Prevalence and Determinants of Antenatal Depression Risk Among Urban Women Seeking Antenatal Clinical Care at a District Hospital in Ghana.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with antenatal depression risk among pregnant women attending antenatal care at a district hospital in Kumasi, Ghana.

Study Design: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data from 207 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Manhyia District Hospital from September 2020 to November 2020.

Difficulty with mobility among the aged in Ghana: Evidence from Wave 2 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health.

Background: Globally, the population is rapidly ageing, stemming from a recent decline in mortality, and an increase in life expectancy. About 727 million people globally were aged ≥65 in 2020, and 1 in 6 people will be ≥65 years by 2050. About 7% of Ghana's population was over 60 years in 2010, and projected to be 12% by 2050.

Prevalence and associated factors of occupational injuries in an industrial city in Ghana.

Background: Workers are exposed to workplace hazards which increase their risk of occupational injury. Data on occupational injuries and associated factors are important for planning and informing national policy regarding workplace health and safety. This study sought to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with occupational injuries among workers in an industrial city in Ghana.

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.

Hematological changes, oxidative stress assessment, and dysregulation of aquaporin-3 channel, prolactin, and oxytocin receptors in kidneys of lactating Wistar rats treated with monosodium glutamate.

High consumption of locally produced delicacies could expose nursing mothers to high monosodium glutamate (MSG) levels, frequently used as a necessary condiment in low-income countries. Thus, this study evaluated some novel preliminary changes in renal hormonal receptors, the aquaporin-3 channel, oxidative stress markers, and hematological indices induced by monosodium glutamate in lactating rats. Post-parturition, twenty-four (24) lactating Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of six rats each (n = 6).

Prevalence and correlates of depression among students in a senior high school in Ghana: A school-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Depression is one of the most widely reported mental health issues that affect adolescents globally. However, there is a dearth of data on its prevalence and associated factors among senior high school students in Ghana, since previous studies have focused more on adult populations. This can hinder policies needed to champion mental health and mental health care in senior high schools.

Health and safety of health workers in the Suame Municipality of Ghana - Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 outbreak in infection prevention and control for future pandemics.

Objectives: Effective adherence to infection prevention and control practices is needed to reduce the rate of healthcare-acquired infections among healthcare workers. Policies to control healthcare-acquired infections among healthcare workers can be designed and implemented using information on adherence to infection prevention and control practices adherence and its determinants. This study, therefore, sought to assess the adherence to infection prevention and control practices among healthcare workers during the 2019 Coronavirus disease pandemic.

MEDICAL OUTREACH AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO SPECIALIST SERVICES FOR THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA: THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

Introduction: The West African College of Physicians (Nigeria) conducted its Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Bauchi State, Nigeria on 11th-15th of July, 2023. The theme of the AGM is HEALTH-RELATED SDGs IN NIGERIA: THE PROGRESS SO FAR. The sub- themes included challenges of health care in the face of Disaster and the menace of brain drain on health care manpower and medical education.

Awareness of and participation in mass drug administration programs used for onchocerciasis control in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District, Ghana.

Background: Studies on Mass drug administration (MDA) in Ghana targeting various diseases, have mostly focused on factors that affect coverage and compliance to MDA with limited focus on evidence regarding awareness and community perception of the program. Therefore, this study sought to provide empirical evidence on the knowledge of onchocerciasis, and awareness of and participation in the MDA among community members.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to October 2019 in communities within the Atwima Nwabiagya North District, Ghana.

Fetal outcomes and their correlates following caesarian section in a rural setting in Ghana.

Background: Regular evaluation of caesarean section (CS) is required due to their rising trend and outcomes. Many women recently opt for elective CS, even in resource-constrained settings. Data evaluating the outcomes of CS is however sparse.

Family APGAR and treatment outcomes among HIV patients at two ART Centres in Kumasi, Ghana.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between Family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve (Family APGAR) and HIV treatment outcomes.

Design: A cross-sectional study using the Family APGAR questionnaire.

Setting: The study was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital.

An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 resurgence has occurred in Nigerian domestic bird flocks with public health concern. This study assessed poultry farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and biosecurity and biosafety practices regarding H5N1 resurgence, explore risk pathways for viral dissemination and associated socio-cultural and economic drivers in poultry flocks in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected two poultry production systems, commercial intensive poultry production system and the backyard traditional free-range poultry production system.

Effects of packing (load carrying) on body temperatures and their circadian rhythms in donkeys (Equus asinus) during the hot-dry season.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of packing (load carrying) on rectal and body surface temperatures and their circadian rhythmicity in donkeys during the hot-dry season. Twenty pack donkeys of both sexes (15 males and 5 non-pregnant females), aged 2-3 years, with average weight of 93 ± 2.7 kg and divided into two groups randomly, served as experimental subjects.

'This disease is not meant for the hospital, it is Asram': Implications of a traditionally-defined illness on healthcare seeking for children under-5 in rural Ashanti, Ghana.

Every child has the right to survive, grow and develop. However, in spite of the considerable global gains that have been made in child survival, Sub-Saharan Africa still has the highest child mortality rates and accounts for the greatest burden of mortality globally. The majority of these children die without ever reaching a health facility.

Effects of melatonin on hematologic and biochemical changes and the effects of circadian rhythm on hematologic changes in donkeys (Equus asinus) subjected to packing during the hot-dry season.

Background: Melatonin is a hormone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may alleviate the effects of stress on hematologic and biochemical analytes in working donkeys that pack (load-carry).

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin administration on hematologic and biochemical responses in donkeys subjected to packing during the hot-dry season. We also examined its effects on circadian rhythms.

Melatonin modulates rectal and body surface temperatures and their circadian rhythmicity in donkeys (Equus asinus) subjected to packing during the hot-dry season.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin administration on rectal and body surface temperature (RT and BST, respectively) responses and their circadian rhythmicity in donkeys subjected to packing (load carrying) during the hot-dry season. Twenty donkeys were divided into two equal groups randomly: Groups 1 (packing + melatonin) and 2 (packing - melatonin), subjected to packing and both covered 20 km. The RT, BST, and thermal environmental parameters were measured before and after packing.

Factors Influencing Turnover Intention among Nurses and Midwives in Ghana.

Background: Nurse turnover intention, defined as a measure of nurses' desire to leave their positions, is a global public health issue with a grave impact on the healthcare workforce. However, literature on it is limited in sub-Saharan Africa, an at-risk region. This study aimed to determine the predictors of turnover intention among nursing staff at a tertiary hospital in Kumasi, Ghana.

Iron stores in steady-state sickle cell disease children accessing care at a sickle cell disease clinic in Kumasi, Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have an increased risk of multiple hemotransfusions and this can predispose them to elevated iron stores. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of elevated iron stores and the associated risk factors in a population of steady-state SCD children in Ghana.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the pediatric sickle cell clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Penicillin V prophylaxis uptake among children living with sickle cell disease in a specialist sickle cell clinic in Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Penicillin V prophylaxis protects children living with sickle cell disease (SCD) from bacteria infections especially . However, the uptake of penicillin V prophylaxis is difficult to assess and often poor among SCD patients. Therefore, this study sought to investigate oral penicillin V prophylaxis adherence among SCD children using urine assay and self-reported methods and the associated factors.

The burden and predictors of late antenatal booking in a rural setting in Ghana.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and key predictors of late booking among pregnant women accessing antenatal care services in a rural district of Ghana.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge of accessing antenatal care services and booking gestation were collected from 163 randomly selected pregnant women accessing accessing antenatal care in rural Ghana from 1 March 2022 to 30 April 2022 using a structured questionnaire.

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.

Effect of fear appeal mobile phone messaging on health behaviors of caregivers with children under-five in Ghana.

Social and Behavior Change Communication is a vital strategy in the control of malaria. However, the effectiveness of fear appeal tactic as a preventive strategy remains uncertain. This study examined the influence of a fear appeal mobile phone-based intervention, guided by Witte's Extended Parallel Process model, on malaria prevention among caregivers with children under-five.

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.