Browsing by Author "Gyampoh, S."

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Assessment of Clinic-Based Growth Monitoring and Promotion in the Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2012-07) Gyampoh, S.; Otoo, G.E.; Aryeetey, R.
Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) is a public health intervention which makes use of frequent assessment of the growth of children under five years. The programme enables health workers to early detect growth failure and take corrective actions through improvements in feeding and care practices. Despite evidence that most caregivers in Ghana have contact with GMP through monthly child welfare clinics (CWC), child feeding practices remain sub-optimal and child undernutrition persists. The study assessed the implementation of GMP in Ghana and the relationship between caregiver exposure to GMP and child feeding knowledge and practices, the nutritional status of their children and knowledge of GMP. The study was cross-sectional, involving 206 caregiver-child pairs attending child welfare clinics (CWC) and 17 health workers providing GMP services at the CWC in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA). Observation checklists were used to assess health worker implementation of GMP activities for caregiver-child pairs. Child health records provided data on caregiver attendance. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on caregiver-child pair characteristics, child feeding knowledge and practices, and knowledge of GMP activities. Weights and heights of participating children were measured to determine nutritional status. Structured questionnaires were also used to collect data on health worker knowledge of recommended child feeding and GMP activities. Comprehension of the child growth chart by caregivers and health workers was assessed using sample charts. Recording of child weights on the appropriate growth chart for boys and girls were correctly done in over 97% of children. However, over 50% of children did not have all their monthly weight points connected on the growth chart to show the trend of growth. More than 60% of caregiver-child pairs in the study received no growth promotion education and only about 3% of children experiencing faltering growth in two consecutive months were referred for appropriate intervention as prescribed in the health records book by the Ghana Health Service. Caregivers who had not missed any CWC attendance had significantly better growth chart comprehension scores (p=0.026). Nutritional status of children and caregiver knowledge of recommended child feeding was not significantly associated with CWC attendance (p= 0.707; p=0.136). The relationship between caregiver CWC attendance and child feeding practices was also not found to be significant. Overall, over half of the percentage of health workers in the study had poor knowledge scores of recommended child feeding practices and the growth chart. Generally most health workers knew recommended child feeding practices and GMP activities, however some health workers could not adequately indicate recommended actions for particular growth trends on the growth chart. Data recording and charting practices were appropriately carried with the exception of plotting of child weights. Growth promotion education was also observed to be inadequately carried out. Among caregivers breastfeeding practices were well practiced while complementary feeding practices were suboptimal. Not missing any CWC was not significantly associated good feeding knowledge and practice scores and child nutritional status as with good growth chart comprehension. For GMP to achieve its goals, it is necessary for the government/GHS to routinely train health workers on GMP. It is also equally essential to provide the needed logistics and improve the organisation of CWC in order to reduce health worker workload and enhance effectiveness.
The Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana: A case for blending traditional and introduced wildlife conservation systems
(West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2010-07) Attuquayefio, D.K.; Gyampoh, S.
The introduction of nationally-managed "western"-style protected area systems in Africa often led to antagonism between government authorities and local communities, because rural communities, which were largely excluded and displaced, often resorted to unsustainable activities like encroachment for settlement, illegal hunting and farming. It is the view of most biodiversity conservationists, however, that the management of natural resources must take into consideration both the introduced "western" model and traditional or local knowledge. The study aimed at assessing the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana, as an example of blending traditional and introduced wildlife conservation systems, using interviews and questionnaire to obtain information from a cross-section of inhabitants of the area. The results indicated that the dual management system in operation at present has been largely successful, as the inhabitants appear to support the mechanisms put in place to manage the Sanctuary. Policy recommendations proposed to further enhance this success are in the areas of research and monitoring, education and awareness, tourism improvement, and introduction of community incentive schemes.
Child feeding knowledge and practices among women participating in growth monitoring and promotion in Accra, Ghana
(2014-05-29) Gyampoh, S.; Otoo, G.E.; Aryeetey, R.N.O.
Abstract Background Child undernutrition and poor feeding practices remain a concern in Ghana. The Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) programme seeks to empower mothers to provide appropriate child care. Although the program has been implemented in Ghana for over four decades, little is known about its impact on child feeding outcomes. The current study assessed the association between GMP exposure and mothers' child feeding knowledge and practices in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA), Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 199 mother-child pairs accessing child welfare services in six public health facilities in the AMA was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on respondent characteristics and child feeding knowledge; a 24-hour dietary recall tool was used to record child feeding practices. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between mothers' exposure to GMP and their knowledge and practices on child feeding. Results Seventy four percent of mothers had not missed any scheduled child welfare clinic sessions. Over 60% of mothers knew the appropriate age of introduction of foods; 86% also gave correct response regarding minimum number of times their child should be fed daily. About 81% of children less than 6 months were exclusively breastfed in the preceding 24 hours, although 36% had received water since birth. Forty two percent of children 6–23 months received dietary diverse meals while 64% were fed the required number of times in a day. Overall, only 32% of children 6–23 months received a minimum acceptable diet in the preceding 24 hours. A higher GMP exposure was positively associated with feeding knowledge scores among mothers with children below 6 months (p < 0.05). Conclusion Although most mothers were knowledgeable about recommendations, feeding practices were suboptimal, especially complementary feeding. GMP exposure was associated with feeding knowledge only among mothers with children less than 6 months. Strengthening of feeding counselling focused on children above 6 months is recommended.
Child feeding knowledge and practices among women participating in growth monitoring and promotion in Accra, Ghana
(BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2015-05-29) Gyampoh, S.; Otoo, G.E.; Aryeetey, R.N.O.
Child undernutrition and poor feeding practices remain a concern in Ghana. The Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) programme seeks to empower mothers to provide appropriate child care. Although the program has been implemented in Ghana for over four decades, little is known about its impact on child feeding outcomes. The current study assessed the association between GMP exposure and mothers' child feeding knowledge and practices in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA), Ghana.