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.

Innovation in the library: Adoption of smartphones in accessing electronic resources in a Ghanaian university:

Abstract: This paper examines the influence of innovation on the adoption of smartphones for accessing electronic resources in the library by postgraduate students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. The...

Medicinal Plants with Prospective Benefits in the Management of Peptic Ulcer Diseases in Ghana.

Abstract: Background The growth or multiplication of harmful microorganisms in addition to harmful human activities has led to many disorders in humans. Consequently, there is a search for medications to treat these disorders. Interestingly, medicines of plant origin are known to be among the most attractive sources of new drugs and have shown promising results in the treatment of various diseases including peptic ulcers. This review, therefore, is aimed at obtaining knowledge on some Ghanaian ethnomedicinal plants used to treat peptic ulcers, their folkloric uses, their phytochemicals, and their antiulcer and related pharmacological activities as well as finding areas for prospective studies. Methods Published peer-reviewed articles on ethnomedicinal plants used for the management of peptic ulcers in Ghana from 1967 to 2020 were sourced and used for the study. Results In this review, 13 plants were identified which belong to 10 different families including Sapindaceae, Apocynaceae, and Bignoniaceae. The parts most often used for most preparations were the leaves (53%), followed by stem bark and roots (both having the same percentage of use of 17.6%), the whole plant (5.9%), and the rhizomes (5.9%). Azadirachta indica was the only plant that had undergone some patient studies in addition to animal studies. Conclusion. A discussion of various antiulcer activity studies using ulcer models carried out on selected medicinal plants used for the management of peptic ulcer disease in addition to brief information on their folkloric uses and their phytochemical and other pharmacological properties is presented. These medicinal plants may be used in developing herbal products for the management of peptic ulcer disease.

Renal Dysfunction among Ghanaians Living with Clinically Diagnosed Hypertension in the Asutifi-South District: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study at the St. Elizabeth Hospital, Hwidiem

Abstract: Background. This study aimed at evaluating the burden of renal dysfunction among people living with hypertension in the Asutifi-South District of the Brong Ahafo Region, who were attending clinic at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hwidiem. Methodology. A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among two hundred (200) hypertensive clients aged between 27 and 88 years who reported for clinical management from January to March, 2018. Data on sociodemography, comorbid disease status, antihypertensive medication, and their duration was obtained using a semistructured questionnaire and patient folders. Blood pressure, weight, and creatinine were measured using standard methods. Kidney function was assessed using Cockcroft Gault (CG), Four-Variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (4v-MDRD) and the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations. The 2012 Kidney Disease Improvement Global Outcome (KDIGO) Criteria were used to categorize renal function among study participants. Results. Renal impairment was observed among 25.00%, 9.50%, and 10.50% of study participants using CG, 4v-MDRD, and CKD-EPI equations, respectively. With the exception of CKD-EPI equation, females significantly recorded higher scores compared to their male counterparts (28.95% vs 12.5%, 11.84%, vs 2.08%) using CG and 4v-MDRD, respectively. Participants aged 50 years or more recorded the highest renal impairment. Conclusion. Renal dysfunction is common among people living with hypertension in the Asutifi-South District of the Brong Ahafo Region. Femininity, older age, disease comorbidity with diabetes, Thiazide diuretic and AR Blocker usage, and increasing duration of medication accounted for higher kidney dysfunction. Regular screening and management are therefore recommended to avert progression to end-stage renal failure (ESRD).

Survey and evaluation of okra pectin extracted at different maturity stages

Abstract: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an economically important crop in sub-Saharan Africa. The vegetable is of major technological interest in food and medicinal applications. A survey was conducted by...

Childcare practices among teenage mothers in Ghana: a qualitative study using the ecological systems theory.

Abstract: While appropriate care for children is essential for optimal growth and protection against child morbidity and mortality, teenage mothers have been shown to deviate from the recommended childcare practices. This study explored the childcare practices among teenage mothers in Ghana using Ecological Systems Theory by Bronfenbrenner as a theoretical framework. Employing qualitative approach to inquiry, evidence was drawn from 30 teenage mothers using in-depth interviews. The data were analysed and presented following systematic qualitative-oriented text analysis strategy with verbatim quotes from study participants to support the emergent themes. It was evident that teenage mothers have limited skills in childcare practices and often resorted to practices with potentially adverse health outcomes for their children. They, for instance, applied hot towels they had heated with hot stones to the children’s umbilical stump. We found that teenage mothers were not in sync with their macro- and exo-systems, thereby depriving themselves and their babies of the much-needed guidance and support in caring for their babies. Teenage mothers were often confused and sometimes clueless about best childcare practices at a given point in time. Childcare practices by teenage mothers are far from the ideal. To improve on child health (especially children born to teenage mothers), efforts at both the macro- and exo-systems should be directed at exposing teenage mothers to best child care practices that inure to the benefits of their children. Ante- and postnatal visits should be used to provide specific education for mothers, especially first-time teenage mothers on the care needs of babies and how to provide these needs.