Predictors of neonatal mortality in the Eastern Regional Hospital in Ghana: A retrospective cohort study.

Neonatal mortality accounts for nearly half of under-5 mortality in Ghana. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of neonatal mortality in the Eastern Regional Hospital, Ghana. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted using secondary data from electronic medical records from the Eastern Regional Hospital between 1st January 2022 and 31st December 2022.

The practice of polygyny on the utilisation of reproductive health services among married women in Ghana.

While the practice of polygyny is common in Ghana, little is known about its impact on the use of reproductive health services. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between polygynous marriage and the utilisation of skilled antenatal care (ANC), assisted skilled birth, and modern contraceptive services among married women in Ghana. Secondary data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey were used for this study.

The joint effect of female sex and food insecurity on self-reported mood disorder among Canadian adults: the Canadian community health survey.

Background: Food insecurity is prevalent in Canada and may influence mental health, particularly among females. The present study examined the joint effect of female sex and food insecurity on mood disorders.

Methods: The study used data from 104,420 adults aged 18 years or older who participated in the 2017/2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

An assessment of out of pocket payments in public sector health facilities under the free maternal healthcare policy in Ghana.

Background: The free maternal healthcare policy was introduced in Ghana in 2008 under the national health insurance scheme as a social intervention to improve access to maternal health services. This study investigated the prevalence of out of pocket (OOP) payment among pregnant women with valid national health insurance who sought skilled delivery services at public sector health facilities in Ghana. The study also assessed the health system factors associated with OOP payment.

Assessing the Sustainability of an Integrated Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Approach: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Evaluation in 10 Countries.

Introduction: While many studies have implemented programs to increase sanitation coverage throughout the world, there are limited rigorous studies on the sustainability of these sanitation programs.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, the rural Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SSH4A) approach was implemented by SNV in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Repeated cross-sectional household surveys were administered annually throughout program implementation and 1 to 2 years following completion of program activities.

The role of state breastfeeding laws and programs on exclusive breastfeeding practice among mothers in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Background: It is unclear if state laws supporting breastfeeding are associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice among low-income mothers participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The main objectives of our study were to assess the relationship between such laws and EBF among WIC-participating mothers and to assess whether this association varied by employment status. We also assessed how mother's exposure to WIC breastfeeding consultation was associated with EBF.

The moderating role of partners' education on early antenatal care in northern Ghana.

Background: Early antenatal care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to 1) estimate the association between partners' education attainment and early ANC, and 2) determine whether partners' level of education modified the relationship between mothers' education, mothers' age, planned pregnancy, employment status and early ANC.

Methods: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted from April to May 2021 among 519 mothers with a live birth in the past year in the Nabdam district in the Upper East Region in northern Ghana.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in sink drains of 40 healthcare facilities in Sindh, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

In Pakistan, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is expected to greatly increase the already high mortality and morbidity rates attributed to infections, making AMR surveillance and prevention a priority in the country. The aims of the project were to characterize the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in healthcare facility sink drains in Pakistan and to characterize how physical characteristics of sinks and healthcare facility rooms were associated with CRE in those sinks. The study took place in 40 healthcare facilities in Jamshoro Pakistan.

The Association Between Early Antenatal Care and Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Effect Modification by Planned Pregnancy Status.

Background: Evidence of the association between early antenatal care (ANC) and receiving at least three doses of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp3+) during pregnancy is limited. It's also unclear whether the association between early ANC and IPTp3+ is modified by planned pregnancy status.

Objectives: Our primary aim was to assess the relationship between early ANC and IPTp3+ and to assess whether this relationship is modified by a woman's planned pregnancy status.

Factors Affecting Inpatient Mortality and Length of Stay in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of opioid use and other factors on inpatient length of stay (LOS) and mortality among patients hospitalized with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (NMCRC).

Materials And Methods: We analyzed discharge encounters collected from the 2016 to 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to evaluate the effect of long-term opioid use (90 d or longer) and cancer-related complications on LOS and mortality among hospitalized patients with NMCRC.

Results: A total of 94,535 patients with NMCRC were included in the analysis.

Association between early antenatal care and antenatal care contacts across low-and middle-income countries: effect modification by place of residence.

Objectives: The relationship between receiving early antenatal care (ANC) and 8 or more antenatal contacts (ANC8+) has not been well characterised across low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is also unclear whether the association between early ANC and ANC8+ is modified by a woman's place of residence. Our primary aim was to assess the relationship between early ANC and ANC8+ and to investigate whether this relationship was modified by place of residence.

The relationship between time spent during the first ANC contact, home visits and adherence to ANC contacts in Ghana.

Background: The World Health Organization in 2016 recommended eight or more antenatal care (ANC) contacts for a positive pregnancy experience, however, it is unclear what impact the time spent during the first ANC contact and home visits can have on eight or more ANC contacts.

Objectives: Our study investigated the relationship between time spent during the first ANC contact and eight or more ANC contacts, and between home visits and eight or more ANC contacts. We also assessed the prevalence of eight or more ANC contacts.

The role of the public and private health sectors on factors associated with early essential newborn care practices among institutional deliveries in Ghana.

Background: Early essential newborn care is one of the important interventions developed by the World Health Organization to reduce morbidities and mortalities in neonates. This study investigated the role of the public and private sector health facilities on factors associated with early essential newborn care practices following institutional delivery in Ghana.

Methods: We used data from the 2017/2018 multiple indicator cluster survey for our analysis.

Knowledge and preventive practices towards COVID-19 among pregnant women seeking antenatal services in Northern Ghana.

Background: COVID-19 is a novel respiratory disease associated with severe morbidity and high mortality in the elderly population and people with comorbidities. Studies have suggested that pregnant women are more susceptible to COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women. However, it's unclear whether pregnant women in Ghana are knowledgeable about COVID-19 and practice preventive measures against it.

Prevalence and predictors of timely initiation of breastfeeding in Ghana: an analysis of 2017-2018 multiple indicator cluster survey.

Background: Timely initiation of breastfeeding is putting the newborn baby to the breast within 1 h of birth. Its practice can prevent neonatal and under-5 mortality. This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding among mothers in Ghana.

The interrelationship between water access, exclusive breastfeeding and diarrhea in children: a cross-sectional assessment across 19 African countries.

Background: Access to an improved water supply and practicing exclusive breastfeeding are essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes. However, few studies have been equipped to assess the interdependencies between access to improved water, practicing exclusive breastfeeding, and child health. The primary aim of our study was to assess whether access to an improved water supply and water-fetching were associated with mothers' practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and associated factors among pregnant women in Ghana.

Objective: To assess adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ghana.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Nabdam district, Ghana. Data were collected from 527 pregnant women randomly selected from antenatal care clinics from 16 healthcare facilities.

Factors associated with diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection in children under-5 years old in Ghana: an analysis of a national cross-sectional survey.

Background: Diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection (ARI) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in children under-5 years old in Ghana. The aim of the study was to assess factors associated with diarrhoea and ARI in children under-5 years old.

Methods: We analysed nationally representative data from the 2017-2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) on 8879 children under-5 years old.

Institutional delivery and associated factors among women in Ghana: findings from a 2017-2018 multiple indicator cluster survey.

Background: Institutional delivery is essential in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. We investigated the prevalence of institutional delivery and associated factors among women in Ghana.

Methods: National representative data from the 2017-2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey was used for the analysis.

Nexplanon failure in a woman with HIV infection in rural Ghana: A case report.

Although Nexplanon is one of the most effective and most utilized long-acting reversible contraceptives in Ghana. We report a rare event of Nexplanon failure in a woman with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in rural Ghana.

Practice of COVID-19 Preventive Measures and Its Associated Factors among Students in Ghana.

Preventive measures are key to reducing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Our primary aim was to assess factors associated with practice of COVID-19 preventive measures among senior high school students in the Bawku Municipality, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data on 624 students were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

Prevalence and predictors of timely initiation of breastfeeding in Ghana: an analysis of 2017-2018 multiple indicator cluster survey.

Background: Timely initiation of breastfeeding is putting the newborn to the breast within 1 h of birth. Its practice can prevent neonatal and under-5 mortality. This study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with timely initiation of breastfeeding among mothers in Ghana.

Prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in 20 African countries: a large population-based study.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive (CP) use among women of the reproductive age.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: We used data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICSs) from 20 African countries collected between 2013 and 2018.

Patient outcomes in myeloproliferative neoplasm-related thrombosis: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) - polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) - often present with thrombosis. We aimed to determine the inpatient mortality, cost of care, and length-of-stay among individuals with Philadelphia-negative MPNs who had arterial or venous thrombosis associated with admission versus those who were admitted for non-thrombosis-related events.

Methods: Using ICD-10M coding, we identified 7,128,770 patients from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database who were hospitalized in 2016.