Background: Stunting and wasting are key public health problems in Ghana that are significantly linked with mortality and morbidity risk among children. However, information on their associated factors using nationally representative data is scanty in Ghana. This study investigated the influence of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) indicators, socio-demographic and economic related factors, and water and sanitation on stunting and wasting, using nationally representative data in Ghana. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of the most recent (2017/2018) Ghana Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) datasets. The multi-indicator cluster survey is a national cross-sectional household survey with rich data on women of reproductive age and children under the age of five. The survey used a two-stage sampling method in the selection of respondents and a computer-assisted personal interviewing technique to administer structured questionnaires from October 2017 to January 2018. The present study involved 2529 mother-child pairs, with their children aged 6 to 23 months. We used the Complex Sample procedures in SPSS, adjusting for clustering and stratification effects. In a bivariate logistic regression, variables with P-values ≤ 0.05 were included in a backward multivariate logistic regression to identify the significant factors associated with stunting and wasting. Results: The mean age of children was 14.32 ± 0.14 months, with slightly more being males (50.4%). About 12% and 16% of the children were wasted and stunted, respectively. There were 39.4%, 25.9%, and 13.7% of children who, respectively, satisfied the minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). None of the IYCF indicators was significantly associated with stunting or wasting in the multivariate analysis but low socio-economic status, low birth weight, being a male child and unimproved toilet facilities were significantly associated with both wasting and stunting. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that aside from the pre-natal period, in certain contexts, household factors such as low socio-economic status and poor water and sanitation, may be stronger predictors of undernutrition. A combination of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions including the pre-natal period to simultaneously address the multiple determinants of undernutrition need strengthening.

Background. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months after birth has been recommended by the WHO as the best infant feeding strategy. Data on EBF rates among twin infants in Ghana remain limited and for that matter hypothesized to be low. Aim. The study sought to measure the prevalence of EBF and identify associated factors among twins in the Tamale metropolis. Methods. A cross-sectional survey involving 185 mother-twin pairs was conducted in four health facilities in the Tamale metropolis providing Child welfare Clinic (CWC) services. Socio-demographics data on both mother and twin were taken. Biomedical (e.g. perceived onset of lactation, confidence of producing enough milk, parity, delivery place, delivery type, time of breastfeeding initiation) and bio cultural factors (e.g. family cooperation for current infant feeding, breastfeeding counselling) were also obtained. In-depth interviews were also conducted with a sub sample of mothers (30) who were purposively selected to generate qualitative data on breastfeeding and associated cultural factors in twins as this data was necessary to aid in the explanation of the quantitative results. Results. Only 17% of twin infants were exclusively breastfed for six months. Women who were not confident that they could produce enough breast milk were about 83% less likely to practice exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) compared to those who were confident that they could produce enough breast milk (AOR = 0.17; CI = 0.04, 0.73; p-value = 0.017). Moreover, mothers who had no access to radio were about 87% less likely to practice EBF (AOR = 0.13; CI = 0.02, 0.79; p-value = 0.027). The qualitative analysis also revealed that babies are frequently breastfed because according to the mothers, breastmilk was the only food for the baby. It was also found that begging when you have twins had spiritual underpinnings in the study area. Conclusions. The study shows that, ownership of radio, confidence of producing enough breast milk and admission of the children into NICU were identified as the most important factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding of twins. Beyond Educating, encouraging and assuring twin mothers of their abilities to produce enough breast milk to satisfy their children, healthcare professionals should pay more attention on providing appropriate information on breastfeeding to mothers and caregivers.

Exclusive breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal way to feed infants due to its numerous health benefits for both the child and the mother. Despite its advantages, Ghana is still far from attaining World Health Organization (WHO) recommended rates. This study is aimed at exploring the knowledge attitude and practices, where the practices hinged on facilitators, barriers, and sociocultural perspectives of breastfeeding mothers and significant others on exclusive breastfeeding. This study employed an ethnographic thematic analysis framed by the socioecological model (SEM). Thematic analysis was paired with focus group discussions (FGDs). The study participants were recruited purposively by employing a snowball sampling technique with the assistance of community health volunteers. Three (3) FGDs were formed, with 10 participants in each group, to gather perspectives from breastfeeding mothers and significant others (partners and grandmothers) in three communities with Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds within the Tamale metropolis. With an interview guide, all FGDs were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and translated from local dialects to English. The emerging themes were used in writing a narrative account, guided by the principles of thematic analysis. This study identified three thematic areas: knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF); attitudes toward EBF and practices of EBF (facilitators, barriers, and sociocultural practices). There was some knowledge disparity among lactating mothers despite the overall high knowledge and subpar attitudes of some mothers. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding was substandard. The major hindrances identified were cultural barriers propagated by partners/husbands and grandmothers; the belief that the weather here does not support EBF; and the need for spiritual herbs in infancy. Supportive healthcare providers helped increase the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Some support also came from partners and husbands, and some mothers showed unique positive behaviors by exclusively breastfeeding. This study revealed that while exclusive breastfeeding education has been ongoing for decades, sociocultural norms still influence mothers to deviate from WHO recommendations. Public education is recommended to dispel misconceptions surrounding exclusive breastfeeding, develop a food galactagogue to help with breastmilk volumes and create a supportive environment that empowers mothers and families to make informed choices that optimize the health and well-being of both infants and mothers.

The purpose of this study was to see how students’ attitudes towards mathematics influenced their academic achievement in the Savelugu Municipality in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed the pragmatic paradigm and quantitative methodology. A 41-item semi-structured questionnaire rated using 5-points Likert scale, and document reviews were used to collect data. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling procedures was used to select 35 junior high school (JHS) in the Savulugu Municipality, questionnaires were administered to 350 JHS students, however, 315 questionnaires were returned. Data obtained from questionnaire were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, t-test, means, standard deviation, and percentages. The results revealed that educational institutions should develop programs to help parents become more active in their children’s education. To influence students’ attitudes towards mathematics study, policymakers and the Ghanaian Educational Service should promote programs such as National Mathematics Day to raise students’ awareness of the importance of mathematics in their daily lives. The Ministry of Education and non-governmental organizations should endeavor to offer enough instructional resources and financial incentives to instructors to help them make teaching relevant in the classroom.

Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for optimal infant nutrition and health, yet many mothers experience concerns about insufficient milk supply. This study investigated the effects of a ginger-spiced millet-soya drink (Zim-So drink), selected for its rich content of phytoestrogens and cultural use as a galactagogue and breastfeeding education on breast milk volumes and prolactin levels to enhance breastfeeding experiences among postpartum mothers in Tamale, Northern Ghana. A randomized-controlled intervention study was conducted, with 75 participants randomly assigned to three groups: Zim-So drink (n = 25), breastfeeding education (n = 25), or control (n = 25). The sample size was determined using G-Power to detect a moderate-to-large effect (Cohen’s d = 0.8) with 80% power and α = 0.05. Blinding was not feasible due to the type of intervention, but standardized procedures minimized observer bias. Breast milk volume was measured using a manual breast pump and standardized logging; serum prolactin levels were assessed using ELISA at baseline, Day 7, and Day 14. Statistical analysis was conducted using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to determine significant differences among samples. The study found no significant baseline differences among groups, confirming their comparability. By Day 7 and Day 14, both the Zim-So drink and breastfeeding education groups showed significant improvements in breast milk volume and prolactin levels compared to the control. The Zim-So drink group demonstrated the largest effect size, with mean breast milk volume increasing by 24.9 mL (95% CI, 22.1–27.7) and prolactin levels by 25.0 ng/mL (95% CI, 22.0–28.0) at Day 14 compared to the control (p < 0.001), indicating a stronger and sustained impact on lactation outcomes. This study highlights the importance of dietary and educational interventions in enhancing lactation. The Zim-So drink, formulated with culturally familiar and bioactive-rich ingredients, emerges as an effective, acceptable, and affordable galactagogue for breastfeeding mothers. These findings indicate that integrating traditional dietary supplementation with structured breastfeeding education within maternal healthcare systems offers a practical and cost-effective approach to enhancing breastfeeding outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Anaemia, undernutrition and obesity remain complex public health challenges. Their coexistence among households, commonly known as the triple burden of malnutrition (TBM) is a new concept that lacks scholarship within the maternal and child nutrition discourse in Ghana. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the trends and factors associated with TBM among mothers and their children aged 0–59 months in Ghana. This study combined and analysed datasets from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey from 2003 to 2022. Prevalence and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate the trends and determinants of TBM among 11,925 mother-child pairs using complex sample procedures. The pooled prevalence of TBM was 6.7% (5.7 - 6.7). This reduced from 7.6% (6.6 - 8.7) in 2003 to 5.0% (4.1-6.2) in 2022. Male children [AOR 2.23, 95% CI:1.33 - 3.74, p = 0.002] were more likely to suffer TBM than female children. Large birth size [AOR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17 - 0.54, p < 0.001] and breastfed children [AOR 0.13, 95% CI:0.05 - 0.34, p < 0.001] were less likely to suffer TBM. Women with no education [AOR 5.14, 95% CI:1.16 - 22.75, p < 0.031] and those with inadequate dietary diversity [AOR 2.53, 95% CI:1.50 - 4.26, p < 0.001] were more likely to suffer TBM. Also, high-wealth [AOR 0.13, 95% CI:0.05 - 0.33, p < 0.001] and rural households [AOR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.05 - 0.33, p < 0.001] were less likely to suffer TBM. Although the prevalence of TBM reduced over the past two decades, the pooled estimate remains high in Ghana. The associated factors include breastfeeding, childbirth size, maternal education, dietary diversity, wealth and urbanicity. Strategies that promote breastfeeding, improve dietary diversity and ensure equitable distribution of resources are urgently needed to mitigate the TBM.