College of Health Sciences

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Utilisation of antenatal care services among women in the Asutifi South District of the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana
(JUNE, 2019) Okyere, Anastasia ;
Maternal and neonatal health remain a global concern. Many interventions have been initiated over the years to improve the health of the mother and the baby before and during pregnancy and after delivery. Antenatal care services have been found to be one of the effective measures to improve maternal and neonatal heath. Currently, the WHO has developed a new model of ANC services that requires every pregnant woman to have a minimum of 8 ANC visits during pregnancy. This study seeks to assess the utilisation of ANC services among women in the Asutifi South District of the Brong-Ahafo Region. It is a cross-sectional study involving 422 participants aged 15-49 who have recently delivered in the district attending post-natal services who were selected by using simple random technique. Data were analysed using STATA version 14.0. Logistic regressions were run to assess the factors influencing utilisation of ANC services and pregnancy outcomes. From the study, 18.5% of respondents made eight or more ANC visits during pregnancy. Although, all the respondents in the study ever attended ANC services during pregnancy, the study revealed a knowledge gap in the timing for ANC among respondents. Among the factors studied, ANC utilisation was significantly influenced by marital status, knowledge on the required number of ANC visits, partner and family accompaniment. Respondents who had knowledge on the number of required ANC visits during pregnancy had higher odds of making eight or more visits (AOR=11.769, CI=5.459-25.370). Additionally, respondents who made eight or more ANC visits had significantly higher odds of having babies with birth weight of 2.5kg and above (AOR= 3.623, 95%CI= 1.274- 10.301). Therefore, there is a need to create awareness on the required number of ANC visits to be made during pregnancy among pregnant women in the district. Additionally, families, partners and community members should be encouraged to support and accompany pregnant women for ANC services.
Particulate matter exposure among artisans at Suame-magazine in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana
(NOVEMBER 2019) Bonsu, Anabel Adutwumwaa;
Air pollution is one of the major causes of mortality and disease globally. This study was conducted on particulate matter exposure among artisans at Suame-Magazine. Sampling was carried out at three different spots within Zone 21 of Suame-Magazine for a period of 8 hours per sampling section. The same process was done at a residential area which was the control. PM10 particles were collected using the HAZ-DUST EPAM 7500 air sampling device. Questionnaires were administered to assess the health effects on artisans as a result of exposure to PM10. A Human Health Risk Analysis was calculated to predict the health risk posed on an artisan as a result of PM10 inhalation. A number of hazards artisans are faced with were identified. PM10 concentrations from the exposed group and the control group was 211µg/m3 and 103 µg/m3 respectively. The level of PM10 pollution was very high in the exposed group compared to the control group. PM10 pollution level was very high in both groups with mean concentrations exceeding WHO and Ghana EPA guideline values, 50 µg/m3 and 70 µg/m3respectively. Results from a Chi-square analysis revealed that there was an association between exposure to PM10 particle pollution and some health outcomes like hypertension, breathing difficulties, headaches and asthma. Results from the Human Risk Analysis revealed that the risk of exposure to particulate matter inhalation to an artisan was moderate. Hazards identified were slips, trips and falls, cuts, burns, punctures, noise and eye irritations. Air pollution has been proven to be a threat to the health of humanity and the environment as a whole. Proper safety precautions should be taken by workers at all times and more research should be carried out in this particular area due to the due to the fact that it is major health threat to humans, animals and the environment as a whole.
Factors influencing the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment (sulfadoxine pyrimethamine) among pregnant women in the East Mamprusi Municipality in the Northern Region Ghana
(NOVEMBER, 2019) Fusheini, Alhassan
Background: Malaria is an enormous public health problem affecting pregnant women, young children and adults, even though many awareness creation has been done on malaria in pregnancy but women in developing countries are still dying as a result of malaria in pregnancy and this necessitated for the research on factors influencing the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp-SP) among pregnant women in East Mamprusi Municipal as it appears policy makers are not prioritizing malaria in pregnancy as a key condition that needs attention. Objective: To assess the factors influencing the uptake of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine among pregnant women in East Mamprusi Municipality. Methods: Convenient sampling was employed in interacting with 310 pregnant women solely to solicit the views on IPTp uptake as the ultimate goal of the study. Results: Approximately 90% of the respondents have heard about Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT-SP) and significantly 96.4% of respondents also received education on malaria in pregnancy. Moreover, 96.3% of respondents linked the transmission of malaria to mosquito bites. On the whole, about 50.8% of the pregnant women knew that failure to take SP during pregnancy can put the health of the mother and the unborn baby in danger. In addition to these, 63% of respondents perceived that taking of SP safeguards a pregnant woman from malaria as well as about 60% of respondents also suggested SP should be continued to be given to pregnant women in various clinics during Ante-natal care. About 46% of respondents mentioned that they were not able to take IPT at each visit as a result of stock out of SP within the Municipality. Conclusion: Ninety –six percent agreed that Nurses give Health talk on malaria and almost same percent knew that malaria is transmitted by mosquito bites. However few barriers like weakness, Dizziness, Scent of SP and above all stock out of SP in the municipality were some of the issues respondents mentioned interfere in uptake of IPT. Therefore, the municipal health directorate should ensure regular supply of SP to health facilities within the East Mamprusi Municipality.
Quality assessment and clinical evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of a Ghanaian hepatorestorative polyherbal product (HPK) at the Wa Regional Hospital
(MAY, 2019) Agyemang, Alfred Ofori;
Liver diseases are increasing globally and many clients in developing countries tend to use herbal products for their treatment but most of these products have not been studied scientifically. The study aimed at assessing quality, safety and effectiveness outcomes of the treatment of patients with deranged liver functions using a Ghanaian polyherbal product, HPK. HPK which is used as a hepatorestorative is a decoction prepared from Bidens pilosa, Citrus aurantifolia and Trema orientalis. Quality parameters of HPK were assessed through physicochemical, microbiological, spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used for heavy metals analysis. Fifty clients with laboratory-confirmed deranged liver function gave informed consent and were recruited for the study at the Upper West Regional Hospital. Participants took HPK (30 mL 8 hourly) for 28 days. Laboratory investigations (LFT, RFT, FBC and Urine R/E) were undertaken at day 0 (baseline), 14 and 28 to assess for safety and effectiveness of HPK. HPK exhibited DPPH free radical scavenging activity with IC50 of 23.39µg. HPK contains reducing sugars, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, coumarins, flavonoids and phytosterols. HPLC, TLC, UV and IR fingerprints have been established. Microbiological cultures did not show any observable contamination of the HPK. Heavy metal analysis: Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Cadmium and Arsenic yielded content levels within the safe WHO reference ranges. Compared to baseline values, HPK showed no observable toxicity on renal function, haematological parameters and urinalysis in humans after 28 day period. However, HPK significantly improved the liver function of the participants: AST (p - 0.0001), ALT (p < 0.0001), GGT (p - 0.0017), total bilirubin (p - 0.0146), direct bilirubin (p < 0.0001) and alkaline phosphates (p -0.0295). The other parameters showed no significant differences in 28 days. Within the limits of the study, HPK had hepatorestorative action with no observable toxicity and can be used with confidence as indicated on its label as a liver tonic.
Effect of occupational accidents on job performance; a case of a construction firm in Kumasi-Ghana
(NOVEMBER 2019) Agyemang-Beniako, Afia;
The construction industry is besieged with accidents. Incidents of accidents at the construction site are higher in developing countries than developed countries. Safety at the construction site remains the poorest of all when compared with other manufacturing industry like the furniture and fixtures, fashion industries among others. The construction industry comprises of several people with different backgrounds and different tasks performed by them. The study examined the effect of occupational accident on job performance; a case of a construction firm in Kumasi-Ghana. 5 section questionnaires enclosing questions on demographic characteristics, general knowledge on safety and legalities, accident occurrence, safety management systems and employee attitude were administered to 110 workers of the construction firm. Chi-square and Pearson‟s Correlation Coefficient(r) were statistical tools used for the analysis of results. The result established a weak negative correlation (-0.164) between accident and job performance (labor productivity). The association between the accidents occurrence and absenteeism was statistically not significant (χ2 = 0.4291; d.f. = 1; p > 0.512) and a significant association was found between nature of accident and absenteeism (χ2 =6.7360; d.f. = 1; p < 0.009). The results of the study revealed a higher knowledge of safety legalities and practices and a positive attitude on safety from respondents, whereas low records of accidents were recorded among the construction workers of the firm implying a good safety management system. The study concludes that a good safety management system and a positive employee attitude would reduce absenteeism, occupational accidents and further increases labor productivity as demonstrated in the conceptual framework.

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