Browsing by Author "Ocran, M."
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Item Association Between Breech Presentation And Demographic Variables: Case Studies At The 37 Military Hospital(University of Ghana, 2017-07) Ocran, M.Background: There has been an increase in caesarean sections due to complications, which include malpresentation of foetus. Despite the good outcomes of present day caesarean sections, expectant mothers diagnosed with breech presentation still experience great turmoil. The risk factors provided by literature for the occurrence of breech presentation are many and varied. However, some factors such as maternal age and number of pregnancies are common to all. Aim: The aim of the research is to assess the occurrence of breech presentation using the 37 Military Hospital as a case study. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional and descriptive design. Ninety-four (94) pregnant women of gestational age ≥ 37 weeks were recruited via purposive sampling and were assessed with ultrasound scan to determine foetal positions. Data processing and analysis were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Results: The results of the study showed no statistically significant relationship between maternal age, number of births (parity), education and occupation, and the occurrence of breech presentation. Also, the percentage of pregnant women of ≥ 37weeks gestation with breech pregnancy during the study period at the 37 Military Hospital was 12.8%. Conclusion: The percentage of women of ≥37weeks gestation with breech pregnancy during the study period at the 37 Military Hospital was 12.8%. There is no statistically significant relationship between maternal age, number of births (parity), the level of education and occupation and the occurrence of breech presentation. Recommendation: It is recommended that, at term (37weeks) gestation, all pregnant women especially those in rural areas undergo ultrasound scan to inform their clinicians and enable monitoring and planning of safe delivery. Ultrasound scan should be considered a fundamental aspect of effective healthcare delivery and hence, equipment be made available within reasonable distance for easy access by pregnant women. The lack of evidence on risk factors among Ghanaian women implies that more effort is required to mitigate problems associated with breech delivery.Item Field and laboratory studies on water conditions affecting the potency of VectoBac® (Bacillus thuringiensis serotype H-14) against larvae of the blackfly, Simulium damnosum(Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2005-12) Wilson, M.D.; Akpabey, F.J.; Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y.; Boakye, D.A.; Ocran, M.; Kurtak, D.C.; Cheke, R.A.; Mensah, G.E.; Birkhold, D.; Cibulsky, R.River water conditions that might influence the efficacy of VectoBac®, a formulation of the microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis H-14 Berliner against Simulium damnosum sensu lato Theobald (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae were investigated. A standard formulation was assayed 130 times over 15 months using a mini-gutter system at a field station beside the River Pra in Ghana. The lethal concentration (LC) values, river temperature, conductivity, turbidity and pH were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics to identify which of these parameters influenced its performance. River temperature, conductivity and turbidity (in that order) were identified as having direct effects on the potency of VectoBac®. Water temperature and conductivity were negatively correlated, whereas turbidity and pH were positively correlated with LC values. Analyses of river water samples revealed that despite observed differences in total solids, sodium and potassium cations and chloride concentrations, all the parameters measured did not differ significantly between wet and dry seasons. A simple method for rearing S. damnosum s.l. in the laboratory was then adopted to study the effect of conductivity on potency of VectoBac® under controlled conditions. Increasing the conductivity of the water medium up to 3000 μS enhanced potency by about 42%, whereas increasing that of the insecticide alone raised it by 37%. The results obtained suggest that for effective use of VectoBac® for blackfly control in West Africa, river temperature, conductivity and turbidity should be taken into consideration, perhaps by only selecting rivers with optimal conditions for treatment. The laboratory-based system developed for assaying the product overcomes the vagaries associated with field conditions and also the demand for huge logistic requirements of the mini-gutter system, which has to be sited near rivers. © 2005 The Royal Entomological Society.