ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum malaria throughout history has proved to be a significant menace to human health and pregnancy associated malaria (PAM) has been linked to severe consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality. P. falciparum parasites express members of the Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein-1 (PfEMP1) on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs) which act as ligands binding to a number of different human vascular host receptors such as Chondroitin...
ABSTRACT In recent years, mobile phone use in healthcare delivery has been the focus of healthcare research. Of great interest to researchers is to study and understand the acceptance and use of mobile payments in health delivery since mobile payments serves as a complementary service to mobile health. Mobile payments provides a solution to the growing moral hazards and security risks associated with cash payments in healthcare delivery and also lessens the institutionalization of informal pa...
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria is a disease which is caused by the plasmodium parasites in the blood or tissues of humans. In 2012, government of Ghana distributed bednets to pregnant women in order to reduce the transmission of malaria. Though there was a massive distribution all over the country, the consistent use of the LLIN is low. Thus this study was done to find out the use of LLIN among pregnant women in the Ga- East Municipality and find out the factors that influence the use of the be...
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria remains a major cause of illness and death globally especially in malaria endemic countries. With substantial increase in funding for malaria control programs, countries in Sub Sahara Africa scaled up delivery of insecticide treated bed nets to households, increasing number of households owning ITNs and expectation of reduced malaria. ITN was identified as a verified useful and cost-effective tool for malaria prevention through consistently use by beneficiaries. H...
ABSTRACT Background: Mental illnesses attract a lot of stigma. However schizophrenia is one of the most stigmatized mental conditions because of its perceived dangerousness and unpredictability. The stigma experienced by persons with schizophrenia can hinder help-seeking behaviours further exacerbating their condition. It is therefore important to find out the experiences of stigma among the family and persons with schizophrenia in order to come up with intervention to stop such behaviours in...
ABSTRACT This comparative study investigated behavioural and emotional problems among children living in selected private, public and religiously owned orphanages in Ghana. A mixed method approach was employed to achieve research objectives. Quantitative method was used to collect information with the use of questionnaires and a qualitative method was used to explore other facets of the study objectives through individual interviews. The study was carried out at three selected orphanages: SOS...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Preterm births are deliveries that occur before 37 completed gestational weeks with its lower cut off limit of viability varying based on the geographic location. Preterm births may be as a consequence of obstetric interventions from fetal or maternal indications or spontaneous preterm labor with no apparent precursors. This study sought to determine the outcomes of preterm infants managed at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the fac...
ABSTRACT Stroke remains the leading cause of serious, long-term neurologic impairment and functional disability. Stroke affects the quality of life of its survivors. This study seeks to determine factors influencing the quality of life of stroke patients in order to promote maximal health related quality of life (HRQOL) improvements in these patients. The objective of the study is to determine the factors influencing the quality of life of stroke patients attending Tema General Hospital This ...
ABSTRACT Intense exercise alters the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and may be an effective means to reduce their deleterious effect on the body. Two major classes of endogenous protective mechanisms work together to reduce the harmful effects of oxidants in the cell. The enzymatic scavenging system such as superoxide dismutase and the nonenzymatic antioxidants such as, albumin and uric acid can reduce ROS and protect tissues against oxidative damage. This oxidant-antioxidant bal...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is known to result in 700,000 deaths each year worldwide, mostly in low and middle income countries. Currently, Ghana faces a double disease burden from communicable and non-communicable diseases, coupled with poor monitoring of antibiotic use and weak regulatory systems. There is also a lack of capacity to link results of laboratory diagnostic tests to sale of medicines as well as uncontrolled veterinary use of antibiotics, compounding the ...
ABSTRACT Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) is a public health intervention which makes use of frequent assessment of the growth of children under five years. The programme enables health workers to early detect growth failure and take corrective actions through improvements in feeding and care practices. Despite evidence that most caregivers in Ghana have contact with GMP through monthly child welfare clinics (CWC), child feeding practices remain sub-optimal and child undernutrition persi...
ABSTRACT Background: Nutrition support remains a key component of medical care. It is beneficial for critically ill patients with eating difficulties and their inability to meet their nutritional requirements. Nutrition support has been shown to positively affect clinical outcomes. Notwithstanding, there is paucity of published data on nutrition support practices and delivery in Ghanaian hospitals. Aim: To investigate nutrition support and its related practices in hospitals in Ghana. Method: ...
ABSTRACT Background Malaria continues to be a menace in many parts of the world, contributing to high morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Irrespective of the immense contributions made to control malaria infection rates, the infection perpetually plagues numerous lives in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria infection has also been implicated in renal and hepatic dysfunction. The renal dysfunction typifies an increase of urea and creatinine levels in serum whiles the hepatic dy...
ABSTRACT Malaria and anaemia continues to be a burden in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. In 2006, two cross- sectional studies were carried out in thirty communities among children under five years in the municipality in June and November to determine the prevalence of malaria and anaemia. This formed the baseline malaria and anemia prevalence in the municipality. After this study, insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) were intro...
ABSTRACT Background: Adolescents are experiencing early maturity and are therefore engaging in early sexual initiation; which exposes them to negative outcomes such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, STIs, among others. Identifying the drivers of early intercourse among adolescent is key in developing interventions targeting adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Objective: This study examined factors influencing early sexual initiation among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years in Gha...