ABSTRACT Introduction Adolescent childbearing has adverse effects on both mother and child. High fertility and rapid population growth are direct consequences of early childbearing. For intervention targeting, it is crucial to know trends and determinants of adolescent childbearing. Objectives The objectives ofthis study were to: (1) describe the trends in adolescent pregnancy and childbearing in Ghana (2) determine the factors associated with adolescent childbearing and (3) describe the birt...
ABSTRACT Background: Given the high level of mortality associated with severe malnutrition, it is important that high quality care is provided for children suffering from it. Objective: To assess the quality of services rendered to malnourished children under the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition programme at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital from the perspective of mothers of malnourished children, as weJl as healthcare professionals. Methods: A flexible study design, ...
SUMMARY Low birth weight is a major contributor to perinatal and infant mortality and to problems in subsequent growth and development later in life. Three quarters of neonatal and half of all infant deaths in developing countries and over 80% of infant mortality in industrialised countries are associated with Low Birth Weight (LBW)1 The efforts of the Builsa District Health Administration to attain the Ministry of Health national targets of reducing LBW rate to 5% and infant mortality rate t...
Abstract Introduction Anaemia is one of the most common health conditions which can affect anyone especially women of reproductive age and children. Pregnant women are at an even higher risk due to the physiological demands of the foetus. Anaemia affects over 800 million women and children and 38.2% of pregnant women worldwide. In Ghana 42% of women of reproductive age have anaemia. The situation is worse in the Volta Region where 46.5% are anaemic. Methods This research was done at Hohoe amo...
ABSTRACT Background: Intermittent preventive treatment for prevention of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) is a key component of malaria control strategy in Ghana and sulfadoxinepyrimethamine (SP) is the drug of choice. Despite the evidence of the effectiveness of IPTp strategy using SP in reducing the adverse effects of malaria during pregnancy the uptake and coverage in Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti Region is low. Objective: This study set out to assess the use of IPTp among pregnant women and...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Maternal mental health care is an abandoned area, in low and middle income countries. Priorities are on decreasing infant and maternal mortality, and promoting infant physical health. Puerperium is the period of six weeks after delivery, during which time the mother‟s reproductive organs adjust to their original non pregnant state. It is a critical stage in the life of a mother, where the mother experiences many things which includes biological and emotional changes. ...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle cell anaemia, haemoglobin S or SS disease is a group of inherited disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. Although sickle cell disease is a global public health issue, not many studies have been conducted on the psychosocial effects of disease sufferers or patients in Africa, including Ghana. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the psy...
ABSTRACT Background: Globally, one major feature of markets is the generation of all manner of waste – animal waste, waste from food products sold, human waste, among others. To prevent negative occurrences as diseases and food poisoning, sanitation at markets must be adequately addressed. Objectives: The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of sanitation and health of market users at the Agbogbloshie market in Accra, Ghana. It explored three objectives as follows...
ABSTRACT Studying women within the socio-cultural context in which they live to identify factors influencing the level of maternal mortality and morbidity, constitute an important component of the effort to help minimize death or disability from complications of pregnancy and child birth. Maternal mortality in the Ayawaso Sub-Metro district increased from 4 in 2006 to 14 in 2007, pregnancy related complications rose from 817 in 2006 to 1521 in 2007(Annual Report of Ayawaso Sub-Metro, 2007). T...
Abstract The health and safety of vendors on the street is not assured. Provision of running water, place of convenience, adequate shelter and other amenities that are needed to promote and maintain health is not usually available for them. This study aimed to; determine the common health conditions among street vendors, assess vending risk awareness among hawkers as well as assess protective strategies used by vendors to protect themselves from workplace hazards. A descriptive cross-sectiona...
ABSTRACT Early screening for detection and diagnosis of diseases and health conditions is an important public health principle. Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of such screening strategies where a woman examines her breasts regularly to detect any abnormal swelling or lumps in order to seek medical care. This study therefore explored the knowledge, perceptions and the practice of Breast Self-Examination among female soldiers at the 37 Military Hospital. This study combined both quantitat...
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become one of the most common chronic diseases globally, and it has assumed an epidemic status in the past few decades especially in low and middle income countries. The most frequent form is Type 2 diabetes which represents more than 85% of cases; other forms are Type 1 (10%) and Gestational diabetes (5%). Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease associated with an increased risk of developing several complications which include; cardiovascular diseases, d...
ABSTRACT Introduction Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is known to be the oldest form of healthcare available and are found in almost every country around the world. Complementary and alternative medicine is used worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. About 80% of people in developing countries such as China, India, Latin America and large parts of Africa are known to rely on CAM as a source of primary health care. In Ghana, about 70% of the population depends on C...
ABSTRACT Background: The Okwawuman Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (OMHIS) had been operating since 2002. However, performance reviews have reported mainly on deficits/surpluses, coverage rates and effects on health services utilization. Objective: The study seeks to assess the performance of the scheme with respect to the performance ratios and its impact on the utilization of differential components of health services and also on maternal care outcomes including caesarean section, vacuum ext...
ABSTRACT HIV/AIDS is still a big public health issues as adolescents today have not known a world without AIDS. The school environment offers great opportunity for HIV high risk behaviours. Despite a great awareness of the dangers of the disease and the abundance of knowledge, young people continue to engage in behaviours that place them at risk of contracting the disease. The main objective of the study is to determine the relationship between HIV risk perception and sexual behaviours among ...