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Serologic screening for antibodies to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been carried out in Ghana since 1986 when the 1st AIDS case was detected. In general surveys have indicated a low HIV-1 seroprevalence rate among the general population. Of 1852 blood donors screened in 1986 only 2 (0.1%) were positive. None of 168 laboratory workers screened at the same time was seropositive. Also demonstrated has been a relatively low (2.1%) seroprevalence rate among local prostitutes in Accra. However of 151 Ghanaian women who worked as prostitutes in the Ivory Coast 49% were HIV-1 seropositive upon their return to Ghana. Similarly 215 males and females from the general population who had spent time living in the Ivory Coast and other West African countries such as Burkina Faso were found to be seropositive. In all 212 Ghanians have been tested as seropositive for HIV infection in the March 1986-July 1987 period. The greatest number of cases have been reported from Ghanas Eastern Region Greater Accra and Ashanti. The male to female ratio of HIV-positive cases was 1 to 11.6 in 1986 and 1 to 6.3 in 1987. The predominant presenting complaints of AIDS patients in Ghana are weight loss (89%) persistent or intermittent diarrhea (78%) respiratory symptoms (67%) fever and night sweats (56%) and central nervous system symptoms (50%). It is believed that more than 50% of prostitutes in the Ivory Coast are from Ghana. Many of these women return to their home country for holidays or to seek medical care when they develop symptoms of HIV infection. Unless effective intervention is implemented to limit the heterosexual spread of AIDS in Ghana its incidence may soon become as high as it is in Central Africa.

In 1961, the Christian Council of Ghana, a national association of the Orthodox Protestant Churches, introduced family planning as a public service in Ghana. The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) was formed in March 1967; its objectives were to educate the public on the benefits of family planning and to offer family planning services. The philosophy underlying the provision of family planning in Ghana is that relevant aspects of family planning should be integrated into the ongoing activities of both government and nongovernmental organization programs. Diseases caused by parasitic agents constitute some of the important health problems in Ghana. Some of the objectives of the PPAG are: 1) to collect basic information about health, nutrition, family planning, and socioeconomic status of some selected Awutu populations through a baseline survey, 2) to improve the health and socioeconomic welfare of the population in the selected area through health and family planning education, 3) to promote better health through education of community members, and 4) to establish the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infestation in the Awutu District and treat the positive identified cases carrying the parasites.

Women who attended the gynaecology clinic or were admitted to the postpartum ward of Korle Bu Hospital, Accra, Ghana were tested for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Eight (4.9%) of 162 gynaecological patients were infected with C trachomatis and five (3.1%) with N gonorrhoeae, and respective prevalences among 148 postpartum women were 7.7% (3/39) and 3.4% (5/148). Among 40 gynaecological patients who were not pregnant and whose principal complaint was of lower abdominal pain, 4 (10%) were infected with C trachomatis and none with N gonorrhoeae. Antibodies against serovars D, E, F, and G were common, and three typable isolates were serovar G. C trachomatis would appear to be more common than N gonorrhoeae in obstetric and gynaecological patients in Ghana.The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea in women of Accra, Ghana was estimated by culturing 162 gynecology clinic patients and 39 postpartum inpatients at Korle Bu Hospital. Chlamydia endocervical specimens were frozen and tested in Seattle by culture. N. gonorrhoea was identified by sugar tests, and isolated and tested for beta-lactamase with a cephalosporin assay. Sera from 95 patients were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to C. trachomatis. Chlamydia were isolated from 8 (4.9%) of the 162 gynecology patients and from 3 (7.7%) of the postpartum patients. N. gonorrhoea was isolated from 5 (3.1%) of the gynecology patients and from 5 (3.4%) of the postpartum patients. C. trachomatis serovars D, E, F and G were the most common. C. trachomatis was more common than N. gonorrhoea in these women, and accounted for 10% of gynecology patients complaining of lower abdominal pain.