Modelling the spread of HIV/AIDS epidemic in the presence of irresponsible infectives

In this study, a non-linear mathematical model was proposed and analyzed to study the effect of irresponsible infectives in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a variable size population. The population was divided into four subclasses, of susceptibles (HIV negatives who can contract the disease), irresponsible infectives (people who are infected with the virus but do not know or live irresponsible life styles) , responsible infectives (HIV positives who know they are infected and are careful) and full-blown AIDS patients. Susceptibles were assumed to be infected through sexual contact with infectives and all infectives develop AIDS at a constant rate. Stability analysis and numerical simulations of the resulting model are presented. The model analysis shows that the disease-free equilibrium is always locally asymptotically stable and in such a case the basic reproductive number R0<1 and the endemic equilibrium does not exist. The disease is thus eliminated from the system. If R0>1, the endemic equilibrium exists and the disease remains in the system. It is shown that the endemicity of the disease is reduced when irresponsible infectives become responsible.Keywords: Vertical transmission, stability, simulation, irresponsible infective

In-situ Behaviour of Selected Local Sand Binders on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Grey Cast Iron

The need to develop local sand binder by manufacturing industries has become necessary for national development. In this paper, the suitability of selected local sand binders on microstructural and mechanical properties of sand cast-grey cast iron was examined. The bentonite, cassava starch, rubber latex is varied for 5w% - 11w% fritter added to 100% silica sand of 5w% water. The selected scrap was superheated to 1550oC with 0.1% (Fe-Si) inoculant for proper dissolution. The microhardness and tensile properties were examined using Brinnel hardness (HBN) and Instron Tensiometer (1195) for tensile values (MPa) respectively. The microstructural properties of the produced cast were examined through Nikon metallurgical microscope. Results obtained from the grey cast revealed a pearlite matrix interface, massive carbide and graphite phases. Molds bonded with bentonite and cassava starch appears better with average hardness value of 437 and 385 (HBN) respectively. The microstructure was seen to be dominated by majorly pearlite matrix with little carbide which are favorable for the formation of gray cast iron which requires low chilling in the moul

SSR-Based Genetic Structure Study of Seventy-Eight Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) Genotypes

Seventy-eight cowpea accessions were studied using short sequence repeats (SSR) technique. Genetic structure of these accessions was studied using three SSR polymorphic primers, SSR-6206, SSR-6218 and SSR-6219. A total of eight loci were scored for the three primers with a total of ten alleles. Bayesian clustering method grouped the cowpea genotypes into 4 sub-populations. Ancestral allele frequencies ranged between 0.128 and 0.802, while allele frequencies within sub-populations ranged from 0.001 and 0.997. Allele frequency divergence among sub-populations ranged from 0.145 to 0.406. Expected heterozygosity between individuals in the same sub-population ranged from 0.084 and 0.26, Mean genetic differentiation among sub-populations ranged from 0.374 and 0.687, with a mean geneflow ranging from 0.228 and 0.837. There was relative uniformity within the sub-populations which can be accounted for by independent random genetic drift

Usage of electronic information resources (EIRs) for improved nursing research and health-care delivery in Nigeria

This study examined the usage of electronic information resources (EIRs) for improved nursing research and health-care delivery in Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population consisted of 120 nursing and midwifery students and 5 healthcare providers at Grimmard School of Nursing and Midwifery, Anyigba, Kogi State of Nigeria totalling 125. Five (5) research questions guided the conduct of this study. Analysis and discussion of the study were based on major findings of the study. The results revealed that, nursing and midwifery students sourced e-resources through online databases, smart phones, institutional repositories and search engines. The study further concluded that, pubmed and excerpta medica database (EMBASE), global infectious disease and epidemiology network (GIDEON), nursing reference centre plus, medicine biomedical and health resources and lilalcs and trip pro were available types of e-resources to nurses. Challenges hindering effective utilization of electronic information resources by nurses ranged from inadequate facilities for using e-resources, unstable power supply, lack of requisite computer use skills, and knowledge of availability of resources, poor internet connectivity, inability to evaluate information sources and inability to seek and obtain information. The study, among others, recommended that government and other stakeholders should assist private and public nursing colleges to provide libraries with adequate and relevant electronic information resources (EIRs) for the usage by student nurses and the management of nursing schools should enhance internet connectivity, infrastructures and access points at strategic locations at the college library. The study contributes to knowledge in the areas of literature, practice and will be useful for policy makers on the necessary steps for ensuring the available of electronic health resources and usability by nursing students. In addition, the study provides fresh data on the usage of electronic information resources for improved nursing research and health care delivery in Nigeria

Individual and contextual factors associated with disposal of children's stools in Papua New Guinea: evidence from the 2016-2018 demographic and health survey.

BackgroundProper sanitation has been one of the topmost priorities on the global public health agenda. In the past few decades, sanitation programs targeting households have often paid little attention to the disposal of children's stools. We assessed the individual and contextual factors associated with disposal of children's faeces in Papua New Guinea.MethodsThe data used for this study forms part of the 2016-2018 Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS). For this study, we focused on women with children less than five years (n = 2095). Both descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, using frequency counts and percentages. The inferential analysis used multilevel logistic regression models to investigate the individual and contextual factors associated with disposal of children's stools. These models were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AORs), together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was set at p ResultsMore than half (56%) of the women had disposed of their children's stools unsafely. With the individual level factors, the results showed that women with children ConclusionBoth individual and contextual factors predict unsafe disposal of children's faeces in Papua New Guinea. It is recommended that sanitation programs should focus on behavioral change and not only on the extension of water and improved toilet facilities. Such programs should also focus on both individual and contextual factors of women

"God is my only health insurance": a mixed-methods study on the experiences of persons with disability in accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Ghana

Background: Access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is a fundamental human right, but people with disabilities (PwDs) in low-and middle-income countries often face multiple barriers to utilisation. This study aimed to assess the level of SRH services utilisation and the enabling and inhibiting factors among PwDs in Ghana’s Ashanti region. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design was employed, involving quantitative (n = 402) and qualitative (n = 37) data collection from PwDs. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The study found that only 33.8% of the PwDs had ever used SRH services. Utilisation was associated with sex, marital status and travel duration to health facility. The qualitative data revealed that factors at the individual, family/community and health facility levels influenced utilisation of SRH services, acting as both enablers and barriers. Conclusion: PwDs had relatively low utilisation of SRH services in Ghana’s Ashanti region. To increase utilisation, it is recommended to address the stigma and discrimination towards PwDs, provide more training for healthcare providers, improve the accessibility of healthcare facilities, and strengthen the national health insurance scheme. Further research could explore PwDs’ SRH outcomes and strategies to improve these outcomes in Ghana

Perceptions and experiences of orthodox health practitioners and hospital administrators towards integrating traditional medicine into the Ghanaian health system

The government of Ghana has been piloting traditional medicine (TM) integration in 17 health facilities across the country. However, the nature of current practice of integrated healthcare has not been thoroughly explored. This paper sought to explore the experiences and recommendations of orthodox health practitioners and hospital administrators in the Ashanti region regarding the practice of integrated healthcare in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative, phenomenological approach involving 22 interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting study participants. Framework analysis was used to draw on the experiences of participants relating to TM integration. Participants were knowledgeable about the existence of integrated health facilities and stated that TM integration has created options in health services. However, participants deemed the integrated system ineffective and attributed the inefficiency to poor processing and certification of TM products, opposition of medical doctors to TM usage, absence of a protocol to guide the integration process, and inadequate publicity. Professional training of TM practitioners and inclusion of TM in medical school curriculum could improve collaboration between the health practitioners. Future research should focus on assessing the opinions and involvements of TM practitioners regarding the integration of traditional therapies into national health systems

Integrating traditional medicine into the Ghanaian health system: perceptions and experiences of traditional medicine practitioners in the Ashanti region

Background Traditional medicine (TM) plays a vital role in the Ghanaian health system by serving as an alternative healthcare delivery system for the majority of people. However, the quality of practice and level of TM practitioners’ involvement in the integration of TM into the health system have not been fully investigated. Methods This study employed a phenomenological qualitative study design to explore the perceptions, experiences and recommendations of TM practitioners in the Ashanti region regarding TM integration. Data were collected through individual interviews with 17 participants. Results Participants had knowledge about TM integration. They cited effective alternative healthcare delivery and improved patient outcomes as the key benefits of TM integration. However, they reported a shortage of approved TM products, poor visibility of TM integration and poor relational coordination of care as factors hampering the integration. Participants recommended improved interprofessional relationships, provision of financial support and improved publicity of TM as possible strategies to enhance TM integration in Ghana. Conclusions The findings of the study clearly demonstrate that the Ghanaian health system is currently operating a consumer-led, tolerant health system with a parallel (between orthodox and TM practitioners) healthcare delivery model. Successful implementation of an effective TM integration would require improved integrative collaborative coordination of care between orthodox and TM practitioners in Ghana

"Sex Should Not Be Part of the Lives of Persons with Disabilities, but They Are Human Beings Too": Perceptions of Healthcare Providers and Factors Affecting Service Delivery in Ghana

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) constitute about 16% of the global population and face many challenges in every society, including access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The attitudes of healthcare providers (HPs) exert a major influence on PwDs accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of HPs towards PwDs and SRH delivery in Ghana’s Ashanti region. Quantitative data analysis indicated that overall, 82% of HPs had received information on disability-related issues and had relatively positive attitude towards PwDs, which varied across sub-scales of the Attitude Towards Disability score and associated with their sociodemographic characteristics. HPs faced several challenges in SRH services delivery to PwDs, which included a lack of funding and training, and inadequate staff. Inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed eight overarching themes. The findings revealed that HPs had prejudice about the mental and sexual health abilities of PwDs. Inadequate skill set, inadequate resources, and limited funding were major challenges identified. Nonetheless, compassion and benevolence towards PwDs, improvision, economic and educational support, awareness creation, and referrals were strategies adopted to overcome these challenges. Mandatory training of HPs is recommended to ensure improved SRH service delivery to PwDs. Future research could explore the perceptions and coping strategies of PwDs

Level of inclusiveness of people with disabilities in Ghanaian health policies and reports: a scoping review

(1) Background: Globally, persons with disabilities (PWDs) face numerous challenges including access to healthcare. This scoping review sought to assess the level of inclusiveness in Ghanaian health policies and reports for PWDs; (2) Methods: An extensive search and scoping review of health policies/reports in Ghanaian government websites and Google was conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for scoping reviews were followed in selecting and reporting the policies/reports. The program evaluation and policy design framework was employed for content analysis; (3) Results: Fifteen policies and reports with political recognition, objectives, and specific resources needed to execute stipulated plans were included. Although these policies and reports had collaborative partnerships with various institutions and organisations in development and implementation plans, the level of inclusiveness of disability issues was very low. Only eight out of the fifteen policies/reports (53%) reviewed considered PWDs, indicating a low level of inclusion. The definition of disability was also limited.; (4) Conclusions: To achieve the sustainable development goal of ‘leaving no one behind’ in line with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Act 715 of Ghana, it is recommended that subsequent health policies should have an in-depth engagement with PWDs from the conceptual design stage right through to implementation and evaluation