Browsing by Author "Abban, H.A."
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Item Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors among Commercial Long Distance Bus Drivers in Cape Coast(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Abban, H.A.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.; Asibey-Berko, E.Background: Commercial Long Distance Drivers (CLDDs) are professional drivers who travel a distance of 140km or more on a regular basis. The habit of leaving home early and also driving for hours may all impact on eating practices, stress and overall health. In Ghana, it has been documented that road accidents are on the rise and these have been attributed to over speeding and careless or reckless driving. In the developed world studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases also contribute to road accidents among which are stress and related problems. It is therefore likely that these conditions may be contributing to the rampant road carnage in Ghana, hence this study. Objective: This research sought to find out if there are any cardiovascular disease risk factors among commercial long distance bus drivers (CLDBDs) in Cape Coast. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study which involved 170 commercial long distance bus drivers in Cape Coast who consented to participate in the study. Data collection took place from October – November 2012; 4.30a.m. to 9.30a.m. A pre-tested close ended questionnaire were administered to collect data on backgrounds of the drivers, commercial driving history, lifestyle of drivers, stress level, leisure time activities, dietary pattern and history of disease conditions of drivers and their families. Also anthropometric (body mass index and percentage body fat), clinical (blood pressure) and biochemical (Lipid profile and fasting blood sugar) data of the drivers were collected. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 16.0 Software package (Chicago, USA). Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to summarize categorical variables such as level of education while means and standard deviations were used for the continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases using high blood pressure, overweight and high ratio of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein as proxies. Results: Prevalence of overweight, obesity, high fasting blood sugar level and high density lipoprotein were 36.5%, 14.2%, 72.5%, and 8.8% respectively. Also 22.4% and 21.2% had high diastolic and systolic blood pressure respectively. Drivers drinking alcohol were 45.9% and 64.7% had low physical activity level. Only 8.8% had the desirable level of high density lipoprotein. Drivers who had driven for less than 14years were less likely to develop high systolic and diastolic blood pressure compare to those who had driven for more than 21years (OR = 0.13 CI = 0.04 – 0.39), drivers who drove buses with 20seats or less were at an increased risk of developing high diastolic blood pressure compared to those who drove buses with more than 20 seats (OR = 3.58 CI = 1.09 – 11.75), drivers with turn – around time of 1hour were at an increased risk of becoming overweight compared to drivers whose turn – around time was 24hours, snacking was associated with increased risk of becoming overweight (OR= 1.81 CI= 0.29 – 10.99) and having high ratio of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (OR = 2.63 CI = 0.39 – 17.91; OR = 1.48 CI = 0.52 – 4.24), alcohol intake was associated with an increased risk of becoming overweight (OR = 3.02 CI = 0.79 – 11.48; OR = 2.78 CI = 1.49 – 5.18) Conclusion: The main determinants of cardiovascular diseases among the drivers were snacking, overweight, alcohol intake, low physical activity level, very high percentage body fat and low high density lipoprotein. These observations call for nutrition education campaigns for drivers.Item Predictors Of Potentially High Risk For Preeclampsia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics At Selected Hospitals In Accra(University Of Ghana, 2021-07) Abban, H.A.Introduction: Preeclampsia/Toxemia (PE) is a genuine hypertension condition related with maternal and infant ill health and death during pregnancy. Preeclamptics as well as their babies/children develop health conditions including cardiovascular disease as well as growth conditions well along in life. In Ghana, prevalence of PE has been known to be as low as 2.5% in Ghana Police hospital and as high as 48.8% in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Most of the studies carried out on PE has been case control and hence do not have enough data on the possible exposures at the early stages of pregnancy which may have led to the developing of PE. Also only a few studies has been carried out on the predictors associated with preeclampsia. Objective: This current prospective cohort study sought to determine the factors at the various stages of pregnancy; ≤ 20 weeks gestation through 28 –32 weeks and during 6 weeks postpartum which may predispose the pregnant women to a potentially high risk for PE. Methodology: This was prospective cohort study involving 403 pregnant women who were recruited at ≤ 20 weeks gestation. Nonetheless, 21 participants dropped out between weeks 28 and 32, and 24 participants also dropped out at 6 weeks postpartum leaving 358 participants in the study. The study took place at the Ghana Police Hospital, Cantonment, and the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon, both in Accra. The entire study lasted for 21 months (May, 2018 – Feb.2020). Structured questionnaires that had been pre-tested were used to obtain information on the participants' backgrounds, lifestyle practices, gynecological factors, dietary factors, stress status, BMI, biochemical data (haemoglobin, proteinuria), clinical data (blood pressure), family history of chronic conditions, morbidities among other factors. The criteria used for potentially high risk for preeclampsia was having at least a systolic blood pressure of ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥80 mmHg or oedema or proteiunuria. Background categorical variables were computed as frequencies and percentages, whereas continuous variables were enumerated as median (interquartile range; Q1, Q3) or means ± SD, as appropriate. The predictors of possibly high risk for PE were investigated using binary logistic regression and finally path analysis was run to determine the path way through which the predictors operate. Results: The age on average of expectant mothers is 31 ± 5 years, a greater number 194 (48%) of expectant mothers had attained tertiary education, median gestational age at first time ante natal booking was 14 (12, 17) weeks, Akan ethnicity was dominating 166 (41.0%) and 347 (86.0%) of the women were married. Prevalence of serum vitamin D and calcium deficiencies were 48.3% and 53.2% respectively with 34.0% being at a potentially high risk for PE. Predictors of potentially high risk for PE were the following; estimated pre – pregnancy body mass index (≥ 30 kg/m2) AOR = 3.6 (95% CI = 1.01 – 11.750) p value 0.040 and estimated pre- pregnancy weight (> 71 kg) AOR = 3.4 (95% CI = 1.250 - 12.703) p 0.019. From path analysis, path relationship for anthropometric indices (estimated pre – pregnancy BMI and estimated pre- pregnancy weight) and potentially high risk for preeclampsia shows a favorable and significant direct association (β = 0.519; t-value = 8.545; p-value = 0.001). Conclusion: Predictors of potentially high risk for PE among the participants were estimated pre-pregnancy BMI and estimated pre-pregnancy weight (weight measured at the first antenatal clinic). In contrast to findings of most studies, serum vitamin D and calcium deficiencies had no association with PE.