ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Jirapa Municipality to assess the performance of CHPS zones on maternal and child nutrition indicators. The study was a mixed method descriptive cross sectional study. The study involved all CHPS compounds in the Jirapa Municipality. Convenience sampling was used to obtain registered mothers for child welfare services at the CHPS compound. Two sets of structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data, one set for CHPS compounds and the other...
ABSTRACT Introduction: There exist some variation in nutrient needs, and general physiology of adult and adolescent women, as well as physiologic stress imposed by pregnancy which can affect their infants. This may result from their nutrients demands due to differences in their developmental stage. Objective: To compare the nutritional status of adult and adolescent mothers and their infants. Methodology: The study was a cross sectional study design. Two Hundred and sixty mother-child pairs ...
ABSTRACT Background: Anaemia is a condition where the number of red blood cell (RBC) is reduced below the recommended value. It is diagnosed when a blood test shows haemoglobin concentrations below established levels. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as many as 30% of the people in the world have anaemia due to prolonged iron deficiency. A good source of iron (haem iron) is meat and non-haem iron from plant sources. ...
ABSTRACT Background: For an effective behaviour modification in dietary habits, an understanding of the association between an individual’s personality traits and food habits are of much significance. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between personality traits and dietary habits among undergraduate students of the University of Ghana. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted and students were recruited by systematic sampling. A questionnaire was used to...
ABSTRACT Background: Night shift work has been shown to induce stress, disturb family life, interrupt regular meal schedules (leading to lower intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals) and create lifestyle problems. These shift work-associated problems lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol; all possible cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Fire-fighters are one category of workers who undertake rotating night shift work in Ghana. Aim: This study determined the impact of shi...
ABSTRACT Background: Obesity is a major health problem and a risk factor for morbid conditions such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome. Dietary modifications and pharmacological agents, among others, are measures often used by individuals to decrease body fat. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a dietary supplement (MS01) on weight control and serum lipid profile in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: A ...
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 Background: School-age children (SAC) are vulnerable to malnutrition which can negatively influence their growth and maturity, health and academic attainment. School feeding programmes (SFP) have the potential to improve dietary intakes and the nutrition of SAC. However, there is limited information on the nutritional impact of school feeding programmes in Ghana. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the dietary intakes and nutritional status of SAC participating in an N...
ABSTRACT Background: Nutritional status is the balance between intake of nutrients and its expenditure in the processes of growth, reproduction and health maintenance, and a critical determinant of growth and development of children. Without proper nutrition, children are likely to face early physical growth failure, delayed motor, cognitive and behavioral development, diminished immunity and increased mortality and morbidity. Appropriate maternal/caregiver counselling and extensive child gro...
ABSTRACT Background: Stress has often been related to a multitude of negative human behaviours and many health conditions including cardiovascular diseases. In recent times, several harmful dietary practices such as unhealthy eating patterns have been associated with issues of stress. Work-related stress (WRS) is experienced when the demands of the work environment exceed the employees’ ability to cope with (or control) them. Nursing is generally perceived as a stressful and demanding prof...
ABSTRACT Background: Vegetarianism is a dietary lifestyle that involves the restriction of diet, disallowing some or all foods of animal origin, thereby consuming mainly foods of plant origin. Vegetarian diets are composed of only plant products which include fruits and vegetables, as well as grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. The plant products they consume are rich sources of vitamins such as Vitamins A, C and E which act directly as antioxidants, as well as protein and minerals such as zinc,...
ABSTRACT Background: Fish is recognised as a rich source of quality protein and other essential nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids needed for good health. However, it may be contaminated with mercury above tolerable limits which may pose health risks to consumers especially pregnant women and the developing foetus. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge level of pregnant women on mercury toxicity in fish on pregnancy outcomes and determine the concentration of mercury and pro...
Abstract Background: Obesity is associated with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, caries and periodontal diseases, and other morbidities. The association between childhood obesity and oral disease is, however, not well defined. This study examined the association between obesity and oral health in school children and explored possible dietary and oral hygiene risk factors. The study hypothesized that there was poorer oral hygiene status and higher caries and gum disease a...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is endemic among children in low income countries. Food-based strategies have been identified globally as more sustainable in addressing micronutrient deficiencies in populations. However, there is paucity of knowledge on the effect of food based interventions in combating vitamin A deficiency in Ghana. The objective of the present study was to determine the serum vitamin A and nutritional status of children fed gari and beans stew prepared w...
ABSTRACT Background: Football, the most common sports worldwide, is played in almost all nations. Success in football brings reputation, wealth and international recognition but comes as a result of regular physical training with muscular exertions. Good nutrition is an essential tool to help footballers meet the energy demands of training in order to maintain performance capacity and prevent the development of excessive fatigue. Iron also plays an important role in aerobic capacity and perf...