ObjectivesThe relationships between carbohydrate intake and risk of obesity have been widely investigated. However, there are limited data on the associations between their relative proportions and quality contained in the same diet on risk of obesity, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between an overall Carbohydrate Quality Index (CQI) and general and abdominal obesity in women.Setting and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, data from 277 women in Ghana were analysed. Dietary information was obtained from 2-day 24 hours dietary recalls. CQI was calculated from the four indices dietary fibre, Glycaemic Index, whole grains/total grains ratio and solid carbohydrates/total carbohydrates ratio.Outcome measuresBody mass index, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and Conicity Index were measured.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, the chance for general obesity (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.65) and abdominal obesity measured by WC (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.58) were significantly lower in the topmost quintile of CQI in comparison with the lowest quintile. In addition, the OR for higher WHtR (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.69) was significantly lower among participants in the fifth quintile of CQI compared with those in the first quintile.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates that there is an inverse association between dietary CQI and both general and abdominal obesity. These findings suggest that CQI may be used for the improvement of dietary intake to prevent obesity.

Background: Although relationships between obesity and total fat and fat types have been widely examined, the associations between the relative proportions of fatty acids calculated in the form of indices and obesity/overweight are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess associations between dietary fat quality indices and odds of obesity/overweight in women from Ghana. Methods:In this cross-sectional study, dietary information was obtained using 24-h dietary recall. The odds of obesity were evaluated across quintiles of specific DFQ indices [atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), hypo-and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids ratio (h/H), omega-3 to omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (∑ω-3/∑ω-6), polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio (PSR), dietary lipophilic index (LI) and percentage of energy from total fat (TF)].Results: After adjustment for covariates, general obesity and overweight were inversely associated with ∑ω-3/ ∑ω-6 ratio (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.24-1.63; P for trend (P) = 0.005) and positively with TI (4.14; 95% CI: 1.78-9.66; P = 0.01) and LI (2.49; 95% CI: 1.14-5.43; P = 0.01). The odds of abdominal obesity based on waist circumference (WC) were significantly higher among participants in the fifth quintile (Q) compared with those in the first Q of AI (1.24; 95% CI: 0.56-2.74; P = 0.01), TI (4.14; 95% CI: 1.78-9.66; P = 0.009), LI (2.11; 95% CI: 0.98-4.55; P = 0.02) and TF (1.59; 95% CI: (0.73-3.46; P = 0.003). Similarly, waist to height ratio (WHtR) was positively associated with AI (2.89; 95% CI: 1.32-6.31; P = 0.04), TI (2.65; 95% CI: 1.22-5.76; P = 0.03), LI (3.32; 95% CI: 1.52-7.28; P = 0.007) and TF (1.83; 95% CI: 0.85-3.93; P = 0.009). Conclusion:There was an inverse association between ∑ω-3/∑ω-6 ratio and general obesity and WC. We also found positive associations between abdominal obesity and AI and TF. Furthermore, TI and LI showed positive relationships with both general and abdominal obesity. Therefore, intake of dietary fatty acids in favor of higher ratios of ∑ω-3/∑ω-6 may be important in obesity prevention.

Background Dietary carbohydrate quality may play an important role in disease development. We evaluated the association between carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and the odds of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects in Ghana. Methods In this case-control study, we analyzed data using 124 T2DM subjects. We obtained dietary information using 2-day 24-h dietary recalls. We calculated CQI from dietary fiber, glycemic index, whole grains/total grains ratio, and solid carbohydrates/total carbohydrates ratio. Serum lipid profiles were measured after an overnight fast of 8–12 h. Results Upon adjustments for the effects of covariates, the CQI showed a positive association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (beta coefficient (β) = 0.24; standard error (SE) = 0.20; P for trend = 0.01), and an inverse relationship with waist circumference (β = − 17.29; SE = 4.00; P for trend < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (β = − 15.74; SE = 4.69; P for trend < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (β = − 7.23; SE = 2.97; P for trend = 0.02), and triglyceride concentrations (β = − 0.43; SE = 0.11; P for trend < 0.001). Overall, the CQI had an inverse relationship with the odds of MetS (Odds ratio tertile 3 vs.1 0.05; 95% Confidence interval: 0.01–0.23; p-trend < 0.001). Also, a positive correlation was found between the CQI and fiber, but the CQI showed a negative relationship with dietary glycemic index. Conclusions The present results suggest an inverse association between the CQI of a diet and the odds of MetS. The CQI approach of dietary recommendation may be a useful strategy for dietary carbohydrate selection for the prevention of MetS.

Background: Nosocomial infections are associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized clients. They also predispose health care workers to an increased risk of infections. However, information on knowledge of infection prevention and control is scarce in Northern Ghana. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and compliance of infection prevention and control practices among nurses at the Northern Regional Hospital Tamale, Ghana. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design. Also, the data were gathered from randomly selected 268 nurses. In collecting the data, self-administered questionnaires were used. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS V. 21. Results: From the results, the majority (60.5%) of the respondents had high IPC knowledge, 25.8% had moderate IPC knowledge level, and only 13.8% had low IPC knowledge level. The findings on IPC compliance showed that the majority (77.6%) of the respondents had a low IPC compliance level, 19.8% had a moderate IPC compliance level, and only 2.6% had a high IPC compliance level. Conclusion: In conclusion, most of the respondents had good knowledge of the IPC guidelines in the hospital. The present results may be useful in the formulation of policies for improved infection prevention at health facilities. We recommend that hospital authorities should intensify compliance with IPC guidelines.

There are reports of low utilization of contraception among adolescent females in developing countries. However, research on sexual behaviour and contraceptive uptake among female adolescents is scare in the Sagnarigu Municipality although the Municipality has a very high youthful population. The objective of the study was to assess the sexual behaviour and contraceptive uptake among adolescent females in Sagnarigu Municipality, Northern Region, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was adopted where 165 adolescent females (15-19 years) were randomly selected. The main tools for data collection were semi-structured questionnaires. For the data analysis, proportions of response variables were generated using statistical product and service solutions, version 24.0. The study revealed that among those who reported having sex in the past 12 months before the survey, over two-thirds of the participants have used at least one method of contraception. The results also showed that injectable was the leading form of contraception among both past and current users of contraceptive methods. Additionally, most of the respondents obtained their contraceptive methods from health facilities. We also established that avoidance of pregnancies was the main reason for using contraception. However, cultural beliefs, religion, fear of side effects were the reasons for non-use of contraceptives. The study further revealed that early initiation of sex among the participants was common. Nevertheless, some of the participants did not use contraceptives during sexual intercourse. The study recommended effective education on the types and uses of contraceptives among adolescents in the municipality.