Browsing by Author "Eliason, C."

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Assessing the physical health-related quality of life among older adults
(University of Ghana, 2020-02-25) Eliason, C.; Kyei, A.A.
The populations of older adults are fast increasing. As such, maintaining and improving quality of life in the presence of increased chronic diseases among older adults has become important. Physical health related quality of life is a clinically relevant predictor of adverse health outcome among older adults with chronic diseases. The purpose of the study was to assess the population characteristics and the physical health-related quality of life of community dwelling older adults. A total of 500 community dwelling adults from 6 districts were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. The health-related quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) 36 item short form health survey (SF-36). Data were analyzed using Stata version 14.0. The findings revealed that majority of the older adults were aged between 60 to 64 years, were females (58%) and had attained middle school certificate (MLSC) and were living with their families. Most of the older persons were covered by some form of health insurance with most insured with the NHIS. More than half of the respondents had chronic illnesses (53.5%) and perceived their present health status as good (56.7%). The mean physical component score (PCS) for the population surveyed was poor (43.75±21.81). As age increased, lower mean PCS were observed. Men had higher mean PCS scores than females (48.04± 21.27 versus 40.54± 21.71). Predictors of the physical component of health-related quality of life were education (AOR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04-0.92), employment status (AOR 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.85), benefit from government (AOR 3.84, 95% CI 1.72-8.57), monthly income (AOR 4.16 95% CI 1.14-15.22) and diagnosed with chronic illness (AOR 3.51, 95% CI 1.77-6.95). Thus, the physical health-related quality of life among community dwelling older adults was poor. Physical health interventions aimed at improving the physical health related quality of life of older adult is recommended. This will significantly promote healthy ageing among older adults and improve their quality of life
Availability and Utilization of Health Care Services and the Health-Related Quality of Life of Older Adults in Greater Accra
(University Of Ghana, 2018-07) Eliason, C.
Background Although ageing is a desired phenomenon, it is associated with health-related challenges which affect the quality of life of older adults. These increase the demand for health care services as a growing number of older people are living with chronic diseases and disabilities. This study assessed the availability and utilization of health care services and the health-related quality of life of older adults living in Greater Accra region in Ghana. Methods It was a cross-sectional study using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The survey involved a total of 500 older adults aged 60 years and above, residing within the catchment areas of six selected health facilities in Greater Accra and assessed the factors influencing utilization, health-seeking behaviour, and health-related quality of life. The qualitative aspect explored the availability of health care services for older persons through key informant interviews with eleven curative and preventive health professionals working in the s ix selected health facilities. Thematic content analysis was employed in the qualitative data analysis. The survey utilized an integrated questionnaire that included health care utilization, health-seeking, and SF-36 Health survey for health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between population characteristics, use of health care services, health-seeking behaviour and health-related quality of life. Results Four major themes emerged from the key informant interviews that included; accessibility of services, availability of special services for older persons, affordability of health services and knowledge of policy for care of older persons. Dedicated services for older adults did not exist. However, some general curative and preventive services were available in the existing formal health system. Also, knowledge of the existence of a policy framework for older persons was inadequate among health workers. Utilization of healthcare was good (65%) among older adults. Determinants of utilization were age, residential status, source of income, employment, benefit from government, health status rating and diagnosed with chronic disease. Majority of the respondents (89%) intended to seek treatment from the hospital and did so when they fell sick. Employment status of the older person influenced their health-seeking behaviour. The overall health-related quality of life was good (mean score 57.5) despite the low physical health component score (43.8). The predictors of overall health-related quality of life were marital status, a rating of current health status, diagnosed with chronic disease and utilization of health care service. Conclusion Dedicated health care services for older adults were not available in the formal health system. Utilization of health care services was good. Majority of older adults sought health care from hospitals when they fell ill. Overall health-related quality of life was good, but the physical health functioning was limited. Population characteristics and utilization of health care services were significantly associated with health-related quality of life but health seeking behaviour was not. This study recommends that a dedicated service for the older adults need to be instituted. This may provide the basis for health management of older persons and will also help the central and local government to devise appropriate health intervention strategies to improve and promote the health-related quality of life of older persons. Key words: Older adults, health care service utilization, health seeking behaviour and health related quality of life
A Bayesian Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Malaria in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana from 2015 to 2019
(MDPI, 2021) Donkor, E.; Kelly, M.; Eliason, C.; Amotoh, C.; Gray, D.J.; Clements, A.C.A.; Wangdi, K.
The Greater Accra Region is the smallest of the 16 administrative regions in Ghana. It is highly populated and characterized by tropical climatic conditions. Although efforts towards malaria control in Ghana have had positive impacts, malaria remains in the top five diseases reported at healthcare facilities within the Greater Accra Region. To further accelerate progress, analysis of regionally generated data is needed to inform control and management measures at this level. This study aimed to examine the climatic drivers of malaria transmission in the Greater Accra Region and identify inter-district variation in malaria burden. Monthly malaria cases for the Greater Accra Region were obtained from the Ghanaian District Health Information and Management System. Malaria cases were decomposed using seasonal-trend decomposition, based on locally weighted regression to analyze seasonality. A negative binomial regression model with a conditional autoregressive prior structure was used to quantify associations between climatic variables and malaria risk and spatial dependence. Posterior parameters were estimated using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with Gibbs sampling. A total of 1,105,370 malaria cases were recorded in the region from 2015 to 2019. The overall malaria incidence for the region was approximately 47 per 1000 population. Malaria transmission was highly seasonal with an irregular inter-annual pattern. Monthly malaria case incidence was found to decrease by 2.3% (95% credible interval: 0.7–4.2%) for each 1 ◦C increase in monthly minimum temperature. Only five districts located in the south-central part of the region had a malaria incidence rate lower than the regional average at >95% probability level. The distribution of malaria cases was heterogeneous, seasonal, and significantly associated with climatic variables. Targeted malaria control and prevention in high-risk districts at the appropriate time points could result in a significant reduction in malaria transmission in the Greater Accra Region.
Determinants of modern family planning use among women of reproductive age in the Nkwanta district of Ghana: A case-control study
(Reproductive Health, 2014-08) Eliason, S.; Awoonor-Williams, J.K.; Eliason, C.; Novignon, J.; Nonvignon, J.; Aikins, M.
Background: Average contraceptive prevalence rate in the Nkwanta district of Ghana was estimated to be 6.2% relative to the national average at the time, of 19%. While several efforts had been made to improve family planning in the country, the district still had very low use of modern family planning methods. This study sought to determine the factors that influenced modern family planning use in general and specifically, the factors that determined the consistently low use of modern family planning methods in the district. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Nkwanta district of Ghana to determine socio-economic, socio-cultural and service delivery factors influencing family planning usage. One hundred and thirty cases and 260 controls made up of women aged 15-49 years were interviewed using structured questionnaires. A logistic regression was fitted. Results: Awareness and knowledge of modern family planning methods were high among cases and controls (over 90%). Lack of formal education among women, socio-cultural beliefs and spousal communication were found to influence modern family planning use. Furthermore, favourable opening hours of the facilities and distance to health facilities influenced the use of modern contraceptives. Conclusion: While modern family planning seemed to be common knowledge among these women, actual use of such contraceptives was limited. There is need to improve use of modern family planning methods in the district. In addition to providing health facilities and consolidating close-to-client service initiatives in the district, policies directed towards improving modern family planning method use need to consider the influence of formal education. Promoting basic education, especially among females, will be a crucial step as the district is faced with high levels of school dropout and illiteracy rates. © 2014 Eliason et al.
Determinants of modern family planning use among women of reproductive age in the Nkwanta district of Ghana: a case¿control study
(2014-08-13) Eliason, S.; Awoonor-Williams, J.K.; Eliason, C.; Novignon, J.; Nonvignon, J.; Aikins, M.
Abstract Background Average contraceptive prevalence rate in the Nkwanta district of Ghana was estimated to be 6.2% relative to the national average at the time, of 19%. While several efforts had been made to improve family planning in the country, the district still had very low use of modern family planning methods. This study sought to determine the factors that influenced modern family planning use in general and specifically, the factors that determined the consistently low use of modern family planning methods in the district. Methods A case–control study was conducted in the Nkwanta district of Ghana to determine socio-economic, socio-cultural and service delivery factors influencing family planning usage. One hundred and thirty cases and 260 controls made up of women aged 15–49 years were interviewed using structured questionnaires. A logistic regression was fitted. Results Awareness and knowledge of modern family planning methods were high among cases and controls (over 90%). Lack of formal education among women, socio-cultural beliefs and spousal communication were found to influence modern family planning use. Furthermore, favourable opening hours of the facilities and distance to health facilities influenced the use of modern contraceptives. Conclusion While modern family planning seemed to be common knowledge among these women, actual use of such contraceptives was limited. There is need to improve use of modern family planning methods in the district. In addition to providing health facilities and consolidating close-to-client service initiatives in the district, policies directed towards improving modern family planning method use need to consider the influence of formal education. Promoting basic education, especially among females, will be a crucial step as the district is faced with high levels of school dropout and illiteracy rates.
Reconceptualising Preceptorship in Clinical Nursing Education in Ghana
(International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 2019-04) Asirifi, M.; Ogilvie, L.; Barton, S.; Aniteye, P.; Stobart, K.; Bilash, O.; Eliason, C.; Achempim-Ansong, G.; Kwashie, A.; Aziato, L.
Clinical teaching in nursing education is a worldwide challenge that needs to be context specific (Vitale, 2014) in relation to local health needs, current and potential nursing roles within the health system, and availability of human, fiscal, and clinical resources. Resource constraints, however, pose greater challenges in low and middle-income countries. In 2016, we engaged in a four-cycle community-based participatory action research (CBPR) study to examine current issues in clinical nursing education in one school of nursing in Ghana and worked collaboratively with stakeholders in visioning possibilities for improvement. Congruent with the CBPR approach (Caine & Mill, 2016), a four-member Collaborative Research Team from the School of Nursing engaged in the study consulted in the development of the research as it progressed, collaborated in data analysis, determined priorities for action, and participated in devising and implementing recommendations.