ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Sickle Cell Patients in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Context: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a well-known pathogen that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The course of HIV infection and progression may be influ- enced by sickle cell traits. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HIV among sickle cell patients in the Cape Coast metropolis. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among patients who visited the Central Regional Hospital, Cape Coast. About 2 ml of blood sample was drawn from each participant for sickle cell test using sodium metabisulphite solu- tion. Sickle cell positive samples were selected and tested for the presence of HIV using Alere Deter- mineTM HIV-1/2. Results: A total of 75 patients made up of 25 males and 50 females were enrolled. Their age ranges between 4 to 59 years (27, 1 - 15 years; 24, 16 - 30 years; 17, 31 - 45 years; 7, 46 - 60 years). Fifteen (15) (20%) had received at least a single blood transfusion while the remaining 60 (80%) had never received blood transfusion before the study. Thirty-six patients (48.0%) were married and the other 39 patients (52.0%) were single. Five patients (6.7%) had antibodies to HIV whereas 70 patients (93.3%) were not with the virus. Conclusion: The incidence rate of HIV among sickle cell trait children and the youths of Cape Coast metropolis were found to be 6.7%. This may suggest that sickle cell traits in children and the youth may be associated with HIV transmission.

Source: UCC
The incidence of teenage pregnancy among J.H.S girls in the Yilo Krobo municipality

The study was to find out the incidence of teenage pregnancy among Junior High Schools girls in the Yilo Krobo District. The incidence of teenage pregnancy among school girls has been of great concern to government and other stakeholders in education in Ghana. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. A questionnaire was designed for 360 JHS girls’ students, 12 girl child coordinators and 30 sampled parents of the PTA. Random sampling and purposive sampling technique was used in sampling respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics was used for the analysis and discussion of data collected from the field. The findings revealed that failure of parents to meet children’s needs and broken homes are major causes of teenage pregnancy. Also, most of the students were of the view that parents encourage them to engage in sex which leads to teenage pregnancy among girls in the Yilo Krobo Municipality. According to the girl child coordinators, teenage pregnancy could be minimized through, intensifying guidance and counselling services in various schools. Parents should work hard to provide the basic needs of their children and also to educate them about sex. Curriculum planners/developers should ensure that sex education is included in the curriculum. Through PTA meeting, parents should be made aware of the effect of teenage pregnancy on the parents themselves and the community as a whole.

Source: UCC
Incidence of time management on academic performance in Yilo Krobo Senior High School (Somanya) in the Eastern Region

This study examined time management on academic performance in Yikrosec – Somanya. The survey covered Yilo Krobo Senior High School (Yikrosec). The study population comprised one thousand five hundred and forty (1540) students and seventy (70) Teaching staff. Therefore the population was one thousand, six hundred and ten (1610). Simple random sampling, stratified sampling and purposive sampling methods were used to select respondents for the study. Responses were gathered from 237 respondents. Data collection methods used were interviews, questionnaire and document review. Data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively and presented in tabular form with percentages and frequency of the respondents using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 21.0 (SPSS V. 21.0). The study found among other things that good time management results in excellent academic performance. The study found that adequate supervision and motivation for both teachers and students on time management will trigger the needed response to improve academic performance and that the reverse is also true. From these findings, the recommendation were that existing policies and regulations on time management and motivation be reviewed by parties involved, thus teacher, students and management to reflect the current trends to ensure excellent academic performance.

Source: UCC
The incidence of turnip yellows virus in oilseed rape crops (Brassica napus L.) in three different regions of England over three consecutive growing seasons and the relationship with the abundance of flying Myzus persicae

Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) is the most important virus infecting oilseed rape in the United Kingdom. The incidence and spatial distribution of TuYV in winter oilseed rape (WOSR) crops in three regions of England were determined over three growing seasons. Leaf samples were collected from three fields in each region, in autumn (November–December) and spring (April) of the three crop seasons and tested for virus presence by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Infection was detected in all fields except one. Higher TuYV incidences were recorded in 2007–2008 (≤89%) and 2009–2010 (≤100%) crop seasons than in 2008–2009 (≤24%). Highest incidences were recorded in Lincolnshire (≤100%), followed by Warwickshire (≤88%), with lowest incidences in Yorkshire (1–74%). There was a significant increase in incidence detected between autumn and spring sampling in eight fields, a significant decrease in one field and no significant change in 18 fields. Rothamsted Insect Survey suction trap data for the aphid Myzus persicae in Lincolnshire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire revealed two peaks of flight activity in most years (2007–2009). The second peak (September–November) coincided with emergence of WOSR. The highest cumulative (August–November) trap catches in the three regions during the three crop seasons occurred in Lincolnshire and the lowest in Yorkshire; catches in autumn 2009 were highest and lowest in autumn 2008. Regression analysis revealed a highly significant association between the cumulative numbers of M. persicae caught in the suction traps closest to the crops between August and November each year and the incidence of TuYV detected in the WOSR crops in the autumn of each year. Results are discussed in the light of factors affecting the spread of TuYV and future possibilities for control

Source: UCC
Incidence, causes and correlates of maternal near-miss morbidity: a multi-centre cross-sectional study

Objective To explore the incidence and factors associated with maternal near-miss. Design Cross-sectional study with an embedded case–control study. Setting Three tertiary referral hospitals in southern Ghana. Population All women admitted to study facilities with pregnancy-related complications or for birth. Methods An adapted version of the WHO Maternal Near Miss Screening Tool was used to identify maternal near-miss cases. These were compared with unmatched controls (uncomplicated deliveries) in a ratio of 1:2. Main outcome measures Incidence of maternal near-miss, maternal near-miss to maternal mortality ratio, and cause of and factors associated with maternal near-miss. Results Out of 8433 live births, 288 maternal near-miss cases and 62 maternal deaths were identified. In all, 454 healthy controls were recruited for comparison. Maternal near-miss and maternal death incidence ratios were 34.2 (95% CI 30.2–38.1) and 7.4 (95% CI 5.5–9.2) per 1000 live births, respectively with a maternal near miss to mortality ratio of 4.6:1. Cause of near-miss was preeclampsia/eclampsia (41.0%), haemorrhage (12.2%), maternal sepsis (11.1%) and ruptured uterus (4.2%). A major factor associated with maternal near-miss was maternal fever within the 7 days before birth (OR 5.95, 95%CI 3.754–9.424). Spontaneous onset of labour was protective against near-miss (OR 0.09 95% CI 0.057–0.141). Conclusion For every maternal death, there were nearly five maternal near-misses. Women having a fever in the 7 days before delivery were six times more likely to experience a near-miss than women not having fever.

Source: UCC
Incidental Finding of Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus in a 59-Year-Old Man

Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare congenital anomaly, which is characterized by right-sided heart apex and inversely rotated visceral organs of the abdomen. We report an unusual case of dextrocardia with situs inversus in a 59-year-old man, referred for a pelvic ultrasound scan because of symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction and after a fairly normal prostate specific antigen (PSA) value. A diagnosis of enlarged prostate gland with a prominent median lobe and significant residual urine volume was made, which necessitated the examination of the kidneys for hydronephrosis, resulting in the incidental finding of situs inversus. On further investigation, the diagnosis of dextrocardia with situs inversus was made. Physicians should look out for this anomaly primarily because it may be associated with other conditions like primary ciliary dyskinesia so appropriate interventions are offered to reduce morbidities and mortality.

Source: UCC
Incitation par les axiologiques dans la publicité sur le site commercial fnac B

L’étude analyse l’incitation opérée par des axiologiques dans le discours publicitaire en ligne. Des énoncés portant sur la vente des billets de voyage tirés du site de FNAC, un magasin commercial en ligne, sont étudiés en prenant appui sur la théorie de l’énonciation. Les résultats montrent que le publicitaire présente des objets discursifs tels que les pays, les villes, la mer, le hôtels, les enfants et les circuits touristiques de manière incitative pour pousser le touriste potentiel à acheter le billet afin de se rendre aux lieux publicisés. L’incitation se manifeste à travers l’emploi des adjectifs et substantifs subjectifs et la personification

Source: UCC
Inclusion of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools in Ghana: influence of teachers’ and children’s characteristics

The issue of where to teach children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities has been a great concern as countries respond to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Salamanca Statement on inclusion of 1994. In this study, the responses of 500 trained and untrained mainstream primary school teachers selected from three of the ten regions of Ghana were analysed to investigate their attitudes to including children with SEN and disabilities in mainstream schools in Ghana. These attitudes were examined alongside teachers’ characteristics such as gender, age, length and level of teaching experience, and knowledge of SEN, and also the type, nature and degree of children’s SEN. The results showed that teachers in Ghana were positive towards the inclusion of children with SEN and disabilities with a few reservations which are elaborated. On the basis of the findings, conclusions were drawn that the inclusion agenda should be subject to national and local interpretation, aimed at ensuring that policies and regulations on SEN are fashioned to meet local situations and standards

Source: UCC
Inclusion of Students With Special Needs in Physical Education Lessons in the Central Region, Ghana

This research investigated the inclusion of students with special in physical education lessons in the Central Region of Ghana of individuals with special needs. For the analysis, the concurrent research design was implemented, with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Out of the 89 senior high schools in the Central Region, 230 respondents from 63 senior high schools were sampled purposively. Therefore, the sample consisted of 116 physical education teachers and 114 students with disabilities were all purposively selected. Both teachers and students were purposively sampled. The analysis for all five (5) research questions were addressed using Chi square to determine the level of significance of majority response. The study also employed the chi-square and F-test techniques to test the hypotheses. The qualitative data from the observation checklist was thematically analysed according to the objectives of the study. The study revealed that majority of the physical education teachers perceived inclusive education as a right to full participation. PE teachers accepted that their knowledge was not enough to handle students with special needs. Lack of equipment and other teaching-learning materials, as well as teaching assistants, were some of the barriers that the study realised to be the hindrances to inclusive PE. Again, gender was not a significant factor in determining participation of the special needs in inclusive PE. There was no significant difference among the PE teachers according to their teaching experience. The study recommended that physical education teacher training at the Bachelors level should be tailored to address inclusive teaching.

Source: UCC
Income and Non-Income Outcomes of Microfinance

The study assessed the impact of microfinance specifically micro-credit on beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of Yaalex Microfinance Limited in selected communities of Takoradi Metropolis and Mfantsiman Municipality of Ghana. Focusing on microfinance outcomes such child education, child health, business profitability and ease of credit access the study tests the hypotheses that access to credit has increasing effect on the latter variables. Probit and IV-probit, propensity scores matching (PSM) and treatment effect were used to examine the causal effect on beneficiaries and nonbeneficiaries using data from the two study areas. The method of study was based on quazi-experimental approach and attempt was made to minimize the potential problems that would arise from contamination, spill-over and self programme self-exclusion selection biases. The results show that access to micro-credit eases the financial constraint among business operators in the informal sector. However, given women education can ease credit constraints in the informal sector and gender differences constraint access to credit. Again, access to micro-credit impacts positively on child education and health. Finally, in terms of business profitability, micro-credit clients do better than non-clients especially those in education to be at par with their men counterparts. MFIs should intensify the credit with education concept as part of their products. Educational and health loan products need to be introduced by MFIs. Finally, MFIs should target market niche such as trading that produces revenue quickly.

Source: UCC
Income convergence in the Ecowas region

The incidence of cross-country per capita income convergence has been debated for long by economists; all in the attempt to either validate or reject the per capita income convergence hypothesis as predicted by the Human capital - augmented Solow model (HC-ASM). However, researchers seem to have given little attention to the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) region in this ongoing discourse despite the wide per capita income disparity gap in the region. Using panel dataset from 1975 to 2012 on 15 ECOWAS member states, the study examined the convergence hypothesis by employing panel Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The study established per capita income divergence among the countries in the ECOWAS region, however the study established per capita income convergence among the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) sub-group. These findings are in complete disagreement with the prediction of the HC-ASM and further suggest that regardless of the presence of Savings, physical capital stock and government expenditure, per capita income disparity gap among countries in the ECOWAS region tends to widen. The study recommend that, poorer countries in ECOWAS should urgently pursue pragmatic policies to increase domestic savings and Gross physical capital formation accumulation and subsequently make efficient utilization of these resources to reduce the per capita income gap since both were found to positively impact on per capita income growth in the ECOWAS region.

Source: UCC
Income Diversification, Social Capital, and Sustainable Livelihoods in Ghanaian Mining Communities

Income diversification is an essential strategy for managing economic and environmental shocks and reducing rural poverty in developing countries and as such, the study examined the income diversification, social capital, and sustainable livelihoods in Ghanaian mining communities. Guided by the explanatory research design, the study utilised the quantitative research approach to measuring and also employed the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM version 3.0) for data analysis as demanded by the specific objectives. The findings suggest that individuals in mining communities in Ghana employ a variety of income diversification strategies, including entrepreneurship, agricultural activities, remittances from family members working elsewhere, ecotourism and community-based tourism, micro or small-scale businesses, to mitigate the risks associated with reliance on a single income source from mining activities. Additionally, the study notes that social capital alone has an insignificant impact on sustainable livelihoods, and social capital endowment exhibits a negative and statistically significant influence. In light of the identified constraints, the study recommends targeted interventions. Improving market access and financial services, providing training and technical assistance, and advocating for government support emerge as critical strategies to promote income diversification and enhance the overall livelihoods of community members.

Source: UCC
Incorporating GeoGebra software in the teaching of circle theorem and its effect on the performance of students

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of GeoGebra software on senior high school students’ academic performance in Circle Theorems. The study also assessed the students’ attitudes towards the use of GeoGebra in teaching and learning of Circle Theorems. The study made use of simple random sampling (lottery method) and purposive sampling techniques select two Form 2 classes from two different schools within the Bono Region. The sample size for the study was 78 students. The study used a pre-test post-test nonequivalent research design. The pre-test scores were used to establish that students in the two schools had similar or equivalent abilities in geometry before the intervention. The post-test scores were used to determine the differences in academic performance between students who were taught Circle Theorems with the use of the GeoGebra software and students who were taught using the conventional method of teaching to learn Circle Theorem. The students who used in the GeoGebra software in the teaching and learning of geometry performed better than their peers who did not use the software. The study also found that the use of GeoGebra in teaching and learning increased the interest of students to learn geometry. Based on the findings, it was recommended that integrating the use of computers and interactive educational software into the teaching and learning of mathematics will help improve students understanding in mathematics and find the geometry interesting to learn

Source: UCC
Incorporating humanist ethical approach to remedy environmental “abuses” in Ghana

The influence that traditional Ghanaian norms, taboos, and folktales had in ensuring environmental protection and sustainability has been greatly minimized by the inroads of foreign cultures and religions such as Christianity and Islam. Currently, modern methods of environmental protection and sustainability have not achieved the desired goals. As a result, Ghana is at the mercy of countless forms of environmental abuses to the extent that Ghana is ranked the seventh dirtiest nation and also second in open defecation worldwide. This paper examines how the incorporation of Humanist ethical principles to integrate with the traditional Ghanaian environmental taboos and modern technological methods to salvage the continuous and relentless environmental abuses in Ghana

Source: UCC
Incorporation of Ethics in the Accounting Curriculum: Accounting Students’ Perceptions of its Coverage and Development of Ethical Behaviour

The study investigated the incorporation of ethics in the University of Cape Coast accounting curriculum and the development of accounting students ethical behaviour. In particular, the study sought to examine the extent to which the accounting curriculum of the University conforms to the stipulation of IES 4. The study employed the descriptive survey design and the proportionate random sampling technique to sample the views of 196 Level 400 accounting students. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the accounting students in the University of Cape Coast acknowledged that ethics is relevant to their future work. The study also revealed that accounting ethics was integrated in the accounting courses at the final year which means that students’ moral development were deferred till the final year. The actual respondents were ethically sensitive in dealing with ethical issues. As such, they deemed it important to make good ethical judgement to find solutions to ethical situations. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that schools/faculties should prioritise accounting ethics and include them in bits and pieces across the various Levels (Levels 100 – 400) in their next review of their curricula for re-accreditation. Also, lecturers should be encouraged to include variety of teaching methods such as case studies, watching ethical videos, discussions, workshops and seminars to impart a great deal of knowledge and ethical principles to the accounting students

Source: UCC
Increased Frequency of Circulating Follicular Helper T Cells in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are recognized as a distinct CD4+ helper T-cell subset, which provides for B-cell activation and production of specific antibody responses, and play a critical role in the development of autoimmune disease. So far, only one study investigated the circulating Tfh cells increased in a subset of SLE patients. Since relatively little is known about the Tfh cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, in this study, Tfh-cell frequency, related cytokine IL-21, and transcription factor Bcl-6 were investigated in 53 patients with RA and 31 health controls. Firstly, we found that the frequency of CD4+ CXCR5+ ICOShigh Tfh cells was increased significantly in the peripheral blood of RA patients, compared with that in healthy controls. It is known that Tfh cells are critical for directing the development of an antibody response by germinal centers B cells; secondly, we observed that the Tfh-cell frequency is accompanied by the level of anti-CCP antibody in RA patients. Furthermore, expression of Bcl-6 mRNA and plasma IL-21 concentrations in RA patients was increased. Taken together, these findings have shown that the increased frequency of circulating Tfh cells is correlated with elevated levels of anti-CCP antibody, indicating the possible involvement of Tfh cells in the disease progression of RA.

Source: UCC