Background: HIV/AIDS is a global health challenge and continues to threaten lives in sub-Saharan African countries such as Ghana. One of the important interventions for controlling its transmission is through testing and receiving medication. In this study, we present findings on the prevalence and factors associated with HIV testing among young women in Ghana. Methods: We used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey comprising young women aged 15–24 years. We calculated the proportion of these young women who have ever been tested for HIV. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the determinants of HIV testing at a 95% confidence interval (CI), and adjusted odds ratio (aORs) and p-values were reported. All analyses were adjusted using survey weights to account for unequal sampling probabilities. Results: The results showed that 31.4% (95% CI [29.63, 32.81]) of young women in Ghana had tested for HIV. The odds of HIV testing were likely to be higher among young women aged 20–24 (aOR = 2.24, 95% CI [1.75, 2.87]), those who were pregnant (aOR = 3.17, 95% CI [2.03, 4.95]) and those with one (aOR = 7.99, 95% CI [5.72, 11.17]), two (aOR = 10.43, 95% CI [6.47, 16.81]) or three or more children (aOR = 14.60, 95% CI [8.37, 25.48]) compared to their counterparts in the reference category. Women who had attained secondary education or higher (aOR = 2.66, 95% CI [1.67, 4.23]), were sexually active (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI [2.00, 3.97]), and in richer (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.17, 3.34]) and richest wealth index (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.10, 3.61]) were more likely to test for HIV than those with no formal education, who had not had sex before or in the poorest wealth index. Women from the Eastern (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.04,2.72]) and Upper East regions (aOR = 2.62, 95% CI [1.44, 4.75]) were more likely than those in the Western region to get tested for HIV. However, the odds of testing for HIV were lower among women belonging to other religions (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI [0.23,0.82]) than Christians. Conclusion: The findings show that HIV testing is low among young women in Ghana. To address this issue, it is recommended that both government and non-governmental organizations collaborate to create effective programmes and strategies. These may include continuous health education, regular sensitization programs and making HIV testing services much more accessible and affordable, taking into consideration the sociodemographic characteristics of young women.

Background and Aims: Childhood vaccination remains a cost‐effective strategy that has expedited the control and elimination of numerous diseases. Although coverage of new vaccines in low‐ and middle‐income countries increased exponentially in the last two decades, progress on expanding routine vaccination services to reach all children remains low, and coverage levels in many countries remains inadequate. This study aimed to examine the pattern of wealth and residence‐based related inequality in vaccination coverage through an equity lens.Methods: We used data from the 2017−2018 Benin Demographic and Health Survey. Statistical and econometrics modeling were used to investigate factors associated with childhood vaccination. The Wagstaff decomposition analysis was used to disentangle the concentration index.Results: A total of 1993 children were included, with 17% in the wealthiest quintile and 63% were living in rural areas. Findings showed that wealth is positively and significantly associated with vaccination coverage, particularly, for middle‐wealth households. A secondary or higher education level of women and partners increased the odds of vaccination compared to no education (p < 0.05). Women with more antenatal care visits, with multiple births, attending postnatal care and delivery in a health facility had increased vaccination coverage (p < 0.01). Inequalities in vaccination coverage are more prominent in rural areas; and are explained by wealth, education, and antenatal care visits.Conclusion: Inequality in child vaccination varies according to socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics and is of interest to health policy. To mitigate inequalities in child vaccination coverage, policymakers should strengthen the availability and accessibility of vaccination and implement educational programs dedicated to vulnerable groups in rural areas.

Background: Adequate knowledge and proper practices coupled with knowledge of the burden of disease are necessary for the eradication of Schistosoma infection. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) as well as health outcomes related to Schistosoma haematobium infection at Kwahu Afram Plains North District (KAPND). Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was carried out among 140 participants from four local communities in KAPND in August 2021. From these participants, 10ml of urine was collected for determination of the presence of S. haematobium and urine routine examination. In addition, 4ml of blood was collected and used for haematological examination. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using IBM SPSS were used to describe and represent the data collected. Results: The study reports a gap in knowledge about schistosomiasis in the study area with the majority indicating that they have not heard of schistosomiasis (60.7%), do not know the mode of transmission (49.3%), and do not know how the disease could be spread (51.5%). The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 52.9%. This was associated with age, occupation, perceived mode of Schistosoma transmission, knowledge of Schistosoma prevention, awareness that schistosomiasis can be treated, frequency of visits to water bodies, and water usage patterns. In multivariate analysis, factors that remained significantly associated with S. haematobium infection were age 21–40 (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.76), 41–60 (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01–0.52) and ≥ 60 (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.02–0.87), informal employment (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01–0.69) and awareness of transmission by drinking water from river body (OR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.03–0.92). In Schistosoma infection, reduced haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, lymphocytes and eosinophils were observed. White blood cells, neutrophils, and monocytes were significantly elevated in infected states. Urine analysis revealed high pus cells and red blood cells counts among Schistosoma-positive participants. Conclusion: Schistosoma infection is endemic among inhabitants in KAPND, and is associated with a gap in knowledge, awareness, and practice possibly due to inadequate education in the area. Poor clinical outcomes associated with Schistosoma infection have been demonstrated in the area. A well-structured public education, nutritional intervention, and mass drug administration will be necessary to eradicate this menace.

Background. Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adjunctive therapy against inflammation-related cancers such as HCC. Objective. This study assessed the effects of an alkaloidal extract of the leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides on CCl₄/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v)-induced HCC-like phenotypes in rats. Materials and Methods. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides alkaloidal extract (ZZAE) was prepared using Soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction methods. Subsequently, ZZAE was characterized phytochemically. In the curative method, experimental HCC was established in adult (8–10 weeks old) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150–300 g by twice-daily administration of CCl₄/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v) (2 mL/kg ip). After confirmation of experimental HCC in rats, the rats were randomly reassigned into seven (7) groups of seven (7) rats each and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg po), model (CCl₄, 5 ml/kg, ip), ZZAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg po), carvedilol (6.25 mg/kg po), and 20% Tween20 (1 mL/rat, po). To assess whether ZZAE has a prophylactic (preventive) effect, rats were first treated with ZZAE and later exposed to CCl₄ reconstituted in olive oil. Results. ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and carvedilol decreased tumor incidence compared to that of control. Compared to control, ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly ( ) improved serum GGT. Compared to control, ZZAE improved hepatohistological distortions induced by CCl₄/olive oil and also improved liver/body weight ratio. Compared to water, ZZAE arrested mitosis in the Allium cepa assay. Conclusion. ZZAE ameliorated CCl₄/olive oil-induced HCC-like phenotype in rats and demonstrated general hepatoprotective effects by improving liver and kidney function markers. This finding rationalizes the need for further studies on ZZAE as a potential source of bioactive anti-HCC compounds.

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant health challenge affecting many people including those from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Even though HIV can be transmitted through various means, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains the major route of transmission in children under the age of five. This study examined the correlates of knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy among reproductive-age women in Ghana. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The sample consisted of 9,106 women aged 15 to 49 years. We conducted both descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine the prevalence and factors associated with knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy. The results were presented using frequencies, percentages, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Approximately, 69.41% of women of reproductive age knew of HIV transmission during pregnancy. Women who had two (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.01, 1.72]) or three (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.07, 1.76]) births were more knowledgeable of HIV transmission during pregnancy. Women who read the newspaper (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.31, 1.86]), listened to the radio (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.05, 1.45]), lived in rural areas (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.09, 1.54]) or ever been tested for HIV (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.05, 1.37]) were more likely to be knowledgeable of HIV transmission during pregnancy than their counterparts in the reference categories. Compared to those in the Western Region, women in the Upper East (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.32, 0.63]), Upper West (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.35, 0.85]), Ashanti (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.58, 0.97]) and Greater Accra Regions (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.56, 0.98]) were less knowledgeable of HIV transmission during pregnancy. Conclusions: The study highlights a gap in the knowledge of HIV transmission during pregnancy among women in Ghana. Continuous public education is required to educate women on HIV transmission from mothers to their children during pregnancy and how this may be interrupted. Such programs should involve the use of the media and take into consideration the demographic and geographic characteristics highlighted as determinants in this study. This will ultimately contribute to the reduction of MTCT of HIV in Ghana.

Background. Parkia clappertoniana Keay (Family: Fabaceae) (P. clappertoniana) fruit husk is commonly used in northern Ghana for wound treatment. However, this folk claim remains to be confirmed scientifically. Objective. This study investigated wound healing and antimicrobial effects of P. clappertoniana fruit husk extract (PCFHE) by using excision wound model in rats. Materials and Methods. After preparation and phytochemical analysis of PCFHE, it was reconstituted in purified water and emulsifying ointment yielding a wound healing formula (0.3, 1, and 3%). Excision wounds were established in healthy male Sprague‐Dawley rats (aged 8‐10 weeks; weighing 150–200 g). Rats were randomly assigned into six groups (model, 1% silver sulfadiazine [SSD], vehicle, and PCFHE [0.3, 1, and 3%, respectively]) and topically treated daily until complete wound healing. The endpoints (period of epithelialization, wound contraction, collagen content, erythema index, oedema index, inflammatory cell infiltration, and antimicrobial activity) were assessed for all groups. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time‐kill were assessed. Results. Quercetin and catechin were detected in PCFHE. Compared to model and vehicle groups, PCFHE‐treatment groups improved wound healing and antimicrobial (MBC, MFC, and MIC) endpoints. PCFHE demonstrated bacteriostatic and fungicidal effects against identified wound contaminants (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans). Conclusion. P. clappertoniana fruit husk possesses wound healing and antimicrobial effects in excisional wounds in rats that confirms its folk use, and the reported pharmacological properties of PCFHE are attributable to its quercetin and catechin phyto‐constituents.