A critical reflection on the use of focus groups as a research method: lessons from trying to hear the voices of NGO beneficiaries in Ghana

The focus group method has been used extensively in social science research in order to gain a deep understanding of participant perceptions of specific topics of interest. However, the method has rarely been used in the social accounting and accountability literature. This paper reviews and critically reflects on the key characteristics of the method drawing on a research project examining NGO (non-governmental organisation) beneficiary perspectives on the accountability processes employed by NGOs in Ghana. It offers insights and future research suggestions that might encourage greater use of the method by social accounting and accountability researchers

Parturient behaviour of Djallonké ewes and West African dwarf does

The parturient behaviour of 52 Djallonké ewes and 70 West African dwarf does was observed. The parameters recorded were the duration of parturition, posture during birth, presentation of the neonate at birth, and interventions during birth. The effects of parity, age and number of foetuses carried on the aforementioned parturient behavioural parameters were analysed using the chi-square procedure and a two-tailed t-test. The results of the study on Djallonké ewes showed that birth was completed in recumbent position by 73.1 per cent of the ewes while 98.1 per cent of them presented their lambs normally. None of the ewes required assistance during delivery. The duration of labour averaged 42 min while the time interval between the births of first and second-born twins averaged 3.8 min. The age, parity and number of foetuses carried had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the position in which birth was completed by ewes and presentation of lambs at birth. However, labour was longer in primiparous and young ewes than in multiparous and old ewes. Similarly, twin-bearing ewes were in labour longer than single-bearing ewes. The results of the study on goats showed that most (82.9%) does studied completed birth in recumbent position while 94.3 per cent presented their foetuses normally. No assistance was needed by any of the does during delivery. On the average, labour lasted for 20.57 min while the time interval between the births of first and second-born twins lasted about 6 min. Age and parity of the dam did not significantly affect (P>0.05) the duration of labour and presentation of kids at birth; but significantly, most (P< 0.05) primiparous and young does completed birth in recumbent position compared to multiparous and old does. The number of foetuses carried had no effect on all the parturient behavioural parameters studied. Les observations étaient faites du comportement de parturiente de cinquante-deux (52) agnelles de Djallonké et de soixantedix (70) chèvres naines ouest-africaines. Les paramètres enregistrés étaient la durée de parturition, la posture pendant l'accouchement, présentation du nouveau-né à la naissance et les interventions pendant les accouchements. Les effets de parité, d'âge et de nombre des fætus portés sur les paramètres behavioristes susdits de parturiente étaient analysés avec la procédure d'équerre en chi et d'essai T à deux queues. Les résultats de l'étude sur les agnelles de Djallonké révélaient que l'accouchement était terminé en une position allongée par 73.1% des agnelles alors que 98.1% d'elles présentaient leurs agneaux normalement. Aucunes des agnelles n'exigeaient d' aide pendant l'accouchement. La durée du travail était 42 min de moyenne alors que l'intervalle du temps entre les naissances du premier et du second des jumeaux nés était 3.8 min. de moyenne. L'âge, la parité et le nombre de fætus portés n'avaient aucun effet considerable (P>0.05) ni sur la posture à la naissance. Le travail était cependant plus long chez les primipares et les jeunes agnelles que chez les multipares et les agnelles âgées. De la même façon, les agnelles portant les jumeaux avaient une durée de travail plus longue que celles des agnelles portant un seul agneau. Les résultats de l'étude sur les chèvres montraient que la majorité (82.9%) des chèvres étudiées terminaient l'accouchement en une position allongée alors que 94.3% présentaient leurs fætus normalement. Aucune aide n'était exigée par les chèvres pendant l'accouchement. En moyenne, l travail durait 20.57 min alors que l'intervalle du temps entre les naissances du premier et du second des jumeaux nés durait à peu près 6 min. L'âge et la parité de la mère n'a pas eu un effet considérable (P>0.05) sur la durée de travail et la présentation des chevreaux à la naissance, mais une proportion considérablement plus grande (

THE EVALUATION OF DOMESTIC DUCKS AS POTENTIAL RESERVOIR OF AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS IN POST HPAI H5N1 OUTBREAK AREA, SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY, BRONG AHAFO REGION OF GHANA

Background: Avian influenza (AI) is an important zoonotic disease responsible for significant losses in most sub-Saharan countries. However, the role of poultry other than chicken in the epidemiology of the disease, especially after the first AI outbreak in Ghana, has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study is to determine whether the AI virus infection that was reported in the area in May 2007 was circulating silently in ducks in nine randomly selected farms in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. Materials and Methods: The sample size was calculated using Epi info version 3.4.1 at 95% confidence level, absolute precision of 5% and assuming 0.5 prevalence of Avian Influenza A virus in ducks. Samples collection was done simultaneously with questionnaire administration to farmers. A total of 526 samples made up of 384 cloacal swabs and 142 feather tissues from ducks from a commercial duck farm, seven backyard holdings and one live birds market in six randomly selected communities in the Sunyani Municipality, Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The samples were processed and subjected to Influenza Type A Matrix Gene analysis using RRT-PCR. Results: All the 526 samples subjected to Influenza Type A Matrix Gene analysis using RRT-PCR were negative for Influenza Type A viruses. However, it was observed that bio-security practices which are keys to reintroduction of the virus in the area were not adhered to in 89 % of the sites investigated. Our finding also revealed that only the commercial farm investigated in this study complied with fifteen (78.9%) of the nineteen different farm practices observed. Conclusion: Though AI was not detected in the ducks sampled, there is the need for continuous surveillance and education of stakeholders on standard bio-security and farm management practices in the area

The effects of fetal growth on maternal body weight and visceral organ mass in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck

SUMMARY During pregnancy, maternal metabolism changes to support the gravid uterus and the timing of these changes are a function of both gestational length and fetal number. In order to predict the nutrient requirements throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to know the changes which occur in both the reproductive and maternal tissues. Fifty-seven (57) wild grasscutters were used to investigate the increased nutrient requirement of fetal growth on reproductive and maternal tissues in the grasscutter. The animals were categorized into non-pregnant, early pregnancy (d 1 -50), mid pregnancy (d 51 -100), and late pregnancy (&gt; d 100) status. Maternal organ weights were reported as fresh weight (g), scaled to empty body weight (EBW; g/g), and maternal body weight (MBW; g/g). Carcass weight declined with advancing pregnancy (P = 0.029), as were the lungs, small and large intestines whilst the weights of the kidneys, liver and remaining viscera increased. The total internal organ mass, due mainly to the significant increases in the &apos;remaining viscera&apos; mass, which is made up of mainly adipose tissues, also increased with advancing pregnancy. From mid pregnancy to late pregnancy, uterine weight increased by 675. 3% (52.33±6.525 v. 353.37±26.580). This suggests that pregnancy imposes a huge metabolic demand on the grasscutter, but the animals appear to mobilize maternal nutrient stores, as well as slow down metabolic rate (as indicated by the increases in the fat component of the remaining viscera mass) to meet requirements of the growing fetus and developing mammary glands

The use of bovine colostrum as a source of immunoglobulin (Ig) for lambsUtilisation du colostrum bovin comme source d'immunoglobuline (Ig) pour les agneaux

A study on the use of bovine colostrum as an alternative source of immunoglobulin for lambs was carried out at the University of Ghana's Agricultural Research Centre (Legon). The study involved a total of fifty-six lambs. Thirty-three of them were bottle-fed with frozenthawed bovine colostrum while the rest (twenty-three) were allowed to suckle their dams and served as the control. The mean serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations of both groups of lambs were determined at 6hr intervals during the first 48 hrs of life, using a pocket refractometer. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in Ig levels between the bovine colostrum-fed lambs (21.01 zst units) and the normally suckled lambs (18.26 zst units). The peak serum Ig level for the bovine colostrum-fed lambs occurred at 12hrs postpartum as against 24hrs for the normally suckled lambs. The growth patterns for both groups of lambs were similar. It was concluded that bovine colostrum could be used as an effective alternative source of Ig for lambs. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 54(2) 2006: 118-12