ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Obesity has become a major public health problem globally. Once more common in developed countries, the prevalence of obesity has been observed to be increasing in developing countries as well. In the past, obesity was attributed to factors such as individual genetic make-up and lifestyle behaviours. These factors however, do not exclusively explain the global increase in the prevalence of obesity over the last three decades. Rather, a built environment that encourages ex...
ABSTRACT The peri-urban community of Prampram is characterized by filthy and choked open drains, indiscriminate waste disposal and open defecation. Waste handlers engage in different types of activities such as sweeping, collection, transportation and disposal with little or no personal protection and thus are often confronted with serious public health problems related to their work. The purpose for this study was to assess the different degrees of health risks associated with different acti...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cardiac arrest is a significant public health problem projected to account for 15–20% of all deaths. It is also recorded by WHO to be an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. Cardiac arrest if not treated immediately, can cause sudden cardiac death. With fast and appropriate medical care, survival is possible. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a lifesaving medical procedure for victims of sudden cardiac arre...
ABSTRACT Background: Over the years the prevalence of HIV in Ghana has reduced significantly; from a peak of 3.6% in 2003 it is now recorded as 1.6% - in 2014. Prevalence among young persons (15-24 years) which is quoted as a proxy for incidence is reported as 1.8%, higher than the national prevalence. This clearly depicts the fact that although some gains have been made in containing the disease, they remain fragile. The need to examine other unconventional means to control transmission is a...
ABSTRACT Background: Quality of antenatal care (ANC) is important because it has profound effect on health status of both the mother and the baby. Studies have revealed that several factors contribute to poor quality of antenatal care services including inadequate resources, medical supplies and drugs and poor provider client relationship. In the Greater Accra region, little is known about the quality of antenatal care services provided to pregnant women. The aim of the study was to assess th...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Emergencies/Disasters be they natural or manmade can occur without warning and therefore there is the need for effective emergency/disaster preparedness and management plan in any organization. It is therefore important to have knowledgeable personnel in the management of emergencies/disasters through emergency drills training and simulation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated emergency and disaster preparedness in Ghana Cocoa Board Head Office through availability and emplo...
ABSTRACT Background Malaria remains a major public health problem in the world. In Ghana, the entire population of24.2 million is at risk of malaria infection. Malaria is end emic and perennial in all parts of the country, with seasonal variations that are more pronounced in the north. From 2010 to 2015, Ghana has reduced by 45% malaria deaths. Progress in reduction of malaria prevalence has been recorded in the routine surveillance system through Health Management Information System but unfo...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Globocan puts the annual estimated incidence rate of breast cancer in Ghana at 25.8 cases per 100,000 women and mortality rate at 15.2 deaths per 100,000 women. In Ghana, treatment of cancer at all stages in combination with mammography screening cost $2000-6000 pe...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells.Lymphoma is a major cause of high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide with over 350,000 cases yearly. In sub- Saharan Africa, its high incidence rate has been attributed to the high prevalence of malaria and HIV/ AIDS thereby increasing the burden of the disease. Lymphoma is the highest contributor among the top four cancers with leukemia, eye and kidney cancers, which together account for 70% predo...
ABSTRACT Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) describes several genetic conditions with the presence of an abnormal haemoglobin S (HbS) in the red blood cells. The commonest types of Sickle Cell Disease are sickle cell anaemia (SS), sickle cell haemoglobin C disease (SC), sickle beta-plus thalassemia, and sickle beta-zero thalassemia. The abnormal haemoglobin causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape. Large numbers of sickled red blood cells collect, hindering blood flow, leading to va...
ABSTRACT Background: Mother-to- Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV is a global public health problem. Interventions in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programs have drastically reduced infant mortality associated with HIV/AIDS and new infections among babies born to mothers with HIV/AIDS. Scaling up the access and early initiation of antiretroviral treatment among pregnant women has been the pivot to this change. Adherence to the treatment is therefore an essential compon...
ABSTRACT Background: Intestinal Parasitic infections affect pregnant women worldwide. Such infections have life threatening implications on both mother and the developing foetus. Sub-Saharan Africa harbours the greatest proportion of intestinal parasitic infections due to socioeconomic and environmental factors. In Kasoa, in Southern Ghana, there is paucity of data on the prevalence and associated factors for intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women. Objective: The aim of the stu...
ABSTRACT Background: Babies delivered before term (ie. 37 completed weeks) are known as preterm birth. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality globally with associated long term disability. However, there are factors that affect the survival rate in premature babies; these include the use of corticosteroids during antenatal, the weight of babies at birth, the sex, gestational age and plurality. This study seeks to assess the association of preterm characteristics such as birt...
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria burden among vulnerable groups is of immense public health importance. Both local and international stakeholders in health are harnessing efforts to curtail the consequences of malaria through control interventions like indoor residual spraying (IRS), intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), and ITN use to reduce transmission. ITNs are freely distributed to meet universal coverage and the Abuja declaration of attaining over...
ABSTRACT Introduction: The increase in contraceptive knowledge does not correlate with user uptake and fertility decline. Majority of women are knowledgeable about contraceptives and its benefits, however, few women are using it. Method discontinuation or switching after adoption has increased among women. Since the pattern of a women’s contraceptive use has a direct impact on fertility and population growth, it is imperative that population control programs target them to ensure consistenc...