Watching the Smoke Rise Up: Thermal Efficiency, Pollutant Emissions and Global Warming Impact of Three Biomass Cookstoves in Ghana

In Ghana, about 73% of households rely on solid fuels for cooking. Over 13,000 annual deaths are attributed to exposure to indoor air pollution from inefficient combustion. In this study, assessment of thermal efficiency, emissions, and total global warming impact of three cookstoves commonly used in Ghana was completed using the International Workshop Agreement (IWA) Water Boiling Test (WBT) protocol. Statistical averages of three replicate tests for each cookstove were computed. Thermal efficiency results were: wood-burning cookstove: 12.2 ± 5.00% (Tier 0); coalpot charcoal stove: 23.3 ± 0.73% (Tier 1–2); and Gyapa charcoal cookstove: 30.00 ± 4.63% (Tier 2–3). The wood-burning cookstove emitted more CO, CO2, and PM2.5 than the coalpot charcoal stove and Gyapa charcoal cookstove. The emission factor (EF) for PM2.5 and the emission rate for the wood-burning cookstove were over four times higher than the coalpot charcoal stove and Gyapa charcoal cookstove. To complete the WBT, the study results showed that, by using the Gyapa charcoal cookstove instead of the wood-burning cookstove, the global warming impact could be potentially reduced by approximately 75% and using the Gyapa charcoal cookstove instead of the coalpot charcoal cookstove by 50%. We conclude that there is the need for awareness, policy, and incentives to enable end-users to switch to, and adopt, Gyapa charcoal cookstoves for increased efficiency and reduced emissions/global warming impact

Options in human papillomavirus (HPV) detection for cervical cancer screening: comparison between full genotyping and a rapid qualitative HPV-DNA assay in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Modern cervical cancer screening increasingly relies on the use of molecular techniques detecting high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus (hr-HPV). A major challenge for developing countries like Ghana has been the unavailability and costs of HPV DNA-based testing. This study compares the performance of careHPV, a semi-rapid and affordable qualitative detection assay for 14 hr-HPV genotypes, with HPV genotyping, for the detection of cytological cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). METHODS: A study comparing between frequency matched HIV-1 seropositive and HIV-seronegative women was conducted in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. A systematic sampling method was used to select women attending clinics in the hospital. Cervical samples were tested for HPV by careHPV and Anyplex-II HPV28 genotyping assay, and by conventional cytology. RESULTS: A total of 175 paired results (94 from HIV-1 seropositive and 81 from HIV-seronegative women) were analyzed based on the ability of both tests to detect the 14 hr-HPV types included in the careHPV assay. The inter-assay concordance was 94.3% (95%CI: 89.7-97.2%, kappa = 0.88), similar by HIV serostatus. The careHPV assay was equally sensitive among HIV-1 seropositive and seronegative women (97.3% vs. 95.7%, p = 0.50) and slightly more specific among HIV-seronegative women (85.0% vs. 93.1%, p = 0.10). careHPV had good sensitivity (87.5%) but low specificity (52.1%) for the detection of low SIL or greater lesions, but its performance was superior to genotyping (87.5 and 38.8%, respectively). Reproducibility of careHPV, tested on 97 samples by the same individual was 82.5% (95%CI: 73.4-89.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The performance characteristics of careHPV compared to genotyping suggest that this simpler and cheaper HPV detection assay could offer a suitable alternative for HPV screening in Ghana

Beyond Normal Limits: Analysis Standard Social Culture in Children with Special Needs

This research aims to investigate the perceptions and stereotypes within cultural social simulations concerning children with special needs in North Sumatra, as well as their impact on their identity and participation. This research employs to Qualitative investigate inclusive education in North Sumatra. Interviews are conducted with a diverse group, including parents of children with special needs, Three teachers from inclusive schools (SMA Cahaya, Methodis and SMKN 10 Medan, and one employe representatives from the North Sumatra Provincial Education Office. These conversations aim to gather personal insights and experiences regarding the challenges and successes of inclusive education. Alongside, an extensive analysis of documents, such as policies, guidelines, and regulations governing inclusive education, is undertaken. This approach enables a comprehensive understanding of the current state of inclusive education, identifying both the practical and systemic barriers to its effective implementation. Through this methodology, the research seeks to offer a nuanced perspective on how inclusive education is perceived and enacted in North Sumatra, highlighting areas for improvement and potential strategies for advancement. The findings indicate that negative perceptions and stereotypes still influence children with special needs in cultural social simulations, affecting their identity and limiting their participation. Despite efforts towards inclusive education in North Sumatra, regulations and implementation face challenges. Therefore, further efforts are needed to raise public awareness, support more effective inclusive education, change perceptions and stereotypes, and ensure a positive identity and full participation for children with special need

PEDAGOGICAL COMPETENCE OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN ASHAIMAN, GHANA

The study investigated the pedagogical competence of teachers and its influence on student’s academic achievement. The descriptive survey research design was adopted and the census (all) sampling technique was used to sample 250 Junior High School (JHS) teachers in Ashaiman Municipality. The collected data from the close-ended questionnaire was analysed with mean and standard deviation on the scale of 1-4 and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to test the hypothesis. The study revealed that as a pedagogical competence, the teachers provided appropriate feedback, adapted to changing conditions, explained content to students and communicated learning goals effectively. It was also found that there was a weak positive relationship between the classroom management competence of teachers and student’s academic achievement. The study, therefore, concluded that the pedagogical competence of teachers could help promote deep knowledge, understanding and expectation among students if teacher’s pedagogical competencies are effective. Also, when teachers increase their knowledge and competence to manage the classroom, they could provide high expectations for student’s social support, guidance and independent thought in learning. Recommendations were made to the municipal education directorate, Ghana Education Service and Ministry of Education, Ghana based on the findings

Attitude of Students Toward the Study of Mathematics in Odoben Senior High School, Ghana: Implications for Curriculum Implementation

The purpose of the study was to investigate the poor attitude of students of Odoben Senior High School toward the study of mathematics and its implications for curriculum implementation. Specifically, the study investigated the factors that influenced students’ poor attitude toward the study of mathematics, its effects on students’ academic performance in mathematics. The study adopted the descriptive design with a population of 500 students and six teachers. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 10 students while six mathematics teachers were purposively sampled. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed thematically. The findings revealed that most students of the school had poor attitudes toward the study of mathematics because of teachers’ failure to break mathematical concepts into their simplest forms for easy understanding, absenteeism of students in mathematics lessons, behavioural characteristic acquired through socialization in the school environment and lack of both qualified mathematics teachers and teaching and learning resources for the smooth implementation of the mathematics curriculum. The major effect was poor academic performance of students in mathematics. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made for teachers, parents and GES on how best to ensure that students adopt positive attitudes toward the study of mathematics. Keywords: Attitude, Mathematics, Implications, Curriculum Implementatio

Cost of pyelonephritis in type 2 diabetes (COPID study): A cost of illness study

BACKGROUND: Expenditure for health in India is borne predominantly out-of-pocket costs. A hospital admission often drives households to poverty. Diabetes in particular has become a huge economic burden in both rural and urban India. Pyelonephritis is a frequent cause of admission in a patient with Diabetes. With the rise in the incidence of community acquired extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing organisms leading to increased complications, inappropriate anti-microbial therapy, longer duration of antibiotics and hospital stay, the cost of illness has increased. AIM OF THE STUDY: To estimate the cost of Acute Pyelonephritis in patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus admitted in general medical wards. OBJECTIVES: 1. To estimate the total cost of a single admission for Acute Pyelonephritis. 2. To estimate the difference in cost of admission for Acute Pyelonephritis between Diabetics and Non-Diabetics. 3. To find the difference of cost of admission for Acute Pyelonephritis caused by ESBL organisms and non-ESBL organisms. METHODS: We did a prospective observational economic study of patients 18 years and above admitted with clinical features suggestive of acute pyelonephritis, laboratory evidence of pyuria and a blood culture and/or urine culture growing an uropathogenic organism. Participants were recruited from the general medical wards in Christian medical college, vellore which is a tertiary care hospital primarily catering to middle and low income group patients from all over India, predominantly the south Indian and the north eastern states. We assessed the direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect cost for an admission for pyelonephritis. We also assessed the quality of life using the WHOQOL BREF questionnaire. FINDINGS: Between March 2016 and July 2017, we screened and included 92 participants for the study. The number of Diabetics were 61 (66.3%) and the number of pyelonephritis caused by an extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organism was 49 (53.3%). The mean overall cost of a single admission for pyelonephritis was Rs.88,330.2. The mean overall cost of an admission for a patient with Diabetes mellitus with Pyelonephritis was Rs.96,193.0. The mean overall cost of patient admitted with Pyelonephritis caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing organism was Rs.1,03,154.9 which was significantly more than that caused by a non-extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organism. The intangible costs as measured by the quality of life showed that the psychological and the social domains were particularly lower. The quality of life was lower in patients with Diabetes and patients who had pyelonephritis due to an extended spectrum beta lactamase producing organism. CONCLUSION: A single admission for a patient with pyelonephritis is a catastrophic health expenditure in the household in India. In this setting, policies should be geared towards preventing the vulnerable middle and low economic groups from being driven below the poverty line

ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING, SERVICE QUALITY ON THE PROBABILITY OF BRIBERY THROUGH LICENSING TRANSPARENCY AS INTERVENING VARIABLES

This research is motivated by bribery cases that have occurred both in North Sumatra. This indicates that there are problems that occur in the Investment Office so that officers have great potential to be bribed by the public. On that basis, the researchers tried to analyze socio-economic conditions, public understanding and service quality at the One Stop Integrated Licensing and Investment Service Office of North Sumatra Province on the probability of bribery with licensing transparency seen as an indirect or intervening variable. The type of research that will be conducted is quantitative research. Quantitative methods are used to see the similarities in responses to perceptions of the probability of bribing that occur in the One Stop Integrated Licensing and Investment Service Office of North Sumatra Province. This research is also specifically an Explanatory Survey, namely research that explains the relationship between the variables studied. The results of this study show that of the eight effects there are four hypotheses that have a significant effect, namely, public understanding of licensing transparency, public understanding of the probability of bribery, service quality towards licensing transparency and licensing transparency on the probability of bribery. In addition, there are three hypotheses that have no effect, namely socio-economic on the transparency of licensing, socio-economic on the probability of bribery and service quality on the probability of bribery. Furthermore, on the indirect effect, it can be seen that socioeconomics does not affect the probability of bribery through licensing transparency as an intermediate/indirect variable, public understanding affects the probability of bribery through licensing transparency as an intermediate/indirect variable and service quality affects the probability of bribery through licensing transparency as intermediate/indirect variable

Does increasing treatment frequency address sub-optimal responses to ivermectin for the control and elimination of river blindness?

Background Several African countries have adopted a biannual ivermectin distribution strategy in some foci to control and eliminate onchocerciasis. In 2010, the Ghana Health Service started biannual distribution to combat transmission hotspots and sub-optimal responses to treatment. We assessed the epidemiological impact of the first 3 years of this strategy and quantified responses to ivermectin over two consecutive rounds of treatment in 10 sentinel communities. Methods We evaluated Onchocerca volvulus microfilarial intensity and prevalence in those aged +/-20 years before the first, second and fifth (or sixth) biannual treatment rounds using skin snip data from 956 participants. We used longitudinal regression modelling to estimate rates of microfilarial repopulation of the skin in a cohort of 217 participants who were followed-up over the first two rounds of biannual treatment. Results Biannual treatment has had a positive impact, with substantial reductions in infection intensity after 4 or 5 rounds in most communities. We identified three communities—all having been previously recognised as responding sub-optimally to ivermectin—with statistically significantly high microfilarial repopulation rates. We did not find any clear association between microfilarial repopulation rate and the number of years of prior intervention, coverage, or the community level of infection. Conclusions The strategy of biannual ivermectin treatment in Ghana has reduced O. volvulus microfilarial intensity and prevalence, but sub-optimal responses to treatment remain evident in a number of previously and consistently implicated communities. Whether increasing the frequency of treatment will be sufficient to meet the World Health Organization’s 2020 elimination goals remains uncertain

Design and application of a Sustainable Urban Surface Rating System (SURSIST)

Urban surfaces reflect the economic, environmental and social idiosyncrasy of cities, playing a crucial role in the sustainable development of modern civilizations. Thus, the planning and efficient management of the skin of urban areas provides an opportunity to facilitate the fulfilment of the needs of present and future generations. However, there is a lack of specific tools to evaluate the contribution of these surfaces to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is the current framework adopted by the United Nations to measure progress towards sustainability. Consequently, this paper describes the design and application of a Sustainable Urban Surface Rating System (SURSIST) aimed at producing a composite sustainability index to measure the contribution of the land cover of entire cities to meeting the SDGs. SURSIST was based on a series of indicators proposed in accordance to the targets forming the SDGs, which were processed by combining CORINE Land Cover (CLC) maps with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The application of SURSIST to the Spanish cities of Santander and Valencia during the time period from 1990 to 2006 demonstrated the progressive decrease in sustainability experienced by their urban surfaces due to the increased presence of impermeable covers. The replacement of a moderate part of the built-up area present in both cities in 2006 by greenspace proved to be a solution for recovering the degree of sustainability lost from 1990.This paper was possible thanks to the research project SUPRIS-SUReS (Ref. BIA2015-65240-C2-1-R MINECO/FEDER, UE), financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness with funds from the State General Budget (PGE) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)