Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Ghana, with haematological alterations being a common feature of infection. Understanding these changes is crucial for improving disease management, particularly in endemic regions where resource limitations may affect diagnostic capabilities. This study aimed to evaluate variations in haematological and inflammatory biomarkers and their association with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a Ghanaian setting. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Clinic from January to May 2018, involving 200 participants (100 P. falciparum-infected and 100 malaria-negative participants). Full blood count parameters and derived inflammatory indices were analysed. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to determine the variations in haematological and inflammatory biomarkers across malaria and non-malaria groups. Logistic regression was also used to find the haematological and inflammatory biomarkers associated with malaria. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Significant differences were observed in several haematological parameters between P. falciparum malaria and non-malaria groups. Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients showed markedly lower white blood cell counts (4.88 vs. 5.84 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.001), lymphocyte counts (0.91 vs. 2.10 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.001), and platelet counts (117.50 vs. 224.50 × 10⁹/L, p < 0.001). Inflammatory indices revealed elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (3.49 vs. 1.43, p < 0.001) and systemic inflammatory response index (1.83 vs. 0.73, p < 0.001) in P. falciparum malaria patients. Notably, the platelet-monocyte ratio was significantly reduced in malaria patients (207.45 vs. 457.78, p < 0.001). Haemoglobin levels showed significant variation across parasite densities, particularly between moderate and low parasitaemia groups (p = 0.026). The logistic regression also revealed that the odds of malaria decreased with increasing haematocrit (aOR: 0.77,95% CI 0.60–0.97, p = 0.032), platelets (aOR:0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.99, p = 0.013) and platelets-monocyte ratio (aOR:0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99, p = 0.004), and increased with increased platelets-lymphocyte ratio (aOR:1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.07, p = 0.031). This study demonstrated significant alterations in haematological and inflammatory biomarkers during P. falciparum malaria infection. These findings reveal the importance of haematological parameters in malaria diagnosis and severity assessment, with potential implications for improving early detection, risk stratification, and clinical management of P. falciparum malaria patients.

The successful scale-up of Ghana’s RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine depends on understanding community-level variation in caregiver acceptance. This study investigates vaccine acceptance and its predictors in a hyperendemic municipality bordering Volta Lake, where geographic and contextual disparities may hinder equitable implementation. A weighted, community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024 among 452 caregivers of children aged 6–59 months in Kpando Municipality. Data were collected via structured digital interviews and analyzed using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression to identify individual and contextual determinants, with spatial mapping to visualize geographic disparities. Overall vaccine acceptance was 89.9% (95% CI: 89.2–90.7), with sub-district variation from 41.1% in Agbenorhoe to 100% in several island and rural communities. Among children initiating vaccination, 6.0% received one dose, 17.6% two doses, 10.4% three doses, and 66.0% completed four doses. Booster completion (66.0%) significantly exceeded primary series completion (34.0%, p < 2 × 10 ⁻ ¹⁶). For initial acceptance, bush-surrounded households had higher odds (aOR = 2.69) while vaccine risk concern reduced acceptance (aOR = 0.32). For booster completion, higher household income (1500–1900 GHC: aOR = 3.19; 2000–2400 GHC: aOR = 2.75), older child age (1 year: aOR = 2.27; 2 years: aOR = 2.14), family/peer influence (aOR = 2.09), and perceived convenience (aOR = 1.58) were positive predictors, while bush-surrounded residence reduced odds (aOR = 0.26). Sub-district-level factors explained 85% of variance (ICC = 0.85). Despite high acceptance, sharp spatial disparities and uneven dose completion persist. To ensure equitable coverage as Ghana scales up RTS,S/AS01, interventions must both address initial hesitancy in low-acceptance areas and improve primary series retention by reducing economic barriers and enhancing service convenience in rural communities.

Background: Anaemia during pregnancy is a major public health concern in both advanced and less‐developed countries, including Ghana. The prevalence of anaemia in Ghana seriously affects the country’s social and economic development. Aim: This study, therefore, assessed anaemia in pregnant women attending the Catholic Hospital in the Battor District, Ghana. Methods: A cross‐sectional study using a convenient sampling method was conducted from November 2021 to January 2022 among four hundred (400) pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Catholic Hospital, Battor, in the Volta Region. Sociodemographic (age, marital status, level of education, occupation and religion), knowledge, attitudes, and practices were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire, and the gestation periods and the number of antenatal (ANC) visits were obtained from the antenatal booklets. Blood samples (3 mL) were collected to determine their anaemia status. SPSS software version 26 and GraphPad Prism 6 were used for the statistical analysis. A p value less than 0.050 was considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. Results: Our study found that the prevalence of anaemia among the antenatal attendants was 295 (73.8%). Severe anaemia was highest in the second trimester (60.0%). Pregnant women in their third trimester recorded the highest prevalence of both macrocytic hyperchromic and microcytic hypochromic anaemia (66.7%, 50.0%). The study found that the majority of the pregnant women had satisfactory knowledge of anaemia (38.3%), with only 5.3% having excellent knowledge. Hairdressers had 69% lower odds for anaemia as compared to participants with other occupations (aOR; 0.31, 95% CI; 0.12–0.82, p = 0.018) whiles 196 (66.4%) of married women were anaemic. Conclusion: Anaemia remains highly prevalent among pregnant women, with notable variations across trimesters and occupations. Unexpected trends, such as lower odds of anaemia among hairdressers and higher prevalence among married women, highlight the need for further studies into occupational and socio‐cultural influences on maternal health.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the most common infections affecting children in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature on the prevalence and types of intestinal parasitic infections among children in Ghana. Available articles were systematically retrieved on the prevalence and types of intestinal parasitic infection following database searches using PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar African Journal Online, and Science Direct between 2010 and 2025. Two authors independently extracted all relevant data using a standardized Microsoft Excel data extraction form. The PRISMA framework guided the review, and a random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis using R software (version 4.5.0). Heterogeneity (I2) and publication bias (Egger’s test) were assessed. P < 0.050 was considered statistically significant. Sixteen studies (16) conducted between 2010 and 2019 across various Ghanaian regions were included, with a total sample size ranging from 140 to 884 children. The overall pooled prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among children in Ghana was 22% (95% CI: 12%–34%), with substantial regional variation, highest in Brong Ahafo/Upper East (40%) and lowest in Greater Accra (9%). Common parasites included Hookworm (14%), Giardia intestinalis (12%), Schistosoma mansoni (8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (4%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (2%), with high heterogeneity across studies (I² >98%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed robustness of prevalence estimates, while funnel plot asymmetry suggested potential publication bias. Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant burden among Ghanaian children, particularly in rural and under-resourced regions. The findings emphasize the need for region-specific deworming campaigns, improved sanitation, and routine parasitological screening to reduce the burden and health impact of these infections in early childhood.

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Ghana. However, heterogeneous transmission necessitates localized data for effective subnational targeti