A GIS-Based Estimation of Soil Loss in the Densu Basin in Ghana

Distributed erosion simulation models are useful in evaluation of different strategies for land-use and soil management improvement in watersheds. The increased soil erosion in Densu basin of Ghana has led to siltation of the river channel that is causing flooding in some parts of Accra, Ghana. The most urbanized basin in Ghana, Densu, supplies water to 600,000 people, with agriculture employing about 40% of the active population. A PCRaster GIS soil loss risk maps have been developed for Densu basin using models of Universal Soil Equation (USLE) and Revised Universal Soil Equation (RUSLE). Soil loss factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibilty, slope and slope length were also mapped for the basin. The model predicted average, minimum and maximum annual soil loss rates of 2.2, 0, and 63 t ha–1y–1 , respectively, indicating that some areas in the basin are above tolerance level of 5.0 t ha–1yr–1. The total soil loss was 756,507 tonnes per hectare per year. Among the soil types Lixisols experienced the highest soil loss of 402,080 t ha–1 yr–1 with Plinthosols experiencing the lowest soil loss of 64 t ha–1 yr–1. Among the administrative districts in the basin Suhum, Kraboa and Coaltar  experienced the highest absolute soil loss of 216,957 t ha–1 yr–1 while Fanteakwa experienced the highest average soil loss of 4.5 t ha–1 yr–1. The results can serve as data and information to water resources managers and soil conservationists

An assessment of Regional and Gender equity in healthcare coverage under different healthcare policies in Ghana

The study assesses regional and gender equity in healthcare coverage under two different healthcare policies – the Medium-Term Health Strategy (MTHS) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) – among 10 regions in Ghana. The Afrobarometer survey round 1, conducted in 1999; round 2, conducted in 2004; round 4, conducted in 2008; and round 5, conducted in 2012, as well as data from the Ministry of Health were used in the study. Using annual growth rates of the proportion of the respondents who had access to healthcare from various regions in Ghana – based on 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2012 equities – the healthcare coverage in 2025 (a post MDG era) was estimated. There were significant regional inequities for the National and Gender levels for all the four rounds of the survey. Among the respondents who always had healthcare access, between 1999 and 2012 there were 32%, 29% and 36% significant percentage increases for the whole Nation pertaining to Male and Female respondents respectively. Based on annual healthcare coverage growth rates, most of the south-western and forest regions such as Western, Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central and Eastern regions will achieve more than 85% coverage by the year 2025, while other regions such as the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Volta regions may attain less than 60% coverage by 2025. It is therefore strongly recommended that other African countries, especially those struggling with universal healthcare coverage, adopt and implement the principle of health insurance for all, as it is currently done in Ghana.Keywords: Medicine, Health Insurance, GIS, Afrobarometer, NHIS, health-coverage

Light-Activated Antimicrobial Surfaces Containing Quantum Dots for the Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Infections

This thesis details the development of effective light-activated antimicrobial polymers for use in healthcare environments, with the aim of reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The overuse and misuse of antibiotics is the most important factor that has led to increased incidence of multi-drug resistant HAIs. In the hospital setting where there is an abundance of immunosuppressed patients and often hygiene protocols are not strictly followed, HAIs can spread quickly, leading to increased length of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality and high healthcare costs. Self-disinfecting surfaces can reduce the incidence of HAIs by reducing the levels of bacteria on frequently touched hospital surfaces that serve as bacterial reservoirs, thus reducing the risk of HAI transmission. Quantum dots (QDs), extremely small nanoparticles that exhibit unique size-dependent properties, combined with photosensitisers display potent strong bactericidal activity upon incorporation into polymer surfaces. When irradiated under ambient white light, polymer surfaces induce the lethal photosensitisation of a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS cause irreversible damage leading to cell apoptosis and death by attacking bacterial cells in a non-specific fashion thus making the development of resistance unlikely. Polyurethane substrates were impregnated with QDs and photosensitiser dye (crystal violet) using a modified version of the simple and easily scalable dipping procedure known as the “swell-encapsulation-shrink” technique. Solely cadmium-free, indium-based QDs were used in this study, thereby circumventing issues regarding toxicity arising from the release of cadmium ions from traditional, commonly prepared QDs such CdTe, CdSe and CdS. Materials were characterised using techniques such as UV-Vis absorbance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared polymer substrates were activated under white light conditions mimicking those used in the hospital (~500 – 6000 lux). In order to deduce the photochemical pathway responsible for light-activated antibacterial activity, whether Type I, Type II or both, the antimicrobial surfaces were tested in a series of microbiological assays using specific ROS inhibitors and quenchers. The surfaces were tested against a range of nosocomial pathogens including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The novel materials described in this thesis demonstrate very strong self-disinfecting properties even under low light levels, demonstrating their potential for use in hospitals to reduce HAIs without the use of antibiotics

A Comparative Analysis of Rock Fragmentation using Blast Prediction Results

This work presents prediction and optimisation of controllable parameters of drilling and blasting currently used at the Fobinso Pit of Perseus Mining Ghana Limited (PMGL). The mine faces challenges with blast particle sizes produced after primary blasting. The presence of boulders requires secondary fragmentation to further reduce the broken materials to the acceptable sizes, thereby increasing the cost of production. The mechanical properties of the rocks were determined using Protodyakonov Rock Strength Index. The drill and blast parameters were estimated using the Konya and Walter (1990), Principle of Proportionality, and Instituto Geologo Minero de España (IGME) model developed in 1987. The Modified Kuz-Ram model was used to predict and analyse the results of blasting based on the parameters such as spacing, burden, drillhole diameter, charge density, charge per hole, charge length, and powder factor. A comparative analysis of the predicted size distributions of the various models using diameters of 65 mm and 110 mm revealed no significant differences between the size fractions. The Principle of Proportionality produced the best technical and economic indices for blasting. Keywords: Fragmentation, Drilling Parameters, Primary Blasting, Models, Secondary Blastin

Domestic Rainwater Harvesting in a Water-Stressed Community and Variation in Rainwater Quality from Source to Storage

The quality of rainwater, which is the main source of domestic water in Dzodze, a community in the Volta Region of Ghana, was unknown. Therefore, the possible utilization of contaminated domestic water and occurrence of health hazards could not be underestimated due to prevailing poor hygiene and a great lack of standard maintenance and treatment systems in the community. In this study, we assessed the quality of rainwater in the Dzodze Community community and how it varies along the DRWH chain from free-fall to storage. Rain samples were collected at three points along the domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) chain. Specifically, the three points from were free-fall, roof-catchmentroof catchment, and storage tank, and the two systems were "described as poorly-maintained" and "well-maintained" systems. The physico-chemical and bacteriological patterns of rainwater samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters and results were compared with World Health Organization (and Ghana Standards Board guideline values. The harvested rainwater was found to be of good physico-chemical quality, but not bacteriological, quality but not bacteriological, calling for treatment before utilization. Also, irrespective of the type of DRWH system (poorly-maintained or well-maintained), there were substantial changes in rainwater quality upon interaction with roof catchment, with an increase noticed in all parameters

Impact of malaria related messages on insecticide-treated net (ITN) use for malaria prevention in Ghana

Background: Media messages have been used in Ghana to promote insecticide-treated net (ITN)/bed net usage in an effort to impact on malaria prevention. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of such malaria-related messages delivered through electronic/print media and by volunteers/health workers on the use of ITNs by children living in a household. Methods: Data was collected from September to November of 2008 using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire by the Ghana Statistical Service as part of a national demographic and health survey (DHS). Secondary data analysis was performed on the collected data using multivariate logistic regression for both individual messages and a composite (any of) message variable. Results: From the 11,788 households surveyed, 45% had at least one net. Households with male heads were more likely to have a child sleeping under a bed net the previous night (p = 0.0001). Individual Messages delivered by a health worker or a dedicated radio programme, had the highest effect for one or more children sleeping under a net the night before (OR adjusted = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.44 to 1.88 and OR adjusted = 1.26; 95% CI =1.12 to 1.42 respectively) while hearing any of the eight messages (composite score) resulted in the highest odds for one or more children (OR adjusted = 3.06; 95% CI = 2.27 to 4.12) sleeping under a bed net. Conclusion: Efforts to relate ITN messages to the public are very useful in increasing use of bed nets and having multiple ways of reaching the public increases their effect, with the biggest effect seen when health workers and volunteers were used to deliver malaria-related messages to the public

Community perceptions of a malaria vaccine in the Kintampo districts of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa despite tools currently available for its control. Making malaria vaccine available for routine use will be a major hallmark, but its acceptance by community members and health professionals within the health system could pose considerable challenge as has been found with the introduction of polio vaccinations in parts of West Africa. Some of these challenges may not be expected since decisions people make are many a time driven by a complex myriad of perceptions. This paper reports knowledge and perceptions of community members in the Kintampo area of Ghana where malaria vaccine trials have been ongoing as part of the drive for the first-ever licensed malaria vaccine in the near future. METHODS: Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the data collection processes. Women and men whose children were or were not involved in the malaria vaccine trial were invited to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs). Respondents, made up of heads of religious groupings in the study area, health care providers, traditional healers and traditional birth attendants, were also invited to participate in in-depth interviews (IDIs). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in communities where the malaria vaccine trial (Mal 047RTS,S) was carried out. In total, 12 FGDs, 15 IDIs and 466 household head interviews were conducted. RESULTS: Knowledge about vaccines was widespread among participants. Respondents would like their children to be vaccinated against all childhood illnesses including malaria. Knowledge of the long existing routine vaccines was relatively high among respondents compared to hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type B vaccines that were introduced more recently in 2002. There was no clear religious belief or sociocultural practice that will serve as a possible barrier to the acceptance of a malaria vaccine. CONCLUSION: With the assumption that a malaria vaccine will be as efficacious as other EPI vaccines, community members in Central Ghana will accept and prefer malaria vaccine to malaria drugs as a malaria control tool. Beliefs and cultural practices as barriers to the acceptance of malaria vaccine were virtually unknown in the communities surveyed