Prevalence, Patterns and Correlates of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders in Kumasi, Ghana: An Urban Community-Based Survey.

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among youth in Kumasi, Ghana, through a community-based cross-sectional survey. 672 urban participants aged 6-17 years were surveyed. Mental disorders were screened using Rutter's A2 Scale for Parent Assessment of Child Behaviour, with diagnoses confirmed by the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia.

mHealth and Digital Innovations as Catalysts for Transforming Mental Health Care in Ghana.

How mHealth and digital innovations are key to transforming mental health care in Ghana, bridging gaps in a system challenged by resource scarcities and a critical shortage of mental health professionals.

Journeying together: spousal experiences with prostate cancer in Ghana.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant global health concern for men. In Sub-Saharan Africa, PCa rates witnessed a 69% increase from 1990 to 2010. Despite this, there is a dearth of literature examining the experiences of spouses of men with PCa in Africa, as the majority of studies concentrate primarily on men.

Combining mHealth Technology and Pharmacotherapy to Improve Mental Health Outcomes and Reduce Human Rights Abuses in West Africa: Intervention Field Trial.

Background: In West Africa, healers greatly outnumber trained mental health professionals. People with serious mental illness (SMI) are often seen by healers in "prayer camps" where they may also experience human rights abuses. We developed "M&M," an 8-week-long dual-pronged intervention involving (1) a smartphone-delivered toolkit designed to expose healers to brief psychosocial interventions and encourage them to preserve human rights (M-Healer app), and (2) a visiting nurse who provides medications to their patients (Mobile Nurse).

Comparing interventions for early psychosis: a systematic review and component network meta-analysis.

Background: 'Early Intervention in Psychosis' (EIP) services have been associated with improved outcomes for early psychosis. However, these services are heterogeneous and many provide different components of treatment. The impact of this variation on the sustained treatment effects is unknown.

Assessment of Structural and Process Factors in Delivering Quality Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Ghana.

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health services are often underserved to adolescents in many societies. For many of these sexually active adolescents, reproductive health services such as the provision of contraception and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, either are not available or are provided in a way that makes adolescents feel unwelcome and embarrassed. This study assessed the structural and process factors available in delivering quality adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services in health facilities across three regions in Ghana.

Malaria elimination in Ghana: recommendations for reactive case detection strategy implementation in a low endemic area of Asutsuare, Ghana.

Background: Progress toward malaria elimination is increasing as many countries near zero indigenous malaria cases. In settings nearing elimination, interventions will be most effective at interrupting transmission when targeted at the residual foci of transmission. These foci may be missed due to asymptomatic infections.

Telemedicine in Ghana: Insight into the past and present, a narrative review of literature amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Coronavirus pandemic has destabilized many healthcare systems globally since the outbreak was announced. The mode of transmission of the virus has affected the traditional face-to-face mode of seeking healthcare. The world health organization recommends measures, including limiting physical contact as a means of preventing the spread of the virus.

A Systematic Review of the Validity and Reliability of Assessment Tools for Executive Function and Adaptive Function Following Brain Pathology among Children and Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Minimal but increasing number of assessment instruments for Executive functions (EFs) and adaptive functioning (AF) have either been developed for or adapted and validated for use among children in low and middle income countries (LAMICs). However, the suitability of these tools for this context is unclear. A systematic review of such instruments was thus undertaken.

Mental Health Outcomes and Mental Hygiene in the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Healthcare Workers from a Regional Hospital in Ghana.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting healthcare workers (HCWs) in unique ways which include the risk of infection and subsequent transmission to their colleagues and families, the issue of vulnerability due to lack of PPEs and access to equipment needed to provide best care for patients, moral injury in making triage decisions, the lack of professional and/or social support and psychological burdens during this period. This study thus investigates the mental health outcomes (fear, depression, anxiety, and stress) and mental hygiene among HCWs in Ghana in this COVID-19 era.

Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design.

Assessment Tools for Executive Function and Adaptive Function Following Brain Pathology Among Children in Developing Country Contexts: a Scoping Review of Current Tools.

Several tools have been developed to assess executive function (EFs) and adaptive functioning, although in mainly Western populations. Information on tools for low-and-middle-income country children is scanty. A scoping review of such instruments was therefore undertaken.

Psychotropic medicine beliefs, side effects and adherence in schizophrenia: a patient-caregiver dyad perspective.

Background Medication adherence is essential in the management of schizophrenia. Yet poor treatment uptake has negative consequences on patients and their primary caregivers. Objective To examine the association among beliefs about psychotropic medications, side effects and adherence from a patient-caregiver dyad perspective.

Mental health law in Ghana.

In 2012 Ghana passed a new Mental Health Act, which aimed to create a new system of mental healthcare in Ghana. The Act includes provisions for the creation of a modern, community-based mental health system and for the protection of the rights of persons with mental disorders. This article discusses the implications of the Act and the progress which has been made towards its implementation.

Task shifting-perception of stake holders about adequacy of training and supervision for community mental health workers in Ghana.

There is growing interest in the effectiveness of task shifting as a strategy for addressing expanding health care challenges in settings with shortages of qualified health personnel. The aim of this study is to examine the perception of stakeholders about the adequacy of training, supervision and support offered to community mental health workers (CMHWs) in Ghana. To address this aim we designed and administered self-completed, semi-structured questionnaires adapted to three specific stakeholder groups in Ghana.

Task shifting--Ghana's community mental health workers' experiences and perceptions of their roles and scope of practice.

Background: Because of the absence of adequate numbers of psychiatrists, the bulk of mental health care at the community level in Ghana is provided by community mental health workers (CMHWs).

Objective: To examine the role and scope of practice of CMHWs in Ghana from their own perspectives and to make recommendations to improve the care they provide.

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 164 CMHWs from all the 10 administrative regions of Ghana, comprising 71 (43.

Task shifting of mental health care services in Ghana: ease of referral, perception and concerns of stakeholders about quality of care.

Objectives: To examine the perceptions of stakeholders about the ease of referral of patients from community mental health workers (CMHWs) to psychiatrists in Ghana and the level of stakeholder concerns about the quality of care provided to these community health cadres.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Participants: Eleven psychiatrists, 26 health policy directors and 164 community mental health workers, including 71 (43.

Factors influencing the career choice and retention of community mental health workers in Ghana.

Background: Whilst there have been several studies exploring retention in health workers, little is known about health workers engaged in the provision of mental health services and the factors that affect their recruitment and retention.

Aims: The objective of this research was to examine the views of stakeholders about the factors which influence career choices and retention of community mental health workers (CMHWs) in Ghana.

Methods: We administered three separate, self-administered, semi-structured questionnaires to 11 psychiatrists, 29 health policy directors and 164 CMHWs across Ghana, including 71 (43.

Challenges of clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries.

Clinical trials have been conducted almost wholly in high-income countries until recently, yet their results may not always be valid or applicable in middle- and low-income countries. Clinical trials are now, though, increasingly being done in less wealthy countries. While this is welcome, there is a need to ensure the profit motive does not override the benefits.

The new Ghana mental health bill.

In Ghana, the main burden of ill-health, as in many sub-Saharan countries, consists of communicable disease, illnesses due to inadequate nutrition and poor reproductive health. As these conditions are tackled, other diseases, such as mental disorders and substance misuse, are also becoming the focus of development efforts. In Ghana, it has been estimated that there are 2 166 000 individuals experiencing a mild to moderate mental disorder, with a further 650 000 suffering from a severe mental disorder, out of a population of 21.