Quality of Raw Water from Ghana’s Reservoirs: A Case of Weija Reservoir

The increase in population within the Densu River Basin (DRB) from 450,000 in 1984 to 947,000 in 2000 shows an average yearly growth rate of 3.26%. This therefore has resulted in the increase of anthropogenic activities which have caused contamination with regard to the quality of raw water from the Weija reservoir. Using descriptive study design, the study aimed at analyzing the trends in water quality parameters and also finding some of the existing relationships between these parameters over a 14-year period.  The study used sixteen (16) water quality parameters and it was revealed that most of the water quality parameters’ recordings fell within the WHO guidelines during the 14-year period. Water from the Weija Lake can be termed to have been of high quality putting into consideration phosphorus, nitrate, ammonia, magnesium, calcium, total hardness, fluoride, iron and sulphate since they fell within WHO guidelines: this effect gives a signal of resource sustainability by the population within the catchment. On the other hand, the water can be termed to have been of less quality over the 14 years by considering parameters such as turbidity, colour, pH, temperature, suspended solids and total solids since their recordings were often above WHO guidelines. In view of this, it is recommended that stakeholders of DRB such as the Densu River Authority (DRA), the Ghana Water Commission (GWC), the Weija Head Works (WHW) and the District Assemblies should ensure that sustainability of quality of water from the Weija reservoir is achieved through clean integration of social, environmental and economic developments as emphasized in the definition of sustainability given by the Bruntland commission. Keywords: Raw water, Quality, Reservoirs, weija DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-5-01 Publication date:May 31st 202

The Effects of the use of Microsoft Math Tool (Graphical Calculator) instruction on students’ performance in linear functions Philip Siaw Kissi1*, Opoku Gyabaah2 and Sampson Kwadwo Boateng3 1. Management Information System Department, Cyprus Internatio

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Microsoft Math Tool (graphical calculator) on students’ achievement in the linear function.  The study employed Quasi-experimental research design (Pre-test Post-test two group designs). A total of ninety-eight (98) students were selected for the study from two different Senior High Schools (SHS) in Accra, Ghana. The two schools were categorized as control group of forty-eight (48) students and experimental group of fifty (50) students. The analysis of data was done using independent t-test with alpha value (α) = 0.05. Pre-test assessment conducted at the beginning of the study shown no significant difference, t (95.720) = -0.441, p = 0.660 between the control and experimental groups. This indicated that the two groups were homogeneous. The experimental group received teaching instruction using the graphical calculator while traditional lecture method was used to teach the control group by the same instructor. Results revealed that there was significant differences, t (96.000) = -6.984, p = 0.00 in students’ performance between control and experimental. This suggested that mathematics teachers and curriculum or textbook developers should introduce the use of the graphical calculator to improve students’ performance in mathematics education, particularly linear and quadratic functions. Keywords: Linear function, graphical calculator, technology, theory, mathematics

Comparative Study of Convergence of Sequence of Functions in a Banach Space

We discuss four types of convergence of sequence of functions in a Banach space. The types of convergence considered include pointwise, uniform, strong and weak convergence. It is shown that uniform convergence implies the pointwise convergence and the strong Convergence implied the weak convergence. We also show how basic analysis concepts are used in proving advanced concepts and also provide an alternative description of the exponential function

The repercussions of minning on the environment of ghana and feasible solutions

It is concluded that marked environmental improvements can only be achieved if: 1) assistance is provided to the Minerals Commission from local governmental bodies and academic units; 2) industry-specific environmental management tools and strategies are designed and implemented; 3) concerted effort is made to prospect for deposits suitable for small-scale gold mining, a key to preventing unnecessary exploration; and a nation-wide industrial mercury study is commissioned, and a mercury retorting program is implemented; 4) effective environmental sustainability education is interminably carried out. Although mitigation efforts have had a limited impact, it is expected that the measures now being considered for adoption will improve the efficacy of the Government of Ghana’s drive towards improving environmental management in resident small-scale precious metal mining operations. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/819

Determination of the Levels of Some Heavy Metals in Cocoa Beans from Selected Cocoa- Growing Areas in Western and Ashanti Regions of Ghana

In this study, six heavy metals in cocoa beans from some cocoa-growing towns in the Western and Ashanti regions were determined after acid digestion using analytical grades of concentrated nitric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid. Cadmium, lead, copper, Manganese, Iron and zinc in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The metal levels in cocoa beans from the Western region, expressed in mg/ kg varied from 0.045 to 0.066 with mean value of 0.054 for cadmium, from 0.013 to 0.03 with mean value of 0.02 for lead, from 46.47 to 55.17 with mean value of 51.98 for copper, from 48.36 to 64.65 with mean value of 55.18 for manganese, from 43.80 to 53.11 with the mean value of 47.51 iron, from 43.04 to 52.06 with the mean value of 48.29 for zinc. That of Ashanti region ranged from 0.05 to 0.065 with the mean value of 0.056 for cadmium, from 0.014 to 0.02 with the mean value of 0.017 for lead, from 47.43 to 54.17nwith the mean values of 49.10 for copper, from 47.15 to 57.34 with the mean value of 54.62 for manganese, from 50.23 to 63.87 with the mean value of 54.63 for iron and from 53.02 to 58.71 with the mean value of 56.49 for zinc. For overall conclusion, heavy metals were present in all samples but the levels of zinc, copper, iron and manganese which are considered as essential elements were high as compared to the toxic cadmium and lead. Levels according to codex set up by FAO/WHO therefore makes cocoa beans from the Western and Ashanti regions of Ghana analyzed in this study  safe for consumption

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Dyslipidemia Among Adults in Rural and Urban China: Findings From the China National Stroke Screening and Prevention Project (CNSSPP)

Background: Dyslipidemia is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of dyslipidemia- raised total cholesterol (TC), raised triglycerides (TG), raised low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and raised non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL-C) in rural and urban China. Methods: We analyzed data from 136,945 participants aged 40-100 years of the CNSSPP project for 2014. Dyslipidemia was defined by the NCEP-ATP III and the 2016 Chinese guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia in adults. Complete data on demographic, metabolic and lifestyle characteristics were used. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to obtain age- and sex-adjusted prevalence and risk factors for dyslipidemia among participants. Results: A total of 53.1% participants lived in rural areas. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was similar among rural and urban participants (43.2% vs. 43.3%). Regarding the components of dyslipidemia: urban compared with rural participants had a higher prevalence of low HDL-C (20.8% vs. 19.2%), whereas the prevalence of raised LDL-C (7.8% vs. 8.3%), raised TC (10.9% vs.11.8%) and raised non-HDL-C (10.0% vs. 10.9%) were lower in urban residents, (all p \u3c 0.001). Women were more likely to have raised TC than men (adjusted OR [AOR] =1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.75-1.91), raised LDL-C (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.47-1.63) and high non-HDL-C (AOR = 1.52 95% CI: 1.45-1.59) (all p \u3c 0.001). Compared with rural, urban participants had higher odds of dyslipidemia: low HDL-C (AOR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07), and raised TG (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.09). Hypertension and current drinker were less likely to get low HDL-C with AOR 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90-0.96) and AOR 0.73 (95% CI: 0.70-75), respectively. Overweight, obesity, central obesity and diabetes had higher odds of all dyslipidemias (p \u3c 0.001). Conclusions: Low HDL-C was higher in urban areas, whereas the remaining dyslipidemia types were more common in rural areas. Dyslipidemia was more common in women in both areas of residence. Overweight, obesity, central obesity and diabetes were associated with dyslipidemias. The need to intensify intervention programs to manage dyslipidemia and risk factors should be prioritized

Evaluation of serum iron overload, AST:ALT ratio and log10ferritin:AST ratio among schizophrenia patients in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana: A case-control study

Objective: The association between unbalanced iron indices and the conditions of schizophrenia are not well understood. Liver dysfunction which has been linked to iron metabolism might be a contributing factor. This case–control study evaluated serum iron indices and liver function in treatment-naïve schizophrenia patients and those already on treatment at the Psychiatric Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 39.6 ± 0.8 years. Increased levels of serum iron, TS, AST, ALT and AST:ALT ratio and lower levels of UIBC, TIBC, Transferrin, and log Ferritin:AST ratio levels were observed among the treatment-naïve group compared to the control. The treatment-naïve and treatment groups showed significantly higher serum AST:ALT ratio, and lower log10ferrtin:AST ratio than the healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between log10ferritin and AST, and log10ferritin and GGT in both treatments (r = 0.343; p = 0.003, and r = 0.502; p = 0.001 respectively) and treatment-naïve groups (r = 0.348; p = 0.002, and r = 0.614; p \u3c 0.001 respectively). Percentage transferrin saturation correlated significantly with GGT only, in the treatment-naïve group (r = 0.667; p \u3c 0.001), and ALT and GGT in the treatment group (r = 0.252; p = 0.030 and r = 0.646; p = 0.014 respectively)

Depression and its associated factors among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana

Depression among people living with HIV/AIDS in higher-income countries is associated with suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy and though counterintuitive. Yet, less is known regarding how depression, social support, and other sociodemographic factors influence outcomes among people living with HIV, particularly in resource-limited settings like Ghana. In view of this gap, this study investigated factors associated with depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana. A total of 181 people living with HIV from a local antiretroviral clinic was purposively sampled for the study. The questionnaire included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Internalized Stigma of HIV/AIDS Tool, and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12. An independent student t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square test were conducted to ascertain the associations among the variables of interest. The magnitude of association was evaluated with multiple linear regression. The average depression score among the participants was 9.1±8.8 and 20.4% reported signs of depression. Majority (78%) of participants who were depressed were male compared to females (p = 0.031). In the multiple linear regression, every one-year increase in age was significantly associated with an estimated 0.012 standard deviation increase in depression scores (95% CI: 0.002–0.021) after adjusting for all other variables in the model. Every unit standard deviation increase in social support was significantly associated with an estimated 0.659 standard deviation increase in depression scores (95% CI:0.187–1.132), after adjusting for all other variables in the model. We found a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV especially among males. An increase in age and social support was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in this study. We recommend further study using longitudinal approach to understand this unexpected association between depression and social support among people living with HIV in Ghana

Depression and its associated factors among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana

Depression among people living with HIV/AIDS in higher-income countries is associated with suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy and though counterintuitive. Yet, less is known regarding how depression, social support, and other sociodemographic factors influence outcomes among people living with HIV, particularly in resource-limited settings like Ghana. In view of this gap, this study investigated factors associated with depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana. A total of 181 people living with HIV from a local antiretroviral clinic was purposively sampled for the study. The questionnaire included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Internalized Stigma of HIV/AIDS Tool, and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12. An independent student t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and chi-square test were conducted to ascertain the associations among the variables of interest. The magnitude of association was evaluated with multiple linear regression. The average depression score among the participants was 9.1±8.8 and 20.4% reported signs of depression. Majority (78%) of participants who were depressed were male compared to females (p = 0.031). In the multiple linear regression, every one-year increase in age was significantly associated with an estimated 0.012 standard deviation increase in depression scores (95% CI: 0.002–0.021) after adjusting for all other variables in the model. Every unit standard deviation increase in social support was significantly associated with an estimated 0.659 standard deviation increase in depression scores (95% CI:0.187–1.132), after adjusting for all other variables in the model. We found a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV especially among males. An increase in age and social support was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in this study. We recommend further study using longitudinal approach to understand this unexpected association between depression and social support among people living with HIV in Ghana

Prevalence of workplace violence against healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We aim to quantitatively synthesise available epidemiological evidence on the prevalence rates of workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors against healthcare workers. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from their inception to October 2018, as well as the reference lists of all included studies. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion. Data were double-extracted and discrepancies were resolved by discussion. The overall percentage of healthcare worker encounters resulting in the experience of WPV was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Differences by study-level characteristics were estimated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. We included 253 eligible studies (with a total of 331 544 participants). Of these participants, 61.9% (95% CI 56.1% to 67.6%) reported exposure to any form of WPV, 42.5% (95% CI 38.9% to 46.0%) reported exposure to non-physical violence, and 24.4% (95% CI 22.4% to 26.4%) reported experiencing physical violence in the past year. Verbal abuse (57.6%; 95% CI 51.8% to 63.4%) was the most common form of non-physical violence, followed by threats (33.2%; 95% CI 27.5% to 38.9%) and sexual harassment (12.4%; 95% CI 10.6% to 14.2%). The proportion of WPV exposure differed greatly across countries, study location, practice settings, work schedules and occupation. In this systematic review, the prevalence of WPV against healthcare workers is high, especially in Asian and North American countries, psychiatric and emergency department settings, and among nurses and physicians. There is a need for governments, policymakers and health institutions to take actions to address WPV towards healthcare professionals globally