Early sexual initiation is linked to an increased risk of HIV/AIDS and other STIs among teenagers, as well as having multiple partners, not using contraception, unintended pregnancy, and illegal abortions. Aim. To identify the correlates and psychological effects of early sexual debut among not-in-union women in Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used for this study using data from Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for the year 2017/2018. SPSS software was used for data analysis, bivariate analysis for association was done using chi-square, and the prediction was done using a binary logistic regression model. The national prevalence of nonmarital early sexual initiation this current study recorded was 56.9%. Predictors variables were age, 15-24/≥35 years ( AOR = 1.51 , 1.28-1.78), ever educated ( AOR = 0.50 , 0.43-0.60), urban address ( AOR = 0.85 , 0.74-0.98), married/single ( AOR = 1.23 , 1.07-1.42), cohabitation/single ( AOR = 1.43 , 1.19-1.72), Greater Accra Region/Upper West Region ( AOR = 0.67 , 0.49-0.92), and health insurance ( AOR = 0.89 , 0.79-0.998). As the wealth indices of the woman decrease from the richest to poorest, the likelihood of early sexual debut inversely increases: fourth/richest ( AOR = 1.23 , 1.04-1.45), middle/richest ( AOR = 1.31 , 1.09-1.58), second/richest ( AOR = 1.38 , 1.11-1.72), and poorest/richest ( AOR = 1.44 , 1.12-1.86); use of the internet ( AOR = 0.58 , 0.50-068); substance use and alcohol ever use ( AOR = 1.32 , 1.17-1.49); cigarette ever use ( AOR = 2.58 , 1.44-4.64); contraceptive use ( AOR = 1.31 , 1.16-1.49); and ever heard of HIV ( AOR = 59 , 0.42-0.82). In conclusion, the prevalence of early sexual debut is still high in Ghana, especially among the northern regions. Several factors predicted early sex debut, and low life satisfaction and happiness were related to early sexual debut.
INTRODUCTION Short birth interval is a problem in second and third world countries, where statistics show that about 17% of women in marriage and reproductive age have unmet family planning needs. The aim of the study was to identify the socioeconomic factors that predict short birth spacing among married women in Ghana. METHODS This study was an analytic cross-sectional study relying on secondary data analysis from cross-sectional Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017-2018. The analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., 2011, and NY). Bivariate analysis was done using chi-squared and predictor variables identified using binary logistic regression. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS The study's prevalence of short birth intervals was 49.7%. Child survival was 44% less likely in children with a short birth interval than those without a short birth interval (OR= 0.56; 95% CI: 0.51-0.62). Factors with significant relationships with the birth interval at the two variable analysis stage were further modelled with a binary logistic regression model in multiple variables analysis to identify predictors of short birth interval. The sociodemographic factors that predicted short birth intervals included lower maternal age, high education level, rural, from central region, having no health insurance, Mole Dagbani tribe, poorest wealth index, and high parity position (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study recorded a high prevalence of short birth intervals. Predictors of short birth interval included: lower maternal age and high parity position of the current birth. Child survival was less likely for babies from a short birth interval.
Introduction. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the world’s second most common cause of death, trailing only respiratory tract infections. Because of anatomical and physiological changes along the urinary tract, pregnant women accounted for approximately 20% of all cases of urinary tract infection. Aim. This study sought to assess maternal age and stage of pregnancy as determinants of UTI among pregnant women in Tamale. Methods. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey as the study design in the antenatal clinic of Tamale Central Hospital (TCH). This was carried out by reviewing laboratory records of urinalysis results done on pregnant women. Data entry and analysis were performed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Chi-square and binary logistics analysis were used to determine the relationship. Results. Data analysis was done for 158 pregnant women, most (35.4%) were within the age group of 36-45 years, and most (38.6%) were within their first trimester. The overall prevalence of UTI infections among pregnant women was 33.5%. The prevalence was 27.8% for candiduria and 8.9% for bacteriuria. Women in the first trimester of their pregnancy were more likely to have UTI ( AOR = 2.48 , 95% CI =1.03–5.94). Also, Pregnant women of the age group of 26-35 years were less likely to get UTIs as compared to those of the age group 15-25 years ( AOR = 0.40 , 95% CI =0.17–0.92). Finally, those of the age group of 36-45 years were less likely to get UTI as compared to those of the age group 15-25 years ( AOR = 0.28 , 95% CI =0.12–0.66). Conclusion. The prevalence of UTI among studied pregnant women was high (38.0%), and the most prone maternal age group and trimesters to UTI are 15-25 years and first trimester, respectively.
Introduction Good dietary practice is essential in sports as it improves the quality of training, maximizes performance and aids in the speedy recovery of players from injuries. A balanced diet provides adequate nutrients and energy to achieve these purposes. Nutritional status is also essential in ensuring optimum performance among athletes. But one may not achieve optimum nutritional status with poor dietary practices. Thus, footballers' poor dietary patterns and sub-optimal nutrition could lead to low fitness and poor performance during competitions. Aim This study aimed to assess the dietary pattern and body composition of professional football players in Ghana, and its implications on fitness and performance. Methods The study was cross-sectional. One hundred and nineteen footballers from five teams were randomly recruited for the study by quota sampling. Dietary behaviour pattern was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and body composition was measured using Omron bio-impedance body analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 for windows and Microsoft Excel 2013. Correlations were determined among anthropometric variables, while eta-squared was used to determine associations between dietary patterns and anthropometric characteristics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The mean age of the footballers was 21.57 ± 4.3 years, with the majority (58%) within the 20–29-year group. Three dietary patterns explained 50% of the variation in diets of the footballers; 1) Fruits and vegetables, 2) energy and fiber foods (Modern Ghanaian), and 3) protein and starchy foods (Typical Ghanaian). Over 30% of the footballers were overweight. Animal protein consumption explained 9% [F (4, 130) = 2.446, p = 0.05] of the variation in BMI of the footballers with cereals and grains explaining 18% of the variation in BMI [F(4, 130) = 6.212, p < 0.001]. Percentage muscle mass negatively correlated to BMI (p < 0.01), whiles visceral fat correlated positively with BMI and body fat (p < 0.01). Conclusion Dietary pattern depicts low intakes of animal protein and fruits with high intakes of energy giving foods. Thus, professional footballers need targeted education on adequate diets to prevent the risk of iron deficiency which may result in low fitness and poor performance.
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