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A long essay or dissertation or thesis involving personal research, written by postgraduates of University of Ghana for a university degree.
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Item Assessment Of The Quality Of Growth Monitoring And Promotion For Children Under Five Years At Chps Compounds In The Wassa Amenfi East District Of The Western Region.(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Asigri, J.Background: Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) is a preventive programme that targets the reduction of malnutrition in children in the early periods of their lives. GMP targets the caregiver and family decisions for positive child growth outcomes and has a great potential to contribute to improving child survival if well implemented. For a GMP programme to achieve its intended objective, the following conditions need to be met; proper implementation of GMP activities by skilled health workers, adequate nutrition education and counseling for care givers, and care giver understanding of information given by health care providers. Underweight rate among children under five years in the Wassa Amenfi East District remains high despite numerous logistical and technical supports by the Western Regional and the Wassa Amenfi East District Health Directorates to health facilities in the area of growth monitoring and promotion. Objective: This study assessed the quality of the growth monitoring and promotion programme administered by Community Health Nurses at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds in the Wassa Amenfi East District and caregivers' satisfaction and perception of quality of the services they received under the programme. Methodology: The study was a cross sectional survey and involved both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on caregiver-child characteristics, caregiver child feeding practices, and caregivers' perception of quality of GMP. The weights of children were measured to determine their weight-for-age status. Key informant interviews were employed to assess the knowledge of Community Health Nurses (CHNs) on GMP and infant and young child feeding counseling and to collect data on institutional factors that affected the quality of GMP. An observation checklist developed based on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) guidelines on GMP was also used to assess the procedure of Growth Monitoring and Promotion at CHPS compounds. Multistage random sampling was used to select 8 CHPS compounds from the 8 sub-districts of the Wassa Amenfi East District. Proportionate sampling was used to determine the sample size for each CHPS compound. A total of 312 caregivers and 15 CHNs were recruited for the study. Data from caregivers were collected through exit interviews using systematic random sampling. Results: Frequent shortage of child health record booklets, insufficient CHNs at CHPS compounds, inadequate space and benches for caregivers and lack of refresher training for staff were identified by a majority of CHNs to be the major institutional factors that affected their ability to render quality GMP services. Community Health Nurses at CHPS compounds had poor knowledge in GMP procedure as well as infant and young child feeding counseling. GMP procedures observed in most CHPS compounds did not conform to the GHS standards, as a result, the service was rated poor in terms of quality. Nutrition counseling offered to caregivers was significantly associated with their child feeding practices as well as the nutritional status (weight-for-age) of their children (p<0.05) even though CHNs had poor knowledge in infant and young child feeding counseling. Conclusion: In order to improve the quality of GMP at CHPS compounds as well as improve the nutritional status of children in the Wassa Amenfi East District, there is the need for the District Health Directorate (OHO) to schedule GMP clinic days for facilities such that CHNs from other facilities and technical officers from the district health directorate can participate to support the few CHNs to provide the gamut of GMP services to caregivers.Item Human And Porcine Trypanosomlasis In The New Juaben Municipality In Eastern Region Of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2011-07) Afakye, K.Introduction: Trypanosomiasis is a zoonotic, vector-borne parasitic disease caused by species of the genus Trypanosoma (T.) and mainly transmitted cyclically by the genus Glossina (G.) (Tsetse fly). About 45,000 human cases are reported annually in Africa, and livestock production is decreased by 20-40%. In Ghana, 0.2% sero-prevalence has been reported in humans, and the prevalence in cattle ranges between 5-50%. In 2006, Trypanosome species were detected in pigs in the New Juaben municipality and there was a likelihood of their transmission into humans. We conducted epidemiological studies in Human African Trypanosomiasis and Animal African Trypanosomiasis in the New Juaben municipality to generate information for developing intervention strategies. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2010 to June 2011 in New Juaben municipality, using simple random sampling to select study participants Tsetse flies were trapped and blood samples taken from humans and pigs for serology and parasitology respectively. We measured the prevalence of human and porcine Trypanosomiasis, identified the Trypanosome and Tsetse fly species and determined fly apparent densities. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for demographic and behavioural data, and to assess the general knowledge of participants. We performed descriptive statistics, univariate and bivariate analyses using EpiData and SPSS. Results: Of 352 human-participants 199(56.2%) were females. The dominant age-group was 11-20 years and majority (43.8%) was farmers. Participants' knowledge of Trypanosomiasis was good [269(76.4%)]. Most [128(37.5%)] of the 341 pigs were iv weaners, and all 2,141 Tsetse-flies caught were identified as Glossina palpalis palpalis with fly apparent-density of 14.46 Glossina/trap/day. Sero-prevalence in humans was 0.7%. In pigs, overall prevalence was 56.0% with T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei groups being the species identified. The biotope and sub-municipality in which pigs are reared were significant risk factors (95% CI:1.239- 10.925; OR=3.679) and (95% CI:1.351-10.149; OR=3.703) respectively. However, keeping piglets was protective (95% CI: 0.078-0.514; OR=0.2) Conclusion: More than half of the pigs are infected with Trypanosomiasis. The presence of T. brucei group and domestic pigs as potential reservoir poses great threat to public health in the municipality. We recommend intensification of health and veterinary education, and integrated control of Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis in Eastern Region.Item Assessment Of Second Year Of Life Immunization Performance In The Accra Metropolis By Oxygen Gershion Wullar(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Wullar. O.G.Background Vaccination in the second year of life is to boost the immunity of children after the first birthday to five years of age. The second-year vaccination exposes children who did not seroconvert during the first year of life vaccination in nine months to now have the opportunity to be fully immunized against killer diseases. The study assesses suboptimal second year of life immunization coverage performance in Okaikoi Sub metro, Accra Metro for 2017. Method: A mixed method comprising of a qualitative and a quantitative study was used to assess health workers, health facilities and guardians of vaccinees. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for 169 respondents in 28 outreach sites visited and 2 focus group discussion conducted. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate associations between categorical variables and Fisher's exact tests used in instances where the assumptions underlying Chi-square failed (i.e. low expected cell frequencies). Wilcoxon rank-sum test was also used to investigate if significant differences in output levels existed between facilities that had a shortage of vaccines and those that did not. Results: The results showed that facilities without shortage had a mean output level of 23.3% compared to the mean output level of 49.8% for those with shortage and this difference was highly significant (p <0.001). All facilities that know of the second year of life catch up policies also had a shortage of the vaccines compared to only some of those that did not know the policies and these differences were significant (p<0.007). Most mothers do not go for vaccination after 9 months due to health staff not scheduling them as identified in focus group discussion. Conclusion Shortcomings identified in this research shows that serious challenges do exist which have to be addressed when vaccines are introduced. The irregular vaccine shortage in the facilities and staff not scheduling for 18 months after receiving 9 months vaccination is found to be some factors affected the vaccination coverage performance which if addressed will significantly help improve the second year of life immunization coverages.Item Implementation of a project-based comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategy in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire: Key lessons(African Evaluation Journal, 2019) Chachu, D.O.Background: The quest for an appropriate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) design that delivers accountability, supports management and facilitates learning is one that many organisations grapple with. Over the years, experiences in project and/or programme development and delivery led the International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour of the International Labour Organization (ILO-IPEC) to consolidate M&E efforts towards the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategy. Objectives: This article aims to present lessons from the design and implementation of a theory of change-driven comprehensive monitoring and evaluation strategy in a child labour project rolled out in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The 5-year project was implemented during 2011–2015 by ILO-IPEC with support from the United States Department of Labour (USDOL). Methods: This article critically analyses project documents (including evaluations) and captures the reflections and experiences of key project staff involved in the project. Results: Timeless lessons are distilled, along with key phases of the project cycle. Critical markers include the importance of stakeholders’ involvement in the design and development of a M&E strategy as a pre-requisite for buy-in and uptake. We find capacity building not just as a box to be ticked but an iterative process to improve knowledge, transfer skills and support learning. In addition to paying attention to technical elements, the soft issues of patience, flexibility and simplicity are discussed as invaluable ingredients for realising M&E goals. Conclusion: While not exhaustive, it is hoped that these lessons would contribute to a minimum set of guidelines for improving M&E practice within projects and programmes.Item Moderate Communitarianism And The Idea Of Political Morality In African Democratic Practice(Diametros, 2018) Majeed, H.M.This paper explores how moderate communitarianism could bring about a greater sense of political morality in the practice of democracy in contemporary Africa. Moderate communitarian nism is a thesis traceable to Kwame Gyekye, the Akan philosopher. This thesis is a moderation of the influence of the community in the Akan, an African social structure. In ensuring good political morality in the Akan, and therefore the African community, Gyekye proposes moral revolution over the enforcement of the law. I perform two main tasks in this article: (i) I reinforce the view that in a democratic framework (such as the framework within which many African states now find themselves), moderate communitarianism offers lessons on political morality, and (ii) I challenge the notion that moral revolution has greater prospects for bringing about political morality than law enforcement.Item The physico-mechanical influence of dehydroxylized activated local kaolin: A supplementary cementitious material for construction applications(Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2019) Marfo, K.K.; Dodoo-Arhin, D.; Agyei-Tuffou, B.; et al.This work presents the effect of partially replacing metakaolin with Portland limestone cement to produce mortars for construction. Teleku Bokazo kaolin was explored as an SCM for the production of mortars. The hydration product between Portland limestone and metakaolin was studied. The kaolin was heat treated to form metakaolin and partially used to replace Portland limestone cement (PLC) in mortars to explore the optimum replacement and its mechanical and durability effect. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phases and crystallinity of the kaolin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) gave information on the functional groups formed during the hydration and structure and surface morphology respectively. The pastes and mortars produced were subjected to setting time, water absorption, flexure, and compression strength tests. The mechanical properties were observed to increase with increasing metakaolin replacements. Therefore, from the results obtained, it is suggested that a 20 % replacement of Portland limestone cement with Teleku Bokazzo metakaolin can be very suitable for construction applications.Item Synthesis andApplication of Fe-Doped TiO2-Halloysite Nanotubes Composite and Their Potential Application in Water Treatment(Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2019) Nyankson, E.; Agyei-Tuffour, B.; Adjasoo, J.; et al.In this work, the potential application of TiO2-Fe-HNT photocatalyst-adsorbent composite in water treatment technologies was confirmed. ,e photocatalyst-adsorbent composite (TiO2-Fe-HNTs) was synthesized by the hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron mi croscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. ,e adsorption and photocatalysis mechanism by the TiO2-Fe-HNT composite were examined on methylene blue dye, rhodamine blue dye, naproxen sodium (pharmaceutical drug waste), and imidacloprid (pesticide). ,e TiO2-Fe-HNT composite was active in UV and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. ,e adsorption and photocatalytic efficiency increased with increasing amounts of HNTs. ,e photocatalyst-adsorbent composite exhibited excellent removal efficiency for pharmaceutical waste (naproxen sodium) and pesticides (imidacloprid). An adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetics for both methylene blue and rhodamine blue dyes with the intraparticle model describing its rate-controlling steps. ,e Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models further described the adsorption of methylene blue and rhodamine blue molecules, respectively.Item Effects of Purity on the Mechanical Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Polymer Nanocomposites(British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 2013) Yaya, A.; Dodoo-Arhin, D.; Onwona-Agyeman, B.; et al.This study investigated the superior mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and its polymer nanocomposites using 0.5% and 1% loading of raw and purified SWCNTs in an epoxy matrix and the degree of dispersion. The extent of load transfer between the nanotubes and the matrix was studied by analyzing the second order G’-band ( 2550 cm-1) of Raman Spectroscopy. The samples have been characterized by structural (Raman spectroscopy), mechanical (tensile test), physical, and microstructural (SEM) point of view. Purified SWCNTs give a better-reinforcing potential compared to raw SWCNTs. We found an increase in Young’s Modulus (3780 MPa-4263 MPa) and toughness (62 MPa-68.8 MPa) for the nanocomposites prepared from purified SWCNTs.Item Fabrication and Characterisation of Ghanaian Bauxite Red Mud-Clay Composite Bricks for Construction Applications(American Journal of Materials Science, 2013) Dodoo-Arhin, D.; Konadu, D.S.; Annan, E.; et al.The behavior of Ghanaian-based bauxite red mud-Tetegbu clay composites has been investigated for their applicability in the ceramic brick construction industry as a means of recycling bauxite waste. The initial raw samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (Tg-DTA). The red mud-clay composites have been formulated as 80%-20%, 70%-30%, 60%-40%, 50%-50% and fired at sintering temperatures of 800ºC, 900ºC and 1100ºC. Generally, mechanical strengths (modulus of rupture) increased with higher sintering temperatures. The results obtained for various characterization analyses such as bulk densities of 1.59 g/cm3 and 1.51 g/cm3 compare very well with literature and hold potential in bauxite residue eco-friendly application for low-cost recyclable constructional materials.Item Comparison Of Stochastic Frontier Approaches For Estimating National Efficiency: An Application To Sub-Saharan African Countries(Journal Of Economic Development, 2018) Danquah, M.; Ouattara, B.In this paper, we attempt to estimate pure national (technical) efficiency for 19 SSA countries over the 1960-2010 period. In doing this, we compare conventional stochastic frontier models for panel data with several recently developed models that seek to control for unobserved heterogeneity in the inefficiency component. We find that the ‘true’ random effects model that treats unobserved heterogeneity in our national dataset generates more reasonable efficiency estimates. Moreover, the results confirm that most SSA countries operate far from the efficient frontier.