http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8861 DHPER 2026-04-14T23:27:45Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8944 University Students’ Preferences for and Consumption Patterns of fruits and Vegetables: Implication for Nutrition Education Interventions Nsiah-Asamoah, Christiana; Amoah, Dominic Owusu According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there has been a drastic reduction in the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FVs) in Ghana. However, not much empirical studies on FVs consumption pattern among university students have been undertaken. This cross-sectional study was therefore conducted to examine FVs consumption among 903 randomly sampled university students. The result revealed that although approximately 49.9% and 48.4% asserted that it is important to consume FVs because of its nutritional value and health benefits, it was not translated into their consumption practices. Out of a list of 14 fruits provided, for 8 fruits, less than 10% indicated that they consumed them at least thrice in the past one week prior to the study. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and amaranthus were preferred by less than 50% of the surveyed students. Generally, a higher proportion of the female students that were enrolled in the study consumed more vegetables than their male counterparts. The three major challenges reported by students which prevented them from eating FVs everyday were seasonal availability, cost/high prices of FVs and fear of chemical contamination. The findings suggest the need for interventions that focus on growing organic FVs on a large scale without the application of any chemicals and ensuring all-year availability. Perhaps, University Teaching Farms can take up this challenge and supply organic grown FVs at reduced prices to students at their various halls and hostels of residence in order to encourage students to consume them. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8933 Socio-cultural Factors Associated with Complementary Feeding in Two Rural Districts in Ghana: A qualitative study involving Health Workers Nsiah-Asamoah, Christiana Naa Atsreh Aim: This study sought to explore the cultural factors that are associated with complementary feeding from the reports of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Volunteers (CHVs) in two rural districts in Ghana. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that assessed cultural beliefs, norms, superstitions and practices that influence complementary feeding practices of young children under two years in two rural farming districts in Ghana Study Area: The study was conducted at Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Methodology: The study employed qualitative methods which entailed conducting 9 focus group discussions among CHWs and CHVs working at two rural districts in Ghana. The focus group discussions were conducted with the aid of a validated, interview guide, after obtaining informed consent (written) from the health workers. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of the Dodowa Health Research Centre and the University of Cape Coast. Thematic content analytical procedures were applied to analyze the transcripts, interpret and present findings as a narrative account. Results: The reports of the health workers indicate a common practice of early introduction of solid foods to infants before they attain six(6) months of age. Cultural beliefs, superstitions, beliefs, foo taboos and prohibitions influence mothers’ complementary-feeding practices and result in limiting the food scope and dietary diversity of their young children. Conclusions: Interventions designed to promote appropriate complementary feeding practices should incorporate an understanding of social context, family, and cultural factors in developing nutrition promotion messages that are tailored to meet the needs of rural populations. More community interventions that draw on the support of key influential persons in the community and fathers are needed to address cultural barriers to appropriate complementary feeding practices 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8932 School feeding contributes to micronutrient adequacy of Ghanaian schoolchildren Abizari, Abdul-Razak; Buxton, Christiana; Kwara, Lugutuah; Mensah-Homiah, Joseph; Armar-Klemesu, Margaret; Brouwer, Inge D. Without gains in nutritional outcomes, it is unlikely that school feeding programmes (SFP) could improve cognition and academic performance of schoolchildren despite the improvements in school enrolment. We compared the nutrient intake adequacy and Fe and nutritional status of SFP and non-SFP participants in a cross-sectional survey involving 383 schoolchildren (aged 5–13 years). Quantitative 24 h recalls and weighed food records, repeated in 20% subsample, were used to estimate energy and nutrient intakes adjusted for day-to-day variations. The probability of adequacy (PA) was calculated for selected micronutrients and the mean of all PA (MPA) was calculated. The concentrations of Hb, serum ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and anthropometric measurements were used to determine Fe and nutritional status. Energy and nutrient intakes and their adequacies were significantly higher among SFP participants (P,0·001). The MPA of micronutrients was significantly higher among SFP participants (0·61 v. 0·18; P,0·001), and the multiple-micronutrient-fortified corn soya blend was a key contributor to micronutrient adequacy. In SFP participants, 6 g/l higher Hb concentrations (P,0·001) and about 10% points lower anaemia prevalence (P¼0·06) were observed. The concentration of sTfR was significantly lower among SFP participants (11·2 v. 124 mg/l; P¼0·04); however, there was no difference in the prevalence of Fe deficiency and Fe-deficiency anaemia between SFP and non-SFP participants. There was also no significant difference in the prevalence of thinness, underweight and stunting. In conclusion, the present results indicate that school feeding is associated with higher intakes and adequacies of energy and nutrients, but not with the prevalence of Fe and nutritional status indicators. The results also indicate an important role for micronutrient-dense foods in the achievement of micronutrient adequacy within SFP. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8931 Professional Nurses’ Knowledge level on Type II Diabetes Mellitus at Selected teaching and Training Hospitals in the Central Region of Ghana Davies, Anita Afua; Buxton, Christiana Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a global public health concern for many nations in the 21st Century with approximately 246 million people worldwide living with diabetes. A large number of research studies have it that nurses’ knowledge on diabetes mellitus is poor and that there is the need to increase their knowledge level for effective management of patients with diabetes mellitus. In some cases, nurses’ knowledge was adequate but they lacked knowledge in certain aspects of diabetes mellitus care especially, diabetic complications and insulin advancements. Also, there was a general notion in Sub-Saharan Africa that health care workers were insufficiently trained in chronic disease management. Methods: With this in mind, there was the need to find out the knowledge level of nurses in the Central Region of Ghana, particularly the Central Regional Hospital, the District Hospital and the University Hospital. To arrive at that a modified version of The Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Centre’s Brief Diabetic Knowledge Test was administered. Results: Fourty- four 44 (32.4%) of the respondents’ knowledge was good.However, knowledge level in the area of diabetic complications was generally poor among majority (68.4%) of the respondents. Conclusions: It is recommended that nurses continue to upgrade their knowledge in the area of diabetes mellitus, particularly in the area of diabetes complications and insulin advancements. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z