ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Baseline exposure, antibody subclass, and hepatitis B response differentially affect malaria protective immunity following RTS,S/AS01E vaccination in African children

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Baseline malaria vector transmission dynamics in communities in Ahafo mining area in Ghana

Background: Malaria vector dynamics are relevant prior to commencement of mining activities. A baseline entomology survey was conducted in Asutifi and Tano (referred to as Ahafo) in the Brong-Ahafo geo-political region of Ghana during preparatory stages for mining by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. Methods: Between November 2006 and August 2007, eight Centre for Disease Control light traps were set daily (Monday-Friday) to collect mosquitoes. Traps were hanged in rooms that were selected from a pool of 1,100 randomly selected houses. Types of materials used in construction of houses were recorded and mosquito prevention measures were assessed from occupants. Results: A total of 5,393 mosquitoes were caught that comprised Anopheles gambiae (64.8%), Anopheles funestus (4.2%), as well as Culicines, comprising of Culex (30.4%) and Aedes species (0.6%). The entomological inoculation rate in Asutifi (279 infective bites/person/month) and Tano (487 infective bites/person/month) demonstrate relatively high malaria transmission in Ahafo. The presence or absence of Anopheles vectors in rooms was influenced by the type of roofing material (OR 2.33, 95%CI: 1.29-4.22, p∈=∈0.01) as well as the presence of eaves gaps (OR 1.80, 95%CI: 1.37-2.37, p∈<∈0.01). It was also associated with bed net availability in the room (OR 1.39, 95%CI: 1.08-1.80, p∈=∈0.01). Over 80% of the houses were roofed with corrugated zinc sheets. Over 60% of the houses in Ahafo had no eaves gaps to give access to mosquito entry and exit into rooms and mosquito bed net coverage was over 50%. Other measures used in preventing mosquito bites included; coil (22.1%), insecticide spray (9.4%), repellent cream (4.0%) and smoky fires (1.1%), contributed minimally to individual mosquito preventive measures in impact areas. Similarly, levels of protection; coil (16.9%), insecticide spray (2.8%) and repellent cream (0.3%) for the non-impact areas, depict low individual prevention measures. Conclusions: The survey identified areas where intensified vector control activities would be beneficial. It also demonstrates that transmission in Asutifi and Tano is high even before the commencement of mining operations. This study serves as baseline information to assess impact of mining activities in relation to future vector control interventions. © 2015 Dery et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

Source: UG
Baseline soil variation is a major factor in arsenic accumulation in Bengal delta paddy rice

Factors responsible for paddy soil arsenic accumulation in the tubewell irrigated systems of the Bengal Delta were investigated. Baseline (i.e., non-irrigated) and paddy soils were collected from 30 field systems across Bangladesh. For each field, soil sampled at dry season (Boro) harvest, i.e., the crop cycle irrigated with tubewell water, was collected along a 90 m transect away from the tubewell irrigation source. Baseline soil arsenic levels ranged from 0.8 to 21.0 mg/kg, with lower values found on the Pliestocene Terrace around Gazipur (average, 1.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg), and higher levels found in Holecene sediment tracts of Jessore and Faridpur (average, 6.6 ± 1.0 mg/kg). Two independent approaches were used to assess the extent of arsenic build-up in irrigated paddy soils. First, arsenic build-up in paddy soil at the end of dry season production (irrigated - baseline soil arsenic) was regressed against number of years irrigated and tubewell arsenic concentration. Years of irrigation was not significant (P = 0.711), indicating no year-on-year arsenic build-up, whereas tubewell As concentration was significant (P=0.008).The second approach was analysis of irrigated soils for 20 fields over 2 successive years. For nine of the fields there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in soil arsenic from year 1 to 2, one field had a significant increase, whereas there was no change for the remaining 10. Over the dry season irrigation cycle, soil arsenic built-up in soils at a rate dependent on irrigation tubewell water, 35* (tubewell water concentration in mg/kg, ≡ mg/L). Grain arsenic rises steeply at low soil/shoot arsenic levels, plateauing out at higher concentrations. Baseline soil arsenic at Faridpur sites corresponded to grain arsenic levels at the start of this saturation phase. Therefore, variation in baseline levels of soil arsenic leads to a large range in grain arsenic. Where sites have high baseline soil arsenic, further additional arsenic from irrigation water only leads to a gradual increase in grain arsenic concentration.

Source: UG
A baseline study of Ghanian microfinance institutions

We conducted a baseline study of the historical performance of 34 rural and community banks (RCBs), 27 credit unions (CUs), and 2 savings and loans companies (S&Ls), which are licensed microfinance institutions in Ghana, for future comparisons. The study also investigated their potential for long-term survival. The RCBs and CUs were drawn from five political administrative regions. We found that RCBs and CUs have done reasonably well. Regional differences, however, exist in the performance of both RCBs and CUs, and there are significant differences in performance of RCBs vis-a-vis CUs. Both have good potential for long-term survival, but CU appears to be better positioned. We identified disparate levels of performance and future potential between the two S&Ls studied.

Source: UG
A baseline study of spatial variability of bacteria (total coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp.) as biomarkers of pollution in ten tropical Atlantic beaches: concern for environmental and public health

Coastal water quality in urban cities is increasingly impacted by human activities such as agricultural runoff, sewage discharges, and poor sanitation. However, environmental factors controlling bacteria abundance remain poorly understood. The study employed multiple indicators to assess ten beach water qualities in Ghana during minor wet seasons. Environmental parameters (e.g. temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids) were measured in situ using the Horiba multiple parameter probe. Surface water samples were collected to measure total suspended solids, nutrients, and chlorophyll-a via standard methods and bacteria determination through membrane filtration. Environmental parameters measured showed no significant variation for the sample period. However, bacteria loads differ significantly (p = 0.024) among the beaches and influenced significantly by nitrate (55.3%, p = 0.02) and total dissolved solids (17.1%, p = 0.017). The baseline study detected an increased amount of total coliforms and faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.) in beach waters along the coast of Ghana, suggesting faecal contamination, which can pose health risks. The mean ± standard deviations of bacteria loads in beach water are total coliforms (4.06 × 103 ± 4.16 × 103 CFU/100 mL), E. coli (7.06 × 102 ± 1.72 × 103 CFU/100 mL), and Enterococcus spp. (6.15 × 102 ± 1.75 × 103 CFU/100 mL). Evidence of pollution calls for public awareness to prevent ecological and health-related risks and policy reforms to control coastal water pollution. Future research should focus on identifying the sources of contamination in the tropical Atlantic region.

Source: UG
Basic Developmental Characteristics of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Reared under Laboratory Conditions

Te life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from feld-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. Te incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. Te mean larval lengths from the frst to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. Te mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. Te mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. Te total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. Te mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. Te life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. Tis study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making.

Source: UG
Basic school pupils’ food purchases during mid-morning break in urban Ghanaian schools

Background Unhealthy food vending can expose children to malnutrition and other diet-related challenges such as obesity. This study sought to describe types and sources of food in basic schools in urban Accra, and to describe food purchases by pupils. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of five basic schools (3 public; and 2 private) and 644 pupils in the Ga-East Municipality in Ghana. Checklists were used to document available sources of food during school hours. Pupils were intercepted after making purchases during break time and the type, cost, and sources of foods purchased were documented. The energy content of foods was read from labels when available or estimated using the Ghana Food Composition database when unlabelled. Frequencies and crosstabs were used to compare food type by source and school type. Results Foods were purchased from the school canteen, school store, private stores, and ‘table-top’ vendors. Meals were most frequently purchased (38%) although single purchases were sweetened drinks, savory snacks, and confectioneries. About 53% of retailers located within the schools sold relatively healthier food options. Similar foods with comparable energy content were purchased within and outside of school. Conclusions Basic schools in urban Ghana provide ready access to energy-dense food options, which are purchased by pupils both within and outside of school premises. Timely interventions inclusive of school food policies can encourage healthier diets among pupils.

Source: UG
The basis for the antihyperglycaemic activity of indigofera arrecta in the rat

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Basophil depletion downregulates Schistosoma mansoni egg-induced granuloma formation

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
A Battle for Supremacy? Masculinities in Students’ Profane Language Use

This article investigates what students from University of Ghana’s Commonwealth Hall consider as marks of masculinity, through how they represent themselves and other males in their use of profanity. Data are sourced from songs, observations, and interviews. Drawing from hegemonic and nonhegemonic masculinities and theory of ideologies, findings indicate how these students portray themselves as embodying true masculinity, as they represent themselves as superpowers, virile, and assertive. They however marginalize other males by representing them as weaklings, “uncircumcised”, and vagina police. It is their attempt to keep these binary categories in place, which sometimes leads to confrontations between them and other male students. When they believe and articulate that they embody true masculinity, similar practices can only be interpreted as threats. The article, therefore, recommends a bigger study that includes other public universities and assesses the link between these students’ language use and their “radical” behavior.

Source: UG
Battling old ghosts in gender and African media research

There has been more attention paid to the nexus between gender and media in Af- rica since re-democratization spurred the growth of pluralistic media on the Continent. Increasingly also gender and media research in Africa is being enriched by synergies between those in academia and civil society, resulting in better knowledge on media representation, participation, audience reception as well as uncovering hidden his- tories of women’s contributions to the media, and on occasion, the political economy of media industries. This review article provides a discussion on some of the recent trends in scholarship in the field of gender and media in Africa, and argues that despite the growing body of research on the subject there remain gaps in scholarship that need to be addressed. The article advocates a research agenda that is creative, dynamic and responsive to the developmental needs of Africa, and especially atten- tive to the links between media and gendered social justice. It also demands more research which is demographically differentiated to enable better insights on, for example, the influence of media on rural versus urban, or young versus old gendered audiences. The review article argues that since gender studies go beyond just women studies, gender and media researchers must expand their research focus to embrace masculinities and develop empirical and theoretical understandings of the gendering of men in African media also.

Source: UG
Bayesian and Frequentist Analytical Approaches Using Log-Normal and Gamma Frailty Parametric Models for Breast Cancer Mortality

One of the major causes of death among females in Saudi Arabia is breast cancer. Newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer among the female population in Saudi Arabia is 19.5%. With this high incidence, it is crucial that we explore the determinants associated with breast cancer among the Saudi Arabia populace—the focus of this current study. +e total sample size for this study is 8312 (8172 females and about 140 representing 1.68% males) patients that were diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. +ese are facility-based cross-sectional data collected over a 9-year period (2004 to 2013) from a routine health information system database. +e data were obtained from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR). Both descriptive and inferential (Cox with log-normal and gamma frailties) statistics were conducted. +e deviance information criterion (DIC), Watanabe–Akaike information criterion (WAIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and Akaike information criterion were used to evaluate or discriminate between models. For all the six models fitted, the models which combined the fixed and random effects performed better than those with only the fixed effects. +is is so because those models had smaller AIC and BIC values. +e analyses were done using R and the INLA statistical software. +ere are evident disparities by regions with Riyadh, Makkah, and Eastern Province having the highest number of cancer patients at 28%, 26%, and 20% respectively. Grade II (46%) and Grade III (45%) are the most common cancer grades. Left paired site laterality (51%) and regional extent (52%) were also most common characteristics. Overall marital status, grade, and cancer extent increased the risk of a cancer patient dying. +ose that were married had a hazard ratio of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.03–1.80) while widowed had a hazard ratio of 1.57 (95% CI: 1.14–2.18). Both the married and widowed were at higher risk of dying with cancer relative to respondents who had divorced. For grade, the risk was higher for all the levels, that is, Grade I (Well diff) (HR = 7.11, 95% CI: 3.32–15.23), Grade II (Mod diff) (HR = 7.89, 95% CI: 3.88–16.06), Grade III (Poor diff) (HR = 5.90, 95% CI (2.91–11.96), and Grade IV (Undiff) (HR = 5.44, 95% (2.48–11.9), relative to B-cell. +ese findings provide empirical evidence that information about individual patients and their region of residence is an important contributor in understanding the inequalities in cancer mortalities and that the application of robust statistical methodologies is also needed to better understand these issues well.

Source: UG
Bayesian and Multilevel Approaches to Modelling Road Traffic Fatalities in Ghana

The knowledge of accident rates in a country provides a useful tool for a comprehensive analysis of their causes as well as for their prevention. Prof. R. J. Smeed, in 1949, gave a regression model for estimating road traffic fatalities. The study gives a modified form of Smeed’s regression formula for estimating road traffic fatalities in Ghana. The modified regression model was found to be relatively more accurate form for estimating road traffic fatalities in Ghana, than Smeed’s formula. Bayesian model for predicting the annual regional distribution of the number of road traffic fatalities in Ghana is derived, using road traffic accident statistics data from the National Road Safety Commission, Ghana Statistical Service and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority. The data span 1991 to 2009. Since the parameters are assumed to vary across the various regions, they are considered to be random variables with probability distributions. The Markov chain Mont Carlo (MCMC) sampling techniques were used to draw samples from each of the posterior distribution, thereby determining the values of the unknown parameters for each region based on a given data. The study has shown that population and number of registered vehicles are predominant factors affecting road traffic fatalities in Ghana. The effect of other additional factors on road traffic fatality such as human (the driver, passenger and pedestrian), vehicle (its condition and maintenance), environmental/weather and nature of the road cannot be ruled out. Similar to the Bayesian model, where the regression parameters are considered as random variables, a Multilevel Random Coefficient (MRC) model for predicting road traffic fatalities in Ghana was also developed. In this model, the number of road traffic fatalities and the regional groups are conceptualized as a hierarchical system of road traffic fatalities and geographical regions of Ghana, with fatalities and regions defined at separate levels of this hierarchical system. Instead of estimating a separate regression equation for each of the 10 regions in Ghana, a multilevel regression analysis was applied to estimate the values of the regression coefficients for each region based on data given.

Source: UG
Bayesian latent time joint mixed effect models for multicohort longitudinal data

Characterization of long-term disease dynamics, from disease-free to end-stage, is integral to understanding the course of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and ultimately, how best to intervene. Natural history studies typically recruit multiple cohorts at different stages of disease and follow them longitudinally for a relatively short period of time. We propose a latent time joint mixed effects model to characterize long-term disease dynamics using this short-term data. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are proposed for estimation, model selection, and inference. We apply the model to detailed simulation studies and data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.

Source: UG
Bayesian latent time joint mixed-effects model of progression in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Introduction We characterize long-term disease dynamics from cognitively healthy to dementia using data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Methods We apply a latent time joint mixed-effects model to 16 cognitive, functional, biomarker, and imaging outcomes in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are used for estimation and inference. Results We find good concordance between latent time and diagnosis. Change in amyloid positron emission tomography shows a moderate correlation with change in cerebrospinal fluid tau (ρ = 0.310) and phosphorylated tau (ρ = 0.294) and weaker correlation with amyloid-β 42 (ρ = 0.176). In comparison to amyloid positron emission tomography, change in volumetric magnetic resonance imaging summaries is more strongly correlated with cognitive measures (e.g., ρ = 0.731 for ventricles and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale). The average disease trends are consistent with the amyloid cascade hypothesis. Discussion The latent time joint mixed-effects model can (1) uncover long-term disease trends; (2) estimate the sequence of pathological abnormalities; and (3) provide subject-specific prognostic estimates of the time until onset of symptoms.

Source: UG
Bayesian parameter and reliability estimate of weibull failure time distribution

Bayes and frequentist estimators are obtained for the two-parameter Weibull failure time distribution with uncensored observations as well as the survival/reliability and hazard function. The Weibull distribution is used extensively in life testing and reliability/ survival analysis. The Bayes approach is obtained using Lindleys approximation technique with standard non-informative (vague) prior and a proposed generalisation of the noninformative prior. A simulation study is carried out to compare the performances of the methods. It is observed from the study that the unknown parameters, the reliability and hazard functions are best estimated by Bayes using linear exponential loss with the proposed prior followed by general entropy loss function.

Source: UG