Preliminary Study on the Effects of Two Different Sources of Organic Manure on the Growth Performance of Moringa oleifera Seedlings

The study was designed to investigate the effects of application of two sources of organic manure, namely poultry droppings and cow dung manure on the vegetative growth and photosynthetic pigments of Moringa oleifera seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized design, consisting of 540 seedlings in black polythene bags fertilized with 15 g of organic manure per plant by point application of poultry dropping and cow dung. Thus, each seedling in the treatments received 15 g of either partly decomposed poultry droppings or 15 g of partly decomposed cow dung or none of the manure (ie controls). Seedling height, stem girth, root length and root girth were measured with a metre rule and the aid of a thread. Seedling dry weight and leaf relative water contents were also determined. Photosynthetic pigments were determined by the spectrophotometer technique. The results indicated that both sources of organic manure significantly (p < 0.01) increased growth performance of Moringa oleifera seedlings but the photosynthetic pigments in the leaves were not significantly affected by the effects of both sources of organic manure. The results thus showed that both poultry manure and cow dung are valuable sources of fertilizer for Moringa oleifera seedlings but poultry manure out-performed cow dung in all growth attributes assessed because it produced higher values for all the attributes. However, the values for chlorophyll and carotenoid content did not show clear-cut differences between the two sources of organic manure. It is therefore, recommended that in the event of a choice between the two for crop production in general and Moringa in particular, poultry manure would be a better option. Keywords: Cow dung, Moringa oleifera, Organic manure, Poultry manure, Seedling

Resourcing Small and Medium Enterprises: Owners Willingness to Seek Funding From Banks in Ghana

One of the most important resources required by owners of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in their operation is capital. When internal funds become inadequate for the running of the business, the need arises for owners to seek external funding to support what is generated internally. Many SMEs in Ghana have not utilized the banks in their pursuit for external funding and that is a source of worry for both parties. This study was then motivated to find out the factors contributing to this action. A sample size of 125 SME owners was made to respond to questions pertaining to the objective of the study. The data generated was analyzed using an Econometric views regression model called the probit model and it turned out that, four out of the eight variables used in the study had significant effect on the willingness of SMEs owners to seek funding from banks. The study therefore concluded among other things that, firms prefer to deal with banks they are not familiar with and also innovative oriented firms are not necessarily large firms. Keywords: Resourcing, willingness, funding, banks, SME, internal, external, fundin

Leaf and fruit characteristics of Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) in Northern Ghana

Leaf and fruit parameters of Vitellaria paradoxa populations in north-south gradientof the shea belt in the transitional and Guinea Savanna zones of Ghana were comparedduring the fruiting season between April to July, 2011. Leafmorphological traits studied include laminar width, petiole and laminar lengths. Fruitparameters measured include fruit and kernel widths, lengths, weights and pulp weight.Results showed variability for most of the characters determined. The leaves in Paga hadshorter petioles as compared to those of Nyankpala and Kawampe. The Nyankpala V. paradoxa has the smallest laminar width whilst Kawampe has longest leaf laminar ascompared to the rest. Values for fruit and kernel parameters were highest for samples fromPaga, followed by Kawampe and were significantly higher than those from Nyankpala.There were significant positive relationships between fresh fruit weight and both freshkernel weight (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.6925) and dry kernel weight (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.6532) for datapooled from all the three locations, however, the slopes and intercepts varied betweenlocations (P < 0.001). The result from the study provides opportunities and prospects forselection and breeding for V. paradoxa tree improvement in Ghana

Modelling ecological niches of Sclerocarya birrea subspecies in Tanzania under the current and future climates

The information on ecological niches of the Marula tree, Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Horchst. subspecies are needed for sustainable management of this tree, considering its nutritional, economic, and ecological benefits. However, despite Tanzania being regarded as a global genetic center of diversity of S. birrea, information on the subspecies ecological niches is lacking. We aimed to model ecological niches of S. birrea subspecies in Tanzania under the current and future climates. Ecological niches under the current climate were modelled by using ecological niche models in MaxEnt using climatic, edaphic, and topographical variables, and subspecies occurrence data. The Hadley Climate Center and National Center for Atmospheric Research's Earth System Models were used to predict ecological niches under the medium and high greenhouse gases emission scenarios for the years 2050 and 2080. Area under the curves (AUCs) were used to assess the accuracy of the models. The results show that the models were robust, with AUCs of 0.85–0.95. Annual and seasonal precipitation, elevation, and soil cation exchange capacity are the key environmental factors that define the ecological niches of the S. birrea subspecies. Ecological niches of subsp. caffra, multifoliata, and birrea are currently found in 30, 22, and 21 regions, and occupy 184 814 km2, 139 918 km2, and 28 446 km2 of Tanzania's land area respectively, which will contract by 0.4–44% due to climate change. Currently, 31–51% of ecological niches are under Tanzania’s protected areas network. The findings are important in guiding the development of conservation and domestication strategies for the S. birrea subspecies in Tanzania

Predictors of abortions in Rural Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Abortion continues to be used as a method of family planning by many women. The complications of unsafe abortions are a major contributor to maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. This study explored the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on abortions in 156 communities within the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) area located in the middle part of Ghana. METHODS: A survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health among a representative sample of females aged 15-49 years was conducted in 2011. They were asked about the outcome of pregnancies that occurred between January 2008 and December 2011. Data on their socio-demographic characteristics including household assets were accessed from the database of the KHDSS. Univariate and multivariate random effects logistic regression models were used to explore the predictors of all reported cases of abortion (induced or spontaneous) and cases of induced abortion respectively. RESULTS: A total of 3554 women were interviewed. Of this total, 2197 women reported on the outcomes of 2723 pregnancies that occurred over the period. The number of all reported cases of abortions (induced and spontaneous) and induced abortions were 370 (13.6%) and 101 (3.7%) respectively. Unmarried women were more likely to have abortion as compared to married women (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.21-2.58], p = 0.003). Women aged 20-29 years were 43% less likely to have abortion in comparison with those within the ages 13-19 years (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.34-0.95], p = 0.030). Women with primary, middle/junior high school (JHS) and at least secondary education had higher odds of having abortion as compared to women without education. Compared with the most poor women, wealthiest women were three-fold likely to have abortion. Unmarried women had higher odds of having induced abortion as compared to married women (aOR = 7.73, 95% CI [2.79-21.44], p < 0.001). Women aged 20-29 years, 30-39 years and 40-49 years were less likely to have induced abortion as compared to those 13-19 years of age. CONCLUSION: Extra efforts are needed to ensure that family planning services, educational programs on abortion and abortion care reach the target groups identified in this study

Clustering of childhood mortality in the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Ghana

Background: Childhood mortality in Ghana has generally declined in the last four decades. However, estimates tend to conceal substantial variability among regions and districts. The lack of population-based data in Ghana, as in other less developed countries, has hindered the development of effective programmes targeted specifically at clusters where mortality levels are significantly higher. Objective: This paper seeks to test for the existence of statistically significant clusters of childhood mortality within the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) between 2005 and 2007. Design: In this study, mortality rates were generated using mortality data extracted from the health and demographic surveillance database of the KHDSS and exported into STATA. The spatial and spatio-temporal scan statistic by Kulldorff was used to identify significant clusters of childhood mortality within the KHDSS. Results: A significant cluster of villages with high under-five mortality in the south-eastern part of the KHDSS in 2006 was identified. This is a remote location where poverty levels are relatively higher, health facilities are more sparse and these are compounded by poor transport services in case of emergencies. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of the surveillance platform to demonstrate the spatial dimensions of childhood mortality clustering. It is apparent, though, that further studies need to be carried out in order to explore the underlying risk factors for potential mortality clusters that could emerge later

Physical activity levels, ownership of goods promoting sedentary behaviour and risk of myocardial infarction: results of the INTERHEART study

Aims: To evaluate the association between occupational and leisure-time physical activity (PA), ownership of goods promoting sedentary behaviour, and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in different socio-economic populations of the world. Studies in developed countries have found low PA as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, however, the protective effect of occupational PA is less certain. Moreover, ownership of goods promoting sedentary behaviour may be associated with an increased risk. Methods: In INTERHEART, a casecontrol study of 10 043 cases of first MI and 14 217 controls who did not report previous angina or physical disability completed a questionnaire on work and leisure-time PA. Results: Subjects whose occupation involved either light [multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.78, confidence interval (CI) 0.710.86] or moderate (OR 0.89, CI 0.800.99) PA were at a lower risk of MI, whereas those who did heavy physical labour were not (OR 1.02, CI 0.881.19), compared with sedentary subjects. Mild exercise (OR 0.87, CI 0.810.93) as well as moderate or strenuous exercise (OR 0.76, CI 0.690.82) was protective. The effect of PA was observed across countries with low, middle, and high income. Subjects who owned both a car and a television (TV) (multivariable-adjusted OR 1.27, CI 1.051.54) were at higher risk of MI compared with those who owned neither. Conclusion: Leisure-time PA and mild-to-moderate occupational PA, but not heavy physical labour, were associated with a reduced risk, while ownership of a car and TV was associated with an increased risk of MI across all economic regions

Seatbelt use and risk of major injuries sustained by vehicle occupants during motor-vehicle crashes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

BackgroundIn 2004, a World Health Report on road safety called for enforcement of measures such as seatbelt use, effective at minimizing morbidity and mortality caused by road traffic accidents. However, injuries caused by seatbelt use have also been described. Over a decade after publication of the World Health Report on road safety, this study sought to investigate the relationship between seatbelt use and major injuries in belted compared to unbelted passengers.MethodsCohort studies published in English language from 2005 to 2018 were retrieved from seven databases. Critical appraisal of studies was carried out using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) checklist. Pooled risk of major injuries was assessed using the random effects meta-analytic model. Heterogeneity was quantified using I-squared and Tau-squared statistics. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to investigate publication bias. This review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42015020309).ResultsEleven studies, all carried out in developed countries were included. Overall, the risk of any major injury was significantly lower in belted passengers compared to unbelted passengers (RR 0.47; 95%CI, 0.29 to 0.80; I-2=99.7; P=0.000). When analysed by crash types, belt use significantly reduced the risk of any injury (RR 0.35; 95%CI, 0.24 to 0.52). Seatbelt use reduces the risk of facial injuries (RR=0.56, 95% CI=0.37 to 0.84), abdominal injuries (RR=0.87; 95% CI=0.78 to 0.98) and, spinal injuries (RR=0.56, 95% CI=0.37 to 0.84). However, we found no statistically significant difference in risk of head injuries (RR=0.49; 95% CI=0.22 to 1.08), neck injuries (RR=0.69: 95%CI 0.07 to 6.44), thoracic injuries (RR 0.96, 95%CI, 0.74 to 1.24), upper limb injuries (RR=1.05, 95%CI 0.83 to 1.34) and lower limb injuries (RR=0.77, 95%CI 0.58 to 1.04) between belted and non-belted passengers.ConclusionIn sum, the risk of most major road traffic injuries is lower in seatbelt users. Findings were inconclusive regarding seatbelt use and susceptibility to thoracic, head and neck injuries during road traffic accidents. Awareness should be raised about the dangers of inadequate seatbelt use. Future research should aim to assess the effects of seatbelt use on major injuries by crash type

Distribution of hyperglycaemia and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in low-income countries: a cross-sectional population-based survey in rural Uganda

Background Data on non-communicable disease (NCD) burden are often limited in developing countries in Africa but crucial for planning and implementation of prevention and control strategies. We assessed the prevalence of related cardiovascular disease risk factors (hyperglycaemia, high blood pressure and obesity) in a longstanding population cohort in rural Uganda

Open defecation and attainment of Sustainable Development Goal Six: evidence from Kintampo Surveillance System, Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether the open-defecation (OD) free target is achievable by 2030. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Seven sub-Districts of Kintampo North Municipal, and five sub-Districts of Kintampo South District. DATA SOURCE: Kintampo health and demographic surveillance system PARTICIPANTS: Data was collected from household heads or their representatives over a 12-year period from 2005 to 2016. MAIN OUTCOME: Open-defecation and attainment of OD free by 2030. RESULTS: In an exploratory analysis, the correlation between the total number of households, year, and total number of OD households was obtained. The average percentage yearly increase or decrease in OD was computed and used to project the percentage of OD for the years 2020, 2025 and 2030. In addition, geo-spatial technology was used to visualize variability in OD across the twelve sub-Districts. The results showed that the OD free target is not achievable in 2030 or even if the current trend continues. In 2016, 44.2 per cent of the 31,571 households defecated openly. In six out of the 12 sub-Districts, more than half of the households openly defecated. Four out of these six sub-Districts were in the Kintampo North Municipality.Conclusion: The 2030 OD free target is not achievable in the Kintampo districts of Ghana if the current trend continues