ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Aviation And International Security: The Case Of Ghana Airports Company Limited

Security is very important in the aviation industry. Aviation security is the act of preventing any unlawful interferences that can jeopardize or cause harm to the safety of passengers, aircrafts and infrastructures of an airport. The research utilized the concept of transnational security as its conceptual framework. The study adopted a qualitative research method in order to enable the researcher access the views of respondents in their most original state. The research was carried out in Ghana Airport Company Limited (Kotoka International Airport) the international airport of Ghana where respondents expressed their views primarily through interviews. Meanwhile, secondary data was collected from relevant articles and books to give more meaning to the opinions expressed. In sum, the research study revealed that the security of KIA is a joint force by major security agencies working together to keep the airport safe. Also, it was obvious that the KIA has evolved post 9/11. KIA threat being faced is the insider threat. Moreover, KIA has not experienced any form of terrorist attack. KIA implements the provision of GCAA and ICAO. Finally, KIA is making and continues to make giant strides towards achieving its main goal of becoming a Hub in West Africa. Nevertheless, the main challenge facing the attainment of this goal is the issue of insider threat, lack of screening technologies and poor monitoring of CCTV surveillance system.

Source: UG
Avifauna of two upland evergreen forest reserves, the Atewa range and Tano Offin, in Ghana

Data are presented on the avifauna of two Upland Evergreen forest reserves in Ghana: Atewa Range Forest Reserve and the Tano Offin Forest Reserve. The data obtained for the two reserves using three survey techniques: transect counts, timed species counts and mist-netting are compared. A total of 105 species were recorded for the Atewa Range Forest Reserve while the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve yielded 110 species. Mean species encounter rate in the transect counts at Atewa was 24.2 per km while individual bird encounter rate was 52.6 per km; encounter rates at Tano Offin were 31.2 per km. and 98.2 per km for species and individual birds respectively. The most common species encountered in Atewa was the Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latimstris (7.1% of observations in transect counts and 6.7% in spot counts), while the Green-crested Touraco (6.6% of transect counts) and Green Hylia (5.7% of spot counts) were the most abundant at Tan0 Offin. The records for Atewa included four globally threatened species while Tano yielded three threatened species. Two species of birds, the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis and the yellow-bellied Greenbul Phyllastrepus flavostn’atus were recorded for the first time in Ghana from the two reserves. The bird community at Tan0 Ofin was significantly more diverse than that at Atewa. In both reserves, spot counts yielded more species (67.6% and 74.5% of total recorded at Atewa and Tan0 respectively), than transect counts and mist nets. 31 species recorded in both spot counts and transect counts at Atewa were not captured in mist nets, while nine species caught in mist nets were not recorded by the two methods. The figures for the Tano Offin reserve were 43 and six respectively. We conclude that of the three survey techniques, the timed species counts offer the most comprehensive results for rapid assessment of forest avifauna, but a combination of all three methods is necessary for complete coverage. The need for management of the two reserves to maintain their unique biodiversity in the face-of threats from mining and logging is discussed. © 2000, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Avocado germplasm conservation and improvement in Ghana

Avocado research and improvement in Ghana has the potential of contributing to the agricultural export diversification programme. Genetic diversity exits with the potential for improved yield of landraces. Notwithstanding, efforts to conserve, introduce, evaluate, characterize, select and improve on these local landraces and introductions to widen the genetic base has been inadequate. The objectives of these studies were to; 1) collect both local and leading world avocado varieties and establish them in a museum, 2) conserve, characterise and select desirable genotypes 3) multiply selected genotypes by vegetative propagation and release to farmers and 4) in addition use detailed trait characteristics of genotypes in the museum for varietal improvement and other agronomic purposes. Twenty five (25) local landraces collected from different ecozones of Ghana and five (5) world leading varieties obtained from South Africa have been established in a germplasm museum at the University of Ghana Agricultural Research Centre – Kade in Ghana. The five exportable varieties are ‘Hass’, ‘Fuerte’, ‘Ryan’, ‘Ettinger’ and ‘Nabal’ Morphological characterization of the germplasm using the plant descriptors outlined in the IPGRI publication, Descriptors for Avocado (Persea spp.) have been described. Research in other areas of this program focusing on nutrient management, pest and disease incidence is also in progress

Source: UG
Avoided family care, diverted intimacy: How people living with HIV/AIDS find new kinship in two Ghanaian hospitals

This article aims at nuancing the discussion of processes of globalization and change through ethnographic research on caregiving in Ghana. It points at a cautious but remarkable shift from traditional family care to care outside the family setting and raises the question how this shift is linked to external and internal processes of change. The presentation of an extended case of avoiding family care by people living with HIV/AIDS serves to suggest a more complex interpretation of social change than is implied in the concept of globalization. The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS in Ghana induces infected people to hide their condition from their families and seek help from professionals and fellow sufferers. We describe this process through the examples of two Ghanaian communities and two hospitals where two of the coauthors conducted anthropological fieldwork. In hospitals, people living with HIV/AIDS find new (quasi) relatives, to whom they divulge their secret and with whom they freely discuss their problems; these new relatives are other people living with HIV/AIDS, volunteers, and health workers. Strangers thus become safer and more trusted caregivers than family members. We describe in detail how this development precludes the practice of family care.

Source: UG
Avoiding bites and scratches? Understanding the public health implication of human-bat interactions in Ghana

Zoonotic pathogens cause an estimated 70% of emerging and re‐emerging infectious diseases in humans, affecting various aspects of human development on a global scale. The significance of bats as a source of emerging infectious diseases is being progressively appreciated. This study was undertaken post‐Ebola virus disease in West Africa and assessed the public health implications of human–bat interactions by exploring the reasons for contact between humans and bats, as well as reported actions taken upon experiencing bat bites or scratches. The paper highlights the nuances of human–bat interactions, stressing zoonotic disease risk awareness as well as the sources of information. The study used questionnaires to solicit information from 788 respondents in five communities with significant bat populations. We show that bat consumption was one of the main reasons for human–bat interactions. More men across the various communities ate bat meat. Only a small number of respondents (4.4%) reported being bitten by a bat, and 6.1% had been scratched by a bat. More than 21% had come into direct contact with bat blood. An even lower number went to the hospital after been bitten or scratched by bats. There was little knowledge on post‐exposure management. The most common places human–bat interactions occurred were at home and on farms. Seventy‐three per cent of the respondents believed that bats carried diseases, with Ebola virus disease being the most mentioned. Respondents indicated that the way they interacted with bats had not changed, even though they believed bats carried diseases and 46% stated that they had not changed the way they interacted with bats over the last two years. Apart from providing information on avoiding bites and scratches, a more holistic framework is needed to reduce human–bat interactions. The paper recommends a comprehensive and coordinated approach to optimizing an effective response to a potential bat‐borne zoonotic disease spillover.

Source: UG
Awareness and Beliefs About Cervical Cancer, the HPV Vaccine, and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Ghanaian Women with Diverse Education Levels

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana. Cost-effective tools for the primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, such as the Pap test, the HPV DNA test, and the HPV vaccine, are available in hospitals and clinics throughout Ghana. However, participation in cervical cancer prevention behaviors is low among Ghanaian women. Our objective was to determine if there were significant differences in cervical cancer awareness and stigmatizing beliefs about women with cervical cancer between Ghanaian women of different education levels. We surveyed 288 Ghanaian women who were at least 18 years old. Data on the participants' demographic characteristics, awareness of cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and the HPV vaccine, beliefs about cervical cancer screening, and stigmatizing beliefs about women with cervical cancer was collected. Chi-square tests for independence and Fisher's exact test of independence were preformed to determine if education level was associated with those factors. Participation in cervical cancer screening and uptake of the HPV vaccine was significantly lower among women with less than a senior high school education. Awareness about cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and the HPV vaccine was lower among women with less education. Women with lower levels of education were more likely to agree with the negative statements about cervical cancer screening and stigmatizing beliefs about women with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer education interventions that are tailored for Ghanaian women with different educational levels are needed to increase awareness of and participation in cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Source: UG
Awareness and knowledge about prostate cancer among male teachers in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana

Objective: The study was aimed at assessing the awareness and knowledge of prostate cancer (PC) among male teachers in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 160 male teach ers aged 45 years or more, randomly selected from public elementary and high schools in the Sunyani Municipality. Pearson’s Chi square and Fishers exact tests were used to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of PC. Results: On average, respondents were aged 50±3.95 years. There was a universal awareness of PC. Most of the respond ents could identify at least one signs and symptoms of PC (88.1%), risk factors of PC (78.8%), and indicated that PC could be treated through surgery (70.6 %), but only 37.5% of respondents knew about screening tests for PC. The study found 57.5% of them had adequate knowledge about PC. Socio-demographics characteristics were not associated with knowledge about PC. Main sources of information were the television (68%) and radio (57 %). Conclusion: The outcomes of the study suggest the need for general educational campaigns with emphasis on modalities for the screening of PC using the appropriate media channels for accessibility.

Source: UG
Awareness and usage of electronic databases by geography and resource development information studies graduate students in the University of Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness level and usage of electronic databases by graduate students in the University of Ghana. The focus was on graduate students of Departments of Geography and Development Resource, and Information Studies. Questionnaire was used to collect the data. The findings were that students were very much aware of the databases available to them as indicated by 96.9%and 93.8% indicated to use them. The studies has also established that majority of students knew about the databases from their lecturers and most of them accessed from the central library. Despite the claimed usage level, databases they focused on were few and many of them were not familiar with those in their discipline of study. Further, the limited number of the databases they knew about, they were satisfied with them and claimed the databases have impacted on their learning and research activities. In light of these findings it is recommended that librarians especially subject librarians should heighten the publicity of the databases and the research guides to both students and faculty so that they would become familiar with the databases and use them more and effectively.

Source: UG
Awareness and Usage of IC eness and Usage of ICT tools among P ools among Postgraduate Students’ aduate Students’ in the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast

This paper aims to identify the awareness and utilisation of ICT applications to facilitate research of postgraduate students. With the survey design, 346 respondents were selected out of 4907 postgraduate students from the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast using the stratified and convenience sampling techniques to participate in this study. Using the TAM3 theory, the study identified that most students were aware that ICT use in research can facilitate their scientific inquiries. Most students were aware of ICT tools. The results further indicated that ICT tools were well publicised. Again, most of the respondents indicated that they had adequate skills in the use of ICT to conduct research. However, their training in the use of ICT applications was inadequate. The use of ICT tools in research makes it easy for researchers to work with big data and information resources. Therefore, the awareness and publicity of research technologies to students would enhance their usage. Against this background, this paper strongly recommended that publicity of ICT facilities to students should be a priority of the academic institutions. Again, research supervisors should advise students to access and use the ICT facilities that are provided by their institutions in their research activities. It is also recommended that the ICT facilities be marketed to students and promoted extensively through social networks; Training in ICT software should be organised four times each semester.

Source: UG
Awareness and use of open access journals by graduate students of the University of Ghana.

The study examines the use of open access journals by graduate students of the University of Ghana. Using the survey method, a questionnaire was distributed to 200 graduate students being 5% of the target population of 3,974. The findings of the study show that the majority of students are aware of open access journals resulting in their high usage. Students indicated that open access journals increase developing countries' access to scholarly literature and promote the advancement of scientific knowledge. Nevertheless, the attitude of respondents towards open access was not very positive as many challenges were cited as obstacles to their use. The study recommends measures to address these challenges.

Source: UG
Awareness and Willingness to use Condoms and Preexposure Prophylaxis among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Cisgendered Men who Have sex with men in Slum Communities in Ghana. BSGH-004

Introduction: Research has begun to examine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies within the Ghanaian context. Still, little is known about specific populations such as gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men (GBMSM) living in slum communities. We studied HIV prevention strategies such as condoms and pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in slum communities and the awareness and willingness to use these choices among GBMSM. This qualitative study examines HIV prevention strategies, specifically examining PrEP and condom use behaviors among GBMSM in Ghana. Methods: We conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews among 12 GBMSM from slums in Accra and Kumasi cities in Ghana. Data were analyzed through a summative content analysis with multiple reviewers to develop codes. Data were collected from participants in January 2022. Results: We found the fear and perceived risk of infection were motivators for consistent condom use, especially during anal sex. GBMSM living with HIV receiving antiretroviral ther apy were more inclined to use condoms. We found motivations for using PrEP were influenced by the type of sexual activity and a history of negative HIV status. Also, the barriers to PrEP for GBMSM included limited access to healthcare facilities and the distance to these facilities. Conclusions: To improve condom and PrEP access and uptake, we recommend addressing structural barriers by increasing the number of health facilities and implementing targeted interventions to address the lack of information on HIV awareness and prevention. Involving peer educators may also effectively promote HIV prevention strat egies, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare such as slums. Overcoming these access constraints could significantly enhance awareness and prevention of HIV, leading to improved health outcomes for GBMSM living in slum communities.

Source: UG
Awareness of Environmental Change, Climate Variability, and Their Role in Prevalence of Mosquitoes among Urban Dwellers in Southern Ghana

This study evaluates the extent to which urban residents of Accra and Sekondi-Takoradi (all of southern Ghana) were aware of environment and climate-related variability. A total of 150 questionnaires were given to adults of 40 years and above who lived in the cities for at least 35 years. SPSS version 16 was used to process the data. Results show that all respondents in Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA) and 96% of them in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area (STMA) noted the deteriorating vegetation cover over the cities. Similarly, 93% and 83% of them in AMA and STMA, respectively, observed that land use pattern of the two cities has changed considerably. There was positive and statistically significant correlation between respondents’ educational attainment and their awareness of changes in land use/land cover ( r=0.18 , n=140 , p=0.03 ). Also, 71% in AMA and 89% in STMA stated that temperature of the cities had been increasing over the years. In all, 82.9% of the respondents mentioned that they had problem with the increasing population of mosquitoes. Respondents demonstrated ample knowledge of environment and climate variability and should be engaged in preventing further environmental degradation. The top-down approach to environmental issues has failed; the bottom-up approach to environmental maintenance is needed.

Source: UG
Awareness on waste segregation at source and willingness to pay for collection service in selected markets in Ga West Municipality, Accra, Ghana

Proper solid waste management has become a critical environmental issue for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana. Despite the efforts of authorities to remediate the issue, it remains a great hurdle to overcome. This study assesses the readiness of the Ga West municipality to integrate waste segregation into solid waste management in its markets. Interviews conducted with key stakeholders and questionnaires administered to traders were analysed using a binomial logistic model. Findings from the interviews reveal that the municipality, in the period of this study, not only had no bylaws for waste segregation, but was also inadequately resourced. In addition, we found that 60% of the traders were willing to segregate waste, though only 23.4% were willing to pay for its collection. Income, work experience, and marital status were found to influence willingness to separate waste at source (P < 0.05). Age (20–30 years) and awareness were found to also have a significant influence on a trader’s willingness to pay for the collection of waste (P < 0.05). It is recommended that, for waste segregation to be implemented in markets, municipal authorities ought to formulate bylaws that promote waste segregation from source. Additionally, they must provide the required infrastructure, such as different waste skips for different types of waste; embark on massive education; and introduce innovative strategies such as paying less for the disposal of segregated waste. These measures can help to increase the willingness of market traders to pay for waste disposal.

Source: UG
Awareness, treatment, control, and determinants of dyslipidemia among adults in China

Efective management of dyslipidemia is important. This study aimed to determine the awareness, treatment, control, and determinants of dyslipidemia in middle-aged and older Chinese adults in China. Using data from the 2015 China National Stroke Screening and Prevention Project (CNSSPP), a nationally representative sample of 135,403 Chinese adults aged 40 years or more were included in this analysis. Dyslipidemia was defned by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults fnal report (NCEP-ATP III) and the 2016 Chinese guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia in adults. Models were constructed to adjust for subjects’ characteristics with bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Overall, 51.1% of the subjects were women. Sixty-four percent were aware of their condition, of whom 18.9% received treatment, and of whom 7.2% had adequately controlled dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia treatment was higher in men from rural areas than their urban counterparts. The multivariable logistic regression models revealed that women, urban residents, and general obesity were positively related to awareness. Women, married respondents, and current drinkers had higher odds of treatment. Age group, overweight, general obesity, urban residence, and women were independent determinants of control. Dyslipidemia awareness rate was moderately high, but treatment and control rates were low. Results can be used to develop policies and health promotion strategies with special focus on middle-aged and older adults.

Source: UG
Awaso bauxite red mud-cement based composites: Characterisation for pavement applications

This paper presents the development of Bauxite residue (red mud) based cement composite mortar blocks for applications in pavement construction. The experimental techniques considered include the structural, thermal, morphological and microscopy analysis of the raw bauxite and red mud samples calcined at 800 °C. Composite mortar blocks of different batch formulations were produced and their physicochemical properties were investigated. The results show that the compressive strength of the as-prepared composite mortar blocks increased by ∼40% compared to the type M mortar strength of ∼2500 N/mm2. The load bearing applications of the composites are discussed to influence the adoption of the calcined red mud as supplement in the production of low-cost Portland cement based composite mortar blocks for the construction industry. © 2017

Source: UG