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Objective Malnutrition is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status of children under 5 years of teenage and adult mothers in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. A case–control study involving 300 (150 cases, 150 controls) mother–child pairs was carried out. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of mothers and children and anthropometry was used to assess the nutritional status of children. Anthropometric z-scores derived based on WHO Child Growth Standards were used to determine stunting, wasting and underweight statuses of children. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the nutritional status of children of teenage and adult mothers. Results Children of teenage mothers, compared to those of adult mothers, were 8 times more likely to be stunted [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.20–13.63], 3 times more likely to be wasted (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI 1.04–8.04), and 13 times more likely to be underweight (AOR = 12.78; 95% CI 4.69–34.81) after adjusting for potential confounders. The risk of child malnutrition increases with young maternal age; interventions should be targeted at teenage mothers and their children to reduce the risk of malnutrition.

Background Obstetric fistula is a distressing condition affecting mothers in Ghana and elsewhere. Most obstetric fistulas are caused by long-term obstructed labor. The majority of women suffering from this condition and their families go through challenging experiences with medical treatment and social integration. This study explored the lived experiences of women with obstetric fistula regarding the socio-medical consequences of the condition in terms of treatment-seeking challenges and socio-cultural integration in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods The study adopted a qualitative phenomenology design. In-depth and key-informant interviews were conducted among eleven women with obstetric fistula and three healthcare professionals, respectively, in two sampled health facilities in the Tamale Metropolis. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents. The data was collected from January to March 2024. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Results The results revealed the challenges to seeking treatment for obstetric fistula as financial barriers, repeated/unsuccessful repairs, negative attitude of health professionals, and difficulty coping with postoperative instructions. The socio-economic consequences faced by the women were problems with social integration, stigma and psychological trauma, reduced self-esteem, and loss of sources of income. Some of these difficulties were short-lived, especially following corrective surgery, while new ones emerged in some cases even after surgery. Conclusion The lived experiences of women with obstetric fistula suggest that financial assistance and psychosocial counseling are necessary to empower victims of obstetric fistula and improve their living conditions. The study recommends that the National Health Insurance Scheme should provide effective coverage for both medical and non-medical financial costs associated with the treatment of obstetric fistula. Trust between healthcare providers and their clients should be established through strong interpersonal relationships and effective training of healthcare professionals. Societal tolerance of women living with obstetric fistula should be enhanced through public sensitization.

Background Older adults represent only about 6% of Ghana’s total population, yet they account for over 80% of those who access healthcare annually. Despite this high utilisation, many older adults continue to face substantial barriers to care, including financial, structural, and health system challenges. This study applied Andersen’s Behavioural Model to examine how predisposing, enabling, and need factors are associated with health service utilisation among older adults in Northern Ghana. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2024 among 339 adults aged 60 years and above, selected from four communities using a multistage sampling approach. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Health service utilisation was operationalised as at least one visit to a health facility in the 12 months preceding the study. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and hierarchical binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Results The average age of the respondents was 68.7 years, with most being female (61.7%) and having no formal education (62.2%). A majority (94.4%) were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme, and 72.9% reported at least one chronic condition. Overall, 83.8% of the participants reported using health services at least once in the past year. Predisposing factors (age and sex), enabling factors (employment status, health insurance status, and distance to the nearest health facility), and need factors (presence of chronic conditions) were significantly associated with utilization. The major health service utilisation factors were having a chronic condition (OR = 11.2, 95% CI [4.7, 26.6]), having health insurance (OR = 8.3, 95% CI [1.8, 39.0]), living more than 4 km from a facility (OR = 0.10, 95% CI [0.02, 0.38]), and being self-employed (OR = 0.07, 95% CI [0.01, 0.65]). Conclusions Health service utilisation among older adults in Tamale was associated with a combination of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. While insurance coverage was high and contributed to health service utilisation, self-employment and living more than 4 km from a facility were major barriers. Community-based outreach, including mobile health clinics or targeted home-based care, may be a cost-effective approach to improving older adults’ access to and utilisation of health services.

Background Modern medicine has significantly transformed the process of childbirth among women. The preferred mode of childbirth has become of global interest to many researchers due to the steady rise in recent caesarean section (CS) rates. While CS is often viewed as a life-saving intervention, it is associated with both immediate and long-term complications for the mother, newborn, and future pregnancies. To better understand the medical and non-medical reasons for CS among women, this study was conducted to identify the socio-demographic and obstetric factors that influence CS in the Tamale Metropolis. Methodology A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 318 postpartum mothers at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Descriptive analysis, univariate logistic regression and stepwise multivariate logistic regression model were conducted, with a p -value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The majority of respondents (63.5%) were below 30 years. Almost all respondents (95.3%) were enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The majority (95.91%) had single births. Most respondents (91.2%) had spontaneous vaginal delivery. The prevalence of CS was 8.8%. Significant factors influencing the preference for CS were maternal age above 30 years (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.01–5.12), rural settlement (aOR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.10–0.92), twin delivery (aOR = 6.88, 95% CI = 1.64–28.95), and obstetric complication (aOR = 10.55, 95% CI = 2.42–46.04). Conclusion There is a need to focus on initiatives that address regional disparities, enhance access to comprehensive maternal healthcare services, and promote informed decision-making regarding mode of delivery to ultimately improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Background Blood transfusion is an essential component of the health care system of every country and patients who require blood transfusion service as part of the clinical management of their condition have the right to expect that sufficient and safe blood will be available to meet their needs. However, this is not always the case, especially in developing countries. To recruit and retain adequate regular voluntary non-remunerated blood donors the motivators and barriers of donors must be understood. Equally important to this goal is the knowledge of blood donors. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at the donor clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region of Ghana from 06 January to 02 February 2018. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 355 eligible first-time and repeat whole blood donors. Data were collected face-to-face with a 27-item self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between donor status and the motivators of blood donation, barriers to blood donation and the socio-demographic characteristics of donors. Results Out of the 350 donors, 192(54.9%) were first-time blood donors while 158 (45.1%) were repeat donors. Nearly all the donors, 316(90.3%), indicated they were motivated to donate when someone they know is in need of blood. Over four-fifths of the donors endorsed good attitude of staff ( n  = 291, 83.4%) and the desire to help other people in need of blood ( n  = 298, 85.1%) as motivators. Approximately two-thirds, 223(63.7%), of the donors endorsed poor attitude of staff as a deterrent to blood donation. More than half of the donors considered the level of privacy provided during pre-donation screening ( n  = 191, 54.6%) and the concern that donated blood may be sold 178(50.9%) as deterrents. Only a little over one-third of the donors knew the minimum age for blood donation (n = 126, 36.0%) and the maximum number of donations per year (n = 132, 37.7%). Conclusion Our findings suggest that public education on blood donation, regular prompts of donors to donate when there is a shortage, and friendly attitude of staff have the potential to motivate donors and eliminate barriers to blood donation.

Urban heat island effects (UHIEs) and spatial growth remain global existential challenges in the 21st Century. Nevertheless, research on UHIEs in Ghana remains limited, particularly in the northern part. Based on the interrelationship between land surface temperatures (LST) and UHIs, the present study, using spatial data and statistical analytical techniques, comprehensively analyses the nexus between Tamale’s spatial growth and LST and their implication for UHIEs. The results indicate a notable increase in developed areas from 1.89% in 2003 to 3.7% in 2013 and 9.2% in 2023. Notably, the city’s vegetation cover decreased from 3.48% to 2.1% between 2003–2013 and 2013–2023. Factors contributing to the decline in Tamale’s vegetation cover include increasing housing supply, grey infrastructural development, and intensified economic activities. Additionally, Tamale’s surface temperature rose from 45.72 °C to 51.24 °C between 2003 and 2013 and from 51.24 ℃ to 62.9 ℃ between 2013 and 2023. We observed from further analysis that a positive relationship exists between land cover and vegetation, and a weak relationship between land cover, vegetation, and LST. Specifically, there is no statistical evidence to explain temperature variability. Despite this, the study confirms the interplay between spatial growth, LST, and the potential implications for urban planning and sustainable cities in northern Ghana. Given the high rate of spatial expansion, Tamale should anticipate a heightened prevalence and temperature surges, contributing to UHIEs. We conclude the study with recommendations for remedial measures to alleviate the adverse impacts of rising LST and emphasise the importance of initiative-taking urban planning strategies to foster sustainable development amidst rapid urbanisation and climate change challenges.

Background Strictly following antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential in managing HIV and AIDS and attaining viral suppression. However, adherence to ART remains a complex challenge among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and it is influenced by various individual and socio-cultural factors. Also, there is limited data as far as the studies on determinants of ART adherence in the Tamale Metropolis is concerned. This highlights a critical knowledge gap that needs to be addressed to improve adherence rates. This study therefore aims to examine the determinants of ART adherence among PLHIV in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from November 2023 to February 2024 to recruit 418 PLHIV using consecutive sampling from three healthcare facilities located in the Tamale Metropolis. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, adherence behaviours and socio-cultural beliefs. Every element impacting adherence to ART underwent assessment using a 4-point Likert scale, with data entry and coding executed using Microsoft Excel, followed by statistical analyses using SPSS version 21. Fisher’s exact test, Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were utilized to ascertain autonomous indicators of ART adherence while accounting for the impact of other factors . Determinants of ART were considered statistically significant at a p -value of less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 418 PLHIV were studied, yielding a 100% response rate and an ART adherence rate of 93%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 90.6% to 95.4%. Clients who were educated (AOR = 6.80, 95% CI: 1.57–29.42, p  = 0.010), retentive (AOR = 10.73, 95% CI: 4.24–27.15, p  < 0.001), had aversion for alternative treatment modalities (AOR = 8.04, 95% CI: 2.90–22.29, p  < 0.001) and involved with peer support groups (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.02–13.56, p  < 0.05) exhibited markedly higher rates of adherence to ART, as relative to those who did the opposite. Conclusion The study identified a sub-optimal adherence rate of 93% among PLHIV with key determinants of ART adherence. Among individual factors, educational attainment and forgetfulness played a significant role in influencing adherence levels. In terms of sociocultural factors, inclinations toward alternative therapies, such as traditional or herbal remedies, and active engagement in peer support networks were found to impact adherence. The Ghana AIDS Commission and its partners should implement targeted educational programs, interventions such as reminder systems (e.g., mobile phone alerts, pill organizers) should be developed and promoted, develop culturally sensitive outreach programs that respect traditional beliefs while promoting the benefits of ART and strengthen peer support networks.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have fueled an increase in concrete infrastructure within Tamale Metropolis and its environs, resulting in the demand for granitic aggregates for concrete production. However, locally, this type of aggregate is unavailable because of the local geology; the sandstones of Tamale are abundant. This study investigated the suitability of the sandstones as coarse aggregates by examining their engineering properties and petrographic characteristics. Photomicrographs of three samples indicate the sandstones have a paragenesis of quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, biotite, opaque, lithic fragments, and cement and are classified as subfeldsarenites. X-ray florescence geochemical data indicate the composition of sandstones has SiO2 content of 72.6 2% to 74.62%, Al2O3: 10.11% to 12.23%, and Fe2O3: 3.46% to 4.22%. The engineering characteristics show that, except for water absorption, flakiness, elongation, aggregate crushing value, and compressive, all met standard requirements of concrete products for building purposes. Results provided good mineralogical, elemental, and textural properties of the sandstones and were found to have the possibility of having strong physicomechanical characteristics that may support other engineering properties, including low abrasion since SiO2 is known to be high in rock. The study concludes that the Tamale-Obosum sandstones can perform reasonably well in concrete for domestic concrete construction. Further testing to improve the scientific understanding of Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) and water absorption of the sandstones is recommended.

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnant women are a common public health concern. Identifying the prevalence of bacteriuria, the causative organisms, and their anti-microbial susceptibility profiles against commonly prescribed antibiotics used to treat UTIs among pregnant women is an aim this study seeks to attain. This aim is critical in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 3.1 and 3.2, targeted at reducing the scourge of global maternal mortality. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at a secondary health facility in Ghana. Mid-stream urine samples from the study participants were collected aseptically, and their physical and biochemical composition was determined semi-quantitatively. Urine samples were examined, and microscopy was conducted, after which they were cultured. Organisms in significant urine culture growth were isolated and tested against commonly prescribed antibiotics used to treat UTIs at the facility using standard protocols to determine their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Results A total of 200 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.8 ± 6.1 years participated in the study. Almost half, 48.0% (96) of all the study participants, reported for booking in the second trimester of their pregnancy. A 39.0% (78/200) positive culture growth in all the urine samples, with bacteria species responsible for the culture growth in 21.5% (43/200) of the total urine samples, was noted in this study. Ninety-one organisms were isolated, with 38.5% (35/91) being yeast-like cells , 31.9% (29/91) Escherichia coli, and 8.8% (8) Pseudomonas spp and 7.7% (7) being Klebsiella spp . There was a varying resistance of the isolated bacteria, ranging from 50.0% to 100.0%, to commonly prescribed antibiotics used in treating UTIs at the facility. Conclusions Bacteriuria in the study participants was relatively high, which warrants screening all pregnant women and treating those infected with appropriate anti-microbial regimens to reduce its complications. Also, the variable sensitivity of isolated bacteria to commonly prescribed antibiotics at the facility is a concern; as such, health education on anti-microbial stewardship should be incorporated into routine antenatal education for pregnant women in Ghana.