Browsing by Author "Baah-Odoom, D."
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Item Factors Contributing to Low Postnatal Coverage in Ga East Municipality(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Arthur-Arko, A.; Baah-Odoom, D.Postnatal period is a very critical stage for both the mothers and their babies. The importance of postnatal care services has been established in various studies globally. Yet postpartum care is the most neglected aspect of women’s health care, not only in developing countries but also in some developed countries. In Ghana 23% of postpartum mothers do not receive postnatal at all. This study seeks to explore contributory factors associated with low postnatal service utilization in Ga East District of Greater Accra Region (GAR).The study design was a cross sectional explorative and qualitative research using focus group discussions. The target population for the study was women in the reproductive age and living in the Municipality. The study used five focus group discussions to determine factors contributing to low postnatal coverage in Ga East Municipality. A purposive sampling was employed to carry out to recruit the participants. The researcher moderated all discussions assisted by one trained assistants. The taped discussions were transcribed and the resulting texts analyzed by using thematic analysis. The study revealed that limited availability of public health facilities, in adequate health professionals like midwives, community health offices and doctors in Abokobi Health Center for instance, lack of knowledge about post natal care, negative staff attitude are the mainreasons for the low utilization of not only PNC services but other health services as well. . The findings of the study will be communicated to both the School of Public Health and the Ghana Health Service.Item Knowledge and Perceptions of Mental Disorders among Adualts in Zuarungu and Sumbrungu Communities, in Northern Ghana(2013-07) Adombiri-Naba, S.; Baah-Odoom, D.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthMental illness has been a burden to many nations including Ghana, and has contributed greatly to disability worldwide. Many factors determine mental illness in people and it is important to know the knowledge and perception people hold about mental illness. This is because, knowledge of mental illness may lead to better outcomes for those with mental disorders, either by facilitating early help-seeking or by helping other people to identify early signs of mental disorders and seek help. It will also inform their perceptions about mental illness which will lead to positive attitudes towards the mentally ill. This study was exploratory and qualitative using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Forty-one (41) adults participated. Six focus groups were carried out, with the aid an interview guide, three in each community. Two of the groups were men only, two were women only and two were mixture of men and women. Collected data was transcribed, developed in to themes and analysed. The findings of this study revealed that community members have some level of knowledge of mental illness. Four meaningful illness causal belief dimensions have been identified as: life style factors, Supernatural factors, biological (genetic) factors, and psychological trauma. Majority of the respondents hold negative beliefs about mental illness and thus behave negatively towards the mentally ill. This study brought together diverse research relevant to the topic and recommended education as a strategy to modify existing misconceptions about mental disorders. This research may also serve as a source of evaluation for further research into mental disorders.Item Relationship between Risk Perception of HIV/AIDS and Sexual Behaviours among Senior High School Students in the Tema Metropolis(University of Ghana, 2014) Obuobi, A.O.; Baah-Odoom, D.HIV/AIDS is still a big public health issues as adolescents today have not known a world without AIDS. The school environment offers great opportunity for HIV high risk behaviours. Despite a great awareness of the dangers of the disease and the abundance of knowledge, young people continue to engage in behaviours that place them at risk of contracting the disease. The main objective of the study is to determine the relationship between HIV risk perception and sexual behaviours among senior high school students in the Tema Metropolis. Using a quantitative approach, a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used in soliciting responses about the knowledge, risk perception, self-efficacy and sexual behaviours from 220 senior high school students. The data collected was processed using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 16.0). Univariate analysis was used to determine the Correlations between perceived of risk of HIV/AIDS other variables sexual behaviours. Results from the study show that male students generally have high self-efficacy regarding the practice of safe sex, a relationship also exists between knowledge and risk perception, knowledge and self-efficacy and self-efficacy and reported sexual behaviour. Findings of the research call for innovative/creative ways to empower young people to take control of their lives by making the right decisions concerning their sexual behaviour. Parents are also encouraged to openly discuss HIV and sexual related matters with their children. And finally, including HIV education into the academic curriculum for children to have protective information and equipped with the necessary skills before they become sexually active.Item Relationship between Risk Perception of HIVAIDS and Sexual Behaviours among Senior High School Students in the Tema Metropolis(University of Ghana, 2014) Obiobi, A.O.; Baah-Odoom, D.HIV/AIDS is still a big public health issues as adolescents today have not known a world without AIDS. The school environment offers great opportunity for HIV high risk behaviours. Despite a great awareness of the dangers of the disease and the abundance of knowledge, young people continue to engage in behaviours that place them at risk of contracting the disease. The main objective of the study is to determine the relationship between HIV risk perception and sexual behaviours among senior high school students in the Tema Metropolis. Using a quantitative approach, a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used in soliciting responses about the knowledge, risk perception, self-efficacy and sexual behaviours from 220 senior high school students. The data collected was processed using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 16.0). Univariate analysis was used to determine the Correlations between perceived of risk of HIV/AIDS other variables sexual behaviours. Results from the study show that male students generally have high self-efficacy regarding the practice of safe sex, a relationship also exists between knowledge and risk perception, knowledge and self-efficacy and self-efficacy and reported sexual behaviour. Findings of the research call for innovative/creative ways to empower young people to take control of their lives by making the right decisions concerning their sexual behaviour. Parents are also encouraged to openly discuss HIV and sexual related matters with their children. And finally, including HIV education into the academic curriculum for children to have protective information and equipped with the necessary skills before they become sexually active.Item The Study of Psychological Treatment of Hypertension: Gender, Locus of Control, and Type a Personality(University of Ghana, 1999) Baah-Odoom, D.; Sefah-Dedeh A.; Dankuah S.A.; University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Department of PsychologyOne hundred patients (fifty males and fifty females) with essential hypertension participated in the study, but eighty-two, (forty-six in the treatment group and thirtysix in the delayed treatment groups), completed. All the patients were on medication. The treatment group received cognitive behaviour intervention and progressive muscle relaxation / biofeedback for 12 weeks. The gender, locus o f control and Type A and B behaviour patterns were also examined in relation to the psychological treatment. Treatment yielded a short-term success rate of 87 % defined as decrease in mean systolic blood pressure and 83% mean diastolic blood pressure to within the normal range, that is, study criteria. Other significant variables that were observed to influence therapy were marital status, level of education and duration of illness. Three months post treatment follow-up revealed that the blood pressure of patients were still within the normal range. This suggests that cognitive behaviour therapy and progressive muscle relaxation/biofeedback could be beneficial for short and long term adjunctive treatment o f essential hypertension.Item Surgical Care and Health Systems(World Journal of Surgery, 2015-09) Spiegel, D.A.; Misra, M.; Bendix, P.; Hagander, L.; Bickler, S.W.; Saleh, C.O.; Ekeke-Monono, M.; Baah-Odoom, D.; Caldwell, A.; Irons, B.; Amir, S.; Taylor, R.; Layne, M.; Hailu, H.; Awais, S.M.; Price, R.R.; Crockett, S.; Islam, M.BACKGROUND: While surgical care impacts a wide variety of diseases and conditions with non-operative and operative services, both preventive and curative, there has been little discussion concerning how surgery might be integrated within the health system of a low and middle-income country (LMIC), nor how strengthening surgical services may improve health systems and population health. METHODS: We reviewed reports from several meetings of the working group on health systems strengthening of the Global Initiative for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care, and also performed a review of the literature including the search terms "surgery," "health system," "developing country," "health systems strengthening," "health information system," "financing," "governance," and "integration." RESULTS: The literature search revealed no reports which focused on the integration of surgical services within a health system or as a component of health system strengthening. A conceptual model of how surgical care might be integrated within a health system is proposed, based on the discussions of our working group, combined with sources from the medical literature, and utilizing the World Health Organization's conceptual model of a health system. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening the delivery of surgical services in LMICs will require inputs at multiple levels within a health system, and this effort will require the coalescence of committed individuals and organizations, supported by civil society.Item Type II diabetes and oral health: Perceptions among adults with diabetes and oral/health care providers in Ghana(Community Dental Health, 2014-09) Broder, H.L.; Tormeti, D.; Kurtz, A.L.; Baah-Odoom, D.; Hill, R.M.; Hirsch, S.M.; Hewlett, S.A.; Nimako-Boateng, J.K.; Rodriguez, J.Y.; Sischo, L.Objective: This study sought to examine oral health beliefs and attitudes, and utilisation of oral health care services among individuals with diabetes and health professionals who serve them in Ghana. Basic Research Design: A qualitative study using grounded theory was conducted. Clinical Setting: University of Ghana Dental School at Korle Bu, University of Ghana School of Public Health, National Diabetes Research and Management Centre at Korle Bu, and New York University College of Dentistry. Participants: A convenience sample of 59 patients comprised 7 focus groups conducted in either Twi or English. Seven key informant interviews with healthcare professionals and one spiritual leader were completed. Results: Data from the focus groups and interviews reveal: 1, half of the participants with diabetes have oral manifestations (e.g., bleeding gums) and participants are generally unaware of interrelationship between diabetes and oral health; 2, dental treatment utilisation is minimal and associated almost exclusively with reparative and emergency care; and 3, medical health providers do not acknowledge the interrelationship between oral health and diabetes nor do they incorporate oral health issues into diabetes screening/treatment. Conclusion: Oral health knowledge and practices are limited among patients with diabetes in Accra, Ghana. Collaborative efforts for in-service education and training for oral health and medical professionals may be beneficial in serving the oral and general health care needs as well as improving the oral health-related quality of life of Ghanaians with diabetes. © BASCD 2014. All rights reserved.