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...
Abstract The health and safety of vendors on the street is not assured. Provision of running water, place of convenience, adequate shelter and other amenities that are needed to promote and maintain health is not usually available for them. This study aimed to; determine the common health conditions among street vendors, assess vending risk awareness among hawkers as well as assess protective strategies used by vendors to protect themselves from workplace hazards. A descriptive cross-sectiona...
ABSTRACT Early screening for detection and diagnosis of diseases and health conditions is an important public health principle. Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of such screening strategies where a woman examines her breasts regularly to detect any abnormal swelling or lumps in order to seek medical care. This study therefore explored the knowledge, perceptions and the practice of Breast Self-Examination among female soldiers at the 37 Military Hospital. This study combined both quantitat...
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become one of the most common chronic diseases globally, and it has assumed an epidemic status in the past few decades especially in low and middle income countries. The most frequent form is Type 2 diabetes which represents more than 85% of cases; other forms are Type 1 (10%) and Gestational diabetes (5%). Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease associated with an increased risk of developing several complications which include; cardiovascular diseases, d...
ABSTRACT Introduction Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is known to be the oldest form of healthcare available and are found in almost every country around the world. Complementary and alternative medicine is used worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. About 80% of people in developing countries such as China, India, Latin America and large parts of Africa are known to rely on CAM as a source of primary health care. In Ghana, about 70% of the population depends on C...
ABSTRACT Background: The Okwawuman Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (OMHIS) had been operating since 2002. However, performance reviews have reported mainly on deficits/surpluses, coverage rates and effects on health services utilization. Objective: The study seeks to assess the performance of the scheme with respect to the performance ratios and its impact on the utilization of differential components of health services and also on maternal care outcomes including caesarean section, vacuum ext...
ABSTRACT HIV/AIDS is still a big public health issues as adolescents today have not known a world without AIDS. The school environment offers great opportunity for HIV high risk behaviours. Despite a great awareness of the dangers of the disease and the abundance of knowledge, young people continue to engage in behaviours that place them at risk of contracting the disease. The main objective of the study is to determine the relationship between HIV risk perception and sexual behaviours among ...
ABSTRACT Caregivers of children with sickle cell disease experience psychological and physical challenges that affect their role as a caregiver. The aim of the study was to find out whether health belief, psychological wellbeing, social support, and some selected demographic variables influence the compliance of caregivers on the treatment of their children. Using a cross sectional survey method, 200 participants (100 caregivers of sickle cell children and 100 caregivers of acutely ill childr...
ABSTRACT Background: Hepatitis B is a major public health challenge and WHO is making all efforts at eliminating it as a public health threat by 2030. Elimination includes reduction of the reservoir of transmission through antiviral therapy. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions of the world with high burden of disease. Treatment with antiviral therapy is almost unavailable and/or inaccessible. The study seeks to find factors affecting response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (...
ABSTRACT An oral health survey was carried out among young adults in the Ga district to assess the oral health status of young adults in and out of school and to recommend types of treatment needed. A stratified random sample of young adults 1 5 -3 2 years old was selected from rural and urban Senior Secondary Schools and the communities. Questionnaires were administered by Ccommunity Health Nurses after which oral examinations and recording of data was carried out by the principal investigat...
ABSTRACT Background: The efficacy of Plumpy’nuts (PPN) has been technically and medically documented as an appropriate product for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children. SAM is a chief killer of children < 5 years, responsible for 1 million deaths yearly. Children with SAM risk dying 9 times more than non-SAM children. Aim: To evaluate the acceptability of PPN, “a ready-to-use therapeutic food” among malnourished children in selected rehabilitation centers in the ...