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- ItemAcid Mine Drainage: Effect of acid mine drainage on water and soil resources within the Bogoso/Prestea Mine Resource. (Bogoso Concessional Area)(FEBURARY, 2009) Afriyie – Debrah, CharlesHeavy metals contamination (As, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and Cd) and other physico-chemical changes (pH, temperature, EC, DO, alkalinity, S042-, free CN) in underground and surface water, and carbonate carbon and sulphate sulfur in soil samples due to the effect of acid mine drainage (AMD) were assessed around Golden Star Resource Mine (Bogoso concession). Underground and surface water samples were collected from seven different sites and soil samples from three different sites within Golden Star Resources Mine (Bogoso concession) between November, 2006 and April, 2007. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) was used to determine the heavy metal concentrations whilst the physico-chemical parameters were determined using standard methods. Average total levels of arsenic, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and cadmium were 0.0313, 3.7675, 0.0518, 0.0382, 0.8102 and 0.008 (mg/l) and average dissolved levels were 0.0104, 0.6737, 0.0356, 0.0256, 0.6998 and < 0.005 (mg/l) in surface water respectively. In underground water, average total levels of arsenic, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and cadmium were 0.0058, 5.8220, 0.1676, 0.0339, 0.2521 and 0.0065 (mg/l) whilst average dissolved levels were 0.0050, 4.3496, 0.1219, 0.0215, 0.2239 and 0.006 (mg/l) respectively. Iron and manganese levels in surface and underground waters exceeded Ghana Environmental Protection Agency standards for mining effluent. Differences in pH, temperature, E.C, alkalinity, S042-, iron, Cu, Zn and Mn levels in the seven water samples were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). Surface water samples recorded values of EC and S042- ions higher than in underground water samples which exceeded acceptable limits. Carbon and sulfur in soil samples varied from 0.1922 to 1.8247 % and 0.0237 to 1.5830 % respectively. The results of the study showed high impact of AMD on water quality in Bogoso mining area. This effect could be attributed to the release of metals as a result of oxidation of metal-bearing sulphides in the mine dumps and pits at the selected sampling sites. The study showed that addition of lime as a treatment option has not been effective. Hence new conventional methods should be considered in the treatment of acidic water (AMD) in the mining area.
- ItemAflatoxin M1 Contamination of Raw Cow Milk, Milk Products and Dietary Exposure(November, 2018) Addo-Boadu, CollinsGlobally, the occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products has been reported in many countries and therefore a thorny issue especially for developing countries. Despite the health effects of exposure to Aflatoxin M1 such as acute liver damage, cirrhosis of the liver and tumor induction, studies on occurrence and dietary exposure is generally lacking in Ghana. This study therefore sought to determine the incidence and dietary exposure to Aflatoxin M1 in three selected suburbs in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Thirty (30) samples of raw cow’s milk, 30 samples of Burkina drink and 23 locally made cheese (wagashi) were randomly purchased from the three suburbs (Ashaiman, Madina, Nima) in the Greater Accra region and analysed for the presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). Solid phase extraction was used for the extraction and clean-up of samples and subsequently analysed using a high-performance chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector and Pyridinium Bromide Perbromide (PBPB) as a post column derivatization agent for detection and quantification. Using a food frequency questionnaire to obtain food consumption estimates and mean body weights, a deterministic approach was used to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFM1 through raw cow’s milk, burkina drink and wagashi. Five of the thirty milk samples (16.67%) were positive with mean AFM1 levels of ±0.25 ug/l. Seven of the thirty Burkina samples (23.33%) showed presence of AFM1 with mean concentration of ±0.09 ug/l. Five of the cheese samples showed presence of AFM1 with mean concentration of ±0.04 ug/kg. The concentrations of AFM1 were lower in the locally made cheese than in the raw cow’s milk and Burkina drink. All the individual results for each product was above the EU limit of 0.05 ug/kg. For EDI, the results obtained showed that infants recorded the highest mean AFM1 across the three food types and therefore the age group exposed to significant risk. AFM1 intake through wagashi was relatively lower across all age groups compared to burkina drink and raw cow’s milk.
- ItemAnalysis of chronic diseases in Ghana using logistic regression(May 29, 2014) Karim, AzumahThe impact of chronic diseases on the development of a nation cannot be overemphasized. The in uences of socio-demographic/socio-economic factors on chronic disease conditions in Ghana are not well comprehended. The main objective of this study is to examine the e ect of socio-demographic/socio-economic factors of Ghanaians on their chronic disease conditions. A longitudinal study with nationally representative samples was undertaken. The data employed in this study were drawn from the World Health Organization Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE), Wave 1, 2008-2009. The study suggested some level of chronic diseases in the Ghanaians populations. Asthma recorded the highest prevalence conditions with 3.4%, while Lung Disease recorded the least, 0.6 %. However, Depression, Oral health, and Injuries fairly recorded 1.4%, 2.5% and 1.8% respectively. In addition, the strength of the age category groups tends heavily towards adults, and particularly older adults respectively. Most of the respondents belong to the Christian faith. There is fairly even distribution among males and females respectively. More than half of respondents were engaged in self-employment. Majority of the respondent belongs to the Akan ethnic group. Also, widowed respondents contracted depression and oral health disease conditions. This paper revealed that, in Ghana, the occurrences of chronic disease conditions are associated with some socio-demographic/socio-economic factors: age, sex, religion, ethnicity, marital status, occupation, level of education, and income levels.
- ItemAnalysis of Maternal Mortality with Time; a Case Study of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital – Kumasi (2000-2010)(2012) Asomaning, Sarpong SmartThis study examined the occurrence and incidence of Maternal Deaths as well as maternal mortality ratios at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi from 2000 to 2010. The study explored the feasibility for application of Poisson models and time series autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) in the study of occurrence and incidence of Maternal Deaths and to predict Maternal Mortality ratios respectively. Analyses were based on data available at the Bio-Statistics Department of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology directorate of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi for the period 2000-2010. The Statistical Analysis software (SAS) as well as the R-consol statistical analysis software was used in analysing the data. We found that, the mean number of occurrence of maternal death cases were high for all the years considered and established that the mean number of occurrence of maternal death cases has not significantly reduced over the period 2000 to 2010. The result also shows that there was a statistically significant in the incidence of maternal deaths difference between year 2010 (the referenced year) and years 2004, 2005 and 2008. Their chi-square values were 3.95, 5.12 and 5.83 with p-values of 0.0469, 0.0236 and 0.0158 respectively. Finally, the hospitals Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is relatively stable but has a very high average MMR of 967.7 per 100,000 live births which is about twice the National ratio of 451 per 100,000 live births. An ARIMA model fitted was used to predict maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) for the next eight quarters. We conclude that statistically the mean rate of maternal death cases is not significant over the period of time under study, mean number of occurrence of maternal death cases has not significantly reduced over the period 2000 to 2010 and that the ARIMA model is adequate for forecasting quarterly maternal mortality ratios at the hospital.
- ItemAnalysis of Npk in Human Male and Female Urine(January 2010.) Kuwornu, Alfred L. K.This study was to analyze the concentration of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in male, female and composite urine stored over six months and its use in agriculture. Urinals were constructed to allow for easy collection of separate urine which was stored in transparent bottles for six months in a greenhouse. Monthly triplicate analysis of male, female and composite urine was done for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, temperature, pH and colour change. Bray P1 and Flame photometry methods were used in analyzing phosphorus and potassium contents respectively. Nitrogen content was analysed by Kjeldahl digestion and a non-digestion (direct) methods. The temperature, pH and colour were determined using mercury thermometer, temperature/ pH meter and a colour chart. The results indicated that the digested female urine nitrogen was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of male urine from month 2 to month 5. However, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) with respect to the direct method. Contrastingly, male urine phosphorus content was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the female on the 2nd and 3rd months, but there were no significant differences in potassium content for all the different urine. Generally the yield of NPK in all the urine sources peaked on the 4th month. There was a moderate positive correlation between the direct female urine N, and the storage time. The phosphorus levels correlated positively to storage time and temperature but weakly negative to pH. Generally, the urine nitrogen strongly correlated positive to potassium but moderately to temperature and pH. The colour of mature urine is yellow for females and brown for males. The NPK contents in both male (30.4(3.4*)-1-43.7) and female (34.4(6.5*)-1-62.8) urine are comparable to chemical fertilizers. However, the digested female urine nitrogen is significantly higher than that of male urine but vice versa for phosphorus for 2nd and 3rd months of storage. Ecosan urinals should be designed to separately collect urine for specific NPK requirements for crop production. This study will help famers and Governments to save money on the importation of chemical fertilisers.
- ItemAntibacterial Activity of Phyllanthusamarus (Schumand Thonn) Extract against Salmonella Typhicausative Agent Of Typhoid Fever(2013-03) Dabanka, Christiana PeprahThe study was conducted to assess the antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum and Thonn) extract against Salmonella typhicausative agent of typhoid fever at the laboratories of the Departments of Chemistry and Theoretical and Applied Biology of the College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. The objectives were to determine the highest yield of crude extract of P. amarus using different proportions of water to ethanol and to determine the sensitivity of Salmonella typhito these. Three different extraction procedures were carried out. In the first procedure, seven extraction setups each containing different proportions of the two extract (water and ethanol) were used with 10g of the plant sample. In the second procedure, eight setups were used for the two solvents. Ten grams of both fresh and dry plant sample were extracted in two different 200ml of water and in another two different 200ml of water; 20g of both fresh and dry plant sample were again extracted. The same procedure was repeated using ethanol as the solvent. In the third procedure, 10g each of fresh plant sample were boiled in 100ml and 200ml of water for 30 minutes. A sensitivity test to determine the zones of inhibition for the various plant extracts was done on Salmonella typhiisolated from human. Results from the crude yield of P. amarususing water only had the highest crude yield of 2.57g, followed by ethanol only which was 2.52g. The sensitivity studies conducted on the fresh P. amarus indicated that aqueous extract of P. amarus inhibited S. typhito a zone of 5.00mm in 10g/200ml and 7.17mm in 20g/200ml. Ethanol extract also recorded an inhibition zone of 2.67mm and 5.33mm in 10g/200ml and 20g/200ml respectively. Again, sensitivity studies using dry P. amarus samples showed that the aqueous extracts recorded a zone of inhibition of 7.33mm in 10g/200ml and 13.50mm in 20g/200ml. Also ethanol extracts also recorded an inhibition zone of 6.83mm in 10g/200ml and 10.50mm in 20g/200ml. Significant differences were observed among the extracts and the control in both 10g/200ml and 20g/200ml concentrations (P<0.05). Aqueous and ethanol extracts of P. amarus proved inhibitory to S. typhi. .
- ItemApplication of Area to Point Kriging to Buruli Ulcer Incidence in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana(2013-12-16) Ossei, LindaBuruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterium disease after tuberculosis and leprosy. The disease eats through the skin, muscle and bone, leaving victims with disfiguring and debilitating craters. Ghana is the second most endemic country globally, after Cote d’Ivoire with over 1,048 cases with the most endemic regions being the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Central and the Brong Ahafo. The research uses Area to Point Kriging (ATP) method to model the spatial distribution of Buruli ulcer incidence in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. The ATP method used consist of three steps; filtering of noise in the data based on Poisson kriging, the mapping of the corresponding risk at a fine scale and estimating geographical clustering of the disease at the administrative units. This paper focused on the spatial analysis of Buruli ulcer incidence in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo region in terms of sex. The research revealed that there is large range of spatial autocorrelation in males than in females in the various administrative units. The administrative units in Brong Ahafo close to Ashanti region have high BU incidence than the units far away from the Ashanti. The clustering analysis revealed that only Amansie West district is statistically significant for both sexes.
- ItemAssessing dietary pattern and its association with hypertension among the elderly in the Tano North District in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana(June, 2018) Gyamea, HelinaHypertension has become a major contributor to the burden of cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality in the world. Diet has been identified as one of the key modifiable risk factors in the development of hypertension especially among the elderly in low and middle income countries due to changes in dietary patterns. This study investigated dietary patterns and determined their correlation with hypertension among the aged in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among six communities (three urban and three rural) in the Tano North district in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, Waist-to- height ratio, Body Mass Index, together with clinical assessments (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were also taken. Habitual pattern of dietary intake was measured using the Food Consumption Score. The FCS was measured based on eight classified major food groups. In all, 198 individuals were enrolled from 205 households visited. Participants were 55 years and above. Analysis revealed 12.6%, 27.3% and 60.1% of food consumption being the prevalence for poor, mild and acceptable dietary patterns respectively. The results also revealed 10.1% and 46.0% prevalence of mild and high blood pressure levels, respectively, among the respondents. A chi square test revealed an association between dietary pattern and high blood pressure level (X22=12.777, p=0.012). Multinomial regression analysis was conducted and associations were measured using crude and adjusted ratios at the 0.05 level of significance. The odds of elderly with poor dietary pattern (food insecure) having mild hypertension was 5.989 (CI, 1.661, 21.598; P=0.006) with association persisting even after controlling for cofounders. No association was however found between acceptable dietary pattern and high blood pressure level after controlling for other potential factors in the regression model. Family History of BP, poor dietary pattern and locality predictedblood pressure status among the study population. Higher diet score (representing healthy diet or food secured) remains a significant protective factor for hypertension (60.1%), attempts should therefore be made to improve upon the living standards of the aged for an improved life. In conclusion, dietary pattern, when modelled with appropriate control is associated with an increased risk of hypertension among the aged.
- ItemAssessing the Food Safety Knowledge of Food Handlers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana(NOVEMBER, 2014 ) Malik, Bawah AbdulThe Ghana School Feeding Program provides children in deprived kindergarten and primary schools in the country with a hot and nutritious meal at school. Despite the numerous advantages the programme has achieved, there are wide spread media reports suggesting quality and safety challenges. Adequate food safety knowledge of food handlers of the feeding programme is vital for positive food safety attitude as well as good food safety practices. The overall objective of the study was to assess food safety knowledge, attitude and practices of the food handlers. Respondents answered questions critical to food safety involving food contamination, food preparation, personal hygiene, food hygiene and food storage (cold chain management). ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, ‘True’ or ‘False’ and in some cases a 3-point Likert scale of ‘Agree’, ‘Disagree’ or ‘Not Sure’ were used. Descriptive study utilizing frequencies, percentages and chi-square analysis were run using SPSS. Thirty (30) knowledge, fifteen (15) attitude and fourteen (14) practice questions/statements on food safety for forty (40) food handlers were assessed from ten (10) participating schools. Of the respondents, 70% (22) have no food safety training background while 30% (18) have had some food safety education. At least 20 of the food handlers provided overall scores of 67.4% correct responses for the knowledge statements indicating sufficient food safety knowledge while at least 35 showed positive attitude with 86.7% of the attitude statements and 74.1% for food safety practice. Despite these high scores, their knowledge, attitude and practices were poor with respect to some critical aspects of food safety, including food storage, food contamination, personal and food hygiene as well as food preparation with scores of 33.2%, 26.3% and 23.3% respectively which are below the cut off points of at least 66.7%,85.7% and 70.5% respectively. Education, training and work experience had significant effect (p < 0.05) on knowledge, attitude and practice. Trained food handlers had higher levels of sufficient food safety knowledge (86.7%), positive attitude (100%) and good practices (78.6%) compared to untrained food handlers who scored 50%, 93.4% and 64.3% for food safety knowledge, attitude and practices respectively. The levels of food safety knowledge, attitude and practices are therefore high among trained food handlers than those who are untrained. Those with at least 5years of work in the food industry also showed higher food safety knowledge (63.4%) than those with at most 4 years’ work experience (53.3%). Therefore training and work experience impact positively on the food safety knowledge of food handlers.
- ItemAssessing the Level of Implementation of Pre- Requisite Programs to HACCP in Selected Senior High Schools in Wa(NOVEMBER, 2014) Amatu-Subuur, OsmanBackground: Food safety is a Global public health concern especially in developing countries, accounting for 420,000 morbidities and 65,000 mortalities in Ghana annually. Children in Africa usually experience an average of five episodes of diarrhea per year and about 800,000 children die each year from diarrhea and dehydration. This study therefore had the objective of assessing the level of food safety management practices in selected Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region. Methodology: The study was cross-sectional in design and employed focus group interviews to obtain relevant information. In all ninety-seven individuals were interviewed, comprising matrons, cooks, dining hall masters and students representatives (dining hall prefect and assistant, environmental prefect and assistant). Questionnaires were designed to elicit information on written policies and procedures on food safety management including procedures on receiving and storing of food, procedures for ensuring safety of foods brought from home, procedures for ensuring safety of food brought in by food vendors, procedures for ensuring safety of food prepared in kitchens, as well as a crisis management plan that details the roles and responsibilities of staff and procedures for accounting for and releasing students in the event of an out-break of a food-borne illness. The state of facilities and equipment used in cooking and serving food was also recorded. Results: All the matrons had received training on food safety within the last year, while dining hall masters and cooks had received no training in food safety within the same period. In addition only two schools (25%) had at least 2 written policies on ensuring food safety, and these policies were on ensuring safety of food brought from home by students and safety of food brought for sale by external vendors. Also, 87.5% of schools did not have an outbreak crisis management plan defining staff roles in an emergency, whilst 25% had resident nurses who had protocols on identifying food-borne illnesses. Though all schools had equipment for food preparation, none had equipment for ensuring food safety such as thermometers, whilst hand washing facilities were also found to be inadequate. Finally, all schools are monitored at least once a year by the regulatory officers of the food and drugs authority. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that senior high schools in the Upper West Region have no systems in place to manage the safety of food served to students, placing these students at an elevated risk for food-borne diseases. It is recommended that schools be mandated to install and implement food safety management programs to safeguard the health of students.
- ItemAssessing the Performance of Dompoase Wastewater Treatment Plant and Its Effect on Water Quality of the Oda River in Kumasi(November, 2010) Abuenyi, BernardTreatment performance of the Dompoase wastewater treatment plant and the effect of final effluent on the Oda River were evaluated. Influent and effluent wastewaters as well as receiving water qualities were monitored for a period of three months within 2 weeks intervals. The study showed mean percentage removal of 51.23 (± 15.34), 89.18 (± 8.43), 36.11 (± 34.65), 80.80 (± 17.85), 58.02 (± 41.05), 22.51 (± 15.53), 22.23 (± 18.93), 60.94 (± 42.79), 68.52 (± 26) and 92.20 (± 3.82) % for TDS, TSS, Fe, COD, BOD, N, P, Pb, total coliforms and faecal coliforms respectively. In contrast, K and pH revealed higher mean effluent than influent values, hence percentage removals of -27.59 (± 34.40) and - 10.24 (± 1.03) were obtained for K and pH. Reduction from influent to effluent values showed statistical significant differences among mean values for TDS, TSS, COD, BOD, N, K, pH, and Pb (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference observed for mean values of P, Fe, total and faecal coliforms (P>0.05). Total dissolved solids (TDS), TSS, COD, BOD, N, P, Pb, total coliforms and faecal coliforms in effluent wastewater were above the recommended EPA guidelines. But pH was in the acceptable range of 6- 9. It was concluded that effluents fell short of standard requirement before discharge into surface waters. Even though, concentrations of all parameters decreased with distance from the discharge point in River Oda, downstream values of most parameters were higher than upstream values. Water quality parameters of the Oda River were affected as rainfall increases from May through to July.
- ItemAssessing the prevalence and risk factors of neural tube defects at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi(JUNE 2019) Ankwah, Yaa Konadu;Neural tube defect (NTD) is caused by folic acid deficiency, hereditary, lifestyle, environmental factors and chromosomal abnormalities, and among others it is a remarkable public health burden. However, the documented Ghana health literature is devoid of research studies on prevalence and causes of NTD in Kumasi Metropolis. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and risk factors of NTD at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi. The participants in this study were mothers of both live babies with and without NTDs born between the period of January, 2012 to December, 2016. The study collected both primary and secondary data from 65 mothers of babies born with NTD and 65 mothers of babies born without NTD at the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) of KATH. The secondary data were collected from the medical records of the babies with NTD and their mothers while primary data were collected through administration of structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed quantitatively with the help of SPSS version 21.0. The study found out that the prevalence of NTD at KATH was 2.63 per 1000. The commonest type of NTD diagnosed was Meningocele. As mothers advanced in age the likelihood of neural tube defects significantly decreases. Mothers in urban communities had significantly less likelihood to give birth to babies with neural tube defects than mothers in rural communities. Single mothers had higher likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects than married mothers. Mothers with lower educational level had higher likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects. Folic acid intake before pregnancy (one year before pregnancy) reduced the likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects. Mothers in the test group were diagnosed of anaemia and eclampsia more than mothers in the controlled group. Gestational diabetic mothers exposed to smoke from firewood and anemic mothers living in dusty environment had highly significant likelihood of giving birth to babies with NTD. Pregnant women should be educated on nutrition and healthy life style at healthcare facilities as part of their antenatal. Pregnant women should also be made aware of their risk factors to help them know how to interact with the environment to prevent the occurrence of NTDs. Ministry of Health should further embark on massive folic acid intake education to help reduce the occurrence of NTDs.
- ItemAssessment of heavy metal contamination in water, sediment and fish from the Jimi Reservoir, Obuasi(2013-09-04) Asante, KwameThis study was carried out to assess the levels of four heavy metals, Arsenic (As), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in the water, sediment and fish of the Jimi Dam in Obuasi over a four-month period from April to July, 2012. Heavy metal concentrations in the water were found to be very low, and in the cases of Arsenic and Cadmium, concentrations were found to be in trace amount and below detection. Mean Lead concentrations were however found to be well above the WHO, Drinking Water Quality Guideline Value of 0.01 mgL-1. The recorded Lead concentrations at some sampling stations were as much as approximately 10 times higher than the regulatory standard. Copper levels at all the sampling stations on the other hand were found to be low throughout the study period. The study also revealed very highly measurable concentrations of the studied heavy metals, especially in the bottom sediments and in the flesh of the two sampled fish species Tilapia zillii and Oreochromis niloticus harvested from the Dam. With the exception of Lead, all the heavy metal concentrations in the bottom sediments of the Dam were found to be above the USEPA Safety Reference Standards for all or some of the sampling month. Arsenic concentrations in the bottom sediments at all the sampling stations were all well-above the threshold value of 30 mgkg-1. The mean Arsenic concentrations at some of the sampling station were almost 3 times higher than the safety reference standard. Cadmium levels recorded in the bottom sediments were above the Safety Reference Value of 3 mgkg-1 at all the sampling points and fell within the levels for moderately polluted sites. The fish samples of the two species were categorized into two size classes, small (<10cm) and large (>10cm) for the metal analysis. The observed metal concentrations in the bottom sediments and fish were similar to those observed in areas under moderate to heavy pollution. The concentrations of As, Cu and Pb in the flesh of the two fish species were found to be above safety reference standards for human consumption stipulated by the WHO, and hence can pose a serious health threat to people who consume the fish from the Dam. Mean As concentrations in the flesh of the Tilapia zillii ranged from 15.83±0.19 to 16.35±0.07 mgkg-1 for the small size group and 16.05±0.21 to 26.65±0.35 for the large size class. As concentrations in the flesh of the Oreochromis were similar to the concentrations in the Tilapia zillii and ranged from 10.65±0.49 to 12.60±0.14 mgkg-1 for the small size class and 15.45±0.21 to 27.30±0.57 mgkg-1 for the large size class. Mean Copper concentrations in the flesh of the Tilapia zillii was found to range from 9.55±0.77 to 11.35±0.07 mgkg-1 and 8.30±0.00 to 11.70±0.56 mgkg-1 for the small and large size classes respectively. Copper in the flesh of the Oreochromis ranged from 10.65±0.49 to 12.60±0.14 mgkg-1 and from 13.10±0.14 to 13.30±0.14 mgkg-1 for the small and large size classes respectively. For the small size Tilapia zillii, mean Lead concentration ranged from 7.55±0.07 to 8.45±0.07 mgkg-1 while the large size class recorded mean concentrations ranging from 8.55±0.21 to 11.50±0.21 mgkg-1. Cadmium concentrations in the flesh of the two fish species were below the WHO Safety Reference Standard of 1 mgkg-1. Mean cadmium concentrations in the small and large size Tilapia zillii ranged from 0.55±0.07 to 0.65±0.07 mgkg-1 and from 0.50±0.00 to 0.80±0.00 mgkg-1 respectively. Mean Cadmium concentrations in the flesh of the Oreochromis niloticus ranged from 0.60±0.00 to 0.90±0.14 mgkg-1 for the small size class and from 0.70±0.00 to 0.85±0.07 mgkg-1 for the large size class. It is therefore imperative that fishing from the Jimi Dam is prohibited and consumption of fish from it discouraged because of the high levels of the heavy metals in the flesh of the two fish species. The study revealed no significant spatio-temporal variations in the concentrations of the four studied heavy metals as far as the water and biota were concerned indicating an even distribution of the metals in the dam.
- ItemAssessment of illegal forest activities on plant diversity in Tano Offin globally significant biodiversity area (GSBA) in the Nkawie Forest District, Ghana(2014-10-23) Opare Addo, Yaw MichaelBiodiversity in all forms sustains tremendous socio-economic and cultural interests of millions of people all over the world. Increasing human population has resulted in proportional increase in the demand for natural resources for the sustenance of human development needs. It is based on this, that the study was conducted in the Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) within the Tano-Offin forest reserve. The aim of the study was to assess the extent of human activities and its effects on the tree community in the GSBA, with specific objectives of measuring the quantum of human activities occurring in the GSBA, examine the effect of unwanted human activities on tree species richness, abundance and diversity in the GSBA, and also examine the impact of the unwanted human activities on tree species composition, basal area and relative dominance. The area was stratified into two, thus, disturbed and undisturbed areas. In each of the stratified areas, a total of 5km transects were established. On the transects, 20m x 20m plots were laid at every 200m, for 5km. The disturbed area was identified by unwanted human activities such as farming, chainsawing and charcoal production. Trees were enumerated at both areas. Moving in clockwise direction within a plot, all trees with diameter at breast height (1.3m from the ground) equal to or greater than 10cm (≥ 10cm dbh), were identified, measured and recorded. The diameter at breast height of each sampled tree was measured over bark with diameter tape. The mean number of trees identified and recorded in the areas affected by unwanted humans activities was 12.8 (SD=4.2, N = 25), while that of the undisturbed areas was 20.1 (SD=4.3, N=25), Mann- Whitney test shows that there was significant difference between the trees found in the disturbed and the undisturbed areas at p< 0.05 (U = 80, p = 6.749E-6). Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index indicates that the diversity of trees in the areas affected by illegal activities was 3.164 and that of the undisturbed areas was 3.194. The t-test shows that the diversity of trees in both areas were not significantly different (t =1.7985, p = 0.072674).
- ItemAssessment of sediment and water quality in the Owabi reservoir(2010-06-13) Abankwa, ErnestThe Owabi reservoir is one of the major sources of drinking water for the Kumasi metropolis and its surrounding communities. The streams serving the Owabi reservoir have been encroached upon with various human activities due to high population increase within the catchment area of the reservoir, resulting in the pollution of the water. This study sought to assess the extent of pollution of sediment and water from the Owabi reservoir, measure the chemical forms or speciation of the heavy metals and determine their bioavailability. Ten water and sediment samples were collected from ten different sites within the Owabi reservoir. The water samples were analyzed for pollution indicators using standard methods from the American Public Health Association (APHA). Parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity, hardness and nutrients were all within the acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO). Levels of lead, arsenic, colour, turbidity, total suspended solids, faecal coliform and E. coli were above the acceptable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO). These make the water in the reservoir unsafe for domestic use without prior treatment or purification. Correlation analysis showed that arsenic correlated significantly with calcium, pH and conductivity, zinc also correlated significantly with fluoride, lead correlated significantly with magnesium and copper also correlated significantly with zinc. Factor analysis showed that agricultural discharge, domestic waste water discharge and the presence of decaying plant and other materials all contributed to the pollution of the water. The sediments were found to be acidic. The total metal content of Fe, Pb, Cu and Zn were also determined. The geoaccumlation index (Igeo) was also used to assess metal pollution in sediments. The sediment was found to be moderately polluted with respect to Pb and Zn and unpolluted with respect to Cu and Fe. Canonical correlation was carried out to establish the importance of pH, organic matter content (OMC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and electrical conductivity (EC) in co precipitation and release of metals. pH was more important in co precipitating soluble Zn. Co precipitating lead and iron will more likely be associated with EC while co precipitating Zn and Cu will more likely be associated with CEC. Factor analysis was carried out on the heavy metals to identify the sites that were significantly polluted by the heavy metals. Sites Sl, S2 and S3 were found to be significantly polluted. Samples from these sites were subjected to a five step sequential extraction and the results showed that Zn and Pb were potentially bioavailable in the sediments. To understand the risk of the metals to the sediment dwelling organisms the data were compared with the Sediment Quality Values (SQV) using screening quick reference tables (SQUIRT). The comparison showed that Pb and Zn were above the probable effects level (PEL).
- ItemBiochemical and haematological profiles of anaemic pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Ghana.(2015-11-10) Ahenkorah, BenjaminAnaemia in pregnancy is a major public health problem associated with maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. It is important that there should be a firm diagnosis of anaemia to unravel its possible cause(s) before the prescription of an appropriate therapeutic approach. The use of haemoglobin (HGB) level alone appears insufficient in determining the status of anaemia in pregnancy. It is hypothesised that a combination of biochemical and haematological parameters could enhance the diagnosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Antenatal Clinic. Using a structured questionnaire, the socio-demographic data of the women were obtained. Venous blood was collected for haematological and biochemical analyses. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin electrophoresis, white blood cells (WBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), red cell distribution width (RDW), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were determined. The biochemical parameters determined included ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TfS), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), bilirubin, etc. Also, thick blood films were prepared for malaria parasite identification, while early morning stool and midstream urine samples were used for the determination of enteric and urogenital parasites, respectively. It was found that younger age in pregnant women (<30 years) increased the risk of anaemia, with an odds ratio of 1.677(1.081-2.600). The study also found a significant association (p<0.05) between parity, gravidity and anaemia in pregnancy. Rural dwelling, and environmental factors such as source of drinking water (borehole, well) and presence of domestic animals also contributed to anaemia in pregnancy, (p-value<0.05). Considering the biochemical parameters, it iv was observed that serum iron and transferrin saturation had a significant association with anaemia in pregnancy; p-value<0.05. There was no significant difference (p-value>0.05) with regards to haemoglobinopathies and parasitic infections in the two groups of pregnant women. This study has succeeded in the advocacy for investigating the cause of anaemia before blindly treating patients with haematinics.
- ItemBiophysico-Chemical studies on the essential oils and hydrosols from some plants used traditionally as mosquito repellent(2013-06-03) Osei-Owusu, JonathanPlant based repellents have been used for generations in traditional practice as protection measures against mosquitoes. Knowledge on traditional repellent plants is a valuable resource for the development of new natural products...
- ItemBox and Jenkins Arima Methodology on the Incidence of Malaria in Effiduase, Sekyere-East District(2011-10-03) Ofori, EmmanuelMalaria still remains a public health problem in Ghana despite marked reduction of cases in the last few years. To strengthen the country’s prevention and control measures, this study was carried out to develop forecasting and prediction models of malaria incidence in the endemic district of Ashanti Region using time series and ARIMA. This research is a study model of forecasting Malaria incidence of Effiduase in the Sekyere District. It provides us clues about the behaviour of the time series data and develops a statistical model that will aid in finding the future values of the disease for five-month period ahead. The paper examines stationary and nonstationary time series by differencing and forecasting. Two Box-Jenkins Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models are estimated over the period 2001-2010 for Malaria cases in Effiduase. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and mean square error (MSE) are used as measures of forecast accuracy. As the best fitting ARIMA model is found to have the lowest MSE, it is used to obtain post-sample forecasts. The Model ARIMA (2, 1, 0) was identified and used to forecast the morbidity due to malaria for the period. The results show that if measures are not put in place to check the incidence of the disease, subsequent years will witness escalating results. Practically, I suggest that the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets in the system should be proportional to the level of the morbidity due to malaria at any time. Secondly, I recommend that efforts must be seriously made by the major players in the health sector to make the net readily available in the communities at low prices to enable the ordinary Ghanaian to purchase it.
- ItemA bus replacement model for the State Transport Company, Kumasi.(2009-08-05) Kparib Yen-Won, DouglasThe State Transport Company, like many service organizations, faces the problem of how long a bus should be on the road before it is replaced. The aim of this thesis is therefore to determine a schedule of disposals and replacements of the Higher bus, taking into account the revenue generated, operating cost and the salvage values, such that the total cost of these activities is minimized. Data was collected from the State Transport Company Office in Kumasi on the revenue generated, operating cost, and the salvage values on the bus with time. The problem was solved by using dynamic programming. It was found out that the company should always dispose its buses when they are two years old.
- ItemCargo Loading Problem: (A Case Study: Agate Transport and Services Ltd.)(2012) Fosu, Solomon KofiThe main function of logistic companies is to load and transport cargo. Loading operations are often done arbitrary without due regard to weight and volume constraints of the vehicle. This thesis seeks to model loading operations at ATS limited, Tema as a linear programming problem so that profits could be maximized. This involves the use of simplex algorithm and application of QM software to analyse the data. The study revealed an optimal profit of Gh₵ 12140.00 was made. It also established an optimal loading plan in each of the three compartments of the vehicle used. Among other recommendations offered was that computer applications give a systematic and transparent solutions as compared to arbitrary method.