ABSTRACT Optimal breastfeeding is the most preferred means of feeding infants most especially babies below six months of age. This ideal practice, however, has eluded some babies in certain communities in Ghana due to various traditional beliefs and practices. The Theory of Reasoned Action guided this study to explore the indigenous breastfeeding (IBF) practices among lactating women in Northern Ghana. The study employed a qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Fifteen (15) lactating mo...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are both serious non-communicable diseases and are among four non-communicable diseases of global concern. Individually, hypertension or diabetes mellitus increases risk for cardiovascular diseases. The risk however markedly increases when the two diseases coexist. Information on the determinants of hypertension among diabetics in Kintampo is rare and hence obstructs effort at preventing and controlling hypertension among diabetics. T...
ABSTRACT Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Namibia is one of the countries with the highest MVAs fatality rate, 23.9/100 000. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.25 million people die every year due to MVAs. Despite having a well-developed road network, MVAs are the third highest cause of death in Namibia. This study was conducted in the Oshana Region, Namibia to determine the factors contributing to MVAs and the...
ABSTRACT Background: Thermal burns injuries are associated with changes in biochemical parameters which require specialized care. Burn shock is the first consequence of deep and extensive burns that constitutes the main cause of mortality if local and systemic treatments are not correct and timely. Changes in the biochemical parameters are attributed to the hypermetabolic state, arising mainly from increases in adrenaline release, hemolysis, sepsis, loss of fluid and electrolytes that requi...
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION - Health, as defined by the World Health Organisation is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. Health Seeking Behaviours refers to those actions undertaken by individuals to find appropriate solutions in response to illness or health problems. STIs are estimated to constitute one of the ten main health challenges in developing countries responsible for the loss of healthy life years. OBJECTIVES -This...
ABSTRACT A significant proportion of people in semi-arid regions depend on climate variables and agroecosystem services to sustain their livelihoods. These livelihoods are threatened by the deterioration of agroecosystem services and climate variability. Recently, many communities exhibit low levels of adaptive capacity due to maladaptation and the lack of understanding of the patterns of vulnerabilities. This study examined the scope and nature of vulnerability and adaptation strategies of s...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to ascertain the relationship between age parity, breastfeeding practices, mode of delivery, occupation of mother and postpartum obesity. This study was carried out in three (3) Primary Health Centers, a Federal Medical centre (FMC), and Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) all in Yenagoa, Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A total of 400 postpartum mothers of 18-49years were randomly selected and questionnaires were administered...
ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of leadership style on quality healthcare delivery at the Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional design utilising a quantitative approach was employed for the study. Utilising a convenient sampling technique, one hundred and ten staff nurses from the Hospital were sampled. Analysis of data was carried out with the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPS...
Abstract Introduction: malnutrition in children has become a major public health issue accounting for about 30% of mortality among under-five children worldwide. Bilateral pitting oedema of nutritional origin or a mid-upper-arm circumference of less than 110mm in children age 1-5years are ways to identify the presence of Severe Acute Malnutrition. Children with SAM do not only turn to be susceptible to diseases and death but may be likely to have abnormal cognitive development, poor performan...
ABSTRACT Background: Skills laboratory is one of the most important components in nursing education as it bridges the gap between theory and practice among nursing students. Objectives: Assessment of skills laboratory implementation readiness and associated student’s clinical performance on neonatal resuscitation among diploma nursing schools in Tanzania. Methodology: The study employed quantitative approach with cross-sectional research design. The sample size was 384 students from four...
ABSTRACT Background: Antenatal care services are amongst of determinants of maternal anemia during pregnancy. Maternal anemia is rated as a first indirect cause of maternal and neonatal death. This accounts for 50% of all pregnant women with inadequate ANC services utilization due to the lack of getting iron supplements during pregnancy. This study intended to assess the influence of ANC services utilization on prevention of anemia and its associated obstetric immediate outcomes among pregna...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Properfilling of partograph improve the quality of obstetric care through early detection of labor related complications and hence reduce maternal and neonatal complications. Appropriate utilization of partograph during labor can significantly reduce the rate of maternal mortality related to labor and delivery.
ABSTRACT Background: Modes of delivery (birth of a baby) are spontaneous vaginal delivery and caesarean section. Throughout the modern obstetric and midwifery practice understanding, vaginal birth is and has been considered to be the preferred mode of delivery while caesarean birth is reserved only when it’s obstetrically indicated to save the life of the mother and/or the unborn baby and therefore, improve obstetric outcomes. The effect of mode of delivery on other outcomes, such as mater...
ABSTRACT Background: Unacceptable high maternal mortality rates remain a major challenge in many low-income countries. Early detection and management of antenatal risk factors and good preparation for birth and emergencies are critical for improved maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of this study was to understand the pattern and level of knowledge on obstetric and newborn danger signs, Individual Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (IBPACR) among pregnant women in Dodoma Munici...
ABSTRACT Background: Children with the cerebral palsy present with lower urinary tract dysfunctions and poor personal hygiene which increases their risk for UTI. As a common infectious cause of morbidity in childhood, UTI may lead to renal scarring, and subsequently hypertension and end-stage kidney disease if it is not appropriately diagnosed and promptly treated. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, bacterial isolates, antibiotic sensitivity, and predictors of UTI among...