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- Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
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Recent Submissions
Exploring Preparation Needs of Informal Caregivers of Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Study at the 37 Military Hospital
(University of Ghana, 2023) Kissi, G.E.
To successfully manage Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM), informal caregivers (ICGs) play a critical role. Understanding and addressing the preparation needs of ICGs of persons with T2 DM will lead to improvement in the quality of care and health outcomes of persons with T2DM. The study explored the preparation needs of ICGs of persons with T2 DM at the 37 Military Hospital. The Caregiver-Centered Care Competency model by Parmar and colleagues was adopted for the research. The study employed a qualitative exploratory descriptive design and 20 participants were purposively sampled for the study. One-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and audiotaped. Data were analysed using the thematic content analysis approach. Six themes and 14 sub-themes emerged namely: Communication between HCWs and ICGS (Clarity of communication, Sharing of information, Follow-up phone calls); Partnership with HCWs (Collaboration with HCWs, Accessibility to HCWs, Attitude of HCWs), Recognition of the role of the ICG (Awareness of the role of ICGs, Acknowledgment of ICGs), Building resilience in ICGs (Education from HCWs, Concern about welfare), Navigating the healthcare system (Direction from HCWs, Referral from HCWs) and Culture and context of care (Duty to care, Support system). Communication and partnership between ICGs and HCWs were important resources in the performance of the caregiving role by ICGs of persons with T2 DM. However, HCWs lacked empathy whilst dealing with ICGs. Hospital management should encourage HCWs to continue to develop proper partnerships and communication with ICGs to ensure they understand the treatment process and involve them in decision-making concerning persons with T2DM
Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance in Non-Typhoidal Salmonella among Poultry in Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2022) Baah, B B.
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern, as it is associated with serious consequences for the treatment of infections. Addressing the fast growing AMR menace requires the use of a One Health approach, encompassing human health, animal health, and the environment. Previous AMR studies in Ghana have given little attention to livestock, a major source of transmission of antibiotic-resistant zoonotic pathogens, such as non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS). Aim: To determine NTS in the poultry environment in Ghana, including prevalence, risk factors for human acquisition, and AMR. Methods: In total, 612 broiler and egg-laying layer henhouses (306 each in Accra and Kumasi) from 56 poultry farms (34 in Accra and 22 in Kumasi) were sampled in this cross-sectional study. The samples [boot swabs (n = 612), wall swabs (n = 612), feed (n = 400), and water (n = 411)] were analyzed for the presence of NTS, following standard methods. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the NTS isolates were done using the BD Bruker IVD MALDITOF and the BD Phoenix M50 analyzers, respectively. Results: NTS was found in 46.4% (26/56) of the poultry farms and 14.5% (89/612) of the henhouses, with an overall prevalence of 54.2%. The prevalence of Salmonella positivity in Kumasi was high compared to Accra (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.07–2.61; p = 0.023) and in broiler vs. layers (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.03–3.47; p = 0.039). An inverse relationship was found between the farm size and for farms >2500 chickens (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.20–0.85; p = 0.017) and 650–2500 chickens (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.27–1.13; p = 0.109). The AMR across rates were as follows; tetracycline (67.2%, n = 84), nalidixic acid (64%, n = 80), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (46.1%, n = 59), ciprofloxacin (39.8%, n = 51), gentamicin (35.9%, n = 46), amoxicillin-clavulanate (32.8%, n = 42), ampicillin (27.3%, n = 35), levofloxacin and cefazolin (18% each, n = 23), azithromycin (3.2%, n = 4), and chloramphenicol (0%, n = 0). Moreover, 64% (n = 80) of the NTS were multidrug-resistant. Conclusion: The prevalence of non-typhoidal Salmonella appears to be high among poultry in Ghana, as is multidrug resistance of NTS. This underscores the need for continuous surveillance of AMR and its drivers among poultry and other livestock in the country.
Serum Ferritin and Folate in Pregnant Women with Sickle Cell Disease and their Relationship with Feto-Maternal Outcomes
(University of Ghana, 2023) Apodola, A.
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of sickle cell disease, which is a
leading cause of morbidity and mortality there. Adverse fetal and maternal outcomes have
been found to be associated with pregnant women with the sickle cell disease. Improvements
in the understanding of sickle cell disease-associated hematinics in pregnancy could
potentially curb the poor pregnancy outcomes observed among this population.
Aim: To investigate the effect of serum ferritin and folate level on fetomaternal outcomes.
Methodology: This was a case-control study comparing serum ferritin and folate levels of
pregnant women with SCD and age-matched controls made up of pregnant HbAA women
and non-pregnant women with SCD. The cases and the pregnant HbAA women were
obtained from archived data of a well-described cohort of 100 pregnant women who
participated in the Sickle Cell Disease Obstetric study (SCOB) at KBTH. The second control
group were recruited from the Adult Sickle Cell Clinic at the Ghana Institute of Clinical
Genetics, KBTH, Accra. Recruitment of the second control group into the study was done
after obtaining voluntary written informed consent from age-matched non-pregnant SCD
women. A well-structured data extraction sheet was used to obtain mothers’
sociodemographic and clinical data. The determination of the levels of serum ferritin and
folate were done in accordance with standard procedures. The data obtained were analyzed
using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25.0, involving descriptive
statistics, independent-samples analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlation, with the
alpha level set at 0.05.
Results: The pregnant and non-pregnant SCD participants and the pregnant non-SCD
participants did not differ from each other with regard to baseline ferritin levels. However,
the pregnant SCD participants had significantly higher post-delivery ferritin levels than did the pregnant non-SCD participants (p = 0.001), but not the non-pregnant SCD participants (p
= 0.241). The non-pregnant SCD participants also had significantly higher ferritin levels than
did the pregnant non-SCD participants after delivery (p = 0.001). Also, the non-pregnant
SCD participants had significantly higher folate levels than did the pregnant non-SCD (p <
0.001) and pregnant SCD (p = 0.010) participants. The pregnant SCD participants did not,
however, differ from the pregnant non-SCD participants with regard to their folate levels (p =
1.000). Moreover, no significant association was observed between serum folate and maternal
outcomes in all the study categories. However, baseline ferritin level was negatively
associated with gestational age at delivery (p <0.001), while post-delivery ferritin level was
negatively associated with birthweight of baby (p =0.012), baby length (p =0.006), and Apgar
score at 1min (p = 0.037).
Conclusion: Pregnancy seemed to induce an elevation in ferritin levels among sickle cell
disease individuals, but not among those without the condition, as well as an elevation of
folate levels in both SCD and non-SCD participants in this study. Also, although folate had
no association with feto-maternal outcomes, baseline ferritin level was negatively associated
with gestational age at delivery, and post-delivery ferritin level was negatively associated
with birthweight of baby, baby length, and Apgar score at 1min
Assessing Household Willingness and Ability to Pay for Formal Residential Care for the Elderly at the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality
(University of Ghana, 2023) Dakpui, H.D.
Background: As populations age globally, there is a growing demand for formal residential care for the elderly i.e. persons aged 65 and above. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, such care is often inaccessible or unaffordable. In Ghana, little is known about households' willingness and ability to pay for formal residential care for the elderly. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the households' willingness and ability to pay for formal residential care for the elderly in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed to gather and analyze data from 460 households across three sub-districts of La Nkwantanang. The study used a multistage sampling design, combining purposive, stratified and random sampling techniques. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information on socio-economic, demographic, and health characteristics of the elderly, as well as their knowledge and perception of formal residential care homes and willingness to pay for such services. To determine the proportion of people willing to pay, the calculation involved determining the percentage of study participants who expressed WTP. Multiple logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing households’ willingness and ability to pay. Data were analyzed using STATA 17 version, and results were presented using tables and graphs. Results: The study found that 28.5% had heard of formal residential care homes for the elderly in Ghana. About 72% of households indicated their willingness to pay for formal residential care for the elderly, with an average amount of Gh¢1,403.30 per month (minimum GH¢300, maximum Gh¢3,000.00). The highest percentage (38.9%) of households stated their ability to pay between Gh¢700 - Gh¢999 per month, while the lowest percentage (1.52%) between Gh¢300 - Gh¢499 per month. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age of household head (OR=1.26, p=0.01), household income (OR=1.62, p income households are more likely to be restricted to lower payment levels. This was demonstrated by the fact that the highest percentage of households stating ability to pay over GHS 1,000 per month are in the highest income group (5000+), while the lowest percentage of households able to pay over GHS 1,000 per month are in the lowest income group (600-999).
The Association Between Skipping Breakfast and Academic Performance among Adolescents (10 - 16 Years) in Tamale Metropolis, Northern Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2023) Abubakari, H.
Background: Breakfast is thought to be an important source of energy metabolism, which enhances the body's ability to perform effectively throughout the day (Fareed & Waseer, 2017). The adolescent stage requires a lot of energy for growth and development. There is limited information on how breakfast affects the academic performance of in- school adolescents. Objectives: To assess the association between skipping breakfast and the academic performance of adolescents between the ages of 10 - 16 years in the Tamale metropolitan. Methodology: A mixed-method study was used for this study. A semi-structured questionnaire, physical assessment, and focus group discussion were used in the collection of data. The association between breakfast skipping and nutritional status was determined using bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. Data were entered and coded in an excel sheet, then later exported onto SPSS software version 26, and WHO Anthro software for cleaning and analysis. Statistical significance was set at p-value of less than 0.05. Factors that influence breakfast skipping was determined through focus group discussion and thematic analysis was used for the analysis. Results: The prevalence of breakfast skipping was 28%. Within those who skipped breakfast, more than half (76.8%) of female participants skipped breakfast than the males (23.2%). Also, breakfast skipping, and gender had a significant association as p = 0. 001. Breakfast skipping was inversely correlated (- 0.29) with academic performance and it had a p-value of 0.000. The factors that influenced breakfast skipping among in-school adolescents were lack of time, economic reasons, social reasons, and health implications. Conclusion: Nutrient intake had no significant association with breakfast skipping except for vitamin C and calcium. Breakfast skipping had a weak significant association with academic performance at p = 0.01.