ABSTRACT The consequences of living with a chronic condition such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) do not only affect the child but other members of the family. Using the Stress Process Model by Pearlin et al. (1990) as an organising framework, this study investigated the factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of children with CP. The role of social support in ameliorating the negative consequences of the stressors on QoL of caregivers of children with CP was also assessed. The stu...
ABSTRACT Malaria is one of the most challenging Public Health issues in the developing world. To combat malaria effects in highly endemic areas, several interventions are employed by stakeholders. A questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess health-seeking behaviours for malaria treatment among international students in the University of Ghana, Legon. A systematic sampling method was used to select 264 International students. Consent was sought from partic...
ABSTRACT Background and objective: Anaemia among Ghanaian women of reproductive age is an important public health concern that contributes to morbidity, poor reproductive outcomes, low productivity and mortality. Chronic smoke inhalation from the use of biomass fuel for cooking has been shown to be associated with anaemia in some populations. Fish smoking using biomass fuel is an important livelihood among women living in coastal communities in Ghana which may increase their risk of anaemia. ...
ABSTRACT Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are plasmid-mediated enzymes capable of hydrolysing beta-lactams except carbapenems and cephamycins but are inhibited by beta-lactamase inhibitors. Most of these ESBL plasmids also carry genes conferring resistance to several non-beta-lactam antimicrobials. Hence, ESBL-producing isolates limit therapeutic options, contribute to treatment failure, increase morbidity and mortality, prolong hospitalization and increase cost of healthcare. There ...
ABSTRACT Background: Pneumonia kills more children under-five than AIDS, malaria and measles combined and yet has received far less attention. Each year, more than two million children under-five die of pneumonia in the developing world, compared to an estimated 800,000 children who die from malaria and around 300,000 children under-five who die from AIDS. In Ghana, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death of under-five mortality and morbidity. Most mothers or care givers do not recogn...
ABSTRACT Background: In Ghana, about 2.4 million people suffer from mental health illness and only 67,780 (2.8%) received treatment in 2011. The pathway to seek for care by patients who experience first episode of mental health illness may determine how early or late they receive the needed treatment. This study has been conducted to study help-seeking patterns in patients with psychiatric illness, the pathways they traversed to reach psychiatric services, and to understand the factors that i...
ABSTRACT Good breastfeeding practices provide infants with the nutrients they need for optimal growth and development. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of infection and also has significant health benefits to the mother as well. Health communication is important to support good breastfeeding practices. However, communication through the health system alone is not sufficient enough to reach everyone who needs breastfeeding information. Social media could serve as an inexpensive way of receiving ...
ABSTRACT Background: Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) is an everyday risk faced by HCWs as they come into contact with patients in their work activities. The most common pathogens of concern are HBV, HCV and HIV which are the most commonly transmitted. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that expose HCWs to BBFs. It was also to determine the prevalence of exposure and to investigate behaviours of HCWs after exposure. Methods: Associations we...
ABSTRACT Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). The disease since its discovery some two decades ago in America has assumed epidemic dimensions and has claimed millions of lives globally (Jackson, 2002). AIDS is a disease caused by the HIV that attacks and damages the body’s immune system rendering it incapacitated to fight infection. It has a long incubation period of between two to fifteen or even twenty years (MoH, 2001)...
ABSTRACT The study investigated the perceptions of the inhabitants of Whein Town on the effects of the activities of Whein Town Sanitary landfill in Monrovia, Liberia, and evaluated real time health hazards posed on the community. The Whein Town Engineered Landfill was developed with an integrated solid waste management motive. Even though the landfill lifespan expired at the end of 2016, active landfill activities are still ongoing. Liners may have deteriorated, thereby resulting in infiltra...
ABSTRACT Background: Preeclampsia is a peculiar human pregnancy condition with heightened immune response, oxidative stress, hypoxia and reduced angiogenesis. These features of preeclampsia which are influenced by leptin which causes endothelial dysfunction; the main pathology of this condition. Hypertension, which is a diagnostic marker of preeclampsia, is also associated with increased leptin level. This implicates leptin in preeclampsia pathogenesis. Data from Caucasians and Asians show hi...
ABSTRACT Treatment with traditional medicine during pregnancy is believed to prevent malaria, miscarriage, ensure proper growth of the foetus and to cure piles, anemia, waist and abdominal pains and to strengthen the womb to accommodate the foetus. The purpose of the study was to determine how pregnant women perceive traditional medicine, prevalence and the types of traditional medicines use during pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinic at Kpetoe and Ziope clinics in Agotime-Ziope d...
Abstract Schistosomiasis brings about long-term illness in humans which can become significant economic burden on the society. Morbidity control of schistosomiasis through integration of treatment within existing health care delivery system is seen as a potentially sustainable and cost-effective approach. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the health-seeking behaviour for signs and symptoms related to schistosomiasis among the inhabitants of Gani and Bonia, wi...
ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has now spread to all parts of the world with rates particularly high in young people (15-49 years) than older people (>50 years). Despite the global attention being paid to the epidemic of infection with HIV, the rates among older people in the sub-Saharan Africa has been a neglected area of study. This cross-sectional study carried out between the months of November, 2012 and January 2014 sought to determine the prevalence of HIV among elderly pat...
SUMMARY Introduction: Anemia in pregnancy is an important public health problem associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization revealed that more than half of all women living in developing countries are anemic. Teenage girls are confronted with lots of health threats during pregnancy and childbirth, prominent amongst these health threats is anaemia. Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of anemia and its determinant...