Browsing by Author "Norman, I.D."

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Earthquake hoax in Ghana: Exploration of the cry wolf hypothesis
(Journal of Public Health in Africa, 2012-04) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.
This paper investigated the belief of the news of impending earthquake from any source in the context of the Cry Wolf hypothesis as well as the belief of the news of any other imminent disaster from any source. We were also interested in the correlation between preparedness, risk perception and antecedents. This explorative study consisted of interviews, literature and Internet reviews. Sampling was of a simple random nature. Stratification was carried out by sex and residence type. The sample size of (N=400), consisted of 195 males and 205 Females. Further stratification was based on residential classification used by the municipalities. The study revealed that a person would believe news of an impending earthquake from any source, (64.4%) and a model significance of (P=0.000). It also showed that a person would believe news of any other impending disaster from any source, (73.1%) and a significance of (P=0.003). There is association between background, risk perception and preparedness. Emergency preparedness is weak. Earthquake awareness needs to be re-enforced. There is a critical need for public education of earthquake preparedness. The authors recommend developing emergency response program for earthquakes, standard operating procedures for a national risk communication through all media including instant bulk messaging. © I.D. Norman et al., 2012.
Ethics and electronic health information technology: Challenges for evidence-based medicine and the physician-patient relationship
(2011-09) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.A.; Binka, F.N.
OBJECTIVES: The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the National Identification Authority (NIA), pose ethical challenges to the physician-patient relationship due to interoperability. This paper explores (1) the national legislation on Electronic Health Information Technology (EHIT), (2) the ethics of information technology and public health and (3) the effect on the Physician-patient relationship. METHOD: This study consisted of systematic literature and internet review of the legislation, information technology, the national health insurance program, and the physician-patient relationship. RESULT: The result shows that (1) EHIT have eroded a big part of the confidentiality between the physician and patient; (2) The encroachment on privacy is an inevitable outcome of EHIT; (3) Legislation on privacy, the collection, storage and uses of electronic health information is needed and; (4) the nexus between EHIT, NHIS, NHA, Ethics, the physician-patient relationship and privacy. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the lack of protection for physician-patient relationship as medical practice transitions from the conventional to the modern, information technology driven domain.
Faith-based organizations: Sexual harassment and health in Accra- Tema metropolis.
(Springer US, 2013-03) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.N.
Sexual harassment occurs frequently in many faith-based organizations (FBOs). This study investigated whether sexual harassment in FBOs was a public health concern in Ghana. A cross-sectional exploratory approach was used to assess the prevalence and incidence of traditional or contrapower sexual harassment in FBOs. We also investigated the correlation between sexual harassment and health. Respondents completed a self-administered open-ended questionnaire in an anonymous survey about sexual harassment during the 12 months preceding the study. We hypothesized that both traditional and contrapower harassment were prevalent in FBOs of Ghana and also that the health effects were the same for both sexes in both forms of harassment. The two hypotheses were generally supported. We found that sexual harassment is a public health concern. Women were more likely to be sexually harassed (73%) than men were (27%). Sexual harassment negatively affects the victims’ health outcome. Secondly, both the traditional and contrapower forms of sexual harassment were prevalent in FBOs in Ghana. The health consequences of sexual harassment in Ghana are the same as in an industrialized country. The implications for policy and research are discussed.
Ghana’s public health and legal preparedness for disaster and emergencies
(University of Ghana, 2009-12) Norman, I.D.
Ghana has over thirty separate legislations that provide the legislative Framework for disaster and emergency management as well as the general Administration of public health. These laws include the 1992 Constitution, Emergency Powers Act, 1994, (Act 472), the: National Disaster Management Organization Act, 1996, (Act 517), the National Building Code, LI 1630, the Local Government Act, 1993, (462), Road Traffic Act, 2004, (Act 683), the Quarantine Act, 19 15, (CAP 77) as amended in 1938 and many others that are Provided in Chapter 12 of this thesis. These many laws on a broad, inter-disciplinary area such as public health Administration naturally create systemic and administrative problems in Emergency management and intervention programs. Despite this situation, there has been no attempt to incorporate these many laws into one legislative Instrument or even by reference to each other Additionally, Ghana’s public health legislations on disaster and emergency Management have not been reviewed since 1996. The review process could have been initiated, when the nation first created its National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO). This would have helped to determine whether or not the laws are adequate to address the needs of the nation in the face of rapid Economic development, the spread of human settlements and increased Population. In the interim, the nation has experienced quite a number of limited and localized regional emergencies such as seasonal flooding. Civil unrest, and Bushfires that have confounded the national emergency responses and intervention programs to these limited emergencies. Which have rather short lifespan in terms of the the threat they posed to life, property and economic progress the outcome from these experiences is the exposure of the apparent weaknesses of the national emergency preparedness programs en masse. This development has raised public health concerns as 10 what would be the national response in the case of a major natural emergency such as an earthquake with characteristically long lifespan in terms of the threat it poses 10 human settlements and economic progress. A major natural emergency could potentially create mass casualties leading to complications in the health concerns of the communities that could be impacted. Even during these limited and localized district and regional emergencies, the role of the executive in performing the first most critical task of declaring a regional or district state of emergency was muddled by conflict of laws problems., confusion over the constitutional mandate 10 the executive in such situations and the role of NADMO in the coordination of the intervention programs. These shortfalls call for changes in the legislative framework as it currently is. A review of Ike legal framework is., therefore. Required the periodic review of Ghana's public health and legal preparedness for disasters and emergency management, general risk and crisis intervention capabilities is good in helping to identify Ghana's vulnerabilities in managing both natural and human caused disasters and emergencies. Due to rapid changes in economic development, population growth and the spread of human settlements. The frequency of disasters and emergencies have attracted much public attention. Considering the fact that the cost of emergency intervention and the level of damages have been escalating steadily in Ghana in the last eleven years since the creation of the NAOMO in 1996 by an act t of Parliament, the national programs for emergency intervention may have, by now, outlived their effectiveness. The review of the legal framework naturally segues into calls for a series of new approaches to address the apparent weaknesses such as. (1) The role of the executive in the declaration of the State of national, regional and district emergency, (2) consequence management of the impacted area Of the nation after the declaration, (3) the constitutional limitations on the declarative process, (4) the conflict of laws and the management of emergencies, (5) revamping the laws on disasters and emergencies to bring them to the current needs of the Ghanaian society, (6) Conducting quality improvement measures on the organizational and administrative framework of emergency intervention agencies. There is also the need to introduce new programs like. (7) Protecting first responders against third party liabilities, (8) empowering first responders with knowledge, skills and abilities in emergency matters, (9) designing a comprehensive evacuation and resettlement programs for the community, (10) providing the modalities for disaster assistance to businesses and individuals to ensure business continuity. In terms of limiting societal suffering after a major disaster, the law provide for: ( 11) repetitive flood insurance to riparian communities and, (12) enhance the law to address specific disasters that confront the nation and find solutions to such challenges. Due to the inter-disciplinary nature of disaster and emergency management, it tends to overwhelm both the public and the practitioners. Part of this development is attributable to the complex socio-legal framework within which disasters and emergencies are managed. Therefore, there is the need to create an all-inclusive coordinative environment for emergency management. Emergency program coordination, however, is a challenging task which tends to complicate emergency intervention measures. Disaster risk reduction programs and the implementation of a coherent national platform for general risk, disaster and emergency management. By undertaking literature review of other jurisdictions after discovering over 30 various legislation affecting disasters and emergencies in Ghana and comparing them to those of other jurisdictions, it was found further that the national situation was not unique. Incidentally, other nations such as Venezuela. Canada and the United States, had similar legal challenges in their system of laws, but took steps to streamline the legal authorities necessary to handle disasters and emergencies into one legislative instrument such as the Stafford Act of 1988 establishing the U.S. disaster management agency. Federal Emergency Management Agency. (FEMA) Such examples are persuasive authorities for the Ghanaian situation to address the shortcomings identified in the old legislations dealing with emergency management in Ghana effectively, as well as the weaknesses of the national emergency preparedness program. This dissertation found that the specific weaknesses of Ghana's public health preparedness included the lack of a comprehensive program for both crisis management and consequence management after a national emergency as already listed above. The dissertation has provided a list of its objectives and has indicated the research methodology employed leading up to in theoretical legal framework and literature review. It has shown the breadth of information and research on emergency preparedness existing as well as legislation from other jurisdictions with similar socio-economic and political systems as that of Ghana Further research was conducted on the impact of disasters and emergencies on emerging economics in general together with the dual issues of immunity and indemnity of protection for emergency response workers, to ensure that first responders perform their roles without fear of legal suits and the threat of imprisonment. The 2007 floods in the Three Northern regions, Volta and Western regions was used as ease study to illustrate and examine political and legal consequence management of the nation after or during a national disaster. The question of whether or not the choice of model for disaster management organization has a direct impact on emergency preparedness program of a nation was investigated together with the types of disasters facing the nation, including hydro-meteorological, geological, pest, seismic disturbances, environmental degradation, armed conflict. Terrorism, fires, aviation fatalities and many others, I focused a large portion of the time for research and investigations exclusively on airport fires and the national emergency preparedness programs in place as of now, Additional y, the typology of the legal structure under which NAOMO was created, was subjected to review to assess responses of first responders and NAOMO to Act 517 of 1996 to see whether the core members of NAOMO thought the typology Was adequate or not and if not, what was the nature of the recommended organizational typology? This part of the investigation led to additional evidence in support for the unification of thirty odd legislations on disaster and emergency management in Ghana. It was also revealed from the data set that the majority of the practitioners in the field of disaster and emergency management were not well trained necessitating the call for the introduction of emergency and disaster management as an academic discipline into all levels of national education in Ghana. This further led to the need to develop a model act for tile introduction of emergency management education and has also provided a comprehensive blueprint for setting up Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Operating Centres as a way of improving emergency response in the nation in the interim. At the end of this dissertation, conclusions and recommendations are provided on the issue of Ghana's public health legal preparedness and emergency management
Hospital All-Risk Emergency Preparedness in Ghana
(Ghana medical journal, 2012-03) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.N.; Nyarko, K.M.
Objective: This paper assessed the emergency preparedness programs of health facilities for all-risks but focused on Road Traffic Accidents, (RTA) resulting in surge demand. It adopted W. H. O checklist covering hospital preparedness, equipment, manpower and surge capacity planning as best practices for the mitigation of public health emergencies. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of purposively selected health facilities. The method used consisted of site visit, questionnaire survey, literature and internet review. The W. H. O. standard for emergency preparedness of health facilities was used to evaluate and assess the nation’s hospitals surge capacity programs. The study was conducted between March-June, 2010. A total of 22 district and regional health facilities including teaching hospitals participated in the study. All 10 regions of the country were covered. Result: These were: (1) many of the nation’s hospitals were not prepared for large RTA’s resulting in surge demands, and did not possess general emergency preparedness programs. (2) The hospitals’ respective abilities to handle large scale RTA’s were compromised by the lack of competent medical and allied health personnel and adequate supplies. Discussion: The inadequacies of the hospital system in responding to emergencies raise serious public health concerns. The biggest challenge facing the hospitals in their emergency intervention is the lack of preemergency and emergency preparedness plans as well as the coordination of the hospitals response mechanisms. Conclusion: The paper ended with recommendations on how the nation’s hospitals and their supervisory agencies could improve emergency preparedness.
Hospital all-risk emergency preparedness in ghana
(2012-03) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.N.
OBJECTIVE: This paper assessed the emergency preparedness programs of health facilities for all-risks but focused on Road Traffic Accidents, (RTA) resulting in surge demand. It adopted W. H. O checklist covering hospital preparedness, equipment, manpower and surge capacity planning as best practices for the mitigation of public health emergencies. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study of purposively selected health facilities. The method used consisted of site visit, questionnaire survey, literature and internet review. The W. H. O. standard for emergency preparedness of health facilities was used to evaluate and assess the nation's hospitals surge capacity programs. The study was conducted between March-June, 2010. A total of 22 district and regional health facilities including teaching hospitals participated in the study. All 10 regions of the country were covered. RESULT: These were: (1) many of the nation's hospitals were not prepared for large RTA's resulting in surge demands, and did not possess general emergency preparedness programs. (2) The hospitals' respective abilities to handle large scale RTA's were compromised by the lack of competent medical and allied health personnel and adequate supplies. DISCUSSION: The inadequacies of the hospital system in responding to emergencies raise serious public health concerns. The biggest challenge facing the hospitals in their emergency intervention is the lack of pre-emergency and emergency preparedness plans as well as the coordination of the hospitals response mechanisms. CONCLUSION: The paper ended with recommendations on how the nation's hospitals and their supervisory agencies could improve emergency preparedness.
The medico-legal prerequisite for initiating quarantine and isolation practices in public health emergency management in hospitals in Ghana
(2011-12) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.N.
Hospitals and other health facilities in Ghana do not appear to have standardized practices for quarantine and isolation in public health emergency management. This paper reviews the legislative framework governing the medico-legal prerequisites for initiating quarantine and isolation procedures as articulated in the Infectious Disease Act (Cap 78) 1908 amended, 1935, the Quarantine Act (Cap 77) 1915 amended, 1938, the Emergency Powers Act of 1994, (Act 472), and the National Disaster Management Act, 1996, (Act 517) in consonance with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The findings provide that (1) The legislative framework outlines systematic standards and protocols to be followed in the committal of person or persons in quarantine and isolation during public health emergencies. (2) These standards and protocols consider as imperative, the creation of standardized national templates for the initiation of quarantine and isolation measures. (3) The non-compliance of the standards and protocols renders vulnerable medical facilities and hospitals with their personnel to the threat of medical malpractice suits and breach of professional ethics. This paper provides suggestions to hospital administrators and medical personnel of how to develop administrative templates in compliance with the law in managing public health emergencies. It also provides examples of such templates for possible adoption by hospitals and other health administrators.
Neck, wrist and back pain among solid waste collectors: Case study of a Ghanaian waste management company
(Open Public Health Journal, 2013) Norman, I.D.; Kretchy, J.P.; Brandford, E.
Prevalence of Neck Wrist and Back pain (NWBP) among solid waste collectors (SWCs) of Zoom Lion Company (ZL) is 44.7%, 48.2% and 73.5% respectively, irrespective of pre-existing periodic pains. It was established that 42/340 (12.4%) SWCs of ZL had neck pain before joining ZL, whilst 298/340 (87.6%) developed neck pain after joining ZL (P-value = 0.001). Again, 32/340 (9.4%) had wrist pain before joining ZL, whilst 308/340 (90.6%) developed wrist pain after joining ZL (P-value = 0.000). Finally, SWCs who had back pain before joining ZL were 71/340 (20.9%) whilst 269/340 (79.1%) developed back pain after joining ZL (P-value = 0.000). These outcomes indicate that SWCs are predisposed to such NWBPs. Zoom Lion, needs to conduct periodic health checks of their staff to determine the degree of NWBPs experienced by their workers and help to relieve the workers of the economic burden of managing the pain. © Norman et al.
Sexual harassment in public medical schools in Ghana
(Ghana medical journal, 2013-09) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.N.
This study investigated the prevalence and incidence of Traditional (where a person in a position of power harasses a subordinate) and contra power sexual harassment, (where a subordinate is the harasser of authority figure) in medical schools in Ghana. among. Cross-sectional study. Four hundred and nine medical students from four medical schools in Ghana were interviewed. We also considered if academic and financial dependence would predict either traditional or contra power sexual harassment. We further investigated, whether women were more bothered by sexual harassment than men and the correlation between sexual harassment and health. Women were 61% more likely to be sexually harassed than men 39%. Sexual harassment negatively affects the victims' health outcome. We found that the traditional form of sexual harassment was prevalent in medical schools in Ghana and that academic dependence predicted attacks. In the first and second years, women at these institutions are more likely to be sexually harassed than men. Sexual harassment policies of medical school need to be widely circulated. The various medical schools should provide reporting procedures and counseling for victims. This paper would inform policy and research.
Sexual Harassment in Public Medical Schools in Ghana
(Ghana medical journal, 2013-09) Norman, I.D.; Aikins, M.; Binka, F.N.
Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and incidence of Traditional (where a person in a position of power harasses a subordinate) and contra power sexual harassment, (where a subordinate is the harasser of authority figure) in medical schools in Ghana. among Design: Cross-sectional study Method: Four hundred and nine medical students from four medical schools in Ghana were interviewed. We also considered if academic and financial dependence would predict either traditional or contra power sexual harassment. We further investigated, whether women were more bothered by sexual harassment than men and the correlation between sexual harassment and health. Results: Women were 61% more likely to be sexually harassed than men 39%. Sexual harassment negatively affects the victims’ health outcome. We found that the traditional form of sexual harassment was prevalent in medical schools in Ghana and that academic dependence predicted attacks. In the first and second years, women at these institutions are more likely to be sexually harassed than men. Conclusion: Sexual harassment policies of medical school need to be widely circulated. The various medical schools should provide reporting procedures and counseling for victims. This paper would inform policy and research.