ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Assessment of global reporting of adverse drug reactions for anti-malarials, including artemisinin-based combination therapy, to the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring

Abstract Background In spite of enhanced control efforts, malaria remains a major public health problem causing close to a million deaths annually. With support from several donors, large amounts of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) are being deployed in endemic countries raising safety concerns as little is known about the use of ACT in several of the settings where they are deployed. This project was undertaken to profile the provenance of the pharmacovigilance reporting of all anti-malarials, including ACT to the WHO adverse drug reaction (ADR) database (Vigibase&#8482;) over the past 40 years. Methods The WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring, the Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) provided anonymized extracts of Vigibase&#8482; covering the period 1968-2008. All countries in the programme were clustered according to their malaria control phase and income status. The number of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) of anti-malarials was analyzed according to those clusters. Results From 1968 to 2008, 21,312 ICSRs suspecting anti-malarials were received from 64 countries. Low-income countries, that are also malaria-endemic (categorized as priority 1 countries) submitted only 1.2% of the ICSRs. Only 60 out of 21,312 ICSRs were related to ACT, 51 of which were coming from four sub-Saharan African countries. Although very few ICSRs involved artemisinin-based compounds, many of the adverse events reported were potentially serious. Conclusions This paper illustrates the low reporting of ADRs to anti-malarials in general and ACT in particular. Most reports were submitted by non-endemic and/or high-income countries. Given the current mix of large donor funding, the insufficient information on safety of these drugs, increasing availability of ACT and artemisinin-based monotherapies in public and private sector channels, associated potential for inappropriate use and finally a pipeline of more than 10 new novel anti-malarials in various stages of development, the presence of well functioning national pharmacovigilance systems is vital to ensure safe and responsible scale up of ACT deployment. Bringing together the competencies of national pharmacovigilance centres and various types of organizations in the NGO, academic and private sectors with global coordination to create short- and long-term solutions may help address the lag between rapidly growing ACT use and poor ADR reporting.

Source: UG
An assessment of government policy response to HIV/AIDS in Ghana.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa has assumed a dimension raising heartbreaking anxiety among national governments and civil society groups. In Ghana for example, the pandemic is well-documented and has gone beyond a health problem, and now encompasses all socio-economic aspects of life. The estimated rate of infection from the mid-1980s to 2000 has more than doubled, and in spite of the control efforts by various groups and organisations, prevalence of the disease has not declined notably. This paper assesses government policy, programmes and strategies to combat the disease, using analysis of time trend sentinel data and weighting these against control efforts. The assessment revealed that 380,000 adults and 36,000 children are currently infected. There are wide spatial variations in prevalence across the country and the overall national prevalence has fluctuated over time, standing at 2.6% in 2000, 3.6% in 2002 and 3.1% in 2004. This appears relatively lower than in adjacent countries, where prevalence is around 5% and over 25% in East and Southern African countries. Although the review found a robust multipronged government intervention approach to containing the disease, we are hesitant to claim that the fairly stable or low national prevalence in Ghana compared with its immediate neighbours may have been the consequence of the effectiveness of national AIDS control programmes and impact of government interventions.

Source: UG
Assessment of grain yield losses in pearl millet due to the millet stemborer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Hampson)

Studies were conducted at the ICRISAT Sahelian Centre, Niger, to assess damage and yield loss by the millet stemborer, Coniesta ignefusalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Brown. Although 78% of stems were infested, late attack by the millet stemborer on millet plants resulted in bored stems yielding more than unbored ones. Artificial infestations with 5 and 10 larvae per plant at 2 weeks after plant emergence (WAE) resulted in 50 to 70% plants with deadhearts and 24 to 100% avoidable yield loss. At 4 weeks after plant emergence, infestations with 5 larvae and 10 larvae per plant resulted in 7% increase in yield and 16% yield loss, respectively. Therefore, both the age of plant and density of borer population at the time of infestation can influence resulting stemborer damage and yield loss on pearl millet. © 2003 ICIPE.

Source: UG
Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Different Land-Use Systems: A Case Study of CO2 in the Southern Zone of Ghana

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) results in global warming and climate change. The extent to which developing countries contribute to GHG emissions is not well known. This study reports findings on the effects of different land-use systems on GHG emissions (CO2 in this case) from two locations in the southern zone of Ghana, West Africa. Site one (located at Kpong) contained a heavy clay soil while site two (located at Legon) contained a light-textured sandy soil. Land-use systems include cattle kraals, natural forests, cultivated maize fields, and rice paddy fields at site one, and natural forest, woodlots, and cultivated soya bean fields at site two. CO2 emissions were measured using the gas entrapment method (PVC chambers). Trapping solutions were changed every 12–48 h and measurement lasted 9 to 15 days depending on the site. We found that, for the same land-use, CO2 emissions were higher on the clay soil (Kpong) than the sandy soil (Legon). In the clay soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from the cattle kraal (256.7 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (146.0 mg·m−2·h−1) and rice paddy (140.6 mg·m−2·h−1) field. The lowest average emission was observed for maize cropped land (112.0 mg·m−2·h−1). In the sandy soil environment, the highest average CO2 emission was observed from soya cropped land (52.5 mg·m−2·h−1), followed by the forest (47.4 mg·m−2·h−1) and woodlot (33.7 mg·m−2·h−1). Several factors influenced CO2 emissions from the different land-use systems. These include the inherent properties of the soils such as texture, temperature, and moisture content, which influenced CO2 production through their effect on soil microbial activity and root respiration. Practices that reduce CO2 emissions are likely to promote carbon sequestration, which will consequently maintain or increase crop productivity and thereby improve global or regional food security.

Source: UG
Assessment of groundwater quality and its suitability for domestic and agricultural purposes in parts of the Central Region, Ghana

Groundwater in parts of the Central Region of Ghana was assessed to determine its suitability for domestic use and irrigation activities. Stiff and Piper diagrams show that the predominant water type in the area is Na-Cl, which is characterized by relatively high salinities. This water type occurs in aquifers underlying six coastal districts, namely; Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AA), Mfantseman (MF), Gomoa East (GE), Awutu Senya (AwS), Effutu (EF) and Cape Coast (CC). Other water types are Ca-HCO3, Ca-SO4 and Ca-Cl, that occur in districts located further away from the coast. Silicate weathering and ion exchange are identified as the geochemical processes responsible for the various ions in the groundwater. Possible processes that could be responsible for the source of Na+ and Cl- are sea water intrusion and dissolution of minerals. The results also show that the groundwater is mainly supersaturated with respect to both calcite and gypsum, indicating high concentrations of both bicarbonate and sulfate ions in solution. This is associated with considerable enrichment of the groundwater with sulfate, bicarbonate, and calcium ions. On a Wilcox diagram, the groundwater samples, mainly from the districts coded as AA, TLD, AS and AN, which are located away from the coast, plot within the “excellent to good” category, suggesting that water from the area is of acceptable quality for irrigation purposes. Similarly, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and conductivity values for the groundwater in the AA, TLD, AS and AN districts indicate low SAR and low to medium salinity respectively. Groundwater in aquifers underlying these districts is therefore suitable for irrigation. Generally, groundwater samples from locations along the coast have high salinity and are not suitable for domestic and irrigation purposes. However, about 72% of the water samples predominantly in districts located away from the sea is suitable for the purposes stated. © 2016, Ecological Laboratory. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Assessment of groundwater quality and the main controls on its hydrochemistry in some Voltaian and basement aquifers, northern Ghana

Groundwater resources play the single most important role in the delivery of potable water to rural communities in northern Ghana, especially during the long dry season and where surface water sources are polluted or non existent. This study sought to assess the quality and main controls on groundwater chemistry in parts of Sawla Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region of Ghana. Multivariate statistical analysis and conventional hydrochemical plots were employed in the analysis of 112 groundwater samples from the study area. Conven tional graphical methods, R-mode Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified dissolution of silicates and the influence of agrochemicals and domestic wastewaters as the main sources of variations in the hydrochemistry in the study area. Q-mode HCA coupled with Stiff diagrams identified Ca–HCO3 water type in recharge areas, and Mg–Ca–HCO3 water type, which evolves into a Ca–Na–K–HCO3 water type in discharge areas in the groundwater flow regime. Mineral stability diagrams indicate the groundwater is stable in kaolinite, which suggests little or no restricted groundwater flow conditions. Groundwater quality for domestic purposes was assessed using the weighted arithmetic index approach. The computed water quality indices (WQIs) from the data suggest that 94% of the sampled boreholes provide groundwater of “excellent” quality for drinking purposes, whereas 5% and 1% present water of “good” and “poor” quality respectively. Spatial interpolation of the estimated WQIs suggests the quality of the groundwater in the study area is suitable for domestic purposes. The assessment of the groundwater quality for irrigation purposes suggests the water is of “excellent” to “permissible” quality and may be used for irrigation without prior treatment.

Source: UG
Assessment of groundwater quality and the main controls on its hydrochemistry in some Voltaian and basement aquifers, northern Ghana

Groundwater resources play the single most important role in the delivery of potable water to rural communities in northern Ghana, especially during the long dry season and where surface water sources are polluted or nonexistent. This study sought to assess the quality and main controls on groundwater chemistry in parts of Sawla- Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region of Ghana. Multivariate statistical analysis and conventional hydrochemical plots were employed in the analysis of 112 groundwater samples from the study area. Conventional graphical methods, R-mode Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified dissolution of silicates and the influence of agrochemicals and domestic wastewaters as the main sources of variations in the hydrochemistry in the study area. Q-mode HCA coupled with Stiff diagrams identified Ca–HCO3 water type in recharge areas, and Mg–Ca–HCO3 water type, which evolves into a Ca–Na–K–HCO3 water type in discharge areas in the groundwater flow regime. Mineral stability diagrams indicate the groundwater is stable in kaolinite, which suggests little or no restricted groundwater flow conditions. Groundwater quality for domestic purposes was assessed using the weighted arithmetic index approach. The computed water quality indices (WQIs) from the data suggest that 94% of the sampled boreholes provide groundwater of “excellent” quality for drinking purposes, whereas 5% and 1% present water of “good” and “poor” quality respectively. Spatial interpolation of the estimated WQIs suggests the quality of the groundwater in the study area is suitable for domestic purposes. The assessment of the groundwater quality for irrigation purposes suggests the water is of “excellent” to “permissible” quality and may be used for irrigation without prior treatment.

Source: UG
Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Talensi District, Northern Ghana

A comprehensive chemical quality assessment of groundwater resources in the Talensi District has been conducted using conventional graphical methods and multivariate statistical techniques. ,e study sought to determine the main controls of groundwater chemistry and its suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes in the district. Silicate and carbonate mineral weathering were identified as the main controls on groundwater chemistry in the district, with reverse ion exchange also playing a role. High nitrate and lead levels observed have been associated with agrochemicals and wastewater from farms and homes. ,ree main flow regimes have been identified with Q-mode cluster analysis, in which mixed cation water types have been revealed, where areas designated as recharge zones are dominated by Na+ +K+–Mg2+–HCO3 − fresh water types characterised by low mineralisation and pH, which evolve into Mg2+– Na+ + K+– HCO3 − fresh water type with corresponding increased mineralisation of the groundwater. Based on the water quality index (WQI) technique modified for the district and an interpolation technique using ordinary kriging developed from a well-fitted exponential semivariogram for the estimated WQIs, the groundwater quality has been spatially classified as generally ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ for domestic purposes. Generally, the quality of groundwater for domestic usage deteriorates as one moves towards the north of the district, whereas waters in the east and west present the best quality. Classifications based on the United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL), Wilcox, and Doneen diagrams suggest that groundwater from the unconfined aquifers of the district is of excellent quality for irrigation purposes.

Source: UG
Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life (Hrqol) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Study at the Koose Sub District of the Adenta Municipality, Ghana

Diabetes ranks as the sixth leading cause of mortality in Ghana and significantly impacts the daily lives of those affected. The study's goal was to evaluate the HRQoL of Type 2 DM patients in the Koose subdistrict of the Adenta municipality. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using quantitative methodologies. A total of 100 patients with Type 2 diabetes were sampled from two health facilities using a simple random sampling technique. The WHOQoL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF) scale was used to assess HRQoL. The data was analyzed using the Stata statistical package 16. Multiple linear regression was used to determine characteristics associated with HRQoL. The age range of respondents were 29 to 89 years (mean 59, SD=13). Females made up the majority of the respondents (67 %). The mean BMI was 29.07 (SD=6.45) and the mean HbA1c was 8.71 (SD=2.51). The mean overall HRQoL was 61.98 ± 10.44. Respondents’ physical health scored a mean of 48.02 ± 8.82, psychological health 50.72 ± 5.55, social health 49.86 ± 15.57 and environmental health 50.72 ± 11.10. Socio-demographic factors associated with HRQoL were age ≥50years (p=0.005) and Income (p=0.024). Clinical factors associated with HRQoL were BMI≥25 (p=0.037), duration of DM (p=<0.001) and HbA1c (p=0.006). Type 2 diabetes patients in the Koose subdistrict had a moderate HRQoL. Age over 50 years and unemployment were socio- demographic characteristics associated with overall HRQoL. Duration of living with DM was found to be associated with BMI larger than 25kgm-2 and high glycated haemoglobin levels were clinical variables associated with HRQoL.

Source: UG
Assessment of Healthcare Quality Provided to Children with Malaria in Ghana.

Background: There is a growing concern regarding the quality of care received by patients with malaria. However, the quality of care provided to children under the age of five who have contracted the disease has yet to receive sufficient attention. Accordingly, we evaluated the quality of care provided to children under five diagnosed with malaria at Princess Marie Louis (PML) Children’s Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Methods: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of care provided to children under 5 years of age diagnosed with malaria through a quantitative approach via a cross-sectional survey. The study randomly selected 74 staff members and 301 parents whose children received malaria treatment at the PML Children’s Hospital. This research encompassed a descriptive statistical summary and regression analysis. Results: Healthcare professionals exhibited a relatively high adherence to standard protocols for malaria management. Patient satisfaction was moderate and lower than the national average. Conclusion: To improve patient satisfaction, an in-depth investigation of innovative and customer-oriented approaches should be conducted.

Source: UG
Assessment of heavy metal contamination and macro-nutrient content of compose for environmental pollution control in Ghana.

This study examined macro-nutrient content of solid waste compost to determine the potential of the compost for soil fertility amelioration in Ghana. Heavy metal concentrations in the compost were also examined to assess the potential health implication of compost application in urban and peri-urban agriculture. It was observed that the overall NPK concentration was low in the different compost types, but generally total N and K were greater in agricultural waste compost compared to municipal solid waste (MSW) composts. The agricultural waste compost was also richer in organic carbon. In terms of toxicity concerns, heavy metals concentration (Ni, Zn, Cu and Cd) were generally low in the different types of composts and within permissible, Australia standards for compost products. However, lead (Pb) concentration in mixed MSW composts was significantly high in the dry season, exceeding the Australian limit of 150 mg/kg Pb, required for unrestricted compost use. There was considerable seasonal variation in the heavy metal levels in the composts made from open windows process, with reduced levels in the rainy season. It appeared that seasons affected mixed waster characteristics, which affected compost quality. It was therefore concluded that seasons and composting processes, to some extent, were important determinants of the levels of toxic metal concentrations in final compost products in Ghana.

Source: UG
Assessment of Helminth Infections in Goats Slaughtered in an Abattoir in a suburb of Accra, Ghana

A cross-sectional study to evaluate parasitic infections in small ruminants was conducted in an abattoir in a suburb of Accra from January to March 2015. Samples from various sections of the gut of 35 goats, either reared in Ghana or imported from Burkina Faso, were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique. The overall prevalence was 100%. The proportions of goats infected with each parasite type were 100%, 94.4%, 88.6%,80.5%, 68.6 62.8% and 44.4% respectively for Strongyloides sp., tapeworms, Ascaris sp., Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris sp., Haemonchus contortus and Schistosoma haematobium. The proportion of animals infected with Haemonchus contortus was significantly higher in imported goats than those reared locally (p<0.05). The mean intensity of infection was low for all the parasites. However, high diversity of parasites with 80% of goats having at least four parasite types was observed. The data show high multiple infections in the goats brought to the slaughter house and suggest the need to institute appropriate measures to curb the problem.

Source: UG
An assessment of household’s perception of private security companies and crime in urban Ghana.

Amidst the growing incidence of urban crime in Ghana is the proliferation of private security companies (PSCs). As of December 2014, Ghana’s Ministry of Interior, responsible for the registration and regulation of PSCs, reported that there were as many as 176 licensed companies in ‘good standing’ (that is, companies which have renewed their operating licenses) in the country. In broad terms, the proliferation of PSCs reflects a global trend and represents a logical extension of economic liberalization and privatization efforts of the Ghanaian state. The broad proposition in the security literature is that as the state cuts back on public services such as policing and security, the popular doctrine of resilience shifts the burden of security to society and consequently justifying the use of private security organizations. While PSCs have proliferated in recent decades, little studies have been done regarding their conform‑ ity with the existing policy, institutional and legal framework that set them up and the public perceptions about their activities and crime prevention in Ghanaian cities. More importantly, the extent to which PSCs have impacted on crime incidence and the public’s perceptions on their operations and accessibility remain to be explored. Based on key informant interviews as well as a survey of 2745 households undertaken in key Ghanaian cities (Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and Tamale), this study seeks to bridge these knowledge gaps by critically examining households’ perceptions of PSCs and crime in large Ghanaian metropolitan cities. Quite contrary to the dominant propositions in the literature, the household survey identifies job creation/business as the single most important driver for the prolif‑ eration of PSCs.

Source: UG