Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Ofosu-Amaah

Publications and source records attributed to S Ofosu-Amaah.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Health information system installation: principles and problems.

Many studies have been done to identify health problems and practices and to obtain knowledge of the characteristics of the population. Often specific data desired by the investigators are not available at the time of final analysis. This paper emphasizes the importance of planning and designing the system for recording and processing information together with the planning and development of the program or project. Principles that were applied and problems that occurred in demonstration projects in developed and less developed countries are described. Some examples of applications to improve the health services for the rural dewellers in a less developed country are illustrated. The methodology evolved has broad application and may be useful to others who have needs for data on an ambulatory population.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1975

Reflections on the health budget. A preliminary analysis of the 1974/75 Ministry of Health budget.

This paper describes the 1974/75 Budget, and analysis it in terms of allocations to Medical Care, Public Health and Training functions as well as by allocations to Regions. 80% of the Health Vote goes into Curative or Medical Care, 12% into the Preventive Services, 6% into Trining and the rest to Headquarters. It brings out the great disparities among the Health Care System of the various Regions, and suggests also that the method of the presentation of the Health Budget makes it difficult to understand resource allocations within the Health Sector.

Financing, Government↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The control of measles in tropical Africa: a review of past and present efforts.

Measles in tropical Africa is endemic and cyclical, with a high incidence that usually peaks during the dry seasons. Measles may be a contributing factor in 10% of all deaths among African children. Several problems have hindered measles immunization programs in Africa; these include difficulties in maintaining the cold chain, poor epidemiologic surveillance, and the logistical problems involved in reaching a population that is 80% rural. The United States Agency for International Development and the World Health Organization both have programs that are helping to increase immunization coverage and to solve the problems just mentioned. Many countries have begun to train their own personnel to administer immunization programs. However, because of limited staff and equipment, a high birth rate, and an uncertain social situation, no firm predictions can be made concerning the permanent control of measles in tropical Africa.

Africa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The challenge of poliomyelitis in tropical Africa.

Recent surveys of lameness attributable to poliomyelitis in several African countries have revealed rates of residual paralysis of two to 11 per 1,000 children, a prevalence implying annual incidence rates for poliomyelitis of 10-55 cases per 100,000 population. Factors responsible for this high incidence are the unsanitary conditions present in many African communities, especially rural and periurban areas. Whereas poliomyelitis is endemic in Africa and paralysis occurs early in childhood, the apprehension and alarm that is evident in the developed world is almost absent in Africa. Hence, the administrative and economic resources for massive programs of poliomyelitis vaccination are lacking. Lameness prevalence rates of 2.6 per 1,000 children in certain areas of Africa illustrate that the programs of immunization against poliomyelitis should be intensified.

Africa↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of children with disabilities in central region, Ghana.

A cross sectional survey was conducted in Central Region, Ghana to determine the prevalence of children with disabilities. Forty-seven (1.8%) out of a total of 2,556 children under fifteen years of age had disabilities. About a third, had difficulty with movement of which post poliomyelitis infection disability formed the majority. Twelve children (25.5%) had difficulty with hearing and speech (deaf and dumb). Three children were reported as having epilepsy and 2 others had mental retardation. There was no case of total blindness, however, two children complained of poor vision and three others had a squint. Other disabilities identified, included one child each with kyphosis (hunch back), hydrocephalus (very large head) and extensive facial scars from burns. Disability was more common among children who had not been immunized or who did not have immunization card at the time of interview. The prevalence of disability was higher among female children in the rural community and in children with no formal education. Prevalence of disability increased with age. The prevalence of disability was 14.4 per 1,000 for children (1-5) years, 16.6 per 1000 for children (6-9) years and 3.7 per 1,000 for (10-15) years age group. Younger children had better immunization status and lower disability rates. Thirty percent of the children with disability said they were experiencing discrimination especially among the female children. This study has demonstrated that there is a need to intensify the preventive efforts at reducing the problem of childhood disability and to increase public support to the disabled children by avoiding discrimination and encouraging education and training of the disabled children.

Adolescent↗