ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Maternal Imagery in Bible Translation: A Comparative Analysis of Divine Nurturing Metaphors Across Indigenous Languages in Ghana.

This study examines how maternal imagery in the Bible is translated and interpreted in divine metaphors of Ghanaian Languages - Twi, Ewe, and Dagbani. It analyses the translations of maternal nurturing metaphors in these three indigenous languages through a comparative analysis of key Bible passages (Isa. 66:13, Hos. 11:3-4, and Deut. 32:18), exploring their theological and cultural implications. This study uses a methodology that combines textual analyses with ethnolinguistic methods to compare the semantic range and cultural resonance of maternal imagery traits, as salient in translation discourses. The study reveals important variances in how maternal metaphors are preserved, modified, or recreated in these languages, revealing degrees of interrelatedness among linguistic constraints and worldviews regarding divine nurturing. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on the subject of Bible translation in indigenous African languages and gender-inclusive language in sacred texts.

Source: UG
Maternal Malaria and Malnutrition (M3) initiative, a pooled birth cohort of 13 pregnancy studies in Africa and the Western Pacific

Purpose The Maternal Malaria and Malnutrition (M3) initiative has pooled together 13 studies with the hope of improving understanding of malaria-nutrition interactions during pregnancy and to foster collaboration between nutritionists and malariologists. Participants Data were pooled on 14â €..635 singleton, live birth pregnancies from women who had participated in 1 of 13 pregnancy studies. The 13 studies cover 8 countries in Africa and Papua New Guinea in the Western Pacific conducted from 1996 to 2015. Findings to date Data are available at the time of antenatal enrolment of women into their respective parent study and at delivery. The data set comprises essential data such as malaria infection status, anthropometric assessments of maternal nutritional status, presence of anaemia and birth weight, as well as additional variables such gestational age at delivery for a subset of women. Participating studies are described in detail with regard to setting and primary outcome measures, and summarised data are available from each contributing cohort. Future plans This pooled birth cohort is the largest pregnancy data set to date to permit a more definite evaluation of the impact of plausible interactions between poor nutritional status and malaria infection in pregnant women on fetal growth and gestational length. Given the current comparative lack of large pregnancy cohorts in malaria-endemic settings, compilation of suitable pregnancy cohorts is likely to provide adequate statistical power to assess malaria-nutrition interactions, and could point towards settings where such interactions are most relevant. The M3 cohort may thus help to identify pregnant women at high risk of adverse outcomes who may benefit from tailored intensive antenatal care including nutritional supplements and alternative or intensified malaria prevention regimens, and the settings in which these interventions would be most effective.

Source: UG
Maternal mortality among the kassena-nankana of northern Ghana

This report presents key findings from a maternal mortality study conducted in the Kassena-Nankana District of northern Ghana in 1997-98. Sibling history data collected in the course of this survey are analyzed together with longitudinal data from the Navrongo Demographic Surveillance System (NDSS). A comparison between mortality data from these two sources indicates that obtaining reasonably accurate estimates of age-specific death rates is possible by using the sisterhood method. Direct and indirect estimates from the maternal mortality study and the NDSS suggest a decline in the maternal mortality ratio for the Kassena-Nankana District from 800 to 600 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births over the past 14 years.

Source: UG
Maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Objective To determine maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 and February 28, 2013. All women delivering at KBTH whose pregnancies were complicated by hypertensive disorders were identified. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the women were followed up on a daily basis until discharge from hospital. Medical records were also reviewed to identify any complications of hypertensive disorders.Results A total of 368 women were analyzed. Of 10 maternal deaths, 3 (30.0%) were due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and specifically pre-eclampsia. Overall, 168 (45.7%) women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy delivered by cesarean, 16 (4.3%) had placental abruption, 11 (3.0%) had pulmonary edema, 3 (0.8%) had HELLP syndrome, 2 (0.5%) had acute renal failure, 3 (0.8%) had an intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebrovascular accident, 21 (5.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 7 (1.9%) had disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 58 (15.8%) had eclampsia. Cesarean delivery, admission to intensive care unit, and eclampsia were significantly more common in women with pre-eclampsia than in those with other hypertensive disorders.Conclusion Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with high incidences of adverse maternal outcomes in Ghana, with significantly increased frequencies in women with pre-eclampsia. © 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana; a crosssectional study

Background: Maternal perceptions about caesarean section contribute to delayed presentation of women for emergency obstetric care. This increases the risks of perinatal and neonatal mortality and slows down the reductions needed to achieve the sustainable development goal (SDG) target of reducing neonatal mortality and ending new-born deaths. The aim of the study is to determine maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing neonatal mortality at a regional and a district hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out at two hospitals in the Upper West Region, the most rural region in Ghana, between 15th January and 29th June, 2018. Maternal perceptions were examined among antenatal care attendants at the Upper West Regional Hospital (UWRH) and St Joseph’s Hospital Jirapa (SJH), a district hospital, using questionnaires administered by trained nurses. Results: Altogether, 416 completed questionnaires were obtained, comprising 206 from expectant women attending the UWRH and 210 from SJH. Although the majority of women in this study preferred spontaneous vaginal delivery (87.4%, n = 348) to caesarean section, most of the respondents (n = 281, 73%) indicated their willingness to have a caesarean section if necessary. The main reason for not wanting a CS was the long recovery time (51.8%, n = 148). Almost half of women interviewed, representing 45.1% (180) did not know or feel that CS can promote child survival and about a fifth, 21.6% (85) believed that CS can have adverse effects on child survival. Factors associated with poor perception of CS included, no formal education, age less than 19 years and no employment. Conclusion: Majority of women in this study had a positive attitude towards the uptake of CS if it becomes necessary. Lack of formal education, age less than 19 years and unemployment are associated with poor maternal perception of CS. Education to improve the perception of CS as a promoter of child survival is necessary and to discourage perceptions that it causes adverse perinatal or neonatal outcome particularly in at risk populations.

Source: UG
Maternal profiles and social determinants of malnutrition and the MDGs: What have we learnt?

Background: Maternal socio-demographic and health profiles are important determinants of malnutrition in children. In the 1990s, malnutrition was associated with low-birth-weight, young mothers and low maternal socio-economic status at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital (PML). It is not known how this has changed by efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We examined socio-demographic and health profiles of mothers of children with acute malnutrition and those without the condition to identify risk factors for malnutrition and focus on preventive efforts. Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted in 2013 at PML, the largest facility for treating malnourished children in Ghana in 2013. Mothers of children with moderate and severe acute malnutrition were compared with mothers of well-nourished children. Weight-for-height was used to classify malnutrition. Record forms and a semi-structured questionnaire were used for data collection. An analysis was done with Stata 11.0 software. Results: Altogether, 371 mothers were studied consisting of 182 mothers of malnourished children and 189 mothers of well-nourished children. Mothers of malnourished children were more likely to be unmarried or cohabiting, have lower family incomes, HIV infection and chronic disease. They were less likely to stay with or provide alternative care for their child. Awareness and use of social services, health insurance and a cash transfer programme were low. A remarkable reduction in the number of malnourished children occurred when families earned more than $250 USD a month. Over-nutrition was present in both groups of mothers. Conclusion: Low family income, unmarried status and type of child care were the main social determinants of malnutrition. There appears to be a reduction in the number of other poor socio-demographic characteristics in both the study and control groups compared to results from a previous study at the same centre, probably because of efforts toward attaining the MDGs. These findings suggest that prevention and optimum management need to involve multidisciplinary teams consisting of health professionals, social workers and/or key workers to enable families at risk to access social care and social protection interventions (MDG 1). This will make the management of malnutrition more effective, prevent relapse, protect the next child and address maternal over-nutrition.

Source: UG
Maternal Resilience in Caring for Preterm Babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Presbyterian Hospital, Dormaa-Ahenkro

Mothers are at a high risk of acquiring psychological distress as a result of unexpected and upsetting experiences. While there is a strong emphasis on the infant's health, the mother's well being, particularly her mental health, is sometimes disregarded. This study explored the resilience of mothers in the care of their preterm newborns at the NICU. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. The study applied a purposive sampling technique to select 15 postnatal women with their preterm babies on admission to the NICU at the Presbyterian Hospital, Dormaa Ahenkro. The findings of the study showed that maternal confidence helps in their resilience. Mothers had a purpose of having their preterm babies survive which contributed to their resilience. Mothers benefited from social support systems however, they encountered some psychological strains and some challenges in the care which they adapted to through spirituality, self-efficacy, drawing strength from the baby, and accepting the situation. Mothers should be supported psychologically, emotionally, financially, and physically to enable mothers to stay healthy during the care of the preterm infant in the NICU.

Source: UG
Maternal supplementation with small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements during pregnancy and lactation does not reduce depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum in Ghanaian women: a randomized controlled trial

We examined the impact on depression at 6 months postpartum of maternal supplementation with small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) compared to supplementation with iron and folic acid (IFA) or multiple micronutrients (MMN). In this partially double-blinded randomized controlled trial, pregnant women ≤20 weeks gestation (n = 1320) were recruited from antenatal clinics and randomly assigned to receive either (1) SQ-LNS during pregnancy and for 6 months postpartum, or (2) IFA during pregnancy only, or (3) MMN during pregnancy and for 6 months postpartum. Maternal depressive symptoms were measured at 6 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Women who scored 12 or more on the EPDS were considered to show symptoms of depression. One thousand one hundred fifty-one women were included in this analysis (LNS = 382, IFA = 387 and MMN = 382). Characteristics of the three groups were similar at baseline, and there were no significant differences between women who were included in the analysis (n = 1151) and those who were not (n = 169). At 6 months postpartum, 13% of the women overall showed symptoms of depression, and this did not differ by group (LNS = 13.1%, IFA = 11.2% and MMN = 14.7%. P = 0.36). The median (25, 75 percentile) EPDS score did not differ by group (LNS 4.0 (1.0, 8.0), IFA 4.0 (1.0, 8.0), MMN 5.0 (2.0, 9.0), Ptransformed = 0.13). Adjustment for covariates did not alter these findings. Maternal supplementation with SQ-LNS compared to MMN or IFA did not affect postnatal depressive symptoms in this sample of Ghanaian women.

Source: UG
Maternal-Infant Supplementation with Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Does Not Affect Child Blood Pressure at 4-6 Y in Ghana: Follow-up of a Randomized Trial

Background: In the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS)-DYAD-Ghana trial, prenatal small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNSs) had a positive effect on birth weight. Birth weight may be inversely related to blood pressure (BP) later in life. Objectives: We examined the effect of the intervention on BP at 4-6 y of age, and maternal and child factors related to BP. Methods: The iLiNS-DYAD-Ghana study was a partially double-blind, randomized controlled trial which assigned women (n = 1320) ≤20 weeks of gestation to daily supplementation with: 1) iron and folic acid during pregnancy and 200 mg Ca for 6 mo postpartum , 2) multiple micronutrients during pregnancy and postpartum, or 3) LNSs during pregnancy and postpartum plus LNSs for infants from 6 to 18 mo of age. At 4-6 y of age (n = 858, 70% of live births), we compared BP, a secondary outcome, between non-LNS and LNS groups and examined whether BP was related to several factors including maternal BP, child weight-for-age z score (WAZ), and physical activity. Results: Non-LNS and LNS groups did not differ in systolic (99.2 ± 0.4 compared with 98.5 ± 0.6 mm Hg; P = 0.317) or diastolic (60.1 ± 0.3 compared with 60.0 ± 0.4 mm Hg; P = 0.805) BP, or prevalence of high BP (systolic or diastolic BP ≥90th percentile of the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reference: 31% compared with 28%; P = 0.251). BP at 4-6 y of age was positively related to birth weight; this relation was largely mediated through concurrent WAZ in a path model. Concurrent WAZ and maternal BP were the factors most strongly related to child BP. Conclusions: Despite greater birth weight in the LNS group, there was no intervention group difference in BP at 4-6 y. In this preschool population at high risk of adult hypertension based on BP at 4-6 y, high maternal BP and child WAZ were key factors related to BP. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00970866.

Source: UG
A mathematical model of seropositivity to malaria antigen, allowing seropositivity to be prolonged by exposure

Malaria transmission intensity is traditionally estimated from entomological studies as the entomological inoculation rate (EIR), but this is labour intensive and also raises sampling issues due to the large variation from house to house. Incidence of malaria in the control group of a trial or in a cohort study can be used but is difficult to interpret and to compare between different places and between age groups because of differences in levels of acquired immunity. The reversible catalytic model has been developed to estimate malaria transmission intensity using age-stratified serological data. However, the limitation of this model is that it does not allow for persons to have their seropositivity boosted by exposure while they are already seropositive. The aim of this paper is to develop superinfection mathematical models that allow for antibody response to be boosted by exposure. Method. The superinfection models were fitted to age-stratified serological data using maximum likelihood method. Results: The results showed that estimates of seroconversion rate were higher using the superinfection model than catalytic model. This difference was milder when the level of transmission was lower. This suggests that the catalytic model is underestimating the transmission intensity by up to 31%. The duration of seropositivity is shorter with superinfection model, but still seems too long. Conclusion: The model is important because it can produce more realistic estimates of the duration of seropositivity. This is analogous to Dietz model, which allowed for superinfection and produced more realistic estimates of the duration of infection as compared to the original Ross-MacDonald malaria model, which also ignores superinfection. © 2014 Bosomprah; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Source: UG
Mathematical modeling of open-channel velocity profiles for float method calibration

A computational method based on mathematical modeling of steady-state hydraulics is described for improving the accuracy of the float method for estimating open-channel discharge. Both two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) velocity distribution model versions were developed for steady-state uniform flow in open channels with rectangular cross-sections. The normal depth of flow was obtained by solving the Chézy equation for uniform flow conditions. Cross-sectional velocity distributions were calculated by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and an algebraic model for turbulent stresses, without the use of wall proximity corrections to the pressure strain term. The calculated 3-D velocity coefficients were found to be in the same range as previously published United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) coefficients, but the results also indicate that the USBR coefficients, which are based solely on average water depth, can be improved by taking into account other hydraulic parameters such as longitudinal bed slope, channel base width, and wall roughness. The mathematical model exhibited considerable sensitivity to initial conditions, boundary condition parameters, and numerical convergence criteria, also manifesting spikes in the calculated surface velocity coefficients for discrete changes in hydraulic parameters. Finally, it was found that the 2-D version of the model is not appropriate for calculating surface velocity coefficients because it does not account for secondary flow in the channel cross-section, and the calculated surface velocity in the center of the cross-section is overestimated. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Mathematical modeling on the removal of impurity elements from molten aluminum

In order to remove impurity elements from molten aluminum, many processes, such as using inert gas, reactive gas, reactive powders, unreactive powders, slag, or their combinations, have been used during the past 30 years. In the current paper, mathematical models on the removal of impurity elements from molten aluminum for these processes were extensively developed, and validated by industrial measurement from literatures. Special parameters were introduced to express the refining efficiency. Mathematical models for the combined processes like inert gas mixed with reactive gas purging, reactive powders injection with inert gas as carrying gas, were also developed. The removal efficiency of impurity elements for batch reactor and continuous reactor were derived for these processes, either the single method or the combined method. The effects of gas flow rate, impellor rotating speed, fraction of reactive gas, injecting rate of reactive powders, and temperature on the removal of impurity elements were discussed.

Source: UG
Mathematics Education and Continuous Assessment in Ghanaian Senior Secondary Schools: Continuous Assessment of What?

The last decade or so has seen major developments in the policy and practice of assessment in this country. The introduction of the criterion-referenced assessment scheme at the primary school level as well as the use of continuous assessment at almost all levels of education in Ghana reflects fundamental new conceptions of what assessment is for. The old notion of tests as something, which will sort young people into social roles they will occupy in society, is being replaced by reformed rhetoric, which asserts multiple purposes of assessment. At one level, it seems there has been growing acceptance, at least among educationists, which the primary purpose of assessment must be formative, that is, the information it gathers should be used to improve the educational process. At another level, emphasis is being laid on the summative function of assessment whereby a judgment of some kind is passed on an individual at the end of some course of work. This article examines the use of continuous assessment in mathematics at the senior secondary level in Ghana and argues that the present arrangements in the assessment of students' achievement in mathematics at the senior secondary level are not substantially different from the traditional modes of assessment which they are meant to replace.

Source: UG
Mating interactions between okra and cassava biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on eggplant

Genetic and biological implications from interbreeding the Ghanaian okra and cassava biotypes of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), reared on eggplant, were studied in reciprocal crossing plans and crosses compared with parental generations using RAPD-PCR. Interbreeding did not affect fecundity of mated females and survival of F1 progeny. However, the sex ratio of the hybrid progeny was significantly male dominated (by 70% males) compared to purebred progeny of each biotype (&gt;60% females) (P &lt; 0.01). Each biotype was characterized by its own RAPD profiles. Hybrid females had one locus identical to that of both parents, while the males resembled the mother biotype at two loci. The F1 females were oviposited normally and there was a possible restricted gene flow between insects from the two biotypes, sharing the same host plant. However, the biological isolation seems to buttress ecological isolation in nature, hence maintaining the genetic and biological identity of sympatric populations in both biotypes. © ICIPE 2005.

Source: UG