ABSTRACT Introduction: Sub-optimal adherence is known to be one of the most common causes of poor treatment outcomes and /or lack of sustained treatment benefits. In the use of ARVs for the management of HIV infection in PMTCT, adherence is key for therapeutic success to be achieved and to ensure undetectable viral load at time of delivery. This reduces the risk of HIV transmission to the infant. In 2011, HIV/AIDS estimation for Ghana indicated that 2,933 babies were infected with HIV throug...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal condition and in most instances, a benign problem in infants. It occurs in close to 60 percent of all term babies worldwide. In Ghana, neonatal jaundice was found to be part of the top five causes of neonatal mortality. In the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba, it was the sixth most common cause of admission and the seventh most common cause of death in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Methods: This qualitative case study assesse...
ABSTRACT Background of study Improper management of waste remains a major developmental issue and contributor to the pollution especially in developing countries. The most widely used waste disposal method IS landfill which is usually open dumpsites without recovery systems to prevent gases and leachates from escaping into the environment. Due to the inability to prevent these pollutants, human beings are exposed to different air pollutants which include heavy metals. Heavy metals such as cad...
ABSTRACT Road traffic injuries among motorcyclists have persisted as a serious public health problem and much of the health burden is in developing countries. Over-speeding, poor enforcement of traffic regulations, nonuse of helmets and protective attires as well as overloading of passengers have been highly implicated in road traffic injuries in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice concerning road safety measures in preve...
ABSTRACT The research was conducted to identify reasons why women attend Child Welfare Clinic (CWC) for a shorter duration as recommended. The study had three objectives and these were, to establish nursing mother‘s perception of the benefits of CWC, determine factors that motivate mother‘s to continue to attend CWC until the fifth birthday of their child or children and determine factors that influence the duration of CWC attendance. The study used both qualitative and quantitative metho...
ABSTRACT Background: To remove the financial hitches to access to health care services and to guarantee equitable access to quality services especially by the poor and vulnerable, the government of Ghana passed the National Health Insurance Law, 2003 (Act 650) and the National Health Insurance Regulations, 2004(L.I 1809 (Government of Ghana (GoG), 2004). The study seeks to determine factors influencing the National Health Insurance Scheme renewal. Aim: The objective of the study was to assess...
ABSTRACT Background: The use of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits is recommended in health facilities where there is so much pressure on microscopy to avoid delay of patients. However, the initiative has been bedevilled by many challenges. Not every suspected malaria case is pathologically confirmed and even among those tested, adherence to test result is often poor. Objective: The main objective of the study was to determine factors influencing the use of RDT in malaria diagnosis in t...
ABSTRACT Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) resulting from the misuse and overuse of antibiotics remains a serious public health concern, with majority of clinicians prescription of antibiotics related to reported cases of acute respiratory infections such as pharyngotonsillitis. Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the pattern of antibiotic prescription by clinicians for treatment of acute pharyngo-tonsillitis and factors associated with prescribing antibiotics for the ...
ABSTRACT Background: Preterm delivery which is delivery occurring less than 37 completed weeks of gestation is a major cause of neonatal mortality and childhood morbidity worldwide. Several factors influence the survival rate of premature babies making them vulnerable and prone to neonatal mortality. However, there is limited evidence on factors that contribute to mortality among preterm neonates in Ghana. The objective of this study was to determine factors influencing mortality among preter...
ABSTRACT This study examines the perceptions of the communities in Assin District with respect to exemption policy and its implementation. A combination o f interviews and discussion with community groups was used. A total o f 86 people were interviewed. This comprised mothers caring for children under 5 years, pregnant women, the Aged (70+years) and people not entitled to any exemptions. Three focus groups were organized. This study was necessitated by the fact that most patients in the dist...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Globally, Tuberculosis and Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection is a threat to the control of the Tuberculosis and Human immunodeficiency virus epidemics if measures are not put in place to manage the dual infection. In Ghana, the Health service in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Control Program and the National AIDS Control Program in June 2007 adopted the World Health Organization policy for the clinical management of Tuberculosis and Human immunodef...
ABSTRACT A study into some factors contributing to the high level of malnutrition among children aged less than five years was carried out in the Assin district of the Central Region of Ghana. It was a cross sectional descriptive study involving a sample size of 326 children aged between three and five years . A questionnaire was administered to the mother/caregiver of each child selected for the survey. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were taken for each child. The anthropom...
ABSTRACT Background: The number of women dying annually from pregnancy and child birth related issues still remains a global health problem. Current statistics in maternal mortality as recorded by World Health Organization shows that there has been a reduction in maternal deaths, however there has not been much progress in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria is the second largest contributor to maternal mortality globally. This has been due to low utilization of maternal health services, including sk...
ABSTRACT Background: Sexual health is an important component of life hence, a decline in the sexual function causes the affected individual to search for solutions including patronizing sex enhancing products. Although these products are known to have negative side effects, its patronage is still on the increase. Objective: This study seeks to investigate the factors that influence the use of aphrodisiac products among men in Agbogbloshie. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study employi...
ABSTRACT Background Schizophrenia is a challenging disorder that makes it difficult for one to distinguish between what is real and unreal, think clearly, manage emotions, relate to others, and function normally. This study aims at examining the economic burden of care giving for schizophrenic patients at the Pantang hospital to help provide credible and essential information that can assist in policy making. The study has its objectives as to estimate the direct cost of caregiving, estimate ...