Early sexual initiation is linked to an increased risk of HIV/AIDS and other STIs among teenagers, as well as having multiple partners, not using contraception, unintended pregnancy, and illegal abortions. Aim. To identify the correlates and psychological effects of early sexual debut among not‐in‐union women in Ghana. A descriptive cross‐sectional survey was used for this study using data from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for the year 2017/2018. SPSS software was used for data analysis, bivariate analysis for association was done using chi‐square, and the prediction was done using a binary logistic regression model. The national prevalence of nonmarital early sexual initiation this current study recorded was 56.9%. Predictors variables were age, 15‐24/≥35 years (AOR = 1.51, 1.28‐1.78), ever educated (AOR = 0.50, 0.43‐0.60), urban address (AOR = 0.85, 0.74‐0.98), married/single (AOR = 1.23, 1.07‐1.42), cohabitation/single (AOR = 1.43, 1.19‐1.72), Greater Accra Region/Upper West Region (AOR = 0.67, 0.49‐0.92), and health insurance (AOR = 0.89, 0.79‐0.998). As the wealth indices of the woman decrease from the richest to poorest, the likelihood of early sexual debut inversely increases: fourth/richest (AOR = 1.23, 1.04‐1.45), middle/richest (AOR = 1.31, 1.09‐1.58), second/richest (AOR = 1.38, 1.11‐1.72), and poorest/richest (AOR = 1.44, 1.12‐1.86); use of the internet (AOR = 0.58, 0.50‐068); substance use and alcohol ever use (AOR = 1.32, 1.17‐1.49); cigarette ever use (AOR = 2.58, 1.44‐4.64); contraceptive use (AOR = 1.31, 1.16‐1.49); and ever heard of HIV (AOR = 59, 0.42‐0.82). In conclusion, the prevalence of early sexual debut is still high in Ghana, especially among the northern regions. Several factors predicted early sex debut, and low life satisfaction and happiness were related to early sexual debut.

Introduction: Short birth interval is a problem in second and third world countries, where statistics show that about 17% of women in marriage and reproductive age have unmet family planning needs. The aim of the study was to identify the socioeconomic factors that predict short birth spacing...

Background. Most morbidities and mortalities related to clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures are related to infection and the solution to this is good infection prevention and control (IPC) compliance which is influenced by the right knowledge and positive attitude. Aim. This study aimed to assess infection prevention and control (IPC) knowledge and attitude among healthcare workers at the surgical department of Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). Methods. This study was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Data entry and analysis were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Graph Pad Prism version 6.05. Tables, frequencies, and percentages were used for descriptive analysis and chi-square analysis for the associations. Results. Of the 156 participants who responded, 22 (14.1%) were doctors, with 107 (68.6%) nurses, 12 (7.7%) certified registered anesthetics (CRA), and 15 (9.6%) orderlies. Approximately, 50.6% of the respondents were knowledgeable with regard to IPC and 55.1% of the respondents had a good attitude towards IPC. Factors associated with knowledge level were educational level , occupation , marital status , and age . The occupation was the only factor associated with the attitude level . Conclusion. More than half of the healthcare providers reported good knowledge and attitude towards IPC. Proportionally, more nurses had good IPC knowledge and attitude as compared to other professional groups. Firming up and assimilating universal precaution with routine services by providing training, protocol, rules, and regulation are recommended.

Introduction. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the world’s second most common cause of death, trailing only respiratory tract infections. Because of anatomical and physiological changes along the urinary tract, pregnant women accounted for approximately 20% of all cases of urinary tract infection. Aim. This study sought to assess maternal age and stage of pregnancy as determinants of UTI among pregnant women in Tamale. Methods. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey as the study design in the antenatal clinic of Tamale Central Hospital (TCH). This was carried out by reviewing laboratory records of urinalysis results done on pregnant women. Data entry and analysis were performed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Chi-square and binary logistics analysis were used to determine the relationship. Results. Data analysis was done for 158 pregnant women, most (35.4%) were within the age group of 36-45 years, and most (38.6%) were within their first trimester. The overall prevalence of UTI infections among pregnant women was 33.5%. The prevalence was 27.8% for candiduria and 8.9% for bacteriuria. Women in the first trimester of their pregnancy were more likely to have UTI ( , 95% CI =1.03–5.94). Also, Pregnant women of the age group of 26-35 years were less likely to get UTIs as compared to those of the age group 15-25 years ( , 95% CI =0.17–0.92). Finally, those of the age group of 36-45 years were less likely to get UTI as compared to those of the age group 15-25 years ( , 95% CI =0.12–0.66). Conclusion. The prevalence of UTI among studied pregnant women was high (38.0%), and the most prone maternal age group and trimesters to UTI are 15-25 years and first trimester, respectively.

Background. Polytrauma refers to multiple life‐threatening injuries to more than 2 bodily regions with some significant physiologic derangement. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile of polytrauma and outline the distribution of extremity fractures among cases in Northern Ghana. Methods. A retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted at the Accident and Emergency Department of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Data were extracted using a data collection tool onto MS Excel, cleaned, and exported onto SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to present data in tables and charts. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess whether there was a significant difference in the mean ISS and mean length of stay of the direct causes of death. Results. About 186 out of 5413 attendants to the emergency department were polytrauma, period prevalence of 3.4%. The male‐to‐female ratio was 1.9 : 1. Young adults (21–40 years) contributed 64% of the participants. The mean age of participants was 32.9 ± 15.4 years, and the mean ISS was 40.6 ± 13.1. Road traffic accidents (68.8%) were the most common cause of polytrauma. The mortality was 33.0%. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was the most common direct cause of mortality (54.1%). There was a significant mean difference (MD) in the length of stay between multiple organ failure (MOF) and TBI (MD = 3.169, 95% C.I. = 0.48–5.86) and between MOF and hemorrhage (MD = 6.212, 95% C.I. = 2.62–9.80). Most fractures were closed (75.3%) and affected the lower limbs (61.5%). Open reduction and internal fixation were the most common surgery for extremity fractures. Conclusion. We recommend a concerted multidisciplinary policy framework geared towards promoting road safety and reducing accidents in Ghana. We also recommend a tailored robust treatment algorithm for managing traumatic brain injury in our settings to reduce mortality thereof.

Introduction: In Saharan Africa, an estimated 25 million pregnancies are at risk from malaria every year, with substantial morbidity and death effects for both mother and fetus. The aim was to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with ownership of insecticide-treated nets...