreadlocks in the Boboshanti order of Rastafari

This article’s readings of Rastafari philosophy and culture through the optic of the Boboshanti (a Rastafari group) in relation to their hair – dreadlocks – tease out the symbolic representations of dreadlocks as connecting social communication, identity, subliminal protest and general resistance to oppression and racial discrimination, particularly among the Black race. By exploring hair symbolisms in connection with dreadlocks and how they shape an Afrocentric philosophical thought and movement for the Boboshanti, the article argues that hair can be historicised and theorised to elucidate the link between the physical and social bodies within the contexts of ideology and identity

Source: UCC