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.

Facilitators and Barriers to Health Seeking among People Who Use Drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana: An Exploratory Study.

Abstract: Drug use is one of the global public health issues, and its accompanying disorders have consequences on people’s mental, physical, and environmental health. Nevertheless, the majority of people who use drugs have never been treated for drug dependence and other health conditions whilst others discontinue their treatment for drug use disorder. Using the health belief model, the study aimed at exploring facilitators and barriers to health-seeking among people who use drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. A descriptive study design was used, employing a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 22 participants, including two key informants (male and female). The first group of participants was recruited from the ghetto (an area in the municipality where people who use drugs are usually located). The other group of participants was recruited using hospital-based records. The interview data were transcribed, coded, and analysed for the generation of themes with the aid of Nvivo version 12 pro. The results showed that people who use drugs face health challenges such as drug dependence, malaria, lungs and breathing complications, cardiovascular complications, and skin complications. People who use drugs experienced poor perceived quality of life and low health status. Health-seeking behaviours of interviewees were influenced by the perceived benefit, perceived severity, cues to action, among others. Multiple sources of healthcare were used by the people who use drugs. Whereas ease of communication, perceived severity, benefit, among others were facilitators to their health-seeking behaviours, cost, dwindling social support, lack of knowledge of the condition, and fear of arrest by law enforcement agencies also served as barriers to seeking healthcare at the orthodox health facilities. This paper suggests a holistic approach to help improve the health and health-seeking behaviours of people who use drugs. The researchers wish to indicate that an earlier version of this manuscript has been presented at the University of Ghana as a thesis.

Spectrum and Clinical Characteristics of Renal Diseases in Ghanaian Adults: A 13-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract: Background. Renal diseases over the years have become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study, we assessed the spectrum and clinical characteristics of Ghanaians with renal diseases at the nephrology unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi. Methods. This was a retrospective hospital-based study conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) from the years 2005 to 2017. A non-randomized sampling approach was used to include 1426 participants who were diagnosed with AKI, CKD, ESRD, and nephrotic syndrome at the nephrology unit of KATH during the years under review. All the 1426 patients were eligible for the study. Demographic characteristics as well as clinical data such as the kind of renal disease presentation, causes of the renal disease, and the treatment options were also obtained from their records. Results. Overall, 1009 of the total participants had CKD (70.76%), 295 participants had ESRD (20.69%), 72 participants had AKI (5.05%), and 50 participants had nephrotic syndrome (3.51%). Furthermore, 69 (23.4%) participants with ESRD were on dialysis whiles 6 (8.3) and 17 (1.7) participants with only AKI and CKD superimposed AKI, respectively, were on dialysis. 226 (76.6%) participants with ESRD were on conservative therapy. Hypertension emerged as the major cause of renal disease presentation (53.93%) with bilateral leg edema (13.46%) being the major complaint. There was a significant association between CKD and age ( ). Nephrotic syndrome also showed a significant association with age ( ). Conclusion. This study revealed that patients at the nephrology unit of KATH, Ghana, are mainly adults between ages 46–55. The clinical pattern of renal diseases is dominated by CKD and ESRD. We conclude that hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and sepsis are the most common causes of renal diseases. The commonest clinical presentations are bilateral leg edema, palpitations, headache, breathlessness, dizziness, and vomiting. Early diagnosis and management of these conditions may prevent or delay the progress to end-stage renal disease.

Social support, depression, anxiety, and quality of life among persons living with type 2 diabetes: a path analysis:

Abstract: Co-morbid mental health problems among persons living with type 2 diabetes have a significant influence on diabetic persons’ self-care and, ultimately, quality of life. However, the mechanisms link...

Permanganyl chloride-mediated oxidation of tetramethylethylene: A density functional theory study

Abstract: The mechanisms of the oxidation of tetramethylethylene (TME) by permanganyl chloride (MnO3Cl) have been explored on the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces at the B3LYP LANL2DZ/6-31G (d) level of theory. The results show that the pathway leading to the formation of the five-membered dioxylate through concerted [3 + 2] addition is favored kinetically and thermodynamically over the three other possible pathways, namely the [2 + 2] addition via the transient metallaoxetane intermediate, epoxidation, and hydrogen transfer pathways. The epoxide precursor that on hydrolysis would yield the epoxide product will most likely arise from a stepwise path through the intermediacy of an organometallic intermediate. This pathway affords the product that is more stable (thermodynamically favorable). However, kinetically, both the stepwise and the concerted [2 + 1] addition pathways leading to the epoxide precursors are very competitive (activation barrier difference of

Physical inactivity and its associated disease prevalence among civil servants in Accra, Ghana: a retrospective study

Abstract: Background: Disease prevalence has been documented in many professions across the world with varying prevalence rates. Studies have been done on disease prevalence among nurses, market women and traders, however, little is found on disease prevalence among the civil servants working at the Ministries in Ghana. Objectives: 1. To determine the disease prevalence among Ghanaian civil servants who patronize the civil service polyclinic, Accra. 2. To determine the age distribution of disease prevalence among civil servants at the Ministries. 3. To determine the gender distribution of disease prevalence among civil servants at the Ministries. Study design: A retrospective study design was used for this study. Methods: Records of civil servants were reviewed from the data storage system of the civil service polyclinic from January 2014 to December 2017. A sample size of 135 records was found eligible and included in the study as appropriate. Results: Out of a total of 135 sampled for the study, 56.3% were females, and 43.7% were males. The ages of the sampled population ranged from 27 to 70 years with a mean age of 52 years. Hypertension was more prevalent among the civil servants' with a record of 36.4%, followed by diabetes mellitus accounting for 19.1%. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were higher in females (59.3%) than in males (40.7%) and also increased with increasing age. Conclusion: Hypertension and diabetes are more prevalent among Ghanaian civil servants at the Ministries who patronize the civil service polyclinic. Preventive measures aimed at curbing high incidence rate of above conditions are advised.