Where, when and what type of alcohol do pregnant women drink?

Background: Drinking alcohol in pregnancy is of a serious public health concern worldwide. Previous study in the Bosomtwe district put the prevalence of women drinking alcohol in pregnancy as 20.4%.Objectives: To describe the alcohol drinking behaviour of pregnant women in the Bosomtwe district of Ghana.Design: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional, conducted among 397 pregnant women who attended ANC in 2010.Method: The study was conducted in all the 10 health facilities providing reproductive health care in the Bosomtwe district using administered questionnaires.Results: The main findings of the study were that 20.4% of pregnant women drank alcoholic beverage of which the most preferred drink was Akpeteshie (36.4%), a locally brewed or distilled alcoholic beverage followed by the liqueurs (Ginseng, Kasapreko or-Pusher - 27.3%. Study participants drank an average of ‘half-tot’ (15 mls) of akpeteshie and ‘one-tot’- 30mls of liqueurs per a drinking session respectively. Theyusually drank at home and before meals. The 25-29 year group  26(32.1%), married 50(61.7%) and Junior High School educated 37(45.7%) as well as christians 69(85.0%) and traders 28(34.6%) drank most.Conclusions: The findings identified akpeteshie as the most preferred alcoholic beverage among pregnant women in the district. It is  recommended that the health authority creates awareness of the existence of the problem of alcohol drinking in pregnancy and its potential effects on the foetus.Key Words: Reproductive years, Alcohol consumption, Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, Ghana, Women, Akpeteshi

Conceptual Exploration of the Rites of Passage With The Kumasi Central Market

As a concept, the Rites of Passage –a phrase which was coined by the French anthropologist and folklorist Arnold van Gennep, is represented with paintings to depict the stages of life from the time of birth to death. This write-up, conceptually represents the behavioural tendencies at each stage of life with scenes captured from the Kumasi Central Market at the four major periods of the day which are morning, afternoon, evening and night. The captured scenes were selected based on the effect of light on the particular scene, specifically, the brightness of the hues, and its capability of portraying the specific period of the day. To achieve the exact optical effect, the selected scenes were photographically painted on canvasses. Descriptions were made of the scenes and were finally analysed. Thus Observatory, Participatory, Descriptive and Analytical methodologies were utilized to observe and capture snapshots of the scenes from the Kumasi Central Market, then painted the scenes, described them and finally analysed them respectively. The analyses resulted in conceptually portraying the Rites of Passage theory with the paintings. The statement or morals is that in nature, everything passes through the four stages of life and eventually dies. It is therefore concluded that nothing is permanent in life as it goes through several challenges and changes before finally deteriorating and dying or annihilating. Keywords: Conceptual, Exploration, Rites of passage, Kumasi Central Market. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/66-03 Publication date:August 31st 2021

Analysis of variation in charges and prices paid for vaginal and caesarean section births: a cross-sectional study

This is the publisher's version. To view the original publication, see http://bmjopen.bmj.comThis article aims to examine the between-hospital variation of charges and discounted prices for uncomplicated vaginal and caesarean section deliveries, and to determine the institutional and market-level characteristics that influence adjusted charges. Using data from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), we conducted a cross-sectional study of all privately insured patients admitted to California hospitals in 2011 for uncomplicated vaginal delivery (diagnosis-related group (DRG) 775) or uncomplicated caesarean section (DRG 766). Hospital charges and discounted prices were adjusted for each patient's clinical and demographic characteristics. We analysed 76,766 vaginal deliveries and 32,660 caesarean sections in California in 2011. After adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics, we found that the average California woman could be charged as little as US$3,296 or as much as US$37,227 for a vaginal delivery and US$8,312–US$70,908 for a caesarean section depending on which hospital she was admitted to. The discounted prices were, on an average, 37% of the charges. We found that hospitals in markets with middling competition had significantly lower adjusted charges for vaginal deliveries, while hospitals with higher wage indices and casemixes, as well as for-profit hospitals, had higher adjusted charges. Hospitals in markets with higher uninsurance rates charged significantly less for caesarean sections, while for-profit hospitals and hospitals with higher wage indices charged more. However, the institutional and market-level factors included in our models explained only 35–36% of the between-hospital variation in charges. These results indicate that charges and discounted prices for two common, relatively homogeneous diagnosis groups—uncomplicated vaginal delivery and caesarean section—vary widely between hospitals and are not well explained by observable patient or hospital characteristics

Utilization of Colour for Visual Representation of Nature, Form, Space and Time

In nature, everything has a form, occupies a space, and is susceptible to change in a matter of time. Nature, form, space and time could well be classified as theoretical and the problem of intangibility of the said terms is addressed with the application of colour to visually represent them through paintings. Through application of colour, this article pulls the said incorporeities from their abstract realm for visual perception. Methodology of Observation was applied to observe some scenes at the same time, but a particular scene or spot was studied at four different periods of the day namely; morning, afternoon, evening and night. Participatory methodology was utilized to capture the scenes with a camera and, through the application of colour, painted the captured scenes on canvasses. Analyses of the painted scenes were finally made to result in conceptually representing nature, form and space with painted objects. Four of the scenes visually present the four periods or time of the day which are morning, afternoon, evening and night. The analyses have subsequently resulted in visually bringing about the concept of nature, form, space and time. In conclusion, if the intangibilities of nature, form, space and time could be concretized for visual conception, then any theory could be practically materialized. Keywords: colour, visual representation, nature, form, space, time DOI: 10.7176/ADS/94-01 Publication date:July 31st 202

Variation in charges for 10 common blood tests in California hospitals: A cross-sectional analysis

Objectives: To determine the variation in charges for 10 common blood tests across California hospitals in 2011, and to analyse the hospital and market-level factors that may explain any observed variation. Design setting and participants: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the degree of charge variation between hospitals for 10 common blood tests using charge data reported by all non-federal California hospitals to the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development in 2011. Outcome measures: Charges for 10 common blood tests at California hospitals during 2011. Results: We found that charges for blood tests varied significantly between California hospitals. For example, charges for a lipid panel ranged from US$10 to US$10 169, a thousand-fold difference. Although government hospitals and teaching hospitals were found to charge significantly less than their counterparts for many blood tests, few other hospital characteristics and no market-level predictors significantly predicted charges for blood tests. Our models explained, at most, 21% of the variation between hospitals in charges for the blood test in question. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the seemingly arbitrary nature of the charge setting process, making it difficult for patients to act as true consumers in this era of ‘consumer-directed healthcare.

Ex Vitro Propagation of Rubber Tree (Hevea Brasiliensis) using Stem Cuttings

Stem cutting propagation preserves the genetic traits and leads to transfer of superior and genetically similar traits of parent plants to progenies. This method is also used to propagate recalcitrant, nonviable and difficult to germinateseeds. Stem cutting in tree species is used to address phenological and intraclonal problems. The use of rubber cuttings as planting material is a feasible option, worthy of investigation. There has been little or no research studies into the USAge of Hevea brasiliensis stem cuttings as an alternative vegetative propagation method for an in vivo propagation of rubber tree in Ghana. Propagation of H. brasiliensis by stem cutting techniques was used to study alternative procedures for mass production of rubber planting materials. Brown and green rubber stem cuttings of Clone I and Clone II were soaked for 6 hours in 0.0-22.5g/L Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) followed by propagation in a nursery bag filled with nutrient-rich soil. Only the brown stem cuttings of H. brasiliensis survived. The percent survival, length of shoots, number of roots as well as length of roots of Clone II was significantly (

Indications for and the diagnostic yield of 24-hour Holter monitoring: a prospective study at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Background: Holter monitoring (HM) is an important tool used to evaluate symptoms suspected to be caused by arrhythmias. This study was aimed at determining the diagnostic yield of Holter monitoring among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing HM at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.Methods: This was a prospective study among 400 consecutive symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing HM from August 2006 to December, 2009 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Data from the Holter study were analyzed, and symptoms linked to arrhythmias were evaluated to determine the diagnostic yield of HM in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 51.81 ± 16 years. The most common indications (symptoms) for HM were palpitation (62.9%) and dizziness (34.0%); about half (53.3%) of the symptomatic patients had only one indication. Among the symptomatic group, 28 in 115 symptoms were linked to arrhythmias giving a diagnostic yield of 24.3% whereas in the asymptomatic group 1 in 33 of symptom was linked to arrhythmia giving a diagnostic yield of 3.0%. The study found an overall diagnostic yield of 19.6%.Conclusion: HM as a regular health check for the general population (asymptomatic cohorts) is not cost effective and does not provide significant data to influence care except when the subject is found to have symptoms.Funding: Funded by the AuthorsKeywords: arrhythmias, indications, Holter monitoring, diagnostic yield, Ghan

Financial sector reforms and bank performance in Ghana

study evaluating NPART\u27s efficacy and providing figures on its implementatio

Acceptor-donor-acceptor small molecules based on derivatives of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene for solution processed organic solar cells

Three simple semiconducting acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) small molecules based on an electron-rich (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) EDOT central core have been synthesised (DIN-2TE, DRH-2TE, DECA-2TE) and characterised. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices incorporating these materials have been prepared and evaluated. The physical properties of the molecules were characterised by TGA, DSC, UV/vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The optical HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of the molecules in the solid state were in the range 1.57-1.82 eV, and in solution 1.88-2.04 eV. Electrochemical HOMO-LUMO energy gaps determined by cyclic voltammetry were found to be in the range 1.97-2.31 eV. The addition of 1% 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) to photoactive blends of the A-D-A molecules and PC71BM more than doubled the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the case of DRH-2TE:PC71BM devices to 1.36%

Agronomic potentials of quality protein maize hybrids developed in Ghana

A quality protein maize (QPM) hybrid programme was started in 1991 to develop and promote high and stableyielding QPM hybrids to increase production of nutritionally superior maize varieties in Ghana. Six 3- way QPM hybrids developed from inbred lines originating from germplasm of the International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) were evaluated on research stations and in farmers\' fields in Ghana from 1995 to 1996. In the on-station evaluations, grain yields across 10 sites in both years averaged 6.0 ton ha-1 for the three hybrids (GH132-28, GH110-5 and GH2328-88), 5.22 ton ha-1 for Obatanpa, and 3.60 ton ha-1 for the local maize variety. In farmers\' fields, data from over 50 farm sites in 1995 and 1996 showed mean yields of 4.95 ton ha-1 for the three hybrids, and 4.28 ton ha-1 for Obatanpa compared to 3.59 ton ha-1 for farmers\' varieties. On the average, the hybrids were similar to Obatanpa in days to 50 per cent silking, but were shorter in plant height and ear placement. Consumer preference tests showed that the three hybrids were rated similar to the local variety in popular traditional food preparations such as ‘kenkey\' and ‘tuo zafi\'. In 1997, the National Variety Release Committee approved the release of GH132-28, GH110-5, and GH2328-88 under the local names Dadaba, Mamaba, and CIDA-ba, respectively. These hybrids are recommended for planting in all the major agro-ecologies to boost maize production in Ghana.Les variétés de maïs hybride (Zea mays L.) dont les plus sésirées que les variétés de pollinisation libre à cause de leur uniformté et leurs potentiels de rendement plus élevés. Pour augmenter la production de variétés de maïs nutritionnellement supérieures au Ghana, I\'Institut de Recherche de Cultures a mis en place un programme hybrid de maïs protéique de qualité (MPQ) en 1991 pour développer et promouvoir des hybrides de MPQ de rendement élevés et stable. Six hybrids en trois de MPQ développés d\'issu de la même souch provenant de germeplasmes de CIMMYT (Centre International pour I\'amélioration de maïs et de blé) étaient évalués aux stations de recherches et aux champs d\'agriculteurs au Ghana de 1995 à 1996. Dans les évaluations sur place, les rendements de grain à travers 10 sites dans les deux années ont atteint la moyenne de 6.0 ton ha-1 pour les trois hybrids (GH132-28, GH110-5 et GH2328-88), 5.22 ton ha-1 pour \'Obatanpa\' et 3.60 ton ha-1 pour la variétés de maïs local. Sur les champs d\'agriculteurs des données de plus que 50 sites de champs en 1995 et 1996 montraient les rendements moyens de 4.95 ton ha-1 pour les trois hybrids et 4.28 ton ha-1 pour les \'Obatanpa\' comparées à 3.59 ton ha-1 pour les variétés d\'agriculteurs. En moyenne, les hybrides étaient semblables à \'Obatanpa\' en jours jusqu à 50% d\'apparition de soie maïs étaient plus courtes en taille de plante et en placement d\'épi. Les essais de préférence de consommateur montraient que les trios hybrides étaient évalués semblables à la variété locale dans les préparations de nouriture traditionnelle populaire telle que \'kenkey\' et \'tuo zafi\'. En 1997, le comité pour la mise en vente de Variété Nationale a approuvé la mise en vente de GH132-28, GH110-5 et GH2328-88 sous les noms locaux respectifs de Dadaba, Mamaba, et CIDA-ba. Ce hybrides sont recommandés pour la popultion dans toutes les agroéclogies majeures pour stimuler la production de maïs au Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 40 (1) 2007: pp. 81-8