The Nkwanta District Hospital recorded a reduction in deliveries in 2006, down to 336 from 423 in 2005. Dr Koku Awoonor-Williams, the District Director of Health Services said that the period recorded three maternal deaths due to delay in seeking medical help. He said there were 3,932 and 606 antenatal and postnatal attendances respectively at the hospital during the period under review. Dr Awoonor said 463 children were on admission at the hospital in 2006 due malaria in contrast with 416 in 2005. Out of a total of 25 children under five years who died at the hospital during the period, 14 of them died as a result of malaria and seven due to anaemia. Malaria, anaemia, snakebite, hepatitis B and upper respiratory tract infections make up the five leading causes of death in the district, Dr Awoonor-Williams said. During the period under review 101 people tested positive for HIV/AIDS while 85 other tested positive for hepatitis B. Dr Awoonor-Williams said indications were that people were not adhering to the advice to either abstain from sex to be faithful to their partners or use condoms. Source: GNA