ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Predictors of the hazard rate of surrender Of A universal life insurance policy (Cox proportional hazards approach)

The study was carried out to determine the effect of some chosen predictors or covariates i.e. age, gender, premium payment options and marital status of policyholders on the hazard rate of surrender of a Universal Life Insurance policy. In line with this objective Kaplan-Meier Estimator also known as the product limit estimator was used to compare the survival distributions for each of the different levels in each predictor and how each level in each predictor contributes to the hazard rate of surrender of this life product. The Cox proportional hazards approach was used to select predictor(s) which significantly increase(s) the explanatory power of the model (Cox proportional hazards model) in interpreting the effects and relative hazards rate of surrender of policyholders who patronized this life product. With each of predictors having two levels of groupings, the Kaplan-Meier estimator plots revealed that there were no significant difference between the survival times of the various levels of premium payment options and marital status but showed significant differences for that of gender and age. The Cox proportional hazards model had age and gender to be selected as the predictors or explanatory variables which significantly contribute to the hazard rate of surrender with males hazard rate of surrendering the policy being 1.416 times that of females and similarly for age, those in the higher age bracket having a hazard rate of surrender to be 0.702 times those in the lower age bracket. It is therefore recommended that not only should people in the higher age group and females be targets in selling this product in future but other Life Insurance products should be developed soon to see the immediate needs of males and those in the lower age bracket to reduce the number of people who surrender.

Source: KNUST
Predictors of Tuberculosis Treatment Defaulting at Dangme West District

This research was undertaken to determine the predictors of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) treatment defaulting at Dangme West District in the Greater Accra region. This district was chosen because of prevailing cases of TB treatment defaulting in the midst of DOTS and availability of Enabler fund implementation. The district has four sub-districts thus, Dodowa, Ningo, Prampram and Osudoku with a projected population of 136,622 as at 2008 using the 4.4% growth rate. The breakdown was Dodowa (37,679), Prampram (31,349), Ningo (45,439) and Osudoku (22,155). All the sub-districts were used for the study. METHOD The design used for the study was unmatched case control study using a well-structured questionnaire. This was based on the research questions that needed to be answered and to gather demographic information promoting TB treatment defaulting. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the 73 cases and 153 controls out of 272 diagnosed pulmonary TB patients in the district for the study from 2006, 2007 and half year 2008 from a random start point in the district. This was made possible by the use of the patients’ records at the clinics. List of all the TB patients’ aged 18 years and above who did not default with their treatment was made. Pieces of papers were numbered up to the required sample size and were randomly picked, likewise the defaulters. The selected individuals were traced using their contact addresses. All consenting individuals age 18 years and above, had and had never defaulted in either phases of treatment were recruited for the study. A total of two hundred and twenty -six participants were recruited into the study.

Source: KNUST
Predominant Components of Metabolic Syndrome among Pre-and Postmenopausal Ghanaian Women: A Case Study in Kumasi Metropolis

MetS (MetS) is an important health condition which puts individuals at risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes as well as obesity-related cancers such as colon and renal cell in men, and endometrial and oesophageal in women...

Source: KNUST
Prefabricated Timber Housing

This thesis has shown how cheaper housing could be made a reality in Ghana with the aim of improving living standards in the country. This has been achieved through the use of a locally available building material - timber, and a building system which lowers building costs - prefabrication. Since timber is quite expensive at the moment, the proposed system focuses on t he use of secondary species which are not being exported and whose proper exploitation could drastically reduce the cost of timber locally. The system offers double protection to the material through architectural design techniques and chemical treatment. The thesis establishes the fact that cost reductions of up to 70 of current housing costs can be achieved by the use of the proposed system.

Source: KNUST
Prefeasibility studies for Mini Hydro Power Generation on Kintampo Falls

Energy demand is increasing worldwide amid rising fuel cost and environmental pollution. Small Hydro Power has emerged as alternative source of energy that can be easily harnessed with minimal environmental impact. Since 1980, several studies have been conducted in Ghana on potential sites for Small hydro power schemes. This thesis assesses the prospects of developing Randal Falls or Kintampo Falls into a mini hydropower scheme for power generation. Randal Falls has the potential for producing electricity by using hydro turbo – generator. Area rainfall method using rainfall and temperature data of the catchment area was used to estimate the flow rate and the available head measured using a GPS receiver. The results of the work reported here indicate that the proposed site has a gross head of 50.93 m and a designed flow of 0.32 m3/s which is available 95% throughout the year. Crossflow turbine was selected as the preferred turbine with specific speed of 62, runner diameter of 380 mm and runner length of 140 mm. An 8 poles induction motor was selected as the generator with estimated size of 134 KVA and rotational speed of 750 rpm. The estimated power produced was 114 KW. RETScreen module was used to analyze the financial viability of the project. Annual energy production estimated from the module was 880 MWh and the anticipated revenue to be generated is $90,830.The initial cost of the project estimated by RETScreen was $395,000. From the module, the simple payback of the project was 4.9 years.

Source: KNUST
Predictors of Virological failure among children infected with HIV-1 on Haart at KATH

HIV infection, which was a fatal disease, is now a chronic manageable disease as a result of intervention of anti-retroviral therapy. However a major challenge in resource limited centre settings is inadequate laboratory support for CD4 and HIV viral load monitoring of HIV infected patients receiving treatment. We determined the prevalence and risk factors associated with virological failure among children infected with HIV-1. Methods: One hundred and eighty-eight (188) children ≤17 years were recruited into a longitudinal study at Komfo Anokye teaching hospital from July 2015 to April 2016. Viral load testing, CD4 count and full blood count were done every four to six months. The data was analyzed using R statistical software and GraphPad prism. Results: HIV drug refill on time was used as a surrogate marker for adherence which revealed that 71.28% were treatment adherent. Twenty-one patients who were adherent to therapy had two consecutive viral loads above 1000 copies/ml. In this study the prevalence of virological failure was 15.67% among HIV infected children on treatment. Of the 21 patients who met the definition of virological failure, 19 (90.48%) patients failed first line drugs whereas 2 (9.52%) failed second line drugs. Logistic regression analysis revealed unemployed care providers and period of duration on HAART as predictors of virological failure.This study revealed 84.33% effectiveness of first line drugs among children infected with HIV-1 using WHO criteria for virologic failure. A prevalence of 15.67% virological failure was determined among children. This study identified unemployed care providers and period of duration on HAART as predictors of virological failure.

Source: KNUST
Prefeasibility study for mini hydropower development in Kuje Area Council of Abuja, Nigeria

The Nigeria government in her energy policy has empowered the private sector to implement power generations projects. A national policy which is aimed at widespread participation and involvement of the private sector in implementing power projects. The development of hydroelectric power generation has been facing many issues and challenges. Despite the difficulties faced by the sector, hydroelectric power generation promises to yield a number of significant or positive benefits for the country and is an energy source indispensable for stable supply of power in the...............................................

Source: KNUST
Prefeasibility study for the development of the fuller falls for small hydropower generation

Since the early 1980s a lot of effort and resources have been invested in numerous studies on potential small scale hydropower sites in Ghana, however, none of these potential sites has been developed. The country has gone through more than a decade of uncertainties in power generation and has now resorted to the development of thermal power to supplement the traditional hydropower sources. This report is a preliminary assessment into the technical, financial and economic feasibility of developing a mini hydro power plant on the Yoko River at Fuller Falls in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The methodology employed in the research work includes actual site measurements and hydrological assessment which was based on the catchment area, precipitation and evaporation of the project site. The financial viability of the project was assessed by the use of the RETScreen software. According to the site survey conducted in this research work, the best scheme type is a run-off-river and central grid connectivity because the nearest village Yabraso which is about 1 km from the proposed site is already connected to the national grid. With a gross head of 18.46m and design discharge of 1.95m3/s, the possible installed capacity and annual energy generation are estimated to be in the region of 235kW and 1.626 GWh respectively. Using the RETScreen software, the total initial cost of the project is estimated at $1.06 million translating into approximately $4,500 per proposed installed kW. Assuming a 25 year project life, cost of energy of $100/MWh and annual electricity escalation export rate of 0.2%; the Benefit-Cost Ratio (B-C), the Net Present Value (NPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is estimated at 1.54, $142,519 and 13.5% respectively. This prefeasibility study therefore indicates that the project is technically and financially feasible.

Source: KNUST
Prefeasibility study for the development of the Kokuma Falls for small hydropower generation

Electricity production from hydropower has been, and still is today, the renewable source used to generate electricity. In 2011, the global share of electricity was 20% and in the EU, share was21%. The prospects of harnessing the hydro-electric potential of small rivers in Ghana have been investigated for 20 years, leading to the identification of many potential mini hydro sites.............................

Source: KNUST
Prefeasibility study on the State of Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly in Ghana

The focus of this thesis is on the prefeasibility study on the state of electronics manufacturing and assembly in Ghana. The awareness of surface mount technology (SMT) and component miniaturization by selected electronics manufacturing and assembly companies in Ghana, selected departments in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology was investigated as well as the practice of SMT soldering techniques by the selected companies and the viability of setting up a laboratory for research in electronics manufacturing and assembly at KNUST. The views of Government Policy Makers about electronics manufacturing and assembly were also sought. Electronics manufacturing and assembly is electro-mechanical engineering process used for constructing electronic circuits either by Through-hole technology (where the components with wire leads are fitted into holes on the Printed Circuit Boards) or by SMT technology (where surface mounted components are mounted directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards). The prefeasibility study was carried out by sending a set of questionnaires to rlg Communications in Ghana, KNUST students at College of Engineering and Departments of Physics and Computer Science (sample size of 275) as well as Government Policy Makers. The survey reveals that rlg imports SMT components such as Flat Chip Resistors (eg. MELF resistors), ceramic SMD capacitors, electrolytic SMD capacitors for SMT assembly and carries out soldering work using both hand and automation. Infra Red Reflow Soldering technique is used for the automated soldering whereas rework is done by hand soldering. For a sample size of one hundred and twenty-five (125) students from College of Sciences interviewed on the awareness of SMT, 67.2% were aware of SMT and component miniaturization whereas 32.8% were not aware. Out of a sample size of 150 students from College of Engineering interviewed on the awareness SMT, 68.7% were aware of SMT and component miniaturization whilst 31.3% were not aware. One hundred and twenty-two (122) stated the practical knowledge it will impart to students in different ways, one hundred and one (101) students mentioned economic benefit due to the fact that electronic products assembled on campus will sell cheaper than outside. Two hundred and seventy three (out of 275) students are in support of the idea of fusing electronics manufacturing and assembly module with some of their courses. Responses from policy makers indicate that if electronic products are assembled in Ghana it should be made to suite the weather conditions in Ghana and should be affordable. This will require research work into the thermal challenge of the solder joint (solder joint integrity). Other responses from policy makers indicate the fact that local assembly of electronic product will help accelerate Ghana’s economic development. This study is part of a wider programme of work on the development of electronics manufacturing and assembly at KNUST for building capacity towards Ghana’s economic development.

Source: KNUST
Pregnancy-induced Lipid Peroxidation and Oxidative Stress in Ghanaian Women with Normal Pregnancies

Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with complex physical and biochemical events which exert enormous effect on the expectant mother as well as foetus. Oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the complex biochemical events associated with disease aetiology and its concommitant effect can affect pregnancy outcomes. This however has not been elucidated thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the status of Malondialdehyde (MDA)- a lipid peroxidation biochemical marker of oxidative stress and the lipid profiles of Ghanaian women with normal pregnancy. Methodology: This was a crossectional study of subjects in which convenience sampling technique was used to select 239 women with uncomplicated pregnancy that reported for regular antenatal care at the James Town Maternity of the Ussher Polyclinic in the Accra metroplolis of Ghana. The pregnant women were divided into three groups according to the gestational age,first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. Each semester had 81, 125 and 33 subjects respectively recruited for the purpose of this study. Forty-eight(48) age matched non-pregnant women were recruited as controls. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by the measurement of serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), thio-barbituric reactive substance (TBARS) and serum lipid profiles using standardised methods. Results: The mean ages for the pregnant women (study group) and the non-pregnant (control group) were 24.6 and 25.8 years respectively. Both the study and control groups had similar mean age (p = 0.1845). The systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were statistically significantly elevated in the study group (p = 0.0001). In addition, the difference in the mean body mass index (BMI) of the two groups was significant (p < 0.007). Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the lipid peroxidation marker was significantly raised in women with normal pregnancy (1.5± 0.3 μmol/L) (p < 0.05) compared to non-pregnant women (1.2 ± 0.2 μmol/L). Serum MDA levels were significantly increased in all the trimesters of normal pregnancy compared with nonpregnant women. A significantly positive correlation was seen between MDA levels and total Cholesterol (p < 0.05) , triglycerides (p < 0.05) and LDL Cholesterol ( p < 0.05) in all the three trimesters of normal pregnancy. Conclusion: Ghanaian pregnant women with normal pregnancy are prone to dyslipidemia and experience a markedly raised intensity of lipid peroxidation compared to their nonpregnant counterparts and this rise in intensity showed a significant positive correlation with an increase in gestational age.

Source: KNUST
A preliminary characterization study and assessment of the seed quality characteristics of solanum torvum swartz in four regions of Ghana

Sixty (60) accessions of the Solanum toivum were collected from the middle zone of Ghana (Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions). The objective was to conduct preliminary characterization and evaluation studies and also to assess the seed quality characteristics of the crop. A field experiment was thus set up on the research plot of the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology between April, 2002 and May, 2003. Data were collected on vegetative and reproductive characters, including height at flowering, number of primary branches, leaf blade length, leaf blade lobbing, plant spread at flowering, and the presence of leaf and stem prickles. Others were leaf blade colour, leaf blade tip angle, fruit colour at commercial and physiological ripeness, number of seeds per fruit,, and seed colour. Two (2) germination and vigour tests were also conducted and lastly, a seed health test was carried out. The results revealed significant differences in such characters as plant height, leaf blade lobbing, presence of leaf and stem prickles, fruit colour at physiological ripeness, number of seeds per fruit, and colour. The germination period was also significantly different among the accessions. ASMM 26 had the least germination period of 10 days while ASNK 37 and WRSB 26 had the largest germination period of 22 days. Seedling emergence was less than 35% in all the accessions. Some accessions, especially ERNB 30, registered a low a germination percentage of 1.75%. Refreshingly, the seed health examination showed virtually clean seeds in respect of seed borne fungi. Saprophytic fungi such as Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp. and Rhizopus spp. were however observed on some of the seeds on examination.

Source: KNUST
Pregnant Women and Alcohol Use in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region

There are anecdotal claims that problem of alcohol ingestion exists among women in the reproductive years in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region but there is lack of data to support this. The principal objective of this study therefore was to validate these claims by the assessment of alcohol consumption among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region. The study, a descriptive cross-sectional, was conducted in ten health facilities providing reproductive health care in the district in the months of July to October, 2010 with a sample size of 397 pregnant women. The main findings of the study were that 20.4% of pregnant women drank alcohol even though about three-quarters (78.0%) thought that alcohol had harmful effects in pregnancy. Fifty-seven percent (57.0%) of these (78.0%) did not actually know the possible harm that alcohol could cause on pregnancy. The most preferred drink was Akpeteshie, a locally manufactured distilled alcoholic beverage (36.4%), followed by Ginsing/Kasapreko/Pusher (27.3%). Study participants drank an average of ‘half-tot’ and ‘one-tot’ per a drinking session respectively. Logistic Regression analysis to identify the effects of some socio-demographic variables on alcohol consumption revealed that, Marital status and Religious affiliation were predictive of alcohol consumption, p< 0.10. It is recommended that the DHMT strengthens health education on alcohol at ANC and through the radio as well as the DHMT collaborating with the Ghana Health Service to embark on education of school pupils and students on the harmful effects of alcohol in pregnancy.

Source: KNUST
Preliminary evaluation of fertilizer application on garden egg (Solanum integrifolium L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) intercropped system

A preliminary study on fertilizer application in a garden egg (Solanum integrifolium L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) intercropped system was conducted in a 5 x 3 factorial experiment at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, UST, Kumasi. Using a randomised complete block design with four replications, five cropping systems namely: a) Weed-free plot of pure stand of garden egg b) No weeding plot of pure stand of garden egg c) Garden egg transplanted into 14-day old cowpea crop d) Garden egg transplanted into 7-day old cowpea crop e) Garden egg and cowpea planted the same day, and three fertilizer treatments i) Og NPK 15-15-15 ii) 5g NPK 15-15-15 iii) 5g NPK 15-15-15 + a split application of sulphate of ammonia respectively were evaluated. Data collection included nutrient status of soil samples, vegetative and reproductive growth, yields, nematode and weed counts, survival of garden egg plants from Scierotium wilt infection and from cowpea competition and the economic profitability of the different treatments were assessed. Cropping system influenced soil nutrients, vegetative and reproductive growth, marketable and unmarketable yields, weeds and nematode population, survival of garden egg plants in the event of Scierotium wilt infection and also garden egg competition with cowpea and income and profit parameters. Fertilizer application also significantly (P <0.05) influenced available phosphorus and potassium, the number of leaves on garden egg plant, marketable yields and income from garden egg alone, income from cowpea alone and income from garden egg plus cowpea, production cost and profit. The intercrops produced higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compared with the weed free and no weeding pure stand of garden egg. The treatments did not affect plant height but garden egg plants which were under weed free conditions had wider canopy than those grown without weeding. Garden egg plants which received 5g NPK + 20g sulphate of ammonia had more branches, gave higher yields and therefore higher income and profit than the other fertilizer treatments. Marketable yield from the weed free pure stand of garden egg was significantly greater than from the intercrops. The intercrops, however, produced lower unmarketable yields. Parasitic nematode population reduced after harvest compared to the high population before planting. The intercrop treatments had reduced number of nematodes compared with the weed free and no weeding pure garden egg treatments. The intercrop also suffered fewer losses of garden egg plants in the event of Scierotium wilt infection. With regard to weed suppression, the 14-day old cowpea suppressed weeds better than the 0 or 7-day old cowpea. Higher income and profit accrued from weed free pure garden egg treatments despite its higher cost of production. The interaction of cropping system and fertilizer application significantly (P <0.05) affects canopy spread, cowpea yield and number of free living nematodes after harvest.

Source: KNUST