SMS reminders for monitoring tuberculosis treatment among women in Greater Accra region, Ghana.

Tuberculosis (TB) disease has been of public health interest for decades. Its effect on women is more pronounced in their reproductive years. Nonadherence to treatment among people with TB undermines treatment outcomes and worsens the disease.

Spatial distribution and determinants of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy: a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Ghana malaria indicators survey.

Background: Malaria during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal, foetal, and neonatal outcomes. To prevent malaria infection during pregnancy, the World Health Organization recommended the use of intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in addition to vector control strategies. Although Ghana's target is to ensure that all pregnant women receive at least three (optimal) doses of SP, the uptake of SP has remained low; between 2020 and 2022, only 60% of pregnant women received optimal SP during their most recent pregnancy.

Implementation and effectiveness outcomes of Community Health Advocacy Teams to improve long-lasting insecticide net distribution and use in six districts in Ghana: A one-group pre-post-test study.

Malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death especially among children and pregnant women in Ghana. Despite the efforts made by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), including distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) to households through periodic Point Mass Distribution (PMD) campaigns and continuous channels (antenatal, schools and postnatal), there is a gap between access and use of LLINs in Ghana. An effective and functional community-based group that would seek to improve the effectiveness of LLIN distribution before, during, after PMD Campaigns and continuous distribution at the community level could help address this gap.

Factors Contributing to Malnutrition among Children Under 5 Years at St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital, Ahafo Hwidiem.

Background: Nutrition among children under 5 plays an important role in the overall development of children physically and psychologically. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition generally affect children. In this study, we estimate the prevalence of 3 malnutrition indicators underweight, stunting and wasting and to assess factors associated with them.

Psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness on quality of life among elderly persons living with HIV in Africa South of the Sahara: Systematic review and meta -analysis protocol.

Background: The number of elderly people living with HIV (EPLHIV) has increased significantly as a result of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and this has brought about a variety of psychosocial challenges that have an impact on their quality of life (QoL). Various psychosocial interventions have been tried or implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to improve QoL of EPLHIV. However, there is paucity of data on the types and effectiveness of these interventions.

Expanding access to early medical abortion services in Ghana with telemedicine: findings from a pilot evaluation.

Abortion in Ghana is legally permissible under certain conditions. Updated in June 2021, the National Comprehensive Abortion Care Services Standards and Protocols included telemedicine as a recognised option for early medical abortion (EMA). Subsequently, Marie Stopes Ghana launched this pilot project to understand the feasibility and acceptability of providing EMA services through telemedicine.

Acceptability of breast milk donor banking: A qualitative study among health workers in Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana.

Despite the compelling evidence demonstrating the immediate and long-term health advantages of prompt breastfeeding from birth, not all newborns are breastfed exclusively for a variety of reasons. As a result, the World Health Organization has made new recommendations for the adoption of breastmilk donor banks to make sure that children receive breastmilk when mothers are unable to produce it. In order to better understand how health professionals at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, who would be leading the charge in putting this policy into practice, perceive and accept the practice of storing breastmilk, this study was conducted.

Pilot implementation of community health advocacy teams to improve the effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide net distribution through both campaigns and continuous channels in Ghana: a qualitative study of opportunities and barriers to implementation.

Introduction: In Ghana, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) distributes long-lasting insecticide net (LLIN) to households for free through the periodic point mass distribution (PMD) campaign and continuous distribution to populations most vulnerable to malaria. It is known that the existence of effective and functional community-based groups could influence positive behaviours regarding health interventions promoted through health campaigns. However, there is no evidence of functional community-based groups that aim to improve the effectiveness of LLIN distribution campaigns by transitioning into primary healthcare delivery.

Capacity building through comprehensive implementation research training and mentorship: an approach for translating knowledge into practice.

Background: Implementation research (IR) is increasingly gaining popularity as the act of carrying an intention into effect. It is thus an important approach to addressing individual practices, policies, programmes and other technologies to solving public health problems. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to experience public health problems which could be addressed using implementation research.

Forms of Support and Experiencing Maltreatment and Disrespect During Childbirth at a Health Facility: A Self-Reported Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana.

One method to enhance maternal health outcomes in underdeveloped nations is to help women and encourage them to give birth in medical facilities (skilled delivery). Yet, impediments to facility birth have reportedly included fear of abuse and contempt during labour and delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-reported experiences of postnatal women and the types of abuse and disrespect they encountered during delivery.

The impact of COVID-19 on implementation of mass testing, treatment and tracking of malaria in rural communities in Ghana: A qualitative study.

Background: Mass test, treat and track (MTTT) of malaria is ongoing in the Pakro sub district of Ghana. In the delivery of MTTT of malaria, community health volunteers are trained to routinely provide this service through a door-to-door strategy. Following the report of the first cases of COVID-19 in Ghana, we conducted this study to explore the effects of the pandemic on the implementation of the MTTT of malaria intervention.

Creating interventions to transition long-lasting insecticide net distribution in Ghana.

Objective: Mass long-lasting insecticide net (LLIN) distribution campaigns are rolled out, as a part of the Ghana Malaria Strategic plan (2021-2025) which seeks to protect at least 80% of the population at risk with effective malaria prevention interventions. Although the mass LLIN distribution campaign indicates a comprehensive stakeholder engagement approach, it does not systematically transition into the basic primary healthcare structures within the Ghana Health Services. This paper presents the process and outcome of creating an innovative social intervention, which focuses on community mobilisation and capacity building of community health officers.

Community pharmacists perception and role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease conditions: Evidence from Ghana.

Background: Globally, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading non-communicable diseases with a high mortality if not detected and managed early. The study assessed community pharmacists' perception and determined their role in CVDs prevention and management.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 registered community pharmacists in the Ahafo, Bono and Bono East regions of Ghana.

Preparation for COVID-19 vaccines rollout: Interventions to increase trust, acceptability, and uptake in West African countries.

Introduction: The approval of COVID-19 vaccines for use has come as a relief to West Africa and world. However, concerns raised about the vaccines in America and Europe have created anxiety among some citizens in Africa. These concerns are likely to affect the acceptance, and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines in West Africa.

Positioning the National Health Insurance for financial sustainability and Universal Health Coverage in Ghana: A qualitative study among key stakeholders.

Introduction: The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was introduced in 2003 to reduce "out-of-pocket" payments for health care in Ghana. Over a decade of its implementation, issues about the financial sustainability of this pro-poor policy remains a crippling fact despite its critical role to go towards Universal Health Coverage. We therefore conducted this study to elicit stakeholders' views on ways to improve the financial sustainability of the operations of NHIS.

Reasons for the utilization of the services of traditional birth attendants during childbirth: A qualitative study in Northern Ghana.

Background: Skilled delivery reduces maternal and neonatal mortality. Ghana has put in place measures to reduce geographical and financial access to skilled delivery. Despite this, about 30% of deliveries still occur either at home or are conducted by traditional birth attendants.

Stakeholders perspective of, and experience with contact tracing for COVID-19 in Ghana: A qualitative study among contact tracers, supervisors, and contacts.

Background: Ghana confirmed the first two cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infection on 12th March 2020. Following this, the government introduced routine and enhanced contact tracing to identify, quarantine, and test contacts for COVID-19. This study, therefore, intends to document the experiences of contact tracers, their supervisors, during COVID-19 containment in Ghana.

Stakeholders' perspectives about the impact of training and sensitization of traditional and spiritual healers on mental health and illness: A qualitative evaluation in Ghana.

Background: Prayer camps and traditional healers have emerged recently as alternative sources of mental health care in Ghana. To increase their knowledge and collaboration between formal and informal mental health care providers, training and sensitization was organized for them.

Aims: This study aimed at assessing beneficiaries' views about the impact of this intervention.

Understanding the gap between access and use: a qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to insecticide-treated net use in Ghana.

Background: Mass and continuous distribution channels have significantly increased access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Ghana since 2000. Despite these gains, a large gap remains between ITN access and use.

Methods: A qualitative research study was carried out to explore the individual and contextual factors influencing ITN use among those with access in three sites in Ghana.

Factors influencing performance of community-based health volunteers' activities in the Kassena-Nankana Districts of Northern Ghana.

Background: An increasing demand for health care services and getting health care closer to doorsteps of communities has made health managers to use trained community-based health volunteers to support in providing health services to people in rural communities. Community volunteerism in Ghana has been identified as an effective strategy in the implementation of Primary Health Care activities since 1970s. However, little is known about the performance of these volunteers engaged in health interventions activities at the community level.

Acceptability and stakeholders perspectives on feasibility of using trained psychologists and health workers to deliver school-based sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents in urban Accra, Ghana.

Background: Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is recognized as a key developmental issue of international concern. However, adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services is largely inadequate in sub-Saharan Africa. With increasing enrollment in schools, this could be an avenue to reach adolescents with SRH information and services.

Rational prescribing of antibiotics in children under 5 years with upper respiratory tract infections in Kintampo Municipal Hospital in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the rational use of antibiotics in children with URTIs in the Kintampo Municipal Hospital in Ghana.

Results: A total of 839 medicines were prescribed, 237 were antibiotics. The mean number of medicines prescribed per patient encounter was 3.

Premorbid risk perception, lifestyle, adherence and coping strategies of people with diabetes mellitus: A phenomenological study in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.

Background: One of the non-communicable diseases which is on the rise is type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is largely preventable with healthy lifestyle. We therefore conducted this study to explore premorbid perception of risk, behavioural practices and the coping strategies of patients with T2D.