ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus is an important complication of pregnancy with adverse effects on both mother and fetus. Poor control of pre-gestational diabetes during the period of organogenesis increases the risk of major congenital malformations. While insulin is effective in controlling high blood glucose levels, otherwise resistant to diet and exercise management, several factors hinder its use. Metformin has been found to be a convenient, cheap, effective and safe hypoglycaemic ...
ABSTRACT Hypertension is often the precursor to cardiovascular disease complications with end-organ damage in poorly managed condition. Adherence to medication and appointment-keeping are critical in the control of hypertension and reduction of associated complications. However, poor adherence to treatment is common among hypertensive patients in clinical settings. Evidence-based health education interventions that can optimise patients’ adherence to medication and appointment-keeping are ...
ABSTRACT Diet is one of the very important components in diabetes treatment, and since its main problem is utilisation of glucose, diabetics are advised to carefully select foods rich in carbohydrates. It is worth noting that cassava which has a comparable carbohydrate (wet weight) content (40.8g/100g) to plantain (39.3g/100g) and energy values of 171 cal/lOOg and 169 cal/lOOg (on wet-weight basis) respectively is avoided by many diabetics who eat mostly plantain. The belief is that cassava c...
ABSTRACT Introduction Glaucoma is a chronic disease with no symptoms initially, and is therefore susceptible to patient’s non-adherence to prescribed therapy. Glaucoma affects more than three million people in Africa. This study sought to assess adherence to medication among glaucoma patients. Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to systematically survey one-hundred and thirty respondents from the Eye Clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Full informed consent was obtained f...
SUMMARY Objective: The study documented the influence of HIV/AIDS information on the knowledge and attitudes of barbers relating to the prevention of HIV in their professional practices. Methods: Data were collected using standardized questionnaire from all the 372 commercial barbers in a Local Government Area in Ibadan. Results: Ninety three percent of the barbers had at least primary school education and 99.5% learnt barbering through apprenticeship. Those who identified sex and sharing ...
ABSTRACT Land use/cover alteration within lake basins is occurring at accelerated rate most importantly in developing countries like Ghana. Anthropogenic activities (livelihood change, population growth, agricultural intensification and practices) and natural factors like seasonal variations are in most situations the major cause. To examine the effects of land use/cover on the physico-chemical and biological properties of Lake Bosomtwi, satellite images of the Lake’s watershed covering the...
ABSTRACT Introduction Adolescent childbearing has adverse effects on both mother and child. High fertility and rapid population growth are direct consequences of early childbearing. For intervention targeting, it is crucial to know trends and determinants of adolescent childbearing. Objectives The objectives ofthis study were to: (1) describe the trends in adolescent pregnancy and childbearing in Ghana (2) determine the factors associated with adolescent childbearing and (3) describe the birt...
ABSTRACT Background: Given the high level of mortality associated with severe malnutrition, it is important that high quality care is provided for children suffering from it. Objective: To assess the quality of services rendered to malnourished children under the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition programme at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital from the perspective of mothers of malnourished children, as weJl as healthcare professionals. Methods: A flexible study design, ...
SUMMARY Low birth weight is a major contributor to perinatal and infant mortality and to problems in subsequent growth and development later in life. Three quarters of neonatal and half of all infant deaths in developing countries and over 80% of infant mortality in industrialised countries are associated with Low Birth Weight (LBW)1 The efforts of the Builsa District Health Administration to attain the Ministry of Health national targets of reducing LBW rate to 5% and infant mortality rate t...
Abstract Introduction Anaemia is one of the most common health conditions which can affect anyone especially women of reproductive age and children. Pregnant women are at an even higher risk due to the physiological demands of the foetus. Anaemia affects over 800 million women and children and 38.2% of pregnant women worldwide. In Ghana 42% of women of reproductive age have anaemia. The situation is worse in the Volta Region where 46.5% are anaemic. Methods This research was done at Hohoe amo...
ABSTRACT Background: Intermittent preventive treatment for prevention of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is a key component of malaria control strategy in Ghana and sulfadoxinepyrimethamine (SP) is the drug of choice. Despite the evidence of the effectiveness of IPTp strategy using SP in reducing the adverse effects of malaria during pregnancy the uptake and coverage in Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti Region is low. Objective: This study set out to assess the use of IPTp among pregnant women and...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Maternal mental health care is an abandoned area, in low and middle income countries. Priorities are on decreasing infant and maternal mortality, and promoting infant physical health. Puerperium is the period of six weeks after delivery, during which time the mother‟s reproductive organs adjust to their original non pregnant state. It is a critical stage in the life of a mother, where the mother experiences many things which includes biological and emotional changes. ...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle cell anaemia, haemoglobin S or SS disease is a group of inherited disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. Although sickle cell disease is a global public health issue, not many studies have been conducted on the psychosocial effects of disease sufferers or patients in Africa, including Ghana. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the psy...
ABSTRACT Background: Globally, one major feature of markets is the generation of all manner of waste – animal waste, waste from food products sold, human waste, among others. To prevent negative occurrences as diseases and food poisoning, sanitation at markets must be adequately addressed. Objectives: The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of sanitation and health of market users at the Agbogbloshie market in Accra, Ghana. It explored three objectives as follows...
ABSTRACT Studying women within the socio-cultural context in which they live to identify factors influencing the level of maternal mortality and morbidity, constitute an important component of the effort to help minimize death or disability from complications of pregnancy and child birth. Maternal mortality in the Ayawaso Sub-Metro district increased from 4 in 2006 to 14 in 2007, pregnancy related complications rose from 817 in 2006 to 1521 in 2007(Annual Report of Ayawaso Sub-Metro, 2007). T...