The incidence of cancer in women presenting with bloody nipple discharge at a specialist breast clinic

Objectives: To determine the frequency of breast cancer in patients presenting with bloody nipple discharge at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Breast Care Centre (KATH –BCC) Kumasi.Setting: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Breast Care Centre (KATH –BCC) Kumasi.Materials and Methods: All patients reporting to the centre for the assessment and treatment of a bloody nipple discharge. The age of the patients, the duration of the discharge, whether the discharge wasspontaneous or provoked and whether it was unilateral or bilateral, a single or multiple duct discharge and the presence of a lump. The mammographic findings and the histology of the excised ducts or lumpwere also recorded.Results:. The most common age group affected was 35-44 years (56.7 %). A palpable mass was detected in 25 women or (20.8%). Mammographic abnormalities were found in 15 (12.5%) of the women. In 80 patients (66.7%) there were no palpable masses or abnormal mammographic findings. Of the 120 patients carcinoma (CA) was found in 31(25.8%),, duct papilloma (DP) was the cause of the bleeding in80(66.7%), duct ectasia (DE) in 7(5.8%) and fibrocystic breast changes (FBC) in 2 (1.7%). Of the 80 patients with bleeding only and no palpable mass or abnormal mammogram, DP was the cause in 73(91.3%), CA in 2 (2.5 %) and DE in 5 (6.1%). In bleeding with associated palpable mass, DP was the cause in 3 (12%), CA in19 (76.0 %), DE in 1(4%) and FBC in 2 (8%). Of the 31 cases of carcinoma, 19 (61.5%) had a palpable mass, 10 (29.0%) had an abnormal mammogram and 2 (6.5%) only a bloody discharge.Conclusion: This paper concludes that carcinoma of the breast is found in one out of four women attending the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Breast Care Centre (KATH –BCC.) with a bloody nipple discharge. The evaluation of these patients must always include the excision of the discharging ducts for histopathologic examination

Exploring stakeholders’ perceptions of the quality and governance of water resources in the Wenchi municipality

Despite increasing evidence that understanding and integrating local people’s perceptions of water quality and governance helps improve water governance processes, only a limited volume of research addresses this topic in developing countries. Therefore, using in-depth interviews and content analysis, the goal of this paper is to explore stakeholders’ perceptions of the quality and governance of water resources in Wenchi, Ghana. Results show that stakeholders perceive river water quality to be deteriorating. Stakeholders’ judgement of river quality is influenced by water use value, pollution sources, organoleptic properties and sanitary conditions of the riverbank. Stakeholders highlighted key areas that require authorities’ efforts: formulation and enforcement of by-laws, awareness raising, provision of financial, logistic and technical support, conducting research and community mobilisation. These findings need to be carefully reviewed and systematically integrated into expert views to advance our understanding of the problem, how best to address it and who to target during interventions

Strangulated Inguinal Hernia in Adult Males in Kumasi

Background: The complications of untreated inguinal hernias are common surgical emergencies in adult Ghanaian men.Objective: To describe the epidemiology of strangulated inguinal hernia in adult males in Kumasi.Method: From the hospital records the age and sex of all male adult patients treated for strangulated inguinal hernia were recorded at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital(KATH), the University Hospital (UH), the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital (SDAH) and the Kumasi South Hospital (KSH) for the period January 2007 to December 2011  inclusive. The total number of inguinal hernia repairs from all four facilities was also recorded. The annual incidence of strangulated inguinal hernia and the hernia repair rates were estimated using the 2010 population data.Results: Five-hundred and ninety-two cases of strangulated inguinal hernia were treated over the five years. The incidence of strangulated inguinal hernia was 0.26%. A total of 2243 inguinal hernia repairs were performed and 26.4 % of these repairs were for strangulation. The total number of inguinal hernia repairs averaged 77.3 repairs per 100 000 adult males per year and the elective repair rate was low at 0.9%.Conclusion: There is the need to increase the levels of elective repair of inguinal hernia in Kumasi.Keywords: Strangulated inguinal hernia: incidence: inguinal hernia repair rates: adults: Kumasi

A Strategy for Rural Financial Market Reform: Applying the Financial Systems Approach in Ghana

We construct, using methods advocated in one strand of the Financial Systems Approach literature, a reform-and-renewal program for one of Ghana’s struggling Rural Banks--the Kaaseman Rural Bank. Questionnaire results, local informal financial practices, recent institutional innovations in Ghanaian finance, the experiences of successful “Nontraditional” rural finance institutions in developing countries, and the operating structure of the Rural Bank program indicate that this bank can implement a group-lending scheme that will reduce significantly its transaction costs and those of its customers. We thus demonstrate how the Financial Systems Approach can be employed to promote sustainable rural financial intermediation in a specific socioeconomic and institutional setting. The potential for our reform proposals to succeed in the local Ghanaian context is analyzed carefully

The growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) fed on diets containing RE3™ probiotics

The increasing abuse of antibiotics in production of food animals has led to development of resistant strains of bacteria (and other microbiota) which are responsible for several infectious diseases in animals and in humans. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of RE3TM, a third-generation probiotic used in place of a conventional antibiotics (to minimise incidence of antimicrobial resistance in livestock and human consumers), on growth performance and some carcass characteristics of guinea fowls. One hundred and twenty guinea fowl keets of mixed sexes with an average weight of 28.3±0.364g were used for the study conducted in a Completely Randomised Design. There were 4 treatments in which RE3TM was incorporated at; 0.0ml/kg feed (Diet 1; Control), 1.0ml/kg feed (Diet 2) ,1.5ml/kg feed (Diet 3) and 2.0ml/kg feed (Diet 4); each treatment had 30 birds. The feeding trial covered the entire meat production phase (starter, grower and finisher) which lasted for 84 days. Feed and water were given ad libitum. At maturity (12 weeks old), a total of thirty-six (36) birds (9 from each treatment, comprising 5 males and 4 females across the treatments) were selected, weighed and slaughtered. Carcass and viscera weights were taken, carcasses were then sectioned into primal cuts after 24-hour chilling at 4°C. Breast muscles from sampled carcasses were grilled for sensory evaluation by a trained panel, whilst the thigh muscles were subjected to proximate analyses. Data obtained were analysed for statistical significance using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Test, of the GenStat Statistical Package (Discovery Edition, VSN, 2012). Results obtained showed higher (p < 0.05) growth rates and lower feed conversion ratio for birds on the diets with 1.0 ml of RE3TM per Kg feed The carcass and body parts characteristics assessed however, showed no significant differences (p > 0.05), except for the thighs which were heavier (p < 0.05) in birds on the RE3TM supplemented diets, compared with those on the control diets. The use of RE3™ probiotics, up to 2.0ml/kg feed for guinea fowls, had no adverse effects on the growth of the birds, but it reduced the cost of providing medication for the birds. Fat content in the meat reduced, as inclusions of RE3TM increased in the diets. It is recommended that relevant Government authorities and other stakeholders should aid in promoting the use of probiotics, instead of antibiotics in livestock production to minimise possible antibiotic residue in meat

Penetrating abdominal injuries in adults seen at two teaching hospitals in Ghana

Background: The incidence of penetrating abdominal injuries (PAI) has increased in the West African sub-region.Objective: To determine the pattern and management outcome of penetrating abdominal injuries (PAI) in the two main teaching hospitals in Ghana.Study Design: A prospective and retrospective descriptive study.Setting: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra.Methods: Relevant details of all adult patients admitted with penetrating abdominal injuries over a 11-year period were recorded at KATH and KBTH in Accra. The study in KATH was prospective pro forma based and that in the KBTH was a retrospective case review of all penetrating abdominal injuries.Results: There were 411 patients, mostly men (M: F-8:1). The peak age of patients was 20-29 years, 164 patients (39.9%). Abdominal stab wound injuries accounted for 251 (61.1%). Three hundred and thirty – one patients (80.5%) had an emergency laparotomy. Twelve patients required 16 emergency thoracotomies. The small bowel (23.2%), stomach (12.9%), colon (10.2%), the liver (10.0%), were the most commonly injured organs. In 92 patients (29.0%) no significant intra-abdominal injury was detected at laparotomyConclusion: Stab wounds are the main penetrating abdominal injuries seen mostly among young male adults in Ghana. Management was by a mandatory laparotomy after clinical assessment. The overall mortality was 4.4%. Selective non-operative management of abdominal stab wounds is possible

Assessment of psychological barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in Kumasi, Ghana using a mixed methods approach

Background: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana, West Africa. The cervical cancer mortality rate in Ghana is more than three times the global cervical cancer mortality rate. Pap tests and visual inspection with acetic acid wash are widely available throughout Ghana, yet less that 3% of Ghanaian women get a cervical cancer screening at regular intervals.Objective: This exploratory study was to identify psychological barriers to cervical cancer screening among Ghanaian women with and without cancer using a mixed methods approach.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 49 Ghanaian women with cancer and 171 Ghanaian women who did not have cancer.Results: The results of the quantitative analysis indicated that cancer patients where not more likely to have greater knowledge of cancer signs and symptoms than women without cancer. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed several psychological barriers to cervical cancer screening including, common myths about cervical cancer, misconceptions about cervical cancer screening, the lack of spousal support for screening, cultural taboos regarding the gender of healthcare providers, and the stigmatization of women with cervical cancer.Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to inform the development of culturally relevant cervical cancer education interventions aimed at addressing the psychological barriers to cervical cancer screening perceived by Ghanaian women.Keywords: Cancer, developing countries, disease prevention, knowledge, qualitative methodsbr>African Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 1054 - 106

A genetic linkage map of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) combining SRAP and ISSR markers

Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers are both simple and efficient maker systems adapted to many crops and for multiple purposes. In this studya genetic map based on SRAP and ISSR markers was constructed for cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) based on the segregations of SRAP and ISSR markers in 112 plants of F2 population derived from a crossbetween two cucumber inbred lines PW0832 and PW0801. In the investigation of polymorphisms with 50 ISSR primers and 132 SRAP primer combinations, 13 (26%) ISSR primers and 26 (20%) SRAP primer pairs were polymorphic generating a total of 109 polymorphic markers of which 48 were ISSR and 61 were SRAP. The average polymorphic bands were four for ISSR and two for SRAP. All the 109polymorphic markers were scored for segregation of which 86 satisfied the Mandelian segregation ratio of 3:1. These data were used to construct an integrated linkage map for cucumber consisting of 62 loci,distributed in seven linkage groups (LGs) spanning a total of 992.2 cM, with an average distance of 16.0 cM between two adjacent loci. These markers would be very useful tool for marker assisted selection incucumber breeding as well as for studies in quantitative traits

Use of a Mixed Formaldehyde and Sodium Hypophosphite Reducing Agent Bath in the Electroless Synthesis of Cu-Ni-Mo-P Electro-catalyst Active for Glycerol Oxidation

A new electroless bath was formulated in which two reducing agents - NaH2PO2 and formaldehyde – acted synchronously for the synthesis of electroless Cu-Ni-Mo-P/graphite electro-catalyst. The bath was operated at a pH of 10.2 and temperature of 80oC. Baths containing only sodium hypophosphite or formaldehyde reducing agents but with the same amounts of other bath constituents were used as controls in the deposition process. The deposits were characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD. Preliminary investigations conducted on oxidations of formaldehyde and glycerol show that the catalyst is an effective electro-catalyst as prepared, and that variations in the metallic composition of the electro-catalyst affect its electro catalytic activity

The state of world fisheries from a fishworkers perspective: the Ghanaian situation

This study attempts to better understand the status of artisanal/small-scale fisheries and fishworkers in Ghana. It aims to establish the pre-eminence of the artisanal sector, with the ultimate objective of exploring the prospects, potentials and problems of sustaining and developing artisanal fisheries. The study aims to promote more equitable and sustainable fisheries. It provides baseline information on the status of artisanal/small- scale fisheries and fishworkers, especially with regard to technical, social and economic aspects. It analyzes the impact of industrial fisheries on the artisanal sector. It also identifies the main threats to artisanal fisheries, has well as the inshore fishers' potential to harvest fisheries resources that are currently harvested by industrial fisheries. The information provided in this study will help fishworkers build and strengthen their organizations. It will also be useful for policymakers, researchers, planners, academics and anyone else interested in fisheries and fishing communities. (104pp.