Splash of body fluids among healthcare support staff in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Background

Exposure to splash of body fluids is one of the common ways of transmitting blood-borne infections from patients to healthcare practitioners. Globally, there is a paucity of evidence on exposure to splash of body fluids among hospital housekeepers. This study, therefore, investigated splash of body fluid and its predisposing factors among healthcare support staff in the Greater Accra region, Ghana.

Methods

An analytic cross-sectional survey was conducted among support staff in 10 major hospitals between 30 January and 31 May 2023. A multi-stage sampling procedure was the overarching technique employed, and study participants were recruited through simple random and probability proportional-to-size sampling techniques. The data analyses were conducted using STATA 15 software. The preliminary association between exposure to splash of body fluids and predisposing factors was established through Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Log-binomial regression analyses were employed to validate the factors related to splash of body fluids at a significance level of p-value < 0.05.

Results

The investigation was conducted among 149 healthcare support staff. The exposure to splash of body fluids over the past 1 year was 53.7% (95% CI: 45.3%-61.9%). The types of body fluids that were mostly encountered through these splash exposures were amniotic fluids (36.3%) and urine (23.8%). Several factors were found to be significantly associated with splash of body fluids, namely: employed as a healthcare assistant [APR = 1.61 (1.16, 2.22)], holding a supervisory position [APR = 0.24 (0.11, 0.51)], having a system in place for reporting body fluid splashes [APR = 0.61 (0.44, 0.85)], male healthcare support staff [APR = 0.62 (0.41, 0.93)], and adherence to standard precautions most of the time [APR = 1.66 (1.11, 2.48)].

Conclusion

Healthcare support staff were highly exposed to splash of body fluids. Gender, supervisory role, category of worker, reporting systems, and adherence to standard precautions were associated with exposure to splash of body fluids. Facility managers are advised to enhance the efficiency of reporting systems.

Prevalence, risk factors and psychological consequences of workplace violence among health workers in the Greater Accra region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Globally, close to one-third of all workplace violence (WV) occurs in the health sector. Exposure to WV among healthcare professionals in Ghana has been widely speculated, but there is limited evidence on the problem. This study therefore investigated WV, its risk factors, and the psychological consequences experienced by health workers in Ghana.

METHODS

An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in the Greater Accra region from January 30 to May 31, 2023, involving selected health facilities. The participants for the study were selected using a simple random sampling technique based on probability proportional-to-size. The data analyses were performed using STATA 15 software. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the factors associated with WV, considering a significance level of p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

The study was conducted among 607 healthcare providers and support personnel across 10 public and private hospitals. The lifetime career, and one-year exposure to any form of WV was 414 (68.2%) [95% CI: (64.3-71.9%)] and 363 (59.8%) [95% CI: (55.8-63.7%)], respectively. Compared to other forms of WV, the majority of healthcare workers, 324 (53.4%) experienced verbal abuse within the past year, and a greater proportion, 85 (26.2%) became 'super alert' or vigilant and watchful following incidents of verbal abuse. Factors significantly linked to experiencing any form of WV in the previous 12 months were identified as follows: older age [AOR = 1.11 (1.06, 1.17)], working experience [AOR = 0.91 (0.86, 0.96)], having on-call responsibilities [AOR = 1.75 (1.17, 2.61)], and feeling adequately secure within health facility [AOR = 0.45 (0.26, 0.76)].

CONCLUSION

There was high occurrence of WV, and verbal abuse was the most experienced form of WV. Age, work experience, on-call duties, and security within workplace were associated with exposure to WV. Facility-based interventions are urgently needed to curb the incidence of WV, especially verbal abuse.

Determinants of handwashing behaviour among primary school teachers in a district of Ghana

Background: Hand hygiene practise is an effective school-based measure for infectious disease prevention, especially in developing countries. School children model their behaviour through the observation of significant others, including teachers. However, little is known about the handwashing behaviour and factors influencing the handwashing practises of teachers at the primary school level in Ghana. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 214 primary school teachers, recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire which were designed based on selected constructs in the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Health Belief Model. Data analyses was done with the aid of STATA software, version 14.0. To identify determinants of hand washing with soap (HWWS) among participants, correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Results: The participants' mean SD age was 34.7 7.6 years, ranging from 20 to 51 years. The majority were males (87.9%). The majority (84.0% and 86.0%) of the teachers, respectively, reported HWWS practises after using the toilet and before eating with bare hands. A correlation was found between reported HWWS practise and toilet use (r = 0.64; p = 0.001) and eating with bare hands (r = 0.84; p = 0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis found that knowledge (p = 0.001), attitude toward HWWS (p = 0.002), and teachers' perception of the severity of diarrhoea (p = 0.009) were determinants of teachers' reported HWWS behaviours. Conclusion: Teachers' perceptions of their susceptibility to and severity of diarrhoea, and their knowledge and attitude towards HWWS at critical times should be focus areas for handwashing programmes to achieve the desired outcomes.

Occupational health hazards among healthcare providers and ancillary staff in Ghana: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

The strict implementation of occupational health and safety policy curbs exposure to occupational hazards. However, empirical evidence is lacking in the Ghanaian context. This review primarily aimed to explore exposure to occupational hazards among healthcare providers and ancillary staff in Ghana.

DESIGN

A scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework and Levac et al's methodological enhancement.

DATA SOURCES

Searches were conducted of the PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and Scopus databases, as well as Google Scholar and websites of tertiary institutions in Ghana, for publications from 1 January 2010 to 30 November 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Quantitative studies that were published in the English language and focused on occupational exposure to biological and/or non-biological hazards among healthcare professionals in Ghana were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two independent reviewers extracted the data based on the type of occupational exposure and descriptive characteristics of the studies. The data are presented in tables and graphs. A narrative summary of review findings was prepared based on the review research questions.

RESULTS

Our systematic search strategy retrieved 507 publications; however, only 43 met the inclusion criteria. A little over one-quarter were unpublished theses/dissertations. The included studies were related to biological, psychosocial, ergonomic and other non-biological hazards. 55.8% of the studies were related to exposure to biological hazards and related preventive measures. In general, health workers were reported to use and comply with control and preventive measures; however, knowledge of control and preventive measures was suboptimal.

CONCLUSION

Work is needed to address the issue of occupational health hazard exposure in Ghana's health system. More research is needed to understand the extent of these exposures and their effects on the health system.

Availability and Affordability of Primary Health Care Among Vulnerable Populations in Urban Kumasi Metropolis: Family Health Perspective

Purpose

Health-related expenditures pose a significant burden on vulnerable populations. This study assessed the availability and affordability of primary health care among disadvantaged populations in urban Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Methods

This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among multi-level participants of vulnerable populations ≥18 years of age (n=710) constituting the older adults/aged, pregnant women, head porters, sex workers, and other vulnerable groups (people with disabilities and the homeless). Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to assess the association between vulnerability and access to health care.

Results

There were significant differences in the availability and adequacy of health care among the vulnerable groups studied. Distance to the source of care was >5 km for majority of the vulnerable groups and the average expenditure on a visit to the health facility was GH¢ 27.04 (∼US$ 5.55 as at January 2019). Challenges to health care among the vulnerable groups included monetary (37.9%), stigmatization (18.6%), and staff attitude (25.9%). Head porters and other vulnerable groups were less likely to view health care as affordable compared with older adults. The difference in the perception of health care affordability was, however, explained by sociodemographic characteristic and health care-related factors.

Conclusion

Despite the introduction of a National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana, this study highlights challenges in health care access among vulnerable populations independent of the type of vulnerability. This suggests the need for stakeholders to adopt other innovative care strategies that may have broader applicability for all populations.

Identifying occupational health hazards among healthcare providers and ancillary staff in Ghana: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

The formation, modification and implementation of occupational health and safety policy for the Ghana healthcare industry hinge on data and reviews on occupational exposures. However, there is no synthesised review to speak to the issues of these occupational exposures. A scoping review on occupational exposures among the health workforce in Ghana will provide a broad overview of exposures, and can guide and assist in making decisions on occupational health issues relating to healthcare workers.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology framework will guide the conduct of this scoping review. Primary research studies, government documents and other information on occupational exposures among healthcare workers published in the English language will be retrieved from databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google scholar. A systematic search strategy will be employed to identify articles from 1 January 2010 until 30 November 2021. Also, grey literature sources in Ghana including government and tertiary institutions websites will be searched. A reference list of key studies and other available non-electronic materials will also be screened to identify relevant studies for inclusion. The review will consider studies that address prevalence, knowledge and predisposing factors of occupational exposures along with the use of occupational hazards control/preventive measures. After removal of duplicates, and title and abstract screening, relevant articles will be subjected to full-text analysis. The screening processes will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Data will then be extracted and presented in tabular form with a narrative to aid easy comprehension.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This scoping review does not require ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated through publications, conference presentations and stakeholder meetings.

Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations globally, including Ghana. Knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, and the application of preventive public health interventions are pivotal to its control. Besides a lockdown, measures taken against the spread of the virus include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and, more recently, vaccination against the virus. In order to establish a possible link between the knowledge of the disease and compliance with preventive measures, including vaccination, a cross-sectional study employing an interview-structured questionnaire was conducted in six regions of Ghana (n = 1560). An adequate level of knowledge of COVID-19 (69.9%) was reported. The linear multiple regression analysis further explicated the differences in the knowledge of COVID-19 among the respondents by their knowledge of cholera and influenza (adjusted R-Square = 0.643). Despite this profound knowledge of the illness, two thirds of the respondents were unwilling to follow basic preventive measures and only 35.3% were willing to be vaccinated. Amazingly, neither knowledge of COVID-19 nor the socio-demographic characteristics had any meaningful influence on the practice of preventive measures. Personal attitude leading to efficient public compliance with preventive measures, therefore, is a critical issue demanding special attention and effective interventions by the government and locals with authority to curb the spread of the pandemic which surpasses the traditional channels of public health communication. This includes a roll-out of persuasion, possibly including public figures and influencers, and in any case, a balanced and open discussion addressing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to avoid new variants and comparable problems currently facing many countries of Western Europe. Indeed, a profound hesitancy against vaccination may turn African countries such as Ghana for many years into hotspots of new viral variants.

A cross-sectional self-assessment of burnout amongst a sample of doctors in Ghana

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of burnout amongst African health professionals has been widely anticipated, but there is a dearth of published data, especially amongst doctors. Burnout has been reported to be as high as 53% amongst doctors in the United States. If not detected, it can result in prescription errors, work-related accidents, substance abuse and depression.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors amongst a sample of physicians in Ghana.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Kumasi amongst physicians attending a conference organised by the West African College of Physicians, Ghana Chapter.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study. Of the 90 physicians who registered for the conference, 60 responded to a self-administered Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially using STATA® version 14.

RESULTS

Approximately 52% of respondents had been in medical practice for 10-19 years (mean 15.4 years). All the major medical specialties were represented. Internal Medicine had the highest number of participants (48.3%). With respect to the components of burnout, 5.5% of respondents experienced depersonalisation, 7.8% had a lack of personal achievement and 10.8% experienced emotional exhaustion. The association between burnout and age, sex, years of practice and clinical specialty was not found to be statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study has shown burnout to be common amongst physicians in Ghana. It is recommended that further studies are conducted, involving a larger cross-section of doctors in various parts of Africa.

"With tramadol, I ride like a Jaguar": a qualitative study of motivations for non-medical purpose tramadol use among commercial vehicle operators in Kumasi, Ghana

BACKGROUND

The misuse of tramadol has become a major aspect of the wider substance use challenge in recent years and is evolving into a health crisis at an alarming rate. However, literature on motivations for non-medical purpose tramadol use among commercial vehicle operators remains inadequate. The aim of this study was to document the motivations for non-medical purposes tramadol use in Kumasi. Such an understanding could inform policy direction to regulate non-medical purposes tramadol use in Ghana.

METHODS

We conducted this exploratory qualitative study with 23 purposively selected commercial vehicle drivers (15) and assistants (8) in Kumasi, Ghana. Data for the study were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews between June 2018 and March 2019. Using a thematic analytical approach, the interviews were coded and analysed.

RESULTS

Multiple motivations for non-medical purposes tramadol use were found including those related to: (1) sexual; (2) psychological; (3) physical; and (4) economic factors. Participants also reported three main inter-linking categories of perceived tramadol adverse effects: (1) physical; (2) psychological; and (3) social effects. Although participants indicated no plans for stopping their non-medical use of tramadol any time soon, strong willingness was voiced for supporting officials in finding and dealing with non-medical purpose tramadol sellers.

CONCLUSION

Non-medical purposes tramadol use was associated with a confluence of factors, ranging from enhanced sexual performance to economic reasons. Based on the findings of the study and the dependence and addictive potentials of tramadol, there is the need for psychoeducational programmes for persons who misuse tramadol and enhancement of operational capacities of regulatory agencies.

Lessening barriers to healthcare in rural Ghana: providers and users' perspectives on the role of mHealth technology. A qualitative exploration

BACKGROUND

Key barriers to healthcare use in rural Ghana include those of economic, social, cultural and institutional. Amid this, though rarely recognised in Ghanaian healthcare settings, mHealth technology has emerged as a viable tool for lessening most healthcare barriers in rural areas due to the high mobile phone penetration and possession rate. This qualitative study provides an exploratory assessment of the role of mHealth in reducing healthcare barriers in rural areas from the perspective of healthcare users and providers.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 conveniently selected healthcare users and 15 purposively selected healthcare providers within the Birim South District in the Eastern Region of Ghana between June 2017 and April 2018. Data were thematically analysed and normative standpoints of participants were presented as quotations.

RESULTS

The main findings were that all the healthcare users had functioning mobile phones, however, their knowledge and awareness about mHealth was low. Meanwhile, rural health care users and providers were willing to use mHealth services involving phone call in the future as they perceived the technology to play an important role in lessening healthcare barriers. Nevertheless, factors such as illiteracy, language barrier, trust, quality of care, and mobile network connectivity were perceived as barriers associated with using mHealth in rural Ghana.

CONCLUSION

The support for mHealth service is an opportunity for the development of synergistic relationship between health policy planners and mobile network companies in Ghana to design efficient communication and connectivity networks, accessible, localised, user-friendly and cost-effective mobile phone-based health programmes to assist in reducing healthcare barriers in rural Ghana.

Effect of a theory-based hand hygiene educational intervention for enhancing behavioural outcomes in Ghanaian schools: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to determine whether a hand hygiene educational intervention underpinned by educational and psychosocial theories is effective in enhancing behavioural intention and proper handwashing practices among school children.

METHODS

The study was a cluster-randomised controlled trial, with schools constituting the clusters. At baseline, 717 pupils organised in four clusters were recruited. Techniques for data collection included a structured observation. The Student's t test was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

At follow-up, a statistically significant difference was observed between the study arms with regard to intention to wash hands with soap [after toilet use (p = 0.032, d = 0.5); before meals (p = 0.020, d = 0.2)]. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was identified between the study arms with regard to the practice of handwashing with soap (HWWS) [after toilet use (p = 0.005); before meals (p = 0.012)].

CONCLUSIONS

A theory-driven hand hygiene educational intervention involving school children can have a medium to a very large effect size, with respect to the practice of HWWS, and a low to a medium effect size with respect to behavioural intention.

Examining school-based hygiene facilities: a quantitative assessment in a Ghanaian municipality

Background

The crucial role of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in influencing children’s handwashing behaviour is widely reported. Report from UNICEF indicates a dearth of adequate data on WASH facilities in schools, especially in the developing world. This study sought to contribute to building the evidence-base on school hygiene facilities in Ghana. The study further explored for possible associations and differences between key variables within the context of school water, sanitation and hygiene.

Methods

Data was collected from 37 junior high schools using an observational checklist. Methods of data analysis included a Scalogram model, Fisher’s exact test, and a Student’s t-test.

Results

Results of the study showed a facility deficiency in many schools: 33% of schools had students washing their hands in a shared receptacle (bowl), 24% had students using a single cotton towel to dry hands after handwashing, and only 16% of schools had a functional water facility. Furthermore, results of a proportion test indicated that 83% of schools which had functional water facilities also had functional handwashing stations. On the other hand, only 3% of schools which had functional water facilities also had a functional handwashing stations. A test of difference in the proportions of the two sets of schools showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001).

In addition, 40% of schools which had financial provisions for water supply also had functional handwashing stations. On the other hand, only 7% of schools which had financial provisions for water supply also had functional handwashing stations. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportions of the two sets of schools (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

We conclude that it is essential to have a financial provision for water supply in schools as this can potentially influence the existence of a handwashing station in a school. An intervention by government, educational authorities and civil society organisations towards enabling schools in low resource areas to have a sustainable budgetary allocation for WASH facilities would be timely.

Factors influencing the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in a peri-urban district of Ghana

BACKGROUND

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is one of the optimal infant and young child feeding practices. Globally, <40% of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. In Ghana, 63% of children <6 months are exclusively breastfed which is far less than the 100% recommended by the United Nation Children Emergency Fund. This study was carried out to find out the factors that influence the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the district.

METHODS

A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using structured questionnaires. A convenience sampling technique was employed to select 380 nursing mothers who attended postnatal care at the postnatal clinic in all the 13 health facilities with child welfare clinics (both public and private) and were available on the day of data collection. Data were analysed using frequency and CHISQ tables.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of mothers such as age (p = 0.129), religion (p = 0.035) type of employment (p = 0.005) and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Again, there was significant relationship between mothers' knowledge on EBF in terms of sources of information about EBF (p = 0.000), steps taken by mothers who perceived not to have breast milk (p = 0.000), some medical conditions of nursing mothers (p = 0.000) and the practice of EBF.

CONCLUSION

Most nursing mothers use infant formula feeds as either supplement or substitute for breast milk based on their perception that breast milk may not be sufficient for the babies despite the high cost of these artificial milk. This puts the babies at a higher risk of compromised health and malnutrition which has the potential of increasing infant mortality. Most mothers are not practicing exclusive breastfeeding because their spouses and family members do not allow them.

Prevalence of, and barriers to the disclosure of HIV status to infected children and adolescents in a district of Ghana

Background

Globally there are about 3.3million children under the age of 15 years living with HIV. Of this number, 88% live in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, an estimated 33,000 children were said to be living with the HIV infection in 2012. Lack of disclosure adversely affects the well-being of the child, including access to paediatric HIV treatment and care and adherence to treatment. However, the greatest psychosocial challenges that parents and caregivers of HIV-infected children face is disclosure of HIV status to their infected children. This study sought to determine the prevalence of and the barriers to the disclosure of HIV status to infected children and adolescents in Lower Manya-Krobo District in Ghana.

Methods

A cross sectional study with a sample of 118 caregivers of HIV infected children and adolescents aged 4–19 years attending three HIV clinics in the Lower Manya Krobo District, and 10 key informants comprising of healthcare workers and HIV volunteer workers involved in the provision of care to infected children and their families.

Results

The prevalence of disclosure was higher. Main barriers to disclosure identified in this study included age of child, perceived cause of HIV, stigma attached to HIV, child’s inability to keep diagnosis to self and fear of psychological harm to child.

Conclusion

There is the need for the Ghana Health Service in conjunction with the Ghana Aids Commission and the National Aids Control Programme to develop comprehensive context-based disclosure guidelines.

Benefits of Disclosure of HIV Status to Infected Children and Adolescents: Perceptions of Caregivers and Health Care Providers

The rate of disclosure of HIV status to infected children and adolescents remains low in developing countries. We used a mixed-method approach to determine the perceptions of caregivers and health care providers about the benefits of HIV status disclosure to infected children and adolescents and to assess the support needed by caregivers during disclosure. We recruited a convenience sample of 118 caregivers of HIV-infected children and adolescents for the quantitative component of the study and completed in-depth qualitative interviews with 10 purposefully sampled key informants, including health care providers and volunteer workers. The main benefits of disclosure included improved medication adherence and healthier, more responsible adolescent sexual behavior. The main supports required by caregivers during disclosure included biomedical information, emotional and psychological support, and practical guidelines regarding disclosure. We confirmed the importance of disclosure to HIV-infected children and adolescents and the need to develop culturally specific disclosure guidelines.

Motivational Interviewing Interventions and Alcohol Abuse among College Students: A Systematic Review

Objective.

The study sought to assess the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) interventions in reducing alcohol consumption among college students, as compared to no intervention or alternative interventions. It also sought to identify the potential moderators to MI intervention effects.

Data Source.

Database sources consulted included Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLE, PsycLIT, CINAHL, and MEDLINE.

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria.

Included studies were (1) underpinned by experimental, quasi-experimental, and nonexperimental designs; (2) studies in which participants were either college males only or females only or both; and (3) studies in which adaptations of MI were based on key MI principles. Excluded studies were (1) non-English language studies; (2) studies not published from 2000–2012; (3) studies in which participants were not college students; (4) studies in which intervention was not delivered by face-to-face approach; and (5) studies that failed to embark on postintervention follow-ups.

Data Extraction.

A total of 115 abstracts were screened. These were narrowed down to 13 studies from which data for the study were extracted.

Data Synthesis.

Selected studies were underpinned by experimental, quasi-experimental, and nonexperimental designs. Owing to the heterogeneity in selected studies, a narrative synthesis was used.

Results.

MI interventions were found to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption among college students, when compared to alternative interventions or no intervention. Potential moderators of MI intervention effects were identified to include practitioner's adherence to MI techniques and individual's drinking motives.

Conclusion.

MI presents itself as a promising tool that can augment the many existing social-environmental strategies of health promotion.