Survival trends among people living with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral treatment in two rural districts in Ghana.

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has caused a lot of havoc since the early 1970s, affecting 37.6 million people worldwide. The 90-90-90 treatment policy was adopted in Ghana in 2015 with the overall aim to end new infections by 2030, and to improve the life expectancy of HIV seropositive individuals.

A systematic review of academic performance of Children with Disabilities (CWDs) in inclusive education schools in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Globally it is estimated that about 150 million children are living with disabilities. Inclusive education inspires the participation of all students in the learning process in the same classroom. However, it is really difficult to find thorough, credible accounts of disabled children's access to education, enrolment, attendance, and results.

The knowledge level of nurses managing critically-ill and injured patients in Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Background: Shortages in the right cadres of human resources to manage health emergencies remain an acute problem especially in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts to address this challenge are dependent on the knowledge and competency of emergency nurses. We sought to determine the knowledge level of nurses in emergency management in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

The Effect of a Turkey Berry ()-Fortified Biscuit on the Hemoglobin Level and Cognitive Performance of Adolescent Females in the Ahafo Region of Ghana: A Pilot Study.

Anemia is a public health problem that affects about 50% of adolescent females in sub-Saharan Africa. Anemia can negatively affect the overall growth, cognitive performance, and productivity of school-going adolescents. This pilot study assessed the impact of fortified biscuits on hemoglobin levels and cognitive performance of school-going adolescent females.

Determinants of burnout among nurses and midwives at a tertiary hospital in Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study determined the prevalence and key determinants of burnout among nurses and midwives in Kumasi, Ghana.

Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Method: A questionnaire was used to obtain data from 391 nurses and midwives at a tertiary hospital in Kumasi, Ghana using simple random sampling.

Attrition of Nursing Professionals in Ghana: An Effect of Burnout on Intention to Quit.

Background: Burnout among nursing professionals at the workplace and how it influences their decision to quit the profession is crucial to the delivery of quality health service. The shortage of nursing professionals has serious consequences on the healthcare system.

Aim: To examine the effect of burnout on intention to quit the profession among nursing professionals.

Strategic Health Purchasing Progress Mapping: A Spotlight on Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme.

Ghana is a lower-middle-income economy that has made significant efforts to improve its health system, in order to achieve universal health coverage. Ghana has adopted strategic health purchasing as an important tool for efficient utilization of resources. This paper focuses on Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) analyzing its governance arrangements and purchasing functions; and providing recommendations for improvement.

Predictors of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the determinants of these outcomes are understudied. The present study sought to identify the predictors of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ghana.

Living with HIV in Ghana: Disclosure of status and experiences of persons receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Barriers to treatment faced by people living with HIV (PLWH) have been well explored in the literature. Despite the importance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the treatment of HIV and prevention of AIDS, in the Ghanaian context only about 32% of infected persons have access to treatment. This underscores a need to understand the experiences of PLWH receiving ART to provide baseline information for policymakers' efforts to increase access to treatment.

Personal factors that affect disabled people's access to healthcare in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana.

The health status and quality of life of disabled people are of immense public health concern and the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved if the healthcare needs of disabled people are not met. A qualitative case study was conducted in the Bosomtwe District of Ghana to ascertain personal factors that affect disabled people's access to healthcare in the context of disability stigma. A total of 30 disabled participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected through an interview guide utilizing a face-to-face interview and focus group discussion.

The perception of healthcare workers of People with Disabilities presenting for care at peri-urban health facilities in Ghana.

Healthcare provider attitudes and perceptions of disability may influence the delivery of comprehensive quality care to patients with disabilities. The study was conducted to ascertain healthcare providers' perspectives on access to healthcare by disabled people in a peri-urban district of Ghana. We employed a qualitative approach and selected participants using the purposive sampling technique.

Factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant teenagers in Ashanti Region, Ghana: A hospital-based prospective cohort study.

Background: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is reportedly high in pregnant adults and the causes well studied. However, among pregnant teenagers, the levels and associated factors of IDA are not fully understood.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study among Ghanaian pregnant teenagers, aged 13-19 years, IDA prevalence and associated factors were investigated.

Dietary diversity and its correlates among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana.

Background: Dietary diversity, a qualitative measure of dietary intake, which reflects the variety of foods consumed has been recommended to assuage nutritional problems related to insufficient micronutrients, and food insecurity. To better understand the underlying factors for poor birth outcomes in Ghana, we assessed factors associated with dietary diversity among rural and urban pregnant adolescents in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Methods: As part of a larger longitudinal cohort of 416 pregnant adolescents, the FAO minimum dietary diversity for women index was used to determine the dietary diversity score (DDS) of the participants from a previous days' 24-hour dietary recall data.

Factors affecting utilization of traditional bonesetters in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Background: Traditional bonesetters (TBS) are still highly patronized by people with fractures in Africa. We sought to investigate factors affecting the utilization of TBS services in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Methods: A mixed-methods study that combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches was conducted among 64 TBS clients in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Traditional bonesetters in northern Ghana: opportunities for engagement with the formal health sector.

Introduction: we sought to explore the knowledge and practices among traditional bonesetters (TBSs) in the Northern Region of Ghana and to assess opportunities for their engagement with the formal health sector.

Methods: we identified 28 TBSs widely distributed in the Northern Region. They were interviewed using qualitative and quantitative methods, regarding their background, training, current practices, opinions regarding orthodox care, and interests in future linkages with the formal health sector.

Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Primary School Children in Oforikrom, Ghana Based on the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among primary school children in Oforikrom, Kumasi, Ghana.

Methods: 10 of 35 primary schools in Oforikrom were readily available. Of 2000 children aged 5 to 13 years selected, 1540 (77%) of their parents/guardians consented to participate.

Palm Weevil Larvae ( Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats.

Edible insects have emerged as an inexpensive alternative source of protein for reducing the burden of malnutrition worldwide. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its efficacy, and thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status of female Wistar albino rats. The study assessed the subchronic effect of palm weevil larvae (PWL) and orange-fleshed sweet potato- (OFSP-) enriched biscuits (fortified biscuits (FB), plain biscuits (PB), biscuits fortified with PWL (PWB), and biscuits fortified with OFSP only (SPB)) as a model to predict the potential of PWL to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women in Ghana.

Prevalence of anaemia and low intake of dietary nutrients in pregnant women living in rural and urban areas in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Background: Anaemia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women and children worldwide. Because deficiencies in essential micronutrients such as iron, folate and vitamin B12 prior to and during gestation increase a woman's risk of being anaemic, adequate dietary intake of such nutrients is vital during this important phase in life. However, information on the dietary micronutrient intakes of pregnant women in Ghana, particularly of those resident in rural areas is scanty.

Experiences of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy across the trajectory of diagnoses in Ghana.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of posture or movement caused by a lesion to the developing brain that results in functional limitations. The diagnosis of CP can vary from one child to another, causing family stress because of vague and unknown outcomes of the disorder. Although there are negative attitudes in Ghanaian societies towards primary caregivers and children with disabilities, fewer attempts have been made to understand their experiences.

Nutritional composition and acceptability of biscuits fortified with palm weevil larvae ( and orange-fleshed sweet potato among pregnant women.

Edible insects are currently being promoted as an inexpensive alternative source of protein in underdeveloped countries due to the rising cost of conventional animal protein and the foreseen future deficit in its supply. A supplemental palm weevil larvae and orange-fleshed sweet potato biscuit was developed as part of efforts to understand the nutritional benefits of edible insects and to predict whether these benefits will contribute to better nutrition among pregnant women in Ghana. The palm weevil larvae flour and the orange-fleshed sweet potato flour were mixed with wheat flour in three formulations that had 0, 35, and 70% of palm weevil larvae flour, before being made into biscuits.

Inclusivity in neo-liberal policy environment: preparedness of mass media to support disability awareness campaigns in Ghana.

The mass media have been described as an important institution in educating society about persons with disabilities and in facilitating their acceptance. However, calls to project a positive public image of persons with disabilities and to develop an inclusive society have coincided with the neo-liberal approach to policymaking, whereby government plays a minimised role in the provision of basic services to citizens. Although the extant literature from advanced countries has found stereotypical and disempowering portrayals of persons with disabilities in the mass media, this area remains unresearched in developing countries.

Household Willingness-to-Pay for Improved Solid Waste Management Services in Four Major Metropolitan Cities in Ghana.

Introduction: Waste management is an important developmental issue globally, especially in developing countries like Ghana. A key challenge of waste management in developing countries is sustainable financing. This study assesses the willingness-to-pay, an integral attribute of sustainable financing mechanism for improved solid waste management (SWM) services in Ghana.

Reporting in the abstracts presented at the 5th AfriNEAD (African Network for Evidence-to-Action in Disability) Conference in Ghana.

Introduction: The abstracts of a conference are important for informing the participants about the results that are communicated. However, there is poor reporting in conference abstracts in disability research. This paper aims to assess the reporting in the abstracts presented at the 5th African Network for Evidence-to-Action in Disability (AfriNEAD) Conference in Ghana.

Mobile phone use among commercial drivers in Ghana: An important threat to road safety.

Background: Ghana passed a law in 2012 banning the use of mobile phones while driving. However, data on compliance to the law has been lacking.

Objective: To examine factors associated with mobile phone use while driving among Ghanaian commercial drivers.