A qualitative study of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among midwives in selected hospitals in Ho municipality, Ghana.

Objective and rationale: The study sought to explore the experiences of midwives at selected hospitals in the Ho municipality regarding work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the predisposing factors, the impacts on them, and their coping strategies to mitigate the effects of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological study design. Purposive sampling was employed in this study to select participants. Data was collected and recorded on voice recording devices from fifteen (15) midwives through an interview using a semi-structured interview guide. Data was manually transcribed and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The four emerging themes include: the lived experiences of midwives regarding musculoskeletal disorders, predisposing factors contributing to musculoskeletal disorders, impact of musculoskeletal disorders, and coping strategies of midwives. These themes were further expanded by their sub-themes in describing musculoskeletal conditions, onset, understaffing of midwives, awkward posture assumption during care delivery, limited logistics, struggle with quality of life, impaired work performance, rest and good body mechanics, and teamwork. Conclusion: To lower the rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among midwives and increase work efficiency and productivity, educational programs on prevention and coping mechanisms for musculoskeletal disorders should be made mandatory for midwives.

Investigating the levels of organochlorine pesticides in human milk at three lactational stages: an intensive Ghanaian study.

During breastfeeding, the human breasts secrete three different kinds of milk. Research indicates that newborns exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) during developmental stages, even at low concentrations, may suffer irreparable harm. The study aimed to ascertain whether OCPs levels in human milk vary across lactational stages. University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee (UHAS- REC) examined and approved the study protocol. 47 volunteers were chosen using purposive sampling. Each participant donated 15 ml of each type of breast milk. Colostrum was taken shortly after delivery up to day 4, transitional milk between day 5 and two weeks postpartum, while mature milk was taken two weeks afterwards. A modified version of QuEChERS was used to process 10.0 g aliquot of each breast milk sample, and the resulting extracts analysed for OCPs employing a Gas Chromatograph, Varian CP 3800, fitted with electron capture detector (ECD). The detection threshold was not reached for any of the six OCPs tested. This implied that none of the breast milk components analysed in this study contained any detectable levels of OCPs that might have posed any serious health risks to the infants through breastfeeding. Aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor were not found in detectable quantities in mothers' milk during the three stages of lactation. Our findings are encouraging. The study's findings likely show that the Stockholm Convention's campaign to remove POPs from the environment seems to be yielding positive impact.

A qualitative exploratory study on the effects of formalin on mortuary attendants.

Objectives: To explore the effects of formalin on mortuary attendants in nine selected hospitals in Ghana. Methods: The study applies a qualitative exploratory descriptive design in the overall collection and analysis of data. Purposive sampling was used to reach the saturation of 19 participants. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and manually analysed using content analysis. Results: Five themes developed from the analysed data, namely, effects of formalin on the eyes, effects of formalin on the respiratory system, effects of formalin on the skin, effects on appetite, and formalin as a cancer-causing agent. Conclusion: This study has unveiled the negative effects of formalin on morgue attendants, which is likely to cause long-time health problems. It is therefore recommended that all mortuaries in Ghana should be assisted with protective equipment, in-service training, and practice of universal safety to help reduce risks associated with chemical hazards, especially formalin. There should be regular surveillance in the mortuaries and workers be screened regularly.

Midwives Experiences of Managing Clients with Eclampsia in a low Resource Setting: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Objective: Eclampsia remains a public health issue, especially in low-resource countries worldwide. Midwives are the backbone of the pregnancy and delivery process. Midwives trained in the necessary knowledge and skills are more likely to notice early warning signals of preeclampsia and immediately help clients in such emergencies. This study explored midwives' experiences in managing patients with eclampsia in Ghana. Methods: This study was conducted among eight registered midwives at maternity units of two district hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana, using an exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to select and interview participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. The right of participation and withdrawal from the study was respected. Findings: The three emerged overriding themes are: 1. Midwives have knowledge (warning signs, regimens, and prevention of complications) about the management of eclampsia. 2. Challenges in managing clients included inadequate equipment, staffing, and access to drugs. 3. Strategies for mitigating barriers to care for women with eclampsia (adherence to protocols, teamwork, peer mentoring and supervision, midwives' attitude, and client education. Conclusion: Midwives working in underserved facilities have the knowledge and skill to monitor and manage pregnant women experiencing eclampsia. However, they need to be supported with appropriate resources and advanced equipment to ensure adherence to protocols on managing eclampsia promptly referred. Continuous training and workshops for midwives in the management of hypertension in pregnancy are recommended and the public educated on the dangers of eclampsia.

Stigma and discrimination tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors: Evidence from a nationwide population-based survey in Ghana.

Historically, infectious diseases have generated fears among populations. Unhealthy handling of these fears result in the stigma and discrimination of infected patients. Globally, measures taken so far by governments to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, although helpful, have created fears in people. Consequently, there are reported Ghanaian media cases of stigmatisation against persons who were infected and recovered from COVID-19. However, these reports remain unsubstantiated. This study, therefore, sought to examine stigma and discriminatory tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors among the adult population in Ghana. This was a population-based cross-sectional study among 3,259 adults. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, percentage, chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression were employed in analysing the data. Knowledge on COVID-19 was poor among 33.6% of the participants. Forty-three per cent had a good attitude towards COVID-19. Nearly half (45.9%) exhibited stigma and discriminatory tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors. Participants who had poor COVID-19 related knowledge (aOR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.59-2.29, p<0.001) and poor attitude towards COVID-19 (aOR = 5.83, 95% CI = 4.85-6.98, p<0.001) were more likely to exhibit stigma and discriminatory tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors. Our study found relatively high proportions of poor knowledge and negative attitudes towards COVID-19. Stigma and discriminatory tendencies were consequently high. Our findings call for increased public education on COVID-19 by the Ghana Health Service and the Information Services Department, to increase the level of knowledge on the pandemic while reducing stigma and discrimination associated with it.

Food Hygiene Practices at the Ghana School Feeding Programme in Wa and Cape Coast Cities.

Objective: The integrity and the wholesomeness of the food served to school pupils cannot be overlooked, especially when one considers the magnitude of health and sanitation issues that are plaguing the West African nations. This study aimed to investigate some of the personal hygiene practices by the pupils and the hygienic conditions in which food is cooked and served to these school-going children under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). Design: A cross-sectional and descriptive survey research designs were used in the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed in selecting participants. Participants. There were 720 respondents for the study, comprising 600 pupils, 60 teachers, and 60 kitchen staff members from 20 schools. Information was obtained using questionnaire, observation, and unstructured interview instruments. Results: Findings from the study revealed that the majority of pupils (92% in Wa and 65% in Cape Coast) did not wash their hands with soap under running water. No hand washing centers for pupils were also seen in most of the schools studied. Majority of the cooks did not have health certificate, and neither had attended any in-service training in two years. In both Wa and Cape Coast municipal schools, none of the kitchen staff admitted that pupils and teachers ever complained about the meals they served to the pupils. Conclusion: The GSFP in basic schools forms part of the integral diet of the school children; hence, provision of good quality food can affect the health, learning, and physical activities of these children. Observational checklist revealed that most of the kitchen staff do not strictly adhere to basic food hygiene practices, and this affects the wholesomeness of the food served to the children. There is, therefore, a need for kitchen staff training on hygiene and food preparation practices.