Cervical precancer screening using self-sampling, HPV DNA testing, and mobile colposcopy in a hard-to-reach community in Ghana: a pilot study.

Background: The World Health Organization has set ambitious goals to eliminate cervical cancer, necessitating evidence on increasing coverage and access to screening and treatment in high-burden areas. We implemented a pilot program to assess the feasibility of obtaining self-collected specimens for high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) testing in Nzulezo stilt village, a hard-to-reach community in Ghana, and inviting only hr-HPV-positive women to a central location for colposcopy and possible treatment. Subsequently, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hr-HPV infection and cervical lesions among the women and to explore factors potentially associated with hr-HPV infection among them.

Application of the hub and spokes model in improving access to cervical cancer screening in Ghana.

Objective: To examine the contribution of lower-level health facilities in increasing access to cervical cancer screening in the North Tongu District.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital, Battor, served as the hub, and six health facilities (3 health centres and 3 CHPS compounds) served as the spokes.

Assessment of the performance and challenges in the implementation of the test, treat and track (T3) strategy for malaria control among children under-five years in Ghana.

Background: The World Health Organization recommended the Test, Treat and Track (T3) strategy for malaria control that, every suspected malaria case should be tested prior to treatment with Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and tracked. We assessed the performance and challenges in the implementation of T3 strategy among children under-five years in Volta and Oti Regions of Ghana.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried in 69 health facilities.

Socio-cultural factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and menstrual hygiene practices among Junior High School adolescent girls in the Kpando district of Ghana: A mixed method study.

Background: Good menstrual hygiene practice is critical to the health of adolescent girls and women. In Ghanaian public schools, the School Health Education Program which includes menstrual health education has been instituted to equip adolescents with knowledge on menstruation and its related good hygiene practices. However, in most communities, menstruation is scarcely discussed openly due to mostly negative social and religious beliefs about menstruation.

Assessing health-seeking behaviour and malaria prevention practices among communities in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Background: Malaria is a preventable disease that causes huge morbidity and mortality in malaria-endemic areas, especially among children and pregnant women. The malaria control programme focuses on the prevention of mosquito bites using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and mosquito aerosol sprays and coils, as well as prevention of severe disease among those infected through prompt and adequate treatment. The success of the malaria control programme in Ghana is dependent on the malaria prevention practices of people in the community.

Breastfeeding and weaning practices among mothers in Ghana: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Children need good nutrition to develop proper immune mechanisms and psychosocial maturity, but malnutrition can affect their ability to realize this. Apart from the national demographic and health survey, which is carried out every 5 years, there have not been enough documented studies on child breastfeeding and weaning practices of caregivers in the Volta Region. We, therefore, examined child breastfeeding and weaning practices of mothers in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Referral of sick children and levels of adherence by carers: implications on quality health care in the middle belt of Ghana.

Introduction: Severely sick-children presenting at primary healthcare facilities need referral to higher level facilities for better care. Adherence to referrals and quality of care received by those referred could serve as critical steps towards their survival.

Objective: To describe experiences with severely sick children referred to higher-level health facilities for care and reasons for non-adherence to referral; to explore healthcare provider's perspectives to referral.

Community utilisation and satisfaction with the community-based health planning and services initiative in Ghana: a comparative study in two system learning districts of the CHPS+ project.

Background: To strengthen the implementation of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme which is Ghana's key primary health care delivery strategy, the CHPS+ Project was initiated in 2017. We examined community utilisation and satisfaction with CHPS services in two System Learning Districts (SLDs) of the project.

Methods: This community-based descriptive study was conducted in the Nkwanta South Municipality and Central Tongu District of Ghana.

Antenatal Care Attendance and Factors Influenced Birth Weight of Babies Born between June 2017 and May 2018 in the Wa East District, Ghana.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is high coverage of the recommended four or more times antenatal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy without complications; notwithstanding this achievement, the negative birth outcomes related to childbirth such as low birth weights and stillbirths are still high despite the increased access to antenatal services. Hence, the study assessed the association between antenatal attendance and birth weight in the Wa East District.

Method: The cross-sectional study design was used with a semistructured questionnaire to collect data from mothers who delivered within a one-year period through a review of antenatal and birth records from health facilities where the women delivered and interviewed.

Self-reported breast and cervical cancer screening practices among women in Ghana: predictive factors and reproductive health policy implications from the WHO study on global AGEing and adult health.

Background: Breast and cervical cancers constitute the two leading causes of cancer deaths among women in Ghana. This study examined breast and cervical screening practices among adult and older women in Ghana.

Methods: Data from a population-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 2749 women were analyzed from the study on global AGEing and adult health conducted in Ghana between 2007 and 2008.

Volunteer responsibilities, motivations and challenges in implementation of the community-based health planning and services (CHPS) initiative in Ghana: qualitative evidence from two systems learning districts of the CHPS+ project.

Background: Community volunteerism is essential in the implementation of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in Ghana. We explored the responsibilities, motivations and challenges of community health management committees (CHMCs) in two CHPS+ Project districts in Ghana.

Methods: We used a qualitative approach to collect data through 4 focus group discussions among a purposive sample of community health volunteers in December 2018 and analysed them thematically.

Pooled Multicenter Analysis of Cardiovascular Safety and Population Pharmacokinetic Properties of Piperaquine in African Patients with Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria.

Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine has shown excellent efficacy and tolerability in malaria treatment. However, concerns have been raised of potentially harmful cardiotoxic effects associated with piperaquine. The population pharmacokinetics and cardiac effects of piperaquine were evaluated in 1,000 patients, mostly children enrolled in a multicenter trial from 10 sites in Africa.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of anaemia among women attending antenatal and post-natal clinics at a public health facility in Ghana.

Background: Anaemia among pregnant women and post-partum mothers is a public health challenge in Ghana, especially in the Volta Region. While literature abounds on anaemia among pregnant women, the same cannot be said for anaemia among post-partum mothers in the region. This study, therefore, examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of anaemia among women attending antenatal care and post-natal care.

Community-Based Health Planning and Services Plus programme in Ghana: A qualitative study with stakeholders in two Systems Learning Districts on improving the implementation of primary health care.

Background: In 1999, Ghana introduced the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) as the key primary health care strategy. In this study, we explored the challenges, capacity development priorities, and stakeholder perspectives on improving the CHPS concept as it has been fraught with a myriad of challenges since its inception. Our study is the outcome of the national programme for strengthening the implementation of CHPS Initiative in Ghana (CHPS+) introduced in 2017.

Extent of inappropriate prescription of artemisinin and anti-malarial injections to febrile outpatients, a cross-sectional analytic survey in the Greater Accra region, Ghana.

Background: Febrile children seen in malaria hypo-endemic settings, such as the Greater Accra region (GAR) of Ghana are more likely to be suffering from a non-malarial febrile illness compared to those seen in hyper-endemic settings. The need for prescribers to rely on malaria test results to guide treatment practices in the GAR is even greater. This study was designed to investigate the factors associated with inappropriate artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) prescription.

Dog Owners' Knowledge about Rabies and Other Factors That Influence Canine Anti-Rabies Vaccination in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Background: Human rabies, often contracted through dog bites, is a serious but neglected public health problem in the tropics, including Ghana. Due to its high fatality rate, adequate knowledge and vaccination of domestic dogs against the disease are very crucial in reducing its burden. We examined dog owners' knowledge level on rabies and factors that influenced anti-rabies vaccination of dogs in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Risk Factors of Anaemia among Children under Five Years in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana: A Case Control Study.

Background: Anaemia is one of the major causes of death among children under five years in Ghana. We examined the risk factors of anaemia among children under five years in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana.

Methods: This facility-based matched case control study recruited 210 children (70 cases and 140 controls) aged 6 to 59 months.

malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Background: Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria cases with efficacious drugs is an important strategy in the management and control of malaria in endemic populations. As part of a study investigating the factors modulating the development of gametocytes in the human host, we assessed the rate of RDT positivity of patients in different departments of the Ho Teaching Hospital and the relation with age and anaemia.

Materials And Methods: Eight-hundred and ten individuals attending clinic at various departments within the Ho Teaching Hospital were screened for malaria antigenaemia using RDT as a point-of-entry investigation.

Inclusion of men in maternal and safe motherhood services in inner-city communities in Ghana: evidence from a descriptive cross-sectional survey.

Background: There has been a growing realisation of the need to enhance men's inclusion in maternal and safe motherhood services, especially in low-income settings. However, empirical studies on the extent to which men are involved in maternal and safe motherhood services especially in poor inner-city communities are lacking. The purpose of this study was to describe the level of men's inclusion in maternal and safe-motherhood services in inner-city communities in Ghana, and to assess the barriers of men's involvement.

Overweight and obesity prevalence among public servants in Nadowli district, Ghana, and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, overweight and obesity are becoming a mounting concern, impacting negatively on the health of populations especially in low-income settings. However, there is paucity of epidemiological information available in Ghana to support intervention activities. We conducted a study among public servants to estimate overweight/obesity, hypertension and diabetes prevalence and associated risk factors.

Post-licensure safety evaluation of dihydroartemisinin piperaquine in the three major ecological zones across Ghana.

Background: Uncommon and rare adverse events (AEs), with delayed onset may not be detected before new drugs are licensed and deployed. The present study examined the post licensure safety of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP) as an additional treatment for malaria in Ghana. The relationship between the incidence of AEs, treatment completion rate, participant characteristics and concomitant medications are reported.

Multi-Country Evaluation of Safety of Dihydroartemisinin/Piperaquine Post-Licensure in African Public Hospitals with Electrocardiograms.

The antimalarial drug piperaquine is associated with delayed ventricular depolarization, causing prolonged QT interval (time taken for ventricular de-polarisation and re-polarisation). There is a lack of safety data regarding dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (DHA/PPQ) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, which has limited its use. We created a platform where electrocardiograms (ECG) were performed in public hospitals for the safety assessment of DHA/PPQ, at baseline before the use of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine (Eurartesim®), and on day 3 (before and after administration of the final dose) and day 7 post-administration.

Health knowledge, attitudes and practices of family planning service providers and clients in Akwapim North District of Ghana.

Background: Family planning services help save lives by reducing women's exposure to risks of child birth and abortion. While family planning services provide measures to prevent unintended pregnancies and time the formation of families, the acceptability and coverage is still very low worldwide. Some of the reasons for this include poor quality of service, unavailability of range of methods, fear of opposition from partners, side effects and health concerns among others.