Special Journal of the Medical Academy and other Life Sciences.

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

2026-03-11T18:06:04+00:00

Background: Substance abuse among adolescents is a growing public health concern, as early exposure to substances such as alcohol, vaping products, prescription medications, and illicit drugs can lead to long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences. Schools provide an effective setting for prevention initiatives because they allow early intervention and consistent exposure to educational messages. The Drug Abuse Prevention and Awareness Campaign was designed to improve students’ understanding of substance-related risks and encourage informed decision-making.

Methods and Materials: A school-based prevention campaign was implemented in a local high school targeting adolescent students. Educational materials including posters and informational handouts were developed and displayed throughout the school, and a structured presentation was delivered by a substance abuse prevention specialist. Pre- and post-campaign surveys were administered anonymously to assess changes in students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to substance use. Survey responses and qualitative feedback from students, teachers, and counsellors were analyzed to evaluate the campaign’s effectiveness.

Results: Post-campaign survey findings demonstrated increased awareness of the health risks associated with vaping, alcohol use, prescription drug misuse, and illicit drug use. Students showed improved understanding of the effects of substance use on physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance. Many participants also reported feeling more comfortable discussing substance-related concerns with counsellors or trusted adults, indicating reduced stigma and increased openness to seeking help.

Conclusion: The Drug Abuse Prevention and Awareness Campaign successfully enhanced students’ knowledge and attitudes toward substance use prevention. The findings highlight the effectiveness of school-based educational interventions in promoting awareness and encouraging healthy decision-making among adolescents. Continued implementation of prevention programs, combined with stakeholder collaboration and ongoing education, may help reduce substance misuse and support healthier youth communities.

SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

2026-03-31T01:20:38+00:00

Abstract

Background: Suicide among adolescents is a significant public health concern, with increasing rates linked to mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. Despite the growing prevalence of these issues, stigma, lack of awareness, and limited knowledge of available resources often prevent young individuals from seeking help. School-based interventions have been identified as effective strategies for promoting mental health awareness and early prevention.

Methods and Materials: This project implemented a school-based Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support Awareness Campaign in a high school setting. The campaign utilized a multi-component approach, including educational posters, student handouts, a school-wide presentation delivered by a mental health professional, and collaboration with school counsellors and staff. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were administered anonymously to assess students’ knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

Results: Findings from the survey analysis indicated a measurable improvement in students’ understanding of mental health issues and their ability to recognize warning signs of suicide. Awareness of available support resources increased significantly following the campaign. Additionally, students reported greater comfort in discussing mental health concerns and seeking help. Qualitative feedback highlighted the effectiveness of the professional presentation and visual materials in reinforcing key messages.

Conclusion: The campaign demonstrated that school-based awareness initiatives can effectively enhance mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking behaviour among adolescents. Although limited by its short duration and single-site implementation, the project provides evidence supporting the value of preventive, education-focused interventions in school settings. Future initiatives should consider longer implementation periods and expanded stakeholder involvement to sustain impact.

STANDARDIZING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PROCESSES TO REDUCE 30-DAY READMISSIONS IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

2026-04-03T20:20:28+00:00

Background: Heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of hospital admissions and 30-day readmissions worldwide, often driven by inadequate discharge preparation and poor patient understanding of post-hospital care. Variability in discharge practices, including inconsistent patient education and follow-up planning, contributes significantly to adverse outcomes. This project aimed to address these gaps by implementing a standardized, evidence-based discharge process in a cardiology unit.

Methods and Materials: A quality improvement capstone project was conducted at S Hospital involving HF patients admitted to the cardiology unit. The intervention included the development and implementation of a standardized discharge toolkit consisting of a structured checklist, patient education materials, medication reconciliation templates, symptom-monitoring guides, and follow-up communication scripts. The project was executed in six phases: initial assessment, toolkit development, staff training, pilot implementation over six weeks, monitoring, and evaluation. Data were collected through chart audits, staff feedback surveys, and patient teach-back assessments.

Results: Implementation of the standardized discharge process resulted in significant improvements in discharge consistency and patient comprehension. Checklist adherence reached 87% by the end of the pilot period. Patients demonstrated improved understanding of medication regimens, dietary recommendations, and symptom recognition. Staff reported enhanced workflow efficiency and interdisciplinary coordination. Additionally, a 10% reduction in 30-day HF readmission rates was observed during the pilot phase.

Conclusion:The implementation of a standardized discharge workflow for HF patients significantly improved the quality and consistency of discharge education, patient self-management capacity, and early readmission outcomes. These findings support the adoption of structured, checklist-based discharge protocols as an effective strategy for improving transitional care. Future efforts should focus on long-term evaluation, integration into electronic health systems, and expansion to other high-risk patient populations.

A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF THE "E-ALERT" MHEALTH SYSTEM FOR EARLY OUTBREAK DETECTION IN RURAL GHANA: A MIXED-METHODS IMPLEMENTATION STUDY

2026-04-03T21:02:39+00:00

Background: Timely detection of infectious disease outbreaks remains a major challenge in resource-limited settings, particularly in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, where surveillance systems are hindered by delays in reporting and limited infrastructure. In Ghana, the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system often requires 7–14 days for outbreak data transmission, creating critical delays in public health response. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies present an opportunity to improve real-time surveillance; however, evidence on their effectiveness in routine health system contexts remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the “e-ALERT” mHealth system on outbreak detection timelines and its implementation dynamics in rural Ghana.

Methods and Materials: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed, combining a quasi-experimental nonrandomized controlled before-and-after study with qualitative inquiry. Six intervention districts implementing the e-ALERT system were compared with six matched control districts using standard IDSR processes over a 12-month period. Quantitative outcomes included time-to-detection, reporting completeness, and system performance metrics, analyzed using survival analysis and comparative statistics. Qualitative data were collected through 35 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions with stakeholders and analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to explore implementation barriers and facilitators.

Results: The e-ALERT system significantly reduced the mean time-to-detection from 11.7 days in control districts to 2.3 days in intervention districts, representing an 80% improvement (p < 0.001). Reporting completeness reached 98% in intervention areas compared to 67% in controls. The system successfully generated early alerts for cholera and measles outbreaks, providing 7–9 days of additional response time. Qualitative findings revealed increased motivation and empowerment among community health workers, alongside challenges such as parallel reporting systems and infrastructure limitations, including unreliable electricity and network connectivity.

Conclusion: The e-ALERT mHealth system demonstrated substantial effectiveness in improving outbreak detection timeliness and reporting performance in rural Ghana. However, sustainable implementation requires addressing broader socio-technical challenges, including infrastructure development, workflow integration, and policy alignment. mHealth surveillance systems have significant potential to strengthen early warning systems and enhance global health security when supported by comprehensive system-level investments.

ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTIONS

2026-04-15T20:42:12+00:00

Background: Smoking remains a leading global public health challenge, responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly through its strong association with lung cancer and other chronic diseases. Despite widespread awareness of its harmful effects, cessation rates remain suboptimal, necessitating the development and evaluation of effective intervention strategies.

Methods and Materials: This study synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and clinical research on smoking cessation interventions, including pharmacological treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, and e-cigarettes, as well as behavioural interventions like counselling and structured support programs. It also examines implementation strategies within primary care, hospital, and community-based settings, alongside barriers affecting both healthcare providers and patients.

Results: Findings indicate that combined approaches integrating pharmacological and behavioural interventions yield the highest cessation success rates, reaching up to 24% annually, compared to significantly lower rates in unassisted attempts. Pharmacological combinations, particularly NRT with varenicline or e-cigarettes, demonstrated enhanced effectiveness in reducing cravings. Behavioural strategies, including intensive counselling and personalized support, further improved outcomes. However, implementation remains hindered by constraints such as limited time, insufficient training, financial barriers, and patient-related challenges including fear of withdrawal and relapse.

Conclusion: Smoking cessation interventions are effective but underutilized due to systemic and individual barriers. Optimizing their implementation through improved healthcare infrastructure, increased funding, and tailored patient support is essential to enhance cessation outcomes and reduce the global burden of tobacco use.