Browsing by Author "Ofosu, W."
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Item Anaemia among school children older than five years in the Volta Region of Ghana(The Pan African medical journal, 2014-01) Egbi, G.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.; Kwesi, F.S.; Ayi, I.; Ofosu, W.; Setorglo, J.; Klobodu, S.S.; Armar-Klemesu, M.INTRODUCTION: Anaemia among children is a public health issue in Ghana. The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) was instituted on pilot basis in an effort to provide nutritious lunch to school children. Evidence on the nutritional status of pupils is needed to inform the expansion of GSFP. This study sought to assess anaemia among Ghanaian pupils.METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved a random sample of 143 pupils aged 6 to 12 years. Blood samples were collected and analysed for serum-ferritin (SF), C-reactive protein (CRP), haemoglobin and malaria-parasitaemia (MP). Stool samples were examined for soil-transmitted helminths. Dietary data were collected using the 24 hour-recall method on three non-consecutive days and a food frequency questionnaire. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values between sexes. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with anaemia. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.RESULTS: SF and haemoglobin concentrations were 23.9 ± 15 ng/ml and 120 ± 11 g/L respectively. The prevalence of anaemia was 30.8%. More females (41.5%) than males (21.8%) had anaemia (p < 0.005). Seventy-one percent of pupils had low SF levels. MP prevalence was 67.8%. Hookworm infestation was only observed in males (18.0%). Dietary iron and vitamin C intakes were 18.98 ± 8.8 mg and 23.7 ± 6.7 mg, respectively. Child's sex, SF and MP were associated with anaemia. Males had a lower likelihood of being anaemic (OR = 0.2, CI 0.1-0.5, p = 0.002).CONCLUSION: The study findings underscore the need for multi-pronged approaches that address both malaria control and nutrition in order to reduce anaemia among pupils.Item Evaluating circulating soluble markers of endothelial dysfunction and risk factors associated with PE: A multicentre longitudinal case control study in northern Ghana(Heliyon, 2023) Ahenkorah, B.; Helegbe, G.; Ofosu, W.; Amoah, L.E.; et alSerpin E1/PAI-1, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTpro-BNP) and neuropilin-1 are markers which have been associated with endothelial dysfunction. However, data on the levels of these markers in PE is limited. The limited data on the pathophysiology of PE in relation to these markers necessitated the study. This was a multicentre case-control study conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital and the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. Out of 520 consenting pregnant women, 127 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria (53 with PE and 74 controls) and were included in this study. Venous, placental, cord and peripheral blood were collected for biomarker assay, haematological parameters and placental parasite determination. Placental tissue sections were obtained for placental malaria and histopathological lesions associated with hypoperfusion. Maternal heart rate and foetal.Item Exploring ICT use for distance education in Ghana(Educational technology in practice, 2010) Kwapong, O.; Ofosu, W.For several years after colonization, Ghana had only three universities—University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and University of Cape Coast (UCC). These three could not absorb all the high school graduates who qualified for tertiary education. This situation has been partially alleviated by new universities being started, including private universities. In its effort to engage in national development, the government is embarking on national human resource development. To this end, the government of Ghana has targeted distance education (DE) as a means for widening access to tertiary education in Ghana (Ghana, 2002). With these efforts, four of the public universities have been providing some of their on-campus programs in the distance mode.Item Meningitis outbreak caused by vaccine-preventable bacterial pathogens — Northern Ghana, 2016(Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2017) Aku, F.Y.; Lessa, F.C.; Asiedu-Bekoe, F.; Balagumyetime, P.; Ofosu, W.; Farrar, J.; Ouattara, M.; Vuong, J.T.; Issah, K.; Opare, J.; Ohene, S.-A.; Okot, C.; Kenu, E.; Ameme, D.K.; Opare, D.What is already known about this topic? The introduction of serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac) in Ghana in 2012 had a substantial impact on the periodic outbreaks of meningitis in the Northern Ghana. However, seasonal increases in bacterial meningitis continue to occur; the most prevalent etiologies are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. What is added by this report? During December 9, 2015-February 16, 2016, a total of 432 suspected meningitis cases were reported from three regions in northern Ghana. Among 286 cerebrospinal fluid specimens tested, 133 (46.5%) were positive, including 83 (62.4%) for N. meningitidis and 44 (33.1%) for S. pneumoniae. The predominant N. meningitidis serogroup was serogroup W (99%). Based on laboratory and epidemiologic data, 135,679 doses of meningococcal polysaccharide ACW vaccine were administered to the age groups most affected, resulting in substantial reduction in the number of meningitis cases. What are the implications for public health practice? Rapid identification of the etiologic agent in meningitis outbreaks is important for informing targeted public health interventions. Building and sustaining laboratory capacity in countries where meningitis outbreaks are common will be critical in ensuring rapid and effective response to these outbreaks. © 2017, Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved.Item Prevalence and adverse obstetric outcomes of female genital mutilation among women in rural Northern Ghana(European Journal of Public Health, 2019-10-21) Kanmiki, E.W.; Nonterah, A.; Agorinya, I.A.; Sakeah, E.; Tamimu, M.; Kagura, J.; Kaburise, M.B.; Ayamba, E.Y.; Nonterah, E.W.; Awuni, D.A.; Al-Hassan, M.; Ofosu, W.; Awoonor-Williams, J.K.; Oduro, A.R.Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is commonly practiced in sub-Saharan Africa and results in adverse pregnancy outcomes among affected women. This paper assessed the prevalence and effects of FGM on pregnancy outcomes in a rural Ghanaian setting. Methods: We analyzed 9306 delivery records between 2003 and 2013 from the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the effects of FGM on pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth, birth weight, postpartum haemorrhage, caesarean and instrumental delivery. We also assessed differences in the duration of stay in the hospital by FGM status. Results: A greater proportion of mothers with FGM (24.7%) were older than 35 years compared with those without FGM (7.6%). FGM declined progressively from 28.4% in 2003 to 0.6% in 2013. Mothers with FGM were nearly twice as likely to have caesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratios ¼ 1.85 with 95%CI [1.72, 1.99]) and stillbirths (1.60 [1.21, 2.11]) compared with those without. Similarly, they had a 4-fold increased risk of post-partum haemorrhage (4.69 [3.74, 5.88]) and more than 2-fold risk lacerations/episiotomy (2.57 [1.86, 3.21]) during delivery. Average duration of stay in the hospital was higher for mothers with FGM from 2003 to 2007. Conclusions: Despite significant decline in prevalence of FGM, adverse obstetric outcomes are still high among affected women. Increased public health education of circumcised women on these outcomes would help improve institutional deliveries and heighten awareness and prompt clinical decisions among healthcare workers. Further scale-up of community level interventions are required to completely eliminate FGM.Item Trends and risk factors associated with stillbirths: A case study of the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital in Northern Ghana(Plos One, 2020-02-21) Kanmiki, E.W.; Kagura, J.; Tamimu, M.; Ayamba, E.Y.; Nonterah, E.W.; Kaburise, M.B.; Al-Hassan, M.; Ofosu, W.; Oduro, A.R.; Awonoor-Williams, J.K.Background Maternal and Child health remains at the core of global health priorities transcending the Millennium Development Goals into the current era of Sustainable Development Goals. Most low and middle-income countries including Ghana are yet to achieve the required levels of reduction in child and maternal mortality. This paper analysed the trends and the associated risk factors of stillbirths in a district hospital located in an impoverished and remote region of Ghana. Methods Retrospective hospital maternal records on all deliveries conducted in the Navrongo War Memorial hospital from 2003–2013 were retrieved and analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarise trends in stillbirths while the generalized linear estimation logistic regression is used to determine socio-demographic, maternal and neonatal factors associated with stillbirths. Results A total of 16,670 deliveries were analysed over the study period. Stillbirth rate was 3.4% of all births. There was an overall decline in stillbirth rate over the study period as stillbirths declined from 4.2% in 2003 to 2.1% in 2013. Female neonates were less likely to be stillborn (Adjusted Odds ratio = 0.62 and 95%CI [0.46, 0.84]; p = 0.002) compared to male neonates; neonates with low birth weight (4.02 [2.92, 5.53]) and extreme low birth weight (18.9 [10.9, 32.4]) were at a higher risk of still birth (p<0.001). Mothers who had undergone Female Genital Mutilation had 47% (1.47 [1.04, 2.09]) increase odds of having a stillbirth compared to non FGM mothers (p = 0.031). Mothers giving birth for the first time also had a 40% increase odds of having a stillbirth compared to those who had more than one previous births (p = 0.037). Conclusion Despite the modest reduction in stillbirth rates over the study period, it is evident from the results that stillbirth rate is still relatively high. Primiparous women and preterm deliveries leading to low birth weight are identified factors that result in increased stillbirths. Efforts aimed at impacting on stillbirths should include the elimination of outmoded cultural practices such as FGM.