The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among active sportsmen/sportswomen and sedentary workers in the Kumasi metropolis

This study sought to establish the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) among active sportsmen/sportswomen and sedentary workers in the Kumasi Metropolis using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), World Health Organization(WHO), and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The study was conducted between March and April, 2010. One hundred and eighty six (186) participants were involved with eighty five (85) being active sportsmen/sportswomen as study control and one hundredand one (101) sedentary workers from the Kumasi metropolis as study subjects. The study participants were recruited from a population of young and adult individuals between the ages of 19-82 years. The percentage prevalence of MetS was 1.6%, 7.4% and 14.4% when the WHO,NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively were applied on the total population. Generally, the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among the sedentary group i.e. 3.5%, 14.0% and 26.7% for WHO, NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively as compared to the active population i.e. 0.0%, 2.0% and 3.9% for WHO, NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively. The prevalence of the MetS varied greatly between the active and sedentary subjects depending on the criteria used. Central obesity appears to be the key determinant of the prevalence of the MetSin Ghana. Preventive actions such as exercise, active lifestyles and healthy eating habits have to be implemented to reduce the tendency to obesity and MetS in the Ghanaian populace

Lipid Profile and High Maternal Body Mass Index is Associated with Preeclampsia: A Case-Control Study of the Cape Coast Metropolis

Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and a serious health problem that affects the majority of women. Aim: We investigated the association between lipid profile and maternal obesity among preeclamptic women in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Subject and Methods: This case.control study involved 60 preeclamptics and 50 healthy pregnant controls matched for age and gestational weeks consecutively recruited from two major hospitals in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting and enzymatic spectrophotometric tests used to estimate lipid concentrations.The independent samples t.test, Chi.square, and Pearsonfs correlation were used in the analysis of data gathered.Results: Serum triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.04), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P = 0.02), TC (P = 0.01) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.03) levels were higher in preeclamptic participants than in the controls. High density lipoprotein concentration showed no significant variation between the two groups (P = 0.83). Preeclamptic women were more obese (P = 0.07). High body mass index (OR = 1.501; CI = 0.926.2.106, P = 0.01), high TG level (OR = 5.026; CI = 0.794-31.818, P = 0.01), were associated with preeclampsia.Conclusion: Lipid abnormalities, mostly elevated levels of TG, TC, LDL, andVLDL are present in preeclamptics. High TG levels and maternal obesity are associated with preeclampsia among pregnant women in the Cape Coast Metropolis.Keywords: Body mass index, Dyslipidemia, High blood pressure, Pre-eclampsia, Proteinuri

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections among Type 2 Diabetics: A Cross-sectional Study in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Background: Type 2 diabetes comes with various complications and this may be compounded by morbidities of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.Aims: This study examined the prevalence of HBV and HCV infectionst among type 2 diabetics as well as its associated factors. This randomized cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetic Clinic of the Central Regional Hospital, Cape Coast between December 2012 and April 2013. Subjects and Methods: A well.structured questionnaire was used to recruit 110 type 2 diabetics. Venous blood samples were collected for the estimation of blood glucose and to screen for HBV and HCV infections. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 17.0. Descriptive analysis was performed and results expressed as means (SD) and n (%). P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Prevalence of HBV in type 2 diabetics was 5.5% (6/110). No type 2 diabetic was positive for HCV. The prevalence of HBV infection in the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) participants was higher (5.5% [6/110]) than that of HCV (0/110). A total of 69.1% (76/110) T2DM patients had poor  glycemic control. Mean waist and hip circumference was higher amongHBV-negative T2DM participants (99.3; 106.9) than HBV-positive participants (87.2; 101.8).Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HBV was higher than that of HCV in T2DM patients. T2DM patients would require necessary preventive measures like prophylaxis, to reduce the risk of HBV infection and its ramifications.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Ghana, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Prevalenc

An Assessment of Female Prisoners’ Perception of the Accessibility of Quality Healthcare: A Survey in the Kumasi Central Prisons, Ghana

Background: Accessibility of quality healthcare across the globe has generated a lot of attention among public health practitioners.Aim: This study explored the background characteristics of female  prisoners and how it influences their assessment of the quality of  accessible healthcare in the Kumasi Female Prison. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was  conducted at the Female section of the Kumasi Central Prisons from June to December 2011. We used pretested questionnaires to obtain   quantitative data from all 39 inmates of the female Prisons. An in-depth interview was used to obtain qualitative data from the prison healthcare giver. Data were analyzed with Epi Info Version 3.5.1, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Excel, and Graph Pad Prism version 5.00 for Windows (Graph Pad software, San Diego California USA,   www.graphpad.com). Results: Using a 12.point scale inventory questionnaire, inmates with no formal education gave the highest mean health provision assessment score (6.0) whereas those with tertiary education gave the lowest (4.5). Females serving prison sentences gave the highest mean health  assessment score whereas remand prisoners gave the lowest. Single femalesf mean health assessment score was 5.7 whereas that of married inmates was 4.9. Unemployed inmates scored 5.8, informal 5.4 while civil servants scored 5.0.Conclusion: Access to quality healthcare was poor and demographic characteristics, marital status, educational background, and occupation influenced inmatesf perceptions of accessibility to quality healthcare. Inmates should be encouraged to be proactive in seeking healthcare irrespective of their background characteristics.Keywords: Accessibility, Female, Kumasi, Perception Prisons, Quality of health car

Factors influencing urban malaria: a comparative study of two communities in the Accra Metropolis

BACKGROUND: As urban centres in Ghana continue to grow, the scale and impact of urban malaria is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of malaria in two communities and how this may be affected by knowledge, attitudes, socioeconomic status and preventive practices of residents in two communities within the Accra metropolis. METHODS: Giemsa-stained thick blood films were examined for malaria parasites in 400 people (200 each from townships with high and low urban status) from May to November 2009. Questionnaires were administered to determine and evaluate demographics of the participants. All participants lived within the two catchment areas, about 20 km apart. RESULTS: Average malaria prevalence among participants was 8.75%. Prevalence in Kaneshie (12%: p=0.032) was significantly higher compared to Airport West (5.5%). Illiteracy rate (17.5%), self-medication (81.5%) and the use of coils (21.0%) as a control mechanism was higher among residents of Kaneshie than Airport West. Most of the people (40%) in Kaneshie did not use any form of malaria control method. Insecticide spray was the most preferred malaria control mechanism by the Airport West residents (60.5%). Overall knowledge about malaria, employment status, housing conditions, level of overcrowding and the cost of treatment of malaria was better in Airport West than at Kaneshie. CONCLUSION: Malaria prevalence and factors influencing its transmission differs within communities in the same urban area. It is therefore essential to develop control and prevention strategies based on the needs of specific communities