University of Ghana Medical School
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/523
2024-03-29T09:14:25ZCOVID-19 in patients presenting with malaria like symptoms at a primary healthcare facility in Accra, Ghana
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/41450
COVID-19 in patients presenting with malaria like symptoms at a primary healthcare facility in Accra, Ghana
Asamoah, I.; Adusei-Poku, M.; Turkson, A.; Mohkta, Q.; et al.
Background
Malaria is a common and severe public health problem in Ghana and is largely responsible for
febrile symptoms presented at health facilities in the country. Other infectious diseases,
including COVID-19, may mimic malaria due to their shared non-specific symptoms, such as
fever and headache, thus leading to misdiagnosis. This study therefore investigated COVID-19 among patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms at Korle-Bu Polyclinic, Accra,
Ghana.
Methods
This study enrolled 300 patients presenting with malaria-like symptoms aged 18 years. After
consent was obtained from study patients, Two to three millilitres of whole blood, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples, were collected for screening of Plasmodium falciparum using malaria rapid diagnostic test, microscopy, nested PCR, and SARS-CoV-2
using SARS-CoV-2 antigen test and Real-time PCR, respectively. The plasma and whole
blood were also used for COVID-19 antibody testing and full blood counts using a hematological analyzer. SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing was performed using MinIon
sequencing.
Results
The prevalence of malaria by microscopy, RDT and nested PCR were 2.3%, 2.3% and
2.7% respectively. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 by COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test and
Real-time PCR were 8.7% and 20%, respectively. The Delta variant was reported in 23 of 25
SARS-CoV-2 positives with CT values below 30. Headache was the most common syndrome presented by study participants (95%). comorbidities reported were hypertension,asthma and diabetes. One hundred and thirteen (37.8%) of the study participants had prior
exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and (34/51) 66.7% of Astrazeneca-vaccinated patients had no
IgG antibody.
Conclusion
It may be difficult to use clinical characteristics to distinguish between patients with COVID-19 having malaria-like symptoms. Detection of IgM using RDTs may be useful in predicting
CT values for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR and therefore transmission.
Research Article
2024-01-01T00:00:00ZIf You Need a Psychiatrist, It’s BAD”: Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care Among Obstetric Providers in Ghana
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/41443
If You Need a Psychiatrist, It’s BAD”: Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care Among Obstetric Providers in Ghana
Beyuo, T. K; Oppong, S. A.; Owusu-Antwi, R.; et al.
Purpose: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the impact of negative patient outcomes on healthcare
providers. In Ghana, obstetric providers regularly face maternal and neonatal mortality, yet limited research has focused on provision
of mental health support for these providers. This study sought to understand how obstetric providers viewed seeking mental health
support after poor clinical outcomes, with a focus on the role of mental health stigma.
Patients and Methods: Participants were 52 obstetric providers (20 obstetrician/gynecologists and 32 midwives) at two tertiary care
hospitals in Ghana. Five focus groups, led by a trained facilitator and lasting approximately two hours, were conducted to explore
provider experiences and perceptions of support following poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Discussions were audiotaped and
transcribed verbatim, then analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory methodology.
Results: Most participants (84.3%, N=43) were finished with training, and 46.2% (N=24) had been in practice more than 10 years.
Emerging themes included pervasive stigma associated with seeking mental health care after experiencing poor clinical outcomes,
which was derived from two overlapping dimensions. First, societal-level stigma resulted from a cultural norm to keep emotions
hidden, and the perception that psychiatry is equated with severe mental illness. Second, provider-level stigma resulted from the belief
that healthcare workers should not have mental health problems, a perception that mental health care is acceptable for patients but not
for providers, and a fear about lack of confidentiality. Despite many providers acknowledging negative mental health impacts
following poor clinical outcomes, these additive layers of stigma limited their willingness to engage in formal mental health care.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that stigma creates significant barriers to acceptance of mental health support among obstetric
providers. Interventions to support providers will need to respect provider concerns without reinforcing the stigma associated with
seeking mental health care.
Research Article
2024-01-01T00:00:00ZIf You Need a Psychiatrist, It’s BAD”: Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care Among Obstetric Providers in Ghana
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/41442
If You Need a Psychiatrist, It’s BAD”: Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care Among Obstetric Providers in Ghana
Oppong, S. A.; Beyuo, T. K.; Owusu-Antwi, R.
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the impact of negative patient outcomes on healthcare
providers. In Ghana, obstetric providers regularly face maternal and neonatal mortality, yet limited research has focused on provision
of mental health support for these providers. This study sought to understand how obstetric providers viewed seeking mental health
support after poor clinical outcomes, with a focus on the role of mental health stigma.
Research Articles
2024-01-01T00:00:00ZTerrorism’s impact on low and middle-income countries’ healthcare services: A perspective
http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh:8080/handle/123456789/41432
Terrorism’s impact on low and middle-income countries’ healthcare services: A perspective
Adebusoye, F.T.; Awuah, W.A.; Tenkorang, P.O; et al.
Terrorism has emerged as an increasingly pressing global issue, giving rise to escalating casualties and devastating
implications for peace and security. The low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), already grappling with inadequate
healthcare services and an estimated annual mortality toll ranging from 5.7 to 8.4 million, face further setbacks as
terrorism exacerbates their prevailing healthcare deficiencies. Among the aspects of how terrorism affects healthcare
in LMICs are high morbidity, mortality, and treatment wait times. The four principal areas of reverberation encompass
amplified vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, financial shortfalls in LMIC healthcare systems, and worsened personnel
shortages in healthcare, and the devastating impact on healthcare facilities. In response to these challenges, international
organizations and countries have played a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of terrorism on healthcare systems.
Additionally, to improve healthcare in these regions, invest in infrastructure, support healthcare workers, and
ensuring safety is paramount. Implementing mobile health interventions, traditional medicine, and mobile laboratories
may enhance healthcare accessibility. Further, employing blockchain technology for data security and supply chain
management may strengthen healthcare systems in these areas
Research Article
2024-01-01T00:00:00Z