Attitude of the Youth towards Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) of HIV/AIDS in Accra, Ghana

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is a tool recommended for the reduction of the spread of HIV/AIDS. The study sought to find out the attitude of the youth towards voluntary counseling and testing of HIV/AIDS. The sample size was two hundred youth selected using purposive sampling. A structured interview guide was used in the collection of data from two youth groups and two fast food joints selected purposively in Accra. Data collected was hand coded, analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (S.P.S.S.) and presented in the form of graphs and frequency distribution tables. The study revealed that most respondents had knowledge about HIV/AIDS and knew about its mode of transmission. Their main source of information was through the mass media. Majority of respondents knew they could check their serostatus mainly at the hospital but then only 37% had ever heard about VCT services. Out of this 37%, only 6% had actually been to a VCT centre. Two percent (2%) went there to visit a friend while 4% went to check their serostatus.  This suggests that the level of use of VCT services among the youth in Accra was relatively low. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of respondents indicated their preferred site for a VCT centre was the hospital.  Ninety – two percent (92%) of respondents were hesitant to go for HIV testing because of the fear of knowing they are HIV positive. They also suggested home kits for testing HIV/AIDS be introduced in Ghana to cater for confidentiality in identifying their serostatus. In conclusion, knowledge about HIV/AIDS among respondents was high but then most respondents were unaware of the availability of VCT services. They were also unwilling to access VCT services for fear of knowing their HIV status.  It is therefore being suggested that all stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS intensify their information, education and communication (IE & C) activities to increase awareness and use of the service especially by the youth. Keywords: Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), HIV/AID

Female Traders and Time Management: A Case of Traders at the Makola Market, Ghana

This study was conducted to gain insight into how traders perceive and actually manage time.  Data was collected from 200 traders using a structured interview guide.  Data was hand coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (S.P.S.S. Version 18), and presented in form of frequency and percentage distribution tables and graphs. The study revealed 74% of the study sample had varied understanding of the concept of time management. While 50% felt time management was the sensible use of time, 3% indicated it was having proper control of one’s life. Since 59% of respondents spent more than 10 hours at the workplace, to effectively perform their dual role (productive and reproductive roles), most of these traders delegated responsibilities to ensure they had ample time for trading. All respondents’ indicated time management was beneficial.  Eighty (80%) felt it helped increase job performance while 25% explained that it made individuals disciplined. Generally 86% of the study sample exhibited a polychronic attitude towards time management.  Procrastination was the main obstacle hindering effective time management by the study sample.  The major strategy adopted by respondents to effectively manage time was delegation of responsibility. In conclusion, time is a very important resource so traders need to adopt good time management practices to ensure effective management of their businesses. In view of the findings of the study, it is recommended that training be organized for traders to refresh their memory on effective time management.  Relevant stakeholders including the mass media could also be used to achieve this aim. Since the school was identified as the main source of information about time management, their curricula could be further enriched to ensure people turn out as better time mangers. Keywords: Traders, Time managemen

Food taboos among residents at Ashongman - Accra, Ghana

A cross sectional survey was conducted in Ashongman Village with the aim of investigating respondents’ knowledge, the extent of belief, reasons (if any) behind their existence and knowledge about the effects of food taboos. A total of 200 adults selected purposively were interviewed. Data collected was coded, entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (S.P.S.S. Version 18). The Pearson’s chi-square test was used to test the relationship between education, ethnic groups and the belief and adherence to food taboos. Most respondents were females (55%), 30 years and above (67%), single (59%) , Christians (93%) and some form of formal education. The study sample belonged to varied ethnic groups with the main group being Akans (47%). Analysis of the data revealed 60% of respondents had knowledge about food taboos but only 37% actually believed and adhered to them. Fifty-seven (57%) of foods prohibited were of animal origin whiles 43% were of plant origin. Various reasons ranging from cultural, religious, health, magical thinking, ethics, sympathy and compassion were given to explain the prevalence and adherence to food taboos. It was also realized that most respondents had knowledge about the harmful effect of the adherence to food taboos. Education was an important factor realized as being responsible for the prevalence of food taboos. It was recommended that further research on food taboos and food security among specific groups especially the vulnerable in society (i.e. women and children) be conducted.  Secondly, because of the nutritional implications for adhering to food taboos in developing countries, a subtle community nutrition campaign needs to be organized by relevant stakeholders to sensitize people about the effect of adhering to food taboos. Keywords: Food taboos

Effects of food flavour enhancer (Monosodium Glutamate and Maggi Poulet) supplementation on glucose tolerance in Sprague Dawley rat

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of purified monosodium glutamate and ‘Maggi Poulet’, on body weight gain, lipid profile, hepatic lipid peroxidation and glucose tolerance in rats. Thirty five young male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups and fed by oral route as follow: group I (distilled water), group II (monosodium glutamate solution), group III (‘Maggi Poulet’solution), group IV (monosodium glutamate solution. and high fat solution) and group V (‘Maggi Poulet’ solution and high fat solution). During the experimental period, fasting glycemia was taken and an oral glucose tolerance test has been performed at the end . Blood samples were then collected in all groups and serum cholesterol and triglyceride were assayed. Animals were killed after and abdominal adipose tissue, liver and heart were excised and weighed. Liver samples were also used to estimate hepatic malondialdehyde level in rats. The results proved that the dietary feeding did not affect the body gain and lipid profile in experimental groups. The hepatic lipid peroxidation has also increased in all experimental groups and at the same time, rats in group II, group IV and group V present a two-hour plasma glucose level signifantly higher. However, purified monosodium glutamate and ‘Maggi Poulet’ at the dose of 1500 mg/kg. b. wt. have not impaired fasting glycemia in Sprague Dawley rat. All changes observed in the glycemia of rats in experimental groups do not allow to qualify them to be glucose intolerant, nevertheless monosodium glutamate consumption in association or not with high fat is hepatotoxic and may contribute to the emergence of prediabetes in human being. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Malondialdehyde, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, prediabetes

Working conditions and risk exposure of employees whose occupations require driving on public roads - Factorial analysis and classification

Several studies of the working conditions of drivers, and in particular on their pace of work, have enabled a better understanding of the risk factors for road accidents that occur during work. However, few studies are available on the risk exposure and working conditions of employees whose occupations involve driving. The purpose of this paper is to identify the different groups of employees occupationally exposed to road risk and to classify them according to working conditions. Methodology A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was implemented on the 41,727 individuals from the SUMER 2010 survey (Medical Monitoring of Occupational Risk Exposure: SUrveillance Médicale des Expositions aux Risques professionnels) and for 45 variables about working conditions. The analysis used 5 categories of weekly driving exposure as a supplementary variable (variable which is not used to perform the MCA): Non-exposure; Exposed 20?h. The results of the MCA were used to construct an ascending hierarchical classification. Results The first factorial axis differentiates between conventional and unconventional work schedules. Axis 2 differentiates modalities corresponding to the working hours of the most recent working week. The third axis chiefly contrasts persons who have rules to follow with those who have none. An ascending hierarchical classification distinguishes 10 clusters of individuals according to working conditions. Four clusters of employees were excessively exposed to occupational driving. Clusters also have distinct demographic, occupational and psychosocial characteristics. Conclusion Analysis of data from the SUMER survey confirms that employees exposed to road risk are particularly affected by atypical work time characteristics, but can be found in all activity sectors and in all types of job

Sparkling ′′wine′′ production tests from extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. flowers

The red calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. are widely used in the production of soft drinks in Africa. The anthocyanin pigments of the calyx give a red color to the drinks which are very appreciated by populations. The aim of this study was to develop a sparkling drink with characteristics similar to those of red wine. The production tests were carried out with the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. commonly called "Bissap" and three types of fermentation: one based on palm wine lees, another by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a third by endogenous fermentation or control wine. Physicochemical analyzes showed that the wine obtained from palm wine lees at 17th days had a pH of 2.77 ± 0.07, an acidity of 116.99 ± 13.03 (mmol H+ / L), a degree Brix of 7.5 ± 0.25%, an alcohol degree of 7.05 ± 0.24% and energy value of 74.27 ± 2.77 (Kcal / 100 ml). Sensorial tests revealed that the “bissap wine” obtained with fermentation based on palm wine lees had organoleptic characteristics very similar to grape wine. Les calices rouges d’Hibiscus sabdariffa L. sont beaucoup utilisés dans la production de boisson rafraîchissante en Afrique. Les pigments anthocyaniques des calices confèrent une couleur rouge aux boissons très appréciées par les populations. L’objectif de cette étude était de mettre au point une boisson pétillante qui a des caractéristiques similaires au vin rouge. Les essais de production ont été réalisés en utilisant les calices d’Hibiscus sabdariffa L. communément appelées « Bissap » et trois types de fermentation dont une à base de la lie du vin de palme, une seconde à partir de Saccharomyces cerevisiae et une troisième par une fermentation endogène ou témoin. Les analyses physico-chimiques ont montré que le vin obtenu à partir de la lie du vin de palme au 17ème jour a un pH de 2,77 ± 0,07, une acidité de 116,99 ± 13,03 (mmol H+/L), un degré brix de 7,5 ± 0,25 %, un degré d’alcool de 7,05 ± 0,24 % et une valeur énergétique de 74,27 ± 2,77 (Kcal/100 ml). Les tests de dégustation ont révélé que le « vin au bissap » obtenu avec le ferment de la lie de vin de palme a des caractéristiques organoleptiques très proches des vins rouges du commerce

Double Jeopardy: HIV-Positive Wives Caring for Their HIV-Positive Spouses in Accra

Given improved medical treatment, AIDS seems no longer like a death sentence in many countries. AIDS patients live longer and are expected to be given the necessary care and support. This study explored the experiences of HIV-positive wives caring for their husbands living with AIDS. Using a qualitative method, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with women living with HIV/AIDS selected from the Fever Unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.  The study revealed that although participants demonstrated their willingness to give quality care, care experiences were closely linked to available resources. In other words, care was perceived by all participants as being synonymous with availability of family resources.  Insufficient resources (especially in terms of energy and financial resources) hindered the quality of care provided to HIV positive husbands. The challenge of insufficient financial, time, energy and other resources placed a lot of physical, health, economic and emotional burdens on participants and this affected their capacity to engage fully in daily activities. In conclusion, experiences of wives caring for their husband with AIDS influenced care practices in the home. Insufficient resources (especially in terms of energy and financial resources) hindered the quality of care HIV positive wives provided to HIV positive husbands. It resulted in a compromise of adequate and quality care not only to the sick husband but to the children as well. In the light of these findings, it was recommended that there should be sensitization or education on effective Family Resource Management; stigmatization and fear of HIV/AIDS by the Family and Consumer Sciences Outreach Program, HIV/AIDS advocates, Ghana Health, Ghana AIDS Commission and other relevant stakeholders Further research could also be conducted using a larger sample size to gain insight into the challenges of HIV positive wives when caring for their HIV positive husbands. Keywords: HIV, Wives, Husbands, Care

Effect of mancozeb-treated lettuce (Lactuca sativa) on wistar rat liver

Vegetable contamination by pesticides presents current problem of public health. Previous studies have shown that 60% vegetables sampled collected in Lomé (Togo) have pesticide residues exceeding the tolerable limits. Because mancozeb, ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate, is mainly used, more than five times, during the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), the aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the potential effect of mancozeb-treated lettuce on the rat liver physiology. Mancozeb-treated lettuce and two doses of mancozeb were administered during 28 days to rats. Along the study, animal behavior was assessed, and at the end of administration, some hepatic enzymes such as transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were studied. The decrease in rat body weight was noted and animals have soft feces. Plasmatic concentrations of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin are increased in rats administered with mancozeb-treated lettuce. The plasmatic concentration of total protein is not decreased significantly. Those results indicate that lettuce collected directly from gardens, without washing or less washed, are not fit for human consumption.Keywords: Lettuce, mancozeb, toxicity, liver, pesticide residues, public healt

Estimation of the number of seriously injured road users in France, 2006-2015

European Congress of Epidemiology, LYON, FRANCE, 04-/07/2018 - 06/07/2018Background The European Commission requests its member states to provide the number of serious road injuries, according to MAIS 3+=Maximum AIS 3+, where AIS=Abbreviated Injury Scale. This challenges in all countries the issue of under-reporting of road injuries in the official police data and the issue of using a medical trauma scale. Methods In France, as in most countries, police data provide the frequency of road casualties, but they suffer from large under-reporting and strong selection bias (on severity, mode of transport, etc). In the Rhone county (pop 1.6M inhabitants). Other data are available: a road trauma registry has been set up in 1996. It covers fatalities, hospitalized, and those attending the Emergency departments only. All injuries are directly coded into the Abbreviated Injury Scale, by the registry physician. At the Rhône county level, both databases are linked. Annually, on the 2006-2012 period, the police reports 2800 casualties, the road trauma registry 7400 by the registry and 1700 are identified as common to both sources. A capture-recapture approach is then used, so that we can estimate the real number of road casualties (in the Rhône). More importantly the corrections factors between the police data and the estimated real subgroup of road causalities in the Rhône. In particular, to account for some conditions for applying capture-recapture, a multivariate model is used, including the variables that are associated with lower probability of reporting by the police: type of police, road network, severity measured by hospitalised (yes/no), MAIS3+, road user type (pedestrian, cyclist, car occupant...), whether the crash involved a crash opponent or not, etc. The police correction factors are finally applied to the national police data with the assumption that police recording practices are rather homogenous across France, by type of police force, and type of road casualties, This corresponds to indirect standardization, not on age and sex as usual but on the characteristics influencing police reporting. Results The national number of injured road casualties, respectively for all severity, and for MAIS3+, are estimated at 285,000 and 24,000 resp. in 2015. The 2015 frequency of sMAIS3+ roadusers consists of 6850 motorized two-wheel users, 6500 car occupants, 3550 cyclists, 3500 pedestrians and 800 others (van, bus, truck users). This confirms the heavy burden suffered by Motorized two-wheel users. Moreover, they only account for 2% of traveled kilometers whereas car occupants account for 70% of traveled kilometers. Also, these results show a different pattern than the number of fatalities, where it is the number of killed car occupants that is the highest. Conclusions The frequency of injured road users, all severities, has been confirmed by other sources, namely: the French national Travel Survey, and by the annual firemen data (they provide first aid on crash scene). Concerning the number of seriously injured road users, the ratio of the number of MAIS3+ casualties divided by the number of fatalities enables country to country comparison