Packaging Research Outputs into Extension and Training Materials: Experiences and Lessons Learned in Development of Grains in Ghana

La recherche engendre beaucoup de technologies qui restent sous-dissemineés. Donc l'objectif principal de propager les résultats de la recherche aux utilisateurs n'est jamais achevé. Le papier décritles expériences et les leçons apprises lors du conditionnement des résultats de la recherche en matériau de la formation et la vulgarisation pour l'utilisation des paysans et des vulgarisations sous le prójet du dévéloppement des grains au Ghana. Basé sur les expériences et les leçons apprises, une série de récommendations sont proposées pour améliorer le processus de la production du matériau de la formation et la vulgarisation. Ce sont:i) déterminer le type du matériau à produire et pourquoi,ii) appliquer un plan efficace d'écriture et de rédaction,iii) employer les dessins appropriés,iv) évaluer les matériaux pendant et après la production.Research generates numerous technologies that remain under-disseminated. As a result one primary objective of research to develop improved production systems and get the research results out to the user is not achieved. This paper describes the experiences and lessonslearned in packaging research outputs into extension and training materials for use by extension workers and farmers under the Ghana Grains Development Project. Based on the experiences and lessons learned, a series of recommendations are made for improving theproduction process of extension and training materials. These emphasize (i) determining the type of material to be produced and why, (ii) applying effective writing and editing guidelines, (iii) using appropriate designs and (iv) to evaluate materials during and after production

Global Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

1. Abstract 1.1. Background: Evidence suggests that diabetes in all forms are on the rise especially gesta-tional diabetes mellitus which increases the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidities; however global prevalence rates and geographical distribution of GDM remain uncertain. The aim of this study is to examine the global burden of gestational diabetes mellitus. 1.2. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting Randomised Clinical Trials (RCTs) in pregnant women who have GDM was conducted. Cochrane (Central), PubMed, Scopus, JBI, Medline, EMBASE and reference lists of retrieved studies were searched from inception to March 2019. Publications on prevalence of GDM irrespective of the baseline criteria used to diagnose GDM were included in the study. Studies were limited to English language, randomised control trials and women aged between 19-44 years inclusive. 1.3. Results: Eleven RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this review. The included studies collectively reported GDM rates of 13,450 pregnant women from 7 countries. The diagnostic criteria used in the studies were World Health Organisation (WHO) 1985 and 1999, International Association of Diabetes, Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG), National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG), Carpenter-Coustan (C&C) and O'Sullivan's criteria. Seven RCTs screened for GDM in comparison with different diagnostic criteria in the same population while three studies used the same criteria for different groups. One study compared 100g, 3h OGTT to 75g, 2h OGTT for diagnosing GDM using Carpenter and Coustan criteria. All seven RCTs that compared different diagnostic criteria in the same population detected different prevalence rates of GDM. Three RCTs measured prevalence of GDM in the same population using WHO 1999 and IADPSG 2013 criteria. Using random effect model, data from three studies that compared IADPSG criteria to WHO 1999 showed an Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.52(0.15, 1.84), 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and high heterogeneity of 99%. In all three studies, prevalence of GDM measured by IADPSG criteria was higher than WHO 1999 criteria, although not significant (p= 0.31). Combining all the studies gave a global estimated prevalence of GDM to be 10.13% (95% CI, 7.33-12.94) with moderate heterogeneity of 27%. The highest prevalence of GDM wit

Accounting for training results: an evaluation of the training activities of the root and tuber improvement programme

No Abstract. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana Vol. 4 2006: 279-29

Assessment of the physico-chemical and microbial quality of selected extemporaneous paediatric oral formulations frequently prepared at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pharmacy prepares paediatric formulations of unavailable dosage forms on daily basis for children with a variety of acute and chronic diseases. This study assessed the physical and microbiological quality, and chemical stability of extemporaneous oral paediatric formulations prepared in this facility. The study team surveyed the hospital for unavailable formulations which were requested and prepared extemporaneously in the hospital's pharmacy. Stability studies were then conducted on the six (6) most frequently prepared paediatric suspension formulations namely; acetazolamide, spironolactone. propranolol, furosemide, phenobarbitone and lamivudine. These were prepared in accordance with KATH approved formulation procedures. HPLC and the agar diffusion methods were employed in the analysis. The formulated suspensions of spironolactone and furosemide were microbiologically and chemically stable up to 30 days. Lamivudine suspension was stable both chemically and microbiologically up to 60 days. The acetazolamide suspension was not stable up to a 30 days' mark. Phenobarbitone and propranolol suspensions were highly unstable even within 30 days and therefore, might require refrigeration to maintain their stability. The results showed that the formulated suspensions had sufficient microbial integrity and a range of active content stability, which suggested suitability for use as follows; lamivudine suspension up to 60 days, spironolactone and furosemide suspensions up to 30 days; acetazolamide, phenobarbitone and propranolol suspensions possibly up to 2 weeks, after preparation. &nbsp

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways