Browsing by Author "Ofori-Mensah, S."
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Item Determinants of abortion decisions among Ghanaian university students(2014) Appiah-Agyekum, N. N.,; Sorkpor, C.; Ofori-Mensah, S.Abstract Background: Unsafe abortion accounts for a significant proportion of maternal and reproductive health related mortalities and complications in developing countries. In Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa in general, abortion remains a significant barrier to achieving the health related MDGs. Yet, there exist a dearth of information on the determinants of abortion decisions among adolescents, students and other populations at risk. OBJECTIVES: This study explores the factors that are likely to influence abortion decisions among University students in Ghana. It also explores their knowledge and perceptions on abortion. METHODS: Data were collected from 142 randomly sampled students of the University of Ghana through focus group discussions. Questions focused on their knowledge on abortion and the key determinants of their decisions to abort. The results were recorded, transcribed, and analysed qualitatively using the thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: The students were knowledgeable on abortion. In making decisions on abortion, the students considered their education, religious beliefs, health, economic factors, and family. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as societal pressure and peer influence that, to date, have been the backbone of sexual and reproductive health, anti-abortion stigma, and unsafe abortion education and interventions have minimal influence on abortion decisions among the students. Rather, these interventions must focus on their education, religious beliefs, health, economic factors, and family to make maximum impact.Item Effects of stocking density on growth and survival of young Gulf killifish in recirculating aquaculture systems(Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 2018-05) Ofori-Mensah, S.; Nunoo, F.K.E.; Atsu, D.K.Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, is a hardy marine baitfish with established rearing techniques in ponds and static pools, but there is little information about the use of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for growing killifish.The current trial investigated the effects of stocking density on growth and survival of young killifish in RAS. Young fish (28-day posthatch) of 51.6 ± 0.9 mg (mean ± SE) were stocked at 2, 5, 8, and 11 fish/L in 31 L tanks in RAS with triplicate groups for 16 weeks. Cannibalism was a major problem in the study, which increased with increasing initial stocking density, affecting survival negatively. Survival decreased (P < 0.03) with increasing initial stocking density and culture period. At the end of the trial, the 2, 5, 8 and 11 fish/L initial stocking density reduced to 1.66, 1.42, 0.86, and 0.74 fish/L respectively. A significant linear relationship existed between the initial stocking density and weight (y = 0.077x + 2.3; R2 = 0.8; P = 0.003), whereas an inverse relationship occurred between initial stocking density and survival parameters (y = −9.43x + 97.4; R2 = 0.89; P < 0.001). From the trial, the optimum density for culturing young of Gulf killifish in RAS appears to be around two fish/L.Item Growth and survival of Juvenile Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis in recirculating aquaculture systems(North American Journal of Aquaculture, 2013-07) Ofori-Mensah, S.; Green, C.C.; Nunoo, F.K.E.Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis is one of the largest killifish species. It is a euryhaline teleost and a popular baitfish occurring along the coastal Gulf ofMexico and southern Atlantic states. There is currently limited information on the grow-out characteristics of killifish in indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). This preliminary study aims at determining the effects of stocking density on the growth and survival of juvenile Gulf Killifish in indoor RAS. Individuals of 0.45 ± 0.01 g (mean ± SE) weight were stocked at initial densities of 2 and 5 fish/L in 60-L tanks in RAS with four replicates each.After 82 d of culture, difference in growth at these densities was not significant (P>0.629).Mean survival and gross and net yields differed by stocking density. Survival (94.6%) in the lowest density was significantly high (ANOVA: P < 0.01) compared with survival (83.9%) in the highest density. Gross and net yields were significantly high (ANOVA: P < 0.01) at the 5 fish/L stocking densities. Compared with the traditional pond system, the use of RAS in this preliminary study enabled stocking of killifish at very high densities. However, cultured fish grew relatively slow in RAS compared with pond culture and did not reach market size (≈3.3 g). © American Fisheries Society 2013.