ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Nutritional perspectives on sickle cell disease in Africa: a systematic review

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that predominantly affects individuals in sub- Saharan Africa. However, research that elucidates links between SCD pathophysiology and nutritional status in African patients is lacking. This systematic review aimed to assess the landscape of studies in sub-Saharan Africa that focused on nutritional aspects of SCD, and highlights gaps in knowledge that could inform priority-setting for future research. Methods: The study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria comprised original, peer-reviewed research published between January 1995 and November 2020 involving individuals in Africa with any phenotypic variant of SCD and at least one nutritional status outcome. Nutritional status outcomes were defined as those that assessed dietary intakes, growth/ anthropometry, or nutritional biomarkers. Databases used were Ovid Embase, Medline, Biosis and Web of Science. Results: The search returned 526 articles, of which 76 were included in the final analyses. Most investigations (67%) were conducted in Nigeria. Studies were categorized into one of three main categories: descriptive studies of anthropometric characteristics (49%), descriptive studies of macro- or micronutrient status (41%), and interventional studies (11%). Findings consistently included growth impairment, especially among children and adolescents from sub-Saharan Africa. Studies assessing macro- and micronutrients generally had small sample sizes and were exploratory in nature. Only four randomized trials were identified, which measured the impact of lime juice, longchain fatty acids supplementation, ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), and oral arginine on health outcomes. Conclusions: The findings reveal a moderate number of descriptive studies, most with small sample sizes, that focused on various aspects of nutrition and SCD in African patients. There was a stark dearth of interventional studies that could be used to inform evidence-based changes in clinical practice. Findings from the investigations were generally consistent with data from other regional settings, describing a significant risk of growth faltering and malnutrition among individuals with SCD. There is an unmet need for clinical research to better understand the potential benefits of nutrition-related interventions for patients with SCD in sub-Saharan Africa to promote optimal growth and improve health outcomes

Source: UG
Nutritional quality and diversity in Ghana’s school feeding programme: a mixed-methods exploration through caterer interviews in the Greater Accra Region

Background The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) provides public primary school pupils with a free daily meal. Each meal is expected to follow set menus, providing 30% of children’s’ (6-12 years) energy requirements. This study assessed the nutritional quality and diversity of planned and provided GSFP meals, engaging school caterers to identify how meal quality in the Greater Accra Region could be enhanced. Methods A cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used. Multistage sampling was used to select 129 schools implementing the GSFP in six districts of the Greater Accra Region. GSFP district menus were collected as well as a one-week school caterer recall of provided school meals. The meal served on the day of data collection was recorded and photographed. Nutritional quality was evaluated based on nutrient profling methods: energy density (low<125kcal/100g; medium 125-225kcal/100g; high>225kcal/100g) and nutrient density (low<5%; medium 5-10%; high>10%). Meal diversity was assessed by a simple count composed of 5 food groups: cereals, pulses/nuts/ seeds, animal-source, vegetables and fruits. Caterers’ views on programme facilitators and barriers were also explored. Results Planned menus included 14-20 weekly options, composed of eight minimally processed traditional dishes. All meals, except white rice, had a high nutrient density/100g. Energy density was varied (low, n=2; medium, n=2; high, n=4). Meals included only 2/5 or 3/5 food groups, mainly starchy staples, pulses/nuts/seeds, and sometimes vegetables. Fruit was never reported. About half of caterers (51.1%) reported deviating from the planned menus: 11.7% served alternative meals, with some including animal-sourced food (17.0%), and 39.4% repeated meals pro vided during the week, often based on starchy staples, infuencing overall nutritional quality. Most caterers reported food item cost and lack of food purchase guidelines as barriers to providing school meals, while food safety training and guidelines for food preparation were facilitators. Conclusions While school meals are composed of minimally processed, nutrient dense, local foods, there are nota ble gaps in meal diversity and compliance, as refected in provided meals. Caterer compliance to planned menus var ied greatly, refecting recent food price infation. Upwardly adjusting the current meal allocation of 1.2 cedis (0.22USD) per child per day could enhance access to more afordable, nutritious and diverse foods in school meals

Source: UG
Nutritional quality and diversity in Ghana’s school feeding programme: a mixed-methods exploration through caterer interviews in the Greater Accra Region

Background The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) provides public primary school pupils with a free daily meal. Each meal is expected to follow set menus, providing 30% of children’s’ (6-12 years) energy requirements. This study assessed the nutritional quality and diversity of planned and provided GSFP meals, engaging school caterers to identify how meal quality in the Greater Accra Region could be enhanced. Methods A cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used. Multistage sampling was used to select 129 schools implementing the GSFP in six districts of the Greater Accra Region. GSFP district menus were collected as well as a one-week school caterer recall of provided school meals. The meal served on the day of data collection was recorded and photographed. Nutritional quality was evaluated based on nutrient profiling methods: energy density (low<125kcal/100g; medium 125-225kcal/100g; high>225kcal/100g) and nutrient density (low<5%; medium 5-10%; high>10%). Meal diversity was assessed by a simple count composed of 5 food groups: cereals, pulses/nuts/ seeds, animal-source, vegetables and fruits. Caterers’ views on programme facilitators and barriers were also explored. Results Planned menus included 14-20 weekly options, composed of eight minimally processed traditional dishes. All meals, except white rice, had a high nutrient density/100g. Energy density was varied (low, n=2; medium, n=2; high, n=4). Meals included only 2/5 or 3/5 food groups, mainly starchy staples, pulses/nuts/seeds, and sometimes vegetables. Fruit was never reported. About half of caterers (51.1%) reported deviating from the planned menus: 11.7% served alternative meals, with some including animal-sourced food (17.0%), and 39.4% repeated meals provided during the week, often based on starchy staples, influencing overall nutritional quality. Most caterers reported food item cost and lack of food purchase guidelines as barriers to providing school meals, while food safety training and guidelines for food preparation were facilitators. Conclusions While school meals are composed of minimally processed, nutrient dense, local foods, there are nota ble gaps in meal diversity and compliance, as reflected in provided meals. Caterer compliance to planned menus varied greatly, reflecting recent food price inflation. Upwardly adjusting the current meal allocation of 1.2 cedis (0.22USD) per child per day could enhance access to more affordable, nutritious and diverse foods in school meals.

Source: UG
Nutritional Quality And Diversity In Ghana’s School Feeding Programme: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Through Caterer Interviews In The Greater Accra Region.

Background: The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) provides public primary school pupils with a free daily meal. Each meal is expected to follow set menus, providing 30% of children’s (6-12 years) energy requirements. This study assessed the nutritional quality and diversity of planned and provided GSFP meals, engaging school caterers to identify how meal quality in the Greater Accra Region could be enhanced. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used. Multistage sampling was used to select 129 schools implementing the GSFP in six districts of the Greater Accra Region. GSFP district menus were collected as well as a one-week school caterer recall of provided school meals. The meal served on the day of data collection was recorded and photographed. Nutritional quality was evaluated based on nutrient profiling methods: energy density (low<125kcal/100g; medium 125-225kcal/100g; high>225kcal/100g) and nutrient density (low<5%; medium 5-10%; high>10%). Meal diversity was assessed by a simple count composed of 5 food groups: cereals, pulses/nuts/ seeds, animal-source, vegetables and fruits. Caterers’ views on programme facilitators and barriers were also explored. Results Planned menus included 14-20 weekly options, composed of eight minimally processed traditional dishes. All meals, except white rice, had a high nutrient density/100g. Energy density was varied (low, n=2; medium, n=2; high, n=4). Meals included only 2/5 or 3/5 food groups, mainly starchy staples, pulses/nuts/seeds, and sometimes vegetables. Fruit was never reported. About half of the caterers (51.1%) reported deviating from the planned menus: 11.7% served alternative meals, with some including animal-sourced food (17.0%), and 39.4% repeated meals provided during the week, often based on starchy staples, influencing overall nutritional quality. Most caterers reported food item cost and lack of food purchase guidelines as barriers to providing school meals, while food safety training and guidelines for food preparation were facilitators. Conclusions: While school meals are composed of minimally processed, nutrient-dense, local foods, there are notable gaps in meal diversity and compliance, as reflected in provided meals. Caterer compliance to planned menus var ied greatly, reflecting recent food price inflation. Upwardly adjusting the current meal allocation of 1.2 cedis (0.22USD) per child per day could enhance access to more affordable, nutritious and diverse foods in school meals.

Source: UG
Nutritional Rickets in Ghanaian Children

Eighteen (18) Ghanaian children with nutritional rickets seen in the Department of Child Health, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) from 1985 - 1994 are reported. Their ages ranged from 14 months to 44 months, Their mean age al presentation is 29.4 months, There were eight (8) boys and ten (10) girls. None of these 18 children was receiving tbc daily recommended allowance (DRA) of Vitamin D. They all had characteristic diagnostic X-ray findings in their wrist, and ankle bones. The product of their scrum calcium (Ci+) and serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) that is (Ca2+ x Pi) was less than 30 in all of them and all had markedly raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels.

Source: UG
Nutritional status of children with sickle cell disease: A study at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital of Ghana

Purpose This study aims to assess the nutritional status of children with sickle cell diseases using anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers and dietary intakes. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in 100 children of 3-12 years of age with sickle cell diseases (SCDs) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Weight, height and age of participants were used to calculate body mass index-for-age. The mid-upper-arm-circumference-for-age, weight-for-age (percentiles) and height-for-age (percentiles) were compared with standards growth charts for children. Biochemical measures such as serum albumin and ferritin, as well as full blood count, were assessed. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. Findings From the study, 73 and 37 per cent of the children with SCD recorded inadequate intake of iron and vitamin E, respectively, when compared to the recommended daily allowance. Out of the 100 participants, 37 per cent were underweight and 22 per cent were stunted. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in underweight (weight-for-age) prevalence by gender. A multiple variate regression showed a significant association between zinc (r² = 0.763, p < 0.05) and haemoglobin levels. Originality/value The evidence in this paper is relevant for treatment, health education and nutritional counselling of parents with children who have SCD.

Source: UG
Nutritionally Optimized, Culturally Acceptable, Cost-Minimized Diets for Low Income Ghanaian Families Using Linear Programming

The Ghanaian population suffers from a double burden of malnutrition. Cost of food is considered a barrier to achieving a health-promoting diet. Food prices were collected in major cities and in rural areas in southern Ghana. Linear programming (LP) was used to calculate nutritionally optimized diets (food baskets (FBs)) for a low-income Ghanaian family of four that fulfilled energy and nutrient recommendations in both rural and urban settings. Calculations included implementing cultural acceptability for families living in extreme and moderate poverty (food budget under USD 1.9 and 3.1 per day respectively). Energy-appropriate FBs minimized for cost, following Food Balance Sheets (FBS), lacked key micronutrients such as iodine, vitamin B12 and iron for the mothers. Nutritionally adequate FBs were achieved in all settings when optimizing for a diet cheaper than USD 3.1. However, when delimiting cost to USD 1.9 in rural areas, wild foods had to be included in order to meet nutritional adequacy. Optimization suggested to reduce roots, tubers and fruits and to increase cereals, vegetables and oil-bearing crops compared with FBS. LP is a useful tool to design culturally acceptable diets at minimum cost for low-income Ghanaian families to help advise national authorities how to overcome the double burden of malnutrition.

Source: UG
O Pays Mon Beau Peuple!

Le bateau reprit sa lente remontee du fleuve L’eau etait loured et jaune :d’un cote de la nappe s’etendait une plaine couverte de joncs Refuge des caimans. Au-dela on apercevait La lisiere sombre de la brousse aux mille dangers Des oiseaux au vol pesant passaient en esca- Drills au-dessus des roseax, les effleurant De leurs ails: des marabouts, apres avoir peche Abondamment dans les mares,s’elevaient a des Hauteurs vertigineuses. Sur la rive droite dont Le navire se rapprochait maintenant davantge, La brousse precipitait l’avalanche de ses arbres Qui se bousculaient avec fouge pour atteindre le fleuve.

Source: UG
Obesity and type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africans - Is the burden in today's Africa similar to African migrants in Europe? The RODAM study.

BACKGROUND: Rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are impending major threats to the health of African populations, but the extent to which they differ between rural and urban settings in Africa and upon migration to Europe is unknown. We assessed the burden of obesity and T2D among Ghanaians living in rural and urban Ghana and Ghanaian migrants living in different European countries. METHODS: A multi-centre cross-sectional study was conducted among Ghanaian adults (n = 5659) aged 25-70 years residing in rural and urban Ghana and three European cities (Amsterdam, London and Berlin). Comparisons between groups were made using prevalence ratios (PRs) with adjustments for age and education. RESULTS: In rural Ghana, the prevalence of obesity was 1.3 % in men and 8.3 % in women. The prevalence was considerably higher in urban Ghana (men, 6.9 %; PR: 5.26, 95 % CI, 2.04-13.57; women, 33.9 %; PR: 4.11, 3.13-5.40) and even more so in Europe, especially in London (men, 21.4 %; PR: 15.04, 5.98-37.84; women, 54.2 %; PR: 6.63, 5.04-8.72). The prevalence of T2D was low at 3.6 % and 5.5 % in rural Ghanaian men and women, and increased in urban Ghanaians (men, 10.3 %; PR: 3.06; 1.73-5.40; women, 9.2 %; PR: 1.81, 1.25-2.64) and highest in Berlin (men, 15.3 %; PR: 4.47; 2.50-7.98; women, 10.2 %; PR: 2.21, 1.30-3.75). Impaired fasting glycaemia prevalence was comparatively higher only in Amsterdam, and in London, men compared with rural Ghana. CONCLUSION: Our study shows high risks of obesity and T2D among sub-Saharan African populations living in Europe. In Ghana, similarly high prevalence rates were seen in an urban environment, whereas in rural areas, the prevalence of obesity among women is already remarkable. Similar processes underlying the high burden of obesity and T2D following migration may also be at play in sub-Saharan Africa as a consequence of urbanisation.

Source: UG
Obesity in adult residents of Accra, Ghana

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of obesity in Ghanaian adults. Design: 6300 adults, aged 25 years and older, were selected by random cluster sampling using electoral enumeration areas and listings of adults. Setting: Two urban and one rural community in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Subjects and Methods: 4733 (males=1860, females=2873) adult Ghanaians participated. Height and weight were determined for subjects wearing light clothing and without shoes. Results: The mean age and BMI were 44.3 years and 24.4 kg/m2, respectively. Women, though younger, had higher BMI values compared to males (25.6 vs 22.6 kg/m2, respectively; P<.001). The overall crude prevalence of overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2 ) and obesity (≥30 kg/m2) were 23.4% and 14.1% for females and males, respectively. The rates of overweight (27.1% vs 17.5%) and obesity (20.2% vs 4.6%) were both higher in women than men. The age-standardized prevalence of obesity in Ghanaians was 13.6%. Obesity increased with age, peaking in the 55-64-year age group. The first to fourth BMI quartiles were: ≤520.6, 20.7-23.3, 23.4-27.2, and ≥27.3 kg/m2, respectively. At all ages, more females (32.9%) than males (12%) were placed within the 4th BMI quartile. Residents from the high-class residential area had higher BMI, compared to subjects from the lower class suburb. Also, urban residents had higher BMI compared to rural subjects. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are common in Ghanaians, particularly among females, the elderly, and urban dwellers. Further work is needed to ascertain the determinants of overweight and obesity in Ghanaians.

Source: UG
Objective Assessment Of Shared Plate Eating Using A Wearable Camera In Urban And Rural Households In Ghana.

Background: Shared plate eating (SPE), defined as two or more individuals eating directly from the same plate or bowl, is a common household food consumption practice in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Examination of household engagement in SPE remains largely unexplored, highlighting a gap in research when interpreting dietary information obtained from these settings. The dearth of research into SPE can be attributed to the inherent limitations of traditional dietary assessment methods which constrain their usability in settings where SPE is common. Objective: In this expository narrative, we describe what SPE is when it is practiced in an LMIC such as Ghana, and also compare the frequency of SPE versus individual plate eating (IPE) by different household members in rural and urban households using a wearable camera (Automatic Ingestion Monitor version 2: AIM-2). Methods: Purposive convenience sampling was employed to recruit and enroll 30 households each from an urban and a rural community (n = 60 households) in Ghana. The AIM-2 was worn on eyeglass frames for 3 days by selected household members. The AIM-2, when worn, automatically collects images to capture food consumption in participants’ environments, thus enabling passive capture of household SPE dynamics. Results: A higher percentage of SPE occasions was observed for rural (96.7%) compared to urban (36.7%) households (p < 0.001). Common SPE dynamics included only adults sharing, adults and children sharing, only children sharing, and non-household member participation in SPE. Conclusion: The wearable camera captured eating dynamics within households that would have likely been missed or altered by traditional dietary assessment methods. Obtaining reliable and accurate data is crucial for assessing dietary intake in settings where SPE is a norm.

Source: UG
Observation of unphosphorylated STAT3 core protein binding to target dsDNA by PEMSA and X-ray crystallography

The STAT3 transcription factor plays a central role in a wide range of cancer types where it is over-expressed. Previously, phosphorylation of this protein was thought to be a prerequisite for direct binding to DNA. However, we have now shown complete binding of a purified unphosphorylated STAT3 (uSTAT3) core directly to M67 DNA, the high affinity STAT3 target DNA sequence, by a protein electrophoretic mobility shift assay (PEMSA). Binding to M67 DNA was inhibited by addition of increasing concentrations of a phosphotyrosyl peptide. X-ray crystallography demonstrates one mode of binding that is similar to that known for the STAT3 core phosphorylated at Y705

Source: UG
Observation Report from Clinical Practice in Ghana: Children and Adolescent Depression

The priority of Ghanaian parents is seeking higher academic attainment for their children. This is associated with the first President of Ghana, President Nkrumah, who stated that Ghanaians should seek first the status of education and everything shall be added unto it. As a result parents compete with each other to achieve the higher status of education for their children. Parents desperately seek help to intervene learning difficulties among school children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate learning disability cases that are seen in a psychological clinic in Ghana using a survey method. The analysis included cases of young people from 3 to 18 years (mean age = 12.7 years, SD = 5.21) that were seen from the year 2011 to 2013. Eighty eight (58%) of the cases were learning disabilities associated with environmental factors whereas 64 (42%) were organic learning disability associated with biological factors. Children experiencing non-organic learning disability conditions were from low socio-economic status families (X2 = 5.95, df = 1, p < 0.05). Findings revealed that high demands of academic performance on these school children manifest as mental health symptoms of depression and anxiety including substance abuse. Practitioners in Ghana are encouraged to assess cognitive functioning of children diagnosed with emotional difficulties in order to get a correct diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment for these children.

Source: UG
Observation with microcalorimetry: Behaviour of P. aeruginosa in mixed cultures with S. aureus and E. coli

In this work, isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) was used to study the behaviour of mixed cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The species were firstly studied as pure culture at 106 CFU/mL densities in nutrient broth (NB). The species were then introduced into NB to give an equivalent inoculum of 106 CFU/mL of each. Additionally, the inoculum density of one species was maintained at 106 CFU/mL and the other varied between 103–105 CFU/mL. The IMC power-time curves were characteristic for the species in the medium. The total heat output (Qt), amplitude of first peak (P1), time of registration of first peak (t1), final metabolic/maximum peak (Pfmax) and time of registration of the final metabolic/maximum peak (tfmax) were calculated from the power-time data. A mixed culture of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus at equal densities exhibited metabolism synonymous to P. aeruginosa alone. When the density of P. aeruginosa was decreased, S. aureus gradually recovered showing power-time profiles that demonstrated this. Mixed cultures of P. aeruginosa and E. coli at equal densities showed power-time profiles representative of both species. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG