Research Articles

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A research article reports the results of original research, assesses its contribution to the body of knowledge in a given area, and is published in a peer-reviewed scholarly journal. The faculty publications through published and on-going articles/researches are captured in this community

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 66
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    Problems With Use of Medicines
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 2014-12) Ofori-Adjei, D.
    There is ample evidence to support the observation that medicines are generally not used rationally or appropriately. The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that “Rational use of medicines requires that "patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community" The problem of inappropriate or irrational use of medicines occurs in all countries; and in various dimensions. Examples of irrational use of medicines include: poly-pharmacy (use of too many medicines per patient), inappropriate use of antimicrobials, inappropriate use of injections; failure to prescribe according to clinical guidelines and inappropriate self-medication
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    Cholera and Ebola Virus Disease in Ghana
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 2014-09) Ofori-Adjei, D.; Koram, K.
    The first case of cholera in Ghana was in a Togolese national in transit at the Kotoka international Airport from Guinea.2 Two of the worst hit sites in Ghana, subsequently, were the fishing villages of Akplabanya (in the then Ada District) and Nyanyano (Winneba District). Cholera in these areas appeared to have been “smuggled in” by relatives of dead Ghanaian fishermen from Togo and Guinea, respectively, for burial despite a sanitary cordon on Ghana’s borders. Attempts at controlling cholera were not successful because the needed long term approaches, such as potable water supply, proper disposal of solid waste etc. were not implemented. Cholera is now endemic with cyclical epidemics. These epidemics are now predictable but sanitary reforms have been inactive, ineffective and local authorities have failed in applying necessary bye-laws on food hygiene, sanitation, environmental health and waste disposal. Cholera in Ghana is an urban problem with high impact on the urban poor. The unprecedented unregulated growth of urban areas has resulted in poor environmental conditions, lack of access to clean potable water and excruciating challenges in waste disposal. Urban authorities need to re-examine their strategies with a focus on explicitly pro-poor community-led orientation3 to provide lasting solutions to the now nearly annual epidemics of cholera.
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    Sexual habits and social factors in local Ghanaian prostitutes which could affect the spread of Human Immu- nodeficiency Virus (HIV)
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1987-09) Neequaye, I.E.; Neequaye, A.R.; Mingle, I.A.; Ofori-Adjei, D.; Osei- Kwasi, M.; Grant, F.; Hayami, M.; Ishikawa, R.J.; Biggar, R.J.
    One hundred and sixteen prostitutes working locally in Accra (Tema were interviewed as to their sexual habits. A major finding was that only one used condoms regularly. The average number of clients was 3-4 per week in the higher socio-economic status group and 16 per week in the lower socio-economic class. Less than 1% were positive for HIV infection in February 1986 and 0% of 241 blood donors were positive. These findings indicated that the HIV infection rate was still very low and a preventive education campaign could be effective in reducing the spread of the disease into Ghana.
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    Chloroquine-induced Pruritus: Familial Aggregation and possible Genetic Basis
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1988-03) Ofori-Adjei, D.; Adjei, S.; Amoa, A.B.
    1152 attendants comprising 40% mole and 60% female subjects at urban private clinics and rural health centres in Ghana were interviewed by questionnaire. Enquiry was made into the occurrence of chloroquine-induced pruritus in themselves, their spouses, their children, their siblings and their parents. The questionnaire included the following details:- (a) self-medication for febrile illnesses (b) the number of tablets of chloroquine that induced pruritus. (c) the time of onset and duration of pruritus (d) the method of relief of pruritus 44.8% of respondents had experienced itching on taking chloroquine. 23.3% itched on being given chloroquine intramuscularly and 95% of these itched on oral chloroquine. The rate of itching on self-medication with chloroquine alone or with other drugs was 41%. 33.9% itched each time they took chloroquine and 30.9% itched at least once after taking chloroquine. The prevalence rate of chloroquine induced pruritus in this study was found to be between 30. 9% and 44.8%. of the respondents who knew about itching among their close relatives, 50.7% (309/609) had siblings who itched, 29.3% (184/628) had children who itched, and 21.9% (166/759) had parents who itched on taking chloroquine. The results describe a pattern suggestive of strong familial aggregation and thus a possible genetic basis for chloroquine-induced pruritus. In addition, a pathway a/inheritance leading to male preponderance in off-springs of respondents who itch has been established. The minimum number a/tablets required to induce itching was found to be 2, equivalent to 300mg base chloroquine. 42.2% o/respondents started itching within 2 hours, 24.1% between 2 and 6 hours, and 33.3% after 6 hours. Of the 57.6% who took drugs for relief of pruritus, 89.7% took antihistamine preparations. However there was no significant difference between those who took the drug before or after chloroquine ingestion, with regard to relief of pruritus.
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    IN VIVO: sensitivity of P. falciparum to Chloroquine in Accra, Ghana.
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1988-03) Ofori-Adjei, D.; Adjepon- Yamoah, K.K.
    The in vivo sensitivity of P. falciparum to chloroquine was studied in an urban paediatric hospital in Charla in 1984 and /987. 36 children were studied in 1984 and 100% parasite clearance was obtained in 74.25 ± 25.5 hours (48 to 120 hours). mean ± SD (range), after treatment with chloroquine 25mg base/kg body weight total dose. 41 out of 44 children studied in 1987 similarly had parasite clearance in 68.5 ± 27. 7 hours (24 to 120 hours). Resistance at the RI and RII levels were noted in one and two of the children respectively. The proportion of children parasitaemic at 72 hours was age related and suggest the role of immunity in the sensitivity of P. falciparum to chloroquine. In 1984 estimation of whole blood chloroquine levels before treatment in hospital indicated prior administration of the drug before attending hospital.
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    Falciparum Malaria not sensitive to Chloroquine Emerges in Accra in 1987.
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1988-03) Neequaye, J.E.; Ofori-Adjei, D.; Odame, I.; Coker, L.; Mensa-Annan, B.
    In late 1987. there was all increase in the numbers of children with severe malaria seen at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Thirteen children with falciparum malaria suspected to be resistant to chloroquine were studied. Resistance at the RII level was demonstrated in 2. and at the RI Ievel in one. RI resistance to amodiaquine in one child was also seen. The factors Leading to antimalarial drug resistance arc discussed.
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    Treatment of malaria in Ghana: summary of present state
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1989-12) Ofori-Adjei, D.
    The primary objective in the control of malaria in most countries in Africa south of the Sahara is the prevention of mortality and reduction of morbidity from malaria. To achieve this demands a situation that allows for prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment of malaria cases and the protection of vulnerable groups. it also calls for the implementation of feasible preventive and control measures based on sound epidemiological data. Through the Primary Health Care System, it should be possible to develop a process through which this objective could be achieved. For such a system to succeed, there will be the need for community commitment to the objective and a well-defined referral system. It also demands that there should be adequate knowledge about the chemotherapeutic agents to be used in treating an episode of acute malaria and the recognition of complications. Treatment therefore is now an important weapon in the control of malaria.
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    In vivo and in vitro sensibility of P.falciparum to chloroquine in three communities in Ghana
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1989-12) Afari, E.A.; Akanmori, B.D.; Nakano, T.; Ofori-Adjei, D.; Gyan, B.; Owusu-Adjei, S.; Adjei, A.A.
    In vivo and in vitro P. falciparum asexual parasite sensitivity to chloroquine tests were performed in three schools at Nima, Madina and Gomoo Fet· teh - urban, periurban and rural communities respectively in Ghana during the rainy season from June to October, 1988. Of the 144 in Vivo tests performed 116(80.6%) were sensitive to chloroquine and 28(19.4%) showed resistance to chloroquine at RI (3.5%) and RII (15.9%) levels. Fifty-four out of the 92 (.58.7%) successful in vitro tests carried out Concurrently with the in vivo test were resistant to chloroquine. P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine waS emerged in Ghana and what is urgently required now is intensive and sustained education on judicious selection and proper use of available antimalarials and the promotion of research activities that may provide more data for sound drug policy for miliaria treatment in Ghana.
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    In vitro response of P.falciparum to chloroquine, amodiaquine, quinine and sulfadoxine/pryrimethamine in Ghana.
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1989-12) Akanmori, B.D.; Afari, E.A.; Nakano, T.; Ofori-Adjei, D.; Gyan, B.; Owusu-Adjei, S.; Adjei, A.A.
    In Vitro asexual parasite sensitivity to chloroquine, amodiaquine, quinine, and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SDZ/PYR) combination was determined for Plasmodium falciparum isolates from children in three schools at Nima (Urban), Madina (Peri urban) and Gomoa Fetteh (Rural), during the rainy season. Chloroquine resistance was present in 625% of children at Nima, 69.6% (23136) of children at Madina and 50% (16132) of those in Gomoa Fetteh. Resistance of P. falciparum to amodiaquine was recorded in 30% (6/20),35.7% (5/14) and 12.5% (1/8) of children in Nima, Madina and Gomoa Fetteh respectively. In addition parasite resistance to SDX/PYR was found in children in Nima, Madina and in one child at Gomoa Fetteh. Resistance to both chloroquine and amodiaquine was present in 3 children at Nima, 5 at Madina and in a single child at Gomoa Fettteh. Resistance to both chloroquine and SDX/PYR and to Amodiaquine and SDXIPYR was restricted to only Nima (2/15, 1/15) .and Madina 3/14, 2/15). There was no resistance to quinine in any of the areas studied. A progressive increase in minimum inhibitory concentrations (IC9O) for chloroquine was observed from Nima and Madina to rural Gomma Fetteh. Similarly, IC90 for amodiaquine was highest in Madina. The presence of multiple-drug resistant P. falciparum in these children represents a challenge to the control and management of falciparum malaria and this data serves as a baseline for monitoring any changes in parasite sensitivity to antimalarial drugs in the study areas
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    Acute Upper Gastro-Intestinal Haernorrhage in Ghanaians - An Endoscopic Review at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
    (Ghana Medical Journal, 1994) Nkrumah, K.N.; Archampong, E.Q.; Quartey-Papafio, I.B.; Ofori-Adjei, D.; Nakajima, A.
    Upper gastro-intestinal (UGI) endoscopy was per· formed at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. between 1981·83, on patients with history of acute upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage. Eighty six (86) such patients were endoscoped and results have been rei· respectively analysed to establish the major symptomatology, the underlying lesions, and any other relevant contributory factors. The role of endoscopy in the management of acute upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage as well as its potential cost effective· ness are discussed. The term endoscopy, in the text, refers to oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, and GI bleed refers to upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.