The role of social support and self-management on glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus with complications in Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM) can result in detrimental complications which are connected with long-term impairments and disabilities. Chronic complications are well-known consequences of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression, which reduce patient quality of life, place a burden on the healthcare system, and increase mortality. Measures to promote health outcomes for people with DM are scanty; the study therefore aimed at determining the effects of self-management and social support on glycemic control of T2DM with complications in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional design using convenience sampling was conducted on 400 T2DM patients using Hensarling's Diabetes Family Support Scale and Summary of Diabetes Self­Care Activities scale. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive, Pearson Moment Product Correlation and Binary Logistic Regression on self-management, social support, and glycemic control in T2DM patients. Results: Social support among participants was high and there was a positive correlation or relationship between social support and T2DM self-management. There was a correlation between social support and self-management (r = 0.149, p < 0.05) and diet control (r = 0.221, p < 0.05). The results also showed a significant correlation between medication adherence and glycemic management (r = 0.116, p < 0.05) while female T2DM participants, individuals with at least primary education were less likely to have low self-management relative to T2DM. Conclusion: Though the level of T2DM self-management was high it does not translate to good glycemic control. Focused health education programs should be incorporated into patients' care plans which will be particularly relevant for patients with T2DM and will contribute to positive physiological and psychological outcomes. Furthermore, a more robust monitoring and follow-up scheme should be scaled up or instituted for patients with T2DM.

Prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Ejisu government hospital in Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Malaria in pregnancy is a global public health problem with the majority of its impact seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Pregnant women with malaria infection are at risk of adverse maternal outcomes. In Ghana, malaria in pregnancy accounts for about 17.6% of outpatient department attendance. Ashanti region is among the three regions with the highest malaria prevalence in pregnancy, particularly in the Ejisu Municipality. The study, therefore, assessed the prevalence and determinants of malaria infection among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at the Ejisu Government Hospital in Ghana. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sampling technique was used to select 140 respondents for the study. Primary data such as age and residence of respondents were collected using a questionnaire and secondary data such as gestational age and Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) administration were collected from clients' maternal health record booklet. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association between the malaria infection and the independent variables, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of malaria in pregnancy was 24 (17.1%). Most of the respondents had received counselling and health education 126 (90%), two or more doses of SP 95 (87.2%), Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) 99 (70.7%) and were sleeping under ITN 104 (74.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between malaria infection and sleeping under ITN (AOR = 0.05; 95% CI = 0.01-0.28, p< .001), the use of insecticide mosquito spray (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.09-0.84, p = .045) and reason for not using ITN due to the use of other preventive measures (AOR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01-0.61, p = .017). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of malaria infection among study respondents despite the high usage of preventive measures for malaria in this study. It is therefore crucial that stakeholders in malaria control identify effective strategies to curb malaria transmission globally.

The motivational factors and the perceived effects of attaining higher education among post-diploma graduate nurses and midwives in Kumasi, Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Globally, there has been increased demand for higher education in nursing and midwifery to support evidence-based practice. It is believed that higher education in nursing leads to improved quality of care. The motivation for pursuing higher education, the choice of institution for learning and the effects of higher education programs have not been given much attention in research literature in Ghanaq OBJECTIVE: To assess the motivating factors, reasons for the choice of institution and the perceived effects of attaining higher educational qualifications among post-diploma graduate nurses and midwives. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Kumasi. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience and snowball sampling were used to select 523 nurses and midwives who had pursued higher education after their Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery education. METHOD: A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to collect data on motivation, choice of institution and perceived effects of higher education by nurses and midwives. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and linear regression at 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The greatest motivation for higher education by nurses/midwives was to improve clinical judgment. Academic quality and reputation of the institution were the main reasons for the choice of institution (n = 458, 92.7 %). There were weak but positive significant correlations between the perceived effects of higher nursing and midwifery education and pressure from the workplace (r = 0.204, p < .001), and increasing new demands from clients (r = 0.284, p < .001). Increasing demands from clients (ß = 0.203, p < .001) and improving social status (ß = 0.264, p < .001) were the motivating factors that influenced the perceived effects of higher nursing and midwifery education. CONCLUSION: The desire for improved professionalism and increased expertise are the reasons nurses and midwives seek higher education. Health managers should support nurses and midwives to attain higher education to improve the quality of care.

The predictors of unsuppressed viremia among PLHIV: a cross-sectional study in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Unsuppressed viremia in HIV infected patients is generally associated with increased rates of disease transmission and poor patient survival. This study assessed the socio-demographic determinants of People Living with HIV/AIDS, having viral load non-suppression and who are receiving antiretroviral therapy in a District Hospital in Ghana. METHODS: The study utilized the cross-sectional research design with both primary and secondary data conducted from September to October 2021 in Ghana. Data were collected from 331 PLHIV who were placed on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) for more than 12 months at the ART centre at a District Hospital in Ghana. Unsuppressed viremia was defined as plasma viral load of ≥ 1000 copies/mL after 12 months on an ART with effective adherent support. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data on participants and a Secondary data was also collected from patients' folders, hospital registers and the computerized health information systems at the study site. SPSS was used to analyse descriptive and inferential data. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used to assess the independent determinants of viral load non-suppression. Pearson's chi-square test was used for tests giving ≤ 20% of expected cell counts less than five while Fisher's exact test was used for tests giving > 20% of expected cell counts less than five. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 331 PLHIV who participated in the study, 174 (53%) were female and 157 (47%) were Male. The study found viral load non-suppression of 19% with age (p = 0.03), income (p = 0.02), employment (p = 0.04), means of transportation (p = 0.02), cost of transportation to the ART centre (p = 0.03) and level of medication adherence (p = 0.02) as determinants of viral load non-suppression. CONCLUSION: There was a low level of viral load non-suppression among PLHIV after 12 months of active antiretroviral therapy with age, income, employment, means of transportation, cost of transportation and level of medication adherence influencing viral non-suppression. Thus, ART drugs and services should be decentralized to the community health workers' level within the various localities of patients to decrease the economic consequences involved in accessing health care for PLHIV/AIDS. This will minimize defaulting, improve adherence and promote viral load suppression.

Utilization of Research in Clinical Nursing and Midwifery Practice in Ghana: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The International Council of Nurses' 2021 code of ethics mandates nurses to provide evidence-informed care to patients. Globally, using research evidence has led to improvement in nursing and midwifery practice, according to the World Health Organization. A study in Ghana found that 25.3% (n=40) of nurses and midwives use research in clinical care. Research utilization (RU) increases therapeutic effectiveness, improves health outcomes, and enhances the personal and professional development of clinicians. However, it is uncertain the extent to which nurses and midwives are prepared, skilled, and supported to utilize research in clinical care in Ghana. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop a conceptual framework that can facilitate RU among clinical nurses and midwives in Ghanaian health facilities. METHODS: This will be a cross-sectional study with a concurrent mixed methods approach. It will be conducted in 6 hospitals and 4 nursing educational institutions in Kumasi, Ghana. The study has 4 objectives which will be executed in 3 phases. Phase 1 follows a quantitative approach to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of clinical nurses and midwives on the use of research in their practice. Using a web-based survey, 400 nurses and midwives working in 6 health facilities will be recruited. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS, with statistical significance set at .05. Qualitative methodology, using focus group discussions with clinical nurses and midwives, will be conducted to identify the factors influencing their RU. In phase 2, focus group discussions will be used to examine and describe how nurse educators in 4 nursing and midwifery educational institutions prepare nurses and midwives for RU during their education. Views of nurse managers on the RU in Ghanaian health care facilities will be explored in the second section of this phase through one-on-one interviews. Inductive thematic analysis will be used to analyze the qualitative data, and Lincoln and Guba's principles of trustworthiness will be applied. In phase 3, the stages of model development proposed by Chinn and Kramer; and Walker and Avant will be used to triangulate findings from all objectives and formulate a conceptual framework. RESULTS: Data collection started in December 2022. Publication of the results will begin in April 2023. CONCLUSIONS: RU in clinical practice has become an acceptable practice in nursing and midwifery. It is critical that nursing and midwifery professionals in sub-Saharan Africa shift their practice to embrace the global movement. This proposed conceptual framework will empower nurses and midwives to improve their practice of RU. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/45067.