Browsing by Author "Owusu, A.A."
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Item Adherence to Dental Waste Management Guidelines among Dental Surgery Staff in Four Referral Facilities in Accra(2018-07) Owusu, A.A.Background: Increasing access to oral health services comes with increasing levels of generated dental waste. Like any other clinical waste, guidelines exist for management of dental waste. It is the responsibility of the producer of the waste to ensure it is managed according to the guidelines. Improper disposal of this dental waste has harmful effects directly on human health and the environment. Objective: The objective of this research was to determine adherence to dental waste management guidelines among dental surgery staff in four referral facilities in Accra. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done. It was a quantitative study. The study was a census of the dental surgery staff in the four referral facilities in Accra. Data were collected using questionnaires and observation checklists. The outcome variable was Adherence to dental waste management guidelines. It was measured with a composite scale. The collected data were analysed using STATA version 15.0 and results presented in tables and figures. Results: It was found that in the last 12 months, majority of the respondents 109 (87.9%) had not attended any Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme on clinical waste management. Also less than 10% of the respondents 11 (8.9%) had read the Ministry of Health (MOH) policy on Clinical Waste Management. The study found that most of the dental surgery staff 80 (64.5%) had low level of knowledge on dental waste management guidelines. Although almost all the dental surgery staff 123 (99.2%) had low level of adherence to dental waste management guidelines, they all adhered to guidelines on sharps management. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a low level of adherence to dental waste management guidelines by dental surgery staff of the four referral facilities studied. It also found that there is a low level of knowledge on dental waste management guidelines among the dental surgery staff in the 4 referral facilities studied. An enabling environment does not exist to promote adherence to dental waste management guidelines by dental surgery staff in the four referral facilities studiedItem A national diabetes care and education programme: the Ghana model(Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2000-08) Amoah, A.G.; Owusu, S.K.; Acheampong, J.W.; Agyenim-Boateng, K.; Asare, H.R.; Owusu, A.A.; Mensah-Poku, M.F.; Adamu, F.C.; Amegashie, R.A.; Saunders, J.T.; Fang, W.L.; Pastors, J.G.; Sanborn, C.; Barrett, E.J.; Woode, M.K.An account is given of how a national diabetes care and education programme was developed in Ghana, a developing country, through international collaboration of medical schools, industry and government health care institutions. The approach is by way of trained diabetes teams consisting of physicians, dietitians and nurse educators at two tertiary institutional levels (teaching hospitals) who in turn trained teams consisting of physicians, dietitians or diettherapy nurses, nurse educators and pharmacists at regional and district/sub-regional levels to offer care and education to patients and the community. In three years all regional and about 63% of sub- regional/district health facilities had trained diabetes health care teams, run diabetes services and had diabetes registers at these institutions. Additionally a set of guidelines for diabetes care and education was produced. All programme objectives with the exception of one (deployment of diabetes kits) were met. Distances to be travelled by persons with diabetes to receive diabetes care had been reduced considerably. The success of the project has given an impetus to the collaborators to extend the programme to the primary health care level. The continuing prohibitive prices of diabetes medications and supplies however, could be addressed by removing taxes on such supplies. The Ghana diabetes care model, a 'top-down' approach, initially involving two diabetes centres is recommended to other developing countries, which intend to incorporate diabetes care and education into their health care system.Item Nutritional and Non-Nutritional Supplements (Ergogenic Aids) and Sports Performance(University of Ghana, 2005-09) Gbakah, A.; Owusu, A.A.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.This project report, submitted to the University of Ghana, was on the efficacy of commonly purported ergogenic aids used by athletes. Literature review was conducted on 77 substances to ascertain their ergogenic effects. Possible adverse effects on health and legality were also looked at. Only five (6%) of the supplements had clear scientific support for their ergogenic effects. These include alkaline salts (sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate), caffeine (including sources of caffeine e.g guarana), carbohydrates, creatine, and water. Those with mixed support formed 9% and include alcohol, choline, antioxidants, dihydroxyacetone pyruvate, glycerol, phosphates, vitamins E, Bl, B6, and B12. These need more research to ascertain their status. The rest, about 85%, had no substantial scientific backing. On adverse effects, 32% of the supplements were found to be potentially dangerous, 34% with mild side effects, 14 % had none reported, and 20% were not researched. In terms of legality, 75% were legal while 25% were illegal. For recommendation, there is no doubt physical activity, athletic performance, and recovery from exercise is enhanced by optimal nutrition. Yet there is no one “miracle food” or supplement that can supply all nutritional needs. The key to optimal nutrition is not in commercialized isolates but a balanced diet and good hydration. A well nourished person might not need any supplement. Nutrition advice, by a qualified nutrition expert, should only be provided after carefully reviewing the athlete’s health, diet, supplement and drug use, and energy requirements. Ergogenic Aids should be used with caution, and only after careful evaluation of the product for safety, efficacy, potency, and legality. In conclusion, except for 6% of the ergogenic aids studied, supplementation will not, in general, enhance exercise performance in well-nourished, physically-active individuals.Item Waste management practices among dental surgery staff of major hospitals in Accra: a descriptive cross sectional study(PAMJ - One Health, 2023) Owusu, A.A.; Kploanyi, E.E.; Blankson, P.K.; Manu, A.; Goka, R.Y.; Armah, R.N.; Akweongo, P.Introduction: the practice of dentistry in contemporary times produces considerable waste that could be harmful to individuals and the environment at large. In Ghana and many other jurisdictions, there are guidelines that outline how these wastes should be managed. This study was conducted to explore practices concerning dental waste management among dental surgery staff in some public facilities in Accra, Ghana. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study involving dental surgery staff of four major facilities in Accra was done. Overall, 124 staff from the selected facilities participated in the study, and 51 different dental surgeries were assessed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, as well as knowledge and practices regarding dental waste management. Results: there was unsatisfactory knowledge of waste disposal, while practices did not generally meet international recommendations and the Ministry of Health´s (MOH) guidelines. Though all respondents stored their sharp waste in puncture proof containers, 98.4% did not label their clinical waste, while 62.9% would dispose of used X-ray fixers by pouring them down the drain. None of the 51 surgeries observed had more than one colour code available. Conclusion: there is a palpable need for education, monitoring, and empowerment concerning waste management in Ghana´s oral healthcare system.