ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Surveillance of surgical site infection in a teaching hospital in Ghana: a prospective cohort study

Background: Surveillance systems for surgical site infections (SSIs), as a measure of patient safety, help health institutions devise strategies to reduce or prevent them. No surveillance systems exist to monitor SSIs in Ghana. Aim: To establish a system for monitoring trends and detecting outbreaks in order to create awareness of and control SSIs. Methods: An active 30-day surveillance was undertaken at the general surgical unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, from July 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2018 to identify SSI. It involved a daily inpatient surveillance of patients who had had a surgical procedure, followed by post-discharge surveillance by means of a healthcare personnel-based survey and a patient-based telephone survey. We supplied quarterly feedback of results to surgeons. Findings: Among the 3267 patients included, 331 were identified with an SSI, a 10% incidence risk. Patients who acquired an SSI experienced increased morbidity including nine extra days in hospital and an adjusted relative mortality risk of 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.3 - 4.1; P¼0.006) compared to patients without SSI. Forty-nine per cent (161/ 331) of SSIs were diagnosed post discharge using the healthcare personnel-based survey. The patient-based telephone survey contributed 12 additional cases. SSI incidence risk decreased from 12.8% to 7.5% during the study period. Conclusion: Post-discharge surveillance is feasible using existing healthcare personnel, and the results highlight the high risk and burden of SSIs in Ghana. A surveillance system

Source: UG
Surveillance of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers in Ghana: Entomological Assessment of the Risk of Transmission in the Northern Regions

Objectives: To assess the risk of transmission of viral haemorrhagic fevers in northern Ghana. Design: A two-year cross-sectional entomological study was carried out in four communities in the northern part of Ghana. Standard WHO methods were used to collect adult and larvae of Aedes mosquitoes to estimate man-vector contact rates and larval indices. Results: A total of 2804 households were surveyed to estimate larval indices and man-vector contacts of potential vectors of viral haemorrhagic fevers such as Yellow fever and Dengue. Over 56% households in each study site were positive for Aedes larvae. Relatively higher Breteaux index (BI) and Container index (CI) were estimated in Damongo (BI: 180 and CI: 44.8) and Jirapa (BI: 149.7 and CI: 41.5) compared to Tumu (BI: 76.1 and CI: 19.5) and Bolgatanga (BI: 72.4 and CI: 20.6). Man-biting rates of 9.8 and 18.5 bites /man/hour were estimated for Damongo and Jirapa respectively whilst Bolgatanga recorded 10 B/M/H. Generally, man-vector contact rates in all the study sites were higher during the dry season than the wet season. Larval indices showed seasonal variations and the dry season was identified as the high-risk period for transmission of viral haemorrhagic fevers and possible disease outbreaks. No flavivirus was detected in the 2034 Aedes mosquitoes from the study sites by RTPCR. Conclusions: Aedes mosquito larval densities and adult biting rates, in all the study areas were sufficient to promote outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic fevers.

Source: UG
A Survey of Anaemia in Children in the Korle Bu Hospital, with Special Reference to Malaria

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Survey of enteropathogenic agents in children with and without diarrhoea in Ghana

A survey was carried out over 1 year in a rural area of Ghana on the isolation, detection and/or identification of enteric pathogens from children under 5 years of age with and without diarrhoea. The isolation and detection rate of Shigella flexneri, Shigella dysenteriae, Giardia lamblia and Rotavirus were higher in children with diarrhoea than in controls. Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not isolated during the period of this survey. The incidence of other enteropathogenic bacteria and parasites identified in the diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal children was calculated and is discussed in this study

Source: UG
Survey of enteropathogenic agents in children with and without diarrhoea in Ghana.

A survey was carried out over a period of one year in a rural setting in Ghana on isolation, detection and/or identification of enteric pathogens from children under five years of age with and without diarrhea. The isolation and detection rates of Shigella flexneri, Giardia lamblia and Rotavirus were significantly higher in children with diarrhea than in controls

Source: UG
A Survey of Exocentric Compounds in three Kwa Languages: Akan, Ewe and Ga

Whereas the existence of exocentric compounds is taken for granted in the literature on compounding, there are just a few studies devoted to the nature and types of exocentric compounds cross-linguistically and in African languages in particular, leaving exocentricity in African languages severely under-researched. This paper seeks to contribute to knowledge on exocentricity by exploring the range of exocentric compounds in three Kwa languages – Akan, Ewe and Ga – in the context of the typology of exocentric compounds proposed by Bauer (2008a, 2010) who posited five types – bahuvrihi, exocentric synthetic, exocentric co-compounds, transpositional exocentric and metaphorical compounds. Appah (2016b, 2017b) argued that three of the five types (bahuvrihi, exocentric synthetic and transpositional exocentric compounds) with various subtypes occur in Akan. The equivalent of Bauer’s metaphorical compounds was subsumed under bahuvrihi compounds, while the absence of exocentric co-compounds was argued to be an areal feature, given the observation that co-compounds are rare in Africa (Wälchli 2005). This paper shows that apart from exocentric co-compounds, the rest are found in the languages under discussion to varying extents. All three languages have metaphorical and location bahuvrihi compounds, but the status of the possessor bahuvrihi type is not certain, except in Akan. Ewe has agentive exocentric synthetic compounds, but not the action and patient types, whilst Ga has none. Again, only Ga does not have transpositional exocentric compounds. Finally, it is observed that all the compounds are nouns, notwithstanding the syntactic category of the constituents. This is another potential areal feature.

Source: UG
Survey of knowledge, and attitudes to storage practices preempting the occurrence of flamentous fungi and mycotoxins in some Ghanaian staple foods and processed products

Mycotoxigenic fungi can infect and produce potent mycotoxins in foodstufs prior to harvest, during harvest (feld fungi), and in storage after harvest (storage fungi), which when ingested, can result in adverse health efects. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices adopted by the Ghanaian populace to help mitigate the occurrence of molds and mycotoxins in foods. A cross-sectional survey involving a structured questionnaire was conducted with 642 respondents from twelve regions of Ghana. Descriptive statistics and analyses of variance were calculated. Correct Classifcation Rate (CCR) was measured to assess the utility of a logistic regression model. The results of the study showed that the majority of 299 (46.6%) of the respondents were between the ages of 18–25. Age and educational level were related to knowledge about the occurrence of fungi and mycotoxins in foods (p< 0.05). More than half the respondents, 50% indicated that they knew of afatoxins as a major mycotoxin present in food. Higher education directly infuenced on the knowledge of mycotoxicosis and the management of stored food to present intoxication by fungal metabolites. 502 (32.9%) knew that consuming foods with toxins could cause stomach aches. The most commonly consumed food commodity despite the presence of visible growth of fungi was bread (35.3%). The average KAP score for knowledge showed that, out of 100%, there was adequate knowledge (63.8%) among the members of the Ghanaian populace. Favorable environmental conditions of high humidity (>85% ERH) and temperature (> 28–32 °C) enhance the proliferation of fungi in most foods and the attendant production of mycotoxins such as afatoxins, ochratoxins, and fumonisins are associated with several severe human and animal health conditions; mycotoxicosis was associated with high fever, pain, vomiting, suppression of immunity, cancer, etc. when these foods are consumed on regular basis for a prolonged length of time. Future examination of the food items used for the School Feeding Programme in Ghana will ofer opportunities to examine the risks of feeding youth with fungal-contaminated food preparations from providers.

Source: UG
Survey of Mobile Malware Analysis, Detection Techniques and Tool

The rapid increase in the use of smartphones, has contributed to the increase in mobile attackers. In most situations deceitful applications are infected with malicious contents to cause harm to both the hardware and the software. These malicious programs or malware are usually designed to disrupt or gather information from the device. By attempts to curtail these problems various techniques are proposed. This paper attempts to analyze the most popular and recent techniques and suggests which is better.

Source: UG
Survey of mushroom consumption and the possible use of gamma irradiation for sterilization of compost for its cultivation in Southern Ghana

Background Mushroom cultivation is increasingly becoming a serious agribusiness in Ghana, especially at the time when entrepreneurship is being encouraged to reduce the pressure of employment in the government sector and also due to its nutritional and medicinal attributes. Methods A survey was carried out using the rapid appraisal method to review the existing methods of sterilization, use of gamma radiation in substrate sterilization and food preservation, preference of mushrooms in Ghana by consumers and nutritional and medicinal attributes of the mushroom. Results The survey demonstrated the popularity of drum (moist heat) technique of sterilization in Ghana. Majority (64%) of the respondents were dissatisfied with the method of sterilization of compost and spawn substrate, while 36% indicated the method was alright by them. Majority (82%) of the respondents had never heard of sterilization of substrates for cultivation and its subsequent preservation of food or mushroom by gamma irradiation technique. All consumers (100%) desired to see their favorite mushroom produced all year round, and this constituted a significant (p < 0.05) viewpoint. Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.05) majority (90%) of the respondents were all for promotion of the consumption of mushroom, while a small percentage (10%) were noncommittal. Conclusion Information and knowledge on the gamma irradiation technique for substrate production and consumption patterns of P.ostreatus mushrooms were not widely disseminated as anticipated.

Source: UG
Survey of mushroom consumption and the possible use of gamma irradiation for sterilization of compost for its cultivation in Southern Ghana

Background: Mushroom cultivation is increasingly becoming a serious agribusiness in Ghana, especially at the time when entrepreneurship is being encouraged to reduce the pressure of employment in the government sector and also due to its nutritional and medicinal attributes.Methods: A survey was carried out using the rapid appraisal method to review the existing methods of sterilization, use of gamma radiation in substrate sterilization and food preservation, preference of mushrooms in Ghana by con‑sumers and nutritional and medicinal attributes of the mushroom.Results: The survey demonstrated the popularity of drum (moist heat) technique of sterilization in Ghana. Majority (64%) of the respondents were dissatisfied with the method of sterilization of compost and spawn substrate, while 36% indicated the method was alright by them. Majority (82%) of the respondents had never heard of sterilization of substrates for cultivation and its subsequent preservation of food or mushroom by gamma irradiation technique. All consumers (100%) desired to see their favorite mushroom produced all year round, and this constituted a significant (p < 0.05) viewpoint. Furthermore, a significant (p < 0.05) majority (90%) of the respondents were all for promotion of the consumption of mushroom, while a small percentage (10%) were noncommittal.Conclusion: Information and knowledge on the gamma irradiation technique for substrate production and con‑sumption patterns of P.ostreatus mushrooms were not widely disseminated as anticipated.

Source: UG
Survey of waste management practices in cassava processing to gari in selected districts of Ghana

In the processing of cassava into gari, a significant amount of waste is generated. These include peels, fibrous materials, liquor and waste water. A lot of studies have been conducted with the objective to reduce drudgery and improve yields. These studies to introduce improved technology for gari processing often do not have a component for waste management. A survey was conducted in the selected areas to obtain information from gari producers on current waste management practices. The survey showed that the wastes generated were the cassava peels, fibrous material, chaff, wash water and liquor. The management of these wastes has been described with the aid of pictures.

Source: UG
A Survey-Based Qualitative Analysis of the Institutional Structures and Policy Measures in the Shea Sector of Ghana

Shea is an important tree crop for women in the three impoverished northern regions of Ghana and is considered to be a major source of poverty alleviation in these regions. The crop is picked in the wild as nuts mainly by women who sell the nuts to processors. These nuts are processed into butter and soap for local use and/or for exports. Institutional structures, from a variety sources including the cultural environment, community support systems and the State regulatory and support mechanisms, shape the opportunities, constraints and obstacles facing women pickers and local processors who rely on shea as an important source of income and economic empowerment. Both State and non-State institutions in Ghana have designed various policy interventions and programmes for the shea sector with the objective of reducing market failures of the sector and to improve incomes of shea-producing households. Based on a relatively large survey of 405 shea-producing households in selected districts of the Northern Region of Ghana, this paper discusses the institutional structures and policy measures in the shea sector in Ghana. From the perspective of the survey respondents, there is not enough coordination of programmes and policies among the various institutions in the shea sector. Respondents feel that the shea sector is largely unregulated; various actors take actions mainly for their own benefits and not necessarily for the benefit of the whole sector. Organised groups of shea-producing households are more likely to improve their chances of being impacted by programmes and policies of State and non-State institutions than unorganized individual shea-producing households.

Source: UG
Survival after short-or long-term ventilation after acute spinal cord injury: A single-centre 25-year retrospective study.

Study design:A retrospective review of acute spinal cord injury patients having assisted ventilation on or after admission between 1981 and 2005.Objective:To assess survival after acute ventilatory support.Setting: Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport, England.Methods:Causes of death were ascertained from the Office of National Statistics. Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival was calculated according to ventilator-wean status at discharge. Risk factors were obtained by Cox regression analysis.Results:Over 50% of deaths in weaned and ventilated patients were respiratory in origin. The mean survival of weaned patients in the age group 31-45 was 19.3 compared with 10.5 years for ventilated patients (P=0.047). Those under 30 survived a further 22.1 and 18.4 years (P=0.31), while those over 45 lived for 11.0 and 8.3 years (P=0.50), values for weaned and ventilated patients, respectively. The survival advantage for weaned patients in the middle age group was less evident when the 1-year survivors were compared. The mean survival time of younger patients with diaphragm pacing was 1.8 years longer than those on mechanical ventilation (P=0.142). The variables with significant hazard ratios were any comorbidity (3.07); mechanical ventilation on discharge (2.26); and older age at injury, (3.1).Conclusions:The survival time for patients with high tetraplegia on long-term ventilation compares with other datasets and older patients have a proportionately greater loss in life expectancy. Self-ventilating patients with tetraplegia remain at considerable risk from respiratory death and consideration needs to be given to more effective preventative measures

Source: UG
Survival and growth of acid-adapted and unadapted Shigella flexneri in a traditional fermented Ghanaian weaning food as affected by fortification with cowpea

Shigellae are among the major causes of diarrheal diseases in infants and young children in developing countries. We conducted a study to determine the effect of fermentation of corn and corn/cowpea doughs used to prepare a traditional weaning porridge on the survival and growth characteristics of acid-adapted and unadapted Shigella flexneri. Porridges were prepared from doughs fermented for 0, 24, and 48 h at 30°C. Four-strain mixtures of acid-adapted and unadapted S. flexneri cells were separately inoculated (10 4-105 and 106-107 cfu/ml) into porridges made from unfermented (pH 5.74-6.05) and fermented (pH 4.07-4.38) doughs. Viability of acid-adapted cells was retained at higher levels in porridge made from fermented dough, compared to unfermented dough, regardless of composition of the porridge or incubation temperature. Cells inoculated into the porridges containing fermented dough were not detected (&lt;1 cfu/ml) within 4 h at 48°C. Results indicate that prior exposure of cells to acid stress renders them more resistant to subsequent acidic conditions. The addition of cowpea flour to corn dough followed by fermentation had little effect on the survival of S. flexneri in porridges made from the dough. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Survival of burkitt's lymphoma patients in Ghana

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Survival of Mushrooms and Termites Upon Pesticide Exposure in the Cocoa Agro-ecosystem

Pesticides have become integral parts of cocoa cultivation for the management of in sect pests and fungal pathogens which cause significant damage to the crop. However, continuous pesticide usage in the cocoa agro-ecosystem is of concern due to perceived adverse effects on non-target organisms. In this study, mushrooms and associated ter mites were used to elucidate the possible effect of fungicides and insecticides on non target organisms in the cocoa agro-ecosystem. The vegetative phase of Pleurotus sa jor-caju (Oyster mushroom), Volvariella volvacea (Paddy straw mushroom), Termi tomyces globulus, and Termitomyces robustus (Termite mushrooms) were subjected to concentrations of commercially formulated fungicides (metalaxyl 12 % + copper (I) oxide 60 % and cupric hydroxide 77 %) and insecticides (imidacloprid 20 % and bifenthrin 2.7 %) to observe their growth rates on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Worker termites, Macrotermes bellicosus, were also exposed to the pesticides in Petri dishes for 24 h to observe their mortality. The manufacturer’s recommended concen tration of 245 ppm for bifenthrin completely inhibited mycelial growth of all the mushrooms and caused 100% mortality of termites. At 0.0245 ppm, the insecticide caused 60% mortality of termites, but it had no inhibitory effect on the mushrooms. Except for P. sajor-caju, mycelial growth of all the other mushrooms was completely inhibited by metalaxyl + copper (I) oxide at the manufacturer’s recommended con centration of 2400 ppm. However, mycelial growth rate of the mushrooms at 0.24 ppm of the fungicide was similar to the control plates. Although the recommended concentrations of the pesticides inhibited mushroom activity under controlled condi tions, mushroom survival in the cocoa agro-ecosystem amidst pesticides could be due to diluted pesticide concentrations that result in the soil after application which is usu ally directed at the pods, trunk, and foliage

Source: UG
Survival or escaping poverty: The perspectives of poverty and well-being among Ghanaian women in cross-border trading

Trading is one of the strategies that Ghanaian women have adopted to overcome poverty and improve their well-being. Using in-depth interviews, this study examines the specific commercial activities that are undertaken by women in cross-border trading, the coping strategies that they use to address the difficulties that confront them, the impact of women's trading activities on their lives, and how these are linked to their subjective understanding of poverty and well-being. The analysis shows that women can lift themselves out of poverty through informal cross-border trading activities in spite of the challenges and risks they face. Such trading activities have enabled them to support themselves and to meet the needs of their households, and this has created a sense of life satisfaction, happiness, and self-fulfilment. The study recommends that trade and trade-related programmes developed at a national level must include the needs and concerns of female cross-border traders. This should include educational and sensitization programmes on trade laws and women's rights issues. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Source: UG
Survival Pattern of First Accident among Commercial Drivers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

In this study, the average accident risk of commercial drivers in the Greater Accra region of Ghana and its associated risks were examined based on a survey data collected using paper-based questionnaires from 204 commercial drivers from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The Cox Proportional Hazards Model was used for multivariate analysis while the Kaplan-Meier (KM) Model was used to study the survival patterns of the commercial drivers. The study revealed that the median survival time for an accident to happen is 2.50 years. Good roads provided a better chance of survival than bad roads and experienced drivers have a better chance of survival than the inexperienced drivers. Age of driver, alcohol usage of driver, marital status, condition of road and duration of driver's license were found to be related to the risk of accident.

Source: UG