Background: Sexuality is a complex phenomenon that is being influenced by psychological, nutritional as well as physiological factors. Its dysfunction includes desire, arousal, orgasmic and sex pain disorders. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and risk factors in a cohort of both married and unmarried female students in UDS-Tamale. Methods: The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was administered to 150 female students independent of age (mean±SD: single (24.1 ± 2.0) and married (29.6 ± 5.2)) domiciled in UDS-Tamale campus. Results: Out of a total of 150 questionnaires administered. 93 (62.0%) females returned the questionnaires, and 79 were complete and evaluable questionnaires. This represents 52.7% response rate. From this study, the age ranges as well as the mean (SD) of the age of the participants are 20 to 42 and 27.0 ± 4.8 years respectively. The mean duration of marriage is 4.6 ± 3.4 years. Majority of the studied participants are non-smokers (97.5%), do not consumed alcoholic beverages (67.1%), do not have any chronic disease (69.6%) and do not also have any family history of any chronic disease condition (55.7%). The mean income level, BMI as well as WHR are Ghc 590.1 ±406.9, 25.6 ± 3.5 kg m-2 and 0.8 ± 0.1 respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the single respondent was 67.6%. The most prevalent areas of difficulties were: infrequency 81.1%, Avoidance 64.9%, non-communication 64.9%, dissatisfaction 64.9%, anorgasmia 62.2%, non-sensuality 56.8% and vaginismus 56.8%. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the married respondent was 54.8%. Sexual dysfunction is high in both single female (67.9%) and married female (54.8%) medical students in the study. Conclusion: Married females in the study were more obese than single females, and the married-obese group was associated with high sexual dysfunction. Notwithstanding this however, the single-normal females had more sexual dysfunction compared to the married-normal females. The SD in the females appear to be contributed mostly by infrequency and avoidance in the single female group, whereas by dissatisfaction and infrequency in the married female group.

Background for the Study: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important crop both in subsistence and commercial agriculture in Ghana. Early leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola) and late leaf spot (Cercosporidium personata) are major limiting factors to groundnut productivity in Ghana. Aim: The objective of the study was to screen groundnut genotypes for resistance to Early and Late leaf spot diseases. Study Design: The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three (3) times. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted from May to December 2013 at the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute experimental site at Nyankpala in the Northern Region. The site lies between latitude 9°25´141 North and longitude 0°58’142 West and an altitude of 183 m. Methodology: The land was done using a tractor and field divided into plots of 2 m x 5 m with 1 m interval between plots. Sowing was done on 3rd June 2013. One seed was planted per hole at a depth of approximately 4 cm. Early and late leaf spot ratings were recorded at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting, using a ten-point scale. At pod maturity, plants from the middle two rows of each plot were hand-harvested and weights of the above ground foliage and underground pods were oven-dried to obtain dry haulm weight and pod yield respectively. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat statistical package (12th edition). Means were separated using the least significant difference at 5%. Results: The were significant differences (P < .001) among the groundnut genotypes in terms of severity for both early and late leaf spot diseases. F-Mix, NC 7, PC 79-79, F-Mix × SINK 24 and NKATIE-SARI had lowest score for both early and late leaf spot diseases. Among the 21 groundnut genotypes, F-Mix recorded the highest pods yield of 1100kg/ha and haulm weight of 5867 kg/ha followed by NC 7 with total pods yield of 900 kg/ha and haulm weight of 5373 kg/ha. PC 79-79 had a total pods yield of 666.7 kg/ha and haulm weight of 4867kg/ha. The pods yield of F-Mix × SINK 24 was 533.3 kg/ha and haulm weight of 4600 kg/ha. NKATIE-SARI recorded pods yield of 500 kg/ha and haulm weight of 4633 kg/ha. Conclusions: From the study, the genotypes F-Mix, NC 7, PC 79-79, F-Mix × SINK 24 and NKATIE-SARI were found to be resistance to both early and late leaf spot disease whereas Chinese, Doumbala, GM 120, GM 324 and ICGV 86015 were susceptible to both diseases.

Background: The influence of household food insecurity on poor child growth has been widely studied. However, there is a lack of clarity in such relationships therefore, more studies are required. Hence, the present study evaluated household food insecurity and sciodemographic determinants of undernutrition in young children (6-59 months old) in Ghana. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tamale South using 240 mother-child pairs. Mothers and their children (6-59 months old) were recruited from child welfare clinics within the Constituency. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Child anthropometric data were measured (weight and height/length) based on World Health Organization’s prescribed procedures. Child anthropometric Z-scores for the determination of acute and chronic malnutrition were generated using WHO Anthroplus 1.0.4. Household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS) was used to estimate household food insecurity. Binary logistics regression models were run using Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 24.0 to estimate the odds of acute and chronic malnutrition following the independent variables (HFIAS and sciodemographic factors). Results: The prevalence of acute malnutrition (wasting) was 7.5%. Also, the prevalence of chronic malnutrition (stunting) was 29.2%. In multiple binary logistics regressions model, there was a significant relationship between higher scores of HFIAS and the odds of acute malnutrition [1.34(1.07-1.68); P=0.010]. In the study, children aged 6-23 months had lower odds for chronic malnutrition [0.36 (1.20-0.66); P=0.001] compared with their colleagues (24-59 months old). Conclusions: In the study, we found a medium and a high prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition, respectively. Also, HFIAS was a significant predictor of acute malnutrition but not chronic malnutrition. Further, children less than 24 months old compared with those aged 24-59 months old had lower odds for chronic malnutrition. To reduce the odds for acute malnutrition, nutrition and health authorities in the Tamale South Constituency ought to intensify education on strategies to increase household food security status.

Background: The role of adequate nutrition in population health is widely acknowledged. The objective of the study was to determine associations of dietary diversity and socioeconomic factors with anthropometric failure among children (6 to 23 months old) in Sagnarigu Constituency. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which involved 231 children randomly selected from child welfare clinics within Sagnarigu Municipality. Dietary diversity of children was computed from 8 food groups based on mothers recall of foods child ate in the past 24-hour period (previous day and night) preceding the survey. Child anthropometric data were assessed based on World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard protocols. Results: From a multiple binary logistics regression analysis, children who failed to meet the minimum dietary diversity (MDDS) (1-4 food groups) compared with those who met the MDDS (5-8 food groups) had higher odds for underweight [3.54(1.18-10.60); P = 0.024), stunting [2.97(1.39-6.33); P = 0.005], and a coexistence of multiple growth faltering indicators [2.68(1.38-5.22); P = 0.004]. Also, the odds of stunting in children were higher among those whose mothers lacked formal education compared with those whose mothers had formal education [2.70(1.15-6.32); P = 0.022]. Conclusions: In the study, low MDDS was a significant predictor of stunting, underweight, and the coexistence of multiple indicators of anthropometric failure. The health management team in the Sagnarigu Constituency has to intensify education on the importance of children meeting the MDDS.