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UGSpace is the institutional repository of the University of Ghana. UGSpace is an open access electronic archive for the collection, preservation and distribution of digital materials.
- facilitate the deposit of digital content of a scholarly or heritage nature
- and ultimately share, preserve and promote the intellectual output of the University in a managed environment.
Communities in UGSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
- Grey literature consists of research and information produced outside conventional publishing channels, such as reports, policy briefs, working papers, and conference materials. It offers valuable insights and data that complement peer-reviewed sources, supporting research, policy, and practice.
- The J. H. Kwabena Nketia Archives preserve Ghanaian and African cultural heritage through music, oral traditions, photographs, and audiovisual collections. Guided by Professor Nketia’s vision that African traditional arts must be collected, preserved, practiced, and continually inspire creative expression, the Archives serve as a living resource for scholarship, teaching, and innovation
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Recent Submissions
Correlates Of HIV-TB Co-Infection And Mental Health Of Adults Living In Countries Across Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Protocol
(BMJ Open, 2025-04-11) Danso-Appiah, A.; Yankey, M.; Appiah, I.K.; Twum, W.A.
Introduction HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are two of the
most devastating disease conditions of public health
concern globally. A co-infection of the two diseases
poses serious health challenges to patients including
mental health problems, ranging from mild to severe, with
differing outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess
the correlates of HIV-TB co-infection and mental health of
adults living in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods and analysis We will conduct comprehensive
database and non-database searches for studies
(published and unpublished). We will search Google
Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS, JSTOR, Cochrane
Library, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, HINARI and African Journals
Online from inception to 31 May 2025, without restriction
on language. We will also search the grey literature,
including conference proceedings, preprint repositories,
databases of dissertations, WHO and governmental
databases. In the event where there is a need to contact
experts and corresponding authors for further information,
the review team will do so to enrich the content of
the review. At least three reviewers will independently
undertake study selection, data extraction and risk of
bias assessment using validated tools. We will resolve
discrepancies or disagreements through discussion.
We will analyse dichotomous data as risk ratio, OR or
proportion and continuous data as mean difference with
their SD; all estimates will be presented with their 95%
CI. Where applicable, we will determine SD from point
estimates and the appropriate denominators assuming
a binomial distribution. The magnitude of heterogeneity
between the included studies will be assessed
quantitatively using the index of heterogeneity (I2
statistic).
The I2
values of 25%, 50% and 75% will be considered
to represent low, moderate and significant heterogeneity.
The significance of heterogeneity will be determined by
the p value of the I2
statistic, and a p value of <0.05will
be considered as statistically significant. For studies with
moderate to significant heterogeneity, the random-effects
model will be used to obtain a pooled estimate of the
outcome, and if heterogeneity is low, a fixed-effect model
will be used.
Two Plant Extracts Protect Stored Maize Against Infestation Of Sitophilus zeamais in Northern Ghana
(Journal of Natural Pesticide Research, 2024-11-09) Ndebugri, A.A.I.; Kugbe, J.X.; Adu-Acheampong, S.; Kyerematen, R.
Botanicals have been encouraged as substitutes for conventional pesticides to reduce the impact of the latter on
the environment. In line with that, we studied the effects of two plant extracts in controlling Sitophilus zeamais
Motsch (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) attacks on stored maize (Zea mays L. Poales: Poaceae). The experiment was
conducted under a normal room temperature of 27⁰C to 30⁰C and relative humidity of 74–76 % in a completely
randomized experimental design. We infested the stored maize seeds in glass jars with S. zeamais F1 under a 12-
hour day and 12-hour night within 24 hours period. This was after 50 g of the seeds were mixed with 2 g each of
the two botanicals separately in different glass jars. There were 5 treatments and 10 replications in total. The
data taken for this study were quantitative. To ascertain the efficacy of the botanicals we compared the number
of dead and live weevils, of seeds damage and weight loss caused by weevil attacks under each of the different
treatments by determining percentage mortality, percent weight loss, seed damage and progeny production. Our
results showed that the different botanical formulations significantly controlled S. zeamais population resulting in
reduced damage, better protection and improved storage of maize seeds. However, there were no significant
differences in protections offered between shade dried neem seed powder and rice husk powder although the
latter was the most efficacious with 85 % mortality compared to the former with 65 % with sundried neem seed
powder being the least with a little above 40 % mortality. We concluded from this study that the formulated
botanicals were very effective in controlling S. zeamais populations and therefore recommended that it be used as
a cost effective and environmentally friendly protection of stored maize against S. zeamais attacks, especially in
rural poor areas and places known for continuous seed production and storage, such as the case of the study
community.
Pro-Oxidant Tetrapleura Tetraptera Polyphenol Extract Parallels Quercetin As An In Vitro Cytotoxic Agent In Human Liver Cancer Cells
(Food and Humanity, 2024-11-20) Dzah, C.S.; Agbemelo-Tsomafo, C.
Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) fruits, also called aidan fruits, are traditionally used in Africa and other parts of the
world as a spice in foods and in treating diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, infections and cardiovascular diseases
but have remained largely underutilized. To find new ways of utilizing TT dry fruits, this study produced pro oxidant polyphenols from it by applying the combined effects of high-power, low frequency ultrasound and
the Fenton-like mechanism. The efficacy of the pro-oxidant polyphenols as cytotoxic agent was tested in human
liver cancer cells (HepG2), evaluating its potential use as an anti-cancer remedy. The Folin Ciocalteau, DPPH,
ABTS and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assays were used to determine total phenolic content (TPC) and
antioxidant property of extracts. Pro-oxidant property of extracts was confirmed using lipid oxidation assays that
measured malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and peroxide value (PV) in samples. It was found that TT polyphenol
(TTP) extract treated with FeCl3 (TTP-FeCl3) showed poor antioxidant properties evident in its ability to promote
lipid oxidation (i.e. increasing MDA levels from 0.17 to 2.53 µmol g− 1 and PV from 0.40 to 1.16 meq O2 kg− 1 fat).
It also induced cytotoxic effects in HepG2 cells. From LC-ESI-MS analysis, the major phenolic compounds and
their concentrations in the TTP-FeCl3 extract were kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (23.75 µg g− 1
), 4-O-methylgallic
acid (19.05 µg g− 1
), chlorogenic acid (16.22 µg g− 1
), rutin (16.15 µg g− 1
), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide
(13.19 µg g− 1
), cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (12.58 µg g− 1
), orientin (10.99 µg g− 1
), isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside
(10.11 µg g− 1
) and gallic acid (10.47 µg g− 1
). This study showed that prolonged high-power, low-frequency
ultrasonication in combination with FeCl3 treatment can be used to produce pro-oxidant polyphenols capable of
eliciting cytotoxic effects in HepG2 cells in vitro. Exploring targeted delivery of TTP pro-oxidants with cytotoxic
properties has great potential in disease management.
Oxy-Hydrogen Gas As A Sustainable Fuel For The Welding Industry: Alternative For Oxy-Acetylene Gas
(Cleaner Energy Systems, 2024-11-14) Nyamful, A.; Mohammed, L.; Attah, J.; Donkor, P.; et al.
The urgent need to address climate change has prompted researchers to explore sustainable power generation
methods using low or net-zero fuels and energy storage. Historically, gases derived from acetylene or LPG have
been used for welding in factories. Despite its negative effects on the environment and human health, acetylene
gas remains widely used. Examples of pollutants released from acetylene gas include carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide, both of which contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. There is a need for an
alternative gas that is environmentally friendly, economically viable, and readily available. Hydrogen gas is
currently used across various industries and is increasingly considered a potential primary fuel source for the
future. In this study, a hydrogen fuel cell was used to produce HHO (brown) gas as a replacement for acetylene
through electrolysis. The HHO gas was used to weld a randomly selected test piece, which was then evaluated
alongside an acetylene-welded test piece. The integrity of both welds was assessed using dye-penetrant and
radiographic testing, showing that welds from both gases were strong. Welding with HHO gas, followed by non-destructive inspection, also proved effective, with any defects attributed to inexperience in welding. The
adoption of HHO gas in the welding industry is recommended due to its potential socio-economic benefits, health
advantages, and environmental friendliness. Challenges related to initial investment costs may be mitigated as
technology advances. Further research should focus on qualitative weld testing, economic and environmental
impact assessments, and developing a business model for HHO systems.
Intentions For The Prevention Of Hepatitis B And C Among Healthcare Workers In A Tertiary Facility In Ghana
(IJID Regions, 2025-01-28) Cofie, Y.N.D.; Senoo-Dogbey, V.E.; Kennedy, B.T.C.; Tetteh, M.D.; Mensah, M.M.
Objectives: Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infections pose a significant occupational hazard
to healthcare workers (HCWs) globally, with increased risk due to exposure to blood and body fluids. In Sub Saharan Africa, including Ghana, the prevalence of these infections among HCWs remains high, despite existing
prevention measures. Understanding the factors influencing HCWs’ preventive behaviors is crucial for developing
effective interventions to reduce transmission risks in healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess HBV and
HCV prevention intentions and related factors among HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.
Methods: This cross-sectional, facility-based study was conducted using a quantitative approach. Two hundred
HCWs were selected using stratified random sampling. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a conceptual
framework to determine the behavioral intentions of HCWs toward the prevention of hepatitis B and C. Data
were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and
multiple linear regression. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales.
Results: Attitudes toward prevention were generally poor (M = 1.56 ± 0.56) and did not significantly influence
preventive behaviors (𝛽 = 0.056, P = 0.427). Subjective norms showed a moderate positive influence (M = 3.14
± 0.64, 𝛽 = 0.208, P = 0.003). Self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictor of preventive behaviors (M = 3.44
± 0.59, 𝛽 = 0.566, P <0.001), followed by behavioral intentions (M = 3.55 ± 0.63, 𝛽 = 0.321, P <0.001).
Conclusions: Interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy and leveraging subjective norms may be most effective
in improving HBV and HCV preventive behaviors among HCWs. These findings provide valuable insights for the
development of targeted prevention strategies in healthcare settings, particularly in the Ghanaian context.