Factors contributing to immunization coverage among children less than 5 years in Nadowli-Kaleo District of Upper West Region, Ghana.

Immunization prevents deaths from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and measles in about 2.5 million children each year worldwide. Failure to vaccinate children in the required timeframe could result in disease outbreaks among them and increase costs of living among the populations directly affected. Even though Ghana has set 95% as the target for immunization coverage, the Nadowli-Kaleo district has been below this national target. This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing low immunization coverage among children under five years in the Nadowli-Kaleo district, Ghana. An analytical cross-sectional study design was adopted for this study. Systematic sampling method was used to recruit the respondents. The data was collected using KoboCollect online data collection tool and analyzed using Stata Version 17.0. Chi-square test was used to establish the association between child's immunization status and the independent variables. Logistic regression was used to determine the degree of association. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Fully immunized status among children under-five was a little above average (55.4%). Mother's or caregiver's age, marital status, occupation, and current child's birth order were significantly associated with children full immunization. Also, number of ANC visits, delivery location, and distance to health facility were significantly associated with children full immunization. A child delivered at the health facility had higher chance of 2.12 times to be fully immunized than giving birth at home [AOR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.14-3.94, and p-value = 0.017]. The health system related factors which were statistically associated with child full immunization included time spent during immunization service and being informed when to come for the next vaccination visit. Coverage for children with fully immunized status was not very encouraging at our study site. We recommend expansion of access to maternal and child health services, encouraging institutional childbirth, and timely regular antenatal visits.

Factors influencing patients on antiretroviral therapy loss to follow up: A qualitative analysis of healthcare workers perspective.

Despite expanded and successful antiretroviral therapy program coverage, a large proportion of people drop out at different stages along their treatment course. As a result, treatment gains do not reach a large proportion of these groups. It has been demonstrated that around half of the patients who test Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive in Sub-Saharan Africa are lost between testing and being considered for eligibility for therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence patients on antiretroviral therapy who lost to follow up in HIV treatment clinics in Asunafo South District, Ahafo Region. We used phenomenological qualitative research approach in conducting this study. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents, while key informant interview was used to collect the data. The major identified challenges in carrying out follow-up visits of patients on antiretroviral therapy were wrong addresses and phone numbers of clients, coupled with poor telecommunication networks, geographical relocation of clients, poor documentation of patients' information, and non-availability of means of transport. The preferred reengagement strategies identified in this study were: supply of drugs through home visits, intensive education, engaging the services of community-based surveillance officers, enhanced regular phone calls visits, adoption and use of an integrated antiretroviral therapy clinic, intensified education on HIV, and involvement of religious leaders. In conclusion, all clinicians and stakeholders should consider the identified challenges and reengagement strategies when providing antiretroviral services.

Effect of self-rated health status on functioning difficulties among older adults in Ghana: Coarsened exact matching method of analysis of the World Health Organization's study on global AGEing and adult health, Wave 2.

BACKGROUND: Functional difficulty assessment has been proven as a key factor in the health evaluation of adults. Previous studies have shown a reduction in health and functional difficulties with increasing age. This analysis was conducted to quantify the effect of poor self-rated health on functional difficulty among older adults in Ghana. METHOD: This analysis was based on the World Health Organization Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health in Ghana for older adults 50 years and above. Fifteen standard functioning difficulty tools were extracted and used for the analysis. Three predictive models with the Coarsened Exact Matching method involving Negative Binomial, Logistics and Ordered logistic regression were performed using Stata 14. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of poor Self-rated health was 34.9% and that of functional difficulties among older adults in Ghana was 69.4%. Female sex, increasing age, being separated, having no religious affiliation, not currently working and being underweight were associated with and significantly influence poor Self-rated health [AOR(95%CI)p-value = 1.41(1.08-1.83)0.011, 3.85(2.62-5.64)0.000, 1.45(1.08-1.94)0.013, 2.62(1.68-4.07)0.000, 2.4(1.85-3.12)0.000 and 1.39(1.06-1.81)0.017 respectively]. In addition, poor Self-rated health and geographical location (rural vs. urban)significantly influence functioning difficulties among older adults in Ghana as predicted by the three models [Negative Binomial: PR(95%CI) = 1.62(1.43-1.82), Binary logistic: AOR(95%CI) = 3.67(2.79-4.81) and ordered logistic: AOR(95%CI) = 2.53(1.14-2.03)]. CONCLUSION: Poor SRH is more pronounced among older adult females in Ghana. Some determinants of poor SRH include; age, geographical location (urban vs. rural), marital status, religion, and employment status. This provides pointers to important socio-demographic determinants with implications on the social function of older adults in line with the theme of the national aging policy of 2010, 'ageing with security and dignity' and ultimately in the national quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.