ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Use and acceptance of electronic medical records: the case of University of Cape Coast

Arguably, 30% of all electronic medical records (EMR) technology implementation fail and most of these failures are not rather due to the lack of systematic considerations of human and other non-technology issues in the design and implementation process(Aldosari, 2003). it has been established that some health care professionals (HCPs) reluctantly use EMR or even resist the usage of installed networks at their workstations, due to their attitudes the system usage. Meanwhile, computer systems that not used cannot improve its organizational performance. to better explain and increase user acceptance, there is the need to understand why people accept or reject new information systems. The purpose of the study was to assess the acceptance and usage of EMRs in the provision of information for planning and management of health services in the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Hospital....

Source: KNUST
The use of antibiotics and resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from selected fish farms in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Antibiotics may be used in fish farms to prevent or treat bacterial infections especially in hatcheries. This affects a wide range of bacteria and has potential impact on receiving water bodies and fish pathogens and has been reported to contribute to antibiotic resistance in other parts of the world but not reported in Ghana due to the fact that there are no studies conducted. This study was carried out to assess some fish farming practices among catfish and tilapia farmers which may contribute to antibiotic resistance as well as to determine the susceptibilities of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella species, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from fish pond water, catfish gut and tilapia gut from 11 farms and 2 hatcheries to penicillin, ampicillin, flucloxacillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, cefuroxime, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol using the disc diffusion method. Validated questionnaires were administered to 63 fish farmers in six zones of the Ministry of Fisheries-Ashanti Region. 73% of farmers claimed not to use antibiotics on their farms. Three farmers (4.8%) used tetracycline on the fish farms whilst two hatchery farmers add antibiotics (tetracycline or chloramphenicol) to fish feed. 93.6% of respondents who use manure on fish farms use poultry manure from commercial poultry farms and use it mainly to fertilize fish ponds. With the exception of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, there was varying resistance of more than 60% to the other antibiotics. Generally, isolates showed high resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, flucloxacillin and tetracycline whilst low resistance was observed in all isolates to gentamicin (1.7% to 5.6%) except in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 44.9% to 92.9% of isolates of organisms showed resistance to more than 3 antibiotics. In conclusion, even though there was no recent history of antibiotic use in most of the farms studied, there was multidrug resistance in isolates.

Source: KNUST
The use of antibiotics and the pattern of antimicrobial resistance at S.D.A Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Objectives of Study To assess the current antibiotic prescribing and use pattern and the extent of microbial resistance to antibiotics at the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital in Kumasi. Also to obtain data that will serve as a basis for designing intervention to improve the quality of antibiotic prescribing and use at the hospital. Methods All the patients who were admitted between 1st March to 15th April 2013 and consented to participation in the study were included. Total number of patients involved was 176. Data on antibiotic prescribing and use was extracted from the medical notes, nursing notes and medication sheets of the patients followed by interviews with prescribers, other health professionals or the patients when necessary. Also laboratory data on antibiotic susceptibility testing was analyzed to assess the extent of antimicrobial resistance at the hospital. Results The average number of drugs per prescription for the patients in this study was 5. In all 82% of the prescriptions given to the patients contained antibiotic. Average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.6. Ciprofloxacin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic followed by cefuroxime and ceftriaxone. With regards to combination therapy, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole was the most prescribed and also used by the patients. Out of the 145 patients who received antibiotics during the study, none of the prescriptions was informed by culture and sensitivity results. Analysis of the culture and sensitivity data obtained from the lab indicated that Esherichia coli, Staphyllococcus aureus and Salmonella were the most pathogenic organisms isolated for patients at the hospital. All the three isolates (Esherichia coli, Staphyllococcus aureus and Salmonella) were mostly susceptible to gentamicin, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone but resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline and erythromycin and to some extent cefuroxime. Conclusion Polypharmacy practice was high at the hospital, and the use of antibiotics which were mostly given empirically was also too high. In addition, the study suggested widespread microbial resistance to many common antibiotics including a second generation cepholosporins. There is the need to establish protocols to guide the prescribing and judicious use of antibiotics in the hospital, and thus minimize waste and the risk of spread of microbial resistance to effective and life saving antibiotics currently available in the Ghanaian health system.

Source: KNUST
The use of Asante Linguist Staff symbols in textile design

The purpose of this study was to find out how viable it would be to use traditional symbols with special reference to Asante linguist staff symbols in creating surface textile designs to widen the scope of their application and significance. Most traditional symbols are not popular in usage; hence their philosophical meanings are not understood by many. The study explored the feasibilities of developing textile designs from symbols of Asante linguist staff tops and using the meanings or names of the symbols for the generated designs as a means of making people understand and appreciate the significance of these symbols. As an art studio base experimental study, it employs Adobe Photoshop 7.0, computer graphics software that aids easy manipulation of images for textile designs. Purposive research sampling method was used to gather data from linguists and traditional wood carvers. Sourced images of the symbols were used to produce a number of textile designs of high aesthetic values and which were named in accordance with the name of the symbols to bring out their philosophical and social significance. This project contains images of some Asante linguist staff symbols and highlights on the proverbial, philosophical, aesthetics and social significance of the symbols. The study therefore, xvii expands the scope of the knowledge on Asante traditional symbolism and application. The research is based on the qualitative research approach and makes use of the experimental and descriptive methods of research. Observation and unstructured interview were the main instruments used for data collection. The study revealed that, Asante linguist staff finials provide a collection of motifs, each with its own unique form that can broaden aesthetic values of designs. It also came to light that the linguist staffs have surface textures nicely engraved on them which provide special texturing effects for textile designs. It was concluded that linguist staff finials can provide an array of motifs for designing textiles which can be exploited, and with the aid of relevant computer aided software designs of precision can be made. By doing so, it is recommended that designers should expose these cultural artifacts through textile designs for people to be able to identify them.

Source: KNUST
The use of bed nets by mothers / carers of children under five years old in the Paediatrics Out-Patients Department (P.O.P.D) of the 37 Military Hospital in the prevention of malaria.

Before the development of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) as a new technology in the mid-1980s, people in many countries were already using nets, mainly to protect themselves against biting insects and for cultural reasons. It was only recently appreciated that a net treated with insecticide offers much greater protection against malaria. : not only does the net act as a barrier to prevent mosquitoes biting, but also the insecticide repels, inhibits, or kills any mosquitoes attracted to feed. The main objective of this study is to access adherence to the use of bednets in malaria prevention. The study was descriptive cross sectional in design. This was done by designing a questionnaire to capture the specific objectives of this research and included both male and female from 14 years above who were mother/carers of children under 5 years who had had malaria within the last six months at the 37 Military Hospital, Paediatrics Out-patients Department (POPD). A sample size of 200 people was interviewed using stratified sampling. The results show that malaria is of concern to majority of mothers/carers and that the principal reason for not adhering to use of ITN’s in spite of its effectiveness is because of lack of information and its high cost. Over 80% of participants perceived the causes of malaria to be mosquitoes. Only 95% indicated that they had heard of ITN’s. 80% think it is very good and effective as a preventive measure. However, only 55% claim to have actually used ITN’s. High cost and inadequate education being some of the main causes of lack of adherence.

Source: KNUST
The use of biochar and charcoal as soil amendments to improve allelochemical-laden soils in the landscape

The landscape and turf industries are based on beauty. Some trees in the landscape suppress the growth of any other plant species beneath them. This is reported to be caused by the presence of allelochemicals which are released into the soil by the plants, a mechanism known as allelopathy. Soil amendment is therefore needed to curb the effects of these allelochemicals and make the nutrients in the soil available to other plant species that may be planted beneath the allelopathic trees. There is evidence from thousands of years of traditional use of charcoal as amendment in the terra preta soils of Brazil. Biochar, a pyrolised biomass, is a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal substance that is used as a soil amendment. The study was conducted to find out the ameliorative effect of biochar and charcoal in allelochemical-laden soils to improve on the physicochemical properties of the soil. Charcoal produced from Tectona grandis tree, biochar produced from four different types of sawdust (Tectona grandis, Celtis mildbraedii, Entandrophragma cylindricum and Khaya senegalensis) and absolute control were the treatments used. The study was carried out beneath three trees suspected to be allelopathic (Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus grandis and Bambusa sp.). St. Augustine’s grass was used for the study because it prefers shaded growing environmental conditions. The experimental design employed was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and the experiment was replicated three times. Data collected over a period of twelve weeks included presence of allelochemicals in the soil and in the tree species, rate of spread and rate of growth of grass, weed count, soil nutrient analysis, soil water-holding capacity, presence of soil microorganisms and soil pH. The results of the study indicated that the three landscape trees are allelopathic. The biochar and charcoal were able to ameliorate the effects of the allelochemicals and hence allowed the grass to grow well under the trees. Significant differences were observed in the rate of spread of grass as well as the rate of growth. Available phosphorous and soil potassium were increased in the biochar amended plots whereas total nitrogen was reduced due to adsorption of NH 3-and NH 4+ from the soil solution onto the biochar surface. Soil organic carbon was reduced due to the priming effect of biochar. Water-holding capacity was increased tremendously in all amended plots due to the porous nature of the charcoal and biochar. Both amendments were able to improve soil pH to an optimum range for most plants. It was recommended that other feedstock types for biochar and charcoal production should be considered in further studies to find out which feedstock type can also improve the soil where allelochemicals have been found.

Source: KNUST
The use of bonded sawdust as a substitute material for carving

Wood carving as an art has from time immemorial been used to promote, preserve and invigorate Ghanaian culture. However, the stock of some of the preferred tree species used for carving is declining at an alarming rate. The need to ensure the sustainability of the wood carving industry therefore motivated the researcher to find a solution to this problem. The researcher experimented with a recyclable material that could be used for carving instead of the conventional wood. The research experimented with White glue and Sawdust to build blocks which served as carving materials in place of conventional wood. The purpose of the study was to research into the viability of sawdust as a carving material. This research was determined to come up with a substitute material for wood carving, and was specifically concerned with a comprehensive investigation into the viability of sawdust. The study investigated, experimented and taught students how to produce boards from the sawdust blocks created. The thesis discuses, describes and analyses into detail the experiments conducted. The research uses qualitative research and further makes use of quasi-experimental, action and descriptive research designs. The results of the study suggest that ‘‘sawdust block’’ can be carved. The study also reveals that even though sawdust blocks could be carved, its finishing cannot be compared to conventional wood. The thesis recommends that the use of sawdust as an alternative carving material should be introduced and taught in all sculpture departments in Senior High Schools and tertiary institutions.

Source: KNUST
The use of compounds chemically related to analyte as surrogate reference standards in quantitative HPLC

The possibilities of using compounds chemically related to analyte as surrogate reference standards in quantitative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been explored. A quantitative high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed to determine a constant (K) with a surrogate reference that makes it possible to analyse paracetamol in a formulation in the absence of pure paracetamol as reference. Caffeine was used as internal standard while aspirin, phenacetin and benzoic acid were considered as surrogate references. The chromatographic apparatus consisted of Zobax C-18 column, UV detector at 257 nm and computer (Chromquest software) as a recorder. Elution was isocratic with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 2.5% acetic acid 2:3. The retention times of the analyte were: 3.0 ± 0.01 mins (paracetamol), 4.7 ± 0.02 mins (caffeine), 8.1 ± 0.03 mins (aspirin), 11.1 ± 0.06 mins (phenacetin) and 11.7 ± 0.05 mins (benzoic acid). The constant K for the pure standards obtained were, aspirin: 18.23 ± 0.048, phenacetin: 1.15 ± 0.051 and benzoic acid: 11.66 ± 0.251. These constants were used in the analysis of nine samples of paracetamol tablets. The percentage content obtained for each sample was then compared with that obtained using the BP and the USP methods. The results showed that the surrogate reference standard can be used for the analysis of paracetamol without the use of pure paracetamol powder as reference.

Source: KNUST
Use of drying beds for faecal sludge/septage pre-treatment (monitoring a pilot system at Buobai-Kumasi)

This study looks at the efficiency of drying beds for the pre-treatment of faecal sludge and septage. Pilot plant studies on drying beds for this purpose have been undertaken. The main aims of the study were to operate and monitor the dewatering process, and to recommend design and operation and maintenance guidelines for the operation of such a system. The study looked at the efficiency of the beds with regard to solids liquid separation. Influent parameters monitored include, TVS, BOD, COD, TS, MC, SS and Helminths. Parameters monitored in the bio-solids include TS, MC, TVS and Helminth eggs. Daily sludge depths were also monitored. The beds were desudged when the sludge had been sufficiently dewatered to be spadable. This corresponds to a moisture content of about 80%. Dewatering periods of up to a maximum of two weeks were obtained when rainfall is sporadic. In the rainy periods however, the drying period increased to over five weeks. The percentage reduction in the physico-chemical parameters studied i.e. COD, BOD, SS and TS was around 90% and there was complete removal of Helminth in the effluent. The bio-solids produced have a TVS content of 67%, which can be inferred to mean a high organic content and hence its suitability for the production of compost. The reduction of helminth eggs in the bio-solids is negligible. The beds act as a filter storing the eggs.

Source: KNUST
The use of Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Induced Polarization to investigate seepage conditions in a Hydroelectric Dam (A case study of the East Dike of the Kpong Hydro Dam)

Earth dams are designed to permit the flow of seepage water from their reservoir through designed filter zones and relief wells. However, the flow of seepage water through other preferential flow paths either than the designed filter zones and relief wells can be detrimental to the overall stability of the dam. Conventional inspection methods such as surveillance and installation of instruments including inclinometers and settlement monuments are commonly used to detect anomalous conditions which can lead to failure on earth dams. These methods however usually detect these causes of failure after it has worsened. Geophysical techniques are non-invasive, cover a large area of the survey and are able to detect relatively small changes in physical contrast within an earth dam when used repeatedly. The ERT and IP methods were used to delineate possible seepage zones and pathways of unplanned seepage conditions that have occurred on the downstream side of the east dike of the Kpong Hydroelectric dam in Akuse, Ghana. Analysis of ERT results from the four traverse lines established along the east dike show significant anomalous conditions suggesting the existence of an unplanned seepage pathway within the lower sand and gravel overburden foundation of the dike. Very low resistivity zones (<25 Ωm) at different distances along the embankment was detected to be potential seepage zones. Also, the potential unplanned seepage pathway was delineated at an average elevation of 7m NDL and from 42m distance from the start of the traverse lines to 112m towards the end of the traverse lines. The IP results could not effectively detect and delineate the potential unplanned seepage zones and pathways.

Source: KNUST
Use of electronic medical records in emergency care at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: The use of paper for record keeping (manual system) has been the order of the day in almost all the health care facilities of resource poor setting countries such as Ghana. This system has presented numerous challenges. The use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) however seeks to address many of such challenges if not all. Main objective: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the use of EMR in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital‟s (KATH) Emergency Department (ED). The outcome of the study was intended to provide lesson learning to improve the existing system at ED of KATH and other health facilities with intention of setting up EMR system. Method: The study was a non-interventional, descriptive cross-sectional study that employed the qualitative approach of research. The study population was twenty four involving four core implementers and twenty end users of KATH ED EMR. Semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data from the respondents. The interviews were manually recorded and analyzed thematically facilitated by manual analysis. Results: The KATH ED EMR project had no funding and it has been piloted for three years. The ED staff doubled up as the EMR personnel. An open source EMR was freely downloaded and customized to meet the needs of the ED. The EMR database was composed of bio-data of patients which was accessible to end users with user identification and password. The facilitators for utilizing the system included the desire to improve emergency medicine practice through data persistency; availability of some logistics such as computers, scanners, printers, office space, open source EMR, local area network and external storage devices; involvement of ED‟s internal management committee; motivation; previous knowledge in information technology; capacity building and training. The project had constraints of funding, inadequate computers and xii accessories, full time information technology experts, automatic data and power backups, data entry and limited office space. It was observed that with the provision of adequate human and financial resources the challenges of the project will be overcome and the adoption of the EMR improved. Conclusions and recommendation: The KATH ED EMR was hybrid and the end users were basically nurses and medical record staff. The staffs were motivated in using the EMR. However, the implementation was confronted with logistics and human resource constraints. Therefore, financial support from KATH management towards the clinical EMR at the ED will be an enormous contribution for successful implementation of the ED‟s EMR

Source: KNUST