Unmasking the coronavirus pandemic impact on students' academic performance (University of Cape Coast-Ghana).

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted various institutions significantly, including education. Although several studies have explored the transmission of the COVID-19 virus among humans health, few have investigated its impact on tertiary education in Ghana. This study, therefore, aimed to unmask the effects of COVID-19 on the academic performance of tertiary students in Ghana, specifically at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Stratified and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select respondents from the College of Health and Allied Sciences at UCC for this study. Based on Krejcie and Morgan's table for determining sample sizes for a large population in a study, a sample size of 531 was studied. Questionnaires were created and distributed to respondents from various departments to solicit their views. COVID-19 has significantly affected the academic performance of students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. A strong positive correlation was found between the positive impact of COVID-19 and academic performance (ß = 3.385, p < 0.001). The study identified the absence of group discussions, poor internet networks, and other factors hurting students' academic performance (ß = -2.308, p < 0.001). Resources such as libraries, conducive environments in halls and hostels, and other factors also significantly influenced students' academic performance (ß = 2.941, p < 0.005). The study's findings suggest that virtual learning platforms, adequate learning infrastructures, and internet packages should be available to students to facilitate teaching and learning as the University prepares for future pandemics.

Healthcare professionals' perception on emergence of security threat using digital health technologies in healthcare delivery.

Background: The advancement of digital health technologies (DHTs) in the healthcare industry has revolutionized healthcare by improving efficiency and accessibility. The shift from paper-based records to electronic health records (EHRs) as a result of modern technologies introduced various security threats, endangering patient data privacy and system reliability. This study explores intricate security threats among healthcare professionals affecting DHT utilization. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was designed to solicit for data from healthcare professionals on the existence of possible security threats, magnitude of physical and technical threats, and the extent to which the activities of staff and vendors affect the current DHTs being utilized in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital and Directorate of University Health Services at the University of Cape Coast. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select healthcare professionals from various medical fields, and their views were captured for the study. Results: Findings and data analyzed from the study revealed that technical threats, such as hacking, phishing, malware, and encryption weaknesses, pose more substantial dangers to DHTs compared to physical threats. The study explored viable strategies to prevent unauthorized access to DHTs and safeguard patient information. Encouraging measures, such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular security training, and periodic password changes, emerged as promising methods in addressing DHT security threats. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the necessity of robust security measures and regular updates to effectively counter the emerging security threats. It underscores the critical necessity for a comprehensive protocol to enhance DHT security, addressing physical, technical, and personnel-related threats.

Healthcare workers' perspectives on the availability and use of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the usefulness of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana; there is a need to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on the availability and use of mHealth for disease screening and treatment of patients' conditions. The study's main aim is to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives regarding the availability and use of mHealth applications for disease screening and management at point-of-care in Ghana's Ashanti Region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals who use mHealth applications daily between July and September 2020. A purposive sampling strategy was employed to select healthcare professionals who have been using mobile health application tools to support healthcare delivery. The researchers conducted 14 in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals on the availability and use of mHealth applications to support disease diagnosis and treatment of patients' conditions. Data were transcribed, coded, arranged, and analyzed to determine categories and themes. RESULTS: The study results demonstrated that healthcare workers had positive perceptions towards mHealth applications. Healthcare professionals identified significant challenges concerning mHealth applications: the high cost of data; lack of education or limited awareness; poor mobile networks; unstable internet connectivity; erratic power supply; and unavailability of logistics. Healthcare professionals identified the following prerequisite strategies to strengthen the use and scale-up of mHealth applications: stable internet connectivity; creating awareness; supplying logistics; reducing the cost of data; and developing local mobile apps. CONCLUSIONS: The study results revealed the availability of mHealth applications at the individual level for disease screening and treatment support of patients' conditions. The study also showed several significant challenges facing mHealth applications which need to be addressed to guarantee the successful implementation and scaling-up of mHealth activities at all levels of healthcare delivery. Hence, future research should incorporate healthcare professionals' perspectives to completely understand mHealth implementation and scaling-up challenges and measures to inform policy regulations.

Healthcare providers' perception towards utilization of health information applications and its associated factors in healthcare delivery in health facilities in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Information and communication technology (ICT) has significantly advanced global healthcare, with electronic health (e-Health) applications improving health records and delivery. These innovations, including electronic health records, strengthen healthcare systems. The study investigates healthcare professionals' perceptions of health information applications and their associated factors in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana's health facilities. METHODS: We used a descriptive cross-sectional study design to collect data from 632 healthcare professionals (HCPs), in the three purposively selected health facilities in the Cape Coast municipality of Ghana, in July 2022. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of dependent variables. Descriptive statistics were used to report means with corresponding standard deviations for continuous variables. Proportions were also reported for categorical variables. Bivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors influencing the Benefits of Information Technology (BoIT); Barriers to Information Technology Use (BITU); and Motives of Information Technology Use (MoITU) in healthcare delivery. Stata SE version 15 was used for the analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 served as the basis for considering a statistically significant accepting hypothesis. RESULTS: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) generally perceived moderate benefits (Mean score (M) = 5.67) from information technology (IT) in healthcare. However, they slightly agreed that barriers like insufficient computers (M = 5.11), frequent system downtime (M = 5.09), low system performance (M = 5.04), and inadequate staff training (M = 4.88) hindered IT utilization. Respondents slightly agreed that training (M = 5.56), technical support (M = 5.46), and changes in work procedures (M = 5.10) motivated their IT use. Bivariate regression analysis revealed significant influences of education, working experience, healthcare profession, and IT training on attitudes towards IT utilization in healthcare delivery (BoIT, BITU, and MoITU). Additionally, the age of healthcare providers, education, and working experience significantly influenced BITU. Ultimately, age, education, working experience, healthcare profession, and IT training significantly influenced MoITU in healthcare delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals acknowledge moderate benefits of IT in healthcare but encounter barriers like inadequate resources and training. Motives for IT use include staff training and support. Bivariate regression analysis shows education, working experience, profession, and IT training significantly influence attitudes towards IT adoption. Targeted interventions and policies can enhance IT utilization in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

Perceived impact of digital health technology on health professionals and their work: A qualitative study in Southern Ghana.

Background: Digital health technology (DHT) has become an essential part of an effective and efficient healthcare information system. Although DHT promises great potential it does not always meet the expectation of users. Often, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the implemented DHT does not function as intended and impacts negatively on health professionals and their work. Therefore, this study explored the views of participants about the impact of DHTs on the work of health professionals after it has been introduced in Ghana. Methodology: The study used a qualitative research approach where in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with study participants across three health facilities in Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded into themes using QSR Nvivo 12 software before thematic content analysis. Results: Our findings revealed that DHT reduced the workload on the healthcare providers and also ensures continuity of care. Participants perceived that DHT was fast, and ensures quality and accurate information, which could be easily accessed by health professionals for better decision making. However, poor internet connectivity and erratic power supplies were reported as the main impediments causing delays and frustrations to the staff at the study health facilities. Conclusion: The study found that DHT has a positive effect on the work of health professionals. However, poor internet connectivity and unstable power supply caused delays in the provision of care and disruptions in the work process affecting the smooth operation of the DHT and threatening to erode the potential benefits to the health system and users.

A multiplicative effect of Education and Wealth associated with HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among Ghanaian women.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV play a crucial role in prevention and control efforts. Understanding the factors influencing HIV-related knowledge and attitudes is essential for formulating effective interventions and policies. This study aims to investigate the possibility of an interaction between education and wealth in influencing HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among women in Ghana. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), a nationally representative sample, were analyzed. Statistical summaries were computed using place of residence, marital status, education level, wealth index quintile, use of insurance, functional difficulties, and exposure to modern media. Furthermore, a three-model Logistic regression analysis was conducted; Model 1 with main effects only, Model 2 with the interaction between education and wealth, and Model 3 with additional covariates. To account for the complexity of the survey data, the svyset command was executed in STATA. RESULTS: Although most interaction terms between wealth index quintiles and education levels did not show statistical significance, a few exceptions were observed. Notably, women with primary education in the second, middle, and fourth wealth quintiles, along with those with secondary education in the second wealth quintile, exhibited a negative significant association with HIV-related attitude level. However, no significant associations were found between other factors, including age, place of residence, marital status, and health insurance, and HIV-related attitude. The study also found significant associations between socioeconomic variables and HIV-related knowledge. There was a significant positive association between higher levels of education and HIV-related knowledge level. Women in wealthier quintiles had a significant positive association with HIV-related knowledge level. Factors such as place of residence and media exposure, including radio and television were also observed to be associated with HIV-related knowledge level. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of socioeconomic status and media exposure in shaping HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among women in Ghana. Policy interventions should focus on reducing socioeconomic disparities, ensuring equitable access to education and healthcare services, and utilizing media platforms for effective HIV information dissemination.

Telehealth services for global emergencies: implications for COVID-19: a scoping review based on current evidence.

INTRODUCTION: The availability of low-cost computing and digital telecommunication in the 1980s made telehealth practicable. Telehealth has the capacity to improve healthcare access and outcomes for patients while reducing healthcare costs across a wide range of health conditions and situations. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the adoption, advantages, and challenges of telehealth services between high-income (HICs) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The key search terms were: "Telehealth", "Telehealth in HICs", "Telehealth in LMICs", "Telehealth before COVID-19", "Telehealth during COVID-19". We searched exhaustively ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases from 2012. Booleans OR/AND were combined with key search terms to increase relevant search results. The literature search and selection process followed the Sample, Phenomena of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research (SPIDER) question format. RESULTS: The adoption of telehealth before COVID-19 was generally low in both HICs and LMICs. The impact of COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of telehealth at the facility level but not nationwide in both high-income countries and LMICs. The rapid adoption of telehealth at the facility level in both high-income and LMICs introduced several challenges that are unique to each country and need to be addressed. CONCLUSION: The lack of national policies and regulations is making the adoption of telehealth at the national level challenging in both high and low-middle-income countries. Governments and Stakeholders of healthcare must consider telehealth as a healthcare procedure that should be deployed in clinical working procedures. Primary quantitative and qualitative studies must be conducted to address challenges encountered during the pilot implementation of telehealth services in both high-income countries and LMICs before and during pandemics.

Health professional's readiness and factors associated with telemedicine implementation and use in selected health facilities in Ghana.

Background: Telemedicine, which is the practice of medicine using technology to deliver health care remotely, has a low adoption rate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the advent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has forced healthcare systems in these settings to begin implementing telemedicine programs. It is unknown how prepared health professionals and the healthcare system are to adopt this technology. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the readiness of health professionals and explore factors associated with telemedicine implementation in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six health facilities between March and August 2021. Convenience sampling was used to select the six health facilities, and the participants were selected randomly for the study. Questionnaires were self-completed by participants. Data was exported into STATA 15.0 for analysis, and appropriate statistical methods were employed. All statistical tests were performed at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Of the 613 health professionals involved in the study, about 579 (94.5%) were comfortable using computers, and the majority, 503 (82.1%) of them, had access to computers at the workplace. Health professionals agreed that the measures outlined by the health facilities supported their readiness to use telemedicine for healthcare services. Analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between health facilities' core readiness and health professionals' readiness, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.5484 and a p-value<0.0001. Of the factors associated with health professionals' readiness towards telemedicine implementation, facility core readiness, engagement readiness, staff knowledge and attitude readiness showed a statistically significant relationship with health professionals' readiness. Conclusion: The study revealed that health professionals are ready to adopt telemedicine. There was a statistically significant relationship between health facilities' core readiness, engagement readiness, staff knowledge and attitude readiness, and health professionals' readiness. The study identified factors facilitating telemedicine adoption.

Moving towards Digitising COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate: A Systematic Review of Literature.

The coronavirus pandemic is the greatest crisis of our time, having claimed over 2 million lives and shocking the global economy. Scientists and governments have suggested the idea of a digital COVID-19 certificate, to identify vaccinated persons easily. This paper assesses the positions of stakeholders on COVID-19 vaccination certificates, their presentation, and their importance. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was applied in this study. Search terms with Boolean and/or operators were combined to increase relevant results. Four large digital databases were used for the search. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen 298 collated studies. Two reviewers independently assessed search results, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the included studies. It is essential to re-examine digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates, considering their benefits, such as real-time detection of fake vaccination certificates and identifying and mapping non-vaccinated areas for strategic vaccination planning. The use of a single electronic platform globally will ease verification processes while bringing economies back to their feet. Digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates may provide balance in this pandemic era. With digital COVID-19 certificate exceeding documentation purposes, it is important to recognise factors such as global economy and human rights, boosting free movements of persons.

Effects of coronavirus pandemic on expanded program on immunization in weija gbawe municipality (Accra-Ghana).

The introduction of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and the availability of vaccines have contributed to significant reduction in morbidity and mortality rate, particularly among infants and children under five years. The coronavirus pandemic has however interrupted vaccination systems, limiting access and coverage for children. This study assesses the effect of the coronavirus disease outbreak on the EPI activities. The study employed a cross-sectional study design. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to sample 510 health workers directly engaged in immunization activities from 15 health care facilities. Coverages for five selected antigens (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis, Tuberculosis) and Measles in the year 2020 experienced an overall decline ranging from 38.8% for measles rubella vaccine to 53.1% for Penta vaccine. The year 2019 recorded coverages ranging from 69.1% for BCG vaccine to 78.4% for penta vaccine, relatively higher than 2020. EPI services patronization rose up after COVID-19 peaks periods for BCG vaccine 67.7% to 89.2% for penta vaccine. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the delivery of EPI services significantly. Healthcare stakeholders can envisage telehealth services in care delivery against pandemic outbreaks. This study contributes to empirical knowledge by recommending vital predictive factors during a pandemic outbreak.

Predictive factors of physicians' satisfaction with telemedicine services acceptance.

Despite the significant increase in telemedicine services technology, its adoption and use have been quite slow in some healthcare settings. It is generally accepted in today's globalizing world that the success of telemedicine services relies on users' satisfaction. Satisfying physicians and patients is one of the crucial objectives of telemedicine success. This study seeks to evaluate physicians' satisfaction with telemedicine services adoption and utilization using the technology acceptance model. A structured questionnaire based on the construct of technology acceptance model was used to solicit for data from participants in four different government health institutions. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select healthcare professionals from various medical fields. Structural equation modeling was utilized in the data analysis. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of telemedicine services were found to influence physicians' behavioral intentions. This resulted in increased efficiency, quality of services, quality patient care delivery, and satisfaction among physicians in using telemedicine services. We noted that the adoption of telemedicine services in clinical settings depends on physicians' and patients' satisfaction with the use of the service. The study contributes to empirical knowledge by identifying the vital predictive factors affecting telemedicine services satisfaction among physicians.