Tema-Ghana, Aug. 08, – Christians have been cautioned against waving of handkerchiefs during church service and other gatherings, as the act can lead to the spread of communicable diseases.
Mr. Isaac Akoa, a Radiographer at the Pleasant Medical Center (PMC) Ashaiman Middle East who gave the caution said even though it was a normal religious practice for religious groupings especially Christians to wave their handkerchief during praises and worship, it was a very risky and health mistakes that should be discouraged.
Mr Akoa said this when treating the topic; “Ten everyday mistakes that should be avoided,” focusing on the sub-topic “Holding handkerchiefs and other facial cleaners in the hand and carrying it around.”
He explained that airborne diseases such covid-19, flu, and infection among other could easily be transfer from one person to another through that process as the same handkerchiefs were mostly use to clean the face and blow one’s nose.
Mr Akoa further said one must also desist from carrying facial tissues, and handkerchiefs in the hand when in town as the practice exposes it to the environment thereby absorbing infection causing bacteria and viruses.
He noted that after these handheld handkerchiefs have absorbed such infectious particles in the environment, the individual would end up transferring them to their faces or mouths when used to clean them.
“After exposing your handkerchiefs and cleaners to infectious surfaces, you may wipe your face with the same cleaner or handkerchief and contract a disease or other infections”, he added.
He said the best way to minimize the spread of such diseases was to keep the handkerchief in the bag, wallet or pocket.
Meanwhile, Dr. Derrick Darko, a Medical Officer at International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema, said that while teenage pregnancies are socially stigmatized, there is less of a chance that a teenager will develop hypertension before or after becoming pregnant.
The IMaH Medical officer emphasized that young expectant mothers often avoid going to hospitals for check-ups in an effort to avoid stares because of the societal stigma.
Dr. Darko who was also spoke on the topic; “Hypertension in Pregnancy,” said because the majority of parents do not support teenage pregnancies, “teenagers who believe they cannot tell their parents that they are pregnant and who feel frightened and alone may be at risk of complications”.
He added that because adolescents are less likely to visit the hospital for their routine prenatal examinations, it is crucial to assist them in receiving the antenatal care and emotional support they require to maintain their health during the most vulnerable stages of their lives.
According to the IMaH Medical Officer, also disclosed that women who are 35 years of age or older and are expecting their first child are also at risk for developing hypertension.
According to Dr. Darko, high blood pressure, has become more widespread, but with proper blood pressure management, a woman and her unborn child have a higher chance of remaining healthy.
Dr. Darko also stated that if a pregnant woman’s body experiences a surge in hormones under extremely stressful circumstances, this could cause the heart to beat more quickly and narrow the blood vessels, which could even result in a heart attack.
In order to prevent the accumulating stress in pregnant women and its consequences, he therefore made an appeal to their friends and family to foster a feeling of community around them by providing the necessary support.
According to Dr. Darko, having high blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of having preterm infants who are typically underweight, pregnancy complications, heart attacks, maternal and neonatal mortality, among other things.
