Examining Cesarean Section Rates in Ghana's 10 Regions Over a Decade a Comprehensive National Investigation.

This study examines cesarean section (C-section) deliveries in Ghana from 2008 to 2017 in 10 regions, distinguishing between scheduled and emergency procedures. Scheduled C-sections target specific maternal conditions, such as advanced age, multiparity, and medical history, while emergency C-sections address acute fetal distress, preeclampsia, bleeding, and other urgent situations. The analysis reveals various regional patterns, with the Brong-Ahafo Region showing a potential deceleration after 2017 and the Upper West Region indicating a possible acceleration.

Modelling incidence and mortality cancer parameters with respect to GLOBOCAN 2020Age standardized world estimates.

In this paper, an empirical model with the critical number of incidences and deaths for female cancers as adjustable parameters has been developed using life expectancy data from GLOBOCAN world estimates on cancer types. The model was developed based on the cumulative risk and exponential correlation techniques such that the significance of the adjustable parameters ascertains the strength of this research in two ways. First, it indicates indicates the rapid increase in female cancer morbidity with increase in the number of male cancer cases, regardless of incidence or mortality.

Individual and community-level determinants of quality antenatal care in six South Asian countries.

Maternal health is a global public health concern. The paucity of antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy is directly associated with maternal mortality. This study assessed the individual and community-level determinants of quality  ANC in six South-Asian countries.

Spatial distribution and factors associated with high completed fertility among women aged 40-49 years in Ghana: evidence from the 2022 Ghana Demographic Health Survey.

Background: High completed fertility among married and cohabiting women has profound consequences, including straining resources, increasing healthcare challenges, and contributing to educational and gender inequalities. This study examined the factors associated with high completed fertility among married and cohabiting women aged 40-49 years in Ghana.

Methods: Data for the study was sourced from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS).

Knowledge and utilization of family planning services among tertiary students in Northern Ghana: The case of College of Nursing and Midwifery, Nalerigu.

Though tertiary students studying health-related programs are assumed knowledgeable about family planning, this does not always translate to increased use of family planning services. In a cross-sectional survey, this study assessed 411 nursing, midwifery and allied health students' knowledge of family planning, contraceptive use, perceptions, and factors affecting the utilisation of family planning services. Each student completed a 24-itemised questionnaire in a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing Survey.

Association between women's empowerment and fertility preferences in Ghana.

As Ghana has embraced the concept of women's empowerment as a vital tool for sustainable development, it has become crucial to evaluate the role that women's empowerment plays in the fertility preferences of married and cohabiting women in the country. The study's objective was to examine the association between women's empowerment, the ideal number of children and women's ability to have their desired number of children. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.

Can women empowerment boost dietary diversity among children aged 6-23 months in sub-Saharan Africa?

Background: The empowerment of women has implications on the health and dietary needs of children. Using the survey-based women's empowerment index (SWPER), we examined the association between women's empowerment and dietary diversity among children aged 6-23 months in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 21 countries were utilized.

Socioeconomic and residence-based inequalities in adolescent fertility in 39 African countries.

Introduction: Despite the advancement in sexual and reproductive healthcare services and several public health measures aimed at controlling fertility rates, countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still experience higher adolescent fertility rates than other low-and middle-income countries. This study examined the disparities in adolescent fertility in 39 countries in SSA, focusing on socioeconomic and residence-based dimensions.

Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of data obtained from 39 recent Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in SSA.

Female genital mutilation and safer sex negotiation among women in sexual unions in sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of demographic and health survey data.

Background: The practice of female genital mutilation is associated with harmful social norms promoting violence against girls and women. Various studies have been conducted to examine the prevalence of female genital mutilation and its associated factors. However, there has been limited studies conducted to assess the association between female genital mutilation and markers of women's autonomy, such as their ability to negotiate for safer sex.

Association between knowledge and use of contraceptive among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background And Aims: The use of contraceptives has been considered relevant in reducing unintended pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, despite evidence of knowledge of contraceptives, their use remains low in SSA. This study examined the association between knowledge of contraceptive methods and the use of contraceptives in SSA.

Association between the survey-based women's empowerment index (SWPER) and intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is high among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, empowering women enables them to confront and mitigate IPV. In this study, we examined the association between the survey-based women's empowerment index (SWPER) and IPV in SSA.

Ecology of emergency care in lower-tier healthcare providers in Ghana: an empirical data-driven Bayesian network analytical approach.

The healthcare landscape in Ghana is primarily composed of lower-tier providers, which serve as the initial  point of contact for most medical emergencies. This study aimed to assess the emergency care preparedness and readiness of primary healthcare providers using a robust evaluation approach. A multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on  460 healthcare facilities  using the standardised Health Facilities Emergency Preparedness Assessment Tool (HeFEPAT).

Access to quality contraceptive counselling among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Improving women's access to and use of modern contraceptives is a key global strategy for improving the sexual and reproductive health of women. However, the use of modern contraceptives among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains relatively low, despite the numerous interventions to increase patronage. This study examined adolescent girls and young women's receipt of quality contraceptive counselling and its associated factors in SSA.

Residence-based inequalities in overweight/obesity in sub-Saharan Africa: a multivariate non-linear decomposition analysis.

Background: Overweight/obesity remains a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases and their associated morbidities and mortalities. Yet, limited studies have comprehensively examined factors contributing to the rural-urban disparities in overweight/obesity among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, our study sought to decompose the rural-urban disparities in overweight/obesity among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using nationally representative datasets.

Female genital mutilation/cutting among girls aged 0-14: evidence from the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey data.

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is considered a social norm in many African societies, with varying prevalence among countries. Mali is one of the eight countries with very high prevalence of FGM/C in Africa. This study assessed the individual and contextual factors associated with female FGM/C among girls aged 0-14 years in Mali.

Food consumption by NOVA food classification, metabolic outcomes, and barriers to healthy food consumption among university students.

The NOVA food classification system is a simple tool that can be used to assess the consumption levels of different categories of foods based on their level of processing. The degree to which food is processed has a significant impact on health outcomes. In Ghana, no study exists on the consumption of the different NOVA food groups among tertiary students and how it relates to their metabolic outcomes.

Association between sexual violence and multiple high-risk fertility behaviours among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Intimate partner violence has adverse outcomes on the sexual and reproductive health of women. In this study, we examined the association between sexual violence and multiple high-risk fertility behaviours (MHRFB) among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data pooled from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 20 countries in SSA.

A systematic review of work-related health problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to present a systematic review of the health-related problems of factory workers in the textile and fashion industry. These workers endure long sitting postures, poor workspace conditions, and long working hours to complete their overload of tasks. This situation results in several health problems that affect the productivity, mental health, and well-being of the workers.

Mother-child dyads of overnutrition and undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Malnutrition remains one of the major public health concerns globally. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 2 which seeks to ensure that hunger and malnutrition are reduced by 2030, it is imperative to ascertain the factors influencing their occurrence. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with mother-child dyads of overnutrition and undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.

University Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Best Practices.

Aims: Addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in educational settings across the globe, particularly in institutions of higher education, requires strong institutional framework and policy guidelines. Most research about university SGBV policies has focused on high-income countries with little or no recourse to universities in low- and middle-income countries. This policy analysis aims to analyze existing policies related to SGBV from select sub-Saharan African universities to provide guidance on best practices toward addressing SGBV at universities in Africa.

High risk fertility behaviour and health facility delivery in West Africa.

Background: Evidence suggests that women who give birth in a health facility have lower odds of experiencing pregnancy complications and significantly reduced risk of death from pregnancy-related causes compared to women who deliver at home. Establishing the association between high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB) and health facility delivery is imperative to inform intervention to help reduce maternal mortality. This study examined the association between HRFB and health facility delivery in West Africa.