University of Health and Allied Sciences

About: University of Health and Allied Sciences is a education organization based out in Ho, Ghana. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 637 authors who have published 1063 publications receiving 9380 citations. The organization is also known as: UHAS & IAU-024335.

Perspectives and practices of healthcare providers and caregivers on healthcare-associated infections in the neonatal intensive care units of two hospitals in Ghana.

Abstract: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a serious threat to patient safety worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Reducing the burden of HAIs through the observation and enforcement of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices remains a priority. Despite growing emphasis on HAI prevention in low- and middle-income countries, limited evidence is available to improve IPC practices to reduce HAIs. This study examined the perspectives of healthcare providers (HPs) and mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit on HAIs and determined the major barriers and facilitators to promoting standard IPC practices. This study draws on data from an ethnographic study using 38 in-depth interviews, four focus group discussions and participant observation conducted among HPs and mothers in neonatal intensive care units of a secondary- and tertiary-level hospital in Ghana. The qualitative data were analysed using a grounded theory approach, and NVivo 12 to facilitate coding. HPs and mothers demonstrated a modest level of understanding about HAIs. Personal, interpersonal, community, organizational and policy-level factors interacted in complex ways to influence IPC practices. HPs sometimes considered HAI concerns to be secondary in the face of a heavy clinical workload, a lack of structured systems and the quest to protect professional authority. The positive attitudes of some HPs, and peer interactions promoted standard IPC practices. Mothers expressed interest in participation in IPC activities. It however requires systematic efforts by HPs to partner with mothers in IPC. Training and capacity building of HPs, provision of adequate resources and improving communication between HPs and mothers were recommended to improve standard IPC practices. We conclude that there is a need for institutionalizing IPC policies and strengthening strategies that acknowledge and value mothers' roles as caregivers and partners in IPC. To ensure this, HPs should be better equipped to prioritize communication and collaboration with mothers to reduce the burden of HAIs.

Cervical cancer screening behaviours and challenges: a sub-Saharan Africa perspective.

Abstract: Cervical cancer may be fatal to women if not identified and treated early. The importance of organised cervical screening has been felt in many developed countries. However, the majority of women in developing countries may be under-screened or may have never been screened because many developing countries have not developed a national cervical cancer prevention program accessible to all women due to reasons such as competing funding priorities, low prioritization of cervical cancer and cultural practices across Africa. It is important that these factors are adequately addressed to improve access to regular cervical screening services and ultimately help curb the incidence and impact of cervical cancer on women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Findings in Black Athletes: A General Review.

Abstract: Background Participation in regular physical activity produces electrophysiological and structural cardiac changes in electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiographs (ECHOs) of athletes, and the term "athlete's heart" is used to describe these physiological cardiovascular adaptations. Extent and type of sporting discipline, age, sex, body dimensions, and ethnicity have an influence on cardiac remodeling. Objective As the recent scientific literature increasingly reports on ethnicity-specific ECG and ECHO findings in black athletes, it is the aim of this review to provide an overview of ECG and ECHO findings among athletes of black African/Afro-Caribbean descent. Data sources A systematic search of PubMed and MEDLINE databases up to and including August 2017 was conducted using the following terms/phrases "black OR African OR Afro-Caribbean athlete heart," "black OR African OR Afro-Caribbean athlete electrocardiogram," and "black OR African OR Afro-Caribbean athlete echocardiogram." The search generated a total of 130 papers, out of which 16 original articles fitted our criteria and were selected for this review. Main results The various studies reviewed revealed that about 10% to 30% of black African/Afro-Caribbean athletes had abnormal ECG. R/S voltage criteria exceeding hypertrophic indices were found in about 60% to 89% of black African/Afro-Caribbean athletes. ST-segment elevation (17%-90%) and T-wave inversions were also common findings among this ethnicity. About 10% to 12% of black African/Afro-Caribbean athletes had a left ventricular wall thickness ranging from 13 to 15 mm. Cavity dimensions ranged from 40 to 66 mm in black African/Afro-Caribbean athletes with a relative wall thickness >0.44. Conclusions Updated ethnic-specific guidelines are required to discriminate physiological from pathologic hypertrophy and repolarization changes. Future studies should focus on homogeneous cohorts of African athletes.

Marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among senior high school students in Ghana: Evidence from the WHO Global School-Based Student Health Survey, 2012.

Abstract: Background The association between substance use including marijuana use and attempted suicide has been well documented. However, little is known about marijuana use and its association with attempted suicide repetition among young people in low-income and middle-income contexts. Aims This analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with marijuana use and ascertain marijuana use as a determinant of repeated attempted suicide among senior high school (SHS) students in Ghana. Methods Data from the 2012 Global School-Based Student Health Survey in Ghana was used for this study. Modified Poisson, Logistic and Probit models weighted with Mahalanobis distance matching within propensity calliper were employed separately to determine the hypothetical association between marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide. All analysis was performed using Stata 16 and p≤0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results The prevalence estimates of marijuana use and repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana were 3.4% (95% CI: 2.3 to 5.1) and 11.5% (95% CI: 9.1 to 14.4), respectively. The prevalence of marijuana use was significantly associated with school grade, smoking exposure, parent smoker, alcohol intake and truancy. Marijuana use was positively associated with repeated attempted suicide among SHS in Ghana (φ correlation=0.23, p<0.001). Repeated attempted suicide among students who use marijuana was approximately threefold and fivefold significant compared with non-marijuana use students, based on the Poisson (adjusted prevalence ratio: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.67 to 5.43, p<0.001) and Logistic (adjusted OR:5.06; 95% CI: 3.19 to 11.64, p<0.001) estimates respectively. Also, the Probit model showed that marijuana use significantly increased the log count of repeated attempted suicide by 95% (aβ: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.49 to 1.41, p<0.001). Conclusion Marijuana use does not only influence the onset of suicidal attempts but also repeated attempted suicide among SHS students in Ghana. Special attention is required for suicide attempters with a history of repeated attempts and current marijuana use among SHS students in Ghana. Early identification of the potential risk and protective factors is recommended to inform school-based interventions. National level structured school-based substance abuse interventions and health promotion programmes would be useful.