ABSTRACT Introduction: An individual’s perception about their bodyweight can either be a true reflection of their body mass index or not. Underestimation or overestimation of one’s bodyweight has been identified to be a determinant of the kind of weight management measure they engage in. The nutritional attitude of such individuals has been observed to be one major weight management measure. The youth are very concerned about their bodyweight hence this study was targeted at finding out h...
ABSTRACT The major objective o f this work was to establish serum testosterone levels in Ghanaian males, for use at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital and to find out the variation with age, and at what age in an individual would hormonal supplementation be needed. The study was carried out using serum collected from a cross section of the children and adult population in Accra. The analysis was done using an EIA method with an assay sensitivity o f 0.05nmol/L. The results o f serum testosterone ...
ABSTRACT Background: Migration plays a major role in the transmission of diseases. Mining is associated with high labor migrations, which pose a risk for the transmission of communicable and infectious diseases. HIV like other sexually transmitted infections significantly increases in incidence and prevalence with the commencement of large scale mining activities in most communities among several other biological, social and economic determinants. Objective: The objective of this study was to...
ABSTRACT Background: The use of substance among Secondary Cycle School Students is a public health problem which needs global attention. Globally, it is approximated that, 2 billion people consume alcohol whiles 1.3 billion are smokers, and 185 million use any of the illicit drugs which affect the mood of the user. In Kwahu East District little is known about substance use among second cycle schools. The aim of this study is to gather empirical evidence on substance use among senior high scho...
ABSTRACT Background: Buruli ulcer (BU) is commonly found in waterlogged areas, and its prevalence is high among farmers, especially rice farmers, illegal miners (galamsey) and children who engage in fishing activities (Huygen et al., 2013). Public health interventions for all diseases including Buruli ulcer, seek to persuade cases to report to the health facility early, as this will potentially reduce the cost of treatment and prevent disabilities. Unfortunately, most BU affected individuals ...
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The rationale for this study is to provide a baseline information for male involvement in family planning programmes for the District Health Administration and N G O ’s the opportunity to redirect or improve upon their programmes in the Akatsi district. The study was cross - sectional study employing the use o f both qualitative and quantitative methods to study the characteristics and the extent o f the role o f men in family planning in the district. Data were collected ...
ABSTRACT The consequences of living with a chronic condition such as Cerebral Palsy (CP) do not only affect the child but other members of the family. Using the Stress Process Model by Pearlin et al. (1990) as an organising framework, this study investigated the factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of children with CP. The role of social support in ameliorating the negative consequences of the stressors on QoL of caregivers of children with CP was also assessed. The stu...
ABSTRACT Malaria is one of the most challenging Public Health issues in the developing world. To combat malaria effects in highly endemic areas, several interventions are employed by stakeholders. A questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess health-seeking behaviours for malaria treatment among international students in the University of Ghana, Legon. A systematic sampling method was used to select 264 International students. Consent was sought from partic...
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 Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are plasmid-mediated enzymes capable of hydrolysing beta-lactams except carbapenems and cephamycins but are inhibited by beta-lactamase inhibitors. Most of these ESBL plasmids also carry genes conferring resistance to several non-beta-lactam antimicrobials. Hence, ESBL-producing isolates limit therapeutic options, contribute to treatment failure, increase morbidity and mortality, prolong hospitalization and increase cost of healthcare. There ...
ABSTRACT Background: Pneumonia kills more children under-five than AIDS, malaria and measles combined and yet has received far less attention. Each year, more than two million children under-five die of pneumonia in the developing world, compared to an estimated 800,000 children who die from malaria and around 300,000 children under-five who die from AIDS. In Ghana, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death of under-five mortality and morbidity. Most mothers or care givers do not recogn...
ABSTRACT Background: In Ghana, about 2.4 million people suffer from mental health illness and only 67,780 (2.8%) received treatment in 2011. The pathway to seek for care by patients who experience first episode of mental health illness may determine how early or late they receive the needed treatment. This study has been conducted to study help-seeking patterns in patients with psychiatric illness, the pathways they traversed to reach psychiatric services, and to understand the factors that i...
ABSTRACT Good breastfeeding practices provide infants with the nutrients they need for optimal growth and development. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of infection and also has significant health benefits to the mother as well. Health communication is important to support good breastfeeding practices. However, communication through the health system alone is not sufficient enough to reach everyone who needs breastfeeding information. Social media could serve as an inexpensive way of receiving ...
ABSTRACT Background: Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) is an everyday risk faced by HCWs as they come into contact with patients in their work activities. The most common pathogens of concern are HBV, HCV and HIV which are the most commonly transmitted. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that expose HCWs to BBFs. It was also to determine the prevalence of exposure and to investigate behaviours of HCWs after exposure. Methods: Associations we...
ABSTRACT Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). The disease since its discovery some two decades ago in America has assumed epidemic dimensions and has claimed millions of lives globally (Jackson, 2002). AIDS is a disease caused by the HIV that attacks and damages the body’s immune system rendering it incapacitated to fight infection. It has a long incubation period of between two to fifteen or even twenty years (MoH, 2001)...