Browsing by Author "Nuertey, B.D."
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Item Health outcomes following retirement: a comparative study of health and non-health pensioners in Ghana(Springer, 2021) Nuertey, B.D.; Udofia, E.A.; Yawson, A.E.; Addai, J.; Tette, E.M.A.; Calys-Tagoe, B.N.L.Occupation is a major determinant of health outcomes. Healthcare workers are assumed to know how to prevent diseases and live a healthy life. The aim of this study is to determine the association between working in healthcare as a pre-retirement occupation and health outcomes after retirement. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted among 4813 members of the National Pensioners Association in Ghana. Thirteen study centres were used in the study. Results A total of 403 study participants (8.4%) were healthcare workers. After retirement, healthcare workers died earlier compared to non-healthcare workers. Life-table analysis of data demonstrated that 51.9% (95% CI = 47.1–56.9) of health workers died within 5 years after retirement, compared to 35.9% (95% CI = 34.5–37.4) of non-healthcare workers within same time period. Healthcare workers had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (34.0, 95% CI = 29.5–38.8), self-reported hypertension (54.8%, 95% CI = 49.9–59.7) and high serum total cholesterol (46.4%, 95% CI = 48.7–58.5) compared to non-health workers. Logistic regression of factors on health outcomes after retirement among healthcare workers revealed that healthcare workers were nearly twice as likely to have arthritis (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2–2.1), hearing loss (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2–3.1), ischaemic heart disease (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2–3.3), and cerebrovascular accident (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1–4.0) compared to non-healthcare workers.Item Home-Based Remedies to Prevent COVID-19-Associated Risk of Infection, Admission, Severe Disease, and Death: A Nested Case-Control Study(Hindawi, 2022) Nuertey, B.D.; Addai, J.; Kyei-Bafour, P.; Bimpong, K.A.; Adongo, V.; Boateng, L.; Mumuni, K.; Dam, K.M.; Udofia, E.A.; Seneadza, N.A.H.; Calys-Tagoe, B.N.L.; Tette, E.M.A.; Yawson, A.E.; Soghoian, S.; Helegbe, G.K.; Vedanthan, R.Objective. .is study aimed at determining the various types of home-based remedies, mode of administration, prevalence of use, and their relevance in reducing the risk of infection, hospital admission, severe disease, and death. Methods. .e study design is an open cohort of all participants who presented for testing for COVID-19 at the Infectious Disease Treatment Centre (Tamale) and were followed up for a period of six weeks. A nested case-control study was designed. Numerical data were analysed using STATA version 14, and qualitative data were thematically analysed. Results. A total of 882 participants made up of 358 (40.6%) cases and 524 (59.4%) unmatched controls took part in the study. .e prevalence of usage of home-based remedies to prevent COVID-19 was 29.6% (n = 261). .ese include drinks (34.1% (n = 100)), changes in eating habits/food (33.8% (n =99)), physical exercise (18.8% (n = 55)), steam inhalation (9.9% (n = 29)), herbal baths (2.7% (n = 8)), and gurgle (0.7 (n = 2)). Participants who practiced any form of home-based therapy were protected from SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.28 (0.20–0.39)), severe/critical COVID-19 (OR = 0.15 (0.05–0.48)), hospital admission (OR = 0.15 (0.06–0.38)), and death (OR = 0.31 (0.07–1.38)). Analysis of the various subgroups of the home-based therapies, however, demonstrated that not all the home-based remedies were effective. Steam inhalation and herbal baths were associated with 26.6 (95% CI = 6.10–116.24) and 2.7 (95% CI =0.49–14.78) times increased risk of infection, respectively. However, change in diet (AOR = 0.01 (0.00–0.13)) and physical exercise (AOR = 0.02 (0.00–0.26)) remained significantly associated with a reduced risk of infection. We described results of thematic content analysis regarding the common ingredients in the drinks, diets, and other home-based methods administered. Conclusion. Almost a third of persons presenting for COVID-19 test were involved in some form of home-based remedy to prevent COVID-19. Steam inhalation and herbal baths increased risk of COVID-19 infection, while physical exercise and dietary changes were protective against COVID-19 infection and hospital admission. Future protocols might consider inclusion of physical activity and dietary changes based on demonstrated health gains.Item Maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana; a crosssectional study(BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2019-10-11) Nuertey, B.D.; Gandau, B.B.N.; Seneadza, N.A.H.; Akaateba, D.; Azusong, E.; Yirifere, J.Y.Background: Maternal perceptions about caesarean section contribute to delayed presentation of women for emergency obstetric care. This increases the risks of perinatal and neonatal mortality and slows down the reductions needed to achieve the sustainable development goal (SDG) target of reducing neonatal mortality and ending new-born deaths. The aim of the study is to determine maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing neonatal mortality at a regional and a district hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out at two hospitals in the Upper West Region, the most rural region in Ghana, between 15th January and 29th June, 2018. Maternal perceptions were examined among antenatal care attendants at the Upper West Regional Hospital (UWRH) and St Joseph’s Hospital Jirapa (SJH), a district hospital, using questionnaires administered by trained nurses. Results: Altogether, 416 completed questionnaires were obtained, comprising 206 from expectant women attending the UWRH and 210 from SJH. Although the majority of women in this study preferred spontaneous vaginal delivery (87.4%, n = 348) to caesarean section, most of the respondents (n = 281, 73%) indicated their willingness to have a caesarean section if necessary. The main reason for not wanting a CS was the long recovery time (51.8%, n = 148). Almost half of women interviewed, representing 45.1% (180) did not know or feel that CS can promote child survival and about a fifth, 21.6% (85) believed that CS can have adverse effects on child survival. Factors associated with poor perception of CS included, no formal education, age less than 19 years and no employment. Conclusion: Majority of women in this study had a positive attitude towards the uptake of CS if it becomes necessary. Lack of formal education, age less than 19 years and unemployment are associated with poor maternal perception of CS. Education to improve the perception of CS as a promoter of child survival is necessary and to discourage perceptions that it causes adverse perinatal or neonatal outcome particularly in at risk populations.Item Pattern of Animal Bites and Delays in Initiating Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis among Clients Receiving Care in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2020-05-26) Nuertey, B.D.; Addai, J.A.Introduction. Each year, an estimated 25000 rabies death occurs in Africa. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains the only proven approach in preventing rabies deaths. Most of rabies deaths occur among those who delayed, did not receive, or complete rabies PEP. )e aim of this study was to determine the pattern of animal bite, factors associated with delays in initiating, and nonadherence to rabies PEP regimen. Method. Data on clients reporting for rabies PEP in a tertiary hospital setting in Ghana were collected from 2013 to 2016. Demographics, place, and source of exposure were collected. Other information obtained included adherence to the PEP protocol and GPS coordinates of the town of animal bites. )e shortest distance between the GPS coordinates of town of animal bite and the site of administration of the rabies PEP was calculated. A total of 1030 individuals received rabies PEP over the period. Results. Overall, 52.9% (545) were males while 47.1% (485) were females. Majority of the cases were between the age group 1–10 years accounting for 29.2%. Dog bites accounted for 96.5% (n = 994). Cats, nonhuman primates, human bites, respectively, accounted for 1.8% (n = 18), 1.2% (n = 12), and 0.6% (n = 6) of all bites. Majority of bites occurred at home (66.2% (n = 646)). Also, 31.6% (n =308) and 2.3% (n =22) of bites occurred on the streets and neighbors/friends’ homes, respectively. Only, 18.7% initiated PEP within 24 hours of bite. Rabies PEP regimen completion rate was 95.2% (n = 976). )e median distance travelled to access rabies PEP was 7.87 km (IQR, 3.58–16.27) km. Overall, 34.7% (n = 344) had the animal bite within 4.99 km radius of the treatment room of KBTH. Clients who delayed in initiating rabies PEP were 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3–5.1) times more likely to be males and 2.0 (1.1–3.9) times more likely to receive bites in a location more than 5 km radius from the KBTH treatment room. Gender, age, and distance of bite from the treatment room were not associated with the likelihood of not completing rabies PEP schedule. Discussion. Bites from suspected rabies infected animals remain a problem in southern Ghana. )ere are significant delays in initiating PEP for rabies prevention. Most animal bite victims are children ten years and below. Male gender and bites more than 5 km radius from the site of rabies PEP administration were most significant factors associated with delays in initiating rabies PEP. )ere is the need for adopting strategies to encourage prompt initiation and adherence to PEP.Item Performance of COVID-19 associated symptoms and temperature checking as a screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection(PLOS ONE, 2021) Nuertey, B.D.; Ekremet, K.; Haidallah, A-R.; Mumuni, K.; Adda, J.; E, R.I.; Damah, M.C.; Duorinaa, E.; Seidu, A.S.; Adongo, V.C.; Adatsi, R.K.; Sur, H.C.; Komei, A.A-K.; Abubakari, B.B.; Weyor, E.; Allegye-Cudjoe, E.; Sylverken, A.; Owusu, M.; Phillips, R.O.Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), which started in late December, 2019, has spread to affect 216 countries and territories around the world. Globally, the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been growing exponentially. There is pressure on countries to flatten the curves and break transmission. Most countries are practicing partial or total lockdown, vaccination, massive education on hygiene, social distancing, isolation of cases, quarantine of exposed and various screening approaches such as temperature and symptom- based screening to break the transmission. Some studies outside Africa have found the screening for fever using non-contact thermometers to lack good sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of clinical symptoms in accurately predicting a final diagnosis of COVID-19 disease in the Ghanaian setting. The study analysed screening and test data of COVID-19 suspected, probable and contacts for the months of March to August 2020. A total of 1,986 participants presenting to Tamale Teaching hospital were included in the study. Logistic regression and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis were carried out. Overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 16.8%. Those with symptoms had significantly higher positivity rate (21.6%) compared with asymptomatic (17.0%) [chi-squared 15.5, pvalue, <0.001]. Patients that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 5.9 [3.9–8.8] times more likely to have loss of sense of smell and 5.9 [3.8–9.3] times more likely to having loss of sense of taste. Using history of fever as a screening tool correctly picked up only 14.8% of all true positives of SARS-CoV-2 infection and failed to pick up 86.2% of positive cases. Using cough alone would detect 22.4% and miss 87.6%. Non-contact thermometer used alone, as a screening tool for COVID-19 at a cut-off of 37.8 would only pick 4.8% of positive SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 16.8%. Those with symptoms had significantly higher positivity rate (21.6%) compared with asymptomatic (17.0%) [chi-squared 15.5, pvalue, <0.001]. Patients that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 5.9 [3.9–8.8] times more likely to have loss of sense of smell and 5.9 [3.8–9.3] times more likely to having loss of sense of taste. Using history of fever as a screening tool correctly picked up only 14.8% of all true positives of SARS-CoV-2 infection and failed to pick up 86.2% of positive cases. Using cough alone would detect 22.4% and miss 87.6%. Non-contact thermometer used alone, as a screening tool for COVID-19 at a cut-off of 37.8 would only pick 4.8% of positive SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.Overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 16.8%. Those with symptoms had significantly higher positivity rate (21.6%) compared with asymptomatic (17.0%) [chi-squared 15.5, pvalue, <0.001]. Patients that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 5.9 [3.9–8.8] times more likely to have loss of sense of smell and 5.9 [3.8–9.3] times more likely to having loss of sense of taste. Using history of fever as a screening tool correctly picked up only 14.8% of all true positives of SARS-CoV-2 infection and failed to pick up 86.2% of positive cases. Using cough alone would detect 22.4% and miss 87.6%. Non-contact thermometer used alone, as a screening tool for COVID-19 at a cut-off of 37.8 would only pick 4.8% of positive SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.Overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was 16.8%. Those with symptoms had significantly higher positivity rate (21.6%) compared with asymptomatic (17.0%) [chi-squared 15.5, pvalue, <0.001]. Patients that were positive for SARS-CoV-2 were 5.9 [3.9–8.8] times more likely to have loss of sense of smell and 5.9 [3.8–9.3] times more likely to having loss of sense of taste. Using history of fever as a screening tool correctly picked up only 14.8% of all true positives of SARS-CoV-2 infection and failed to pick up 86.2% of positive cases. Using cough alone would detect 22.4% and miss 87.6%. Non-contact thermometer used alone, as a screening tool for COVID-19 at a cut-off of 37.8 would only pick 4.8% of positive SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.The use of fever alone or other symptoms individually [or in combination] as a screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection is not worthwhile based on ROC analysis. Use of temperature check as a COVID-19 screening tool to allow people into public space irrespective of the temperature cut-off is of little benefit in diagnosing infected persons. We recommend the use of facemask, hand hygiene, social distancing as effective means of preventing infectionItem Prevalence, Causes, and Factors Associated with Visual ImpairmentandBlindnessamongRegistered Pensioners inGhana(Journal of Ophthalmology, 2019-10-07) Nuertey, B.D.; Amissah-Arthur, K.N.; Addai, J.; Adongo, V.; Nuertey, A.D.; Kabutey, C.; Mensah, I.A.; Biritwum, R.B.Purpose. To determine the prevalence, causes, and factors associated with presenting visual impairment and blindness among pensioners. Design. A nationwide cross-sectional study. *is study was part of the analysis on data obtained in the pensioners’ medical survey conducted among members of the National Pensioners Association in Ghana. Method. (i) Setting: it was a multicenter study involving thirteen centers throughout Ghana with a center in each regional capital. (ii) Study population: the study involved 4813 pensioners. (iii) Observation procedures: data were captured through the use of questionnaires, physical examinations including eye examinations, and urine and blood sample analysis. (iv) Main outcome measure: presenting visual impairment and blindness (as defined by the WHO ICD-10 classification). Results. *e overall prevalence of blindness among pensioners in Ghana was 3.8% (95% CI � 3.2–4.4), while the prevalence of moderate and severe visual impairment was 21.7% (95% CI � 20.5–23.0). *e prevalence of blindness was lowest in the 60–65-year-old age group (2.1% (95% CI � 1.3–2.8)) and highest in the above 80-year-old age group (12.2% (95% CI � 6.6–17.8)). Cataract was the leading cause of blindness (62.4%) and moderate and severe visual impairment (55.7%). Factors significantly associated with blindness and visual impairment include educational status, vegetarianism, arthritis, and having proteins in urine. Conclusion. *ere is a high prevalence of visual impairment and blindness among the pensioners in Ghana. Sadly, the greatest cause was cataract, which is correctable. Increase in formal education status will be important in the prevention of blindness and visual impairment.Item Risk Factors for Obstetric Fistual Among Women Seeking Care in the Tamale Metropolis(University of Ghana, 2013-07) Nuertey, B.D.; Sackey, S.Obstetric fistula is a devastating form of maternal morbidity. It is characterized by an abnormal communication between the vagina and the lower urinary/ gastrointestinal structures or both. It is a result of injury due to pregnancy and its related complications with the resultant effect of continuous leakage of urine or faeces or both into the vagina. It remains a problem in Africa. This study sought to identify predisposing factors to obstetric fistula among women seeking care in the Tamale metropolis. In this matched case control study, cases were from the Tamale fistula center. Controls were matched on the year of delivery, region and district of index delivery. A total of 151 participants made up of 51 cases and 100 controls participated. This study identified three major factors for obstetric fistula; age below 20 years, total labour duration more than 24 hours and height 150 cm and below. It further identified four minor factors which are still birth, delivery by caesarean section, residence in a rural area and lack of formal education. Across both study groups, there is lack of adequate knowledge about obstetric fistula. Findings in this study agree with the literatures that, majority of women who suffer obstetric fistula are young, poor, illiterate, of short stature, resident in remote areas and labour more than 24 hours. Based on the associated factors, an obstetric fistula forecast score (OFFSCORE) was proposed, which is composed of three major criteria, the presence of each which is scored 2 and zero otherwise and four minor criteria each scored one and zero otherwise. A total OFFSCORE of four and above classified as high risk has a sensitivity of 90.2% and a specificity of 86.0% for predicting obstetric fistula. This study recommends immediate prophylactic urethral catheterization for high risk for obstetric fistula post-partum women.