Analysis of the relationship between quality and price of yam in Ghana - second round (NRI report no. 2428)

In 1997, NRI staff and officers from the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture conducted two quantitative surveys of yam trading in Techiman market. The aim was to establish the importance of financial losses caused by poor yam quality and to measure the relationships between price and a series of quality defect variables. This report summarises the analysis of data gathered during the second survey. Data was analysed using multiple regression. Of the nine quality variables measured in the market, only "rotting" could be proved to have a significant influence on price. This result should not be interpreted to mean that other quality variables do not have an impact on price, merely that there was insufficient variation in quality for the statistical techniques to prove the existence of other price quality relationships. Moreover, at the time of the survey, these findings suggest that the financial losses caused by quality defects were slight. The report concludes with suggestions for improving the data gathering methodology for future surveys. In particular, it recommends extensive qualitative surveys to establish the incidence of quality defect related financial losses throughout the year. If these surveys indicate high financial losses, the research should attempt to establish the quantitative nature of price quality relationships using biased sampling techniques

INVESTIGATION OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL CONTROLS ON KNUST CAMPUS

Controls are coordinated horizontal or vertical positional data for land and geographic information systems forming a framework to which surveys are started, referenced and adjusted. Controls on KNUST campus were established over three decades ago with new ones being added as and when t h e y a r e required. Conventional survey methods like trilateration, triangulation and traversing were used and are still being used for densification of controls. These approaches involve the use of low precision instruments such as analogue/optical theodolites and leveling equipment. Since the establishment of these controls, t h e y have not been investigated but t h e y are being used for p r o j e c t development. A modern method that uses satellite positioning techniques such as GPS is currently in operation and has numerous advantages in the establishmentof control networks. GPS control surveys were carried-out on seven controls and ellipsoidal coordinates were obtained in the World Geodetic System 84 reference frame. The Cartesian coordinates were projected onto the Universal Transverse Mercator frame. A two dimensional conformal transformation was done using existing KNUST boundary coordinatesto Ghana National coordinates based on the War Office ellipsoid. Precise Level routines were carried out on the seven controls for the computations of orthometric heights. The method of least squares adjustment, root mean square errors (RMSE), standard errors (SE) and residuals derived were used to analyse the differences in horizontal positions and heights of the controls.The linear displacement between the computed and the existing coordinates were within the range of 0.015m to 0.014m. The RMSE were 0.048 and 0.106, whiles the SE were also 0.057 and 0.125 for the northings and eastings respectively. The computed and existing heights differed between -0.075m and -0.004m with a mean downward movement of 0.011m.Keywords: Surveying; coordinates; control points; GPS; precise leve

Work-In-Progress Paper: 360-degree immersive storytelling video to create empathetic response

Open days are organised by Universities to give potential students the opportunity to visit the University premises, talk to staff and student ambassadors and develop a sense of how it feels to study at a University something difficult to be conveyed via a prospectus. However, visiting open days requires investing time, travelling and can be expensive. The resent years there has been an increasing demand for open days to be delivered online. The social distancing measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic enforced this mode of delivery of open days as the only option. Many Universities created VR campuses to help students experience their campuses, but those fail to capture the actual vibe of a place and lack of empathetic response. New tools such as 360-degree immersive storytelling video (VR) and 3D interactive media present new opportunities for effectively delivering open days capturing not only a realistic representation of the place, but the actual feel of a place. This paper presents work-in-progress focusing on studying if 360-degree immersive storytelling video can create empathetic response. It achieves this by creating a 360-degree immersive storytelling video that effectively and realistically captures student life. This paper presents the project motivation, discusses the proposed research methodology, presents the research instruments and finishes with expected contributions to knowledge and future work

Precipitable Water Comparisons Over Ghana using PPP Techniques and Reanalysis Data

Atmospheric Water vapor is an important greenhouse gas and contributes greatly in maintaining the Earth’s energy balance. This critical meteorological parameter is not being sensed by any of the 22 synoptic weather stations in Ghana. This study presents a highly precise tool for water vapor sensing based on the concept Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) meteorology and tests the computed results against global reanalysis data. Conventional approaches used to sense the atmospheric water vapor or Precipitable Water (PW) such as radiosondes, hygrometers, microwave radiometers or sun photometers are expensive and have coverage and temporal limitations. Whereas GNSS meteorological concept offers an easier, inexpensive and all-weather technique to retrieve PW or Integrated Water Vapor (IWV) from zenith tropospheric delays (ZTD) over a reference station. This study employed precise point positioning (PPP) techniques to quantify the extend of delays on the signal due to the troposphere and stratosphere where atmospheric water vapor resides. Stringent processing criteria were set using an elevation cut-off of 5 degrees, precise orbital and clock products were used as well as nominal tropospheric corrections and mapping functions implemented. The delays which are originally slanted are mapped unto the zenith direction and integrated with surface meteorological parameters to retrieve PW or IWV. The gLAB software, Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) and Automatic Precise Positioning Service (APPS) online PPP services were the approaches used to compute ZTD. PW values obtained were compared with Japanese Metro Agency Reanalysis (JRA), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA-interim) and National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) global reanalysis data. Correlation analysis were run on the logged station data using the three approaches and global reanalysis data. The obtained results show stronger correlation between the retrieved PW values and those provided by the ERA-interim. Finally, the study results indicate that with a more densified network of GNSS base stations the retrieved PW or IWV will greatly improve numerical weather predictions in Ghana.Keywords: GNSS Signals, PPP, Integrated Water vapour, Precipitable Water, Reanalysis Model

Nomogram for predicting the probability of the positive outcome of prostate biopsies among Ghanaian men

Introduction and objectives: Several existing models have been developed to predict positive prostate biopsy among men undergoing evaluation for prostate cancer (PCa). However, most of these models have come from industrialized countries. We therefore, developed a prostate disease nomogram model to provide a basis for predicting a prostate biopsy outcome by correlating clinical indicators and diagnostic parameters among Ghanaian men.Subjects and methods: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional prospective one which was under- taken at the Department of Surgery (Urology Unit) Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) from December, 2014 to March, 2016. In all a total of 241 patients suspected of having a prostate disorder due based on an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings and, or elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) level underwent Trans-Rectal Ultrasonography (TRUS) guided biopsy of the prostate. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of a positive initial biopsy. Age, prostatespecific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) status, prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), history of alcohol consumption and history of smoking findings were included in the analysis. Two nomogram models were developed that were based on these independent predictors to estimate the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy. Receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to assess the accuracy of using the nomograms and PSA and PSAD levels for predicting positive a prostate biopsy outcome. Results: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 63 out of 241 patients (26.1%). Benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed in 172 (71.4%) of patients and the remaining 6 patients (2.48%) had chronic inflammation. Significantly elevated levels of PSA and PSAD were observed among patients with PCa compared to patients without PCa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was observed that age, DRE, PSA, PSAD, history of smoking, and history of alcohol consumption were significantly independent predictors (p < 0.05) of prostate cancer. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of nomogram I and II were 87.3 and 84.8 respectively which were greater than that of total PSA (AUC = 75.8) and PSAD (AUC = 77.8) alone for predicting a positive initial prostate biopsy. Conclusion: We conclude that, nomograms offer a better and accurate assessment for predicting a positive outcome of prostate biopsies than the use of traditional tools of PSA, DRE and PSAD alone

FARMERS' ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF HYBRID COCOA SEEDLINGS FOR COCOA REHABILITATION: EMPIRICAL RESULTS FROM AMENFI CENTRAL DISTRICT, GHANA

The introduction of hybrid seedlings of cocoa by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was intended to replace old and diseased trees which were less productive. We conducted a study to investigate the accessibility and use of hybrid cocoa seedlings (Series II, the Modified Series II, Inter Amazon, Trinitario, Clones, Criollo and Nacional) for the cocoa rehabilitation exercise. Working with 385 cocoa farmers selected from the Amenfi Central District using the multi-stage sampling technique, we analyzed the data with statistical tools such as the mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, multiple linear regression and chi-square test of independence. Based on the general perception of the cocoa farmers (PI=3.71), we found that they had positive perceptions of the improved hybrid cocoa seedlings. Cocoa farmers’ access to all the hybrid cocoa seedlings is significantly associated with their use (P<0.05). We also found that cocoa farmers who were highly experienced and had small farm sizes had more access to and used hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05). While, access to labour and ownership of lands had influence on access to hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05), high yields and membership of cooperatives had influence on the use of hybrid cocoa seedlings (P<0.05). The lack of access to credit is indicated by farmers as their most severe challenge in accessing and using hybrid seedlings. The outcome of the study suggests that the cost of the hybrid seedlings must be subsidized and the distribution of the seedlings must be done through the farmer cooperatives to enhance accessibility and use

Cardiometabolic syndrome among general adult population in Ghana: The role of lipid accumulation product, waist circumference-triglyceride index, and triglyceride-glucose index as surrogate indicators

Background: Visceral obesity and insulin resistance contribute to developing cardiometabolic syndrome (MetS). We investigated the predictive abilities of lipid accumulation product (LAP), waist circumference-triglyceride index (WTI), and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index for MetS screening among the general Ghanaian adults. Methods: The final prospective analysis included 4740 healthy adults aged 30–90 years from three communities comprising Ejisu, Konongo, and Ashanti Akim Agogo in Ghana. Self-structured questionnaire pretested was used to collect sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data. Blood samples were taken after fasting to measure glucose and lipid levels. LAP, WTI, and TyG were calculated from standard equations. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariable logistic regression were utilized to evaluate the potential of the three indices in identifying MetS. Results: Of the 4740 participants, 39.7% had MetS. MetS was more common in females (50.3%) than in males (22.2%). Overall, LAP ≥ 27.52 yielded as the best index for MetS with the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) (0.866). At cut-off LAP point of ≥ 23.87 in males and ≥ 33.32 in females, an AUC of 0.951 and 0.790 was identified in MetS prediction, respectively. LAP was an independent risk measure of MetS for both males (45.6-fold) and females (3.7-fold) whereas TyG was an independent risk measure for females (3.7-fold) only. Conclusions: MetS is increasing among the general adult population. LAP and TyG are important sex-specific risk measures to screen for MetS among the general adult population in our cohort

Unrecognized hypertension among a general adult Ghanaian population: An urban community-based cross-sectional study of prevalence and putative risk factors of lifestyle and obesity indices

Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, most individuals in developing countries are unaware of their blood pressure status. We determined the prevalence of unrecognized hypertension and its association with lifestyle factors and new obesity indices among the adult population. This community-based study was conducted among 1288 apparently healthy adults aged 18–80 years in the Ablekuma North Municipality, Ghana. Sociodemographic, lifestyle characteristics, blood pressure and anthropometric indices were obtained. The prevalence of unrecognized HTN was 18.4% (237 / 1288). The age groups 45–54 years [aOR = 2.29, 95% CI (1.33–3.95), p = 0.003] and 55–79 years [aOR = 3.25, 95% CI (1.61–6.54), p = 0.001], being divorced [aOR = 3.02 95% CI (1.33–6.90), p = 0.008], weekly [aOR = 4.10, 95% CI (1.77–9.51), p = 0.001] and daily alcohol intake [aOR = 5.62, 95% CI (1.26–12.236), p = 0.028] and no exercise or at most once a week [aOR = 2.25, 95% CI (1.56–3.66), p = 0.001] were independently associated with HTN. Among males, the fourth quartile (Q4) of both body roundness index (BRI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) [aOR = 5.19, 95% CI (1.05–25.50), p = 0.043] were independent determinants of unrecognized HTN. Among females, the third quartile (Q3) [aOR = 7.96, 95% CI (1.51–42.52), p = 0.015] and Q4 [aOR = 9.87 95% CI (1.92–53.31), p = 0.007] of abdominal volume index (AVI), the Q3 of both BRI and WHtR [aOR = 6.07, 95% CI (1.05–34.94), p = 0.044] and Q4 of both BRI and WHtR [aOR = 9.76, 95% CI (1.74–54.96), p = 0.010] were independent risk factors of HTN. Overall, BRI (AUC = 0.724) and WHtR (AUC = 0.724) for males and AVI (AUC = 0.728), WHtR (AUC = 0.703) and BRI (AUC = 0.703) for females yielded a better discriminatory power for predicting unrecognized HTN. Unrecognized hypertension is common among the apparently healthy adults. Increased awareness of its risk factors, screening, and promoting lifestyle modification is needed to prevent the onset of hypertension

Prevalence of preeclampsia and algorithm of adverse foeto-maternal risk factors among pregnant women in the central region of Ghana: A multicentre prospective cross-sectional study

Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of foeto-maternal deaths especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the prevalence and risk factors of preeclampsia are scarce in the Central region of Ghana with previous study assessing individual independent risk factors. This study determined the prevalence and algorithm of adverse foeto-maternal risk factors of preeclampsia. Methods: This multi-centre prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2022 at the Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospital and Fynba Health Centre in Central region, Ghana. A total of 1,259 pregnant women were randomly sampled and their sociodemographic, clinical history, obstetrics and labour outcomes were recorded. Logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 26 was performed to identify risk factors of preeclampsia. Results: Of the 1,259 pregnant women, 1174 were finally included in the study. The prevalence of preeclampsia was 8.8% (103/1174). Preeclampsia was common among 20–29 years age group, those who had completed basic education, had informal occupation, multigravida and multiparous. Being primigravida [aOR = 1.95, 95% CI (1.03–3.71), p = 0.042], having previous history of caesarean section [aOR = 4.48, 95% CI (2.89–6.93), p \u3c 0.001], foetal growth restriction [aOR = 3.42, 95% CI (1.72–6.77), p \u3c 0.001] and birth asphyxia [aOR = 27.14, 95% CI (1.80–409.83), p = 0.017] were the independent risk factors of preeclampsia. Pregnant women exhibiting a combination of primigravida, previous caesarean section and foetal growth restriction were the highest risk for preeclampsia [aOR = 39.42, 95% CI (8.88–175.07, p \u3c 0.001] compared to having either two or one of these factors. Conclusion: Preeclampsia is increasing among pregnant women in the Central region of Ghana. Pregnant women being primigravida with foetal growth restriction and previous history of caesarean section are the highest risk population likely to develop preeclampsia with neonates more likely to suffer adverse birth outcome such as birth asphyxia. Targeted preventive measures of preeclampsia should be created for pregnant women co-existing with multiple risk factors