ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on TB patients' care and support: A qualitative study conducted in Accra Metropolis, Ghana 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) was declared a global emergency in 1993 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite available interventions initiated by the WHO and some countries, the disease remains a key public health problem. The rates of TB infection and its associated burden is unevenly distributed across the globe with greater severity in low-to-middle income countries. This paper therefore explored the experiences of TB patients and health care providers pertaining to patients’ care and support during treatment, in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana. Methods: A qualitative approach using phenomenology was employed to explore participants’ experiences. Maximum variation sampling, a type of purposive sampling was employed in selecting participants who exhibit a wide range of behaviours and experiences. Thirty (30) In-depth Interviews and three (3) Key Informant Interviews were conducted in selected facilities within a period of three months in 2018. The data was audio-recorded, transcribed, and transported into Nvivo version 11, for data management and coding. Content analysis of data was carried out for the generation of themes. Results: The findings revealed that good knowledge of TB treatment practices did not spontaneously shape perceptions towards treatment. Factors including prevailing cultural beliefs, physical and psychological stress, consequences of patient’s interrupted labour and health system challenges were hindrances in caring for TB patients. Physical, mental and spiritual mechanisms were adopted to cope with challenges. Conclusion: Personal patient-related challenges and health system bottlenecks were major influencing factors in providing care and support to TB clients. The National Tuberculosis control Program (NTP) of Ghana should adopt measures and provide the required financial, infrastructural and human resources for the augmentation of patients’ treatment.

Source: UG
Persuasive social features that promote knowledge sharing among tertiary students on social networking sites: An empirical study

Persuasive system features have been widely adopted to encourage attitude and behaviour change. Recently, most social networking sites (SNS) adopt some form of persuasive system features that leverage social influence to deliberately induce pre scribed behaviours in their users. However, studies on how these features can be used to promote knowledge sharing are inadequate; particularly, regarding how SNS that have been developed solely for academic purposes can adopt these features to promote knowledge sharing. To address this knowledge gap, this study integrates constructs from the social capital theory and persuasive systems design model to investigate the impact of persuasive social features on knowledge sharing among stu dents of tertiary institutions on academic social networking sites. Data are quantita tively gathered from 218 respondents from tertiary institutions and statistically analyzed. The results suggest that perceived dialogue support and perceived social support have strong influences on knowledge sharing behaviour.

Source: UG
Persuasive social features that promote knowledge sharing among tertiary students on social networking sites: An empirical study

Persuasive system features have been widely adopted to encourage attitude and behaviour change. Recently, most social networking sites (SNS) adopt some form of persuasive system features that leverage social influence to deliberately induce prescribed behaviours in their users. However, studies on how these features can be used to promote knowledge sharing are inadequate; particularly, regarding how SNS that have been developed solely for academic purposes can adopt these features to promote knowledge sharing. To address this knowledge gap, this study integrates constructs from the social capital theory and persuasive systems design model to investigate the impact of persuasive social features on knowledge sharing among students of tertiary institutions on academic social networking sites. Data are quantitatively gathered from 218 respondents from tertiary institutions and statistically analyzed. The results suggest that perceived dialogue support and perceived social support have strong influences on knowledge sharing behaviour.

Source: UG
Pertussis immunization with acellular vaccines in Ghanaian children

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Pest status, bio-ecology and management of the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and its implication for international trade

The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an insect pest which represents an important threat to the production and marketing of a wide range of agricultural crops in the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) countries. The FCM reduces not only the yield and quality of the crop but also as a quarantine insect pest, restricts the trade of susceptible agricultural produce on the international market. In add ition, little research has been conducted in the ACP countries on the bio-ecology and sustain able management of this pest, especially on vegetables for export. Thus, action-oriented research aimed at understanding the bio-ecology of this important pest is essential to achieve effective management. Various management interventions against this pest have been used in some parts of the world, especially in South Africa on citrus. Currently, farm sanitation is regarded as the key management strategy. Exploring and improving on other interventions such as Sterile Insect Technique, monitoring and mass trapping of male moths, augmentative biological control, use of bio-pesticides, protected cultivation and cold treatment may help to mitigate the expansion of FCM into other countries, especially in the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization region where it has become a regulated insect pest since 2014. This review discussed the bio-ecology of FCM and highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities for its effective management and its implication for international trade, especially the export of chillies from the ACP countries into the European Union market which requires strict phytosanitary regulations

Source: UG
Pesticide Application among Farmers in the Catchment of Ashaiman Irrigation Scheme of Ghana: Health Implications

Pesticide use in modern day agriculture has increased tremendously. Pesticides are used to control pests and weeds, as well as protect crops from postharvest losses; however, their effects on humans and the environment cannot be overstated. This study examined pesticide acquisition, handling, and use among 120 farmers within the catchment of a small urban irrigation scheme. Also, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among selected farmers through which further data was collected to augment that of the survey. Twelve types of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, were found in use in the study areas. Three main sources of information about pesticides were identified, 43.3% from extension officers, 39.2% from agrochemical dealers, and 10% from colleague farmers. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the respondents purchased the pesticides from agrochemical shops. Out of 74 farmers who were observed spraying pesticides on their farms, only 25.7% wore dresses that covered their whole body but without goggles. About sixty-seven percent (66.7%) of the farmers whose chemical got finished left the containers on their farms or threw them into the bushes around. The frequency of application was influenced by affordability and size of farm, among others. The study recommended that training of farmers on pesticide handling and use should be intensified. © 2015 Memuna M. Mattah et al.

Source: UG
Pesticide registration, distribution and use practices in Ghana

Ghana has implemented regulation on the registration, distribution and usage of pesticides in order to evaluate their environmental and human health effects. However, environmental monitoring and certified laboratories for pesticide analysis are lacking. Pesticide misuse, misapplication, contamination of the environment and human exposure still continue, and little is known to what extent pesticide registration, distribution and use is properly implemented in Ghana. This study aimed at investigating how the pesticide policy operates in Ghana, how state (policy; national/local) and non-state (importers, dealers’ and farmers) stakeholders function, what their challenges are, and to which extend the policy objectives are achieved. A conceptual framework based on the contextual interaction theory (CIT) was developed, and a review of Ghana’s pesticide policy implementation with two empirical field studies on state policy and non-state policy actors was conducted, supplemented with secondary data, and a number of interviews conducted with stakeholders and informants were used. Results indicate that pesticides are registered in compliance with the law. Non-state actors scored low with respect to their mandate which likely results in environmental and human health risks. Significant association existed between educational level attained and knowledge (χ2 = 3.614; P ≤ 0.05). Work experience or duration of farming also significantly influenced the knowledge of respondents (P < 0.001), as well as attitude (χ2 = 15.328; P < 0.05). Work experience/duration of farming also significantly influenced attitude at 95% confidence level (P < 0.001), and duration of farming was significantly associated with farm management practices at 5% level of significance (P ≤ 0.05), while state actors are not motivated and resourced. It is recommended to perform preliminary risk assessment to the aquatic environment, to derive threshold levels which are protective of communities, to screen farmers for pesticide exposure and poisoning, to develop well-targeted training programmes for pesticide retailers and farmers on pesticide use, personal protective device use, as well as pesticide management and law. Additionally, pesticide policy implementers have to be motivated and resourced to carry out their mandate, being to execute the pesticide legislation.

Source: UG
Pesticide residues in fruits at the market level in Accra Metropolis, Ghana, a preliminary study

A number of pesticide residues in fruits were monitored at five markets in the Accra Metropolis for almost a year. Locally produced fruits (pawpaw and tomato) and imported apple were purchased from these selected markets in the metropolis and analyzed for pesticide residues by gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector. In all, 320 sampled fruits were extracted and analyzed for pesticide residues, mainly organochlorines (γ-HCH, δ-HCH, aldrin, heptachlor, γ-chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, α-endosulfan, p,p′-DDE, endrin, β-endosulfan, o,p′-DDT, endrin aldehyde, p,p′- DDT, endrin ketone, and methoxychlor). The data revealed that 32.8% of the fruit samples analyzed contained residues of the monitored insecticides above the accepted maximum residue limit (MRL) whereas 48.7% were below the MRL. Nonetheless, the continuous consumption of such fruits with modest pesticide levels can accumulate and could result in deadly chronic effects. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Source: UG
Pesticides Bioconcentration Potential of Aquatic Plants in the Volta Lake

The Volta Lake is known for the proliferation of numerous aquatic plants in its shallow waters. A major cause for the presence of the luxuriant vegetation is the intensive agricultural activities along the banks. These activities are heavily dependent on agrochemicals including fertilizers, which eventually get into the aquatic ecosystem via water ways. In this study, two aquatic plants; Ceratophyllum demersum and Nymphaea lotus were investigated in a pilot study to determine their bioconcentration of pesticides. Levels of organochlorine (OCs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) were analysed using gas chromatograghy equipped with electron capture detector while gas chromatography equipped with pulse flame photometric detector was used for the organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) determination in the plant tissues. The ambient concentrations of these pesticides in the aqueous medium were also determined and the ratios of pesticide concentration in the plant and water samples estimate bioconcentration potential of the plants. Out of 38 detected pesticides, 22 (representing 58%) were bioconcentrated by the aquatic weeds. The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) range for Ceratophyllum demersum was 1.06 – 4,470 and that for Nymphaea lotus was 1.27 – 800. By the standard of the European Union regulation for registration of chemicals, levels of diazinon and chlorpyrifos in Ceratophyllum demersum fulfilled the ‘bioaccumulation’ criterion (i.e BCF > 2000) while fenitrothion, with BFC of 5500 in the same plant fulfilled ‘very bioaccumulation’ criterion (BCF ≥ 5000). This study shows that aquatic weeds in their natural ecosystem have the remediation potential, though to varying degrees and hence play a role in the improvement of water quality.

Source: UG
Pesticides residues in leafy green vegetables and irrigation waters in Accra, Ghana

Pesticides are used in vegetable farming to control pests and diseases, reduce crop losses and improve yield. The study examined pesticide residues in irrigation waters and leafy green vege tables grown in some farming areas in Accra, Ghana. Three types of irrigation water sources (n = 23) and two exotic and four indigenous Ghanaian leafy vegetables (n = 34) from 10 farming areas in Accra, Ghana were collected and examined for 15 organochlorines, 13 organophosphorus and 9 synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues using the modified QuEChERS procedure. Pesticide resi dues were detected on 50% (17/34) of the leafy vegetable and 52% (12/23) of the irrigation water samples analysed. Chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin were the most detected pesticide residues in the vegetables and irrigation water. About 26.5% of the vegetables contained pesticide residues exceeding the EU maximum residue limits, so vegetable farmers should be encouraged to comply with appropriate measures on pesticide use to enhance food safety.

Source: UG
Petrogenesis and mineralization of the Hulu Ni-Cu sulphide deposit in Xinjiang, NW China: constraints from Sr-Nd isotopic and PGE compositions

The Permian Hulu intrusion is one of several sulphide-bearing Permian mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the eastern part of the eastern Tianshan located at the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) in Xinjiang, NW China. The intrusion is composed of lherzolite, olivine websterite, gabbro, and gabbro-diorite. Disseminated and net-textured Ni-Cu sulphide ores are located at the bottom of the lopolith complex. Negative Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta anomalies, whole-rock εNd(t) values of +5.7 to +8.8, and variable (Th/Nb)PM values (from 1.06 to 8.13) suggest that the source of the Hulu complexes is depleted mantle metasomatized by subducted slab-derived fluid and/or melt (~5% global subducted sediment and 15% slab fluid) that has experienced approximately 3% lower crustal and 10% upper crustal contamination. The Hulu intrusion is characterized by low PGE abundances i.e. 0.03–1.08 ppb Ir, 0.04–0.69 ppb Ru, 0.02–2.15 ppb Rh, 0.30–48.71 ppb Pt, and 0.21–344 ppb Pd. Our calculations indicate that if the Pd, Os, Ir, and Cu contents of the primary magma were 2.1 ppb, 0.03 ppb, 0.05 ppb, and 200 ppm, respectively, a variable R-factor between 200 and 1600 with residual magma that had experienced 0.01% early-sulphide segregation can explain the variation in Pd, Os, and Ir contents of sulphide-poor and disseminated sulphide samples of the Hulu deposit. Basaltic magma fractionation and assimilation and/or contamination of sulphur-bearing crustal materials might have triggered sulphur saturation to form Cu-Ni sulphide ores. Tarim basaltic PGE contents cannot be used as the mineralized parent magma for the Hulu intrusion because of the differing evolutionary trends of the Ni/Pd and Cu/Ir values. However, similar Cu/Ni and Pd/Ir values in Tarim basalts and Hulu Cu-Ni sulphide ores, as well as the same early sulphide segregation process, show that certain genetic relationships between them and magma sources are probably similar to each other.

Source: UG
The Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Granitoid Gneisses from Xingxingxia in the Eastern Segment of Central Tianshan.

As part of Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), the Central Tianshan zone plays a crucial role in the reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the CAOB. Furthermore, it is bordered by the Tarim Craton to the south, and the comparable evolutionary history between them enables the Central Tianshan zone to provide essential information on the crustal evolution of the Tarim Craton. The eastern segment of the Central Tianshan tectonic zone is characterized by the presence of numerous Precambrian metamorphic rocks, among which the Xingxingxia Group is the most representative one. The granitoids gneisses, intruded into the Xingxingxia Group, consist of two major lithological assemblages: (1) biotite-monzonitic gneisses and (2) biotite-plagioclase gneisses. These metamorphosed granitoid rocks are characterized by enrichment in SiO2, Al2O3 and K2O and depletion in MgO and FeOT. The Rittmann index (r) spreads between 1.44 and 2.21 and ACNK (Al2O3/(CaO + Na2O + K2O)) ranges from 1.03 to 1.08, indicating that these granitoid gneisses are high-K calc-alkaline and peraluminous. Trace element data indicate that the studied samples are enriched in LREE with moderate REE fractionated patterns ((La/Yb)N = 10.5–75.3). The concentrations of HREE of the garnet-bearing gneisses are significantly higher than those of garnet-free gneisses. The former show pronounced negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.32–0.57), while the latter are characterized by negligible negative Eu anomalies to moderate positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.80–1.35). In addition, the enrichment of LILE (Rb, Th, K, Pb) and depletion of HFSE (Ta, Nb, P, Ti) of the examined granitoid gneisses are similar to typical volcanic-arc granites. Zircons U–Pb dating on the biotite monzonitic gneiss yields a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 942.4 ± 5.1 Ma, suggesting their protoliths were formed in the early Neoproterozoic, which is compatible with the time of the assembly of supercontinent Rodinia. The zircons have a large εHf(t) variation from -5.6 to +3.2, suggesting that both old crust-derived magmas and mantle-derived juvenile materials contributed to the formation of their protoliths. Based on field observation, and petrological, geochemical and geochronological investigations, we infer that the granitoid gneisses from Xingxingxia were probably formed on a continental arc that resulted from the interaction of Australia and the Tarim Craton during the assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent, and that the Central Tianshan zone was a part of the Tarim Craton during that time. Besides, the Grenvillian orogenic events may have developed better in the Tarim Craton than previously expected.

Source: UG
Petrogenesis, Geodynamic Setting, Age Of Rhyacian Igneous Rocks, From Nampala Gold Deposit: Implications For The Crustal Growth Of The Birimian Terrain In Southern Mali.

The Nampala gold deposit is a sub-world-class deposit situated within the Birimian terrain of southern Mali, it is characterized by metasedimentary, intrusive, and graphitic schist rocks. This study investigated the petrography, geochemistry, and geochronology of the intrusive rocks (lamprophyre and granitoid) to elucidate their origins, petrogenesis, age, and tectonic settings. The lamprophyres are porphyritic and holocrystalline and are composed of pyroxene and amphibole, some of the mafic minerals have been altered to talc. The granitoids are coarse-grained and composed predominantly of plagioclase, with minor quartz, microcline, biotite, and sulfides. The lamprophyres exhibit subalkaline, specifically calc-alkaline characteristics, enrichment of Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) to Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE), intermediate ratios of Dy/Yb and Sm/Yb between 1.8 – 2.0 and 2.5 – 2.9, respectively, high Rb/Sr (0.56 – 0.79), and low Ba/Rb (2.04 – 2.50) ratios. These features indicate formation through low-degree partial melting of phlogopite-bearing lherzolite in the spinel-garnet transition zone at depths of 75–80 km. The granitoids are granodiorite and crystallized at 2.1 Ga, I-type. They are peraluminous, and high-K calc-alkaline, with subchondritic εHf(t) values (-1.83–3.3) and TDM1 model ages (2.52 – 2.33 Ga). These signatures suggest a hybrid origin involving juvenile mantle melts and recycled Paleoproterozoic crust during an accretionary orogen. The Mg# and SiO2 contents of the granitoids’ along with REE patterns and Ba, Sr, and Eu anomalies, imply melting of the delaminated lower crust. Trace element patterns, and negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies, support a subduction-related genesis for both rock types. The findings provide critical constraints on the subduction-accretion processes contributing to the evolution of the Birimian Terrain within the West African Craton.

Source: UG
Petrogenetic Evolution of the Eastern Buem Volcanic Rocks, South-Eastern Ghana

Petrography, major, trace element and Rare Earth Element (REE) data are presented for volcanic rocks from the Eastern Buem Structural Unit (BSU) in south-eastern Ghana to constrain their petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The volcanic rocks are generally aphanitic, ophitic and massive, although some varieties exhibit weak foliation. They are primarily composed of plagioclase and pyroxene. These primary minerals have either partially or wholly altered to chlorite, epidote, sericite and opaque minerals. The basalts have low TiO2 (0.56– 1.19wt. %) content with fairly low magnesium numbers ranging from 38 to 55. They display flat to slightly depleted REE patterns and are mostly more enriched than chondrite. On the primitive mantle (PM) normalised spider diagram, they are variably enriched in Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and incompatible elements relative to normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB), with similar Large-ion Lithophile Element (LILE) and High Field Strength Element (HFSE) patterns as enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) but 10 fold more enriched than primitive mantle (PM). They show minor negative and positive Sr, positive Cs, Ba, Ta, La and Ce anomalies and minor negative Rb, Th, Zr and Ti anomalies. The basalts plot within the MORB mantle array on the Th/Yb versus the Nb/Yb diagram and have low Th/Nb ratios (0.07– 0.09) which indicate their derivation from asthenospheric sources with minimal or no contamination from crustal or subducted components. They show affinity to Enriched MORB on multi-trace element normalised diagrams. The E-MORB affinity of the basalts is also confirmed on Th–Hf–Nb, Y–La–Nb and V–Ti tectonic discrimination diagrams. These volcanic rocks may have erupted during rifting along the marginal basin of the WAC prior to peak collision during the Pan-African Orogeny.

Source: UG