ABSTRACT Tuberculosis continues to be an important public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimated that human TB incidence and death for the 1990 to 1999 period would be 88 million and 30 million respectively, with most cases in developing countries. Zoonotic TB caused by M. bovis is present in animals in most developing countries (including Ghana) where surveillance and control activities are often inadequate or unavailable. Consequently, many epidemiological and p...
ABSTRACT Background: The health implications of infectious diseases affecting children of school going age as a result of low practice of personal hygiene practices and insufficient sanitary facilities in public primary schools is still a concern for worry in most poor and middle income countries. Objective: The objective of the study was to estimate the association between the sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of hand washing with soap under running water practice among school...
ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the strategic management practice for malaria control in the Dangme West district. Methods: Strategic management (SM) practice was assessed in all HCFs both in the public and private and some chemical shops within the Dangme West district using semistructured questionnaires and question guides. In-depth interviews were carried out with healthcare providers in their clinical setting. The status of key malaria control indicators was assessed by interviewing 385 hea...
ABSTRACT Underpinned by the Synthesis Theory of Implementation and Malhora et al. Multidimensional Empowerment Framework, this study sought to examine the prospects, successes and implementation challenges of women’s economic empowerment programmes and policies (LEAP and MASLOC) in the Chereponi District of Ghana. A qualitative research approach adopting a case study design was employed to carry out this research work. Fifty respondents were sampled from both MASLOC and LEAP programmes in t...
ABSTRACT Leprosy is a special public health problem because of its potential for social consequences and permanent disabilities. The multidrug therapy has been efficacious in the treatment of leprosy, including prevention of disability when initiated early. However, adherence rates to the MDT have been below expectations in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing MDT adherence in Qua Iboe Church leprosy Hospital, Southern Nigeria. This was a cross section...
ABSTRACT Background: Noncompliance to antihypertensive medication is a big public health problem to the management of high blood pressure and predisposes majority of the hypertension patients to cardiovascular complications. According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, the problem of uncontrolled blood pressure, which is estimated to be 52-74% of patients, is largely because of poor compliance to prescribed antihypertensive medication. The purpose of this study was to determine the...
ABSTRACT Background: The Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana has consistently recorded increase in HIV prevalence over the past 3 years with an average prevalence of 2.7%. Nonetheless, Sunyani the capital of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana recorded an HIV prevalence of 4.2% far above the National average of 2.4%. In view of that, this study sought to assess factors associated with HIV prevalence in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana. Method: A facility based cross sectional study was conducted in thre...
ABSTRACT Background With improved survival after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality have come to the forefront in the management ofHIV patients. HAART has been linked to the development of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease including insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia, but its mfluence on hypertensIon requires further study. The general objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertensio...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal condition and in most instances, a benign problem in infants. It occurs in close to 60 percent of all term babies worldwide. In Ghana, neonatal jaundice was found to be part of the top five causes of neonatal mortality. In the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba, it was the sixth most common cause of admission and the seventh most common cause of death in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Methods: This qualitative case study assesse...
ABSTRACT Background: The use of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits is recommended in health facilities where there is so much pressure on microscopy to avoid delay of patients. However, the initiative has been bedevilled by many challenges. Not every suspected malaria case is pathologically confirmed and even among those tested, adherence to test result is often poor. Objective: The main objective of the study was to determine factors influencing the use of RDT in malaria diagnosis in t...
ABSTRACT The research study was conducted to assess the level of adherence to anti retroviral post exposure prophylaxis following needle stick injury among the different categories of HCWs (Doctors, Nurses and Medical Laboratory Scientists) in umuahia urban of Abia State South Eastern part of Nigeria. The study was a descriptive (cross-sectional) survey of qualified health care workers in all registered health facilities in Umuahia Urban. Abia State. The sample size of 222 was drawn from th...
ABSTRACT People living with HIV and AIDS are likely to experience stigmatization and ostracism when they open up about their sero-status at work. The HIV Focal Point is a system where a staff member, referred to as a focal person is assigned to deliver HIV related services. It offers distinct opportunities and advantages as a key delivery point for HIV prevention, treatment and care programme for specific groups of people. Yet, many programmes do not explain the operational issues concerni...
ABSTRACT Background: Family planning use allows individuals and families to attain their desired number of children and to control the spacing of pregnancies. This is done through the use of contraceptives methods and the treatment of fertility. The use of family planning has a lot of benefits to every nation. Rapid population growth has brought about overcrowding in our cities, increased environmental pollution due to human activities and put a lot of pressure on our limited natural resou...
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 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...