ABSTRACT Induced abortions continually contribute to the issue of maternal mortality in Ghana. The use of contraceptives by women of reproductive age is thought to aid in reducing the prevalence of abortion in the country. With these facts, this study seeks to establish the relationship between contraceptive use and abortion and determine how the two influence each other. Factors that have been influencing the prevalence of contraceptive use and abortion were also assessed in this study. Gain...
ABSTRACT As work practices and living arrangements change rapidly in Ghana, mothers, who are considered as primary child caregivers, despite the considerable changes in gender roles, can be faced with making difficult decisions as they try to balance childcare with the demands of the workplace. Consequently, a large number of children grow up in the care of their mothers and other household non-maternal child caregivers. Despite these childcare arrangements, a comparative study of child careg...
SUMMARY Zinc is a micronutrient indispensable for growth, development, reproduction, and for the activities of over 200 enzymes embracing all physiological activities. Zinc deficiency in the preschool age group therefore leads to growth faltering, wasting, stunting and general degeneration in physiological activities. In rural areas of Egypt and Iran where zinc deficiency was first identified, dietary factors of plant origin ( especially phytic acid and fibre), which impair zinc absorpt...
ABSTRACT Background: The effect of pesticide on human health and the environment is a major global public health issue. Knowledge of farmers on pesticide use and practices may contribute significantly to the burden of pesticide in human population and the environment. Objectives: This study assesses knowledge, work practices and self-reported symptoms associated with pesticide use among vegetable farmers in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti region. Methodology: The study was derived f...
ABSTRACT The study sought to explore how socio-cultural factors influence malnutrition among children under-five in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study sought to: describe social factors influencing malnutrition among children under-five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis, discuss cultural beliefs influencing malnutrition among children less than five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis and analyse feeding practices influencing malnutrition among children under-five year...
ABSTRACT Qualitative studies on enteropathogenic bacteria in chicken on the Ghanaian market, using Accra Metropolitan Area, as a unit case, was assessed. A total of 184 samples, made up of 97 cloacal swabs from 3 different farms and 87 surface rinses of carcasses from different retail outlets were examined for the presence of Campylobacter sp., Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and Escherichia coli. Out of the 97 cloacal swabs, 14 (14.4%) were positive for Campylobacter, 7 (7.2%) for Salmon...
ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: People with disabilities have special healthcare needs that usually remain unmet. Studies have identified barriers encountered by people with disabilities in accessing healthcare. This study was aimed at identifying factors that both facilitate and hinder access to healthcare for children with disabilities [with focus on Autism, cerebral palsy (CP) and Down syndrome (DS)] in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Method: The study employed a cross sectional stu...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is the situation in which a teenage girl, usually between the ages of 10 and 19 years, becomes pregnant Most teenagers do not plan becoming pregnant but they may do. These girls who have become pregnant are faced with the numerous challenges associated with parenthood. The study, however, aimed at estimating the economic burden of teenage pregnancy on households in Elmina community. Method: The study adopted the cross-sectional survey which makes ...
ABSTRACT Introduction Satisfactory allocation of resources is essential as far as efforts to combat HIV/AIDS menace, especially in Africa. In determining HIV patients location, the nature of services must be in line with the behavioral, geographic and the social characteristics of the patients. This study, therefore, examined the spatial distribution of HIV cases and accessibility to treatment centers in the Sunyani Municipality. Methods To enable spatial analysis of HIV patterns, the locatio...
ABSTRACT Perceptions of the causes of Cerebrospinal Meningitis, its treatment and prevention, as well as reasons for the blatant refusal by some sections of the communities to vaccinate against the disease in the wake of the big epidemic of the meningitis belt (1996-1997) to which the district falls, were investigated. About 150 knowledgeable people of various age groups, Kasena Nankani were interviewed in Key informant, In depth interviews, Focus Group discussion, case interview of surv...
ABSTRACT Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a devastating health condition that affects every sphere of society including workplaces. A number of occupational exposures to patients‟ blood and body fluids occur each year in health-care settings putting healthcare workers (HCWs) at a high risk of several blood-borne infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HBC). This study investigated the health care provider's risk perception of HIV, kn...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Medication adherence is an integral component in the management of hypertension. Poor adherence to medications is one of the major public health challenges. Sub optimal adherence to antihypertensive medication is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Good medication adherence would ensure adequate blood control and therefore reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective was to measure adherence levels amongst hypertensive patients and to d...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Self-medication is the prolonged use of medicines to treat any symptom or illness without medical prescriptions. The emergence of resistant bacteria strains is mainly associated with antimicrobial self-medication. Aim: Self-medication with antimicrobial is a health problem globally especially in low-andmiddle income countries (LMIC) like Ghana, so this study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with antimicrobial in three rural communities (Akyem-...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS is a disease of public health importance. HIV related stigma is a process of devaluing the people living with or associated with HIV/AIDS. “Courtesy stigma” comprises of public negative judgment as a result of associating with a stigmatized individual or group. There are arguments that formal HIV care providers experience stigma as a result of taking care of the people living with HIV/AIDS though it is part of their work schedule in the hospital or health cen...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of tuberculosis (TB) care rendered to TB patients within Tema Metropolis. The study examined three domains within which quality of care is assessed namely: structural factors, process factors and client satisfaction with services. Using a concurrent mixed method design, data was gathered through a survey among 113 TB clients and, by means of an interview among four healthcare professionals who provide care for TB patients. Pu...