ABSTRACT Background: Motherhood is cherished and defines the identity of a woman in most African societies. However, new mothers have to adjust physically, socially, psychologically and even spiritually in their transition. Social support has been identified in a number of studies to help first-time mothers adjust in picking up their new maternal responsibilities. The main aim of this study was to explore first-time mothers’ lived experiences and their prenatal and postnatal support system...
ABSTRACT Background: Anaemia is a health problem that is associated with a decrease in the volume of red blood cells as well as reduction in the mean haemoglobin concentration in the blood. Haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues and organs in the body. Anaemia can be a particularly serious problem for pregnant women, leading to premature delivery and low birth weight. Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common micronutrient deficiency, and anaemia is often described as an ...
ABSTRACT Tuberculosis threatens public health all over the world and affects persons mostly in their productive lives. The proportion of cases with successful treatment outcome is a key indicator to assess the effectiveness and performance of any Tuberculosis Control Programme. Effective treatment is a major element in reducing the transmission of infection and ultimately achieving elimination of the disease. The study was conducted to determine factors associated with treatment outcome and ...
ABSTRACT Postoperative pain (POP) remains a challenge for patients although they have the right to adequate pain management. It is unethical if pain is not managed adequately by nurses. However, there is inadequate literature on ethical decision making by nurses on pain management. Thus, this study aimed at exploring the factors influencing ethical decision making for POP management among nurses. The study employed qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Participants were recruited purpo...
ABSTRACT Background: Breast malignancies are the leading cause of death due to cancer among women around the world. Picking the lesions enables women to have better treatment choices and a better prognosis. Examining one’s own breast on a monthly basis increases the possibility of detecting such lesions early. This study is designed to assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Breast self-examination (BSE) among female students of the University of Ghana as well as barriers to practice. ...
Abstract Building on current knowledge, the primary aim of this study was to examine the association between self reported bullying and victimisation behaviour and risk factors such as sensation seeking, and emotional intelligence after controlling for self esteem, parental attachment, age and gender. The study also examined how bullying and victimisation influence depression and suicidal ideations. Self-report questionnaires were administered to three hundred and fifty five (355) adolescent...
SUMMARY This study was conducted in the Assin District of the Central Region over a period of 10 days between July 6 and 16, 1999. The aim was to find the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of the community leaders about teenage pregnancy with reference to the available literature on the subject. It was also meant to determine if educational attainment, gender and type of community leadership have any significant influence on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. A cross-sectional study was conduc...
ABSTRACT Background: Crude dismantling and burning of e-waste as done at the Agbogbloshie recycling/dumpsite results in release of a myriad of toxic chemical substances such as heavy metals dust, dioxins, furans, plume of smoke containing chemical intermediates such as polyhydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Exposure to these toxic chemicals could impact negatively on both human and environmental health. Previous studies on exposure have mostly focused on...
ABSTRACT Since Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) detection in 1981, 25milion people have died and 65 million people are living with the disease. The HIV prevalence among antenatal care attendants rose to 40% globally with 1500 children infected each day At the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and 61% in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana about 3,129,390 are reported living with the disease in 2007 with HIV positivity prevalence rate of 2.6% among...
ABSTRACT Background: The ageing process involves physiological and nutritional changes and many health issues have been associated with these changes. Poor oral health, which affects chewing and swallowing is common in the ageing population (≥50years) and has an influence on their overall nutrition and general health. A number of studies have linked missing teeth and other oral issues to poorer diets, however not many studies have related these results to effects on BMI, energy and micronu...
ABSTRACT In an era where many advancements and accomplishments in information technology over the past decades has been tremendous, health and healthcare delivery has not been left out; quite a number of diverse forms of Electronic Information Systems have been designed and implemented in different institutions and countries. The field of health care has been transformed globally as a result of Information and communication technology (ICT). The need of a system that can aid individuals stor...
ABSTRACT Background: Sepsis is a major cause of death among neonates. In neonates, symptoms of sepsis are often non-specific and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Thus, the role of additional diagnostic markers is important. Amikacin is used as first-line treatment of neonatal sepsis and it is usually co-administered with aminophylline in preterm neonates in Ghana. Amikacin dosing is well established, however, optimal effect requires specific dose titration and maintenance therap...
ABSTRACT Introduction: In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in urbanisation with its attendant increase in demand for most social amenities including water. The relevant company is unable to meet the unending demand for pipe water. They are only capable of supplying intermittent and limited access to piped water especially in urban and peri-urban areas. These issues have caused most households in the urban and peri-urban areas to resort to the use of groundwater sources ...
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Safe disposal of human excreta is a major Public Health concern since improper disposal of human excreta can lead to an outbreak of excreta related problems. Improving human excreta disposal, hygiene and water supply prevent at least 9.1% of the global disease burden and 6.3% of all the deaths. In Ghana, diseases such as cholera and dysentery have resurfaced; therefore a look at the barriers to safe disposal of human excreta can play an important role in reducing the m...
ABSTRACT Virtually all countries, especially the developing nations, are being confronted with the twin problems of waste management and energy deficit. This development has led to the search for renewable energy sources. Although pig dung, water hyacinth and maize cob have been identified as good feedstocks for biogas production, studies utilising their mixtures have not been fully explored. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the biogas yield and microbial species from mixtures o...