Relationship between uric acid, blood pressure and anthropometric indices in a healthy Ghanaian adult population

Background: Age- and sex-dependent variations in the relationship between uric acid and blood pressure and anthropometric indices have been reported in some populations. However, this has not been studied in a Ghanaian adult population.Methods: Body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and serum uric acid levels were measured. Categorical differences were analysed with chi-square. Differences between groups were assessed by t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Association between serum uric acid and baseline characteristics of age, body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure was assessed by Pearson’s correlation. Statistical significance was pegged at p<0.05.Results: Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 3.2%. There was no significant difference in prevalence of hypertension between males (28.6%) and females (28.9%). General obesity and central obesity prevalence were significantly higher among females. In males, serum uric acids levels had statistically non-significant positive correlations with age, blood pressure, waist circumference and body mass index. In females, the results showed that among women less than 45 years, serum uric acid had significant positive correlations with only body mass index and waist circumference. However, significant positive correlations were observed between all the baseline parameters and uric acid among women who are 45 years and above.Conclusions: Increasing serum uric acid levels are significantly associated with higher blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference. This relationship is stronger in females than in males, with the age group ≥45 years being the main determinant of this relationship

Psychosocial distress among in-school adolescents in Mozambique: a cross-sectional study using the Global School-Based Health Survey data

Background: Poor mental health remains the leading cause of disability, with considerable negative impacts in low- A nd middle-income countries. In this study, we examined the prevalence and correlates of psychosocial distress among in-school adolescents in Mozambique. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1918 in-school adolescents, using data from the 2015 Mozambique Global School-Based Health Survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were adopted in analysing the data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of psychosocial distress was 21.2% (24.1% females and 18.5% males). Older adolescents [AOR = 1.681, 95% CI = 1.233-2.292] had higher odds of experiencing psychosocial distress, compared with younger adolescents. In terms of sex, males [AOR = 0.755, 95% CI 0.601-0.950] had lower odds of experiencing psychosocial distress, compared with females. Adolescents who were bullied [AOR = 1.451, 95% CI 1.150-1.831], physically attacked [AOR = 1.802, 95% CI 1.404-2.313], and engaged in a physical fight [AOR = 1.376, 95% CI 1.070-1.769] were respectively more likely to experience psychosocial distress than those who did not. Conversely, adolescents who had close friends [AOR = 0.503, 95% CI 0.372-0.681] had lower odds of being psychosocially distressed than those who did not have close friends. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychosocial distress among in-school adolescents in Mozambique is relatively high. The country may not be able to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 target of promoting mental health and wellbeing of all by the year 2030 if current rates of psychosocial distress persist among in-school adolescents. Mental health education and counselling as well as social support from friends should be intensified to reduce mental health problems and enable adolescents to effectively deal with the psychosocial challenges encountered in their transition from childhood to adulthood

Skilled antenatal care services utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa: a pooled analysis of demographic and health surveys from 32 countries

Background: Each day, an estimated 800 women die from preventable pregnancy and childbirth related complications, where 99% of these avoidable deaths happen in low-and middle-income countries. Skilled attendance during antenatal care (ANC) plays a role in reducing maternal and child mortality. However, the factors that predict the utilisation of skilled ANC services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains sparsely investigated. Therefore, we examined women’s utilisation of skilled ANC services in SSA. Methods: The research used pooled data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 32 countries in SSA between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of skilled ANC services utilisation. The results are presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The prevalence of skilled ANC services utilisation in SSA was 76.0%, with the highest and lowest prevalence in Gambia (99.2%) and Burundi (8.4%), respectively. Lower odds of ANC from skilled providers was found among women aged 45–49 compared to those aged 20–24 (aOR = 0.86, CI = 0.79–0.94); widowed women compared to married women (aOR = 0.84, CI = 0.72–0.99); women who consider getting permission to visit the health facility as a big problem compared to those who consider that as not a big problem (aOR = 0.74, CI = 0.71–0.77); women who consider getting money needed for treatment as not a big problem compared to those who consider that as a big problem (aOR = 0.84, CI = 0.72–0.99); and women who consider distance to the health facility as a big problem compared to those who consider that as not a big problem (aOR = 0.75, CI = 0.72–0.77). Conclusion: SSA has relatively high prevalence of skilled ANC services utilisation, however, there are substantial country-level disparities that need to be prioritised. Increasing maternal reproductive age being widowed and far distance to health facility were factors that predicted lower likelihood of skilled ANC services utilisation. There is, therefore, the need to intensify female formal education, invest in community-based healthcare facilities in rural areas and leverage on the media in advocating for skilled ANC services utilisation

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient individuals in a Ghanaian population

Background: Studies in different populations have shown an association between diabetes mellitus and G6PD deficiency. This association has not been investigated in the Ghanaian population. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between G6PD deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Ghanaian population.Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 125 registered type 2 diabetes mellitus clients and 125 non-diabetic individuals. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the association between G6PD status and type 2 diabetes mellitus with statistical significance pegged at p-value&lt;0.05.Results: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the study population was 24.0% and 13.6% for the diabetics and non-diabetics respectively. In terms of gender, 29.5% of the diabetic males were G6PD deficient whiles G6PD deficiency was observed in 11.1% of the non-diabetic males. Additionally, 21.0% of the diabetic females were also G6PD deficient with 15.3% of the non-diabetic females being G6PD deficient. The results showed that the overall G6PD deficiency was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus as compared to the non-diabetics. In terms of gender differences, G6PD deficiency was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes in males but, there was no significant association in females.Conclusions: The study reports the first findings of the relationship between G6PD deficiencies among type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana. The study revealed that G6PD deficiency is more prevalent among type 2 diabetics than non-diabetics. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is independently associated with G6PD deficiency in males but not females

Prospecting for Breast Cancer Blood Biomarkers: Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1) as a Potential Candidate

Background. Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy in women worldwide. It is estimated to affect approximately 1.5 million women annually and responsible for the greatest number of cancer-related mortalities among women. In 2018, breast cancer mortalities stood at 627,000 women representing approximately 15% of all cancer deaths among women. In Ghana, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, with an incidence of 2,900 cases annually; one of eight women with the disease die. This gives impetus to the fight for improved early detection, treatment, and/management. In this light, we investigated the potential of death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) as a biomarker for breast cancer. As a tumour suppressor, its expression is activated by several carcinogens to influence cellular pathways that result in apoptosis, autophagy, immune response, and proliferation. Aim. To investigate DAPK1 as a blood biomarker for breast cancer. Methods. Blood samples of participants diagnosed with breast cancer and healthy controls were collected and processed to obtain serum. Information on age, treatment, diagnosis, and pathology numbers was retrieved from folders. Pathology numbers were used to retrieve breast tissue blocks of patients at the Department of Pathology of the KBTH. Tissue blocks were sectioned and immunohistochemically stained with anti-DAPK1 and counterstained with hematoxylin to determine the DAPK1 expression levels. DAKP1 levels in blood sera were quantified using a commercial anti-DAPK1 ELISA kit. Case and control group means were compared using one-way ANOVA and Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Results and Discussion. DAPK1 levels were higher in sera and breast tissues of breast cancer patients than controls. The augmented DAPK1 expression can be interpreted as a stress response survival mechanism to remediate ongoing deleterious events in the cells orchestrated by carcinogenesis. In the presence of abundant DAPK1, the proliferative power of cells (both cancerous and noncancerous) is increased. This may explain why high DAPK1 expression strongly associates with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes like the ER-negative breast cancers, especially the triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) which are the most aggressive, fast-growing, and highly metastatic. Conclusion. DAPK1 is highly expressed in sera and breast tissues of breast cancer patients than nonbreast cancer participants. The elevated expression of DAKP1 in circulation rather than in breast tissues makes it a candidate for use as a blood biomarker and potential use as therapeutic target in drug development

Comparative Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Female Secondary and Tertiary School Students in Ghana

Background. Breast cancer remains a serious public health problem globally. It is particularly increasing among adolescents and premenopausal women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is the most effective and feasible means of detecting breast cancer early in developing countries. This study aimed at evaluating and comparing knowledge of BSE among secondary and tertiary school students and at revealing their attitudes and practices about BSE. Method. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1036 female secondary and tertiary school students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Technology Senior High School. Data was obtained using a pretested questionnaire to access sociodemography, knowledge, attitudes, and practice of BSE among the students. Result. Most students were within the age of 15–24 years; 90.9% were aware of BSE. A high level of knowledge on BSE was found in 54.5% of the students. Knowledge was significantly higher in tertiary than secondary school students (p=0.002). 24.1% of the students thought BSE could be performed anytime; however only 8.1% of the students performed BSE monthly as recommended, whilst 41.8% had never practiced. Of these, more secondary students had never practiced BSE as compared to the tertiary students. 22.3% indicated they would wait for a change in a detected breast lump before seeking medical attention. 96.3% of the participants agree BSE is a good practice which must be encouraged. Conclusion. Teaching of BSE should be intensified beginning at the high school level, emphasizing practice and its benefits for early detection of breast cancer