ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the complex interactions between malaria and cholera prevalence, neglected tropical disease comorbidities, and community perception of health risks of climate change

The burgeoning literature on the climate change–human health nexus has focused almost exclusively on the health impacts of climate change withlittleattentiontohowill-healthanddiseaseinﬂuencepublicperception of the health risks of climate change. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 1,253 individuals, linear regression was used to examine the independent eﬀects of malaria and cholera prevalence, and neglected tropical disease comorbidities on perceived health risks of climate change. Individuals who reported more comorbidities had higher scores on perceived health risks of climate change compared with those who did not report any comorbidities. Unexpectedly, at the multivariate level, there were no statistically signiﬁcant relationships between age of respondents, gender, and educational attainment on the one hand, and perceived health risks of climate change on the other hand. Individuals who were diagnosed with cholera in the past 12 months had higher scores on perceived health risks of climate change but there was no relationship between diagnosis with malaria in the past 12 months and perceived health risks. Individuals who had attained secondary education had lower scores on perceived health risks of climate change compared with those without any formal education. Given that this relationship did not exist at the bivariate level, it indicates that biosocial and sociocultural factors suppressed the relationship between secondary education attainment and perceived health risks of climate change. The ﬁndings under core the complex relationship between perceived health risks of climate change and infectious disease, comorbidities, compositional, and contextual factors at the multivariate level

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Contribution of Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to Pulmonary Infections among HIV and Non-HIV Patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of human mortality particularly in association with the human immunodeﬁciency virus (HIV). Nocardia spp. has emerged as an opportunistic infection especially in HIV patients. The high prevalence of TB and HIV coupled with the lack of a deﬁnitive laboratory diagnosis for Nocardia spp. could lead to misdiagnosed pulmonary TB. This study determined the prevalence of pulmonary infections due to Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum of HIV and non-HIV patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis at KATH. A total of sixty sputum samples were obtained from HIV and non-HIV patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Samples were examined by ﬂuorescence based Ziehl–Neelsen staining, culture, and PCR methods. The prevalence of Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 18.3% and 20%, respectively, with the latter having the highest rate among patients aged 21–40 years (P � 0.075). The prevalence of Nocardia spp. among HIV patients was 90.9% whilst 16.7% of the patients had HIV/Nocardia spp. coinfection. Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by ﬂuorescence-based Ziehl–Neelsen staining, culture, and PCR yielded 9 (15%), 11 (18.3%), and 12 (20%), respectively. There is a high prevalence of nocardiosis especially in HIV patients. PCR is a better diagnostic method that detects both Nocardia spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis and should be incorporated into routine diagnosis for pulmonary infections.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Diagnosis and Management of Oculomycosis in Ghana

Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of oculomycosis is crucial in curbing its associated visual impairment. This study therefore evaluated the diagnosis and management of oculomycosis in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey involving 120 eye care practitioners from six regions of Ghana was conducted. Using a structured questionnaire, information on procedures of diagnosis and management of oculomycosis were collected. Clinical features were considered by 66.7% eye care practitioners in diagnosing oculomycosis, with only 37.5% requesting for laboratory investigations. Fluconazole (79%) and natamycin (44%) were the most commonly prescribed antifungal eye drops by practitioners based on efficacy. Majority of practitioners (59.2%) reported non availability of antifungal eye drops from pharmacies. Age, profession, location of facility and type of facility were strongly associated (P ≤ 0.01-0.001) with the practitioners’ diagnostic practice of requesting for laboratory investigations. Diagnosis of oculomycosis in Ghana is based more on clinical features, especially in the district areas, than on microbiological investigations, which does not augur well for better prognosis and management. Treatment is mainly by systemic antifungals, as antifungal eye drops are hard to come by. While a successful therapy was not without some visual consequences, it reduced significantly corneal scarring, blurred vision, and blindness associated with oculomycosis.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the effect of an aqueous extract of Pistia stratiotes Linn (Araceae) on tear secretion and tear film stability in ICR mice

Management of allergic conjunctivitis with conventional anti-allergic drugs usually cause the discomfort of dry eyes. This study, therefore, sought to evaluate the effect of Pistia stratiotes, a herbal remedy with anti-allergic properties, on tear secretion and tear film stability. ICR mice were grouped and treated with 5 mg/kg cetirizine, 10 mg/kg prednisolone, 100 mg/ kg leaf extract of P. stratiotes (LEPS), or 2 ml/kg normal saline per os for 7 consecutive days. With the phenol red thread test and the determination of fluorescein tear film break-up time, tear secretion and tear film stability before and after drug interventions were determined. Results recorded indicated that tear secretion and tear film stability declined significantly with cetirizine treatment (1.188 ± 0.4369 mm; P ≤ 0.05, and 2.688 ± 0.6185 s; P ≤ 0.001 respectively), while only tear secretion reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in mice treated with prednisolone (0.9380 ± 0.4422 mm). Treatment with LEPS showed no significant effect (P > 0.05) on tear secretion and tear film stability (0.7050 ± 0.4236 mm, and 0.9790 ± 0.6145 s respectively); comparable to normal saline treatment. Per the findings, Pistia stratiotes does not affect tear secretion and tear film stability and hence is not likely to exhibit the adverse effect of dry eyes, as conventional anti-allergic drugs do, in the management of allergic conjunctivitis

Source: UCC
Evaluating the effect of an aqueous extract of Pistia stratiotes Linn (Araceae) on tear secretion and tear film stability in ICR mice

Management of allergic conjunctivitis with conventional anti-allergic drugs usually cause the discomfort of dry eyes. This study, therefore, sought to evaluate the effect of Pistia stratiotes, a herbal remedy with anti-allergic properties, on tear secretion and tear film stability. ICR mice were grouped and treated with 5 mg/kg cetirizine, 10 mg/kg prednisolone, 100 mg/ kg leaf extract of P. stratiotes (LEPS), or 2 ml/kg normal saline per os for 7 consecutive days. With the phenol red thread test and the determination of fluorescein tear film break-up time, tear secretion and tear film stability before and after drug interventions were determined. Results recorded indicated that tear secretion and tear film stability declined significantly with cetirizine treatment (1.188 ± 0.4369 mm; P ≤ 0.05, and 2.688 ± 0.6185 s; P ≤ 0.001 respectively), while only tear secretion reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in mice treated with prednisolone (0.9380 ± 0.4422 mm). Treatment with LEPS showed no significant effect (P > 0.05) on tear secretion and tear film stability (0.7050 ± 0.4236 mm, and 0.9790 ± 0.6145 s respectively); comparable to normal saline treatment. Per the findings, Pistia stratiotes does not affect tear secretion and tear film stability and hence is not likely to exhibit the adverse effect of dry eyes, as conventional anti-allergic drugs do, in the management of allergic conjunctivitis.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Effect of Customer Care in Financial Institutions: A Case Study of the GN Bank, Adum Kumasi

The purpose of the research was to find out the effect of customer care in financial institutions. Barriers to customer care provision and any other things customers would like to see in the bank were also researched. In order to obtain the best results, the main research methodology adopted was a case study involving the Adum branch, Kumasi of the GN Bank. A sample of one hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires was used to obtain information from management, staff and customers of the bank. Management and staff took Twenty- Nine (29) questionnaires and one hundred and twenty one (121) questionnaires were given out to customers of the GN Bank. Findings from the research revealed that, the Adum Branch, Kumasi of the GN Bank provides appreciable level of customer service; however these are just seen as satisfying. Barriers such as lack of incentives, lack of understanding about customer needs, some problems with the late delivery of ATM cards, long queues and some managerial decisions have an effect on customer care provision in the bank. Customers at the Adum branch, Kumasi of the GN Bank are loyal to the bank. And these customers would like the number of tellers to be increased and delivery of ATM cards provided faster so as to reduce the long queues in the banking hall. It was recommended that customer care provision in GN Bank should go beyond satisfaction. Measures should be put in place to track customer satisfaction. Strategies that exceed customer expectations should be put in place to delight customers.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the financial performance f Queensland International School

This study find out the financial performance of Queensland International School using some selected financial ratios. The specific objectives was to evaluate the financial stability, operational and solvency ratios. The quantitative approach and the descriptive research design were adopted for the study. The census sampling techniques was used to select the sample for the study while the descriptive approach was used to describe the results. It was found that, the current assets of Queensland International School, has a very high financial leverage and this means that the company has a higher level of risk and at the time of liquidation, their creditors will suffer. The return on equity ratio of Queensland International School is far below risk free rate, so dividend payment is unstable hence the business will not attract investors. This because from the results it is clear that creditor’s contribution to financing the total assets of Queensland International School is quite substantial and very significant. The study recommends that, management should avoid the use of excessive debt to finance the activities of the company and this should be done by inviting interested investors to help raise equity capital in the financing of the company, therefore increasing the equity level of the company, to avoid future takeover of the company by creditors. It is also recommended that, management should improve on operating activities so that they can generate more funds to meet their short term obligations

Source: UCC
Evaluating the impact of the use of accounting software on the processing of financial information. a case of Ghana Education Service, New Juaben Municipality

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of the use of accounting software on the processing of financial information. An exploratory research design was used and the population was all the finance offices of Ghana Education service at New Juaben Municipality. A probability convenient sampling technique was used to select sample of 50 employees in the finance department across the New Juaben Municipality. Questionnaire was used to collect data and data analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study found a positive relationship between use of accounting software and efficiency of processing financial information. Moreover, use of accounting software accounts for 7% of changes in the efficiency of processing financial information from the study. Furthermore, the study found that accounting software is used for undertaking all accounting activities and acceptance by employees, knowledge and skills of employees and cost-benefit analysis influenced decision to use accounting software. Also, the skills and expertise of employees in operating accounting software was average. The study concludes that accounting software has positive impact on the processing of financial information. It is recommended that Ghana Education Service should develop the knowledge and skills of employees in operating accounting software.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Safety Practices on the Performance of Workers in the Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese

The study's main objective is to assess the impact of safety procedures on the productivity of employees at the Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese. The specific objectives were, to: identify the occupational health and safety practices of Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese; assess the performance of the employees of Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese; examine the benefit of Health and safety practices (HSP) in Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese; and examine the effects of occupational health and safety practices on employee performance in Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese. The approach used by study is quantitative and the descriptive survey design was employed. Questionnaire was used for collecting data to address research objective. The simple random sampling was employed to choose a sample size of 97 respondents. The frequency and percentage were employed to analyse the demographic variables and mean, standard deviation and Linear multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the data on answer the research questions. The findings showed that health and safety practices have statistically significant positive effect on worker performance. The study also established that employees’ knowledge on health and safety measures help to lessen injuries and damages that affected the performance of the workers. The study concluded that intensifying education on health and safety practices will leads to better workers performance. The study recommends that Management of Catholic Health Service of Jasikan Diocese should design effective hazards control mechanism and put in place emergency detection measures to detect emergencies to prevent injuries before they occur.

Source: UCC
Evaluating the Teaching and Learning of Integrated Science Curriculum in Basic Schools Within the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District

Several studies conducted in Integrated Science did not address challenges at the Basic Education sector. To fill this gap in the literature, this current study evaluated the Teaching and Learning of Integrated Science curriculum at the basic education level within the Ghanaian context to investigated the low academic performance using a descriptive survey research design. The sources of data comprised BECE results and questionnaires from teachers. The Stufflebeam context, input, process and product (CIPP) evaluation model served as a guide in structuring the questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. (Pearson Product Moment correlation) was employed to determine the (bivariate relationship) between the study variables. The study found that learning was activity-based, and students’ performance was average. There was a significant relationship between strategies for promoting science learning and academic achievement, teachers vary their teaching strategies, and there were professionally trained science teachers and effective supervision. It is recommended that Ghana Education Service should partner with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to supply basic schools with the required teaching and learning resources, posting of qualified science teachers and boosting pupil’s confidence in learning science. It is also recommended that science symposiums should be organised on regular bases to update science teachers on effective teaching strategies. It is prudent that teachers should adopt effective teaching strategies that promote learning.

Source: UCC
Evaluating Vitamin D Status in Pre- and Postmenopausal Type 2 Diabetics and Its Association with Glucose Homeostasis

ackground. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and menopause are associated with vitamin D status. Oestrogen decline during menopausal stages promotes hypovitaminosis D. However, the interplay between vitamin D, menopause, lifestyle, and T2DM cannot be overlooked. This study assessed vitamin D status among pre- and postmenopausal T2DM women and determined its association with glycemic control and influence of lifestyle habits on hypovitaminosis D. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered to 192 T2DM women; blood samples were collected for estimation of 25(OH) D and insulin using ELISA. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and calcium were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using Graphpad Prism 6. Results. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 92.2%. Hypovitaminosis D was more prevalent among the postmenopausal T2DM women (63.8% versus 58.2%). Hypovitaminosis D significantly associated with insulin [𝑅2 = 0.01760, 𝑝 = 0.0008], HbA1c [𝑅2 = 0.3709, 𝑝 =< 0.0001], and FBG [𝑅2 = 0.3465, 𝑝 = 0.0001] in only the postmenopausal women. Conclusion. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pre- and postmenopausal T2DM but higher among postmenopausal women. Adequate vitamin D levels in both groups were associated with improved glucose control while hypovitaminosis D in the postmenopausal women was related to poorer glucose control. Vitamin D screening should be incorporated into management plan for T2DM to serve as an early tool for prevention of vitamin D deficiency.

Source: UCC
An evaluation of a community-based food supplementation for people living with HIV in Ghana: implications for community-based interventions in Ghana

Background: Community-based care and support services are limited in sub-Saharan Africa and as a result a high number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are not getting the required care and support services. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of food supplementation services for PLHIV in Ghana on weight gained and factors associated with weight gained. Methods: The study employed mixed methods study design involving quantitative and qualitative techniques. These were structured questionnaire administered to 200 PLHIV selected through simple random sampling and a qualitative component consisting of 14 semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected stakeholders and eight focus group discussions with the beneficiaries. Results: The analysis of the quantitative data showed on average, beneficiaries had gained weight [mean difference in weight was 2 kg with 95 % CI (1.1, 2.9), P value <0.001]. Multivariate analysis showed that the support group to which the beneficiary belonged was the most important determinant of gaining weight. Through the qualitative interviews, beneficiaries indicated that the anti-retroviral drugs were making them hungry and the food helped to alleviate that effect. Notwithstanding, they indicated that the food was nutritious, made them healthy and strong, contributed to their weight gain and was their main sources of hope at home when they had no money. Conclusions: A broad strategy of food supplementation for PLHIV should be implemented in different ways for different support groups taking into account the differences between different support groups when planning such an intervention.

Source: UCC
An Evaluation of a Community‑Based Food Supplementation for People Living with HIV in Ghana: Implications for Community‑Based Interventions in Ghana

Community-based care and support services are limited in sub-Saharan Africa and as a result a high number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are not getting the required care and support services. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of food supplementation services for PLHIV in Ghana on weight gained and factors associated with weight gained. Methods: The study employed mixed methods study design involving quantitative and qualitative techniques. These were structured questionnaire administered to 200 PLHIV selected through simple random sampling and a qualitative component consisting of 14 semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected stakeholders and eight focus group discussions with the beneficiaries. Results: The analysis of the quantitative data showed on average, beneficiaries had gained weight [mean difference in weight was 2 kg with 95 % CI (1.1, 2.9), P value <0.001]. Multivariate analysis showed that the support group to which the beneficiary belonged was the most important determinant of gaining weight. Through the qualitative interviews, beneficiaries indicated that the anti-retroviral drugs were making them hungry and the food helped to alleviate that effect. Notwithstanding, they indicated that the food was nutritious, made them healthy and strong, contributed to their weight gain and was their main sources of hope at home when they had no money. Conclusions: A broad strategy of food supplementation for PLHIV should be implemented in different ways for different support groups taking into account the differences between different support groups when planning such an intervention.

Source: UCC
Evaluation of a management development programme: a critical discourse analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the management development (MD) programme in the Ghanaian mining industry. A legal requirement aimed at equipping national managers for eventual takeover of the management of industry from expatriates, the programme is analysed to ascertain the willingness to implement and the state of implementation by multinational companies operation in the industry. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs critical discourse analysis (CDA), a problemidentification and problem-solving analytical tool to identify any obstacles suppressing the implementation and possible ways past the obstacles. Data for analysis were collected from 26 national managers from industry who were interviewed to gather views and expectations on their development. Findings – Key findings include domination and hegemonic dynamics of expatriates through sustained power over the control of the MD process, CDA’s emancipatory power succeeds in identifying unrealised possibilities for tackling the MD problem for a social change (development of national managers) in industry, and non-implementation of the MD programme contributed by expatriates, the government of Ghana, and senior national managers. Social implications – The programme has the potential of developing national managers for eventual takeover from expatriates, but requires implementing the law to the latter, including denying foreign subsidiaries mining lease if they fail to provide the adhere to localisation plans. Originality/value – The paper extends literature on management of Western multinational subsidiaries in developing countries, revealing power and control over human resource practices, and MD in their foreign subsidiaries. It also contributes to literature on suppression of indigenous employees by other indigenous employees (the “colonised elites”), contrary to what is expected from indigenous people towards the development of their colleagues.

Source: UCC