ABSTRACT Introduction: Due to rapid industrialization, health problems among industrial workers due to fluoride poisoning are on the rise. Emissions of fluoride dust and fumes from the smelters of primary aluminium producing industries are dissipated in the work environment and poses occupational health hazard. The Use of cryolite (tri-sodium hexafluoroaluminate, Na3AlF6) as a flux in the conversion of alumina to aluminium is the major source for fluoride emission responsible for the spread...
ABSTRACT Background: Globally, 4 million neonatal deaths occur annually, with one-third of such deaths occurring as a result of infection. In 2011, there were 7.2million deaths in children below 5years globally, and a proportion of 40% of these deaths occurred in neonates. Sepsis was reported to account for one-third of these deaths. Presently, multi drug antibiotic resistance is rapidly increasing in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), particularly in developing countries and poses a th...
ABSTRACT Background: Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are established recommendations for feeding children 0-23 months to achieve ultimate growth and development. Ideal nourishment throughout the first 2 years of a child’s life is predominantly significant, as it leads to high intelligent quotient and lowers morbidity and mortality. Any damage caused within two years of life is reversible but beyond is irreparable. Inappropriate feeding practices are known to be among...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Many studies have proven that breast milk is the most important infant feed, and in the first six months of life, it is adequate for sustenance. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months of life has been recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) as the best infant feeding strategy. Breast milk provides infants with the antibodies and nourishment needed to begin a healthy life. Mixed feeding with breast milk and other fluids/foods is common in Ghana, st...
ABSTRACT Background: Since independence, Ghana has made several efforts to ensure that its population has access to appropriate health care at an affordable cost. A vital measure to increase affordability is to reduce the out-of-pocket payments for health care which is recognised as one of the barriers to access, especially in poorer countries. The National Health Insurance Scheme was therefore introduced in 2003, to address issues of inequities in financial access to health care. Objectiv...
ABSTRACT Background: Studies have shown that motivation improves performance of health workers. However, when health workers are not motivated enough their performance and delivery of care is affected. Therefore, ensuring health worker motivation is important, if health workers are to perform their optimum best and effectively deliver health services. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of motivation on health worker performance. Methods: This st...
ABSTRACT Studies have shown that human milk and breastfeeding of infant provides advantages with regard to general health, growth and development for infants. Mothers who breastfeed their babies may also gain health benefits. In addition to health benefits to mothers and infants, breastfeeding provides significant social and economic benefits to nations and individuals. Researchers have found out that both mother and infant can maximise the benefits if they practice exclusive breastfee...
ABSTRACT Background: Several neonatal deaths have been reported in developing countries such as Ghana despite a marginal decrease over the years. Majority of these deaths occur due to inappropriate or poorly practiced newborn care specifically safe cord care, optimal thermal care and early and exclusive breastfeeding. There is limited information about the quality of essential newborn care practiced by mothers in the Greater Accra region. This information is needed to inform policy makers an...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Behaviours established during youthful and early adult life such as risky sexual behaviours (RSBs) have undesirable effects on the future wellbeing and overall health of adolescents and young adults. Engaging in risky sexual behaviours such as early sexual initiation, multiple partner sexual relationships, unprotected sex, and sex in exchange of money or gifts often lead to undesirable consequences such as contracting sexually transmitted diseases or having unintended ...
ABSTRACT Background: Cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is on the rise. However, the availability of antiretroviral drugs has to a larger extent increased the survival of these patients in recent times. The increased survival often presents challenges to the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) mainly due to adverse drug effects and or the prevailing socio-economic and cultural challenges associated with the disease condition...
ABSTRACT Background: Societies in sub-Saharan Africa have always depended on religion as an important resource in addressing matters of health and wellbeing, especially, in addressing various healthcare challenges. The aim of this study is to explore how church-related social support contributes to the health and well-being of the elderly in Achimota, Accra Metropolitan District. Methodology: Three churches within Achimota were purposively selected and the elderly above 60 years and above we...
ABSTRACT The study is a community-based study to determine the factors contributing to the delayed arrival of women with pregnancy-related complication to the health facilities in the Assin District of Ghana. The women with pregnancy-related complications in the district often arrive at the health facilities in the district so late, that this makes the outcome of the management poor with resultant high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The study aimed at finding the factors whi...
ABSTRACT Background: Overweight and obesity among children is a major public health concern globally. Childhood obesity is likely to persist into adulthood. Little is known about the prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among school-age children in Ghana. Knowing the determinants of overweight/obesity among basic school pupils is important for obesity intervention design. Objective: To determine overweight and obesity prevalence and its risk factors among basic school pupi...
ABSTRACT A study on assessment of X-ray radiation among X-ray workers and associated potential health problems in Owerri was carried out with the thermolumolunescent dosimeter between 12th April to 30th December 2011. A total of 50 workers were used for the study. Comprising 24 male X-ray workers and 26 female X-ray workers. The mean X-ray dose below permissible doses is 9.4.7 the T-test is -4.29; the P-value is 0.000. The mean exposure factor is 20msv upto six test which involve 3 male x-r...
ABSTRACT Introduction: HIV and AIDS is one of the major public-health problems worldwide which affects mostly people who are at the utmost productive stage of life. Out of the estimated 36.7 million people living with HIV and AIDS globally as at the end of 2015, 71% live in sub Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapy averted 5.5 million deaths in low- and middleincome countries during the peak in 1995 until 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for most of those lives saved; it keeps people pr...