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Abstract Aims This scoping review examined the factors affecting access to dialysis for patients with end‐stage kidney disease in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Design Scoping review. Methods The scoping review is conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and modelled by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses extension for scoping review. Results A descriptive content analysis of 30 included articles revealed three main findings affecting access and use of dialysis: Health system–related factors, health provider–related factors and patient factors. Patient or Public Contribution Equity in renal replacement therapy access and use will require concerted advocacy for good public policy, healthcare delivery, workforce capacity and education.

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality and a major public health problem. The growing number of breast cancer-related deaths has been largely attributed to a lack of awareness of the disease among women. Whilst there have been frequent campaigns promoting breast cancer awareness, evidence suggests that women still lack awareness. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with the awareness of breast cancer among women of reproductive age in Lesotho. Methods We used population-based cross-sectional data from the 2014 Lesotho Demographic and Health survey. A total of 6,620 women of reproductive age were included in the analysis. The outcome variable was awareness of breast cancer. Women who heard about breast cancer were considered to be aware of the disease. Multilevel binary logistic regression models were fitted to determine the factors associated with breast cancer awareness among women. Results The level of awareness of breast cancer was 86.8% (95% CI: 85.5, 87.9). Women aged 45–49 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.83, 4.48], married women [AOR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.19, 1.93)], and women with higher educational level [AOR = 12.56, (95% CI: 4.35, 36.28)] were more likely to be aware of breast cancer. Additionally, women who listened to the radio at least once a week [AOR = 1.96, (95% CI: 1.63, 2.37)], those who read newspapers or magazines [AOR = 1.91 (95% CI: 1.48, 2.46)] and women in the wealthiest group [AOR = 2.55, (95% CI: 1.67, 3.89)] had higher odds of breast cancer awareness. However, women who were in rural areas were less likely [AOR = 0.63, (95% CI: 0.47, 0.84)] to be aware of breast cancer than those in urban areas. Conclusion The level of awareness of breast cancer among women of reproductive age in Lesotho was extremely low. We recommend that policymakers, clinicians, and public health practitioners should consider the factors identified in this study when designing and developing intervention programs to improve the awareness of breast cancer among women in Lesotho.

IntroductionThe population of the aged is increasing globally and in Ghana. In 2020, the population aged over 60 years in Ghana was 2,051,903 and this is expected to reach 2.5 million by 2025 and 6.3 million by 2050. Despite the envisaged increase in the number and life expectancy of the older population in Ghana that will require nursing care, there is a paucity of data on nursing staff knowledge and attitudes toward elderly patients in Ghana.ObjectivesThis study, therefore, assessed factors affecting the care of elderly patients among nursing staff in a tertiary referral health facility in the Volta region of Ghana.MethodsThe study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design using quantitative data collection approaches. A total of 150 nurses were sampled with a response rate of 95%. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The analysis included logistic regression to predict factors associated with nurses' knowledge and attitude in caring for elderly patients, after multicollinearity diagnosis and controlling the effect of confounding variables.ResultsMajority (83.8%) of the nurses demonstrated good knowledge of the aging process, knowledge in the care of the elderly (88.7%), and (84.5%) had a positive caring attitude towards the elderly. Professional education, professional qualification, and knowledge on aged care were significantly associated with nurses' attitude towards the elderly (pConclusionThe majority of nurses demonstrated good knowledge and attitude in the aging process and care of the aged. Lack of special wards/facilities and lack of staff motivation were the leading perceived barriers to rendering care to the elderly. Scaling up gerontological nursing programs and establishing special aged care facilities in Ghana with appropriate policy guidelines and regulations for implementation of care will help improve nurses' knowledge and caring attitudes toward the care of elderly patients. Likewise, a national geriatric care policy would help consolidate standard geriatric care in Ghana.

Background & aim: Most of the maternal mortalities are preventable when safe maternal healthcare practices adhere to antenatal care. Lack of birth and emergency preparedness is one of several factors contributing to maternal mortalities. Adequate birth preparedness (BP), as well as emergency, and complication readiness (CR) planning can determine the survival rate of a pregnant woman and her unborn neonate. The present study aimed to describe the experiences of pregnant women at Jachie Health Center regarding BP and CR. Methods: In this qualitative study, a phenomenological approach was used for data collection. In-depth interviewing was conducted with a total of 15 pregnant women from Jachie Health Center. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, reviewed several times, and thematic analysis was performed. NVivo software (version 11) was utilized to manage the data and help with thematic analysis. Results: The pregnant women practiced preparations towards the place of delivery, support person, layette, and warning signs of pregnancy. The majority of the cases were not aware of obligatory preparations in terms of transportation and the need for emergency compatible blood donor prior to delivery. Most of the respondents were not sufficiently prepared for delivery due to poverty and low educational status. Conclusion: The role of community members could include the instruction of pregnant women to attend antenatal clinic to receive education regarding birth preparedness and complications readiness. The district health directorate and public health nurses should train community leaders for the benefits of birth preparedness and complications readiness.

Background. Hypertension remains a rising health threat among developing countries and it is due to poor knowledge and lifestyles. Integrated knowledge and practices are central towards the control of hypertension, especially in the developing world. Objectives. This study assessed the practices of adults in a periurban community in the Ho Municipality of the Volta region on the prevention of hypertension. Methodology. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was carried out in a periurban community in the Volta region. Adults were recruited using a systematic sampling technique in the Ahoe community. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect information on sociodemographic, knowledge, and lifestyle practices regarding hypertension prevention. The data were entered into Microsoft excel 2013 spreadsheet, cleaned, and transported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 software for analyses. The data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Results. In this study, 49.3% explained that hypertension means the increased force of blood through the blood vessels as 90.8% indicated that taking antihypertensive medications can control hypertension. In describing the associated effects of hypertension, adults in the Ahoe community described the effects of hypertension as stroke (89.8%), heart attack (84.0%), diabetes (56.5%), and heart failure (82.3%). Also, 54.1% described hypertension as a lifelong disease while 55.8% indicated hypertension can be cured. Also, 92.2% identified exercising as an important factor in controlling hypertension as 32.7% use herbal preparations to control hypertension. Only 3.7% of adults in the Ahoe community were smokers and 54.5% smoked less than a year. The majority (61.6%) of the respondents did not drink alcohol as 69.7% engage in active exercises. Conclusion. Education on hypertension should be intensified, and emphasis should be laid on regular exercised and strict dietary restrictions that ensure reduction in hypertension risk. Healthcare authorities should engage hypertensive clients to desist from the intake of herbal medications whose actual composition has not been scientifically determined.

Background. In Ghana, attempts to control malaria through antimalarial medications are currently threatened by the emergence and spread of drug resistant malaria parasites. This, together with the increasing incidence of malaria, has heightened the need for a more effective method of controlling the spread. The use of Insecticide Treated Bed Net (ITN) has been recognised as an effective measure in the prevention of malaria. Objective/Purpose. In this study, we examined the utilisation of ITN among caregivers of children under five years in Ho municipality of Ghana. Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 283 household representatives through a multistage sampling method. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and was analyzed using STATA version 14. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted in presenting the data. Results. Ownership of ITN was higher (80.7%) than its utilisation (41.7%). The age of caregiver was strongly associated with the utilisation of ITN (AOR=2.00, 95% CI=0.00, 0.02, p

Background. Malaria is no doubt a burden on both the financial and human resources of Ghana. In this study, we examined the awareness of malaria prevention practices among indigenes of Godokpe, a rural community in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional survey that used a self-developed questionnaire recruited 246 residents of Godokpe who were aged 18 years and above using a systematic sampling technique. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data into descriptive and analytical statistics. The descriptive statistics comprised frequency, percentage, and means. Also, analytical statistics of cross tabulation was conducted considering a p

Background. Caesarean section is one of the most commonly performed major surgeries in obstetric practice intended to save the mother and child and in turn reduce maternal and perinatal mortality. The steadily increasing global rate of caesarean section has become one of the most debated topics in maternity care. This study identified the factors that influence women’s choice of elective cesarean sections in the Duayaw Nkwanta Hospital. Methodology. This study used descriptive cross-sectional survey method to collect data from 78 post-caesarean section women above age 18 years. A whole population sampling method was used to trace respondents to their homes to administer a pretested questionnaire. Data was double-entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, compared, cleaned, and transported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with a Pearson correlation test. Results. Post-caesarean section women (37.2%) indicated CS is a pain-free method of birth while 57.1% reported CS is safe for both mother and baby. Others (28.2%) chose CS based on a friend’s advice and 19.2% on religious advice. The relationship between age of respondents and the number of times of having CS showed a weak positive correlation (r= .170, N= 78, p≤0.136, two-tailed test). There was a significant positive correlation between average monthly income of respondents and the number of times of having a CS birth (r= .320, N= 78, p≤ 0.004). Conclusion. It is imperative that there is heightened interest in educating mothers on associated benefit and risk of elective caesarean sections as a method of birthing by nurses and midwives in the antenatal clinics.

Despite increased support from government and other stakeholders for malaria control over the past decade, malaria burden remains high in many endemic countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess patients’ knowledge of antimalarial treatment (ACT) and its association with patient adherence. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. Data were collected from April to May 2017. Both descriptive and inferential statistics in the form of frequencies, percentages, mean values, standard deviations, and Pearson’s chi-square test were generated by use of Microsoft excel spreadsheet and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The average age of the respondents surveyed for this study was 42.27 ± 11.09. Adherence level to ACT was 47%. The results showed that there was a significant association between respondents’ knowledge of the efficacy of antimalarial medication (p = 0.003), benefits of completing antimalarial treatment course (p = 0.001), and consequences of not completing the doses of antimalarial medication prescribed (p = 0.002) and adherence to ACT. This study then recommends that improving patients’ knowledge regarding the efficacy, benefits of completing ACT, and consequences of not completing ACT treatment may improve the likelihood of patients adhering fully to ACT.