Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Support Or Interference: Relational Influences On Mother’S Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices In Ghana, Georgiana Esteves

Public Health Theses

Childhood malnutrition is a challenge that needs to be understood as a global health threat. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recognized as the best practice to improve a child’s growth and cognitive development in the first months of life. The World Health Organization recommends EBF until 6 months. Mothers need family support to adhere to EBF practices. This study aimed to understand the interpersonal level relational influences of fathers, grandmothers, and other family members on the mother-child dyad adherence to EBF practices, as well as document community and societal influences on EBF. This study took place in the Central Region of …

Food Choice Decision-Making Among School-Going Adolescents Amidst The Nutrition Transition In Urban Accra, Ghana, Krystal Krsna Rampalli

Theses and Dissertations

Like many countries of the world, Ghana is experiencing a nutrition transition and rising non-communicable diseases. Adolescents are susceptible to diet-related health risks as they experience significant physical and psychological changes, which are happening in tandem with food environment changes, including widespread proliferation of large portion and package sizes of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Both local and multinational food and beverage companies have encouraged consumption of their products through various marketing tactics targeted directly to adolescents. Some of these tactics include the use of characters or celebrity endorsement, promotional discounts, and appeal to sociocultural values, including messages about body size preferences. …

Healthcare Provider Perspectives On The Influence Of Cultural Beliefs On Infant And Young Child Feeding Practices Within Ghanaian Refugee Camps: A Qualitative Analysis, Morgan Nadene Veronica Buchanan

Public Health Theses

Adherence to breastfeeding and complementary feeding recommendations is a proven strategy for promoting the well-being of infants and young children and ensuring their proper development. Cultural beliefs inform caregivers’ likelihood to follow these guidelines as they influence caregivers’ thoughts about maternal behavior during the prenatal and lactation periods, child feeding behaviors, and health. Refugee camps or settlements are a unique space to study the coexistence of cultural beliefs held by residents and staff. Understanding the pathways by which cultural beliefs modulate caregiver infant and young child feeding (IYCF) behavior (and therefore impact child health) within these settings is of paramount …

Sociodemographic And Obstetric Predictors Of Cesarean Section In Ghana, Nana Mireku-Gyimah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing cesarean section (CS) rate in Ghana has severe public health implications as it results in significant maternal and child morbidity and mortality. An assessment of the factors contributing to the increasing CS rate in different settings is imperative to guide the development of interventions. The purpose of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and obstetric predictors of CS in a major referral health facility in Accra, Ghana. This research was grounded in the systems thinking approach and involved the use of a case-control design whereby 2,704 pairs of cases (delivered by CS) and controls (delivered by vaginal …

Epidemiology And Pathophysiology Of Common Skin Diseases In West Africa: An Immunodermatological Framework, Osazomon Imarenezor

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

This capstone reviews the common skin diseases on a global scale. With these dermatoses being further funneled into Africa and then magnified into common West African dermatoses, the meta-analyses of literature available paints a clear picture of the epidemiological & pathological factors and their contribution to the skin disease. Each article analysed in this analysis was taken from a 20-year span of January 2000 to December 2019. The selection of articles was fine-tuned by identifying the distribution of skin disease, revealing the populations affected (age, gender, ethnicity, etc), the main causes, country of origin, the prognosis of disease, and the …

Correlates Of Maternal Health Service Use And Women’S Experiences Using Antenatal Care In Ghana: A Mixed-Methods Study, Anna Cofie

Theses and Dissertations

The pace of improvements in maternal mortality has been slow in Ghana. While Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased from 635 per 100,000 live births to 319 per 100,000 live births between 1990 and 2015, the country failed to meet the 75% reduction target set by Millennium Development Goal (MDG) goal 5A, to reduce maternal mortality ratio by 75% between 1990 and 2015. Antenatal care (ANC) is critical to improving maternal morbidity and mortality and child deaths. In 2003, Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that all pregnant women have access to free maternal care, and in …

Social Networks, Social Support, And Contextual Factors That Affect Blood Glucose Control Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Urban Ghana, Marian O. Botchway

Theses and Dissertations

This study used primary data from Kumasi, Ghana, to examine whether social networks, social support, diabetes-related stigma, religion, and traditional medicine affected blood glucose (HbA1c) control among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). First, the study evaluated whether three social network characteristics (kin composition, household composition, and network density) were directly or indirectly (via social support) associated with HbA1c. Kin composition and household composition were significantly associated with social support. Neither network characteristics nor social support were associated with HbA1c, which suggests that social network characteristics may operate through mechanisms other than social support to affect HbA1c among study …

Pediatric Malnutrition: A Global Health Threat, Anja Wutz

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Pediatric malnutrition is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing nations. In Ghana, one-third of childhood deaths are attributable to it. The most common forms of severe acute malnutrition include kwashiorkor (protein deficiency), marasmus (overall energy deficiency), and various micronutrient deficiencies (iodine, vitamin A, zinc, iron). Thirteen percent of Ghanaian children are moderately or severely underweight, 23% are stunted, and 6 % are wasted due to malnutrition. Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital (PML) is the largest facility in the greater Accra region for managing cases of pediatric severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Current public health guidelines to reduce disability …

Examining Climate Change-Health Nexus In Ghana, Lucia Kafui Hussey

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Climate change is one of today’s most pressing global issues with its physical, biological and social impacts widely recognized. One area of concern is its potential health consequences. The postulated health effects from climate change are far-reaching that climate change induced health risks are signaled as the most pressing problems to public health in the 21^st century. Although developing countries such as Ghana had been suggested as a vulnerable hotspot for the health consequences of climate change, there is a paucity of empirical research on climate change and its health linkages in the country.

The purpose of this dissertation …

Perceptions Of Health Professionals In Ghana On The Role Of The Community In Chronic Disease Management, Jesuseme Omoruan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of chronic disease has been on the rise in various developing countries. This study is an exploratory investigation of the perceptions of health professionals in Kumasi, Ghana on the role of the community in chronic disease management. Using the Chronic Care Model as a framework, the objective of the study was to examine the extent of community-healthcare system in chronic disease management and to explore the barriers to and facilitators of community involvement in chronic disease management. By exploring the availability of community resources that positively contribute to the management of these patients, the study fills an existing …

Localizing The International: Examining How Fieldworkers Combat Adolescent Pregnancy In Northern Ghana, Alexandra C. Sloss

Honors Capstone Projects - All

International aid is often ineffective because it is delivered without an understanding of local ideologies and contexts. My Capstone examined whether or not international aid in northern Ghana could be effective when addressing adolescent pregnancy. The Ghanaian programs I address in my Capstone are six non-governmental organizations, a government sub-district clinic and government junior high schools. The majority of my data was collected through interviews with individuals at all levels of the organizations, including directors, staff members, volunteers and individuals seeking the organization’s services. Alongside interviews I also spent time in the field, participating in youth group discussions, visiting regional …

Public Health Implications Associated With The Practice Of Utilizing Tires To Singe Meat In Three Major Cities Of Ghana: A Concurrent Mixed Methods Study, Tempest D. Hill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Utilization of automobile tires to singe meat (e.g., cows) intended for human consumption presents public health risks due to hazardous chemicals released into the environment and meat. This has become a common practice in some African countries such as Ghana. The objective of this study was to investigate the awareness and perception of the residents in three major cities of Ghana (Cape Coast, Kumasi and Accra) using the Health Belief Model and Social Ecological Model. Survey participants (n=196) and focus group discussion members (n=37) completed the study. Data collected from study participants included meat consumption, awareness of the use of …

Socio-Economic And Cultural Determinants Of Health Care Services Utilization In Ghana, Vickita Akosua Antwiwaa Harvey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The study examines the relationship between socio-economic and cultural determinants of health care service utilization in Ghana using Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) 2008 data collected by Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in which a two-stage sample design was used. The first stage involved a systematic sampling, with probability proportional to size, of 412 clusters using the 2000 Ghana Population and Housing Census as the sampling frame. At the second stage, systematic samples of 30 households from each cluster were selected, making a total of 12,360 sampled households. According to the GSS, data were not collected in some of the …

Women's Navigation Of Maternal Health Services In Ghana's Upper West Region In The Context Of The National Health Insurance Scheme, Andrea C. Rishworth

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In 2008 the sub Saharan African country of Ghana implemented a Maternal Exemption Policy (MEP) within its National Health Insurance Scheme. This policy provides coverage for free antenatal, postnatal, and facility delivery to all pregnant women for a one year period. By removing the fees associated with maternal health services, the MEP was intended to reduce maternal mortality and provide equitable health care for pregnant women. While the MEP is generally regarded as beneficial to the women of Ghana, challenges remain, especially in the poor, marginalized and rural communities of the Upper West Region. Given that access to a skilled …

A Longitudinal Case Study Of The Impact Of Democracy On Food Security In Ghana And Implications For Theory Development, Katelyn Marie Colaric

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports the results of a qualitative, longitudinal case study of Ghana that examined the impact of democracy on food security within Ghana since its democratization in 1992. First, the study reviews existing literature about food security, a newly-emerging concern in political science, as well as the literature on democracy and human rights. To fill the gaps in existing literature regarding the impact of democracy on food security, [and the author finds it overzealous to prove that democracy always benefits food security levels across varying states, cultures, and years] the thesis examines food security developments in Ghana, a developing …

Exposure To Methylmercury Via Fish Consumption In Ghana And An Evaluation Of Methylmercury Toxicity Under A Low Food Ration In Daphnia Pulex, Dzigbodi Adzo Doke

All ETDs from UAB

For many people of the world, fish is a primary source of protein, especially in countries like Ghana, where about 60% of the protein consumed is derived from fish. Fish advisories have been established by some nations to protect the public from harmful health effects linked to eating contaminated fish. Methylmercury (MeHg) is one such contaminant that has resulted in fish advisories. Fish advisories have not been developed in Ghana, although MeHg contamination of aquatic ecosystems is likely due to the long history of mercury (Hg) use in artisanal gold mining. To address this gap in our knowledge, I compiled …

Antenatal Care Determines Immunization And Care For Fever And Diarrhea In Ghanaian Children, Natalie K. Mcglynn

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Enhancing maternal and child health comprise key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), driving an analysis of whether efforts to improve maternal health through quality antenatal care (ANC) is associated with the recommended health-related care of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, where under-five mortality is the highest.

This study examines ANC as a potential determinant of immunization and appropriate care for fever and diarrhea in Ghanaian children. Data were pooled from the 1998, 2003, and 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Surveys, and Andersen’s Behavioural Model provided the conceptual framework.

Multivariate logistic regression indicated that quality ANC increases the odds of immunization and appropriate care …

Epidemiology Of Adiposity In Childbearing Ghanaian Women, Emma Roselyne Konan Mrs

Public Health Theses

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The prevalence of adiposity (overweight and obesity) is increasing in among Ghanaian women. The disparity between urban and rural Ghanaian women in adiposity is seldom described due to data paucity. The purpose of this study was to provide a comparative analysis between urban and rural women in regards to the socio-demographic factors associated with adiposity. METHODS: The analyses used cross-sectional data from the Ghana Demographic Health Survey involving child bearing women ages14 to 49 years old. The eligible population comprised 4848 non-pregnant women (2023 from urban and 2825 from rural areas). Residence-specific (urban versus rural) associations between selected …

Master Of Public Health Research Project: Unmarried Women In Ghana, Africa: Predictors Of Condom Use- An Analysis Of The 2008 Ghana Demographic And Health Survey/Questionnaire Database, Emilie Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Many factors affect whether women will insist that their sexual partners use a condom. This research project will identify some of the predictors of condom use among unmarried women in Ghana, Africa. Methods: This research project evaluated data from the 2008 DHS of women in Ghana, Africa for predictors of condom use among unmarried women. A total of 4,916 women completed the surveys. Of these, 1,966 women were unmarried. The research project employed multiple logistic regression analysis to determine condom use predictors at the time of the last sexual encounter for these 1,966 unmarried women. Results: Women with a …

Association Between Birth Outcomes And Aflatoxin B1-Biomarker Levels Among Pregnant Women In Kumasi, Ghana, Faisal Mohammed Barbas Shuaib

All ETDs from UAB

Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that contaminate staple food crops in many developing countries. Although studies have linked these toxins to adverse health outcomes, few studies have investigated the association between birth outcomes and aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct levels among pregnant women. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate the association between birth outcomes and aflatoxin B1- lysine adduct levels among pregnant women in Kumasi, Ghana. In a cross-sectional study of 755 pregnant women, Aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct (AF-ALB) levels were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. AF-ALB associations were assessed as both continuous and categorical values. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was …