American Journal of Public Health Research

In 2003, there was a paradigm shift in Ghana’s quest for a more humane, affordable and reliable mechanism of financing healthcare with the introduction of the national health insurance scheme. The scheme was to replace the hitherto obnoxious Cash and Carry System of paying for health care at the point of service, and to provide a better and much more humane financial arrangement that will enable the citizens to access health care service without having to pay at the point of service delivery and also ensure an improvement in the quality of basic health. This study employed descriptive statistics-Logit and Probit Models to investigate the factors that influence Ghanaians to enroll with the scheme. The results from the logit and probit models indicate that sex, marital status and cost of curative care were strong factors in influencing one’s decision to join the scheme. Again the marginal effects and odd ratios gave a further indication that factors such as individuals’ income, higher levels of education and poor ill health among others also influence Ghanaians to join the scheme. This research is of the view that any public education aimed at increasing enrollment should be guided by these factors.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2014, 2(1), 27-35. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-2-1-6
Pub. Date: February 16, 2014

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Preference for Health Provider’s Gender amongst Women Attending Obstetrics/ Gynecology Clinic, ABUTH, Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria

by Audu Onyemocho, Ogboi SonnyJohnbull, Abdullahi Abdujalil Umar, Bako Ishaku Ara, Abah Emmanuel Raphael, Enokela Onum Pius and Agu Uche Polycarp

Original Research

Globally, women’s preference for male or female health providers within a general context of reduced number of female doctors and biases in educational opportunities against women is by no means a new issue. However, the reason for the preference differs across continents. In developed countries these preferences are mostly based on the providers attributes in terms of experience, communication style and technical expertise, but in developing countries it is more of cultural or socially related factors. This study assessed the preferred health provider genders and the correlates among women attending Obstetrics/Gyneacology clinic at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, northwestern Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive study using a non probability sampling technique was carried out on 426 female Obstetrics/Gyneacology clinic attendees from 6th January, 2010 to 19th March, 2010 by means of interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17), with level of significance set at p< 0.05. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to investigate independent predictors that had significant chi-square by controlling for possible confounders. The findings showed that the average age of 419 women who consented for the study was 29.4 (+ 11.2) years. Overall, 59.2% (n=248), of the respondents prefer female gynecologist, whereas 22.2 % (n=93) didn’t have any sex preference and 18.7% (n =78) preferred a male. Amongst those who preferred female providers, the provider’s communication ability (79.0%), religion (73.4%), knowledge (63.3%), experience (62.9%), technical expertise (55.2%), and sympathy (52.4%) were considered important characteristics. The age, ethnicity, religion and marital status of the patients all have significant relationship with preferred provider’s gender but patient’s religion was the main predicting factor. In conclusion, majority of women did prefer a female obstetrician/gynecologist. However, the religion of the women was the most likely determinant factor. Therefore, it was concluded that the Muslim women should be encourage to specialize in Obstetrics/Gyneacology to meet the needs of female Muslim patients.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2014, 2(1), 21-26. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-2-1-5
Pub. Date: February 14, 2014

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Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases among Higher Secondary School Students in Selected Districts of India

by R. Sogarwal, D. Bachani, Bharath Kumar and Sanjay Gupta

Original Research

Background: Tobacco and harmful use of alcohol are two commonest modifiable risk factors leading to Non Communicable Disease. Tobacco and alcohol use during adolescence have potential long term health consequences and a possibility of future addiction. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among school children in selected districts of India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 4339 students (boys: 2587; girls: 1752) of 10-19 year sage group. Data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire using the face-to-face interview method. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the association between socio-demographic variables and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Results: The study showed that, overall the prevalence of tobacco use in any form is higher (31.5%) compared to the use of alcohol (7.9%) among the study subjects. 29% of the students do not have knowledge about the health concerns of alcohol use while 22% of students do not have knowledge about the health concerns of cigarette smoking. Significant association was found between the use of tobacco/alcohol with age, family/friends habit of tobacco/alcohol use and duration of watching television. Conclusion: Health education and knowledge about common risk factors of NCD need to be promoted among the higher secondary students. A broader and more comprehensive school based education strategy and a family based approach would be critical to prevent such unhealthy practices. Policy and its implementation on restricting availability of tobacco and unhealthy diets in and around schools will be an important step to prevent incidence of NCDs.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2014, 2(1), 16-20. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-2-1-4
Pub. Date: January 24, 2014

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Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking among Medical Iraqi Students

by Fady S. Yasso, Saba S. Yaso, Petra S. Yasso and Isam V. Dafdony

Original Research

The researcher performed this cross sectional study at three different medical colleges in Baghdad during the period June 2005 to June 2006. The aim of this research was to study the prevalence of cigarette smoking among students from different colleges of medicine in Baghdad as well as studying some of the factors associated with smoking habit. The study included 500 medical students, from them, 198 were females and 302 were males. The researchers achieved data collection by using a questionnaire form. The survey dealt with various parameters including age, gender, family member smoking habit and self-reported cause of smoking. This paper reveals that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among medical students is (21%); about 42% of them started smoking at 18-19 years age or their first year of medical school. Although most of them knew that smoking is harmful, they did not wish to quit smoking. The study concluded that almost all smokers were males. There was no association between the smoking habit of family members and the smoking habit of medical students. The most common three causes of cigarette smoking reported by the students were entertainment(22.1%) followed by stress and stress relieves (18.3%) then anxiety & emotional causes (11.5%).The research team did a comparison of the present study with various international studies; and discussed both agreement and disagreements thoroughly.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2014, 2(1), 10-15. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-2-1-3
Pub. Date: January 10, 2014

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Considerations to Planning Orthognathic Surgery in Different Regions of Saudi and the Middle East

by Mazen Almasri and Sara M. Bukhari

Original Research

Objectives: to properly plan orthongathic surgery and the fine beauty details in it, understanding different ethnic facial norms is necessary. In Saudi, investigating the existence of any facial variation has not been studied before, and hence we are investigating the existence of any variation of soft tissue profile (STP) among Saudi patients in the Southern region (SSA) when compared to the middle region of Saudi (MSA) that require considerations when planning facial surgeries. Material and methods: A retrospective chart review from August 2010 to June 2012 of Patients with class I skeletal relation, no history of orthognathic facial deformity, syndromes nor cleft lip and palate were included in the study. 93 patients with an age ranged from 15-33 years old were compared to a similar group in the MSA. Clinical pictures and lateral cephalometric radiographs superimpositions were used to examine the data and tabulate the results. Results: it has been shown that although similarities exist between the STP of patients in the SSA and MSA, some characters were found significantly different in SSA group such as females showing more microgenic tendency, more acute nasolabial angle and larger interlabial gap than MSA females. While SSA males on as well showed more microgenia and longer face tendency than MSA males. Conclusion: When planning orthognathic surgery for SSA patients, careful consideration for lower facial third character is necessary as tendency toward microgenia in the patient population sounds like a common feature in males and females.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2014, 2(1), 6-9. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-2-1-2
Pub. Date: January 10, 2014

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National College Health Assessment Measuring Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences among College Students

by Christina Foster, Cyndy Caravelis and Albert Kopak

Original Research

Alcohol-related consequences among students have been a source of concern for colleges nationwide. Prior research shows that alcohol may lower a person’s inhibitions and reduce their capacity to make responsible, safe decisions [1]. As such, as a student’s alcohol consumption increases, so may his or her odds of engaging in risky behaviors that may yield negative consequences such as alcohol poising, and sexual related consequences (e.g. STIs, pregnancies, rape, etc.). In the present study, 923 college students were surveyed at a regional university in the South (67% female, 31% male) about their alcohol consumption and negative alcohol-related consequences they have experienced. Older female college students reported experiencing more negative alcohol-related consequences than males. Students who participated in intramural sports, were associated with a Greek organization, were involved in an abusive relationship, had increased perceived stress, or who suffered from depression reported significantly more alcohol use and negative alcohol-related consequences. In contrast, college students that received higher grade point averages reported less consumption of alcohol and experienced fewer negative alcohol-related consequences.

American Journal of Public Health Research. 2014, 2(1), 1-5. DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-2-1-1
Pub. Date: December 31, 2013

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