College of Health Sciences
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Item Exploring the burden on family caregivers in providing care for their mentally ill relatives in the Upper East Region of Ghana(PLOS Glob Public Health, 2024) Daliri, D.B.; Afaya, A.; Tienbia Laari, T.T.; Abagye, N.; Aninanya, G.A.Caring for the mentally ill involves numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, stigma, and psychosocial issues, among others. Unpaid family caregivers must endure these challenges as they continue their care for their relatives with mental illness. Despite these burdens and their concomitant effects on both the patients and their caregivers, there is no evidence of this burden in the Bolgatanga municipality. This study explored the burden on family caregivers providing care for mentally ill relatives in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study employed a phenomenological research design. Fifteen family caregivers were purposively sampled from two secondary-level health facilities. In-depth interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. NVivo 12 pro software was used for data analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted follow ing Braun and Clarke’s approach. The study identified three themes including social, physical, and psychological burdens. Under social burden, financial challenges and stigma were identified, weight loss was identified as a physical burden, and poor concentration as a psychological burden. These themes represent the challenges encountered by the family caregivers as they provided care for their mentally ill relatives. There is a need to provide support for family caregivers including respite, formation of support groups, and financial support to alleviate family caregivers of the burdens they endure. Additionally, it is imperative to integrate mental health services into the national health insurance scheme to alleviate the financial burden on family caregivers.Item Factors influencing patients on antiretroviral therapy loss to follow up: A qualitative analysis of healthcare workers perspective(PLoS ONE, 2024) Kogi, R.; Krah, T.; Asampong, E.Despite expanded and successful antiretroviral therapy program coverage, a large proportion of people drop out at different stages along their treatment course. As a result, treatment gains do not reach a large proportion of these groups. It has been demonstrated that around half of the patients who test Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive in Sub-Saharan Africa are lost between testing and being considered for eligibility for therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence patients on antiretroviral therapy who lost to follow-up in HIV treatment clinics in Asunafo South District, Ahafo Region. We used phenomenological qualitative research approach in conducting this study. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents, while key informant interview was used to collect the data. The major identified challenges in carrying out follow-up visits of patients on antiretroviral therapy were wrong addresses and phone numbers of clients, coupled with poor telecommunication networks, geographical relocation of clients, poor documentation of patients’ information, and non-availability of means of transport. The preferred reengage ment strategies identified in this study were: supply of drugs through home visits, intensive education, engaging the services of community-based surveillance officers, enhanced regular phone call visits, adoption and use of an integrated antiretroviral therapy clinic, intensified education on HIV, and involvement of religious leaders. In conclusion, all clinicians and stakeholders should consider the identified challenges and re-engagement strategies when providing antiretroviral servicesItem Clinical disease activity in autoimmune rheumatic patients receiving COVID-19 vaccines(BMC Rheumatology, 2024) Dey, D.; Katso, B.; Amoako, E.; Manu, A.; Bediako, Y.Background Vaccines are a crucial component of the global efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Very little is known about COVID-19 vaccine responses in patients living with autoimmune rheumatic conditions in Africa. We examined the clinical reaction to COVID-19 vaccinations in Ghanaians diagnosed with autoimmune rheumatic disease. Methods This was a hospital-based interventional cohort study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients recruited via regular face-to-face clinic visits. The systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index Selena modification (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the disease activity score 28-joint count-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) were used to measure changes in disease activity levels. Results Thirty-eight (38) patients of which 21 (55.3%) were diagnosed with SLE and 17 (44.7%) with RA contributed data for analyses. Most (89.5%) of the patients were females, with a mean age of 37.4 years. The SLE patients experienced a notable increase in severe flares during weeks three and six, as well as the third and sixth months, followed by subsequent decreases in the twelfth month, while remission levels increased throughout the same period. Among RA patients, high disease activity decreased during weeks three and six, as well as the third, sixth, and twelfth months, with remission levels increasing during the same time. A low dose (≥50<75 mg) dose of azathioprine was at some point associated with having a severe flare among SLE patients. After both vaccine doses, SLE patients were the majority having experienced both local and systemic reactions, all resolving within 24 h. Approximately 73.7% of the patients were COVID-19 negative at baseline. During post-vaccination visits, this increased to 100% by week six, with no positives thereafter. Conclusion This study explores COVID-19 vaccine responses in Ghanaian autoimmune rheumatic disease patients, revealing disease activity levels in RA patients improved after vaccination compared to SLE patients. Our findings identify a potential link between low-dose azathioprine and severe flares in SLE patients, particularly evident in the third-week post-vaccination. Further research is warranted to clarify these findings and guide tailored treatment approaches in this medically significant population during pandemics and vaccination efforts.Item Perception of risk for glaucoma and eye screening behaviour among rural residents in Abokobi, Accra(University of Ghana, 2015-04-17) De-Gaulle, V.F.; Dako-Gyeke, P.Glaucoma is the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness. Although, it shows no signs or symptoms until later stages, knowledge about the disease is known to influence utilization of eye screening services. This study aimed at understanding knowledge about glaucoma, perception of risk and eye screening behaviour among residents of Abokobi. This was a cross-sectional study that employed quantitative data collection methods. A questionnaire was used to conduct interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge about glaucoma. Also, associations between socio-demographic factors and awareness, perception of risk, and eye screening behaviour were analysed using Chi-square test or Univariate Fisher's exact test. Out of a total of 300 respondents, 60.3% were females and 39.3% were aware of glaucoma. Majority (94.9%) of respondents who were aware of glaucoma also agreed the disease can result in blindness with only 26.3% affirming that blindness from glaucoma is irreversible. Nearly half (49.7%) of the respondents perceived themselves to be at risk of developing glaucoma. The results showed that age (p <0.0001) was statistically significant with glaucoma awareness and education was also statistically significant with perception of risk. Approximately, 20.7% of the respondents have had their eye screened with just a few (4.3%) screening for glaucoma. Given that the findings display inadequate knowledge about glaucoma and poor eye screening behaviour among the study population, there is need to effectively inform and educate people about the disease.Item Pattern of Abdominal injuries in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra(Ghana Medical Journal, 1990-09) Naaeder, S.B.Two Hundred and thirty-four cases of abdominal trauma over the past 6 years were reviewed. There were four times as many male as female patients. The peak age incidence was in the second and third decades. Road traffic accidents were the commonest causes of blunt injures whereas stab wounds predominated penetrating injuries. The spleen and the small bowel were the most common Viscera injured. Although accidental injury ill our environments is a common cause of morbidity fatalities are few in those with abdominal traumaItem A Comparative Study of Isradipine and Nifedipine in the Monotherapy of Mild to Moderate Hypertension in the Ghanaian.(Ghana Medical Journal, 1994) Adukwei Hesse, I.F.; Addy, J.H.; Acheampong, I.W.; Wood, I.G.A.Clinical experience with the new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist. isradipine. is reported. Isradipine was compared with nifedipine in a multicentre open. parallel group. clinical therapeutic trial involving 70 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. A four week placebo washout period was followed by a 12 week active treatment period during which patients were randomized to receive cither 2.5 mg isradipine twice daily (n = 40) or 10 mg nifedipine three times daily ( n=30). Isradipine significantly reduced sitting systolic /diastolic blood pressures from 176.7 ± 21.0/l06.7±7.0mmHg to l42.9± 15/93.1±7.7mmHg (p< 0.001) at the end of 12 weeks. Similarly. nifedipine reduced sitting systolic/diastolic blood pressures from 170.2±1 9.5/1 06.2±7.4mmHg to 139. 1±9.7/92. 1±7.8 mmHg (p< 0.001). Normalisation (diastolic<90 mmHg) rates were 67% and 60% for isradipine and nifedipine respectively while good response (diastolic fall > 10mmHg) rate was over 85% on cither drug. Heart rate did not significantly change with either treatment. Three (3) patients taking isradipine experienced headache and 7 patients taking nifedipine had drug related adverse effects (5 had headache. I insomnia and I first dose hypotension). Therapy was Withdrawn in 4 patients taking nifedipine and 1 taking isradipine. It is concluded that isradipine is comparable to nifedipine and is an effective and well-tolerated antihypertensive agent In the Ghanaian.Item Determinants of Anaemia in Pregnancy in Sekyere West District, Ghana(Ghana Medical Journal, 2005-09) Glover-Amengor, M.; Owusu, W.B.; Akanmori, B.D.Anaemia associated with pregnancy is a serious health problem and its control requires the initial identification of the major factors responsible. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels of 205 women, aged 15 to 49 years, in the last trimester of pregnancy and residing within 4 of 6 sub-districts in Sekyere West district of the Ashanti region of Ghana, were determined. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits and other information were obtained and analysed. Blood and stool samples were tested for the presence of malaria parasites and intestinal worms respectively. The data showed that, 57.1% of pregnant women had Hb<10g/dl, the Ministry of Health cut off point for anaemia. Anaemia was more prevalent in rural compared to urban parts of the district (p=0.01). Low parity and young age were significantly associated with low Hb and high prevalence of maternal anaemia. Presence of malaria parasites in peripheral blood constituted a significant risk for low Hb (Hb = 9.2g/dL vs 9.5g/dL p=0.03). Independent of this, hookworm was even more strongly associated with low Hb (Hb = 8.3g/dL vs Hb=9.5g/dL, p=0.01). Contribu-tion of dietary intake to the prevalence of anaemia cannot be inferred from the data generated under the current study.Item Contribution of Refractive Errors to Visual Impairment in Patients at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(Ghana Medical Journal, 2007-06) Ntim-Amponsah, C.T.Objective: To determine the contribution of refractive error to visual impairment in visually impaired patients attending Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Method: This study was conducted over a period of 1 year beginning October 2002 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Every 4th consecutive new case attending the eye clinic, aged 6 years and above was selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A Snellen’s chart was used to determine the unaided visual acuity, visual acuity with spectacles where the patient was wearing one, and visual acuity with pin hole with or without spectacles. Improvement in visual acuity by 2 or more lines on the Snellen’s chart when looking through the pin hole was regarded as an indication of refractive error. Results: A total of 1,069 respondents, 594 female and 475 male were recruited into the study. One hundred and fifteen (115) patients (10.76%) were found to have impaired vision (Visual acuity worse than 6/18 to PL in the better eye). The vision of 51 of those with impaired vision improved when looking through the pin hole. Refractive error with Visual Acuity worse than 6/18 was present in 4.8% of all patients who attended the eye clinic. Refractive error was present in 44.3% of patients with visual impairment. Conclusion: Visual impairment was a common presentation and uncorrected refractive error was a major cause of visual impairment.Item An Exploratory Study of Physical Activity and Over-Weight in Two Senior High Schools in the Accra Metropolis(Ghana Medical Journal, 2013-12) Nyawornota, V.K.; Aryeetey, R.; Bosomprah, S.; Aikins, M.Background: Overweight and physical inactivity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, little evidence on physical activity, and overweight exists to support intervention in specific sub-populations including adolescents in low-income settings like Ghana. This study aimed at estimating overweight and determining the pattern and level of physical activity among senior high school students in the Accra Metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Accra Metropolis, among senior high school students, ages 15 to 19 years. Participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement were employed to gather information for the study. Students were considered as overweight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ +1SD, and obese if BMI ≥ +2SD. Results: Out of 444 students, 17% were classified as engaging in low level physical activity, 49% in moderate activity, and 34% in high level of physical activity. Much of the activity in boys was recreational while among girls, was due to domestic chores. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Overweight prevalence was higher among female students (15.6%) compared to 4.5% in males. Furthermore the risk of overweight was lower among students who engaged in high physical activity than those engaged in low activity. Overweight was independently associated with physical activity (p=0.01), sex (p=0.001) and age (p=0.01), after controlling for age sex and physical activity and diet. Conclusion: Majority of students in the study engaged in moderate to high physical activity. The prevalence of overweight was 11.7%. Physical activity was significantly related to overweight among students in the study.