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.

Assessing the Use of Standardized Outcome Measures for Stroke Rehabilitation among Physiotherapists in Ghana

Abstract: Background The use of standardized outcome measures is an aspect of good clinical practice and essential to the rehabilitation of patients suffering from stroke. Literature reports regarding the extent of usage of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation by physiotherapists globally are inconsistent. In addition, the patronage of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation in low-resourced countries is uncertain. Objective This study was conducted to assess the current practice of physiotherapists in Ghana regarding the use of standardized outcome measures in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Method A descriptive cross-sectional survey, was used involving 105 registered physiotherapists in Ghana. A 35-item adapted questionnaire was used to collect data on some commonly used outcome measures and frequency of use by physiotherapists for stroke patients. Results A total of 55 (52.4%) physiotherapists did not use outcome measures in their clinical practice. Physiotherapists below 40 years of age use outcome measures (64.7%) more than those 41 years and above (6.7%). Physiotherapists working in public facilities in Ghana are more likely to use outcome measures (56.2%) than those in private facilities (16.2%). Physiotherapists who attend to 1-10 patients in a week used outcome measures more (32.4%) than physiotherapists who attend to more than 30 patients (3.8%) in a week. Conclusion There is poor usage of outcome measures by Ghanaian physiotherapists, with more than half of the participants not using any standardized outcome measures for rehabilitation of patients in their practice. Physiotherapists who attends to fewer number of patients in a week are more likely to use outcome measures. There is the need for implementation of policy and guidelines on the use of outcome measures by the Allied Health Professions Council and the Ghana Physiotherapy Association.

A DFT investigation of the mechanisms of CO2 and CO methanation on Fe (111)

Abstract: Insight into the detailed mechanism of the Sabatier reaction on iron is essential for the design of cheap, environmentally benign, efficient and selective catalytic surfaces for CO2 reduction. Earlier attempts to unravel the mechanism of CO2 reduction on pure metals including inexpensive metals focused on Ni and Cu; however, the detailed mechanism of CO2 reduction on iron is not yet known. We have, thus, explored with spin-polarized density functional theory calculations the relative stabilities of intermediates and kinetic barriers associated with methanation of CO2 via the CO and non-CO pathways on the Fe (111) surface. Through the non-CO (formate) pathway, a dihydride CO2 species (H2CO2), which decomposes to aldehyde (CHO), is further hydrogenated into methoxy, methanol and then methane. Through the CO pathway, it is observed that the CO species formed from dihydroxycarbene is not favorably decomposed into carbide (both thermodynamically and kinetically challenging) but CO undergoes associative hydrogenation to form CH2OH which decomposes into CH2, leading to methane formation. Our results show that the transformation of CO2 to methane proceeds via the CO pathway, since the barriers leading to alkoxy transformation into methane are high via the non-CO pathway. Methanol formation is more favored via the non-CO pathway. Iron (111) shows selectivity towards CO methanation over CO2 methanation due to differences in the rate-determining steps, i.e., 91.6 kJ mol−1 and 146.2 kJ mol−1, respectively.

Knowledge and perception on the transmission and control of SARS-COV-2 infection among allied radiation medicine professionals in Ghana.

Abstract: Knowledge and perception on transmission and control of SARS-COV-2 infection are key to preventing outbreak of the disease in healthcare settings and in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the level of knowledge on SARS-COV-2 infection prevention, transmission and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as perceptions regarding prevention of SARS-COV-2 infection among allied radiation medicine professionals. Cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out among 145 radiation medicine professionals in Ghana using facts on COVID-19 as presented on the website of the World Health Organization and data was analyzed based on weighted average indices. Overall, the extent of knowledge among allied radiation medicine professionals on the symptoms of COVID-19, transmission and control of SARS-COV-2 infection in radiation medicine facilities were all adequate, with weighted average indices of 3.8, 4.1 and 4.4 respectively. However, overall perception of the respondents regarding the use of radiation medicine procedures in management of COVID-19 was diverse, with weighted index of 3.5. The facts about COVID-19 that were identified to be most known were shortness of breath being a serious symptom of the disease and fever being a common symptom. The extent of knowledge on the fact that "SARS-COV-2 infection can be transmitted through small droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person" was almost excellent, with weighted average index of 4.9. Also, the thinking that provision of hand washing and sanitizing facilities is a measure for controlling the infection was almost perfectly shared among the respondents. Computed tomography was perceived by majority of the respondents as the most preferred imaging modality for screening patients for COVID-19. The study shows that some aspects of the awareness of radiation medicine professionals on COVID-19 pandemic are adequate and others need critical improvement to help reduce spread of the disease.

Information Needs of Teachers in Second Cycle Institutions in Ghana: A Case of the Lower-Manya Krobo Municipality

Abstract: This paper seeks to examine the information needs of teachers in second cycle institutions in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in Ghana. It adopted the mixed method approach with a population of three hundred and three (303). Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data for the study. The quantitative data was analysed using IBM SPSS Version 22.0 and the qualitative data was also analysed thematically. The study discovered that second cycle institution teachers need information for teaching, learning and for research. Also, teachers rely on information from several sources to plan their lessons, write their teaching notes and update themselves on the subject matter of what they teach. Considering the role teachers play in the lives of students and the community as a whole, they need relevant information which must be timely, accurate and reliable. Therefore, the government, Ministry of Education (MOE), Ghana Education Service (GES), Heads of second cycle schools, and all Stakeholders are to ensure that proper information as well as information sources are made available to them to make the process of imparting knowledge more efficient. Original Research Article Attafuah et al.; JESBS, 33(10): 1-14, 2020; Article no.JESBS.61715 2

Prevalence and predictors of work-related depression, anxiety, and stress among waiters: A cross-sectional study in upscale restaurants.

Abstract: Background Poor mental health often interrupts people’s regular activities making them unable to work effectively resulting in poor performance and high turnover intention. We examined the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety and stress among waiters in upscale restaurants. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 384 waiters in upscale restaurants in the Accra Metropolis. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire which embedded DASS-21 (Cronbach Alpha = 0.815). The analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA 15. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results The prevalence of depression was 38.3%, while anxiety and stress were 52.3% and 34.4% respectively. Females (AOR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.02–2.79), waiters who foresee a better remuneration (AOR = 3.09, 95%CI = 1.95–4.87), consume caffeine (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI = 0.90–2.32), and use non-prescription drugs (AOR = 2.22, 95%CI = 1.39–3.55) were more likely to have depression. Females (AOR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.17–2.96), those who foresee better remuneration (AOR = 2.85, 95%CI = 1.82–4.49), and those who use non-prescription drugs (AOR = 2.13, 95%CI = 1.38–3.28) were more likely to have anxiety. Females (AOR = 1.74, 95%CI = 1.01–2.99), waiters who are positive of career success (AOR = 1.70, 95%CI = 0.99–2.91), who foresee better remuneration (AOR = 2.99, 95%CI = 1.85–4.83), consume caffeine (AOR = 1.54, 95%CI = 0.93–2.54), and who use non-prescription drugs (AOR = 3.16, 95%CI = 1.93–5.17) were more likely to be stressed. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of poor mental health among waiters. Urgent intervention by hospitality stakeholders is needed to improve their working conditions and psychosocial health to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of promoting mental health and wellbeing.