Predicting Smoking Behaviors Among Junior High School Students in Ghana

Despite the rising rate of smoking in sub-Sahara African countries, measures to control the tobacco epidemic have been limited to developed countries. The purpose of the present study was to recommend predictive models for determining predictors of smoking tendencies among junior high school students in Ghana. The 2009 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) served as the data source. The GYTS is a school-based survey designed to enhance the ability of countries to monitor tobacco use among youth and to guide the implementation and evaluation of tobacco control and prevention programs. Logit model and forward selection were used to choose predictive variables for smoking tendencies and behaviors. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, Area under the curve (AUC) and C-Index were validation tools used to assess the predictive power of recommended models. Results showed promising potential for different predictive models: where students smoked, having friends who smoked, having people smoke in their presence, chewing tobacco products, and a student's sex significantly predicted their smoking tendencies

Maternal Mortality in Ghana: Impact of the Fee-Free Delivery Policy and the National Health Insurance Scheme

Maternal mortality (MMR) is the second largest cause of female deaths in Ghana. Yet, many households cannot afford the cost of skilled delivery The study utilized the Panel Data Model to examine the impact of the fee-free delivery (FDP) and the National Health Insurance Policy (NIP) exemptions on MMR in Ghana. The Demographic and Health Survey reports on Ghana from 2002 to 2009 served as the main data source. Data were analyzed using Panel data model with within group fixed effects estimator. MMR declined significantly over the period studied. Both FDP and NIP positively impacted MMR at a 5% level of significance. In addition, skilled delivery was a significant predictor of MMR. Stakeholders would do well to ensure NIP is adequately funded in order to sustain the decline in MMR

Prevalence of Active School Transportation in the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana

The use of active transportation such as walking to and from school is on the decline globally. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of active school transportation among primary and junior high school students in the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. The secondary purpose was to examine predictors for meeting the recommended daily number of steps. A total of 2505 (1117 boys and 1388 girls) primary (1583) and junior high school (922) students participated in the study. The distances from children\u27s homes to their schools, heights, and body weights were measured –their heights were used to estimate their stride lengths. The step count for each participant to and from school each day was calculated. Data were analyzed using conditional percentage distribution and Logit model. Analyses indicated that 98.96% of participants used active transportation to and from school. Over 63% of the students were within the normal BMI range. However, 26.47% of the participants were either thin or underweight while 9.9% were either overweight or obese. Overall, 46.47% of the participants met the recommended daily steps. The Logit model indicated that educational level, BMI, mode of transportation, region, height, and age were significant predictors for meeting the recommended daily number of steps. The prevalence of school active transportation in the present study was high compared to that reported in other studies. Furthermore, the prevalence of thinness and underweight were higher than in previous studies, while the prevalence in overweight and obesity were lower

Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events in diabetes:Updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIMS: To evaluate the benefits and harms of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality events in people with diabetes by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of aspirin compared with placebo (or no treatment) in people with diabetes with no history of cardiovascular disease were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and a manual search of bibliographies to November 2015. Study-specific relative risks with 95% CIs were aggregated using random effects models. RESULTS: A total of 10 randomized trials were included in the review. There was a significant reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events: relative risk of 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-0.99) in groups taking aspirin compared with placebo or no treatment. Limited subgroup analyses suggested that the effect of aspirin on major adverse cardiovascular events differed by baseline cardiovascular disease risk, medication compliance and sex (P for interaction for all > 0.05).There was no significant reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality. Aspirin significantly reduced the risk of myocardial infarction for a treatment duration of ≤ 5 years. There were differences in the effect of aspirin by dosage and treatment duration on overall stroke outcomes (P for interaction for all < 0.05). There was an increase in risk of major or gastrointestinal bleeding events, but estimates were imprecise and not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The emerging data do not clearly support guidelines that encourage the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults with diabetes who are at increased cardiovascular disease risk

In-situ Behaviour of Selected Local Sand Binders on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Grey Cast Iron

The need to develop local sand binder by manufacturing industries has become necessary for national development. In this paper, the suitability of selected local sand binders on microstructural and mechanical properties of sand cast-grey cast iron was examined. The bentonite, cassava starch, rubber latex is varied for 5w% - 11w% fritter added to 100% silica sand of 5w% water. The selected scrap was superheated to 1550oC with 0.1% (Fe-Si) inoculant for proper dissolution. The microhardness and tensile properties were examined using Brinnel hardness (HBN) and Instron Tensiometer (1195) for tensile values (MPa) respectively. The microstructural properties of the produced cast were examined through Nikon metallurgical microscope. Results obtained from the grey cast revealed a pearlite matrix interface, massive carbide and graphite phases. Molds bonded with bentonite and cassava starch appears better with average hardness value of 437 and 385 (HBN) respectively. The microstructure was seen to be dominated by majorly pearlite matrix with little carbide which are favorable for the formation of gray cast iron which requires low chilling in the moul

Cost Changes in UK Design and Build Projects

The UK construction industry has seen many improvements over recent years, however one of the main ongoing issues is cost. Many projects face the problem of exceeding their initial budget resulting in unanticipated additional costs. It is important to avoid the client going over budget as this can ultimately affect the feasibility of a project. This research aim to investigate the factors driving cost changes in design and build projects within the residential sector in the UK construction industry. The gap in knowledge this study intends to contribute, is to investigate and proffer solutions to the causes of variance between contract sum and final account in design and build procurement option in the UK residential building projects. The research began with a brief literature review on different procurement routes and the factors which drive cost changes in construction projects. The findings of the literature review were used as the basis of the positivist research approach. The research used a mixed methodological approach, consisting of a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews to investigate the research problem. This research identified the design and build procurement route has succeeded in improving overall cost performance of construction projects by allocating the responsibilities of certain additional costs to contractors. However, despite these improvements, cost overruns are still problematic. Regardless of the chosen procurement route, complete design information at tender stage is essential to reducing cost overruns. This research established that subcontractors‟ performance ultimately depends upon the quality of site management. It is recommended to minimise any additional costs to a project, firstly design information should be complete at the time of tender and secondly the construction phase of the project should be managed by suitably qualified and experienced site management team. However, this study was limited to the residential building industry in the UK, hence further studies is highly recommended in developing countries as factors that causes this differences in contract sum and final account may be prioritised differently from the analysis within this study

Combined Electrical Resistivity Imaging and Electromagnetic Survey for Groundwater Studies in the Tarkwa Mining Area, Ghana

The major source of potable water in Tarkwa is the Bonsa Treatment Plant sourced from the Bonsa River. The activities of illegal miners along the banks of the Bonsa River has resulted in pollution of the river. This has resulted in high treatment cost and irregular supply of water to the Tarkwa Township and surrounding communities that are fed by the Bonsa Treatment Plant. In view of the difficulty in getting frequent and regular potable supply of water, people have resorted to construction of boreholes and hand-dug wells. However, the success rates and borehole yields are low especially in the hydrogeologically difficult terrains in the Tarkwa area. The aim of this paper is to investigate the hydrogeological conditions of the Tarkwa area using both the Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and Electromagnetic (EM) geophysical techniques to determine the electrical resistivity and conductivity values that are related to groundwater accumulation, so that potential water-bearing zones can be identified. Results from electrical resistivity show that the general resistivity distribution in the Tarkwa area is between 32 Ωm and 100 000 Ωm. Water-bearing zones in the Huni Sandstone occur to a depth of 35 m with an average resistivity value of 400 Ωm, at a depth of 60 m and a resistivity of 600 Ωm in the Tarkwa Phyllite, at a depth of 55 m and a resistivity of 600 Ωm in the Banket Series and 50 m depth with resistivity value of 500 Ωm in the Kawere Conglomerate respectively. The electromagnetic conductivity values also show that the general conductivity distribution in the Tarkwa area is 3 – 32 S/m. The application of electrical resistivity and electromagnetic techniques separately gives success rate of 80 % and 65 % respectively. An improved success rate of 86 % is achieved combining the two techniques. Keywords: Electrical Resistivity Imaging, Electromagnetic Method, Groundwate

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of False Yam (Icacina oliviformis) Extracts on Microbes

This study compares the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of Icacina oliviformis tuber and seed extracts on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aerugino­sa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. False yam tubers were washed and peeled and the mesocarp removed to obtain the seeds. Methanol was used to obtain tuber and seed extracts of the false yam, after they were pulverized. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids and glycosides in both extracts but the proportion of tannins and alkaloids were relatively higher in false yam seed extract than tuber extract. Antimicrobial assay showed that both extracts had antimicrobial activity justifying its use in the treatment of diseases in Northern Ghana. False yam seed extract had a relatively higher antimicrobial activity than tuber extract. The least minimum inhibition concentration recorded was 1.56 mg/ ml for false yam seed on Gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. False yam seed extract exhibited a higher antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms than the tuber extract, this provides a cheaper source of antimicrobial agent to treat infectious diseases. Keywords: False yam tuber, False yam seed, Icacina oliviformis, Phytochemical screening, Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC), Microorganisms &nbsp

Intimate partner violence as a predictor of marital disruption in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel analysis of demographic and health surveys

Intimate partner violence has gained momentum as health, social, and human right issue across the globe. Women within sub-Saharan Africa often do not report any case of violence due to the acceptance of violence which is rooted in their socio-cultural beliefs and practices. With a high prevalence of marital disruption in sub-Saharan Africa, it is important that we understand the role intimate partner violence plays in this phenomenon. Hence, this present study assessed the association between intimate partner violence and marital disruption among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods This study involved a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Demographic and Health Survey of 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was carried out and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) at 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results The prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence in the 25 countries considered in this study were 29.3%, 28%, and 11.5%, respectively. The highest prevalence of physical violence was in Sierra Leone (50.0%) and the lowest prevalence was in Comoros (5.7%). For emotional violence, the highest prevalence was in Sierra Leone (45.9%) and the lowest prevalence was in Comoros (7.9%). The highest prevalence of sexual violence was in Burundi (25.5%) and the lowest prevalence was in Comoros (1.8%). The average prevalence of marital disruption was 7.7%. This ranged from 1.3% in Burkina Faso to 20.2% in Mozambique. We found that women who had ever experienced physical violence were more likely to experience marital disruptions compared to those who had never experienced physical violence [aOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.35–1.50]. Women who had ever experienced sexual violence were more likely to experience marital disruption compared to those who had never experienced sexual violence [aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.21–1.37]. Finally, women who had ever experienced emotional violence were more likely to experience marital disruption compared to those who had never experienced emotional violence [aOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.76–1.96]. Conclusion Findings from this study call for proven effective intimate partner violence reduction interventions such as strengthening laws against intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa. Again, marital counseling and health education interventions should be implemented to address the role of intimate partner violence on the wellbeing of women and the stability of couples in sub-Saharan Africa

Utilization of Deworming Drugs and Its Individual and Community Level Predictors among Pregnant Married Women in Cameroon: A Multilevel Modeling

Background. Although deworming pregnant women is one of the strategies to reduce parasites (roundworms and hookworms) causing anemia and related perinatal and maternal complications, utilization of deworming medication among pregnant women in Cameroon is suboptimal. Comprehensive assessment of individual, household (including women’s autonomy), and community-level factors associated with utilization of deworming medication has not been done so far. Therefore, we investigated the individual/household and community-level factors associated with deworming among pregnant married women in Cameroon. Methods. Our study was limited to pregnant women because they have a greater risk due to increased chances of anemia. We used data from the 2018/19 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis on 5,013 pregnant married women was carried out using multilevel logistic regression. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Results. Our findings showed that about 29.8% of pregnant married women received deworming medications. The individual/household level predictors of deworming medications utilization identified in this study were women’s educational level, wealth quintile, and skilled antenatal care. Distance to health facility and region were identified as community-level predictors of deworming medications utilization. Higher odds of receiving deworming medication occurred among educated and wealthier pregnant married women as well as among pregnant married women who had skilled antenatal care or lived in the south region, whereas lower odds were observed among pregnant married women living in the north region. Conclusion. Access to education and economic empowerment of pregnant married women in remote areas and the north region should be the primary focus of the Cameroon government to enhance deworming coverage in the country