The World Health Organization estimates that 37% of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections among Health Care Workers (HCWs) are due to percutaneous occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. In Ghana, occupational exposures are rising; however, the burden of HBV infection in HCWs remains unknown. Our study estimated the prevalence of HBV surface antigens and associated factors among HCWs. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 340 HCWs using a structured pretested questionnaire and screening for HBV surface antigens. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with a level of significance set at <0.05. The overall crude prevalence of current HBV infection was 5.9 % (95% CI, 3.0-8.0). Adjusted prevalence by test performance was 5.8%. Prevalence was highest among males 10.2% (95% CI, 4.8-18.5), HCWs other than nurses and doctors 9.2% (95% CI, 4.5-16.2), and those working at lower-level facilities 9.7% (95% CI, 4.8-17.1). Training in the prevention of blood-borne infections was significantly associated with HBV infection (adjusted odds ratio 3.2; 95% CI, 1.1-9.1). HBV infection is high in this population. In addition to lifesaving interventions such as vaccination and the use of immunoglobulin, training in blood-borne infections could prevent new HBV infections among Ghanaian HCWs.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) was recognized many decades ago as an important occupational hazard for Health Care Workers (HCWs) globally. HCWs who are directly involved in patient care and are in continuous contact with blood or body fluids have an increased risk of occupationally acquiring the virus. The risk of HCWs in highly endemic areas is greater due to the greater prevalence of infection in the general population. Recommendations are available to guide HBV prevention activities or practices among HCWs. These include the use of the hepatitis B vaccine as a preexposure prophylaxis and the use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin alone or hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus the vaccine as postexposure prophylaxis. The uptake of preexposure prophylaxis has been observed to be low in resource-poor settings where the disease is highly endemic. Postexposure prophylaxis has become the remedy for preventing occupational transmission of HBV in these settings.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition, has become a major concern for both developed and underdeveloped countries since the condition is associated with significant caregiver, family, and financial burdens. Approaches to educating these children, especially in their preschool years, are burdensome and demanding for both parents and teachers. Although it is recommended that children with ASD receive inclusive, age-appropriate education in mainstream school settings, there are barriers in Ghana. This study explored barriers faced by preschool teachers in implementing and adhering to inclusive education for children with ASD. Methods: The study employed an exploratory descriptive qualitative design to sample 17 participants in the Greater Accra Region using a purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through an in-depth virtual interview and analyzed using content analysis. Results: The study identified inadequate parental cooperation, poor ASD knowledge of the teachers, socio-cultural and political issues, and a lack of collaboration with other professionals as major barriers thwarting the success of inclusive education for children with ASD in Ghana. Conclusion: These barriers affect effective and successful adherence to inclusive education for children with ASD, and as such, we recommend orientation and special training for teachers, the provision of resources for effective child inclusion, and the creation of ASD awareness during the training of pre-school teachers.

Background: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine coupled with the awareness of the potential risk of Healthcare Workers acquiring Hepatitis B Virus infection, some HCWs never get vaccinated. Generally, hepatitis B vaccination coverage globally is below the expected level as adherence has remained poor in various healthcare settings, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the completion of a three-dose Hepatitis B virus vaccination cycle and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Methods and materials: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and included 363 healthcare workers selected using probability sampling procedures. The participants were recruited from five facilities within the Greater Accra Region in the first half of 2018. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The proportion of healthcare workers receiving the recommended 3 doses of the hepatitis vaccine was computed. The multivariable analysis procedure identified the factors associated with adherence to the receipt of three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. Odds ratios were estimated with corresponding confidence intervals with the level of significance set at 0.05. Results: A total of 340 sample units were included in the analysis. Most of the participants (252/340, 74.1%) were females, mainly nurses/midwives (162/340, 47.6%) with a mean age of 34.5 (SD ±7.7). A high proportion of the participants (82.7%) have tertiary/post-tertiary level education and ever participated in at least one training workshop on the prevention of blood-borne infections (80.6%). Overall vaccination uptake was 60.9% (207/340) (95% CI = 55.7%-66.1%). Complete vaccination coverage (three doses) was 46.8% (159/340). High-risk perception (AOR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.3–12.5), and previous training in infection prevention (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.1–7.5) were significantly associated with adherence to receipt of three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusion: Adherence to three-dose hepatitis B vaccination cycles is not universal among the healthcare workers in the Greater Accra Region. Receipt of the three-dose regimen is significantly associated with high-risk perception and attendance of training in infectious disease prevention. Interventions to increase risk perception and training in the prevention of blood-borne infections could improve adherence to complete/full vaccination protocol among healthcare workers who are at constant risk of exposure to the hepatitis B virus.

The risk of occupational exposure to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is high among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in developing countries like Ghana where the prevalence of HBV is high. Unfortunately, in such regions, HCW protection does not appear to be a priority, and healthcare facilities (HFs) have been reported to have unsatisfactory levels of implementing preventive strategies to protect HCWs from blood-borne infections including HBV. A cross-sectional and Q audit was performed involving 255 HFs selected by proportional allocation and systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured pretested questionnaire with HF managers being the respondents. Data were analysed using IBM ® SPSS® (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.0) where univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis was done with the level of significance set at <0.05. Overall adherence to recommended strategies, structures, and programs for HBV prevention among the HFs was generally low, with a mean score of 37.02 (95% CI = 33.98–40.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the level of adherence between the HF categories (F = 9.698; P = <0.001). Being a hospital (OR = 3.9: CI = 1.68–9.29), possessing infection, prevention and control (IPC) guidelines (OR = 6.69: CI = 3.29–13.63) as well as having functional IPC committees in place (OR = 7.9: CI = 3.59–17.34) were associated with good adherence to HF-level HBV preventive strategies. Overall adherence to HF-level prevention of HBV is sub-optimal. Higher-level facilities were better resourced with HBV vaccine and Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG). Adherence to HBV prevention strategies depends on the type of HF and the availability of IPC committees and their respective IPC coordinators.