A survey on depression among infertile women in Ghana

BACKGROUND: The desire of many young women to become parents may be influenced by the premium placed on children by society. In Africa, children are highly valued for social, cultural and economic reasons. Infertile and childless women in Africa are therefore confronted with a series of societal discrimination and stigmatization which may lead to psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. Even though some research has been done on the prevalence of infertility in Ghana, very little is known about the psychological impact of childlessness among infertile women. The present study aimed to examine prevalence and severity of depression in relation to age, type of infertility and duration of infertility in Ghanaian infertile women. METHODS: A total of 100 infertile women who met the selection criteria and had agreed to participate in the study were interviewed using the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire from December 2012 to April 2013 at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale/Ghana. Data concerning socio-demographic characteristics such as age, monthly income, duration of infertility, marital status, educational level, number of previous conception, number of previous children, religion, as well as occupation of the respondents were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression among the women was 62.0% with the level of depression showing a significant positive correlation with age of the women and the duration of infertility. The level of depression was significantly higher among subjects with low or no formal education and among the unemployed. Women with primary infertility also presented with high depression scores as measured by BDI. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the prevalence of depression among the infertile women is high, especially among infertile women age 26 and above, those who are less educated, those with primary infertility, as well as those who have been diagnosed as infertile for more than 3 years. Interventions to decrease and prevent the development of severe depression among these patients should be considered

Incidence and Indications for Orthopaedic Implant Removal: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Even though the need for routine removal of orthopaedic implants is an issue of controversy, it’s one of the commonest operations in bone and joint surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and indications for orthopaedic implant removal at a hospital in Ghana. Methods: This retrospective study examined the health record files of all patients that had their orthopaedic implants removed at the Tania specialist hospital from January, 2011 to December, 2013. Using a standardised form information such as demographic characteristics, type of bone with implant, indication for implant removal, duration of implant before removal and type of implant removed were retrieved from the health record files of the patients.Results: Out of the 263 patients that had prior open reduction and internal fixation operation ( ORIF) and reported, requesting implant removal during the three year period under review, 36 patients (13.7%) had a second operative procedure for implant removal. The incidence of implant removal occurred twice in males compared to females. In both males (28.6%, n=7) and females (45.5%, n=5), most of the implants were removed from the femur bone (33.3%, n=12) followed by the tibia bone (27.8%, n=10). Those aged 31-40 years (36.1%, n=13) had the highest incidence of implant removal followed by those aged 21-30 years (25.0%, n=9). Generally, in both males (56.0%, n=14) and females (54.5%, n=6) patients’ request (55.6%, n=20) was the commonest indication for implant removal. In all patients aged < 10 years, surgeon’s request was the only indication for implant removal. Conclusion: The incidence of orthopaedic implant removal was found to be 13.9%. The commonest indication for implant removal in adults was patient request. Surgeon’s request was the commonest indication for orthopaedic implant removals in children

Incidence of sexual dysfunction: a prospective survey in Ghanaian females

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sexuality is a complex phenomenon that is being influenced by psychological as well as physiological factors. Its dysfunction includes desire, arousal, orgasmic and sex pain disorders. The present study aimed to assess the incidence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and related risk factors in a cohort of Ghanaian women.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was administered to 400 healthy women between 18 and 58 years old (mean +/- SD: 30.1 +/- 7.9) domiciled in the Kumasi metropolis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate was 75.3% after 99 were excluded. Of the remaining 301 women, 50% were engaged in exercise, 26.7% indulge in alcoholic beverages and only 2% were smokers. A total of 62.1% of the women had attained high education, whilst, 28.9% were married. After logistic regression analysis, alcohol emerged (OR: 2.0; CI: 1.0 - 3.8; p = 0.04) as the main risk factor for SD. The overall prevalence of SD in these subjects was 72.8%. Severe difficulties with sexual function were identified in 3.3% of the studied population. The most prevalent areas of difficulty were anorgasmia (72.4%), sexual infrequency (71.4%), dissatisfaction (77.7%), vaginismus (68.1%), avoidance of sexual intercourse (62.5%), non-sensuality (61.5%) and non-communication (54.2%). Whereas 8% had severe difficulties with anorgasmia, only 6% had severe difficulties with vaginismus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SD affects more than 70% of Ghanaian women who are sexually active. Alcohol significantly influences sexual activity.</p

“Top-down bottom-up” estimation of per capita cost of new-born care interventions in four regions of Ghana:beyond implementation to scalability and sustainability

Background: Limited financial, human and material health resources coupled with increasing demand for new-born care services require efficiency in health systems to maximize the available sources for improved health outcomes. Making Every Baby Count Initiative (MEBCI) implemented by local and international partners in 2013 in Ghana aimed at attaining neonatal mortality of 21 per 1000 livebirths by 2018 in four administrative regions in Ghana. MEBCI interventions benefited 4027 health providers, out of which 3453 (86%) were clinical healthcare staff.Objective: Determine the per capita cost of the MEBCI interventions towards enhancing new-born care best practices through capacity trainings for frontline clinical and non-clinical staff.Methods: Parameters for determining per capita cost of the new-born care interventions were estimated using expenditure on trainings, supervisions, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, administrative/services and medical logistics. Data collection started in October 2017 and ended in September 2018. Data sources for the per capita cost estimations were invoices, expense reports and ledger books at the national, regional and district levels of the health system.Results: Total of 4027 healthcare providers benefited from the MEBCI training activities comprising of 3453 clinical staff and 574 non-clinical personnel. Cumulative cost of implementing the MEBCI interventions did not necessarily match the cost per capita in staff capacity building; average cost per capita for all staff (clinical and non-clinical staff) was approximately US$982 compared to a per capita cost of US$ 799 for training only core clinical staff. Average cost per capita for all regions was approximately US$965 for all staff compared to US$ 777 per capita cost for only clinical staff. Per capita cost of training was relatively lower in regions with more staff than regions with lower numbers, perhaps due to economies of scale.Conclusion: The MEBCI intervention had a wide coverage in terms of training for frontline healthcare providers albeit the associated cost may be potentially unsustainable for Ghana’s health system. Emerging digital training platforms could be leveraged to reduce per capita cost of training. Large-scale on-site batch-training approach could also be replaced with facility-based workshops using training of trainers (TOTs) approach to promote efficiency

“Top-down bottom-up” estimation of per capita cost of new-born care interventions in four regions of Ghana:beyond implementation to scalability and sustainability

Background: Limited financial, human and material health resources coupled with increasing demand for new-born care services require efficiency in health systems to maximize the available sources for improved health outcomes. Making Every Baby Count Initiative (MEBCI) implemented by local and international partners in 2013 in Ghana aimed at attaining neonatal mortality of 21 per 1000 livebirths by 2018 in four administrative regions in Ghana. MEBCI interventions benefited 4027 health providers, out of which 3453 (86%) were clinical healthcare staff.Objective: Determine the per capita cost of the MEBCI interventions towards enhancing new-born care best practices through capacity trainings for frontline clinical and non-clinical staff.Methods: Parameters for determining per capita cost of the new-born care interventions were estimated using expenditure on trainings, supervisions, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, administrative/services and medical logistics. Data collection started in October 2017 and ended in September 2018. Data sources for the per capita cost estimations were invoices, expense reports and ledger books at the national, regional and district levels of the health system.Results: Total of 4027 healthcare providers benefited from the MEBCI training activities comprising of 3453 clinical staff and 574 non-clinical personnel. Cumulative cost of implementing the MEBCI interventions did not necessarily match the cost per capita in staff capacity building; average cost per capita for all staff (clinical and non-clinical staff) was approximately US$982 compared to a per capita cost of US$ 799 for training only core clinical staff. Average cost per capita for all regions was approximately US$965 for all staff compared to US$ 777 per capita cost for only clinical staff. Per capita cost of training was relatively lower in regions with more staff than regions with lower numbers, perhaps due to economies of scale.Conclusion: The MEBCI intervention had a wide coverage in terms of training for frontline healthcare providers albeit the associated cost may be potentially unsustainable for Ghana’s health system. Emerging digital training platforms could be leveraged to reduce per capita cost of training. Large-scale on-site batch-training approach could also be replaced with facility-based workshops using training of trainers (TOTs) approach to promote efficiency

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Newcastle disease in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease (ND), a major constraint to poultry production worldwide, is a highly contagious disease of many species of domestic, exotic, and wild birds caused by ND virus (NDV). Epidemiological studies are lacking regarding ND in village chickens, including the traditional and intensive production systems used in Sudan. However, it is necessary to develop appropriate strategies to control the disease. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the flock- and bird-level seroprevalence of NDV in backyard chickens in West Kordofan State, Sudan, and to identify the risk factors associated with ND in the study area. Materials and Methods: The seroprevalence of the circulating NDV and bird-level risk factors associated with ND was determined in backyard chickens from March to October 2017, in six villages (Alnowara, Alleait, Geibaish, Baiad, Sougoh, and Alnuhoud) in the Geibaish and Elnuhoud localities of West Kordofan State. Results: Using the hemagglutination-inhibition test, the bird- and flock-level seroprevalences of antibodies to NDV were estimated as 20.6% (78/378) and 45% (18/40), respectively. Bird-level NDV seropositivity in backyard chickens was significantly associated with the reason for raising chickens, type of housing, contact with neighboring poultry, contact with wild birds, and chicken mortality caused by infectious diseases (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that NDV is circulating in backyard chickens and may act as a potential source of infection for other birds and thus persistence of ND among local traditionally managed chickens in the areas of West Kordofan State. Risk factors contributing to ND occurrence are important for designing appropriate prevention and control strategies

Incidence and Indications for Orthopaedic Implant Removal: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Even though the need for routine removal of orthopaedic implants is an issue of controversy, it’s one of the commonest operations in bone and joint surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and indications for orthopaedic implant removal at a hospital in Ghana. Methods: This retrospective study examined the health record files of all patients that had their orthopaedic implants removed at the Tania specialist hospital from January, 2011 to December, 2013. Using a standardised form information such as demographic characteristics, type of bone with implant, indication for implant removal, duration of implant before removal and type of implant removed were retrieved from the health record files of the patients.Results: Out of the 263 patients that had prior open reduction and internal fixation operation ( ORIF) and reported, requesting implant removal during the three year period under review, 36 patients (13.7%) had a second operative procedure for implant removal. The incidence of implant removal occurred twice in males compared to females. In both males (28.6%, n=7) and females (45.5%, n=5), most of the implants were removed from the femur bone (33.3%, n=12) followed by the tibia bone (27.8%, n=10). Those aged 31-40 years (36.1%, n=13) had the highest incidence of implant removal followed by those aged 21-30 years (25.0%, n=9). Generally, in both males (56.0%, n=14) and females (54.5%, n=6) patients’ request (55.6%, n=20) was the commonest indication for implant removal. In all patients aged &lt; 10 years, surgeon’s request was the only indication for implant removal. Conclusion: The incidence of orthopaedic implant removal was found to be 13.9%. The commonest indication for implant removal in adults was patient request. Surgeon’s request was the commonest indication for orthopaedic implant removals in children

Incidence of Clavicular Fractures and Its Management in Northern Ghana

Background: Fractures of the clavicle are common especially among young adults who are the work force in many developing countries, including Ghana. The incidence of clavicular fracture varies and the methods of treatment which is determine by the classification, age, fracture characteristics and the patients preference also varies although clavicular fractures are traditionally treated non-operatively. In the northern part of Ghana fractures are very common yet there has not been any study on the incidence of clavicular fractures and the preferred mode of treatment. Aim: The aim of the present study is to retrospectively investigate the incidence of clavicular fracture and the preferred mode of management among fracture patients over a five year period. Study Design: Retrospective Place and Duration of Study: Tania specialist Orthopaedic Hospital, Tamale, Ghana. Methodology: Data regarding patient's age and sex, laterality involved, cause of injury and the mode of management of the fracture from January, 2007 to December, 2012 were analysed. Results: The incidence of clavicular fracture over the study period was 12.8% of all fractured cases. Majority of the subjects (71.4%) with clavicular fractures were aged 21 to 40 years. Old cases constituted 58.9% whiles only 41.1% of the cases were fresh fractures. About 70% of the old cases were people who had received management from traditional bonesetters. The fracture occurred on the clavicle of the right arm in 60.7% of the patients. Middle third fractures accounted for 78.6% with only 21.4% occurring on the distal third of the clavicle. The major cause of clavicular fractures in this study was road traffic accident constituting 83.0% followed by a fall from heights 11.6%. Conclusion: The incidence of clavicular fracture among the study subject was relatively high. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of the injury and the preferred mode of management is the operative management using open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)