Exploring women's knowledge of abortion legality and association with source of abortion care using population-based survey data in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Background: Knowledge of the conditions under which abortion is legal is important so that people can advocate for their right to abortion care. Yet minimal research has explored the association between women's knowledge of abortion legality and the induced abortion care they receive, particularly using population-based survey data.

Methods: Using national survey data collected by Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, we aimed to compare the prevalence of accurate knowledge of abortion legality, factors associated with knowledge of the law, and the association between knowledge of abortion legality and the source of women's induced abortion care in these two settings.

How poverty is measured impacts who gets classified as impoverished.

We test whether the classification of households into poverty categories is meaningfully influenced by the poverty measurement approach that is employed. These classification techniques are widely used by governments, non-profit organizations, and development agencies for policy design and implementation. Using primary data collected in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uganda, we find almost no agreement in how four commonly used approaches rank 16,150 households in terms of poverty status.

Contraceptive use by number of living children in Ghana: Evidence from the 2017 maternal health survey.

Background: There is a significant literature describing the link between parity and contraceptive use. However, there is limited knowledge about the disaggregation by parity of the type of contraceptives. In this study, we describe the use of contraceptives by parity among women of reproductive age in Ghana, focusing on use of highly effective methods (injection, pill, intrauterine device, implant, and sterilization).

Determinants of modern contraceptive use among married women and those living with a partner in Ghana.

The objective of the study was to ascertain the determinants of modern contraceptive use in Ghana among married women and those living with a partner. Secondary data from the Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 Ghana 2015 survey were used for the study. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used.

Effects of a community-level intervention on maternal health care utilization in a resource-poor setting of Northern Ghana.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effects of health education and community-level participatory interventions at the community level and the use of community maternal health promoters on the utilization of maternal health care services in poor rural settings of northern Ghana.

Methods: A randomized controlled survey design was conducted from June 2019 to July 2020 in two rural districts of northern Ghana. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the participants.

'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 computerized decision support on maternal and neonatal health-worker performance in the context of combined implementation with performance-based incentivisation in Upper East Region, Ghana: a qualitative study of professional perspectives.

Background: Computerized decision support systems (CDSS) and performance-based incentives (PBIs) can improve health-worker performance. However, there is minimal evidence on the combined effects of these interventions or perceived effects among maternal and child healthcare providers in low-resource settings. We thus aimed to explore the perceptions of maternal and child healthcare providers of CDSS support in the context of a combined CDSS-PBI intervention on performance in twelve primary care facilities in Ghana's Upper East Region.

An exploratory assessment of the management of pediatric traumatic brain injury in three centers in Africa.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Hospital care practices of pediatric TBI patients in LMICs are unknown. Our objective was to report on hospital management and outcomes of children with TBI in three centers in LMICs.

On-site personal protective equipment signage and use by road construction workers in Ghana: a comparative study of foreign- and locally-owned companies.

Background: Road construction work has specific risks and safety issues which have not been adequately addressed in most low- and middle-income countries, especially Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of personal protective equipment (PPE) use during road construction activities by workers in foreign- owned against locally-owned road construction companies in Ghana.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken during January - March, 2020 to study 389 road construction workers who were actively working on site.

The infrastructural capacity of Ghanaian health facilities to provide safe abortion and post-abortion care: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Ghana is one of few countries in sub-Saharan Africa with relatively liberal abortion laws, but little is known about the availability and quality of abortion services nationally. The aim of this study was to describe the availability and capacity of health facilities to deliver essential PAC and SAC services in Ghana.

Methods: We utilized data from a nationally representative survey of Ghanaian health facilities capable of providing post-abortion care (PAC) and/or safe abortion care (SAC) (n = 539).

Prevalence and factors associated with menstruation-related school absenteeism among adolescent girls in rural northern Ghana.

Background: Although menstruation is a normal physiological process that begins in girls during adolescence, it has the potential to negatively impact on the self-esteem and education of girls particularly those from low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the prevalence and factors associated with menstruation-related school absenteeism among adolescent girls in the Talensi district of rural northern Ghana.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 705 adolescent girls aged 12-19 years who had attained menarche.

Incidence of childhood injuries and modifiable household risk factors in rural Ghana: a multistage, cluster-randomised, population-based, household survey.

Objective: We aimed to describe the incidence of childhood household injuries and prevalence of modifiable household risk factors in rural Ghana to inform prevention initiatives.

Setting: 357 randomly selected households in rural Ghana.

Participants: Caregivers of children aged <5 years.

Contraceptive and abortion practices of young Ghanaian women aged 15-24: evidence from a nationally representative survey.

Background: Young Ghanaian women experience high rates of unmet need for contraception and unintended pregnancy, and face unique barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. This study provides a comprehensive national analysis of young women's contraceptive and abortion practices and needs.

Methods: In 2018, we conducted a nationally representative survey of women aged 15-49, including 1039 women aged 15-24.

Use of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Pregnancy Prevention Among Ghanaian Women: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey.

Few studies in low- and middle-income countries have examined the use of fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) for pregnancy prevention. Understanding the prevalence of FABM use among Ghanaian contraceptors and the characteristics and practices of users is essential. Our 2018 nationally representative survey of Ghanaian women included detailed questions on the use of rhythm and Standard Days Method/Cycle Beads (SDM).

Comparison of childhood household injuries and risk factors between urban and rural communities in Ghana: A cluster-randomized, population-based, survey to inform injury prevention research and programming.

Background: Childhood household injuries incur a major proportion of the global disease burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, household injury hazards are differentially distributed across developed environments. Therefore, we aimed to compare incidence of childhood household injuries and prevalence of risk factors between communities in urban and rural Ghana to inform prevention initiatives.

Effects of combined decision-support and performance-based incentives on reported client satisfaction with maternal health services in primary facilities: A quasi-experimental study in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Background: Computerized decision-support systems (CDSS) and performance-based incentives (PBIs) have potential to contribute to client satisfaction with health services. However, rigorous evidence is lacking on the effectiveness of these strategies in lower-income countries such as Ghana. This study aimed to determine the effect of a combined CDSS-PBI intervention on client satisfaction with maternal health services in primary facilities in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Determining the potential of mobilephone-based health interventions in Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Numerous reviews have reported generally positive outcomes of mobile phone-based health (mHealth) interventions in the sub-Saharan African countries, especially for people with non-communicable diseases. At the same time, the mHealth landscape is burdened by a lack of sustainability. A recently published review has identified several context factors that influence the successful implementation of mHealth.

First Aid Practices for Injured Children in Rural Ghana: A Cluster-Random Population-Based Survey.

Introduction: The majority of injury deaths occur outside health facilities. However, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to lack efficient Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Understanding current first aid practices and perceptions among members of the community is vital to strengthening non-EMS, community-based prehospital care.

Menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in junior high schools in rural northern Ghana.

Introduction: the issue of menstrual hygiene is inadequately acknowledged and efforts to address the gaps has been unsatisfactory. Hygienic menstrual practice such as the use of sanitary pads is crucial during menstruation. Lack of sanitation facilities, especially for school girls, makes them vulnerable to emotional and physical challenges during their menstrual days.

Incidence of childhood burn injuries and modifiable household risk factors in rural Ghana: A cluster-randomized, population-based, household survey.

Background: We aimed to determine the incidence of childhood burn injuries in rural Ghana and describe modifiable household risk factors to inform prevention initiatives.

Methods: We performed a cluster-randomized, population-based survey of caregivers of children in a rural district in Ghana, representing 2713 households and 14,032 children. Caregivers were interviewed regarding childhood burn injuries within the past 6 months and household risk factors.

Prevalence and Correlates of Perceived Infertility in Ghana.

Perceived infertility is an understudied phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries, where biomedical infertility can have severe consequences, particularly for women. We conducted a nationally representative survey of Ghanaian women, estimated the prevalence of and reasons for perceived infertility, and assessed factors associated with higher levels of perceived infertility using a partial proportional odds model. Among 4,070 women, 13 percent believed they were "very likely" to have difficulty getting pregnant when they wanted to, 21 percent believed this was "somewhat likely," and 66 percent believed this was "not at all likely.

Assessment of Bypass of the Nearest Primary Health Care Facility Among Women in Ghana.

Importance: Recent reports have highlighted that expanding access to health care is ineffective at meeting the goal of universal health coverage if the care offered does not meet a minimum level of quality. Health care facilities nearest to patient's homes that are perceived to offer inadequate or inappropriate care are frequently bypassed in favor of more distant private or tertiary-level hospital facilities that are perceived to offer higher-quality care.

Objective: To estimate the frequency with which women in Ghana bypass the nearest primary health care facility and describe patient experiences, costs, and other factors associated with this choice.

Towards patient-centred care in Ghana: health system responsiveness, self-rated health and experiential quality in a nationally representative survey.

Introduction: Person-centredness, including patient experience and satisfaction, is a foundational element of quality of care. Evidence indicates that poor experience and satisfaction are drivers of underutilisation of healthcare services, which in turn is a major driver of avoidable mortality. However, there is limited information about patient experience of care at the population level, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.