Richard Biritwum
Biographic Data
| ID | 2544261 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Richard Biritwum |
| GIVEN NAMES | Richard |
| FAMILY NAME | Biritwum |
| SIGNATURE | BIRITWUM R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Ghana |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0025-7354 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 25 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2000 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2022 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Suicidal ideation in older Ghanaian women
BACKGROUND: Although approximately 79% of the world's suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the limited research in these regions has primarily focused on the rates of suicide attempts (SA) and ideation among men and younger members of the population. AIM: This study investigated the associations between bodily pain, functional limitation, chronic health conditions, and suicidal ideation among older Ghanaian women with a pos…
Measuring Hypertension Progression With Transition Probabilities
This paper assessed the transition probabilities between the stages of hypertension severity and the length of time an individual might spend at a particular disease state using the new American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension blood pressure guidelines. Data for this study were drawn from the Ghana WHO SAGE longitudinal study, with an analytical sample of 1884 across two waves. Using a multistate Markov model, we est…
Unmet Needs of Healthcare Services and Associated Factors among a Cohort of Ghanaian Adults
We estimated the prevalence of unmet needs of healthcare services (UNHS) and its associated factors among a cohort of older Ghanaian adults. World Health Organization (WHO) Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health for Ghana was used with a total of 4735 participants. Logistics regression analysis was performed using Stata 16 to assess associated factors. The overall UNHS was 3.7% (95% CI = 2.7-4.8) and the prevalence was significantly high amongst…
Annual transition probabilities of overweight and obesity in older adults
Predictors of public and private healthcare utilization and associated health system responsiveness among older adults in Ghana
BACKGROUND: Previous studies investigating factors associated with healthcare utilization by older Ghanaians lack distinction between public and private health services. The present study examined factors associated with public and private healthcare service use, and the resulting perceived health system responsiveness. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with public and private healthcare utilization among older adults aged 50 and older i…
Maternal profiles and social determinants of malnutrition and the MDGs
Low family income, unmarried status and type of child care were the main social determinants of malnutrition. There appears to be a reduction in the number of other poor socio-demographic characteristics in both the study and control groups compared to results from a previous study at the same centre, probably because of efforts toward attaining the MDGs. These findings suggest that prevention and optimum management need to involve multidisciplin…
A retrospective audit of antibiotic prescriptions in primary health-care facilities in Eastern Region, Ghana
Resistance to antibiotics is increasing globally and is a threat to public health. Research has demonstrated a correlation between antibiotic use and resistance development. Developing countries are the most affected by resistance because of high infectious disease burden, limited access to quality assured antibiotics and more optimal drugs and poor antibiotic use practices. The appropriate use of antibiotics to slow the pace of resistance develo…
The impact of multimorbidity on adult physical and mental health in low- and middle-income countries
BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases contribute a large share of disease burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Chronic diseases have a tendency to occur simultaneously and where there are two or more such conditions, this is termed as 'multimorbidity'. Multimorbidity is associated with adverse health outcomes, but limited research has been undertaken in LMICs. Therefore, this study examines the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity as…
Common risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases among older adults in China, Ghana, Mexico, India, Russia and South Africa
There were substantial variations across countries and settings, even between upper-middle income countries and lower-middle income countries. The baseline information on the magnitude of the problem of risk factors provided by this study can help countries and health policymakers to set up interventions addressing the global non-communicable disease epidemic
Universal health coverage in emerging economies
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) in emerging economies is a high priority within the global community. This timely study uses standardized national population data collected from adults aged 50 and older in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and South Africa. The objective is to describe health care utilization and measure association between inpatient and outpatient service use and pa…
Sociodemographic and socioeconomic patterns of chronic non-communicable disease among the older adult population in Ghana
BACKGROUND: In Ghana, the older adult population is projected to increase from 5.3% of the total population in 2015 to 8.9% by 2050. National and local governments will need information about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in this population in order to allocate health system resources and respond to the health needs of older adults. DESIGN: The 2007/08 Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in Ghana used face-to-face interviews …
Self-reported cataracts in older adults in Ghana
Cataract is prevalent in older people in Ghana with approximately 1 in 20 people aged 50 years or older reporting a previous diagnosis of cataract. As cataract surgery is restorative, a public health approach on behavioural modification, well structured national outreach eye care services (for rural residents), inclusion of basic eye health services at sub-district levels, increased family support and national health insurance for older persons i…
Prevalence and geographic distribution of edentulism among older G hanaians
Edentulism is unequally distributed across Ghana. Future aged cohorts are likely to follow the same patterns of geographic and social disadvantage if needed interventions are not carried out. This study provides nationwide data to assist service planning
Household characteristics for older adults and study background from Sage Ghana Wave 1
BACKGROUND: Globally, the population aged 60 years and older is projected to reach 22% by 2050. In sub-Saharan Africa, this figure is projected to exceed 8%, while in Ghana, the older adult population will reach 12% by 2050. The living arrangements and household characteristics are fundamental determinants of the health and well-being of this population, data sources about which are increasingly available. METHODS: The World Health Organization's…
Tobacco use in older adults in Ghana
Tobacco use among older adults in Ghana was associated with older men living in rural locations, chronic ill-health and reduced life satisfaction. A high proportion of older adults have stopped using tobacco, demonstrating the possibilities for effective public health interventions. Health risk reduction strategies through targeted anti-smoking health campaigns, improvement in access to health and social protection (such as health insurance) will…
Data Resource Profile
Population ageing is rapidly becoming a global issue and will have a major impact on health policies and programmes. The World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) aims to address the gap in reliable data and scientific knowledge on ageing and health in low- and middle-income countries. SAGE is a longitudinal study with nationally representative samples of persons aged 50+ years in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russ…
The flight of physicians from West Africa
Sexual Behaviour and Contraception Among Unmarried Adolescents and Young Adults in Greater Accra and Eastern Regions of Ghana
A fertility survey of unmarried adolescents and young adults (953 males and 829 females) in Greater Accra and Eastern regions of Ghana revealed that a substantial proportion of the respondents were sexually experienced. Overall, 66·8% of the males and 78·4% of the females were sexually experienced. The mean ages (±SD) of the males and females were 15·5±2·5 and 16·2±2·0 years, respectively. Most respondents claimed to have received adequate inform…
Sexual Behaviour and Contraception Among Unmarried Adolescents and Young Adults in Greater Accra and Eastern Regions of Ghana
A fertility survey of unmarried adolescents and young adults (953 males and 829 females) in Greater Accra and Eastern regions of Ghana revealed that a substantial proportion of the respondents were sexually experienced. Overall, 66·8% of the males and 78·4% of the females were sexually experienced. The mean ages (±SD) of the males and females were 15·5±2·5 and 16·2±2·0 years, respectively. Most respondents claimed to have received adequate inform…
The flight of physicians from West Africa
Data Resource Profile
Population ageing is rapidly becoming a global issue and will have a major impact on health policies and programmes. The World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) aims to address the gap in reliable data and scientific knowledge on ageing and health in low- and middle-income countries. SAGE is a longitudinal study with nationally representative samples of persons aged 50+ years in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russ…
Household characteristics for older adults and study background from Sage Ghana Wave 1
BACKGROUND: Globally, the population aged 60 years and older is projected to reach 22% by 2050. In sub-Saharan Africa, this figure is projected to exceed 8%, while in Ghana, the older adult population will reach 12% by 2050. The living arrangements and household characteristics are fundamental determinants of the health and well-being of this population, data sources about which are increasingly available. METHODS: The World Health Organization's…
Tobacco use in older adults in Ghana
Tobacco use among older adults in Ghana was associated with older men living in rural locations, chronic ill-health and reduced life satisfaction. A high proportion of older adults have stopped using tobacco, demonstrating the possibilities for effective public health interventions. Health risk reduction strategies through targeted anti-smoking health campaigns, improvement in access to health and social protection (such as health insurance) will…
Universal health coverage in emerging economies
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) in emerging economies is a high priority within the global community. This timely study uses standardized national population data collected from adults aged 50 and older in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and South Africa. The objective is to describe health care utilization and measure association between inpatient and outpatient service use and pa…
Sociodemographic and socioeconomic patterns of chronic non-communicable disease among the older adult population in Ghana
BACKGROUND: In Ghana, the older adult population is projected to increase from 5.3% of the total population in 2015 to 8.9% by 2050. National and local governments will need information about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in this population in order to allocate health system resources and respond to the health needs of older adults. DESIGN: The 2007/08 Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in Ghana used face-to-face interviews …
Self-reported cataracts in older adults in Ghana
Cataract is prevalent in older people in Ghana with approximately 1 in 20 people aged 50 years or older reporting a previous diagnosis of cataract. As cataract surgery is restorative, a public health approach on behavioural modification, well structured national outreach eye care services (for rural residents), inclusion of basic eye health services at sub-district levels, increased family support and national health insurance for older persons i…
Prevalence and geographic distribution of edentulism among older G hanaians
Edentulism is unequally distributed across Ghana. Future aged cohorts are likely to follow the same patterns of geographic and social disadvantage if needed interventions are not carried out. This study provides nationwide data to assist service planning
The impact of multimorbidity on adult physical and mental health in low- and middle-income countries
BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases contribute a large share of disease burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Chronic diseases have a tendency to occur simultaneously and where there are two or more such conditions, this is termed as 'multimorbidity'. Multimorbidity is associated with adverse health outcomes, but limited research has been undertaken in LMICs. Therefore, this study examines the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity as…
Common risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases among older adults in China, Ghana, Mexico, India, Russia and South Africa
There were substantial variations across countries and settings, even between upper-middle income countries and lower-middle income countries. The baseline information on the magnitude of the problem of risk factors provided by this study can help countries and health policymakers to set up interventions addressing the global non-communicable disease epidemic
Maternal profiles and social determinants of malnutrition and the MDGs
Low family income, unmarried status and type of child care were the main social determinants of malnutrition. There appears to be a reduction in the number of other poor socio-demographic characteristics in both the study and control groups compared to results from a previous study at the same centre, probably because of efforts toward attaining the MDGs. These findings suggest that prevention and optimum management need to involve multidisciplin…
A retrospective audit of antibiotic prescriptions in primary health-care facilities in Eastern Region, Ghana
Resistance to antibiotics is increasing globally and is a threat to public health. Research has demonstrated a correlation between antibiotic use and resistance development. Developing countries are the most affected by resistance because of high infectious disease burden, limited access to quality assured antibiotics and more optimal drugs and poor antibiotic use practices. The appropriate use of antibiotics to slow the pace of resistance develo…
Predictors of public and private healthcare utilization and associated health system responsiveness among older adults in Ghana
BACKGROUND: Previous studies investigating factors associated with healthcare utilization by older Ghanaians lack distinction between public and private health services. The present study examined factors associated with public and private healthcare service use, and the resulting perceived health system responsiveness. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with public and private healthcare utilization among older adults aged 50 and older i…
Annual transition probabilities of overweight and obesity in older adults
Measuring Hypertension Progression With Transition Probabilities
This paper assessed the transition probabilities between the stages of hypertension severity and the length of time an individual might spend at a particular disease state using the new American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension blood pressure guidelines. Data for this study were drawn from the Ghana WHO SAGE longitudinal study, with an analytical sample of 1884 across two waves. Using a multistate Markov model, we est…
Unmet Needs of Healthcare Services and Associated Factors among a Cohort of Ghanaian Adults
We estimated the prevalence of unmet needs of healthcare services (UNHS) and its associated factors among a cohort of older Ghanaian adults. World Health Organization (WHO) Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health for Ghana was used with a total of 4735 participants. Logistics regression analysis was performed using Stata 16 to assess associated factors. The overall UNHS was 3.7% (95% CI = 2.7-4.8) and the prevalence was significantly high amongst…
Suicidal ideation in older Ghanaian women
BACKGROUND: Although approximately 79% of the world's suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the limited research in these regions has primarily focused on the rates of suicide attempts (SA) and ideation among men and younger members of the population. AIM: This study investigated the associations between bodily pain, functional limitation, chronic health conditions, and suicidal ideation among older Ghanaian women with a pos…
Medicine (18 works) · Environmental health (16 works) · Population (13 works) · Gerontology (11 works) · Demography (10 works) · Public health (9 works) · Demography (5 works) · Economic growth (5 works) · Gerontology (5 works) · Global Health Care Issues (5 works)