The School of Nursing and Midwifery under the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 held the Public Seminar Series VI at the R.S Amegashie Auditorium at the University of Ghana Business School.

The seminar was chaired by the Head of the Nursing faculty at the Pentecost University, Dr. Mrs. Abigail Kyei who was one of the school’s first two students admitted in the 1980s.

CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Mrs. Abigail Kyei

The first research presentation was on the topic “Assessing the physical health-related quality of life among older adults” by Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Eliason who revealed some interesting findings with regards to the relation between a person’s level of education and his or her quality of life when he ages.

FACILITATOR: Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Eliason

She said the aged who did not have tertiary education had a better health-related quality of life than those who had tertiary education.

........ "it came out that education, employment status benefit from government, monthly income, diagnosed with a chronic illness and utilization of health care services were significantly associated with physical health related quality of life. With education, we found that the odds of having a good physical health related quality of life was 81% lower for those older adults with tertiary education compared to those without formal education. This finding was a bit surprising because normally those who have tertiary education should have better physical health related quality of life but in this study, I found out that those without it had better physical health related quality of life". She said.

The second research presentation was on the topic “Improving the quality of life of women with metabolic syndrome using lifestyle intervention program” by Dr. Mrs. Gloria Achempim Ansong.

FACILITATOR: Dr. Mrs. Gloria Achempim Ansong

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Dr. Achempim Ansong also made some conclusion in relation to one’s waist circumference and their metabolic syndrome.

She said that men and women with higher waist circumference are at risk of metabolic syndrome because the high-fat level in the abdominal area influences the high circumference of the waist.

She also emphasized the need for awareness creation on the syndrome to the general public and further urged everyone to check their metabolic syndrome status.

......"There is a need for awareness creation to the general public on metabolic syndrome through health education. So now you know where you stand, are you negative, at risk or positive for metabolic syndrome? Know your metabolic syndrome status and check your lifestyle.” She said.