Razak M Gyasi
Dados Biográficos
| ID | 174348 |
|---|---|
| NOME | Razak M Gyasi |
| PRENOMES | Razak M |
| SOBRENOME | Gyasi |
| ASSINATURA | GYASI R M |
| AFILIAÇÕES | African Population and Health Research Center |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6733-1539 |
| VERIFICADO | Sim |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 57 |
| TOTAL DE CITAÇÕES | 18 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 32 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 25 |
| PRIMEIRO ANO DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2015 |
| ANO MAIS RECENTE DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 3 |
Nutritional intake, biochemical profiles, and functional outcomes in elderly inpatients
Malnutrition poses a significant challenge for elderly inpatients, particularly in developing countries, contributing to adverse clinical outcomes. This cross-sectional study examined associations between nutritional intake, biochemical profiles, and functional outcomes in 264 elderly inpatients (mean age 73.39 ± 4.12 years, 50.4% male) at Military Hospital 354, Hanoi, Vietnam, from January to June 2025. Nutritional status was assessed using the …
Beyond words
Background: Thus far, no studies have focused on hugging and social disconnectedness outcomes comprehensively (loneliness, social isolation, social withdrawal) in the post-pandemic era. Our aim was to examine whether hugging is associated with loneliness, social isolation, and social withdrawal and whether these associations vary by gender. Methods: We used cross-sectional data collected via an online survey conducted in January 2025 (N = 3,270 a…
Financial burden of severe childhood illness on households in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) introduced a National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme in 2016 to all provinces except Vientiane Capital City. We describe the financial impact on households related to treatment of severe childhood illness at a hospital covered by NHI, and one without NHI. We conducted a prospective cohort study (2022–2024) in Lao PDR of children aged one month to 10% annual household expenditure) rates and analysed relative r…
Adopting telehealth for mental health support in stroke rehabilitation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Stroke rehabilitation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces persistent gaps in mental health service integration. Post-stroke depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments remain underdiagnosed due to workforce shortages, stigma, and infrastructural constraints. Telehealth technologies offer a potential mechanism to expand access to psychological care, yet adoption across SSA remains uneven. This paper provides a conceptual, theory-driven synthesis …
Children with disabilities in nutrition programmes
Children with disabilities are often excluded in nutrition policy, programming and practice. A recently established “Feeding and Disability Resource Bank” collates currently available guidelines and training materials for children with disabilities. Our research aims to evaluate these resources to improve quality of care for children with disabilities in nutrition programming and services. Objectives include analysis of resources, evaluating gaps…
Potential enablers for the implementation of multiple family group therapy intervention in the lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana
The Multiple Family Group Therapy (MFGT) has demonstrated effectiveness in addressing behavioral problems and mental health disorders among adolescents in high-income settings. Limited evidence exists on whether the MFGT can be implemented successfully in Ghana and other SSA for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), given the contextual differences between Ghana and high-income countries. This study aimed to identify factors and processes from mul…
Meeting the WHO physical activity guidelines and health-related quality of life of single parents in Ghana
Purpose Improving physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is critically important for achieving the health-related sustainable development goal (SDG 3). However, data on the association between PA and HRQoL, particularly among single parents, are limited in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We examine the association between PA and HRQoL among single parents in Ghana and explore the modifying roles of sex, age, a…
Sleep problems and depression among single parents in Ghana
‘The new geriatric giants’
Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to adverse health outcomes such as depression in old age. However, limited data exist on the association of loneliness and social isolation with probable depression (PD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while psychosocial mediators are largely unknown. This study investigates the individual and joint associations of social isolation and loneliness with PD among older adults in Ghana. It…
Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of multimorbidity in South Africa
Background Multimorbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa is under researched and includes distinct disease combinations to those seen in high income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of multimorbidity in South Africa, as well as the associated individual, area-level and contextual factors. Methodology Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted on nationally representative 2016 South Africa Demogr…
Stakeholder perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to integrating cardiovascular disease and diabetes management at primary care in Kenya
Integrated care is increasingly recognised as a key strategy for the management of multimorbidity. However, evidence on the factors associated with the implementation of integrated care models in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. We explored how stakeholders perceived integrated care, existing challenges, and recommendations for integrating cardiovascular disease and diabetes management at primary health care (PHC) level in Kenya.…
Physical activity levels and its associated factors among adults in Vihiga county, Kenya
Sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which account for 8% of Kenya’s non-communicable disease (NCD) burden. Prevalence of physical inactivity remains high globally. There is paucity of data on physical activity levels in rural Sub-Saharan Africa to inform effective interventions. This study sought to establish levels and factors associated with physical activity in a rural population in Kenya. This was a c…
Predicting and improving diagnosis of tuberculosis outcomes in South Africa using machine learning techniques
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of South Africa has made significant efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), guided by the National Strategic Plan for addressing HIV, STIs, and TB. However, progress in preventing and eradicating TB has been seriously hindered by reliance on ineffective diagnostic methods. This study aimed to predict and improve TB diagnosis in South Africa using machine learning techniques. Data from the National Income Dy…
Social Network Connectivity and Depression Among Single Parents in Ghana
Objectives: Scarce data exist on the association between social network connectivity (family and friends) and depression among single parents in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the mechanisms explaining the association are largely unknown. This study investigates the extent to which anxiety mediates the association between social network connectivity and depression among single parents in Ghana. Methods: Data from 627 single parents …
Determinants of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms among older adults living alone
Overall, this study among older adults living alone showed that advantages and disadvantages in socioeconomic situation, health, and health behaviour were the determinants of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms, respectively. Efforts to promote well-being among older adults living alone should reduce or promote the identified associated factors
Wealth, income and dementia in Germany
Our study showed a link between wealth and dementia. Such knowledge can enrich poverty and inequality research within this field. More specifically, our findings lend support to evidence-based policies aiming to decrease the burden of dementia in later life through reduction in economic inequalities and better income distribution
Lived Experiences of Nonmedical Use of Tramadol Among Urban Slum-Dwelling Youth in Ghana
The world is witnessing a pharmaceutical opioid crisis, and in Africa's version, the nonmedical use of Tramadol is prevalent in vulnerable populations. However, data on the factors promoting nonmedical use of Tramadol in slums is generally lacking. The study explored the factors that promote the nonmedical use of Tramadol among urban slum-dwelling youth in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, Ghana. This qualitative study recruited 20 nonmedical Tra…
Prevalence and Social Risk Factors of Sexual Abuse Among Children Aged 8–17 in Ghana
Social network connectivity and food insecurity among single parents
Urban expansion and livelihood dynamics in peri-urban Tamale, Ghana
At the heart of this paper are concerns for food security and sustainability-two challenges of wide relevance for geographers. Our work focuses specifically on the Guinea northern savanna ecological zone of Ghana, where poverty is grim and livelihood opportunities are limited and the intersection of urban expansion and livelihood dynamics is not well understood. This study analysed trends in and effects of urban expansion on farmers' livelihoods …
We live in fear and face endless physical and emotional health problems
Urban flooding significantly affects the health and well-being of populations, yet its health impacts remain underexplored in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper investigates the health effects of recurring floods on households in Greater Kumasi through a qualitative study involving 55 purposively selected household heads. The findings reveal substantial negative health consequences, including immediate and medium-term issues such as i…
Bio-climatic impact on malaria prevalence in Ghana
Whilst climate change is expected to tremendously influence the regional transmission of malaria, the available data reveal conflicting results. This study provides contextual evidence. We adopted multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) modelling approach. AICc and local r2 were used to evaluate performance of the MGWR. . The MGWR analysis showed that LST (β = −0.667), maximum temperature (β = −0.507), mean temperature (β = −0.480),…
The impacts of Covid-19 on older adults in Uganda and Ethiopia
The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on older adults, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To support older adults during this time, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) coordinated programs to help provide for basic needs related to food and water security and healthcare. This research explores the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of NGO staff and volunteers who provided support to older adults in SSA in rural East Africa dur…
Healthcare-seeking behaviours among mother’s having under-five children with severe wasting in Dodoma and Mbeya regions of Tanzania-A qualitative study
Maternal healthcare-seeking behaviour affects the health and well-being of under-five children. Drawing from the concepts of the health belief model, this study seeks to understand the determinants of health-seeking behaviours among mothers or caregivers of under-five-year-old children having severe wasting in Tanzania. A qualitative study employing the ethnography method conducted 32 semi-structured and narrative interviews with healthcare worke…
Prevalence of disability and associated functional limitations among older adults in Brazil
Introduction Disabilities are a serious public health, social and human rights issue. Few studies address the relationship between disabilities and functioning among older adults. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of disability and its’ association with comorbidities and functional limitations in Brazilian elderly individuals. Methods Data from the National Health Survey—PNS 2019 was used. Prevalence rates with its corresponding 95% conf…
From green to grey
This paper examines the struggle for existence of contrasting spaces within an urban milieu drawing on experiences from Ghana. By analysing remotely sensed images and review of relevant literature, the dynamics of change in the urban green–grey landscape were examined. While the grey (impermeable) space has increased from 23.3% to 77.6% between 1986 and 2016, green (permeable) space has declined from 76.7% to 24.4% within the same period. Rapidly…
Rising incidence and risks of floods in urban Ghana
Multidimensional Social Support and Health Services Utilization Among Noninstitutionalized Older Persons in Ghana
Objectives: This study examines multidimensional social supports as predictors of health services utilization among community-dwelling older Ghanaians. Method: Using data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-Seeking Behavior Study ( N = 1,200), Poisson regression models estimated the associations of aspects of informal social support and health facility utilization among older people. Results: Findings suggest that r…
The Role of a Health Protection Scheme in Health Services Utilization Among Community-Dwelling Older Persons in Ghana
Ghana's NHIS policy generally increases health services utilization but at present lacks the capability to improve equitable access to health care, especially between poor and nonpoor older adults. This may hamper the progress toward universal health coverage (UHC), indicating the need for further refinements in the policy including ways to improve the health status of older persons
Urban expansion and livelihood dynamics in peri-urban Tamale, Ghana
At the heart of this paper are concerns for food security and sustainability-two challenges of wide relevance for geographers. Our work focuses specifically on the Guinea northern savanna ecological zone of Ghana, where poverty is grim and livelihood opportunities are limited and the intersection of urban expansion and livelihood dynamics is not well understood. This study analysed trends in and effects of urban expansion on farmers' livelihoods …
The dynamics and livelihood implications of illegal mining in Ghana
Discourses on "illegal" or informal small-scale mining (galamsey) have presented it largely as a menace. Using Ghana as the focus of our study, we present a counter-narrative to the predominant discourse. Employing qualitative in-depth interviews with 193 local galamsey operators, the study found that economic factors coupled with the combative posture of state regulatory agencies explain the persistence of illegal activity. Although galamsey is …
Prevalence and pattern of traditional medical therapy utilisation in Kumasi metropolis and Sekyere south district, Ghana
Religion and Health
This study has provided the first baseline evidence in this important area of inquiry that has been neglected in the scholarly discourse in Ghana. By implication, users' positive attitudes and perceptions toward faith healing call for integration policies that allow formal medical services to have open idea to faith healing practices in Ghana
Skin Bleaching Narratives Responses from Women Bleaches and Stakeholders in Ghana (1950s – 2015)
Based on a qualitative design and a qualitative analysis of responses from primary informants and secondary sources we present a narrative on the attitudes and perception of the Ghanaian on skin bleaching. Based on retrospective and thematic analyses the authors conclude that there is the need for education and enforcement of laws that protect the consumer from patronizing cosmetics that bleach the skin. The study further highlights the role of i…
Multidimensional Social Support and Health Services Utilization Among Noninstitutionalized Older Persons in Ghana
Objectives: This study examines multidimensional social supports as predictors of health services utilization among community-dwelling older Ghanaians. Method: Using data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-Seeking Behavior Study ( N = 1,200), Poisson regression models estimated the associations of aspects of informal social support and health facility utilization among older people. Results: Findings suggest that r…
The Role of a Health Protection Scheme in Health Services Utilization Among Community-Dwelling Older Persons in Ghana
Ghana's NHIS policy generally increases health services utilization but at present lacks the capability to improve equitable access to health care, especially between poor and nonpoor older adults. This may hamper the progress toward universal health coverage (UHC), indicating the need for further refinements in the policy including ways to improve the health status of older persons
On-farm urban vegetable farming practices and health risk perceptions of farmers in Kumasi
From green to grey
This paper examines the struggle for existence of contrasting spaces within an urban milieu drawing on experiences from Ghana. By analysing remotely sensed images and review of relevant literature, the dynamics of change in the urban green–grey landscape were examined. While the grey (impermeable) space has increased from 23.3% to 77.6% between 1986 and 2016, green (permeable) space has declined from 76.7% to 24.4% within the same period. Rapidly…
Urban sprawl and green space depletion
How do lifestyle choices affect the link between living alone and psychological distress in older age? Results from the AgeHeaPsyWel-HeaSeeB study
Lifestyle choices i.e. social participation and physical activity, and demographic factors i.e. age, gender, and residential status strongly attenuate the positive association of living alone with the risk of psychological distress in older age. These findings may inform intervention initiatives targeted at improving mental health of chronically detached and isolated older people
New Wine in Old Wine Skin’
The article examines public perceptions of capitation payment system and the implications for health-seeking behavior in rural and urban Ghana. Drawing on qualitative approach, the study employed focus groups (n = 20), in-depth (n = 20), and key informant (n = 14) interviews with community-based adult men and women, aged 18–65 years in Ashanti Region. Tape recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results indicated that majo…
The relationship between home ownership and fall-related outcomes
Although many studies have tried to explore the association between fall incidents and fear of falling (FOF)/worry about fall-limited activities and various risk factors, few studies have recognized the relationship between house ownership and fall-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess whether house ownership will affect an older adult’s experience of falling or lead to fear of falling. The National Health and Aging Trends Study (…
Prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated risk factors among newly diagnosed Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in Kushtia, Bangladesh
Dyslipidemia is considered a significant modifiable risk factor for type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and has become one of the emerging health problems throughout the world. In Bangladesh, data on dyslipidemia among newly diagnosed T2DM patients are comparatively inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its associated risk factors in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted by a wel…
Covid-19 crisis and increased risks of elder abuse in caregiving spaces
This paper discusses the potential abuse and mistreatment against older adults by informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has distorted many informal caregivers' roles, which require serious adjustment for reducing caregiving stress and burden. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging situations in caregiving spaces, which have the tendency to cause informal caregivers to abuse older adults…
Out-of-pocket costs near end of life in low- and middle-income countries
Background Globally, there is a rise in chronic disease, including cancer, major organ failure and dementias. Patients and their families in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) pay a high proportion of medical costs out of pocket (OOP), and a diagnosis of serious illness often has catastrophic financial consequences. We therefore conducted a review of the literature to establish what is known about OOP costs near end of life in LMICs. Aims T…
Housing conditions and long-term care needs of older adults in Ghana
The present study examined the association between housing conditions and long-term care needs of older adults in Ghana. We used data from 4,920 adults aged ≥50 years that participated in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Study on adult health and AGEing Ghana Wave 1. Housing conditions were assessed with drinking water, sanitation, cooking conditions and building materials, and long-term care needs were based on WHO Disability Assessment Sch…
Effects of changes in short-term human cognition on reported healthcare utilisation
Growing empirical evidence indicates that financial anxiety causes reductions in short-term cognitive capacity. Results from urban communities in Delhi, India show sizable differences in the number of health events recalled between the poor and non-poor respondents over experimentally controlled recall periods. One explanation for this recall difference is ‘poor memory’. Such results provide additional reasons for healthy skepticism of the accura…
Prevalence and factors associated with stroke risk factors in an urban community of Parakou, Northern Benin, 2016
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a heavy burden of stroke due to the growth of its risk factors. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of stroke risk factors and identify the factors associated with metabolic risk factors in the district of Titirou, in Parakou (northern Benin) in 2016. A cross-sectional study was conducted. It included people aged at least 15 years, living in Titirou for at least 6 months, and who had given their written consent to partici…
Rising incidence and risks of floods in urban Ghana
Child maltreatment mediates the relationship between HIV/Aids family dysfunction trajectories and psychosocial problems among adolescents
The relationship between parental HIV/AIDS status or death and child mental health is well known, although the role of child maltreatment as a confounder or mediator in this relationship remains uncertain. This study examined the potential path mechanism through child maltreatment mediating the link between HIV/AIDS family dysfunction trajectories and psychosocial problems. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Lower Manya Municipal Assem…
Provider and facility readiness for age-friendly health services for older adults in primary health care centres in southwest, Nigeria
There is a growing focus on interventions at the health system level to promote healthy aging and provide age-friendly health services (AFHS) in low- and middle-income countries where populations are aging. This study aimed to determine the provider and facility readiness for AFHS. We developed and implemented surveys to collect PHC facility capacity and readiness to deliver AFHS and a KAP survey for facility healthcare workers based on guideline…
Physical activity and functional disability among older adults in Ghana
Knowledge about how physical activity levels relate to functional disability is essential for health promotion and planning older adults’ care or rehabilitation. The risk of living with one or more chronic health conditions increases with increasing age in lower and higher income countries–many of which are associated with physical inactivity. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the moderating role of multimorbidity on physical activi…
Musculoskeletal pain among desk-based officials of Bangladesh
Musculoskeletal (MS) pain is widely prevalent and is an important health issue for desk-based employees which has a negative impact on both personal and work life. This study aimed to determine the MS pain status and its association with mental health and other individual factors among desk-based officials of Dhaka, Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study comprised a sample of 526 desk-based officials from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected be…
Flood stressors and mental distress among community-dwelling adults in Ghana
Extant research has linked flooding with mental distress (MD) among flood-prone populations, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain largely unknown. This paper examines the association of flood stressors with MD among households in flood-prone communities in Ghana and estimates whether flood risk perceptions mediated the association. The study involved 767 household heads aged ≥20 years [mean = 47.3 ± 13.7); males = 61.4%]. Flood s…
Inefficient allocation of paratransit service terminals and routes in Ghana
The dynamics and livelihood implications of illegal mining in Ghana
Discourses on "illegal" or informal small-scale mining (galamsey) have presented it largely as a menace. Using Ghana as the focus of our study, we present a counter-narrative to the predominant discourse. Employing qualitative in-depth interviews with 193 local galamsey operators, the study found that economic factors coupled with the combative posture of state regulatory agencies explain the persistence of illegal activity. Although galamsey is …
Medicine (38 obras) · Environmental health (25 obras) · Gerontology (17 obras) · Psychology (17 obras) · Logistic regression (13 obras) · Population (13 obras) · Health disparities and outcomes (12 obras) · Psychiatry (12 obras) · Demography (11 obras) · Geography (10 obras)