Prevalence and associated factors of occupational injuries in an industrial city in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Workers are exposed to workplace hazards which increase their risk of occupational injury. Data on occupational injuries and associated factors are important for planning and informing national policy regarding workplace health and safety. This study sought to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with occupational injuries among workers in an industrial city in Ghana. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 459 workers in the Tema industrial enclave in Ghana from 22nd December 2020 to 27th February 2021. Participants were recruited using a two-stage sampling technique. Eight communities were randomly selected from twenty-five communities in the first stage while households in each community were randomly selected in the second stage. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, occupational health and safety and occupational injuries were collected. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between occupational injuries and associated factors. RESULTS: The mean age of the workers was 33.9 (±6.8) years with a range of 21-53 while over 18.1% of them were working at the Port and Harbour. The prevalence of occupational injury among the workers in the preceding twelve months was 64.7%. The mechanism of injury was mainly the use of working tools (45.8%) and hot surfaces, substances or chemicals (14.1%). Being a casual staff (AOR: 2.26, 95%CI: 1.04-4.92), working at Port and Harbour (AOR: 3.77, 95%CI: 1.70-8.39), no health and safety training (AOR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.08-4.39), dissatisfaction with health and safety measures (AOR: 4.31, 95%CI: 2.12-8.78) and tertiary education (AOR: 0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.10) were significantly associated with occupational injuries. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of occupational injuries in this study was high. Promoting machine tools' safety, health and safety training, and satisfaction with health and safety measures through rewarding workers who do not sustain injuries could be key to employees' health and safety.

Helmet utilisation and its associated factors among motorcyclists in northern Ghana: an analytical cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Motorcycle crashes are a major source of road traffic deaths in northern Ghana. Helmet use has been low. The last time it was formally assessed (2010), helmet use was 30.0% (34.2% for riders and 1.9% for pillion riders). We sought to determine the current prevalence of helmet use and its associated factors among motorcyclists in northern Ghana. METHODS: Cross-sectional observations of motorcycle helmet use were conducted among 3853 motorcycle riders and 1097 pillion riders in the Northern Region at 12 different locations near intersections, roundabouts and motorcycle bays. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess the factors associated with helmet use. RESULTS: The prevalence of helmet use was 22.1% overall: 26.7% among motorcycle riders and 5.7% among pillion riders. On the multivariable regression analysis, the prevalence of helmet use among motorcycle riders was 69% higher during the day compared with the night, 58% higher at weekend compared with weekday, 46% higher among males compared with females, but it was 18% lower on local roads compared with highways, 67% lower among young riders compared with the elderly and 29% lower when riding with pillion rider(s). CONCLUSION: Despite small increases in motorcycle helmet use among pillion riders, helmet use has declined overall over the past decade. Immediate actions are needed to promote helmet use among motorcyclists in northern Ghana. This calls for a multisectoral approach to address the current low helmet use, targeting young riders, female riders, pillion riders, evening riding and riding on local roads.

Determinants of motorcycle helmet availability and cost in retail outlets: outcomes of a market survey in northern Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality from road traffic crashes are steadily increasing globally and they remain a major public health challenge. This burden is disproportionately borne by low-and middle-income countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa where motorcycle helmet use is low and where there are challenges of affordability and availability of standard helmets. We sought to assess the availability and cost of helmets in retail outlets in northern Ghana. METHODS: A market survey of 408 randomly sampled automobile-related retail outlets in Tamale, northern Ghana was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with helmet availability and gamma regression was used to identify factors associated with their cost. RESULTS: Helmets were available in 233 (57.1%) of surveyed retail outlets. On multivariable logistic regression, street vendors were 48% less likely and motorcycle repair shops 86% less likely to sell helmets than automobile/motorcycle shops. Outlets outside the Central Business District were 46% less likely to sell helmets than outlets inside that district. Nigerian retailers were five times more likely to sell helmets than Ghanaian retailers. Median helmet cost was 8.50 USD. Helmet cost decreased by 16% at street vendors, 21% at motorcycle repair shops, and 25% at outlets run by the owner. The cost increased by older age of retailer (1% per year of age), education level of retailer (12% higher for secondary education, 56% higher for tertiary education, compared to basic education), and sex (14% higher for male retailer). CONCLUSION: Motorcycle helmets were available in some retail outlets in northern Ghana. Efforts to improve helmet availability should address outlets in which they are less commonly sold, including street vendors, motorcycle repair shops, outlets run by Ghanaians, and outlets outside the Central Business District.

The prevalence and correlates of depression among older adults in greater kumasi of the ashanti region.

BACKGROUND: Approximately two million Ghanaians suffer from mental disorders including depression. The WHO defines it as an illness characterized by constant sadness and loss of interest in activities that a person usually enjoys doing and this condition is the leading cause of mental disorders; however, the burden of depression on the aged population is fairly unknown. A better appreciation of depression and its predictors is necessary to design appropriate policy interventions. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of depression among older people in the Greater Kumasi of the Ashanti region. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design with a multi-stage sampling approach was employed to recruit and collect data from 418 older adults aged 60 years and above at the household level in four enumeration areas (EAs) within the Asokore Mampong Municipality. Households within each EAs were mapped and listed by trained resident enumerators to create a sampling frame. Data was collected electronically with Open Data Kit application over 30 days through face-to-face interaction using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The results were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics. A multivariable logistics regression using a forward and backward stepwise approach was employed to identify the predictors of depression in the study sample. All analyses were performed using STATA software version 16, and the significance level was maintained at a p-value < 0.05 and presented at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The study achieved a response rate of 97.7% from the estimated sample size of 428 respondents. The mean age was 69.9 (SD = 8.8), and the distribution was similar for both sexes (p = 0.25). The prevalence of depression in this study was 42.1% and dominated by females, older adults (> 80 years), and lower economic class respondents. The rate was 43.4% for both consumers of alcohol and smokers with a history of stroke (41.2%) and taking medication for chronic conditions (44.2%). The predictors of depression in our study were being single, low class [aOR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.18-3.27] and having other chronic conditions [aOR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.59-4.62], and the inability to manage ones' own affairs [aOR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.32-0.97]. CONCLUSION: The study provides data that can inform policy decisions on the care of the elderly with depression in Ghana and other similar countries, confirming the need to provide support efforts towards high-risk groups such as single people, people with chronic health conditions, and lower-income people. Additionally, the evidence provided in this study could serve as baseline data for larger and longitudinal studies.

In search of universal health coverage: the hidden cost of family planning to women in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the cost of accessing FP services in Ghana. A cross-sectional design, involving quantitative methods were used to recruit 1194 women who accessed FP services in 336 primary health facilities, selected through a two-stage sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the cost, using STATA 13. RESULTS: The average age of the women was 29 ± 6.87. Most women had basic education. The sources of payment for FP services were self-finance, family and sponsorship. The average direct cost of accessing FP services was GHS 7.90 [US$ 1.76]. The cost of FP services was highest for consultation GHS 7.50 [US$ 1.67], Laboratory test/x-ray GHS 6.03 [US$ 1.34], Transportation GHS GHS5.50 [US$ 1.22], Contraceptive GHS 4.73 [US$ 1.05] and Client records Card GHS 3.30 [US$ 0.73]. The cost of FP services was higher for clients visiting private facilities, tertiary level as well as those in urban centers. Clients on average spent 54.21 min traveling at a distance of 3.49 km and wait averagely 18.11 min for each visit. Government stakeholders are encouraged to revise the existing maternal health policies, as well as increase the list of FP services within the exemption package of the NHIS policy.

Predisposing factors influencing occupational injury among frontline building construction workers in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the predisposing factors influencing occupational injuries among frontline construction workers in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 634 frontline construction workers in Kumasi metropolis of Ghana using a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted from December 2016 to June 2017 using a household-based approach. The respondents were selected through a two-stage sampling approach. A multivariate logistics regression model was employed to examine the association between risk factors and injury. Data was analyzed employing descriptive and inferential statistics with STATA version 14. RESULTS: The study found an injury prevalence of 57.91% among the workers. Open Wounds (37.29%) and fractures (6.78%) were the common and least injuries recorded respectively. The proximal factors (age, sex of worker, income) and distal factors (e.g. work structure, trade specialization, working hours, job/task location, and monthly off days) were risk factors for occupational injuries among frontline construction workers. The study recommends that policymakers and occupational health experts should incorporate the proximal and distal factors in the design of injury prevention as well as management strategies.

The Cost of Managing Occupational Injuries Among Frontline Construction Workers in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The cost burden of occupational injuries has significant effects on the social well-being of workers. Although there seems to be growing evidence on the cost burden on other public health issues, little is known about occupational injuries, especially in low- to middle-income countries including Ghana. OBJECTIVE: This study, therefore, sought to estimate the cost burden of managing occupational injuries among frontline construction workers. METHODS: A prevalence-based cost of illness approach was used to estimate the cost burden of construction injuries. A structured questionnaire was used to collect cost-related data from 640 frontline construction workers. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate direct and indirect cost of injuries using Microsoft Excel and STATA version 14. RESULTS: Overall, a worker spends an average of GHC 104.84 ($24.52) and GHC 180.89 ($42.31) as direct and indirect costs, respectively. Compared with other injuries, fracture had the highest average cost, GHS 343.33 ($80.30), and concussion and internal injury recorded the lowest cost. Also, compared with other trade specialties, carpenters had the highest average cost burden and laborers had the lowest burden. CONCLUSION: There is high direct and indirect cost for managing occupational injury among construction workers. Advocacy and awareness about workplace insurance and regulatory policies should adequately be strengthened and prioritized through periodic monitoring and evaluations.