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...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Tuberculosis and Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV) infections represent two of the greatest threats in African prison. They are both endemic diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. They have been associated with poor sanitation, overcrowding, poor ventilation, sharing of sharps and other body fluids. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria whilst HIV is caused by a virus. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)...
ABSTRACT Background: Unsafe abortion is a significant public health problem. It accounts for 13% of maternal mortality worldwide and 11% in Ghana. Currently, Misoprostol is a drug used in the provision of medical abortion. Community pharmacies in Ghana are regularly the first port of call for most Ghanaians seeking healthcare advice or treatment, but little research has been done to assess community pharmacists‘ attitudes and prescribing regarding the use of misoprostol for medical...
ABSTRACT Malaria is one of the major public health problems in developing countries and its prevalence in Nigeria is dependent on the vector, Anopheles gambiae. The control of Anopheles is a major component of vector management but effectiveness has been limited by factors like insecticide resistance, cost, toxicity on non-target organisms and environmental pollution concerns. There is an increasing interest in developing plant-based insecticides as sustainable alternatives to chemical insec...
ABSTRACT The study examined subscription to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study examined trends of subscription in the metropolis from 2005 to 2014, as well as barriers and motivation for subscription. The research adopted descriptive and explanatory study designs. Checklist and in-depth interview guides were used in collecting data from NHIS databases and 30 residents of the metropolis. Informed consent was sought from respondents...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess the determinants of contraceptive use among females in Ghana. The rate of contraceptive use among females in Ghana is very low. That leads to high fertility, high maternal mortality and high infant mortality in the country. So to improve the overall reproductive health status of women, it is important to encourage contraceptive use among women. This study investigates the effects of some demographic, social programmatic factors on current use of con...
ABSTRACT Background Diarrhoea in children under five years has become a major public health concern worldwide. It is possible that diarrhoea will remain a leading cause of child mortality worldwide in the future. World Health Organisation has indicated that children under five years are vulnerable to diarrhoeal disease especially Sub-Saharan Africa, it is therefore important for a study to be conducted to examine factors influencing health care utilisation in children under five years ...
ABSTRACT Following the persistent high prevalence of malnutrition in children 0-5 years in the Birim south district over the pass years, this study set out to find why this problem exist despite continuous health education on malnutrition. With the permission of the District Health Management Team the study was conducted in response to a felt need. A comparative cross sectional study was conducted using structured questionnaires and observation methods to interview mothers with children...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Stillbirth remains a serious public health problem globally with an estimated annual death of 2.6 million. Although stillbirth rates have declined especially in the developed countries, Africa and south Asia have the slowest rate of decline. In 2015, the rate of stillbirth in Ghana was 22.7 per 1000 births. However, in Kintampo the stillbirth rate was 24 per 1000 births. The actual causes of stillbirth remain unknown. This study was conducted to assess the socio-demogra...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection which is still a global public health concern. It affects both sexes and all ages but mostly prevalent among the sexually active age group (15-49 years). It results in diverse complications and also promote the contraction of other sexually transmitted infection including the potential of increasing the risk of contracting HIV / AIDs by two to five folds. Its prevalence in developed countries is far lower compared to d...
ABSTRACT Background: Medication adherence directly influences the attainment of treatment goals. In spite of this, approximately 50% of patients do not adhere to prescribed medication regimen. Poor adherence to medicines is a global health challenge that needs attention as it leads to increased healthcare costs, poor clinical outcomes, increased morbidity and mortality. Text message reminders have been found to be a useful tool for improving adherence to medicines in several parts of the...
ABSTRACT This study explored the management of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Ghana, using phenomenology as the study design. Using purposive and accidental sampling procedures, I interviewed 82 patients receiving care for CNCDs as well as 30 health professionals managing their conditions, using in-depth interview guides. Data collected were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The study re...