ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Emergencies/Disasters be they natural or manmade can occur without warning and therefore there is the need for effective emergency/disaster preparedness and management plan in any organization. It is therefore important to have knowledgeable personnel in the management of emergencies/disasters through emergency drills training and simulation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated emergency and disaster preparedness in Ghana Cocoa Board Head Office through availability and emplo...
ABSTRACT Background Malaria remains a major public health problem in the world. In Ghana, the entire population of24.2 million is at risk of malaria infection. Malaria is end emic and perennial in all parts of the country, with seasonal variations that are more pronounced in the north. From 2010 to 2015, Ghana has reduced by 45% malaria deaths. Progress in reduction of malaria prevalence has been recorded in the routine surveillance system through Health Management Information System but unfo...
ABSTRACT Background: Adolescence is an important growth and development life stage which has implications for future nutritional status and food consumption habits. School meals may offer an opportunity to enhance dietary intakes and nutritional status of adolescent girls in boarding school settings. However, there is limited information on the nutritional quality of school meals, dietary habits and nutritional status of adolescent girls in senior high boarding schools in Ghana. Objective: Th...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Globocan puts the annual estimated incidence rate of breast cancer in Ghana at 25.8 cases per 100,000 women and mortality rate at 15.2 deaths per 100,000 women. In Ghana, treatment of cancer at all stages in combination with mammography screening cost $2000-6000 pe...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells.Lymphoma is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide with over 350,000 cases yearly. In sub- Saharan Africa, its high incidence rate has been attributed to the high prevalence of malaria and HIV/ AIDS thereby increasing the burden of the disease. Lymphoma is the highest contributor among the top four cancers with leukemia, eye and kidney cancers, which together account for 70% predo...
ABSTRACT Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) describes several genetic conditions with the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin S (HbS) in the red blood cells. The commonest types of Sickle Cell Disease are sickle cell anaemia (SS), sickle cell haemoglobin C disease (SC), sickle beta-plus thalassemia, and sickle beta-zero thalassemia. The abnormal haemoglobin causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape. Large numbers of sickled red blood cells collect, hindering blood flow, leading to va...
ABSTRACT Background: Mother-to- Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV is a global public health problem. Interventions in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programs have drastically reduced infant mortality associated with HIV/AIDS and new infections among babies born to mothers with HIV/AIDS. Scaling up the access and early initiation of antiretroviral treatment among pregnant women has been the pivot to this change. Adherence to the treatment is therefore an essential compon...
ABSTRACT Background: Intestinal Parasitic infections affect pregnant women worldwide. Such infections have life threatening implications on both mother and the developing foetus. Sub-Saharan Africa harbours the greatest proportion of intestinal parasitic infections due to socioeconomic and environmental factors. In Kasoa, in Southern Ghana, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors for intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women. Objective: The aim of the stu...
ABSTRACT Background: Babies delivered before term (ie. 37 completed weeks) are known as preterm birth. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality globally with associated long term disability. However, there are factors that affect the survival rate in premature babies; these include the use of corticosteroids during antenatal, the weight of babies at birth, the sex, gestational age and plurality. This study seeks to assess the association of preterm characteristics such as birt...
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria burden among vulnerable groups is of immense public health importance. Both local and international stakeholders in health are harnessing efforts to curtail the consequences of malaria through control interventions like indoor residual spraying (IRS), intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), and ITN use to reduce transmission. ITNs are freely distributed to meet universal coverage and the Abuja declaration of attaining over...
ABSTRACT Introduction: The increase in contraceptive knowledge does not correlate with user uptake and fertility decline. Majority of women are knowledgeable about contraceptives and its benefits, however, few women are using it. Method discontinuation or switching after adoption has increased among women. Since the pattern of a women’s contraceptive use has a direct impact on fertility and population growth, it is imperative that population control programs target them to ensure consistenc...
ABSTRACT Background Autism is a condition that is increasing worldwide. Preschool teachers who are the primary caregivers beside parents in most situations, are not able to accurately detect the signs and symptoms of autism and respond appropriately as this is of utmost importance to help provide the best healthcare to autistic children. The study was conducted with the aim to assess the perception of preschool teachers towards child autism in the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality. Methods A to...
ABSTRACT Background: The first two years of a child’s life is particularly important, as good nutrition during this time lowers morbidity and mortality, and promotes development of the child. Complementary feeding (CF) period represents a window of opportunity for avoiding all forms of malnutrition. It has also been established that when CF practices are scaled up to nearly universal levels, about 100,000 deaths of children under five could be prevented. In Ghana, only 13% of mothers practi...
ABSTRACT Introduction: The incidence of meconium in amniotic fluid (MAF) is between 10%and 16% of full-term births of women considered to be at normal risk. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) is a complication present in MAF and constitutes an important cause of perinatal mortality. Objectives: The study was to determine the factors influencing meconium stained amniotic fluid deliveries outcomes. Specifically, the study sought to assess factors influencing fetal outcomes of Meconium Stained ...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Access to quality healthcare depends on the availability of qualified and adequate healthcare workers; unfortunately, most health workers prefer to work in urban and peri-urban communities to the detriment of those living in rural communities including Krachi West District. Identifying factors influencing acceptance of rural posting and formulating policies based on these factors will improve rural posting acceptance. This study, therefore, investigated factors influenc...