Tamale Metropolitan Area Research Articles

Magnitude of self-reported intimate partner violence against pregnant women in Ghana’s northern region and its association with low birth weight

BackgroundLow birth weight (LBW) rates are high in the northern region of Ghana, as is tolerance for intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the relationship between the two incidents has not been established. This study assessed the magnitude of IPV against pregnant women and its association with LBW in the northern region of Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 postnatal women from five public health care facilities in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, northern Ghana. Data were collected electronically during face-to-face interviews. Validated methods were used to determine IPV exposure during pregnancy and birth weight. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the independent association between prenatal exposure to IPV and LBW.ResultsOf the 402 women, 46.5% (95% CI: 41.7, 51.4) experienced IPV during their most recent pregnancy. Of these, 34.8% were psychologically abused, 24.4% were sexually abused, and 6.7% were physically abused. Prenatal IPV exposure was found to be significantly associated with birth weight. Low birth weight was twice as likely among exposed women as among unexposed women (AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.26, p < 0.05). Low birth weight risk was also higher among women with anaemia in the first trimester (AOR = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.47, 8.23, p < 0.01), but was lower among women who made at least four antenatal care visits before delivery (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.89, p < 0.05) and male newborns (AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.49, p < 0.001).Conclusion and recommendationIPV during pregnancy is prevalent in the research population, with psychological IPV being more widespread than other kinds. Women who suffered IPV during pregnancy were more likely to have LBW than those who did not. It is essential to incorporate questions about domestic violence into antenatal care protocols. In particular, every pregnant woman should be screened for IPV at least once during each trimester, and those who have experienced violence should be closely monitored for weight gain and foetal growth in the study setting to avert the LBW associated with IPV.Plain English summaryIn the northern region of Ghana, the number of babies born with low birth weight is high, as is the number of adults who are willing to put up with intimate partner violence. However, there has not been any proof that these two incidents are connected. This study looked at how frequently intimate partner violence occurs among pregnant women and how it is linked to low birth weight in northern Ghana’s Tamale Metropolitan Area. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 402 postnatal women from five public health care facilities in the study setting. Information on exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and the birth weight of babies was collected electronically during face-to-face interviews. The study found that of the 402 women, 46.5% had experienced violence by an intimate partner during their most recent pregnancy. Out of these, 34.8% were abused psychologically, 24.4% were abused sexually, and 6.7% were abused physically. Women who were abused were more likely than those who were not to have babies with low birth weight. We concluded that intimate partner violence is common during pregnancy in the study setting and that more women suffered psychological intimate partner violence than other types of violence. Intimate partner violence during pregnancy was linked to low birth weight in the study setting. It is important for antenatal care plans to include questions about intimate partner violence. In particular, every pregnant woman should be assessed for intimate partner violence at least once during each trimester for monitoring.

Landed property as collateral to access credit for housing development in Ghana: The case of Northern Region of Ghana

Property in the commons, or the Washington Consensus, as it is known in other circles, posits that landed property and access to formal credit are directly related. Whether landed property improves access to formal credit or not has been at the centre of the debate, with varying practical evidence, especially for the Global South. Another related dimension of the debate concerns the implications of family-help-mortgage arrangements using intra-family transfer of land as collateral to support a member's mortgage by placing a charge on the collective property. This paper investigates the use of landed property as collateral to access formal credit from financial institutions for housing development in the Tamale Metropolitan Area (TMA) in the Northern Region of Ghana. The primary research question is: does formal documentation of landed property as collateral help in accessing formal credit for housing development in TMA? The study involves the use of in-depth interviews to investigate the opinions of estate developers, credit officers of universal banks, and land title holders on the relative importance of landed property and access to credit for housing development. The data are analysed by means of thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that even though landed property may contribute to the decision to grant formal credit, it is not a turn-key solution easily accepted in the final lending decision. This study adds to the body of knowledge primarily by evaluating the effects of reforms to increase credit access with landed property as collateral in Ghana, investigating the implications of family-help mortgage arrangements, including the use of intra-family assets as collateral in obtaining loans for investment at the micro-level in Ghana. The paper concludes that while formal documentation of land rights matters in the broad scheme of estate financing, it is not sufficient to bring about more immediate access to credit, especially for those who lack regular or reliable systems of income that could be critical in ensuring the payback of loans contracted using landed property as collateral for housing development.

Compliance with the World Health Organization's 2016 prenatal care contact recommendation reduces the incidence rate of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women in northern Ghana.

Children born with adverse birth outcomes (ABOs) have a greater risk of mortality, stunting, and poor cognitive development. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended at least eight antenatal care (ANC) contacts before delivery for a healthy mother and baby. We examined the association between compliance with this recommendation and the risk of ABOs, such as low birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB), in the Tamale Metropolitan Area of the northern region of Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Tamale Metropolis of the northern region of Ghana. We analysed a systematic random sample of 402 postnatal women aged 15-49 drawn from five public health facilities. We gathered information electronically on their birth outcomes, specifically their birthweight and gestation at delivery, using a structured questionnaire. Information on women's background characteristics, including the number of ANC contacts made before delivery, was also collected. The association between the number of ANC contacts and ABOs was investigated using regression models. We found that 37.6% (95% CI: 32.9, 42.4) of our sample had at least eight ANC contacts before delivery. We estimated that 18.9% of babies were born prematurely and 9.0% were born LBW. ABOs were found in 22.9% (95% CI: 19.0, 27.3) of babies. A minimum of eight ANC contacts before delivery reduced the risk of ABOs (adjusted IRR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.73), PTB (AOR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.58), and LBW (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.91). In the current study's setting, about a quarter of newborns have ABOs, jeopardising their survival, health, and development. Compliance with at least eight ANC contacts prior to birth was associated with a reduced incidence rate ratio of ABOs. However, less than four out of every ten pregnant women make at least eight ANC contacts before delivery. Efforts are needed to increase coverage of eight contacts among pregnant women before delivery to reduce the risk of ABOs in the study setting.

Knowledge of Postbirth Warning Signs and Postpartum Education Among Women in Ghana

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between postpartum education and knowledge of postbirth warning signs among women in Ghana. DesignCross-sectional survey. SettingTamale West Hospital in Tamale Metropolitan Area, Ghana. ParticipantsWomen (N = 151) who gave birth to healthy newborns and were admitted to the postnatal ward. MethodsWe collected data from surveys distributed in the hospital. The survey included items for sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, postpartum education provided, and knowledge of nine common postbirth warning signs. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models to analyze the data. ResultsParticipants reported knowing an average of 5.2 of 9 (SD = 2.84) postbirth warning signs. Severe bleeding (94.70%, n = 143), fever (82.12%, n = 124), and severe headache (72.19%, n = 109) were the postbirth warning signs most frequently identified by participants. Swelling in the leg (37.09%, n = 56) and thoughts of hurting oneself (33.11%, n = 50) were the postbirth warning signs least frequently identified by participants. Knowledge about postbirth warning signs was positively associated with reports of receiving educational handouts on the postnatal ward (adjusted OR = 4.64, 95% confidence interval [1.27, 17.04]) and reports that four or more postpartum complications were taught before hospital discharge (adjusted OR = 27.97, 95% confidence interval [7.55, 103.57]) compared to zero to three postpartum complications. ConclusionAll women need comprehensive discharge education on the warning signs of complications after birth. Promoting knowledge of postbirth warning signs can decrease delays in seeking care and contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality in Ghana.

Audience listenership of FM radio: A case study of rural development in Northern Ghana

The quest for effective strategies for rural development continues to be a challenge for policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa and their development partners. Communication development strategies executed using FM stations have emerged as a promising tool as a result of the medium being the most popular source of information among rural dwellers in the region. Thus, this research explores the efficacy of FM radio in rural development by examining the listening patterns of residents and the benefits of such listenership to the lives of inhabitants of the Tamale metropolitan area. This is achieved via a quantitative analysis of surveys of about 400 residents of the Tamale metropolis. The study rejects the perception that FM radio programs in Ghana are mostly entertainment driven and are purveyors of light news. By putting searchlight on the motivations of radio listeners, the study finds that FM radio is the most reliable and trusted source of development information because of the ease, convenience and low cost of listening for listeners, and because programming is mostly in local languages. The study establishes that FM radio is the main source of information on agriculture, education and health in rural communities thereby contributing to rural development. Listeners’ participations in radio phone-in programs were highly rated for fostering audience motivation and agency. However, some challenges emerged. Listenership of FM stations was disproportionately male; there were complaints that radio programs were too “urban”; programming lacked innovation; and the timing of programs was poor. Based on these findings, the study recommends that FM radio stations should employ media professionals to conduct effective audience analysis to gain a grounded understanding of audience radio use if they are to develop the right programming timing to reach a greater audience of rural residents.

Street Trading and its Associated Risks in the Tamale Metropolitan Area of the Northern Region, Ghana

The study examined the typologies, negotiation for space, and the inherent risks in street trading in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region of Ghana. To achieve these objectives, a mixed-method approach was employed to carry out the study. The simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from fifty-six (56) respondents and twenty-five (25) key informants respectively. The analysis of the data gathered revealed that there were three main typologies of street traders in Tamale Metropolis and these were permanent, intermittent, and mobile street traders. It was also revealed that street traders in Tamale were exposed to various risks such as harassment by city authorities, theft, and exposure to health hazards. A number of driving factors such as lack of capital, lack of employment, difficulties in securing stores, and poverty among others were responsible for street trading in the Tamale Metropolis. The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Trades and Industry and the District Assembly should provide a congenial environment for street trading in the Tamale Metropolis to ensure the safety of the traders.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Dagbani Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale–New Mother

The Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale–New Mother (RHDS-NM), originally developed for use in English-speaking populations, is an instrument designed to measure women’s perceptions of readiness for hospital discharge after birth. We translated and cross-culturally adapted the RHDS-NM into Dagbani and conducted reliability and validity assessments of the new Dagbani RHDS-NM in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, Ghana. The average scale-level content validity index was excellent at 1.00. The Dagbani RHDS-NM had a Cronbach’s α reliability coefficient of .94. Exploratory factor analysis indicated four factors with Cronbach’s α reliability coefficients of .958, .915, .899, and .667 that represented the Personal Status, Knowledge, Expected Support, and Coping Ability subscales, respectively. Our findings provide initial evidence to support the reliability and validity of the Dagbani RHDS-NM.

Examining the Causes of Neonatal Mortalities in the Tamale Metropolis

Background: Neonatal Mortality is the death of a child within the first 28 days of life. It accounts for most of the under-five deaths but has not been given serious attention by academics, especially in the Tamale Metropolitan area. As a result, very little is known about its cause and the calibre of women most affected.&#x0D; Aim: This study focuses on cause of neonatal mortality in the three major hospitals in Tamale.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study involved 282 women who have suffered from neonatal deaths using hospital records to identify them. The study also includes 21 health workers from these facilities. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires and review of records.&#x0D; Results: The study found that from 2012 to 2016 there has been a downward trend in both neonatal deaths and neonatal death rate. This trend was observed in all three major hospitals. The study found that the majority (70.8%) of women had normal gestational periods, while nearly 50% (49.7%) of the babies cried immediately after birth.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study concludes that improved medical health care services, encouraging regular attendance of antenatal clinics and improving the mothers’ diet could be responsible for the decrease.

Workplace Bullying against Certified Registered Anaesthetists in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana

Background: Workplace bullying is a major occupational hazard globally with negative consequences on employee health and organizational performance. Workplace bullying has significant implications for quality care delivery and care outcomes.&#x0D; Aim: We sought to investigate the nature and occurrence of workplace bullying and its effects on the health and job performance of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (CRAs) in the Tamale Metropolitan area of the Northern Region of Ghana. The characteristics of workplace bullying against CRAs included assigning unpleasant and menial tasks, spontaneous anger, hostilities, intimidation, unmanageable workload and threats of physical violence or actual abuse.&#x0D; Methodology: The study was conducted at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), the largest referral hospital in northern Ghana. Data was collected from Certified Registered Anaesthetists, doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators, using interviews, questionnaires, and observations.&#x0D; Results: Prevalence of workplace bullying was 56.5% by quantitative inventory and 74.2% by subjective inventory. Also 40.3% of participants had witnessed bullying against a CRA often and 75.3% had suffered physical and psychological effects from bullying, 16.1% were off-duty between 1-20 days within the last 6 months as a result of bullying.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study concluded there is a high prevalence of workplace bullying against CRAs in the Tamale Metropolis with psychological and physical consequences on the victims that could affect quality patient care, care outcomes and loss of man-hours at work. It is recommended that workplace policy and worker education be undertaken by the metropolitan health directorate to urgently address the issue of workplace bullying.

Cultural Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Children Aged 0-6 Months in Tamale Metropolitan Area of Ghana

Background: The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding (EBF) for 6-months commencing at birth, with early breastfeeding commencing within 30 minutes of delivery. Cultural factors have been discovered to influence women's choice to EBF. The research was to determine the cultural influences on EBF and its implications on the nutritional status of infants 0-6 months. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The study included 300 women of reproductive age (18-45 years old) who had infants of 0-6 months and were accessing services at child welfare clinics in Tamale, Ghana. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire between mid-July to mid-August 2021. Results: Most of the mothers (54%) had poor knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. More than half (72%) did not practice exclusive breastfeeding. Most mothers (57%) did not offer colostrum to their newborns. Mothers-in-law influenced their daughters-in-laws breastfeeding behaviours. Over 50% of those who did not practice EBF said it was taboo to indulge in sex while EBF, to EBF when pregnant, to EBF when there was insufficient breast milk for infants signified by their frequent crying, and to EBF when mothers are likely to face challenges introducing complementary foods after 6 months. Most of the newborns had indications of underweight (69%), stunting (68%), and wasting (66%). Conclusion: There are greater needs to develop health teaching, health education, and counselling strategies to change knowledge, attitude, and practices. Again, negative attitudes and behaviours of mothers and the community as whole regarding EBF could also be addressed using community-based social marketing approach.

Thermal Impacts of the Internal Courtyards in Compound Houses: The Case of Tamale Metropolis

The research seeks to understand the effects of internal courtyards onthermal comfort conditions in compound houses in Ghana’s TamaleMetropolitan area. Internal courtyards are an integral part of the design ofcompound houses in this location.Their inclusion in building designs is largely as a point of domestic activitysuch as cooking and cleaning and also for social interaction. However, a lotof interchanges in thermal conditions between structures and the outdoorstake place within these internal courtyards. Various design details of thebuilding will engender different thermal responses of the internal courtyard.This paper assesses thermal comfort in compound houses as againstbungalow type houses in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana by the applicationof the Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied Persons (PPD) and PredictedMean Votes (PMV) model. This prototype compares with the InternationalStandards Organization (ISO) 7730 and American Society of Heating,Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 55(estimated values between 23˚C - 26˚C seen as the allowable temperatures).Ambient indoor conditions (dry bulb temperature and relative humidity)of five (5) buildings each from the two building typologies from wererecorded over a period of ten calendar months. These ambient conditionswere analyzed, consequently generating the Predicted Percentage ofDissatisfied Persons (PPD) and Predicted Mean Votes (PMV) recordings.The investigations uncovered relatively high PPD - PMV recordingsrelating to the Bungalow type buildings while the compound housesattune to the comfort zone. The Actual Mean Votes (AMV) of residentssuggests the two building typologies are all rated comfortable however; thecompound houses are rated above the bungalow type houses.

Determinants of Unsafe Plastic Waste Disposal among Households in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, Ghana.

Background The global discourse on plastic waste generation and disposal has over the last two decades, gained traction with the aid of research-based evidence. Though observed globally, the situation is quickly deteriorating in developing countries such as Ghana. In Ghana and Africa as a whole, rapidly increasing population and rural to urban migration have been cited as factors that exacerbate the existing struggles with plastic pollution. This study aimed at identifying the determinants of unsafe plastic waste disposal among households. Methods The study was carried out in three communities in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana. Data were collected from 270 randomly selected households through household surveys, key informant interviews, and direct field observations. Results The study revealed that the majority (63.3%) of the total respondents used and disposed of their plastic waste “unsafely.” The analysis showed that the education level and household wealth were significant determinants of unsafe plastic disposal. Conclusion The study concludes that challenges of plastic waste management are not limited to economic, technical, and institutional factors, but social factors such as human behavior are key aspects of waste management that need attention. The study, therefore, recommends strict enforcement of sanitation by-laws, promotion of education, and provision of alternatives to plastics that will minimize the need for importing and manufacturing plastics, as potential steps towards addressing unsafe disposal of plastics in the domestic environment.

The Influence of Career on Household Responsibilities of Women in Tamale Metropolis

The study examined the influence of career on household responsibilities of career women in the Tamale metropolitan area of the northern region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was employed for the study while questionnaire was the instrument used to gather data for analysis. A total number of 300 career women from different categories of professions were randomly selected based on their willingness to participate. The questionnaire items were coded and fed into the SPSS software package and analyzed. The data was organised into frequency counts and converted into percentages and presented in tables. Regarding the hypothesis, the Pearson’s correlation with an alpha level of 0.05 was the statistical technique used for the study. The study concluded that there is statistically significant correlation between the career of women and their household responsibilities. Also, the study found that inadequate time for care of children, spousal conflict, mental and emotional stresses were major challenges facing career women in Tamale. The study recommended that husbands and family members should be encouraged to assist their career women of some of their household responsibilities such as laundry, cooking and domestic cleaning services. This would help reduce the burden and stress of career women. Keywords: Career Women, Household Responsibilities, Tamale Metropolis DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-14-07 Publication date: July 31 st 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Ghana

This study was intended to examine the effect of COVID-19 on education in Ghana. This study was guided by the following objectives; to evaluate the awareness of COVID-19 virus among students in Ghana, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on education in Ghana and to evaluate the after effect of COVID-19 epidemic on education system in Ghana. The study employed the descriptive and explanatory design; questionnaires in addition to library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using the chi square statistical tool at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and percentages. The respondents under the study were 100 teachers and students of selected Senior High Schools (SHS) in Tamale metropolitan area of northern region of Ghana. The study findings revealed that COVID-19 pandemic has significant impact on education in Ghana; based on the findings from the study, schools want resources to reconstruct the loss in education through the epidemic.

Islam and Image-Making: Effects of Learning Visual Art on the Muslim Child in Tamale

The idea of prohibition of Image-Making in Islam has become a source of worry to the Muslim Ummah worldwide and Tamale is no exception. The term Ummah refers to the Community of Muslims, used both for local and wider groups at national and international levels. In this paper it refers to the Ummah of the Tamale Metropolitan area. The premise of this study stems from the researcher’s personal experience and observation where Muslim children are influenced to avoid expressing their artistic skills and talents especially in the Image-Making aspect of Arts and Culture. Thus, the researcher sought to dig into the reasons that account for this by looking at the existing views from the Quran, the Hadith, Islamic Scholars, Islamic education and the history of Islamic Arts and Culture. The study mainly used questionnaires, interview and observation in eliciting the data regarding the views of Islamic Scholars, Teachers, and Students based on the existing views from the Quran and Hadith. Out of hundred and forty-two (142) respondents for the questionnaires, hundred (100) were Students, twenty were Teachers (20) and twenty-two (22) were Islamic Scholars. Form the twenty-two Scholars who answered the Questionnaire, eleven (11) were interviewed and their environments were observed. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 and Excel. The data collected helped the researcher to map out the patterns among conceptions and perceptions of the Muslim Ummah in Tamale regarding the said prohibition of Image-Making in Islam. The cross-sectional survey design was employed in the collection and analysis stages. Tamale Metropolis has no single structured Islamic Administration presiding over issues regarding the Ummah. The data suggest that the Ummah is divided into three sections, each holding a different view and position regarding the prohibition of Image-Making. The study also shows the weaknesses of Islamic Scholars, in their varying interpretations of the Quran and Hadith, regarding issues of Culture and Arts among the Ummah. The study reveals that none of the Islamic Senior High Schools within the Tamale Metropolis offers Visual Art programmes. Only three other secondary schools in Tamale offered Visual Art in their curricular. It also revealed that most Muslim Students gave up Visual arts for other courses due to the gravity of fear Islamic Scholars instilled in them concerning the divine punishment for violating the said prohibition of Image-Making. There are a few Muslim Artists, Students and Teachers of the Image-Making related disciplines in Tamale and even beyond, and it is therefore important for the stakeholders of Art and Culture in the Educational and Training Institutions in Ghana to constructively engage with, and encourage the Muslim Ummah to develop these aspects of Knowledge and skill among their children and adherents for holistic individual and collective developments. Keywords : Islam, Image-making, Ummah, Quran, Hadith, Visual Arts DOI : 10.7176/JPCR/47-03 Publication date: December 31 st 2019

Participation Restriction due to Arm and Leg Motor Impairment after Stroke Rehabilitation in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, Ghana

Purpose: The study was conducted to examine the relationship between arm and leg motor impairment in stroke survivors and participation restriction, post rehabilitation, within the Tamale metropolis. Method: The participants were 102 stroke survivors from the Tamale metropolitan area, who had undergone at least 3 months of rehabilitation. Upper limb motor assessment was followed by lower limb motor assessment based on the Manual Muscle Test. Levels of participation restriction were measured using the London Handicap Scale. Correlation analysis of motor impairment and participation restriction were done using Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results: The mean age of post-stroke participants was 62.08 years (95% CI= 59.77-64.39), with men comprising 67.65% and 32.35% women. The Spearman rank correlation co-efficient between arm motor impairment and participation was 0.8343, depicting a strong positive relationship between the aforementioned variables. The correlation between leg motor impairment and participation yielded 0.8013. Conversely, leg motor impairment was found to have a stronger relationship with participation restriction in comparison to arm motor impairment. Conclusion and Implications: The strong relationship between limb motor impairment and participation restriction suggests that clinicians and disability experts involved in rehabilitation should take cognisance of the social implication of motor impairment in order to make informed decisions. Further to this, arm and leg assistive devices could be useful in reducing the levels of participation restriction among persons with stroke within the Tamale metropolis. Limitations: A major limitation is that motor impairment was assessed solely on the ability to perform voluntary movement (muscle power). Sensory disturbances and motor coordination difficulties also have the potential to influence participation restriction, so the exclusion of stroke survivors who are unable to communicate implies that external validity of the research is limited.

Clinical Investigation of Multiple Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in the Tamale Metropolitan Area

Clinical Investigation of Multiple Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in the Tamale Metropolitan Area

Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Business Profile of Women Owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Case Study of the Tamale Metropolitan Area

&lt;p&gt;Despite the vital role of women entrepreneurs in the economic development of their families and countries, it has been revealed that they have low business performance compared to their male counterparts. In this paper, an analysis of the business profile and entrepreneurial characteristics of women owned Small and Medium Enterprises in the Tamale Metropolis has been carried out. A cross-sectional design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of women entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs who have benefited from microcredit were selected using simple random sampling. They were then categorized based on their economic activities. The study found that, the level of education of the respondents was generally low; over 69% had no formal education, 20% had primary education, 9.5% had secondary and 1% had tertiary education. Furthermore, 54.2% of the enterprises were managed by the entrepreneurs’ themselves whiles 7.8% were run by the owner and other non-family employees. Also Only about 3% of the businesses surveyed were registered.&lt;/p&gt;

Knowledge and Skills of Mothers/Care Givers of Children Under Five Years in Communities with Home Based Management of Malaria in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana, 2013.

BackgroundMalaria is still one of the major public health problems. More than 400 million cases of malaria are reported each year worldwide, Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region where about 90% of all malaria deaths in the world occur especially in children under five years of age. Home based management of Malaria showed a tremendous effect on reducing mortalities among children in Ghana.Objectivesto determine the current level of knowledge and skills of mothers in Tamale Metropolitan Area in the northern region of Ghana in terms of disease identification, management and transmission of malaria.MethodologyA cross sectional study conducted in 2013 involved 400 families and mothers/care givers with children less than five years were selected randomly and represented urban, peri-urbanand rural settings.ResultsMore than 90% of respondents identified malaria by presence of fever while 57.5% used fever as a cardinal sign. 91% of participants sought early treatment in urban and peri-urban settings while 85% did so in rural sites. 55% of participants administered the correct doses daily but only 17% of them knew the side effects of Antimalarial medications used. Almost all participants were aware about transmission of malaria, when to repeat the drug dose and usage of paracetamol as a medicine to reduce body temperature.ConclusionThe overall knowledge and skills demonstrated are encouraging, there is no much difference between urban and rural settings. Community based initiatives should be strengthened and promoted to provide homemade solutions to saving lives and resources.

Determinants of stillbirths in Northern Ghana: a case control study.

IntroductionStillbirths are more common than the death of a baby after birth. In 2012, Tamale Metropolitan Area in the Northern Region of Ghana reported 35 stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries. This study was therefore conducted to determine the sociodemographic, obstetric and maternal medical health related risk factors associated with stillbirths.MethodsA 1:1 unmatched case control study was conducted in the Tamale Metropolis. Cases were defined as singleton lifeless babies delivered by resident mothers in Tamale Metropolis at or after 28 weeks of gestation from 1st January, 2012 to 31st December, 2013. Controls were those who had live babies within the same period. We abstracted data from maternal health record booklets used in index pregnancies. We also conducted personal interviews with mothers on home visits. We estimated both crude and adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p values.ResultsA total of 368 mothers (184 cases and 184 controls) participated in the study. Maternal age of ≤ 24 years, prolonged labour (> 12 hours) and diastolic blood pressure of less than 80mmHg in late pregnancy were significant determinants of stillbirths (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.08 – 8.39; aOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.94 – 6.61; aOR =2.2, 1.04 – 4.54 respectively).ConclusionLow diastolic blood pressure in late pregnancy, young maternal age and prolonged labour were the key determinants of stillbirths in the Tamale Meetropolis. Improvement of community moral practices and discouraging early marriage will help reduce the menace of stillbirths. Monitoring of blood pressure and labour should be prioritized.