Data Accuracy and Completeness of Monthly Midwifery Returns Indicators of Ejisu Juaben Health Directorate of Ghana

The broad range of activities contained in the provision of Primary Health Care (PHC) places a burden on providers to make optimal use of limited resources to achieve maximal health benefit to the population served. All too often, ad hoc decisions and personal preferences guide PHC resource allocations, making accountability for results impossible. Problems constraining Routine Health Information System (RHIS) performance in low-income countries include: poor data quality; limited use of available information; weaknesses in how data are analyzed and poor RHIS management practices. This study sought to investigate these constraints. A non-experimental before and after study involving bassline assessment of data accuracy and completeness, application of innovative strategies such as mentoring and coaching of Health Information Officers in data quality improvement process. Coincidentally, the intervention improved both data accuracy and completeness performance significantly among the participating facilities. The outstanding performance may be attributed to management's new orientation and growing interest towards quality data. Engaging frontline staff in data quality improvement work and provision of regular feedback leads to improvement in data accuracy and completeness. This has implications for decision-making and resource allocation, especially in low-income countries, where the routine health information management system relies heavily on paper work

Experiences of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy across the trajectory of diagnoses in Ghana

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of posture or movement caused by a lesion to the developing brain that results in functional limitations. The diagnosis of CP can vary from one child to another, causing family stress because of vague and unknown outcomes of the disorder. Although there are negative attitudes in Ghanaian societies towards primary caregivers and children with disabilities, fewer attempts have been made to understand their experiences. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to explore the experiences of primary caregivers across the trajectory of the diagnosis (before, during and after) of CP in the setting of a tertiary hospital. Method: Using Social Capital Theory as framework, 40 primary caregivers of children with CP, who were receiving treatment at a major referral hospital in Ghana, were interviewed about their experiences before, during and after diagnosis. Results: The results that emerged from the thematic analysis were discussed as follows: experiences before diagnosis, experiences during the diagnosis and experiences after the diagnosis. Particularly, participants discussed their inability to access essential services such as education for their children with CP. Conclusion: In light of systemic challenges faced by participants and their children with CP, the need for health policymakers to prioritise the public education about CP, promoting the well-being of caregivers and other implications of the study have been discussed

Perspectives in musculoskeletal injury management by traditional bone setters in Ashanti, Ghana

Background: The popularity of the services of traditional bone setters (TBS) in Ghana as an alternative health care requires exploration and documentation of the perspectives of providers and users.  Objective: To explore and document the perspectives of providers and users of the services of TBS in the management of musculoskeletal injuries in the Ashanti region, Ghana. Methods: From the social constructivist and qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were used to explore the perspectives of eight TBS and 16 users of their services, selected purposively through snowballing. Thematic content analysis (TCA) was employed. Results: High recovery rate, warm reception, prompt attention, and the relatively lower charges, are reported to motivate the patronage of the services of TBS for the management of fractures in the legs, arms, ribs, joint bones dislocations, waist and spinal cord problems. The TBS combined traditional and orthodox procedures, using plant and animal-based materials, beliefs, spirituality (God-given) and physical therapy in the management of musculoskeletal injuries. No adverse experience was reported by either the providers or users of the traditional management methods. Conclusion: With plant and animal-based materials, TBS are observed to combine traditional and orthodox procedures to confidently manage musculoskeletal injuries to the satisfaction of their highly motivated patrons. Although over 60% of the TBS attribute the healing power behind their practice to God, the rest do not discount the role of spiritual therapy. Further studies expanded to include the perspectives of non-users of the services of the TBS will authenticate the findings of this study

Pregnant women and alcohol use in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti region-Ghana.

Drinking alcohol in pregnancy is a serious public health concern worldwide. This study sought to determine the magnitude and socio-demograhic characteristics of pregnant women attending Antenatal clinic in the Bosomtwe district, Ghana who drank alcohol and to assess their general knowledge about the effects of alcohol in pregnancy. The study, a descriptive cross-sectional, was conducted in all the ten health facilities providing reproductive health care with a sample size of 397 pregnant women using structured questionnaires. The findings of the study were that 20.4% of pregnant women drank alcohol. The 25-29 year group 26 (34.0%), married 50 (61.7%) and Junior High School Educated 37 (45.7%) as well as Christians 69 (85.0%) and traders 28 (34.6%) drank most. Majority 77 (33.5%) heard about the detrimental effects of alcohol at Antenatal Clinics (ANC). The District Health Management Team (DHMT) should strengthen health education on alcohol at ANC and through the radio as well as the DHMT collaborating with the Ghana Education Service to embark on education of school pupils and students on the harmful effects of alcohol in pregnancy

[In Press] Inclusivity in neo-liberal policy environment : preparedness of mass media to support disability awareness campaigns in Ghana

Purpose: The mass media have been described as an important institution in educating society about persons with disabilities and in facilitating their acceptance. However, calls to project a positive public image of persons with disabilities and to develop an inclusive society have coincided with the neo-liberal approach to policymaking, whereby government plays a minimised role in the provision of basic services to citizens. Although the extant literature from advanced countries has found stereotypical and disempowering portrayals of persons with disabilities in the mass media, this area remains unresearched in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to explore how the managers of media organisations conceptualise disability, their perception of the role and contribution of the media towards promoting effective public awareness campaigns about persons with disabilities. Methods: This descriptive, qualitative study draws on a purposive sample of 20 participants consisting of general managers, news editors and programme managers from ten media organisations in a region in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was developed from the literature, which included tenets of neo-liberalism, to collect the data. Results: The study found that the majority of respondents cited medical model explanations of disability. Also, they were unprepared to prioritise disability issues due to lack of public interest in disability programmes and lack of funds and sponsorship for disability programmes. Conclusion: Governments must offer tax rebates to media organisations to enable them to prioritise disability issues. Other recommendations for developing media interest in disability issues are also discussed.Implications for rehabilitation This study shows limited understanding of disability among decision-makers or key players in media organisations in Ghana. In an environment of meritocracy, persons with disabilities who struggle to access education in Ghana, may be unable to secure jobs at media organisation. This study shows that media organisations seem unprepared to support or project image of persons with disabilities because such ventures come with no reward. We conclude that if the government is committed towards achieving an inclusive society in Ghana, it could offer tax rebate to media organisations to enable them cover disability programmes

Femmes enceintes et l’usage de l’alcool dans le Disrict d’Ashanti Region, Ghana

Drinking alcohol in pregnancy is a serious public health concern worldwide. This study sought to determine the magnitude and socio-demograhic characteristics of pregnant women attending Antenatal clinic in the Bosomtwe district, Ghana who drank alcohol and to assess their general knowledge about the effects of alcohol in pregnancy. The study, a descriptive cross-sectional, was conducted in all the ten health facilities providing reproductive health care with a sample size of 397 pregnant women using structured questionnaires. The findings of the study were that 20.4% of pregnant women drank alcohol. The 25-29 year group 26 (34.0%), married 50 (61.7%) and Junior High School Educated 37 (45.7%) as well as Christians 69 (85.0%) and traders 28 (34.6%) drank most. Majority 77 (33.5%) heard about the detrimental effects of alcohol at Antenatal Clinics (ANC). The District Health Management Team (DHMT) should strengthen health education on alcohol at ANC and through the radio as well as the DHMT collaborating with the Ghana Education Service to embark on education of school pupils and students on the harmful effects of alcohol in pregnancy (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:55-60).La consommation de l’alcool pendant la grossesse est un gros problème de santé publique partout dans le monde. Cette étude a cherché à déterminer l’ampleur et les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des femmes enceintes qui fréquentent la clinique prénatale qui consomment l’alcool et à évaluer leur connaissance générale sur l’effet de l’alcool dans la grossesse. L’étude, qui est descriptive et transversale, a été menée auprès de dix établissements de santé qui assurent des services de santé de la reproduction à l’aide d’un échantillon de 397 femmes enceintes à travers des questionnaires structurés. Les résultats de l’étude révélaient que 24% des femmes enceintes buvaient de l’alcool. Le groupe des femmes qui ont 25 – 29 ans, 26 (34,0%) mariées, 50(61, 7%) et celles qui sont scolarisées jusqu'au niveau du collège 37 (45,7%) aussi bien que les chrétiennes 69(85,0) et les marchandes 28 (34,6%) buvaient le plus. La majorité ,77 (33,5%) a appris les effets nuisibles de l’alcool aux cliniques anténatales (CAN). Le District Health Management Team (DHMT) doit renforcer l’éducation sanitaire sur l’alcool dans les CAN et à travers la radio et le DHMT doit collaborer avec le Ghana Education Service pour commencer la sensibilisation des élèves et des étudiants concernant les effets nuisibles de l’alcool pendant la grossesse (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:55-60)

Inclusivity in neo-liberal policy environment : preparedness of mass media to support disability awareness campaigns in Ghana

Purpose: The mass media have been described as an important institution in educating society about persons with disabilities and in facilitating their acceptance. However, calls to project a positive public image of persons with disabilities and to develop an inclusive society have coincided with the neo-liberal approach to policymaking, whereby government plays a minimised role in the provision of basic services to citizens. Although the extant literature from advanced countries has found stereotypical and disempowering portrayals of persons with disabilities in the mass media, this area remains unresearched in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to explore how the managers of media organisations conceptualise disability, their perception of the role and contribution of the media towards promoting effective public awareness campaigns about persons with disabilities. Methods: This descriptive, qualitative study draws on a purposive sample of 20 participants consisting of general managers, news editors and programme managers from ten media organisations in a region in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was developed from the literature, which included tenets of neo-liberalism, to collect the data. Results: The study found that the majority of respondents cited medical model explanations of disability. Also, they were unprepared to prioritise disability issues due to lack of public interest in disability programmes and lack of funds and sponsorship for disability programmes. Conclusion: Governments must offer tax rebates to media organisations to enable them to prioritise disability issues. Other recommendations for developing media interest in disability issues are also discussed.Implications for rehabilitation This study shows limited understanding of disability among decision-makers or key players in media organisations in Ghana. In an environment of meritocracy, persons with disabilities who struggle to access education in Ghana, may be unable to secure jobs at media organisation. This study shows that media organisations seem unprepared to support or project image of persons with disabilities because such ventures come with no reward. We conclude that if the government is committed towards achieving an inclusive society in Ghana, it could offer tax rebate to media organisations to enable them cover disability programmes