ABSTRACT In spite of several interventions put in place to encourage the patronage of facility-based child birth services in Ghana, the rate of facility-based delivery is still low (57%). Poor quality and dissatisfaction with facility-based child birth services account for the low utilisation of facility based child birth services. In order to attain the national target of having 80% facility-based deliveries in Ghana, there is the need to provide quality child birth services that meet women...
ABSTRACT Background: Since the year 2005, Ghana has been implementing the new Stop TB strategy in all health facilities nationwide. This new strategy aims at increasing case detection rate (CDR) to 70% by 2010 and beyond. However, the Upper West Region (UWR) of Ghana could only increase case detection to 37% in 2010 and to 42.1% in 2014. This study therefore assesses the socio-cultural and health systems factors responsible for low case detection and prompt treatment. Methodology: This de...
ABSTRACT Background: The use of modern contraceptive methods still remains low in sub-Saharan Africa despite the enormous benefits that could be derived from their use. Modern contraceptive use has played a key role in reducing the world’s total fertility rate, especially in developing countries, including Ghana. However, few empirical studies have been done in the Ashaiman Municipal Area of Ghana- a place where fertility rate is high-to identify the factors influencing the uptake of mod...
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria is ranked the fourth highest cause of death in children; accounting for 10% of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Global estimates peg 214 million cases of malaria, 88% of which occur in the WHO African Region. Incidence rates in sub-Saharan African is 246/ 1000 at risk. Global death rates are estimated at 19/ 100 000 at risk and majority (90%) of deaths in 2015 were in the WHO Africa Region. This burden has led to a massive international effort to increase p...
ABSTRACT Background: Mental health disorder is a subtly debilitating non-communicable disease requiring formal and informal caregivers to actively participate in its treatment and recuperation. But the onus is on the formal caregivers (health professionals e.g. nurses, doctors) to render satisfactory quality health service to the diseased (mental patient). This study was carried out to assess the quality of healthcare delivered to mental health patients from caregivers perspective at Suntre...
ABSTRACT Background: Emergency contraception (EC), also called „morning after pill‟ or post-coital contraception refers to birth controls method used to prevent pregnancy in women. It could be a drug or a device which when used timely and appropriately has the potential of preventing unplanned pregnancy. It is noted that although promoting the use of modern contraception especially in developing countries offers women the last chance to prevent unintended pregnancy, reduce maternal and ...
Abstract Introduction: Alcohol is a powerful psychoactive substance and nervous system depressant. Alcohol consumption is of public health concern globally. Osu is renowned for its numerous drinking centres which continues to grow in number. This study sought to investigate the factors influencing alcohol among adult residents of Osu (18 years and above) and provide current relevant knowledge on alcohol consumption in Ghana. Method: Data on factors which influences alcohol consumption amon...
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...