A B S T R A C T Reduction of infant and maternal mortality is a part of the WHO/UNICEF goals set in 1991 to be achieved by the year 2000. Maternal and infant mortality can be reduced by ensuring favourable outcome of pregnancy. This study sought to assess the effects of nutrition and health habits of pregnant women on pregnancy outcome. A total of 502 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in the Greater Accra region participated in an epidemiological study, which involved a study of foo...
ABSTRACT Background: Childhood malnutrition remains a public health challenge in Africa. The original aim of the Ghana School Feeding Programme was to improve school enrolment and attendance with secondary aim to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among school aged children across every region. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of the SAC enrolled in the GSFP. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 randomly selected 6-12 year aged school ch...
ABSTRACT Soybean, a high protcin/oil legume is known (o contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to lipid oxidation and hydrolysis. However, suitable processing methods and storage conditions can enhance the stability o f lipid in soyflour. The objective of the project was to investigate the effects of some processing methods and storage conditions on the stability o f lipid in soyflour and to define the parameters for the prediction o f the shelf life soyflou...
ABSTRACT Background: Nutritional factors such as micronutrient deficiencies and excess gestational weight gain have been reported to be involved in the development of oedema in preeclampsia. Oedema is one of the common symptoms of preeclampsia. This study aimed to determine nutritional factors associated with oedema as a risk factor for preeclampsia among a cohort of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in the La-Nkwantanang-Madina municipality of the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Metho...
ABSTRACT Background: Nutritional status is the balance between the intake of nutrients and the expenditure of these in the processes of growth, reproduction, and health maintenance. Under nutrition, especially in children, can lead to substantial problems in mental and physical development. Undernourished children can also suffer several diseases from nutrient deficiencies. Although the overall pattern of growth is genetically determined, it is significantly affected by nutrition. Socioeconom...
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 This study was done to ascertain the food security and nutritional status of children aged between two and five years in Kpone, a fishing community in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The objectives were to assess (i) some household and child health characteristics, (ii) dietary adequacy for energy, protein, iron and vitamin A, (iii) the food security status of the children, (iv) growth by anthropometry and (v) serum iron and vitamin A status of the children. In the major fish seas...
ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease and has been found to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most developed, developing and newly industrialized countries. The growing middle class and ever changing lifestyle in developing countries have led to the rapid increase in the burden of diabetes (Type 2) even among the poor. The epidemiological trend has caught up with Ghana. Medical research has found that dietary treatment is the best control for type 2 diabetes. Howev...
ABSTRACT Background Nutritional anaemia in pregnancy still remains a problem of public health concern particularly in developing countries such as Ghana. The period of adolescence and pregnancy are both critical periods that place the individual at risk of developing nutrient deficiencies because of the rapid and increased demands in nutrients. Failure to meet the nutritional demands can affect the growth of the adolescent mother and that of the developing baby. Literature gaps exist in the ...
ABSTRACT Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is a consequence of suboptimal dietary iron intake or inefficient dietary iron absorption. Dialium guineense also known as black velvet tamarind (BVT) has a rich combination of both iron as well as vitamin C, coupled with low levels of antinutrients. Traditionally, the fruit pulp of BVT is used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in certain parts of the Ghana. The efficacy and effectiveness of these interventions however need a wider exploration. Aim:...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of women’s life circumstances on their health and nutritional status. The study included women of reproductive age (1 5 -4 5 years old) and 74 women took part in the study. I Study-specific semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect dietary, socioeconomic, demographic and workload data. Urinary and random blood glucose determinations were used to test for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The subjects had mean (± SD)...
ABSTRACT Diet, serum lipid profile, metabolic and body indices of Type II diabetics compared to non-diabetic subjects among Caucasian-Americans, African-Americans and Ghanaians were studied in this project work. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic Caucasians, African Americans and Ghanaians were recruited. Data collected include food intake and anthropometric measurement. Blood samples were also taken for glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and serum lipid analysis...
ABSTRACT Background: The nutritional status of mothers before conception and nutrition of the child during the first 1000 days of life starting from conception is a critical determinant of their future well-being. Iron deficiency Anaemia is still an issue of concern in Ghana. It increases mortality rate and impairs development of the grey matter infrastructure. The study sought to assess the efficacy of an iron fortified complementary food on the nutritional status of children 6- 18months of ...
ABSTRACT Background and objective: Anaemia among Ghanaian women of reproductive age is an important public health concern that contributes to morbidity, poor reproductive outcomes, low productivity and mortality. Chronic smoke inhalation from the use of biomass fuel for cooking has been shown to be associated with anaemia in some populations. Fish smoking using biomass fuel is an important livelihood among women living in coastal communities in Ghana which may increase their risk of anaemia. ...