Browsing by Author "Akakpo, P.K."

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Clinicopathologic characteristics of early-onset breast cancer: a comparative analysis of cases from across Ghana
(BMC Women’s Health, 2023) Akakpo, P.K.; Imbeah, E.G.; Clegg‑Lamptey, J.N.; Dedey, F.; Nsaful, J.; Sherif, M.; Jiagge, E.M.
Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer diagnosed globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women younger than 40 years. This study comparatively reviewed the demographic, pathologic and molecular features of Early-Onset Breast Cancer (EOBC) reported in Ghana in relation to Late Onset Breast Cancer (LOBC). Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, with purposive sampling of retrospective histopathology data from 2019 to 2021. Reports of core or incision biopsy, Wide Local Excision or Mastectomy with or without axillary lymph node dissection specimen and matched immunohistochemistry reports were merged into a single file and analysed with SPSS v. 20.0. Descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages were used to describe categorical variables. Cross-tabulation and chi-square test was done at a 95% confidence interval with significance established at p<0.05. Results: A total of 2418 cases were included in the study with 20.2% (488 cases) being EOBCs and 79.8% (1930 cases) being LOBCs. The median age at diagnosis was 34.66 (IQR: 5.55) in the EOBC group (20: 82.40% vs 80.30%) and a higher number of involved lymph nodes (13.80% vs 9.00%). Triple-Negative Breast cancer (26.40% vs 24.30%) was the most predominant molecular subtype of EOBC. Conclusion: EOBCs in our setting are generally more aggressive with poorer prognostic histopathological and molecular features when compared with LOBCs. A larger study is recommended to identify the association between relevant pathological features and early onset breast cancer in Ghana. Again, further molecular and genetic studies
The distribution of hrHPV genotypes among cervical cancer cases diagnosed across Ghana: a cross-sectional study
(BMC Infectious Diseases, 2024) Akakpo, P.K.; Darkwa‑Abrahams, A.; Wiredu, E.K.
Background The burden of cervical cancer in Ghana is high due to a lack of a national screening and vaccination program. Geographical variations in high-risk Human Papilloma Virus incidence and type should be considered for vaccine improvement and screening in LMICs. Methods A descriptive, multi-center cross-sectional study with purposive sampling of cases with cervical cancer diagnosed from January 2012 through to December 2018 was employed relying on archived Formalin Fixed Paraf‑ fn Embedded (FFPE) tissues from four (4) Teaching Hospitals. Cervical cancers were assessed for histopathological features following WHO guidelines. In addition, the novel Tumour Budding and Nest Size Grade (TBNS) for SCC, SILVA pattern of invasion for EAC and Tumour Infltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) were assessed. High Risk HPV testing was performed using an isothermal, multiplex nucleic acid amplifcation method from ATILA biosystem (Mountain View California, USA). The FFPE blocks were tested for 15 hrHPV genotypes. Results were analyzed using SPSS v.26.0, with descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation and chi-square tests done with signifcance established at p<0.05. Results A total of 297 cases were identifed for the study with ages ranging from 20 to 95 years. The peak age group for cervical cancer was 46 to 55 years. For those tested, hrHPV positivity rate was 85.4% [EAC (84.6%) and SCC (85.6%)]. The top fve hrHPV serotypes for both histological cancers were 59 (40.0%), 35 (32.0%), 18 (30.0%), 16 (15.0%), and 33 (10.0%) respectively. Approximately, 58.2% of infections were multiple. Single hrHPV infections were mostly caused by hrHPV 59 (28.9%), and 16 (26.3%). TBNS grade for SCC, SILVA pattern of invasion for EAC and TILs did not show any statistically signifcant relationship with hrHPV. Conclusion We afrm reported diferences in hrHPV types associated with cervical cancer in Ghana with hrHPV types such as 59, 35, and 33 forming a signifcant proportion of hrHPV types associated with cervical cancer. This difer‑ ence in hrHPV types should guide vaccine improvement and triaging of hrHPV positives. Though multiple infections are more common, some hrHPV types such as hrHPV 16 and 59 are responsible for most single infections associated with cervical cancer. Simple haematoxylin and eosin-based morphological assessments can improve the prognostica‑ tion of patients with cervical cancer.
HER-2 Protein Overexpression in Patients with Gastric and Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma at a Tertiary Care Facility in Ghana
(Scientific World Journal, 2018-03) Simpong, D.L.; Asmah, R.H.; Krampah, C.; Akakpo, P.K.; Adu, P.; Asante, D.B.; Naporo, S.; Adjei, A.A.; Gyasi, R.K.
The prognosis of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma remains generally poor. However, mounting evidence suggests a positive role of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) expression in the prognosis of patients with these cancers. In this work, the patterns of HER-2 protein expression were determined in patients with gastric or oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Retrospectively, we reviewed records of gastric and oesophageal biopsies received from 2008 to 2012 and their corresponding archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks selected for immunohistochemical analysis. The prevalence of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinomas and their association with HER-2 protein overexpression were evaluated. Gastric adenocarcinoma made up 18.79% of the gastric biopsies reviewed, and majority of these cancers occurred in males. Regarding the tumour type, HER-2 overexpression was common in the intestinal subtype compared to the diffuse type. Although squamous cell carcinoma was observed to be the commonest (31%) tumour type in the oesophagus compared to adenocarcinoma (8.79%), HER-2 was overexpressed in 42.9% of oesophageal adenocarcinomas, like gastric adenocarcinoma (41.4%). There is a high prevalence of gastric and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, with significant overexpression of HER-2 in these tumours, a window of hope for the management of patients with these cancers.
Impact of Digital Technology on the Christian Music Industry: Evidence from Ghana
(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Akakpo, P.K.
The purpose of this study is to explore how the use of digital technology has impacted value creation in the music industry with focus on the Christian Music Industry of Ghana. This research argues that notwithstanding the universality of digital technologies in most human activities in recent years, there is still paucity in research in the area of the impact of digital technologies in the Christian Music Industry. Moreover, it was also revealed that very scarce research has been carried out in the area of digital technology’s impact on music industries from a multi-stakeholder perspective which will provide a more general viewpoint to the factors that generate value in the music industry. Also, very few studies in this area have been carried out in a developing country context. Furthermore, when pertinent literature was reviewed, it was revealed that most of the studies conducted in this area did not use any theoretical lens, concept or model. Thus, the need to undertake a study backed by theory. Hence, the adoption of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework in conducting this study. To adequately find solutions to the research problems came a need to develop a framework that fully covered the totality of this research and facilitated the achievement of the research purpose. Thus, the study developed a framework which had four parts: Technology Adoption factors which were adopted from UTAUT, music industry value chain activities, value gained using digital technologies (adopted from the E-business Value Creation Model) and lastly the digital technologies used in the music industries. The research was founded on the tenets of critical realism and employs a qualitative methodological approach, to garner the experiences of actors in the music industry value chain amidst the constraints of their context. Furthermore, in the quest to find answers to research questions raised, the study employed Miles and Huberman’s data analysis technique to analyse the data gathered from the actors across the music industry value chain. A total of nineteen (19) actors in the Christian music industry value chain were interviewed. These actors consisted of five music creators (songwriters, musicians, and artists), four music producers, five music distributors and five music consumers. In response to the nature of the use of digital technologies in the Ghanaian Christian music industry, it was suggestive from the findings that music creators use smartphones, iPads, laptops, and studio microphones to capture creative ideas that come to them especially when they are away from professional studios. Also, the findings revealed that the music producers use laptops, smartphones, studio microphones, studio monitors and DAWs like Logic Pro, Ableton, Fruity loops and Cubase to in music production. The finding was also indicative that music distributors depended heavily on laptops with internet connectivity. Digital distributors like Distrokid, TuneCore and CD baby are used to distribute songs to into digital music stores like iTunes, Spotify, and other music stores. On the issue of the factors that influence the nature of use of digital technologies in the Christian music industry of Ghana, the research findings was indicative that the use of digital technologies by the actors in the music industry helps them to attain gains.It was indicative from the research findings that actors in the music industry value chain had an understanding of the platform which makes it very easy for the actors to use the digital technologies in the creation, reproduction, distribution, and consumption.Furthermore, the process of learning to use digital technologies which were glaring in the responses given by the respondents proves that they learned how to use the digital technologies by watching others use it or by watching step by step tutorial videos on YouTube on how to use the technologies. For the contribution to research, the study fills the gap of the rarity of research work done on digital technologies’ impact in the music industry in Ghana and developing economies especially Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. This study in relation to practice provides a roadmap for firms and individuals who want to integrate the digital technologies in any area of the music industry value chain. Finally, for policy the study presents regulatory agencies responsible for music in Ghana with an overview of the digital music industry. It also provides lessons on how musicians can generate revenue through the access of other markets other than their local markets and their ability to make profitable gains from their musicianship with the help of digital technologies. The originality of this study is that it is arguably one of the few empirical studies that have been conducted on the digital technologies impact on the music industry in Ghana with emphasis on the Christian music industry It is recommended that further studies should consider a single case or a multiple case study approach to scrutinize the impacts of digital technologies in the Christian music industry of Ghana. Future studies may also consider espousing the quantitative approach in order to have a greater sample size to make a generalization concerning this phenomenon.
Ovarian Cancer in Ghana, a 10 Year Histopathological Review of Cases at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
(African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2015-12) Akakpo, P.K.; Derkyi-Kwarteng, L.; Gyasi, R.K.; Quayson, S.E.; Anim, J.T.
To determine the histopathological types, age distribution, presenting signs and symptoms of ovarian cancers diagnosed at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. All histopathology slides and request cards of ovarian cancers diagnosed over a ten-year period (2001 to 2010) were reviewed and the cancers classified according to the World Health Organization 1999 classification. Biographical and clinical data of the patients were collected and results entered into Epi-info to determine the frequency, age distribution and clinical presentation of the various types of ovarian cancer. There were 192(27.2%) ovarian cancers out of 706 ovarian tumours. Epithelial cancers were the most common: 100 (52.1%), followed by sex cord stromal cancers 66 (34.4%). Majority of epithelial cancers were serous adenocarcinomas (71/100) while most sex cord stromal cancers were adult granulosa cell tumours 46 (69.7%). The mean age of patients with adenocarcinoma was 49 years while that of the 46 adult granulosa cell tumours was 46.5years. Patients present with varying combinations of symptoms and signs and ovarian cancers present at an earlier age compared to other populations, with the age of presentation being slightly lower for sex cord stromal cancers compared to adenocarcinomas. There are no specific symptoms or signs associated with ovarian cancer at presentation, to assist with diagnosis. (Afr J Reprod Health 2015; 19[4]: 102-106).
Pregnancy Related Causes of Deaths in Ghana: A 5-Year Retrospective Study
(Ghana medical journal, 2013-12) Der, E.M.; Moyer, C.; Gyasi, R.K.; Akosa, A.B.; Tettey, Y.; Akakpo, P.K.; Blankson, A.; Anim, J.T.
Objective: Data on maternal mortality varies by region and data source. Accurate local-level data are essential to appreciate its burden. This study uses autopsy results to assess maternal mortality causes in southern Ghana. Method: Autopsy log books of the Department of Pa-thology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Mortuary were reviewed from 2004 through 2008 for pregnancy relat-ed deaths. Data were entered into a database and ana-lyzed using SPSS statistical software (Version 19). Results: Of 5,247 deaths among women aged 15-49, 12.1% (634) were pregnancy-related. Eighty one per-cent of pregnancy-related deaths (517) occurred in the community or within 24 hours of admission to a health facility and 18.5% (117) occurred in a health facility. Out of 634 pregnancy-related deaths, 79.5% (504) re-sulted from direct obstetric causes, including: haemor-rhage (21.8%), abortion (20.8%), hypertensive disor-ders (19.4%), ectopic gestation (8.7%), uterine rupture (4.3%) and genital tract sepsis (2.5%). The remaining 20.5% (130) resulted from indirect obstetric causes, including: infections outside the genital tract, (9.2%), anemia (2.8%), sickle cell disease (2.7%), pulmonary embolism (1.9%) and disseminated intravascular coag-ulation (1.3%). The top five causes of maternal death were: haemorrhage (21.8%), abortion (20.7%), hyper-tensive disorders (19.4%), infections (9.1%) and ectop-ic gestation (8.7%). Conclusion: Ghana continues to have persistently high levels of preventable causes of maternal deaths. Com-munity based studies, on maternal mortality are urgent-ly needed in Ghana, since our autopsy studies indicates that 81% of deaths recorded in this study occurred in the community or within 24 hours of admission to a health facility.
Preliminary insights into the concerns of online privacy and security among millennials in a developing economy
(Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 2019-06-15) Owusu, A.; Broni, F.E.J.; Akakpo, P.K.
Millennials, described as tech-savvies are knowledgeable and using the internet for a couple of things ranging from social media, education, e-commerce, entertainment and so on. However, there are growing concerns lately about online privacy and security with the emergence of the Web 2.0 technologies that allow a lot of multimedia online which is attractive to the millennials. Although there is a threat to what the millennials are agreeing to and the information they provide online, yet there are limited studies that have explored the online privacy issues concerning millennials. Thus, in this study, we investigated millennials and their awareness concerning online privacy threats and security, whether they are bothered about what they put online, as well as measures they have put in place to mitigate this menace from a developing economy perspective. The study employed a quantitative approach where survey data was gathered through self-administration questionnaires with a random sample of 700 undergraduate students in a public university in Ghana. The findings revealed that most of the millennials are aware and concerned about online privacy threats. They are also bothered about privacy effects concerning the information they put online. Therefore, they wish there are laws and regulations protecting consumers about their online privacy in Ghana. The originality of the paper stems from the fact that there is paucity of research about online privacy especially among the millennials in sub-Saharan African countries and our paper is the first to be done in the Ghanaian context.