Despite the government and global health initiatives toward yellow fever epidemic control in Ghana, the country continues to witness sporadic outbreaks of yellow fever mostly among the unvaccinated population and suspected migrates(nomadic) who enter the country. Little is known about nomadic knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding this communicable disease in Ghana. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey in 22 yellow fever outbreak communities to assess nomadic household heads’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding yellow fever after an outbreak in November 2021 outbreak. Our study results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistics regression with dichotomous outcomes. Significant statistics were obtained from multivariate analysis. About 90% of the nomadic had poor knowledge of the signs and symptoms of yellow with only 16% knowing the vector that transmits yellow fever. The most common source of information on yellow fever was the health campaign. Over 80% of household heads surveyed had positive attitudes regarding yellow fever with about 84% worried about the disease outbreak in their community. In a multivariate logistic regression model, age group(AOR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.31, 5.98, p = 0.008)., gender ideology(AOR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.14–4.51, p = 0.019), occupation(AOR = 15.65; 95% CI: 7.02, 34.87, p<0.001), source of health information(AOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.96, p = 0.043), duration of stay in the community(AOR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.31, 5.98, p = 0.008) and nationality (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI:0.47, 0.47, p<0.001) were associated with positive attitudes towards yellow fever. Close to 74% have a positive practice, with 97.3% controlling mosquitoes in their household. Nationality (AOR = 3.85; 95% CI: 2.26, 6.56, p<0.001), duration of stay in the community (AOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.10, p = 0.001), and age group(AOR = 040; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.73, p = 0.003) were associated with positive practices. Our findings show that yellow fever KAP was variable with clear knowledge gaps. Regular locally-tailored education and health promotion campaigns should be considered to improve knowledge and preventive practices against this infectious disease.

Aim: The study examined the associated adverse events following SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination among healthcare workers during the first dose of the vaccine in the Northern Region of Ghana.Design: The study was a cross‐sectional survey involving 463 healthcare workers.Method: The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed descriptively, and binary logistics was performed using SPSS version 25.Results: The mean age was 33.4 ± 9.7 years, the majority (43.6%) being ≤30 years and males (57.2%). The self‐reported prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine adverse events was 75.5%. Common systemic adverse events comprised headache (47.5%), dizziness (18.4%) and local adverse events included generalized body pains (44.0%) and abscess around the injection sites (11.2%). The study found a high prevalence of self‐reported SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine adverse events involving both systemic and local adverse events. Our study gives useful information that can be used for public health‐targeted interventions to boost public confidence in SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines.

Food insecurity and achieving adequate nutrition is a major global challenge, especially in vulnerable groups such as refugee communities. In West Africa, thousands of Burkina Faso refugees have crossed the border into northern Ghana due to conflict and instability in their home country. We conducted a one-off cross-sectional survey to assess household food insecurity, living conditions, and sense of security among Burkina Faso refugees currently residing in the Upper East region of Ghana. Study data was collected over 14–21 October 2022 from 498 refugee households, via registered refugee households who were contacted with the help of the community refugee focal persons. We used the validated USAID household food insecurity questionnaire, analysed using Rasch modelling, with descriptive statistics, and linear regression analyses (with significance at p < 0.05) to assess food insecurity. Results revealed that 100% of households experienced food insecurity, with 95.2% defined as moderate or severe, and 70.4% as experiencing severe food insecurity. Refugees from rural areas were less insecure compared to urban refugees (β = -4.25 [CI: -5.79 –-2.71], p < .001). Refugees residing in host communities experienced lower food insecurity than those in designated refugee camps (β = -1.56 [CI: -2.74 –-0.39,] p = .009). Further, refugees who were dissatisfied with their accommodation size were more likely to experience food insecurity (β = 2.96 [CI: -0.06–2.47], p = .060). Most refugees (73.5%) felt safe and welcomed by host communities. Our results highlight the extremely high prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity in this vulnerable refugee population. We provide evidence to support the need to improve food distribution logistics, prioritising suitable accommodation, and facilitating access to healthcare. Follow-up research, such as repeated community surveys, can track this evolving situation to continuously inform decision-making for refugee support.

Objectives: This research aimed to determine the prevalence of diaper need and diaper dermatitis (DD) and associated risk factors in children aged 1–24 months. Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face exit interviews with 456 mothers at a Child Welfare Clinic. A chi-square, correlation, and multivariate logistic regression analyses at a significance level of p < 0.05 were conducted. Results: The prevalence of diaper need was found to be 53.5%, with lower odds observed in households with monthly incomes greater than $167 and in children on breastmilk only. Diaper need was higher in parents with no formal education and use of disposable diapers. The prevalence of DD was 27.4%, with lower odds observed in households with monthly incomes greater than $167 and in children less than 6 months old and on breastmilk only. There was a moderately positive correlation between diaper need and DD. Conclusion: The researchers recommend affordable alternative diapering methods and educating parents on the importance of frequent diaper changes to improve the prevalence of diaper need and DD. Overall, this study highlights the significant prevalence of diaper need and DD among children and identifies the important associated risk factors.

Purpose: Hepatitis B viral(HBV) infection is a global public health challenge. Mother to child transmission is the leading cause of HB Vinfection in high endemic countries. The objective of this study was to examine pregnant women’s knowledge of HBV and their vaccination uptake in the North Gonja District of the Savanah Region of Ghana. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five Health centres and five Community-based Health Planning and Services(CHPS) compounds.Data was collected from April to June 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics,HBV Knowledge, testing and vaccination uptake among 310 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics (ANC) were collected using a simple random sampling method. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel version 2019 and IBM SPSS v25. Results were presented as frequencies, percentages, tables and figure. A chi-square test of associations was performed and a P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In all, 43.25% of the respondents had excellent knowledge, 21.94% had good knowledge whilst 34.84% had poor knowledge. There was a statistical association between educational level (p=0.002), ANC visit (p<0.001), ethnicity (p<0.001), occupation(p<0.011) and knowledge of HBV. HBV testing and vaccination uptake were only 35.5% and close to 33% respectively. Educational level (p<0.001), previous HBV screening (p<0.001), occupation (p<0.001), knowledge of HBV(p<0.001), ANC visit(p=0.002) were significantly associated with Hepatitis B virus vaccination uptake. Conclusion: Pregnant women were knowledgeable of HBV. However, HBV testing and vaccination uptake were low. Pregnant women attending ANC should be screened for hepatitis B. Vaccination of pregnant women against HBV should be introduced into the EPI program.

Background: Malaria control through insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) is essential in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assesses wealth status and residence-based inequalities in household access to these interventions across 34 African countries. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design was used, drawing on nationally representative household surveys (Demographic and Health Surveys, Malaria Indicator Surveys, multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys) collected between 2005 and 2018. Data from the WHO Health Equity Monitor provided equity-disaggregated indicators on ITN/IRS coverage by wealth quintile and place of residence (rural/urban). The primary outcome was the percentage of households with at least one ITN and/or IRS coverage in the previous 12 months. We calculated both the percentage and disparities of inequalities across four inequality dimensions: difference (D), ratio (R), population-attributable risk (PAR), and population-attributable fraction (PAF) Results: The ITN and/or IRS coverage varied widely from countries, highest in Mali (93.6%), Benin (92.0%), Burkina Faso (89.8%), and Rwanda (89.2%), and lowest in Ethiopia (3.4%) and Eswatini (4.4%). Wealth-related inequalities included pro-rich patterns with Burundi reporting the largest absolute difference (D = 33.6 percentage points), ratio (R = 2.1), population attributable risk (PAR = 17.5), and population attributable fraction (PAF = 37.5%). Other countries with notable pro-rich disparities included São Tomé and Príncipe (D = 28.8; R = 1.7; PAR = 12.1; PAF = 20.0%) and Malawi (D = 24.2; R = 1.5; PAR = 12.2; PAF = 20.8%). The strong pro-poor patterns were observed in Namibia (D = –36.5; R = 0.3), Gambia (D = –28.6; R = 0.7), and Nigeria (D = –28.2; R = 0.7), with marginal PAF, indicating minimal inequality-related coverage loss. Rural-urban disparities also varied, with Burundi showing a pro-urban absolute difference (D = 20.3), ratio (R = 1.5), PAR (18.1), and PAF (38.7%), whereas Zimbabwe (D = –31.5; R = 0.5) and Namibia (D = –32.7; R = 0.3) exhibited pro-rural advantages. Conclusions: The study shows persistent wealth-related and geographical inequalities in access to ITNs and IRS across sub-Saharan Africa. Targeted efforts aimed at reducing these disparities are essential to achieving equitable and universal malaria prevention coverage consistent with global malaria and Sustainable Development Goal targets.