Browsing by Author "Addo-Lartey, A."
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Item Adherence to the test, treat and track strategy for malaria control among prescribers, Mfantseman Municipality, Central Region, Ghana(PLOS ONE, 2023) Agbemafle, E.E.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Odikro, M.A.; Frimpong, J.A.; Kubio, C.; Ameme, D.K.; Sackey, S.O.; Bonful, H.A.The test, treat, and track (T3) strategy is directed at ensuring diagnosis and prompt treatment of uncomplicated malaria cases. Adherence to T3 strategy reduces wrong treatment and prevents delays in treating the actual cause of fever that may otherwise lead to complications or death. Data on adherence to all three aspects of the T3 strategy is sparse with previous studies focusing on the testing and treatment aspects. We determined adherence to the T3 strategy and associated factors in the Mfantseman Municipality of Ghana. Methods We conducted a health facility based cross-sectional survey in Saltpond Municipal Hospital and Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospitals in Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, Ghana in 2020. We retrieved electronic records of febrile outpatients and extracted the test ing, treatment and tracking variables. Prescribers were interviewed on factors associated with adherence using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analyses was done using descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression. Results Of 414 febrile outpatient records analyzed, 47 (11.3%) were under five years old. About 180 (43.5%) were tested with 138 (76.7%) testing positive. All positive cases received antimalar ials and 127 (92.0%) were reviewed after treatment. Of 414 febrile patients, 127 (30.7%) were treated according to the T3 strategy. Higher odds of adherence to T3 were observed for patients aged 5–25 years compared to older patients (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.27–4.87, p = 0.008). Adherence was low among physician assistants compared to medical officers (AOR 0.004, 95% CI 0.004–0.02, p<0.001). Prescribers trained on T3 had higher adherence (AOR: 99.33 95% CI: 19.53–505.13, p<0.000). Conclusion Adherence to T3 strategy is low in Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region of Ghana. Health facilities should perform RDTs for febrile patients at the OPD with priority on low cadre prescribers during the planning and implementation of interventions to improve T3 adherence at the facility level.Item Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting among Community Pharmacists in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Osei, J.Y.; Addo-Lartey, A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthBackground: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity across the globe. Spontaneous reporting systems are the commonest means of reporting adverse drug reactions with the overall aim of protecting patients from the harmful effects of medications. ADR reporting is however low among healthcare professionals due to several factors. A large number of Ghanaians often visit community pharmacies as the first point of call to access healthcare; however, there is limited knowledge about the factors that influence adverse drug reaction reporting among community pharmacists in Ghana. Objective: This study had the overall objective of assessing ADR reporting among community pharmacists in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It also investigated factors affecting reporting and how to improve adverse drug reaction reporting among community pharmacists. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of 210 community pharmacists in the Greater Accra Region. The pharmacists were randomly sampled from community pharmacies across the region. Data collection was by a self-administered questionnaire and all analysis carried out using STATA Version 13. Findings: Two hundred and ten filled questionnaires were returned out of the two hundred and fifty administered, giving a response rate of 84%. Among the 210 pharmacists who took part in the study, 93 had seen a patient with a suspected adverse drug reaction in the past one year. However, only 16% of them reported by filling an ADR form. Ninety-six percent of the pharmacists who participated in the study had heard of ADR reporting in Ghana. Eighteen percent of pharmacists had never seen the ADR reporting form. Twenty-four percent did not know where to obtain the reporting form and thirty-seven percent did not know where to submit the form on completion. The main reason given by the pharmacists who failed to report suspected ADRs was the unavailability of reporting forms (77%). Uncertainty about causality of the ADR (20.5%) and the fact that some of the pharmacists considered the reaction as “normal” with the medication in question (21.8%) were other reasons given. About 56% of pharmacists had excellent knowledge about the reporting system in Ghana. Age, gender and training were all found not to be significantly associated with ADR reporting (p-values, 0.24, 0.49 & 0.40). Conclusion and Recommendation: ADR reporting by community pharmacists remains low despite the efforts of the Food and Drugs Authority to sensitize pharmacists about its importance. To improve the proportion of reporting, the reporting forms should be made widely available in all pharmacies with continuous professional development in the area of Pharmacovigilance.Item Birth Outcomes in Hiv Positive Women Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at The Tamale Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Ankobil, A.; Addo-Lartey, A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthIntroduction: There are several conflicting reports on the effect of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) on birth outcomes in HIV positive women. Studies also suggest that different geographic locations present with varying birth outcomes with respect to specific antiretroviral drugs. Objective: This sought to examine birth outcomes in HIV positive women who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) from 2010 to 2015. Methods: As a result of sparse data on this issue, this Ghanaian retrospective study sought to identify birth outcomes in HIV positive women who received ART in a Ghanaian sentinel clinic between 2010 and 2015. A purposive sampling technique was employed to collect data on birth outcomes from the registry of the ART clinic of the TTH as well as the database of the National AIDS/STI Control Program, Ghana. The Stata software (StataSE 13.0) was used to analyse data. Descriptive data included maternal demographic characteristics and obstetric history as well as ART regimen used. Birth outcomes considered were: newborn`s HIV status, low birth weight (<2,500 g), preterm delivery (gestational age <37 weeks) and still births. The Fisher`s exact test was used to test for associations between birth outcomes (newborn`s HIV seropositivity, low birth weight, preterm delivery and still birth) and ARV regimens as well as maternal risk factors (smoking, alcohol abuse, HIV type, coinfections, education, religion and mode of delivery). The one sample t-test was used to test mean differences of age and birth weight. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: With a mean age of 31.3±5.2 years (CI, 30.21-32.26), the 101 clients` data provided prevalence rates of 4.2%, 18.8%, 7.3% and 5.0% for HIV seropositivity, low birth weight, preterm delivery and still birth respectively. About 85.2% of clients received any one of the following alternative antiretroviral regimens: TDF+3TC+NVP; TDF+FTC+EFV; d4T+3TC+NVP; AZT+3TC+EFV; AZT+3TC+NVP and AZT+3TC. The mean birth weight was 2.9±0.5 (CI, 2.78-2.99). No significant associations were observed between birth outcomes (newborn`s HIV seropositivity, low birth weight, preterm delivery and still birth) and respective ARV regimens (p>0.05). Additionally, a-priori confounding maternal risk factors (smoking, alcohol abuse, HIV type, coinfections, education, religion and mode of delivery) assessed in this study were found to have no significant associations with the observed birth outcomes (p >0.05). Conclusions and recommendations: Birth outcomes were not significantly associated with antiretroviral drug combinations and maternal risk factors. Due to shortages, the sentinel clinic lacked the WHO`s recommended ARV regimens for ART. It is critical for key stakeholders to support Ghanaian sentinel clinics obtain preferred antiretroviral regimens (eg. TDF+3TC/FTC+EFV) so as to reduce potential adverse birth outcomes. Also, high priority strategies are required from stakeholders to help reduce mother to child transmission of HIV in order to meet the target of the WHO`s Global Plan for eliminating MTCT of HIV while keeping respective mothers alive.Item Coping with Adversity: Resilience Dynamics of Livestock Farmers in Two Agroecological Zones of Ghana(MDPI, 2021) Nuvey, F.S.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Nortey, P.A.; Addo, K.K.; Bonfoh, B.Despite the increasing occurrence of adverse events including droughts and conflicts, livestock farmers in Ghana continue to raise animals to support their livelihoods and the national economy. We assessed the resilience of cattle farmers (CF) to adverse events they faced using a cross-sectional survey of 287 CF in two agroecological zones in Ghana. Resilience to adversities was assessed using the Resilience Scale (RS-14). Resilience scores and categories were computed and factors that explained variations in resilience categories assessed. The farmers kept, on average, 31 cattle per household, with a majority (91%) also growing crops. Key adverse events confronting them in both districts were animal disease outbreaks, pasture shortages, and theft, with 85% (240/287) losing, on average, seven cattle (15% of the herd size) over a one-year period. The mean resilience score was 71 (SD = 8) out of 98; 52% were highly resilient. Resilience was higher in the southern district (72 versus 70), albeit not statistically significant (p = 0.06). The resilience significantly improved with age, each unit increase in cattle in the herd, and having experience raising livestock (p < 0.001). The CF have relatively high resilience to adverse events affecting their productivity. The findings provide relevant information for implementing mitigation measures to improve production by reducing animal mortalities through high-quality veterinary services.Item Determinants of low birth weight deliveries at five referral hospitals in Western Area Urban district, Sierra Leone(Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2021) Kargbo, D.K.; NYARKO, K.; Sackey, S.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Kenu, E.; Anto, F.Background: Low birth weight (LBW) contributes significantly to infant and child mortality. Each year, about 20 1million deliveries are LBW with 96.5% occurring in developing countries. Whiles the incidence of LBW is reducing in other districts of Sierra Leone, it has been reported to be increasing in the Western Area Urban district. Determining the risk factors in a specific geographic area is important for identifying mothers at risk and thereby for planning and taking appropriate action. The current study sought to identify factors associated with LBW deliveries in the Western Area Urban district of Sierra Leone. Methods: A hospital-based unmatched 1:2 case-control study was conducted among mothers who delivered live singleton babies from November, 2019 to February, 2020 in five referral health facilities. Mothers were conveniently sampled and sequentially enrolled into the study after delivery. Their antenatal care cards were reviewed and a pretested questionnaire administered to the mothers. Data analysis was done using Stata 15.0 and association between maternal socio-demographic, socio-economic, obstetric and lifestyle factors and LBW assessed using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 438 mothers (146 cases and 292 controls), mean age: 24.2 (±5.8) and 26.1 (±5.5) years for cases and controls respectively participated in the study. Multivariable analysis revealed that being unemployed (AoR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.16–5.49, p = 0.020), having anaemia during pregnancy (AoR = 3.88, 95% CI 1.90–7.90, p < 0.001), having less than 2 years inter-pregnancy interval (AoR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.11–5.73, p = 0.026), and smoking cigarettes during pregnancy (AoR = 4.36, 95% CI 1.94–9.80, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with having LBW babies. Conclusion: Factors associated with LBW identified were unemployment, anaemia during pregnancy, < 2 years inter-pregnancy interval and cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Health care providers should screen and sensitize mothers on the risk factors of LBW during antenatal sessions.Item Determinants of low birth weight deliveries at five referral hospitals in Western Area Urban district, Sierra Leone(Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2021) Kargbo, D. K.; Nyarko, K.; Sackey, S.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Kenu, E.; Anto, F.Background: Low birth weight (LBW) contributes significantly to infant and child mortality. Each year, about 20 1million deliveries are LBW with 96.5% occurring in developing countries. Whiles the incidence of LBW is reducing in other districts of Sierra Leone, it has been reported to be increasing in the Western Area Urban district. Determining the risk factors in a specific geographic area is important for identifying mothers at risk and thereby for planning and taking appropriate action. The current study sought to identify factors associated with LBW deliveries in the Western Area Urban district of Sierra Leone. Methods: A hospital-based unmatched 1:2 case-control study was conducted among mothers who delivered live singleton babies from November, 2019 to February, 2020 in five referral health facilities. Mothers were conveniently sampled and sequentially enrolled into the study after delivery. Their antenatal care cards were reviewed and a pretested questionnaire administered to the mothers. Data analysis was done using Stata 15.0 and association between maternal socio-demographic, socio-economic, obstetric and lifestyle factors and LBW assessed using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 438 mothers (146 cases and 292 controls), mean age: 24.2 (±5.8) and 26.1 (±5.5) years for cases and controls respectively participated in the study. Multivariable analysis revealed that being unemployed (AoR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.16–5.49, p = 0.020), having anaemia during pregnancy (AoR = 3.88, 95% CI 1.90–7.90, p < 0.001), having less than 2 years inter-pregnancy interval (AoR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.11–5.73, p = 0.026), and smoking cigarettes during pregnancy (AoR = 4.36, 95% CI 1.94–9.80, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with having LBW babies. Conclusion: Factors associated with LBW identified were unemployment, anaemia during pregnancy, < 2 years inter-pregnancy interval and cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Health care providers should screen and sensitize mothers on the risk factors of LBW during antenatal sessions. Keywords: Low birth weight, Case-control, Referral hospitals, Western area urban, Sierra LeoneItem Metabolic Syndrome among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Two Selected Hospitals in the Brong Ahafo Region(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Abagre, T.A.; Addo-Lartey, A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthBackground: Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterised by the clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as obesity, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and high blood pressure. The condition frequently occurs among people with T2DM. The metabolic syndrome is associated with adverse health effects such as heart attack, stroke and other diseases involving the blood vessel. It is linked to more than two-fold increase risk of mortality compared with those without the syndrome. Despite knowledge about the health effects, there is limited dating on the prevalence, clustering and associated risk factors of the syndrome in Sub-Saharan Africa. More information is needed to guide health systems in the region to respond adequately to the increasing burden of these metabolic abnormalities. This was one of the rare studies that investigated the prevalence and associated risk factors of METs among people with T2DM using the harmonised definition and the continuous MSR score approach. The study also sought to identify the common components driving the METs burden in the study area. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and METs was assessed using the harmonised definition and the continuous MSR score approaches. Data was collect between 1st and 27th June, 2016 at two hospitals in Dormaa and Berekum Municipalities respectively. Adults (aged 30-79 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus who attended routine diabetes clinics were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Medical records were used to confirm the type 2 diabetes mellitus status of participants. Weight, height, waist circumference, and BP were measured using standard procedures. Blood samples were also analysed for blood glucose, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol. Multiple logistic analyses model was used to explore the associated risk factors of METs measured as a binary outcome, whiles multiple linear regression was used to measure the risk factors of METs measured as a continuous risk score.Results: Data was collected from 430 participants. The mean age of participants was 58.8 years. The prevalence of the METs measured as a binary outcome was 68.6% (95% CI: 64.0 -72.8). The prevalence of the syndrome was higher in women (76.3%) than in men (58.0%). The odds of METs in women was 2.2 times (95% CI: 1.29 - 3.58, p=0.003) that of men. Duration of T2DM was predictive of the binary METs (OR 5.2, 95% CI: 2.90 - 9.31, p<0.001). Overweight was also observed to be a risk factor of the binary METs (OR 6.1, 95% CI: 3.70 - 10.07 p<0.001). The most pre-dominant components in this study were reduced HDL-cholesterol (70.2%), elevated waist circumference (60.9%) and raised SPB (49.8%). As a continuous outcome, the median MSR score was 0.89, 25th percentile (0.28) and 75th percentile (1.85). Compared with those aged 30-39 years, participants aged 60-69 years had surprisingly reduced MSR score (β= -0.65, 95% CI: -1.24- -0.07, p=0.029). Those aged 70-79 years also had reduced MSR score (β= -0.65, 95% CI: -1.24- -0.05, p=0.034). Duration of T2DM, overweight and education were the other independent risk factors of the MSR score in this study. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that METs is common among type 2 diabetes clinic attendees in the Dormaa and Berekum Municipalities. The analyses also support findings from previous studies in Ghana and abroad that observed sex differences in the prevalence of METs and its components. This study revealed that the risk factors of the MSR score might differ from those of the traditional binary METs outcome. Although epidemiologist might find the interpretation of the MSR scores useful, its application in clinical and public health decision making process might prove challenging when classifying who has METs. Nonetheless, the MSR score could be used to monitor the disease progression of an individual. Interventions aimed at promoting early identification of METs and adoption of healthy lifestyle practices should be strengthened among people with T2DM. Routine screening of METs among people with T2DM and at risk individual should be encouraged in health facilities across Ghana. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, risk factors, insulin resistance, and continuous metabolic syndrome risk scoreItem Outbreak of scabies among preschool children, Accra, Ghana, 2017(BMC Public Health, 2019-05-31) Sackey, S.O.; Kaburi, B.B.; Ameme, D.K.; Adu-Asumah, G.; Dadzie, D.; Tender, E.K.; Addeh, S.V.; Aryee, T.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Wurapa, F.; Afari, E.A.; Kenu, E.Background: Scabies occurs worldwide with a prevalence between 0.3 and 46.0%. In Ghana, even though a 5.1% proportion of scabies was reported in a retrospective review of skin diseases at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the nationwide prevalence of scabies is unknown. Overall, its burden is higher in tropical regions. Scabies outbreaks mostly occur among children, the elderly in nursing homes, and prison inmates. Even though primary scabies hardly results in mortalities, the pain, itch, and systemic complications from secondary bacterial infections account for about 1.5 million years lived with disabilities. We investigated a scabies outbreak among school children in Ghana to determine its magnitude, stop the outbreak, and institute preventive measures to minimize risks of future outbreaks. Methods: The investigation was conducted between March 14 and May 17, 2017 among pupils of Presbyterian Secondary Staff Basic School in Accra. We defined a case as a school child who on clinical examination, had an intensely pruritic rash on at least one typical predilection site with or without a burrow, or positive skin scrapings on microscopy. We screened and line listed cases, performed laboratory investigations on skin scrapings and wound swaps, and conducted an environmental assessment. We performed descriptive statistics on data, and calculated attack rate ratios (ARR) at 95% confidence level. Results: Of 823 preschool children screened, 92 were cases. Median age of cases was 4 years (range 2–7 years) and their modal age was 3 years. The overall attack rate was 11.2% (92/823). The sex specific attack rate was 11.5% for males, and 10.8% for females (ARR: 0.93; CI: 0.67–1.28). Compared with the least affected class (crèche), the nursery one class was worst affected (ARR: 5.14; CI: 3.44–7.50). On microscopy, all skin scrapings were negative for scabies. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were isolated from secondarily infected scabies lesions. Conclusions: A scabies outbreak with a propagated source occurred among preschool children. The 3-year-old pupils were most affected. It was controlled by mass treatment with benzyl benzoate and health education. Classrooms and sleeping mats were disinfected. We recommended the decongestion of classrooms and discouraged sharing of sleeping mats.Item Pathways of change: qualitative evaluations of intimate partner violence prevention programmes in Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa and Tajikistan(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021) Stern, E.; Willan, S.; Gibbs, A.; Myrttinen, H.; Washington, L.; Sikweyiya, Y.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Mastonshoeva, S.; Jewkes, R.A critical component of evaluations of the effectiveness of intimate partner violence prevention programmes involves understanding pathways of change among individuals who participate in such programmes, and the intervention or contextual elements that support or hinder these. This paper draws on qualitative evaluations of four intimate partner violence prevention programmes in Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa and Tajikistan conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Programme. Using a comparative case study approach, a secondary analysis was applied to thematically analysed data to explore how and why men and women change in response to different types of programmes across diverse contexts. Similar pathways of change were identified including the value of learning and applying relationship skills to support equitable, non-violent relation ships; the importance of participatory approaches to challenge harmful gender norms and allow for group rapport; and the integration of economic empowerment activities to reduce drivers of intimate partner violence and conflict, and promote participants’ self-confidence and status. These findings provide insights regarding intervention design and implementation factors pertinent to bring about changes in intimate partner violence.Item Performance of Community-Based Agents (Cbas) in Home-Based Care of Uncomplicated Malaria Under-Five Years in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2016-07) Mukaila, D.; Addo-Lartey, A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences School of Public HealthIntroduction: Malaria contributes substantially to the poor health situation in Africa. It is on record that, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 90% of the world’s 300 – 500 million cases and 1.5 – 2.7 million deaths annually. About 90% of all these deaths in Africa occur in young children. Home-based Management of Malaria (HMM) is a strategy to increase access to malaria treatment. This study was conducted to assess the the performance of Community - Based Agents in Home- Based Care of Malaria under-five years in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region of Ghana after five years of its implementation. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the performance of Community - Based Agents in Home- Based Care of Malaria under-five years in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional approach was used to assess the performance of Community - Based Agents in Home- Based Care of Malaria under-five years in the Atiwa District in the Eastern Region of Ghana using quantitative data collection technique; all the 65 trained CBAs in the district were purposively selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire and 46 CBAs were observed offering treatment at the time of the interviews through the use of a checklist. Age, sex, education, occupation and indicators on knowledge and management practices were the variables obtained and the results were analyzed using SPSS so version 22.0. Results: The age of CBAs ranged from 18 to 75 years, 46 (70.8%) were males and 31(47.7%) had Middle school education with subsistence farming being 46 (70.8%). All the respondents 65 (100%) received training before starting the HMM. Out of the 65 CBAs interviewed, 34 (52.3%) and 20 (30.8%) had knowledge on 4 and 3 dangers signs respectively and measured as good knowledge and 3 (4.6%) and 5 (7.7%) had knowledge on 2 and 1 danger signs, respectively which is an indication of poor knowledge and out of the 46 CBAs observed, 29 (63%) gave correct age appropriate dose. Using the chi-square test, there was an association between level of education and knowledge on the correct dosage of ACTs. A Chi-square value of 4.110 with a p-value of 0.029 (<0.05) shows that there is an association between health educational practices and referrals of sick children to health facilities. Forty-seven (47) CBAs who were observed to have had good health educational practices made referrals of sick children promptly. Conclusion: More than 60% of the CBAs were able to administer the correct dosage of the ACTs to the age specific groups and the referral practices by the CBAs was high and health education on the prevention of malaria was delivered by the CBAs.Item Poor mental health of livestock farmers in Africa: a mixed methods case study from Ghana(BMC Public Health, 2020-06-01) Nuvey, F.S.; kreppel, K.; Nortey, P.A.; Addo-Lartey, A.; Sarfo, B.; Fokou, G.; Ameme, D.K.; Kenu, E.; Sackey, S.; Addo, K.K.; Afari, E.; Chibanda, D.; Bonfoh, B.Background: Agriculture represents the mainstay of African economies and livestock products are essential to the human population’s nutritional needs. However, in many developing countries, including Ghana, livestock production fails to meet demand due to population growth and negative effects of climate change. One of the challenges to production is livestock loss affecting farmers. However, despite stressful events experienced, livestock farmers’ mental health is poorly documented. This study aims to identify the root causes of livestock losses and their influence on pastoralists’ mental health. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study in two districts in the Northern and Southern Belts of Ghana. Using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 and guided interviews, we collected quantitative and qualitative data from 287 livestock farmers and 24 key-informants respectively. Mental health scores were categorized using standard guidelines. We evaluated the factors that explained variations in mental wellbeing using general linear models (α = 0.05). Results: About 85% (240/287) of the livestock farmers lost cattle within 1 year. Of these, 91% lost cattle to animal diseases, 50% to theft and 27% to pasture shortages. Qualitative findings reveal that due to poor access to veterinary services, farmers treat livestock diseases themselves with drugs from unregulated sources and often sell diseased cows for meat to recover losses. Findings showed that 60% of livestock farmers had poor mental health. Of those, 72% were depressed, 66% anxious and 59% stressed. Mental wellbeing was negatively associated with the number of adverse events experienced, proportion of livestock lost to most of the major loss factors, emotional attachment to livestock and self-reported physical illnesses in farmers, but positively associated with increasing herd size [F (8,278) = 14.18, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.29].Conclusions: Livestock diseases are the leading cause of losses to livestock farmers, whose mental wellbeing is negatively affected by these losses. Although an adaptive strategy by farmers to compensate for poor veterinary services, the arbitrary use of veterinary drugs and sale of diseased cattle pose health risks to the public. Further research to evaluate the performance of veterinary services in Ghana, mental health problems and risk to human health due to potential high-risk meat entering the food chain, is needed.