ABSTRACT Background: The effect of pesticide on human health and the environment is a major global public health issue. Knowledge of farmers on pesticide use and practices may contribute significantly to the burden of pesticide in human population and the environment. Objectives: This study assesses knowledge, work practices and self-reported symptoms associated with pesticide use among vegetable farmers in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti region. Methodology: The study was derived f...
ABSTRACT The study sought to explore how socio-cultural factors influence malnutrition among children under-five in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study sought to: describe social factors influencing malnutrition among children under-five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis, discuss cultural beliefs influencing malnutrition among children less than five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis and analyse feeding practices influencing malnutrition among children under-five year...
ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: People with disabilities have special healthcare needs that usually remain unmet. Studies have identified barriers encountered by people with disabilities in accessing healthcare. This study was aimed at identifying factors that both facilitate and hinder access to healthcare for children with disabilities [with focus on Autism, cerebral palsy (CP) and Down syndrome (DS)] in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Method: The study employed a cross sectional stu...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Teenage pregnancy is the situation in which a teenage girl, usually between the ages of 10 and 19 years, becomes pregnant Most teenagers do not plan becoming pregnant but they may do. These girls who have become pregnant are faced with the numerous challenges associated with parenthood. The study, however, aimed at estimating the economic burden of teenage pregnancy on households in Elmina community. Method: The study adopted the cross-sectional survey which makes ...
ABSTRACT Perceptions of the causes of Cerebrospinal Meningitis, its treatment and prevention, as well as reasons for the blatant refusal by some sections of the communities to vaccinate against the disease in the wake of the big epidemic of the meningitis belt (1996-1997) to which the district falls, were investigated. About 150 knowledgeable people of various age groups, Kasena Nankani were interviewed in Key informant, In depth interviews, Focus Group discussion, case interview of surv...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Medication adherence is an integral component in the management of hypertension. Poor adherence to medications is one of the major public health challenges. Sub optimal adherence to antihypertensive medication is a major risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. Good medication adherence would ensure adequate blood control and therefore reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective was to measure adherence levels amongst hypertensive patients and to d...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Self-medication is the prolonged use of medicines to treat any symptom or illness without medical prescriptions. The emergence of resistant bacteria strains is mainly associated with antimicrobial self-medication. Aim: Self-medication with antimicrobial is a health problem globally especially in low-andmiddle income countries (LMIC) like Ghana, so this study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with antimicrobial in three rural communities (Akyem-...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS is a disease of public health importance. HIV related stigma is a process of devaluing the people living with or associated with HIV/AIDS. “Courtesy stigma” comprises of public negative judgment as a result of associating with a stigmatized individual or group. There are arguments that formal HIV care providers experience stigma as a result of taking care of the people living with HIV/AIDS though it is part of their work schedule in the hospital or health cen...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of tuberculosis (TB) care rendered to TB patients within Tema Metropolis. The study examined three domains within which quality of care is assessed namely: structural factors, process factors and client satisfaction with services. Using a concurrent mixed method design, data was gathered through a survey among 113 TB clients and, by means of an interview among four healthcare professionals who provide care for TB patients. Pu...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Tuberculosis and Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV) infections represent two of the greatest threats in African prison. They are both endemic diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa. They have been associated with poor sanitation, overcrowding, poor ventilation, sharing of sharps and other body fluids. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria whilst HIV is caused by a virus. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)...
ABSTRACT Background: Unsafe abortion is a significant public health problem. It accounts for 13% of maternal mortality worldwide and 11% in Ghana. Currently, Misoprostol is a drug used in the provision of medical abortion. Community pharmacies in Ghana are regularly the first port of call for most Ghanaians seeking healthcare advice or treatment, but little research has been done to assess community pharmacists‘ attitudes and prescribing regarding the use of misoprostol for medical...
ABSTRACT Malaria is one of the major public health problems in developing countries and its prevalence in Nigeria is dependent on the vector, Anopheles gambiae. The control of Anopheles is a major component of vector management but effectiveness has been limited by factors like insecticide resistance, cost, toxicity on non-target organisms and environmental pollution concerns. There is an increasing interest in developing plant-based insecticides as sustainable alternatives to chemical insec...
ABSTRACT The study examined subscription to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study examined trends of subscription in the metropolis from 2005 to 2014, as well as barriers and motivation for subscription. The research adopted descriptive and explanatory study designs. Checklist and in-depth interview guides were used in collecting data from NHIS databases and 30 residents of the metropolis. Informed consent was sought from respondents...
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess the determinants of contraceptive use among females in Ghana. The rate of contraceptive use among females in Ghana is very low. That leads to high fertility, high maternal mortality and high infant mortality in the country. So to improve the overall reproductive health status of women, it is important to encourage contraceptive use among women. This study investigates the effects of some demographic, social programmatic factors on current use of con...
ABSTRACT Background Diarrhoea in children under five years has become a major public health concern worldwide. It is possible that diarrhoea will remain a leading cause of child mortality worldwide in the future. World Health Organisation has indicated that children under five years are vulnerable to diarrhoeal disease especially Sub-Saharan Africa, it is therefore important for a study to be conducted to examine factors influencing health care utilisation in children under five years ...