Search

Introduction Neonatal illnesses can prove to be fatal if not identified early and treated. This suggests that death occasioned as result of neonatal illness could be prevented. However, it has been observed that most mothers report to the hospital late with their newborns in critical state, making it difficult for professionals to salvage the problem often than not. This study sought to explore the knowledge and practices of home caregivers on neonatal danger signs pre-admission to Tamale Teaching Hospital a tertiary hospital in northern Ghana. Methods An explorative descriptive qualitative design was used in this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select fifteen caregivers of neonates on admission at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using semi-structured interview guide. As part of data collection, audio recordings were used to audio tape interviews. All data collected were transcribed verbatim and subsequently analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results Thematic analysis in the study demonstrated that caregivers had basic knowledge, describing neonatal illness with danger signs such as lethargy, convulsion, fever, fast breathing, poor feeding, vomiting and diarrhea. The study further found that the predominant practice to care seeking by caregivers was home/traditional herbal remedies. It also indicated that inexperience caring for neonates, severity of illness and non-availability of finances were factors that informed caregivers choice of treatment of neonatal illness. Conclusion The study concludes that inexperience caring for neonate, severity of illness and non-availability of finances were factors that informed caregivers choice of treatment. There is a pressing need for health workers to strengthen the education of caregivers/mothers on neonatal danger signs and the need for prompt care seeking from skilled health care providers prior to discharge from the hospital.

The study assessed the impact of Urban Community-Led Total Sanitation (U-CLTS) on open defecation in Tamale Metropolis. The objectives of the study were to assess frequency and reasons for open defecation and to assess the factors that influence the implementation of community-led total sanitation in the Tamale Metropolis. The study obtained data from 398 landlords and interviewed some officers of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF), some Opinion Leaders and Landlords. The study used structural equation model to determine the factors that influence implementation of U-CLTS at each stage. T-test was also used to determine the effect of U-CLTS programme on open defecation. Interview responses were also transcribed to complement the inferential analysis. The findings indicated that reasons for frequent open defecation before CLTS include poor maintenance of public and private latrines, financial hardship and social norms problems. The study also found that CLTS has significantly reduced open defecation in the Tamale Metropolis. Policy environment, community participation and implementation quality significantly affected effective implementation of U-CLTS. The study recommends that CLTS should be scaled-up in other communities where open defection is rampant.

Turnover among teaching staff in our universities are mostly due to dissatisfaction with their jobs. Employee job satisfaction is of utmost importance to stimulating and sustaining the interest of the individual in order to prevent employee turnover. There are many factors influencing employee job satisfaction and preventing employee turnover. Factors such as salary, working conditions, cordial relationship with colleagues at work, opportunities for job progression among several other factors. The objective of this paper was to explore the extent to which these factors, affect employee job satisfaction and prevent turnover among lecturers in the University for Development Studies using the cross-sectional design and quantitative approach of data collection. Survey questionnaires were employed as data collection instruments to elicit information from 287 lecturers recruited from the University for Development Studies within the Tamale Metropolis. Multiple regression was used to establish the effect factors influencing job satisfaction had on employee turnover. Major findings from the study alluded to the fact that salary, working conditions, working environments, carrier advancement, relationship with co-workers have significant correlation with job satisfaction and employee turnover of lecturers in this institution. On account of these findings, this paper suggests yearly salary adjustments, creates a conducive working environment for lecturers, improve upon infrastructural facilities and facilitates carrier advancement issues for lecturers so as to prevent them from exiting the institution.

Background Complementary feeding is critical for optimal nutrition in infants and young children as it ensures their growth, health and development to attain their full potential. However, evidence shows that children from developing countries do not meet the core indicators for appropriate complementary feeding. We evaluated mothers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child feeding recommendations and the determinants of adequate diet among children aged 6–23 months. Methods This cross-sectional study included 200 children aged 6–23 months and their mothers/care givers recruited during child welfare clinics of two health facilities in Ghana. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess determinants of adequate diet. Results Sixty-eight percent of the mothers knew the recommended duration of continued breastfeeding, 56.5% how to ensure dietary diversity and enrich their children’s diets and 94% (n = 188) had positive attitude towards recommended infant and young child feeding practices. Majority of the mothers (92%, n = 183) practiced continued breastfeeding, 10.5% of the children met minimum diet diversity score, 39.5% minimum meal frequency and 8.5% received minimum adequate diet. Determinants of receipt of minimum adequate diet were: having high knowledge in child feeding recommendations (100% vs. 0.0, p p = 0.027). Conclusion Motherss knowledge levels regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations had notable deficiencies although they generally had a positive attitude towards child feeding recommendations. Knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations as well as the child’s father having adequate income were important determinants of adequate diet. Nutrition education should emphasize on improving mothers’ nutrition knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations and supporting mothers to overcome barriers to feed their children with adequate diets.