ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Situational assessment and epidemiology of HIV, HBV and HCV among people who use and inject drugs in Ghana

Introduction People who inject drugs (PWID) and people who use drugs (PWUD) are an important popu lation group that remain under-served in Ghana. Though PWID and PWUD are among the key populations most-at-risk to acquire sexually transmitted or blood-borne diseases, they are among those with the least access to human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses’ prevention, care and treatment services in Ghana due to lack of data on them. We provide a rapid assessment of the PWUD and PWID situation in Ghana. Methods This rapid cross-sectional design undertook consultative meetings between the study team and relevant stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSO) working with PWUD/PWID. The assessment considered a representative sample of PWID and PWUD. It was conducted in four (4) selected regions of Ghana (Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, and Northern). Overall, 323 participants were interviewed using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) approach. Information obtained from participants were demographics, HIV risk behaviors, human immunodeficiency (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI)-related knowledge HIV/HCV/HBV screening, attitude, and practices among others. Analyses were conducted using Stata version 17 and RDSAT version 7.1.46 software. Findings Drug use was found to be more prevalent among the youth with a median age of 37 years. Majority of the respondents were males (86%). About 28% of the female respondents identi fied themselves as sex workers, while about 74% have been involved in transactional sex. The median age at which respondents started using and injecting drugs was 20 and 22 years respectively. Majority (68%) of the respondents consume drugs through smoking, with 20% through snorting, inhaling or swallowing and 12% through injection. The drug mostly used among the respondents was heroin (52%). The most commonly injected drug was cocaine (55%). About 64.7% of respondents reported mixing two or more drugs. HIV prevalence among respondents was 2.5%, 12.3% among women and 17.7% among women engaged in sex work, highlighting the overlap vulnerability. The prevalence of hepa titis C was 6.0%, and Hepatitis B was 4.5%. Access to care is limited, with 63% of the respondents never been tested for HIV. Conclusion These rapid assessment findings reveal the challenging conditions for people who use and inject drugs coupled with a relatively high prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis C compared to the general population. However, it also reveals that Ghana has a window of opportunity to prevent an exponential spread of HIV and Hepatitis in this population. Therefore, there is the need to implement prevention and treatment programs for HIV and hepatitis among people who use and inject drugs including essential strategies for an enabling environment in Ghana.

Source: UG
Situational Assessment And Epidemiology Of HIV, HBV And HCV Among People Who Use And Inject Drugs In Ghana.

Introduction People who inject drugs (PWID) and people who use drugs (PWUD) are an important popu lation group that remain under-served in Ghana. Though PWID and PWUD are among the key populations most-at-risk to acquire sexually transmitted or blood-borne diseases, they are among those with the least access to human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses’ prevention, care and treatment services in Ghana due to lack of data on them. We provide a rapid assessment of the PWUD and PWID situation in Ghana. Methods This rapid cross-sectional design undertook consultative meetings between the study team and relevant stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSO) working with PWUD/PWID. The assessment considered a representative sample of PWID and PWUD. It was conducted in four (4) selected regions of Ghana (Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, and Northern). Overall, 323 participants were interviewed using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) approach. Information obtained from participants were demographics, HIV risk behaviors, human immunodeficiency (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI)-related knowledge HIV/HCV/HBV screening, attitude, and practices among others. Analyses were conducted using Stata version 17 and RDSAT version 7.1.46 software. Findings Drug use was found to be more prevalent among the youth with a median age of 37 years. Majority of the respondents were males (86%). About 28% of the female respondents identified themselves as sex workers, while about 74% have been involved in transactional sex. The median age at which respondents started using and injecting drugs was 20 and 22 years respectively. Majority (68%) of the respondents consume drugs through smoking, with 20% through snorting, inhaling or swallowing and 12% through injection. The drug mostly used among the respondents was heroin (52%). The most commonly injected drug was cocaine (55%). About 64.7% of respondents reported mixing two or more drugs. HIV prevalence among respondents was 2.5%, 12.3% among women and 17.7% among women engaged in sex work, highlighting the overlap vulnerability. The prevalence of Hepatitis C was 6.0%, and Hepatitis B was 4.5%. Access to care is limited, with 63% of the respondents never been tested for HIV. Conclusion These rapid assessment findings reveal the challenging conditions for people who use and inject drugs coupled with a relatively high prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis C compared to the general population. However, it also reveals that Ghana has a window of opportunity to prevent an exponential spread of HIV and Hepatitis in this population. Therefore, there is the need to implement prevention and treatment programs for HIV and hepatitis among people who use and inject drugs including essential strategies for an enabling environment in Ghana.

Source: UG
Six Case Studies - Adabraka (Accra)

One of the greatest problem facing the West African teacher is his lack of knowledge of the children he teaches. He is so much concerned with class teaching that the pupil never appears before him as an individual. This is, of course, a sad affair because we can help the child better only when we know him more intimately. Our knowledge of him should make him break through the barriers of mere acquaintance whose relation to us only means the possibility of a salary. He should mean to us more than that: a human being with the beginning of a history come to us so that we may help him develop his potentialities and aptitudes along satisfactory lines. What else must our first task be than striving to know this child who has swum into our ken? And knowing him means, knowing his home environment; the manner in which he is housed, taken care of and fed; his likes and dislikes; his favourites and favourite games; the situations that anger or please him et cetera.

Source: UG
Six Case Studies of Children in Krabokese

In our schooling of children we have tended to be so obsessed by conventional notions as to what a school should do in teaching certain academic skills that relatively little thought and little research has been devoted to the question of what the school might do with respect to emotional welfare of children In Ghana, we are even more susceptible to this weakness. We tend as teachers to teach 'subjects' rather than children. We forget that children also are living beings endowed with reason and certain innate capabilities, potentialities, aptitudes, interests and tendencies which are often affected by their experiences and influenced by their environments

Source: UG
Six Case studies of Children in Teshie

The substance of this thesis deals with case studies of six children in Teshie a coastal town eight miles east of Accra. ‘Social heritage definitely colours the life of the individual, shapes his behaviour and in part creates his character’ Miller. According to this quotation it would be improper to exclude from this account of the studies of the children the coherent picture of some of the important aspect of the social life of the town. This embraces a brief description of the area, its population, their nature of occupation, the number and proximity of schools, the general standard of literacy and education and other relevant factors.

Source: UG
Sixty years of university-based education in Ghana: challenges and prospects of making transition into a lifelong learning institution

Within the last decade, adult education has faced significant challenges in terms of its relevance to socio-economic development as it sought to define itself through many international conferences. In spite of these re-conceptualisations, adult education continues to be relegated to the periphery, and therefore lacks the needed funding to play a key role in national development. This paper traces the history of university-based adult education in Ghana. The paper examines how various conceptualisations of adult education have affected university-based adult education in Ghana. Within the context of globalisation and the progression towards knowledge-based society, the paper discusses adult and continuing education as lifelong learning and explains how the Institute of Continuing and Distance Education could transforming itself into a university-based lifelong learning institution.

Source: UG
SIZE REDUCTIONOF FOOD COMMODITIES AND FOOD SAFETY IN SOME ACCRA MARKETS

The objective of this paper is to investigate the food safety and hygienic status after size reduction in some Accra markets, using questionnaire and bacterial samples to validate the questionnaire findings. The primary research was done in the Kaneshie, Makola and Nima markets in Accra. The work involved more than 55 milling machines in these different and affluent markets. The audit form used consisted of a number of questions for each of the 21 respondents chosen at random with a range of one to three machines, some owning up to 5 machines. In addition to the audit,36 samples of tomatoes were taken before and after milling to assess their microbiological safety and the microbial total load by evaluating the platecount agar (PCA), and Violet Red Bile Glucose (VRBG) for the detection and enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli indicating the presence of potential faecal contamination. All 36 samples from the three markets were relatively microbiologically contaminated. The contamination load increased with the milling time. After size reduction of the foods they came out of the machine more contaminated than they entered. Some foods are subjected to adulteration in the size reduction machine. The results of this study suggest that even though most of the foods are cooked before consumption it is necessary to put in place good manufacturing practice (GMP) which must be followed starting with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles. If this is not done, consumption of such products could lead to serious health hazards especially where they are not cooked enough to eliminate the microbial loads. Disinfection of the machine and the environment will be necessary after each milling session. The products to be milled should be of better microbial quality as well so that the milled product can be safe for consumption. The enforcing agencies and other stakeholders also have a big role to play in terms of awareness and education for the good of the consumer.

Source: UG
Size, Beta, Average Stock Return Relationship, 19th century Evidence

We used portfolio sorting and Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regression approach to test the validity of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) in the 19th century. The CAPM is not valid in the 19th century, but we caution not to discard the model completely. Since the high fluctuations in the times' series of the slopes (coefficient of the relationship between expected returns and beta) cover the capability to reach a solid conclusion concerning validity of the CAPM. Size (price time’s shares outstanding) effects exist on the 19th century, but it disappears when stocks are value weighted to form portfolios. Detail evidence reveals that size effect is contributed by small size group of stocks, which accounts for only 0.35% of the total market size.

Source: UG
Sjögren's and plasma cell variant Castleman disease: a case report

Castleman disease is a rare cause of lymphoid hyperplasia and may result in localized symptoms or an aggressive, multisystem disorder. It can mimic other diseases like lymphoma or tuberculosis. It classically presents as a mediastinal mass that involves the lymphatic tissue primarily but can also affect extra lymphatic sites including the lungs, larynx, parotid glands, pancreas, meninges, and muscles. In HIV and HHV8-negative patients with idiopathic multi-centric Castleman disease, pathogenesis may involve autoimmune mechanisms. We highlight and report a case of a 34-year-old Ghanaian female who was successfully diagnosed and managed for Sjögren's as well as plasma cell variant Castleman disease with combination chemotherapy and rituximab followed by eighteen months maintenance therapy with pulse chlorambucil and prednisolone and three monthly rituximab.

Source: UG
Skin diseases among school children in Ghana, Gabon, and Rwanda

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
Skin Lighteners and Hair Relaxers as Risk Factors for Breast Cancer: Results from the Ghana Breast Health Study

Skin lighteners and hair relaxers, both common among women of African descent, have been suggested as possibly affecting breast cancer risk. In Accra and Kumasi, Ghana, we collected detailed information on usage patterns of both exposures among 1131 invasive breast cancer cases and 2106 population controls. Multivariate analyses estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjustment for breast cancer risk factors. Control usage was 25.8% for ever use of skin lighteners and 90.0% for use of hair relaxers for >1 year. The OR for skin lighteners was 1.10 (95% CI 0.93-1.32), with higher risks for former (1.21, 0.98-1.50) than current (0.96, 0.74-1.24) users. No significant dose-response relations were seen by duration, age at first use or frequency of use. In contrast, an OR of 1.58 (95% CI 1.15-2.18) was associated with use of hair relaxers, with higher risks for former (2.22, 1.56-3.16) than current (1.39, 1.00-1.93) users. Although numbers of burns were inconsistently related to risk, associations increased with duration of use, restricted to women who predominately used non-lye products (P for trend < 0.01). This was most pronounced among women with few children and those with smaller tumors, suggesting a possible role for other unmeasured lifestyle factors. This study does not implicate a substantial role for skin lighteners as breast cancer risk factors, but the findings regarding hair relaxers were less reassuring. The effects of skin lighteners and hair relaxers on breast cancer should continue to be monitored, especially given some biologic plausibility for their affecting risk.

Source: UG
The Slave Trade in Northern Ghana: Landmarks, Legacies and Connections

Indigenous slavery, the trans-Saharan commerce in slaves and modern forms of slavery have all impacted upon Ghanaian life, and abundant material evidence for these various forms of slavery survives. Yet until recently, attention has largely focused on the European trading fortresses dotted along the coastline of Ghana. This article will argue that material remains in the northern Ghanaian hinterland have an equal potential to enhance our understanding of slavery, and its legacy, in 2007 and beyond.

Source: UG
Slums of Hope and Slums of Despair. Mobility and Livelihoods in Nima. Special Issue

Slums are universally assumed to be the worst places for people to live in, and it is often taken for granted that the livelihood situations of slum communities are also uniform and homogenous. So pervasive is the latter idea that most studies examining the livelihood situations of slum communities do not compare the socio-economic and cultural differences within such communities. A distinctive feature of slum communities is the pursuance of multiple livelihood strategies that are tied to migration. However, the links between migration and livelihood situations in many slum communities have not been extensively examined. The article seeks to examine the many faces of Nima, a slum community in Accra (Ghana), and link these to livelihoods and migration. The data for the study are drawn from varied sources, including in-depth, key informant interviews, personal observations, and census reports. The complexity and varied migration patterns both internationally and internally tied to livelihoods in Nima are revealed. The changing character of slums is discussed and it is concluded that slums are not only a matter of the negative aspects of urban places but there are positive sides as well. The significance of migration and migrants is crucial for understanding Nima's role in urban development, and for making the appropriate recommendations for livelihoods development in Nima.

Source: UG
Small Molecule Regulation Of Iron Homeostasis: Design And Optimization Of Novel Iron Chelators Based On A Thiosemicarbazone Scaffold.

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
’Small small quarrels bring about happiness or love in the relationships’: Exploring community perceptions and gendered norms contributing to male perpetrated intimate partner violence in the Central Region of Ghana

In this paper, we explore gender norms held by men and women that might contribute to male perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Ghana. This qualitative research was conducted at the pre-intervention stage of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Our intervention uses community-based action teams to change social norms on gender and violence. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted within communities. We found that male perpetrated IPV is a common phenomenon within the study communities, yet it is complex and experienced differently depending on the context. A woman’s non-compliance with gender norms provided context for the male partner to enforce societal conformity through IPV. Also, male partners’ misbehavior (e.g. alcohol abuse) may exacerbate IPV. Whereas the former is socially acceptable, the latter may be contested. Victims may challenge/counteract IPV using varying tactics (e.g. threats), which were mainly directed toward male partners’ immoral behavior. We conclude that there is a need to assess IPV with key considerations for female agency, as some victims may respond with violence. Moreover, some communities have the tendency to demonstrate more gender-equitable attitudes regarding male perpetration of IPV, as indicated by laws instituted by some traditional leaders to deter perpetrators. These are key learnings that can inform the design and delivery of various interventions that seek to address IPV.

Source: UG
Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Do Not Affect Plasma or Milk Retinol Concentrations Among Malawian Mothers, or Plasma Retinol Concentrations among Young Malawian or Ghanaian Children in Two Randomized Trials

Background: Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is prevalent in preschool-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: We assessed the effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) given to women during pregnancy and lactation and their children from 6 to 18 mo of age on women’s plasma and milk retinol concentrations in Malawi, and children’s plasma retinol concentration in Malawi and Ghana. Methods: Pregnant women (≤20 wk of gestation) were randomized to receive daily: 1) iron and folic acid (IFA) during pregnancy only; 2)multiplemicronutrients (MMN; 800 μg retinol equivalent (RE)/capsule), or 3) SQ-LNS (800 μg RE/20g) during pregnancy and the first 6 mo postpartum. Children of mothers in the SQ-LNS group received SQ-LNS (400 μg RE/20 g) from 6 to 18 mo of age; children of mothers in the IFA and MMN groups received no supplement. Plasma retinol was measured in mothers at ≤20 and 36 wk of gestation and 6 mo postpartum, and in children at 6 and 18 mo of age. Milk retinol was measured at 6 mo postpartum. VA status indicators were compared by group. Results: Among Malawian mothers, geometric mean (95% CI) plasma retinol concentrations at 36 wk of gestation and 6 mo postpartum were 0.97 μmol/L (0.94, 1.01 μmol/L) and 1.35 μmol/L (1.31, 1.39 μmol/L), respectively; geometric mean (95% CI) milk retinol concentration at 6 mo postpartum was 1.04 μmol/L (0.97, 1.13 μmol/L); results did not differ by intervention group. Geometric mean (95% CI) plasma retinol concentrations for Malawian children at 6 and 18 mo of age were 0.78 μmol/L (0.75, 0.81 μmol/L) and 0.81 μmol/L (0.78, 0.85 μmol/L), respectively, and for Ghanaian children they were 0.85 μmol/L (0.82, 0.88 μmol/L) and 0.88 μmol/L (0.85, 0.91 μmol/L), respectively; results did not differ by intervention group in either setting. Conclusions: SQ-LNS had no effect on VA status of mothers or children, possibly because of low responsiveness of the VA status indicators. J Nutr 2021;151:1029–1037.

Source: UG