ABSTRACT Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women after breast cancer, in Namibia. Human Papilloma Virus is the significant cause of cervical cancer prevalence worldwide with an estimation of 99.7%. The World Health Organisation (WHO) predict that Cervical cancer will kill >443,000 women worldwide every year by 2030, nearly 90% of them in Sub- Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, cervical cancer is potentially preventable through HPV vaccination, early diagnosis of pre-invasiv...
ABSTRACT In this study the aim was to determine whether elderly people are lonely. The researcher also wanted to determine whether music in therapy is a suitable mode of therapy to alleviate or lessen loneliness. This study was conceived as the author felt that this creative mode may be able to achieve what other modes of therapy cannot do, namely transcend the limitations of language or provide a vantage point for the therapeutic process. The study focused on elderly people, as the elderly m...
ABSTRACT Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a newly found hormone that promotes renal phosphate excretion. It is secreted by osteocytes. In progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD), FGF23 levels increase in parallel with the deterioration of renal function, thus serves as a novel risk marker for progression of chronic kidney disease. The physiologic stimulus for FGF23 secretion is linked to hyperphosphatemia caused by phosphate load. Elevated FGF23 levels have spurious effect...
ABSTRACT Background There has been a gap in the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis, hence a new rapid diagnostic test; the gene Xpert was introduced by the World Health Organization in 2010. The objective of this study was to identify factors that affect the utilization of the gene Xpert intervention in the Greater Accra Region. Methods This was a mixed-methods study. A qualitative approach was used to provide empirical explanations for the findings of the quantitative component which ...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Age at menarche is an important indicator of sexual maturity in females. It is known to be modified by both genetic and environmental factors. Downward trends in menarche have been recorded in many countries.. In Ghana, a cross-sectional study has been done about two decades ago that determined the age at menarche among school girls in Kumasi. The determinants of age at menarche onset in the Ghanaian population are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine the...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Malaria, though a preventable disease, remains a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in Africa where it causes high morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and children under five. Effective case management involving universal parasitological diagnosis and targeted treatment with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) has been recognized as the cornerstone of malaria control strategies. Despite Ghana’s adoption of these recommendations, the tol...
ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to analyse the Physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters, evaluate the performance of domestic sewage ponds at the Accra sewage treatment plant at Legon. The aim is to assess the suitability of the final effluent for irrigation and the quality of sludge for agriculture use. A total of 36 wastewater samples and forty-eighty (48) sludge samples were therefore taken for six (6) consecutive months from the sedimentation tank (inlet) and maturation po...
ABSTRACT Breast Cancer is the leading cause of death and most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. In the advanced stage of the disease, the involvement of the family is required in the care of the patient at home. Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) does not affect the woman alone but also the wellbeing of the family caregiver. The purpose of this study was to explore the well-being of family caregivers of women with advanced breast cancer in the Accra Metropolis. The Quality of Life Model Applied ...
ABSTRACT In Namibia, the Widal test (a blood test that detects level of Salmonella antibodies) is widely used in the diagnosis of typhoid fever. There are no available normal population baseline Salmonella agglutinins titres in Namibia which can be used to come up with country specific diagnostic titres for typhoid fever. The normal population baseline Salmonella agglutinin titre is used as the basis for the interpretation of the Widal test. Since there is no guide, it means that standardizat...
ABSTRACT Interpersonal control is a significant factor in the maintenance of alcohol dependency within the dyad relationship. In the treatment of a dysfunctional behaviour, like alcohol dependency, intuitive psychological interventions have been in use. This has generated much criticism. Therefore, research and measurement tools need to be used as a basis for more objective therapeutic interventions. This study was designed to develop a reliable and valid interpersonal control rating measure ...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Informal sector recycling of e-waste could lead to release of various toxic substances; including the oxides of heavy metals into the ambient environment and therefore contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze heavy metals concentration levels in bird feathers and eggs and earthworm found at the Agbogbloshie e-waste dumpsite. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site near ...
ABSTRACT Individuals diagnosed with mental illness encounter stigma and discrimination under various circumstances and these negatively affect them. Even though support systems and attitudes of the general public act as sources of stigma, perceptions held by the patients also influence their sensitivity to the experiences they encounter. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of personal factors in bringing about stigma.It also explored the public attitudes toward individuals dia...
ABSTRACT This study was set out to identify the knowledge, attitude and perception of health workers about EVD. It also explored the level of preparedness and work habits in dealing with EVD. The study utilised qualitative research method design and it involved purposely selected Medical Doctors, Physician Assistant, Midwives, General Nurses, Orderlies and Mortuary Attendants as study participants. Following the analysis of the qualitative information from participants, the study found that ...
Abstract Ensuring that patients in chronic care and treatment such as tuberculosis adhere to medications has implications for their quality of life, health care costs and society at large. The purpose of this study was to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) related to their treatments in Keetmanshoop district in //Karas region, Namibia. A quantitative, cross sectional study was done among 76 patients who were receiving their ...
ABSTRACT The neonatal mortality rate is the most essential indicator of obstetric care as well as overall socio-economic development in any given country. It is also a sensitive indicator of the impact of programme intervention and for monitoring changes in quality care (MOHSS, 1996: 2). The Health Information System (HIS) at Katima Mulilo State Hospital reported an increase in neonatal deaths of 8/1000 live births (0,8%) in 2001 to 39/1000 live births (3,9%)in 2002. Based on this problem, fa...