ABSTRACT Background: The global prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to rise, accounting for over 71% of all global death and responsible for over 40% of pre-mature death (death occurring before the age 70 years). Low and middle income countries (LMIC) are expected to suffer the brunt of this epidemic, leading to high rates of disease, death and disability adjusted live years (DALYs). Most NCD’s and their shared risk factors are preventable through lifestyle mo...
ABSTRACT All over the world, unwanted pregnancies and associated unsafe abortions have been identified as a major public health issues especially among teenagers and students. Unsafe abortions have been known to contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity. The role of contraception use as a strategy to tackle the phenomenon cannot be under-estimated. . Perceptions about side effects have been found to be one of challenges to increased family planning use in Ghana, especially hormonal con...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Due to rapid industrialization, health problems among industrial workers due to fluoride poisoning are on the rise. Emissions of fluoride dust and fumes from the smelters of primary aluminium producing industries are dissipated in the work environment and poses occupational health hazard. The Use of cryolite (tri-sodium hexafluoroaluminate, Na3AlF6) as a flux in the conversion of alumina to aluminium is the major source for fluoride emission responsible for the spread...
ABSTRACT Background: Globally, 4 million neonatal deaths occur annually, with one-third of such deaths occurring as a result of infection. In 2011, there were 7.2million deaths in children below 5years globally, and a proportion of 40% of these deaths occurred in neonates. Sepsis was reported to account for one-third of these deaths. Presently, multi drug antibiotic resistance is rapidly increasing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), particularly in developing countries and poses a th...
ABSTRACT The study investigated teachers’ experiences, psychological distress and coping strategies adopted in educating children with learning problems. A mixed-method approach was adopted for the study. One hundred and forty-seven participants were sampled from special and inclusive schools for the quantitative study. Participants responded to items on questionnaires measuring psychological distress and coping. The qualitative study involved one-on-one interviews with 10 teachers. The qu...
ABSTRACT Background: Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are established recommendations for feeding children 0-23 months to achieve ultimate growth and development. Ideal nourishment throughout the first 2 years of a child’s life is predominantly significant, as it leads to high intelligent quotient and lowers morbidity and mortality. Any damage caused within two years of life is reversible but beyond is irreparable. Inappropriate feeding practices are known to be among...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate ethical dilemmas experienced by 20 clinical psychologists in Ghana and the various measures they employ in the resolution of these dilemmas. The qualitative method using a semi structured interview guide and two vignettes were used to investigate ethical dilemmas faced in professional practice. The main dilemmas include those arising from third party and privacy interferences, dual relationships, fees, motive as against moral issues, po...
ABSTRACT Background Placental malaria (PM) poses life-threatening complications to pregnant women as they are at increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite several interventions put in place to reduce malaria in pregnancy in Ghana, latest studies in the northern part revealed one out of every two pregnant women delivering in a hospital have PM. The study determined the proportion of women with PM in the Upper West Regional Hospital (UWR) and its associated fa...
ABSTRACT Exercise training enhances healthy brain function by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress and promotes the production of growth factors including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is essential for neuronal growth and survival in deleterious neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Moreover, dietary nutrients in cocoa reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and may have a protective effect that affects the growth and survival of...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Many studies have proven that breast milk is the most important infant feed, and in the first six months of life, it is adequate for sustenance. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life has been recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) as the best infant feeding strategy. Breast milk provides infants with the antibodies and nourishment needed to begin a healthy life. Mixed feeding with breast milk and other fluids/foods is common in Ghana, st...
ABSTRACT Background: Since independence, Ghana has made several efforts to ensure that its population has access to appropriate health care at an affordable cost. A vital measure to increase affordability is to reduce the out-of-pocket payments for health care which is recognised as one of the barriers to access, especially in poorer countries. The National Health Insurance Scheme was therefore introduced in 2003, to address issues of inequities in financial access to health care. Objectiv...
ABSTRACT Background: Studies have shown that motivation improves performance of health workers. However, when health workers are not motivated enough their performance and delivery of care is affected. Therefore, ensuring health worker motivation is important, if health workers are to perform their optimum best and effectively deliver health services. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of motivation on health worker performance. Methods: This st...
ABSTRACT Workplace violence is a globally recognised workplace hazard in the health sector however, there is a lack of research on the phenomenon in Ghana. Workplace violence includes physical and psychological violence and involves acts such as assault, threats, verbal and sexual abuse. These can all have deleterious effects on victims. Thus, this study sought to determine the prevalence and factors relating to violence perpetrated against hospital workers in the Greater Accra Regional H...
ABSTRACT Studies have shown that human milk and breastfeeding of infant provides advantages with regard to general health, growth and development for infants. Mothers who breastfeed their babies may also gain health benefits. In addition to health benefits to mothers and infants, breastfeeding provides significant social and economic benefits to nations and individuals. Researchers have found out that both mother and infant can maximise the benefits if they practice exclusive breastfee...
ABSTRACT Sociosexuality is a sexual risk behaviour, which poses public health concerns. This study aimed at determining some predictors of sociosexuality among young adults in Accra, Ghana. A sample size of 315 (164 = males, 151 = females) was recruited for this study. Participants completed questionnaires assessing dimensions of sociosexuality (i. e. sociosexual behaviour, sociosexual attitude, and sociosexual desire), sexual sensation seeking, sexual attitudes, dimensions of religiosity, a...