Browsing by Author "Buabeng, K.O."
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Item Advanced pharmacy practice of a doctor of pharmacy student at an allied surgical ward in a hospital in Africa(Heliyon, 2023) Ofei-Palm, C.N.K.; Gbadago, D.; Tetteh, R.; Koduah, A.; Ankrah, D.; Buabeng, K.O.Introduction: The pharmacy profession is undergoing transformational change in Ghana. The role of pharmacists has become more patient-focused with increased accountability and responsibility. Aim: This study is aimed at reporting the experiential learning on the clinical interventions made and documented at the Allied Surgical Wards of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). This involves a review of patient’s medical records during the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) learning. One case each from Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, (ENT) and Dental units’ subspecialty were reviewed from October 7, 2019 to November 15, 2019 b y a Pharm D student. Conclusion: The student was able to make prompt clinical interventions that contributed to patient care in clinical wards assigned during her clinical clerkship.Item Biopsychosocial analysis of antibiotic use for the prevention or management of COVID-19 infections: A scoping review(Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 2022) Nortey, R.A.; Kretchy, I.A.; Koduah, A.; Buabeng, K.O.Background: The novelty and complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in various coping mechanisms adopted by individuals as a means of averting the perceived fatalities of the pandemic. The use of antibiotics in the management of COVID-19 is clinically recommended under specific conditions. However, there are increasing trends of non-adherence to the recommended criteria resulting in the unwarranted use of antibiotics as an adaptative approach to the ongoing pandemic. Objective: The objective was to identify and classify factors associated with the unwarranted use of antibiotics in the management of COVID-19 from published literature and the perspectives of key stakeholders along a Bio psychosocial model. Methods: Literature was searched in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar for studies published between 31st December 2019 and 31st January 2022. The Arskey and O’Malley framework modified by Levac in the six-stage methodological process was adopted for this review and included: a) identification of research questions, b) identification of relevant research articles, c) selection of studies, d) data charting and synthesis, e) summary, discussion and analysis, and f) stakeholder consultations. Results: Out of 10,252 records identified from all sources, 12 studies were selected for inclusion in this scoping review. The selected articles reflected both antibiotic use and COVID-19 whilst capturing the biological (medical) and psychosocial perspectives. Most of the studies reported the overuse or abuse of Azithromycin especially in hospital settings. Common themes across the review and stakeholder consultations included fear, anxiety, media influences and deficits in public knowledge. Conclusion: The findings of the study highlight the complexity of antibiotic control especially in the context of a pandemic. The identified determinants of antibiotic use provide the necessary framework to simulate health emergencies and be better positioned in the future through the development of targeted and comprehensive policies on antibiotic stewardship.Item A caregiver perspective of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders(International Journal of Mental Health, 2018-12) Debrah, A.B.; Buabeng, K.O.; Donnir, G.; Akwo Kretchy, I.The World Health Organization estimates that about 40%–60% of patients with mental illness use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), but little is known about the types and outcomes of these CAM therapies in Ghana. This study therefore sought to describe the patterns of use and perceived outcome of CAM therapy among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in a health facility in Ghana. The qualitative study involved both clinical and family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted over a period of 3 months to identify the pattern of CAM use and perceived outcome from caregiver perspectives. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically using NVivo 10. About 92% of family caregivers reported that their patients had used some form of CAM therapy. The therapies used included spiritual interventions (100%) herbal therapies (83%), dietary supplements (50%) and music therapies (6%). Both clinical and family caregivers perceived CAM therapies to be ineffective in resolving mental illness when used as an alternative to antipsychotic therapy. However when used as complementary, better outcomes were perceived. Spiritual interventions, herbal therapies, dietary supplements and music therapies were the types of CAM therapies used. Both negative and positive outcomes of CAM therapies were highlighted by caregivers. CAM use may therefore not be an alternative choice but rather complementary to mental health care.Item Iron-deficiency anaemia in children with congenital heart diseases at a teaching hospital in Ghana(Heliyon, 2020-02-19) Duwiejua, M.; Ossei, I.; Buabeng, K.O.; Ossei, P.P.S.; Nguah, S.B.; Ayibor, W.G.; Anto, B.P.; Agyemang-Duah, E.Background: Uncorrected congenital heart lesions in children keep them in a state of constant hypoxia with compromised quality of life and reduced life expectancy. This requires early diagnosis and interventions including prevention and treatment of the resultant anaemia. Unfortunately, congenital heart disease (CHD) often goes unrecognized and thus untreated. Objectives: We determined the occurrence of CHD in children below 15 years at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), assessed the prevalence of relative iron deficiency anaemia in that cohort and the use of iron supplementation in these patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using a structured data collection tool, by retrospectively reviewing patient records from December 2015 to January 2010. Data was also obtained prospectively from January 2016 to March 2016. Results: Eighty cases (44 females and 36 males) of CHD were encountered. Tetralogy of Fallot was the most common (48.8%) CHD. Cases of cyanotic congenital heart disease were reported at autopsy. Of the 80 cases, 48 (72.7%) had signs of relative iron deficiency. Thirty (62.5%) of the 48 patients did not receive iron supplementation. In 14 cases, full blood count was not determined and yet 10 patients received iron at sub-optimal doses (<3 mg/kg/day) and one was given iron at 6 mg/kg/day. Conclusion: CHD is a common phenomenon among newborns at KATH. Use of iron supplementation was suboptimal. Compliance with guidelines on the use of iron as well as structures for early detection of CHD for definitive interventions are advocated.Item Quality Assessment of Some Essential Children’s Medicines Sold in Licensed Outlets in Ashanti Region, Ghana(Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2018-05) Frimpong, G.; Ofori-Kwakye, K.; Kuntworbe, N.; Buabeng, K.O.; Osei, Y.A.; El Boakye-Gyasi, M.; Adi-Dako, O.The quality of 68 samples of 15 different essential children’s medicines sold in licensed medicine outlets in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, was evaluated. Thirty-two (47.1%) of the medicines were imported, mainly from India (65.6%) and the United Kingdom (28.1%), while 36 (52.9%) were locally manufactured. The quality of the medicines was assessed using content of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), pH, and microbial limit tests, and the results were compared with pharmacopoeial standards. Twenty-six (38.2%) of the samples studied passed the official content of API test while 42 (61.8%) failed. Forty-nine (72.1%) of the samples were compliant with official specifications for pH while 19 (27.9%) were noncompliant. Sixty-six (97.1%) samples passed the microbial load and content test while 2 (2.9%) failed. Eighteen (26.5%) samples passed all the three quality evaluation tests, while one (1.5%) sample (CFX1) failed all the tests. All the amoxicillin suspensions tested passed the three evaluation tests. All the ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, flucloxacillin, artemether-lumefantrine, multivitamin, and folic acid samples failed the content of API test and are substandard. The overall API failure rate for imported products (59.4%) was comparable to locally manufactured (63.9%) samples. The results highlight the poor quality of the children’s medicines studied and underscore the need for regular pharmacovigilance and surveillance systems to fight this menace.Item Self-reported use of anti-malarial drugs and health facility management of malaria in ghana(Malaria Journal, 2007) Buabeng, K.O.; Duwiejua, M; Dodoo, A.N.; Matowe, L.K.; Enlund, H.OBJECTIVE: To assess the appropriateness of self-reported use of anti-malarial drugs prior to health facility attendance, and the management of malaria in two health facilities in Ghana. METHOD: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 500 respondents who were diagnosed clinically and/or parasitologically for malaria at Agogo Presbyterian Hospital and Suntreso Polyclinic, both in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Collected information included previous use of anti-malarial drugs prior to attending the health facilities, types of drugs used, how the drugs were used, and the sources of the drugs. In addition, the anti-malarial therapy given and outcomes at the two health facilities were assessed.RESULTS: Of the 500 patients interviewed, 17% had severe malaria, 8% had moderate to severe malaria and 75% had uncomplicated malaria. Forty three percent of the respondents had taken anti-malarial drugs within two weeks prior to hospital attendance. The most commonly used anti-malarials were chloroquine (76%), sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (9%), herbal preparations (9%) and amodiaquine (6%). The sources of these medicines were licensed chemical sellers (50%), pharmacies (21%), neighbouring clinics (9%) or "other" sources (20%) including left-over medicines at home. One hundred and sixty three (77%) of the 213 patients who had used anti-malarial drugs prior to attending the health facilities, used the drugs inappropriately. At the health facilities, the anti-malarials were prescribed and used according to the national standard treatment guidelines with good outcomes. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of inappropriate use of anti-malarials in the community in Ghana is high. There is need for enhanced public health education on home-based management of malaria and training for workers in medicine supply outlets to ensure effective use of anti-malaria drugs in the country.