ABSTRACT This study assessed the quality of neonatal care in health facilities in the Ho Municipality by focusing on availability of adequate and skilled human resources for neonatal care; equipment and care processes; and the perceptions of mothers of newborns on neonatal care in health facilities. Adopting the qualitative method, the study used a purposive sampling to collect data from midwives of 4 health centres as well as staff in the paediatric and maternity wards at the regional and mu...
ABSTRACT Background: Every day, 720 children die of malaria which can be prevented or cured if presented early. The private health sector is a major institution in the response to treating malaria globally and nationally. In 2017, about 30% of health facilities were privately owned and contributed significantly to the management of malaria in Ghana. Given the importance of the private health sector to the malaria management, it is prudent to assess the cost of managing malaria in private heal...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Buruli Ulcer (BU) is an environmental pathogen found in poor rural communities of tropical and sub-tropical regions. BU, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans infection, is a debilitating disease of the skin and underlying tissues which starts as a painless nodule, oedema or plaque and could develop into painful and massive ulcers that might result in severe and permanent functional disabilities, if not treated well. Methods: This cross-sectional exploratory study examined l...
ABSTRACT Background: Every year, malaria affects millions of people globally with the bulk majority occurring in Sub-Sahara Africa of which Ghana is part. To reduce the number of malaria cases and deaths, Ghana adopted and is currently implementing the use of ACTs as a national policy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. As part of this policy, suspected malaria cases should be tested, treated and tracked to ensure compliance to the use o...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Malnutrition remains one of the major problems confronting children in Sub - Saharan Africa (SSA). The nutritional status of children influences their health status, which is a key determinant of child survival. Therefore improvement of children’s nutritional status increases the chances of child survival and is considered as a precondition for their contribution to community as well as human development. The study was carried out to examine community perception and m...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Optimal infant and young child feeding practices are important for the survival, growth, development and health of infants and young children. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out whether early feeding (EBF) practices influenced subsequent child feeding adequacy among children 9-23 months. Methods: Study participants included 300 mother-infant pairs who were recruited at the Child Welfare Clinic of the University of Ghana, Hospital. A structured questionnair...
ABSTRACT Background: Oral health is key to the overall health status and quality of life. Dental caries and periodontal conditions are the most common oral health issues globally. Individuals with special needs, especially children, require extra care in daily activities as compared to individuals in the general population. These children will have to learn good oral health habits in order to pass it on to their colleagues and to their children. The aim of this study was to determine the ora...
ABSTRACT Background: Night shift work has been shown to induce stress, disturb family life, interrupt regular meal schedules (leading to lower intakes of energy, vitamins and minerals) and create lifestyle problems. These shift work-associated problems lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol; all possible cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Fire-fighters are one category of workers who undertake rotating night shift work in Ghana. Aim: This study determined the impact of shi...
ABSTRACT Public policy, whether implemented under a civilian or military regime, plays a critical role in the development of a country especially if well-formulated, and efficiently and effectively implemented. Ghana has undergone about twenty-two (22) years of military rule and thirty-nine (39) years of civilian rule since independence. The First, Second and Third Republics were each terminated by three coup d‟états that actors justified on the grounds of corruption in those civilian gov...
ABSTRACT Background: Stillbirth remains a public health issue of global concern particularly in developing countries like Ghana. Stillbirth rates continue to remain high in West Gonja Hospital Damongo though preventable. However, the factors influencing stillbirths in the hospital remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing stillbirths in the hospital. Specifically, the study determined the proportion of stillbirth, assessed the health facility and obs...
ABSTRACT As calls are made by health professional groups and clients for a more client-centred health care a system, it becomes essential to define and measure patient perceptions of health care quality and to understand more fully what drives those perceptions. The aim of this study is to describe client perceived quality of health care and satisfaction with care in selected public health facilities in Bawku West District. The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in three health fac...
ABSTRACT Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a serious public health problem, with high rates of incidence and mortality in the male population across the world. Globally, the burden on the cost of survival and living with cancer diseases is on a higher rate in recent times, with PCa being the commonest cancer among men. In the Ghanaian context, there are limited studies on unmarried men with PCA, hence, this study sought to explore the wellbeing of unmarried men with PCa in the Accra Metropolis using ...
ABSTRACT The prevalence of diabetes is on the increase in the world, however, the rate in sub-Saharan Africa requires urgent attention from health workers. This is because the complications associated with diabetes range from physical to mental health issues leading to shortage of human capital. One of the key issues in diabetes management is self-care practices and these practices are influenced by varied factors. This study examined the influence of diabetes attitude, knowledge and beliefs ...
ABSTRACT Introduction: There are several conflicting reports on the effect of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) on birth outcomes in HIV positive women. Studies also suggest that different geographic locations present with varying birth outcomes with respect to specific antiretroviral drugs. Objective: This sought to examine birth outcomes in HIV positive women who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) from 2010 to 2015. Methods: As a result of sparse data on t...
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. Globally, CVDs are the largest killers, claiming 17.1million lives a year. Populations of Sub-Saharan African descent are at an increased risk of developing CVDs. In Ghana, there has been a documented increase in prevalence rates of hypertension and diabetes over the last fifty years. A study done in the University of Ghana in 2006 to screen all the workers, showed a prevale...