Research and Innovation Unit

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://naconmspace.conahs.edu.gh/handle/123456789/12

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Community Pharmacies Treatment Practices of Malaria and Residents’ Pattern of Antimalarial Drug Use in Abura Community, Cape Coast Metropolis-Ghana
(Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research, 2021-04-14) Tettey, Etornam Abla; Dzantor, Edem Kojo; Akomaning, Edwin
Background: Community pharmacies are health care facilities that allows the public access to their medications, counselling, and advice about their health. Community pharmacies play critical role in the health delivery systems of several countries especially in developing countries and serve as the first point of call for the treatment and management of many ailments, including malaria. The study therefore examined community pharmacies treatment practices of malaria and residents’ pattern of antimalarial drug use in Abura Community, in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey involving 301 study participants from the Abura Community (Cape Coast Metropolis). A structured questionnaire was Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS version 23.0 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: The age range of our study was between 15 and 60 years. Females were the majority (52.5%). The self-reported use of unprescribed antimalarial drugs was 41%. The source of the drugs were mainly community pharmacies, licensed chemical shops, self-herbal preparations, and left-over antimalarial drugs. Conclusion: A high proportion of our study participants reported self-medication of non-prescribed antimalarial drugs. These antimalarials included both orthodox and herbal medications, which were sourced from outlets like community pharmacies, licensed chemical sellers, and home herbal preparations. There is the need to intensify monitoring, public health education on self-medication and the training of staff of community pharmacies to ensure effective treatment and management of malaria at the community level.
Timing of surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international prospective cohort study
(Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2021-06) COVIDSurg Collaborative ; GlobalSurg Collaborative
Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0–2 weeks, 3–4 weeks and 5–6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3–4.8), 3.9 (2.6–5.1) and 3.6 (2.0–5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARSCoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9–2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2– 8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4–3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6–2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.
Attitude of Reproductive Age Women Towards Male Involvement in Family Planning; a Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda.
(MedRxiv, 2022-07-16) Wambete, Sarah Namee; Baru, Ararso; Serwaa, Dorcas; Dzantor, Edem Kojo; Evelyn Poku-Agyemang,; Kukeba, Margaret Wekem; Olayemi, Oladapo O.
Background: In African countries, men are often the primary decision-makers and that have a significant influence on their spouse’s health and access to health care including family planning (FP) decisions. This study aimed to assess the attitude of women in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda towards male involvement in FP and the associated factors. Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study carried out in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda. A total of 480 women aged 18-49 years were selected as participants for the study using multi-stage sampling. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the participants. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Data were described using frequency and percentage while associations were assessed using logistic regression analysis at P<0.05. Results: A total of 485 participants with mean age of 28.29±6.57 years were involved in this study; 197(41.0%) were aged 26-33 years, 399 (83.1%) were Christians, 240(50.0%) had attained secondary school education and 239(49.8%) of their partners had attained tertiary education. The most utilized contraceptives among the women were injectables 151(32.5%), pills 122(26.2%), condoms 76(16.3%), implants 37(8%) and calendar method 30(6.5%). More, 302/465(62.9%) of the women had adequate partner involvement in their FP and a total of 438/480 (91.3%) of the participants had favorable attitude of women toward male involvement in FP. After adjusting for confounders, participants with an average monthly income of 600,000/= and above were more likely to have favorable attitude towards male involvement in FP (AOR=10.51, 95% CI {1.19−93.25}, p=0.035) compared with those earning 0-100,000/= average monthly income per month. Also, participants with adequate male partner involvement in FP/contraceptive use were more likely to have favorable attitude towards male involvement in FP (AOR=2.78, 95% CI {1.23−6.30, p<0.014) Conclusion: The study found high favourable attitude of women towards male partner involvement at FP. The average monthly income of participants and male involvement were predictors of favourable attitude towards male involvement in FP. This finding indicates the 50 need for increased sensitization of the men as a means of attaining the broader objective of increasing male partner involvement in FP for better contraceptive use and better birth spacing.
Prioritizing Workplace Health Promotion Policy to Address High Blood Pressure and Obesity in a Public University in the Northern Region of Ghana
(SAGE Publications, 2023-11-15) Edem, Kojo Dzantor; Margaret, Kweku; Emmanuel, Senanu Komla Morhe; Samuel, Zanya Bugri
The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends the engagement of the world of work in providing comprehensive and effective prevention strategy for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Workers are at risk of developing 1 or more cases of NCDs due to their exposure to risk factors at work. The ILO suggests that the work-related risk factors can be prevented by improving working conditions and integration of workplace health promotion programs. Workplace health promotion policies promote workers general health, improve working environment, work practices, and reduces the risks of common NCDs including hypertension (high blood pressure) and obesity among employees. A number of studies have described the increasing trends of hypertension and obesity among civil servants but are limited in assessing the availability and effectiveness of workplace health promotion policies to address them. We assessed the availability and effectiveness of workplace health promotion policy to address the prevalence of high blood pressure in a public university in the Northern Region of Ghana. Using a mixed method study design, 191 administrative staff were recruited and in-depth qualitative interviews conducted among 5 key informants. The study found significant number of participants with elevated and high blood pressure and overweight and obesity with no functional workplace health promotion at the time of the study. We therefore recommend the prioritization and development of a workplace health policy to reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity among staff of the university using the integrative workplace health promotion model.
Neonatal Jaundice Management: Improving Clinical Knowledge of Jaundice for Improved Attitudes and Practices to Enhance Neonatal Care
(SAGE Publications, 2023-11-25) Edem, Kojo Dzantor; Dorcas, Serwaa; Alhassan, Abdul-Mumin
Neonatal jaundice is a common medical condition that affects neonates in the early days of life. Nurses and midwives play important role in the identification and management of neonatal jaundice and the promotion of good neonatal health and education. Their clinical knowledge of neonatal jaundice may influence their attitude and practices toward the identification and management of neonatal jaundice. The study results showed that the level of good knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward neonatal jaundice management was 69.30% (140/202), 64.90% (131/202), and 62.90% (127/202), respectively. The inferential statistics showed a positive association between good knowledge and attitudes toward neonatal jaundice and good practices of neonatal jaundice management. Suggestively, nurses and midwives who have and demonstrate better clinical knowledge and exhibit positive attitudes are more likely to implement appropriate practices for the management of neonatal jaundice. Healthcare providers should therefore invest in life-long learning activities for staff, especially in the study setting
Determinants for male involvement in family planning and contraception in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda; An urban slum qualitative study
(PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH, 2024-05-31) Sarah, Namee Wambete; Dorcas, Serwaa; Edem, Kojo Dzantor; Ararso, Baru; Evelyn, Poku-Agyemang; Margaret, Wekem Kukeba; Yussif, Bashiru; Oladapo, O. Olayemi
Current evidence shows that male involvement in family planning (FP) is crucial to women’s contraceptive use decisions. This study explored the reasons for male involvement in FP and contraception in slum areas in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda. A qualitative study was conducted among sexually active males in a slum area in Nakawa Division, Kampala. A purposive sampling technique was utilised to recruit 40 men for a Focus Group Discussion (FGDs), and 2 key informants (KI) for critical perspective interviews. A semi-structured FGDs and interview guides were used to collect the data. The FGDs were conducted in both English and the local language, Luganda. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts for both FGDs and KI interviews were imported into the NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis Software version 10 application, and thematic data analysis was conducted. The findings show that males’ involvement in FP and its decisions were minimal. The findings also show that several factors emerged as contributing to male’s participation in FP and utilisation of contraceptives. Inadequate understanding of FP and contraceptives, lack of clarity on males’ role in FP, unfriendly healthcare environment and community members’ perceptions of male involvement in FP were reported as reasons contributing to male participation in FP and contraction. There is limited involvement of males in FP. There is a need for renewed efforts that will positively alter the factors that impact male involvement favourably. Promotion and education about FP for males will significantly address issues of limited understanding and clarity of males’ role in FP services.

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