Gabriel Opoku

Factors Contributing to Impair Driving in Ghana. A Case Study of the Ashanti Region of Ghana

TEXILA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019

Road safety has become a global issue of concern and concrete effort needs to be espoused at the ... more Road safety has become a global issue of concern and concrete effort needs to be espoused at the ground level to dwindle the thousands of lives being lost in road traffic accidents around the world. The present study was conducted to dissect factors contributing to impair driving in Ghana; a case study of the Ashanti region of Ghana and scan the association between impaired driving and road traffic accidents. Cross-sectional study design was used. Questionnaire, alcohol breathalyzer test and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Simple random and convenient sampling methods were used to select participants, who were made up of motor vehicle users, Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority, Motor Traffic and Transport Department and Ghana Private Road Transport Union. The study participants were 216. 96% of the study participants were males. The average age of the respondents was 45.5. Distracted driving, drugs driving, drunk driving, emotions and fatigue driving were the major causes of impaired driving. 74% of the subjects practice drunk driving. The study found that, drunk driving, fatigue and distracted driving were the major causes of road crashes. Drunk driving causes almost 40% of road traffic accidents and it is related to over speeding. Driving while using a cell phone is the major cause of distracted driving. Most of the motor vehicle users continuously drive more than 8 hours. Loss of lives and property damages are expected to continue if suitable corrective measures are not put in place to peter out the problem.

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The Influence of Road Infrastructure on Road Traffic Accidents in Ghana. A Case Study of the Ashanti Region of Ghana

TEXILA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 2019

Road safety has become a global issue of concern and concrete effort needs to be adopted at the g... more Road safety has become a global issue of concern and concrete effort needs to be adopted at the ground level to abate the thousands of lives being lost in road traffic accidents around the world. One of the important and cogent measures for subsidising road crashes fatalities is continuously improving and maintaining good shapes and conditions of our roads. The design of roads plays paramount role in terms of road safety. This study provides strategies and measures that are concrete to tail off the problem through multifaceted methods which involve effective road engineering solutions at the design stage. The purpose of the study was to assess road infrastructure situation in Ghana and provide effective measures to recede the problem. The study seeks to measure how roads are maintained with frequent relaying of road surfaces and markings of road safety signs and also to assess the condition of pedestrian's footpaths and pedestrians crossing at intersection and measure availability of road signs and signals, pavement, and road lanes. Cross sectional study design was used to collect data. Ashanti region of Ghana was used as a case study. Open and close ended questions and also focus group discussions were used to collect data from the respondents. The study participants were made up of road users (motor vehicle users and pedestrians), and stakeholders within road infrastructure management. The study participants were 217. The study found that, road infrastructure in the region is strongly associated with road traffic accidents in the region.

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Review of Maternal Mortality and Near-Miss Events in Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

TEXILA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 2016

Background: Ghana is one of the countries associated with high maternal deaths and near-miss even... more Background: Ghana is one of the countries associated with high maternal deaths and near-miss events. This country has adopted the millennium development goals including reducing maternal mortality by three-quarters, and put improvement in maternal health as one of the health sector development programme performance indicators. The purpose of the study was to review maternal mortality and near-miss events in Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana in the past 5 years. Objectives: The measurement of the study were antenatal and postnatal services family planning and abortion practices, delivery care, education and information services, delay in reaching health facility and facility delay Methods: Study participants were 196. Secondary data was used to collect information at facility level of which 16 health staff took part. In all, 30 maternal deaths and 45 near-misses from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed. Verbal autopsy was used on 180 participants from 5 communities. Results: 92% of maternal deaths occurred among young adults. 73% were in critical condition upon arriving at the hospital. 97% of the death occurred at the health facility. Attitude of health staff and inadequate maternal health services were significantly associated with maternal deaths. 90% were not practicing family planning. 48% of them have practiced unsafe abortion before. Facility delay is significantly associated with maternal death and near-miss events Conclusion: The results of the study can stimulate a change in clinical practice. The study can be used as a quality improvement tools in facilities. Definition of terms Adolescence: According to Eric Erikson's stages of human development, adolescence is from 13 to 19 years. Community: A group of people who have something in common and act together in their common and collective interest. Family planning: Family planning includes methods and practices to space births, limit family size and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Haemorrhage: Haemorrhage is merely another word for bleeding or blood loss. It is a profuse bleeding from ruptured blood vessels. Live birth: The birth of an infant, after the duration of gestational viability (28 weeks), that exhibits any sign of life, such as respiration, heartbeat, or umbilical pulsation Maternal mortality: The death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of the pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes Middle adult: According to Erik Erikson's stages of human development, a person in the middle adulthood is from 40 to 64 years. Multiparous: A mother having two or more children Near-miss: Any pregnant or recently delivered woman (within six weeks after termination of pregnancy or childbirth) who experienced complications that immediately threatened her survival but did not lead to her death.

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Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana Review of Maternal Mortality and Near-Miss Events in Article

Background: Ghana is one of the countries associated with high maternal deaths and near-miss even... more Background: Ghana is one of the countries associated with high maternal deaths and near-miss events. This country has adopted the millennium development goals including reducing maternal mortality by three-quarters, and put improvement in maternal health as one of the health sector development programme performance indicators. The purpose of the study was to review maternal mortality and near-miss events in Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana in the past 5 years. Objectives: The measurement of the study were antenatal and postnatal services family planning and abortion practices, delivery care, education and information services, delay in reaching health facility and facility delay Methods: Study participants were 196. Secondary data was used to collect information at facility level of which 16 health staff took part. In all, 30 maternal deaths and 45 near-misses from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed. Verbal autopsy was used on 180 participants from 5 communities. Res...

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Osteopontin silencing attenuates bleomycin-induced murine pulmonary fibrosis by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Factors Contributing to Impair Driving in Ghana. A Case Study of the Ashanti Region of Ghana

by Texila International Journal and Gabriel Opoku

Texila International Journal of Public Health, 2019

Road safety has become a global issue of concern and concrete effort needs to be espoused at the ... more Road safety has become a global issue of concern and concrete effort needs to be espoused at the ground level to dwindle the thousands of lives being lost in road traffic accidents around the world. The present study was conducted to dissect factors contributing to impair driving in Ghana; a case study of the Ashanti region of Ghana and scan the association between impaired driving and road traffic accidents. Cross-sectional study design was used. Questionnaire, alcohol breathalyzer test and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Simple random and convenient sampling methods were used to select participants, who were made up of motor vehicle users, Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority, Motor Traffic and Transport Department and Ghana Private Road Transport Union. The study participants were 216. 96% of the study participants were males. The average age of the respondents was 45.5. Distracted driving, drugs driving, drunk driving, emotions and fatigue driving were the major causes of impaired driving. 74% of the subjects practice drunk driving. The study found that, drunk driving, fatigue and distracted driving were the major causes of road crashes. Drunk driving causes almost 40% of road traffic accidents and it is related to over speeding. Driving while using a cell phone is the major cause of distracted driving. Most of the motor vehicle users continuously drive more than 8 hours. Loss of lives and property damages are expected to continue if suitable corrective measures are not put in place to peter out the problem.

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Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana Review of Maternal Mortality and Near-Miss Events in

by Texila International Journal and Gabriel Opoku

Background: Ghana is one of the countries associated with high maternal deaths and near-miss even... more Background: Ghana is one of the countries associated with high maternal deaths and near-miss events. This country has adopted the millennium development goals including reducing maternal mortality by three-quarters, and put improvement in maternal health as one of the health sector development programme performance indicators. The purpose of the study was to review maternal mortality and near-miss events in Kintampo Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana in the past 5 years. Objectives: The measurement of the study were antenatal and postnatal services family planning and abortion practices, delivery care, education and information services, delay in reaching health facility and facility delay Methods: Study participants were 196. Secondary data was used to collect information at facility level of which 16 health staff took part. In all, 30 maternal deaths and 45 near-misses from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed. Verbal autopsy was used on 180 participants from 5 communities. Results: 92% of maternal deaths occurred among young adults. 73% were in critical condition upon arriving at the hospital. 97% of the death occurred at the health facility. Attitude of health staff and inadequate maternal health services were significantly associated with maternal deaths. 90% were not practicing family planning. 48% of them have practiced unsafe abortion before. Facility delay is significantly associated with maternal death and near-miss events Conclusion: The results of the study can stimulate a change in clinical practice. The study can be used as a quality improvement tools in facilities.

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