Introduction of cardiotocograph monitoring improves birth outcomes in women with preeclampsia in Ghana

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135511/1/ijgo103.pd

Computed tomography features of spontaneous acute intracranial hemorrhages in a tertiary hospital in Southern Ghana

Introduction: spontaneous acute intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) accounts for approximately 10-15% of all stroke cases. Early detection by computed tomography (CT) and early treatment are key. Hence this study to examine the CT features of SICH. Methods: this retrospective cohort study reviewed all 435 patients diagnosed with SICH from 1st March, 2017 to 1st January, 2021 in a tertiary facility in Southern Ghana. Data collected (age, sex, SICH type and the CT scan features) were organized and analyzed using GNU PSPP and Libre Office Calc. Statistical significance level was pegged at p≤0.05. Results: the SICH types were acute intracerebral hemorrhage (97.93%), acute subarachnoid/intraventricular hemorrhage (1.15%), acute epidural hemorrhage (0.46%) and acute subdural hemorrhage (0.46%). Acute intracerebral hemorrhage was more common in those >60 years (57.75%, p<0.001). The commonest CT feature for acute intracerebral hemorrhage was hyperdense lesion with perilesional edema (40.98%), with smoking (OR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.14-4.41, p=0.019) and anticoagulants intake (OR=2.56, 95% CI: 1.15-5.72, p=0.022) as the predictive factors; followed by hyperdense lesion extending to the edge of the brain (25.03%), also predictable by smoking (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.11-0.47, p<0.001); and hyperdense lesion with mass effects (22.70%) was not predictive with any risk factor. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (60.00%, p<0.001) and smoking (97.83%, p<0.001) were more common in males. Conclusion: hyperdense lesion with perilesional edema was the most frequent CT feature for acute intracerebral hemorrhage and was predictable by smoking and anticoagulants intake. Smoking was a predictive factor to the development of most of the features of acute intracerebral hemorrhage

Histopathologic Features of Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection

Because of the emergence of Buruli ulcer disease, the World Health Organization launched a Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative in 1998. This indolent skin infection is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. During a study of risk factors for the disease in Ghana, adequate excisional skin-biopsy specimens were obtained from 124 clinically suspicious lesions. Buruli ulcer disease was diagnosed in 78 lesions since acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were found by histopathologic examination. Lesions with other diagnoses included filariasis (3 cases), zygomycosis (2 cases), ulcerative squamous cell carcinomas (2 cases), keratin cyst (1 case), and lymph node (1 case). Thirty-seven specimens that did not show AFB were considered suspected Buruli ulcer disease cases. Necrosis of subcutaneous tissues and dermal collagen were found more frequently in AFB-positive specimens compared with specimens from suspected case-patients (p<0.001). Defining histologic criteria for a diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease is of clinical and public health importance since it would allow earlier treatment, leading to less deforming sequelae

How Far Is Progress? Gender Dimensions of Student Enrollment in Higher Education in Ghana: The Case of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Despite the World Declaration on Higher Education for the 21st Century that education is the ultimate support of human rights, and that access and participation remain key catalysts to accelerating equal educational opportunities for all, females continue to trail their male counterparts in educational outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa. This study focuses on the Ghanaian context and assesses the gender dimensions of student enrollment in higher education, highlighting the disparities therein. We adopt a typical case study design, and a mixed method approach, involving quantitative analysis of student enrollment data, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions with administrators and students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. We find generally low female participation across all colleges of the university, except for the College of Health Sciences. We also find low female participation across three dimensions: qualified applicants, admissions, and enrollment. The causes of disparity in the dimensions of student enrollment are rooted in four main factors: institutional, socio-cultural, economic, and awareness of STEM policy and opportunities. The present findings have implications for the implementation of STEM and other gender policies at both the pre-tertiary and tertiary levels of education across sub-Saharan Africa

Viral Suppression and Its Associated Factors in HIV Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): A Retrospective Study in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

Background. The WHO targets to end HIV/AIDS as a public health problem by 2030. The introduction of the ambitious “90-90-90” strategy to attain this target is expected to be achieved by the year 2020. However, there is lack of regional data, especially on the third “90.” This study sought to assess the rate and associated factors of viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Clinic in a Ghanaian health facility. Method. The study design was a retrospective analysis of secondary data of 284 HIV registrants on HAART for at least 6 months at the ART Clinic from July 2016 to April 2019. Data on sociodemography including age, gender, marital status, education, and occupation as well as pharmacological (type of medication and duration on medication) and laboratory variable (current viral load results) were extracted from patients’ folders. Viral suppression and failure were determined using the WHO definitions (viral suppression as viral load 3 years as factors associated with viral suppression