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.

An ethnographic study of how health system, socio-cultural and individual factors influence uptake of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in a Ghanaian context.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria among pregnant women with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP), is one of the three recommended interventions for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) in sub-Sahara Africa. The World Health Organisation recommended in 2012 that SP be given at each scheduled ANC visit except during the first trimester and can be given a dose every month until the time of delivery, to ensure that a high proportion of women receive at least three doses of SP during pregnancy. Despite implementation of this policy, Ghana did not attain the target of 100% access to IPTp-SP by 2015. Additionally, negative outcomes of malaria infection in pregnancy are still recurring. This ethnographic study explored how health system, individual and socio-cultural factors influence IPTp-SP uptake in two Ghanaian regions. METHODS The study design was ethnographic, employing non-participant observation, case studies and in depth interviews in 8 health facilities and 8 communities, from April 2018 to March 2019, in two Ghanaian regions. Recommended ethical procedures were observed. RESULTS Health system factors such as organization of antenatal care (ANC) services and strategies employed by health workers to administer SP contributed to initial uptake. Women's trust in the health care system contributed to continued uptake. Inadequate information provided to women accessing ANC, stock-outs and fees charged for ANC services reduced access to IPTp-SP. Socio-cultural factor such as encouragement from social networks influenced utilization of ANC services and IPTp-SP uptake. Individual factors such as refusing to take SP, skipping ANC appointments and initiating ANC attendance late affected uptake. CONCLUSION Health system, socio-cultural and individual factors influence uptake of optimum doses of IPTp-SP. Consequently, interventions that aim at addressing IPTp-SP uptake should focus on regular and sufficient supply of SP to health facilities, effective implementation of free ANC, provision of appropriate and adequate information to women and community outreach programmes to encourage early and regular ANC visits.

The fight against COVID-19 in sub-saharan Africa-A threat to the continuous management of HIV patients: Application of the action areas of the ottawa charter for health promotion

Abstract: The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was detected in December 2019 in the Hubei Province of China. Also known as COVID-19, the outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which is the region hardest hit by HIV, is also highly affected by COVID-19. The fight against COVID-19 in SSA might threaten the continuous management of persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This commentary uses the five action areas of the Ottawa charter for health promotion to address the issue. If the issues raised in this commentary are not addressed quickly by SSA governments, every single link of the supply chain in the HIV response will be disrupted. This disruption might result in more stock-outs, shortages and a lack of access to ART in the months ahead. The SSA governments must ensure that HIV treatment adherence is not compromised owing to a shift of focus to the fight against COVID-19. They should ensure that everyone on HIV treatment gets an adequate supply of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Characterisation of rectal amoxicillin (RAMOX) for the treatment of pneumonia in children.

Abstract: Access to medicines, including their availability and affordability, is a major public health challenge worldwide This research aimed to characterise rectal formulations containing amoxicillin for the treatment of pneumonia in children under five, as an accessible alternative to existing formulations Lipophilic Suppocire (S-NA15) and hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG; 80% PEG 1500 and 20% PEG 4000, w/w) suppositories containing 250 mg amoxicillin were prepared Hardness, apparent viscosity, uniformity of mass, uniformity of content, disintegration and dissolution time were determined Irritation potential was screened using a slug mucosal assay and antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus determined by isothermal microcalorimetry Both lipophilic and hydrophilic formulations met the European Pharmacopoeia standards for suppositories when tested in vitro They disintegrated within 30 min with rapid amoxicillin release profiles (986 ± 09%, 949 ± 12% over 30 min, respectively) Over-encapsulation of S-NA15 suppositories with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose shells slowed drug release and improved stability over 2 months S-NA15 suppositories were classified as non-irritant and PEG suppositories only mildly irritant Antibacterial efficacy of formulations was equivalent to amoxicillin alone Both PEG and over-encapsulated S-NA15 rectal formulations developed in the present work have shown promise based on pre-clinical screening, and further development is justified to develop a product with commercial potential

Prevalence and associated factors of fetal macrosomia in a rural community in Ghana

Abstract: Foetal macrosomia is known to contribute to various perinatal and maternal complications. Additionally, it has been proven to be a primary determinant of the survival of a newborn baby. We sought t...