ABSTRACT The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), since it was discovered in 1981, has become a global pandemic, because it acts by breaking down the immune system exposing the infected persons to other diseases and causing high mortalities. Currently, an estimated 34 million of the world populations are infected with the virus and results in millions of deaths around the world. CD4+T-cells (Cluster of Differentiation T-Lymphocy...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Dental health is essential to the general well-being of an individual. The most common oral diseases are dental caries and periodontal diseases. Significant economic costs are incurred by dental patients however limited studies have been conducted on the economic burden dental diseases place on its patients. This study therefore aimed to, estimate the costs of dental diseases and determine the economic burden of dental diseases on patients. Methods: Cross-sectional desi...
ABSTRACT Background: Vehicular air pollutants have been known to be one of the chief sources of respiratory health symptoms. Growing urbanization associated with rising population has given the situation an alarming rate particularly in developing nations like Ghana. Studies have linked exposure to pollutants from motor vehicles to a number of respiratory symptoms and diseases including chronic cough, excessive phlegm production and lung cancer. However, not many studies have considered comme...
ABSTRACT Tuberculosis threatens public health all over the world and affects persons mostly in their productive lives. The proportion of cases with successful treatment outcome is a key indicator to assess the effectiveness and performance of any Tuberculosis Control Programme. Effective treatment is a major element in reducing the transmission of infection and ultimately achieving elimination of the disease. The study was conducted to determine factors associated with treatment outcome a...
Abstract Background: Despite improvement in surgical techniques combined with chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy, the prognosis of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma at the advance stage still remained poor. However, there is mounting evidence of the role of HER-2 expression in patients with these cancers. Aim: To determine the patterns of HER-2 protein expression in patients with gastric or oesophageal adenocarcinoma at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana Method: Retrospectivel...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Timely breastfeeding initiation is critical to child survival and development. First-time mothers are particularly vulnerable to poor breastfeeding practice. Although studies have been conducted on breastfeeding initiation, first time mothers have not been prioritized. OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of timely breastfeeding initiation, and the associated factors of breastfeeding initiation and suboptimal child feeding practices during first six months among first ...
Abstract Background CHPS zones are largely defined by what kind of basic package of service they offer. Whilst basic package of services defines the key services that the CHOs, CHVs and CHMCs are to perform under the CHPS service delivery, the 2018 CHPS Verification Survey shows that only 21.1%, 52.5% and 37% of CHPS zones undertook home visitations, ANC services and deliveries which are key components of CHPS basic package of services. Many reasons have been adduced to these suboptimal per...
ABSTRACTThe use of technology in healthcare setting is not a new concept, however the use of Information Technology (IT) within health setting was non-existent in most developing countries until recent times. Though developing countries are slow adopters of new technology, however, the use of Health Information System (HIS) including Electronic Health Records system (EHRs) in health service delivery has been gaining prominent in most developing countries and Ghana not exclusive. The need to p...
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: High maternal deaths and morbidities are documented to be about 90% occurring in low and middle income countries. Uptake of antenatal care has been reported as one of the strategies for reducing maternal mortality. It has also be documented that the quality of antenatal care affects early initiation, continuous ANC and skilled delivery. This study was therefore designed to assess the satisfaction of quality of ANC among pregnant women at Techimannorth district in the Bron...
ABSTRACT Dietary Supplements use has been found to be increasing among the adults especially the older adults in the developed countries. However, there are no known studies on dietary supplement use among the elderly in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine patterns of dietary supplement use and determinants among the elderly in the Keta municipal area, Volta region. This involved a one-time data collection on socio-demographic and health characteristic and al...
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 Severe acute malnutrition is still the main risk factor for children five years and below if not appropriately managed. The Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) has improved over the years as an effective approach in solving the problems of severe acute malnutrition in children below five years. This means that quality health care delivery is required in order for the CMAM approach to achieve the desired outcome. The study explored the perspectives of mothers on t...
ABSTRACT Background: Starting maternal health care services within the first trimester of pregnancy is viewed as a strong determinant of the health status of both the mother and the foetus. However, many pregnant women in developing countries, especially Ghana initiate their antenatal care late (after 12 weeks) thereby missing the benefits associated with antenatal care as some may be unable to attain the minimum visits of eight before delivery. Objective: This study sought to determine the...