ABSTRACT Globally, there have been increasing demands for water by increasing populations. Demands however outstrip supply in most regions creating water shortage situation. Water shortage is noted to have effects on the socio-economic livelihood development of households. This study assessed the effects of water shortage and coping strategies of households as well as the role of stakeholders in addressing the situation in Kumawu. Using the mixed method, 200 household questionnaires were admi...
ABSTRACT Introduction: The major organisms that cause septicaemia in children have been established in different geographic locations. However, these causative organisms of paediatric septicaemia and their antibiogram change over time, within and across settings. In addition, increased antimicrobial drug resistance among the organisms has been observed over the last decades. Study of the aetiological agents and their antibiogram is therefore imperative for designing community- based managemen...
ABSTRACT This work shows the increase in surface dose caused by thermoplastic immobilizing masks used for positioning and immobilization of patients. Thermoplastics are organic materials which soften when they are heated. They can be formed after softening and retain their final shape when cooled. The use of these thermoplastic masks are relevant during patient treatment. However, it can lead to an increased skin dose. Measurements were done at source-to-suface distance of 80 cm for external ...
SUMMARY A parasitological, clinical, periodicity and entomological study of lymphatic filariasis was earned out at Gomoa Okyereko, an irrigation project community in Southern Ghana to provide baseline information on the infection and its transmission in the community. Out of a total of 636 inhabitants, fifty percent of the residents were selected from the compiled demographic data using computer generated random numbers to constitute the study population. Quantitative examination of night blo...
ABSTRACT Background: Babesia/Theileria species are intra-erythrocytic protozoa of the phylum apicomplexa. The merozoite stage of Babesia/Theileria have diagnostic significance and are found as intracellular inclusions of infected red blood cells. The trophozoite stages appear as ring forms which measure about 1.0 to 5.0µm. These parasites are transmitted by hard ticks and can cause a zoonotic disease known as babesiosis/theileriosis. Human babesiosis/theileriosis are usually asymptomatic exc...
ABSTRACT As part of the malaria control measures in Ghana, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is used as an Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPTp) among pregnant women and now as a seasonal chemoprophylaxis (SMC) in children on pilot basis. However, parasite resistance to the drug has been reported in the country and this has been linked to point mutations in the dhps (dihydroptoreate synthase) and dhfr (dihydrofolate reductase) genes, the targets of SP. There is also an evidence of amplificati...
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria continues to be a major public health concern with majority of deaths occurring in the tropical regions. Control strategies within the human host have been through drug administration either as treatment of infected persons or prophylaxis. The challenge to effective malaria control is partly due to the emergence and the spread of resistant Plasmodia, especially in endemic countries. Confirmed antimalarial drug resistance is the combination of microscopic analysi...
ABSTRACT The main aim of this dissertation was to identify pathfinder elements for gold and generate new gold targets for further exploration at Chirano Gold Mining Area. A geochemical data was generated from 521 soil samples which were analysed for 51 elements and evaluated using multivariate statistical methods. Principal Components and Factor Analyses were used to reduce the data into two groups and Cluster Analysis conducted to find element associations hence pathfinders for gold. Ano...
ABSTRACT The natural Radial and axial variations in the resistance of the wood of Termihalia ivorensis A* Chev, against damage by subterranean termites were investigated for two trees from the same locality- The damage was studied in relation to specific gravity, the modulus of elasticity, the cross-sectional area of vessels in the wood,, and the water soluble extractives. The correlation between termite damage and these physical, mechanical and anatomical properties have been reported. It wa...
ABSTRACT The devolution of political administration, planning and the decision-making process from over burdened central governments to the local level has been borne out of one basic fact - that community participation in governance, planning and decision-making will make the process of development more self-sustaining. The assumption being that bringing policy decisions that reflect local conditions closer to the people will lead to a fuller participation in programmes that will bring abou...
ABSTRACT Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common healthcare-associated infections affecting surgical patients. Such infections are often caused by methicillin-susceptible as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is resistant to the entire class of beta-lactam antimicrobials; which are largely used in clinical medicine. Patients infected with MRSAs therefore have limited therapeutic options, and this ...
ABSTRACT The main source of animal protein is livestock and their products. Livestock plays a crucial role in the economy of most nations. Parasitism is one of the main constraints limiting livestock productions. Control of parasitic diseases communicable from animals to men under natural conditions is very necessary to improve the health status of Ghanaians. The research was aimed at determining different parasites and compares the prevalence of infections at certified and uncertified abatt...
ABSTRACT There have been several reports on the antimicrobial activity of different herbal extracts. Medicinal plants are believed to be the best source for obtaining a variety of drugs. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is a medicinal plant known for its nutritional delicacy and medicinal properties such as the treatment of diseases like hypertension, coughs, biliousness, boils and wounds. Currently, the main therapy for bacterial infections is the use of synthetic antibiotics. However, the misuse and...
ABSTRACT Samples of oils and fats of different degree of unsaturation namely; shea butter, palm oil and groundnut oil were heated at three different temperatures (150°C, 110°c and 190°C) for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 1 Ohrs using a temperature regulated, lidded-deep frying equipment. The changes in some chemical properties were monitored. These chemical properties include acid value, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value and volatile content. The total phosphorus contents were also monit...
ABSTRACT This project is concerned with the development and evaluation of an atom-trapping technique for determination of heavy metals in environmental samples. Modified atom-trapping technique using fabricated nickel tube/sample holder (crucible) was employed to increase the sensitivity of a flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Basic performance data for different parameters, such as burner height and the height of the support, were studied. Different designs and ways of placing the atom tr...