UDSspace Collection:

THE PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG DWELLERS IN A PERI-URBAN DISTRICT OF GHANA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2025-07-09T11:31:14Z

Title: THE PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG DWELLERS IN A PERI-URBAN DISTRICT OF GHANA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY Authors: Opare-Asamoah, K.; Majeed, S. F.; Owusu, A. O.; Keelson, K.O.; Owusu, E. A.; Wondoh, P. M.; Kunfah, S. M. P.; Fosu, S. E.; Yorke, J.; Yakong, V. N.; Tabiri, S. Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant health issue affecting about 296 million people worldwide. The disease is of great public health concern in Ghana as the country is within the endemic region of HBV infection. This study sought to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors among dwellers in a peri-urban district of Ghana. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Sunyani West District of the Bono Region of Ghana. Respondents aged ≥18 years were purposively recruited from the four major towns in the District with health centres. A questionnaire was used to collect data from participants, and a rapid diagnostic test for the sero-presence or otherwise of hepatitis B infection was conducted. A total of 992 respondents took part in the study, with the prevalence of HBV infection using HBsAg as a marker among all the study participants being 2.9% (male 4.0% (12/298), female 2.5% (17/694)). Females aged between 20-29 years had a comparatively higher prevalence of hepatitis B infection than their corresponding males. The intake of alcohol (RR=4.23; 95% CI:2.05-8.74, p <0.000), previously diagnosed of having a sexually transmitted disease (RR= 2.43; 95% CI: 1.03-5.71, p = .04) and having multiple sexual partners (RR= 2.27; 95% CI: 1.11-4.65, p = .02) were the significant risk factors for HBV infection among the study participants. The study showed a low prevalence of HBV infection in the Sunyani West District of Ghana using HBsAg as a serum marker to diagnose the infection

MICROBIAL ISOLATES IN AUGMENTED WATER RECEPTACLES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN AT THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL, TAMALE, GHANA

2023-02-08T16:26:10Z

Title: MICROBIAL ISOLATES IN AUGMENTED WATER RECEPTACLES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN AT THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL, TAMALE, GHANA Authors: Yenli, E.; Amedor, C.; Acquah, S. K.; Gyamerah, P. B.; Salifu, A.; Zeyeh, D. E. Abstract: We set out to isolate microbes in augmented water receptacles and establish their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st March to 31st May 2018. Samples were taken from the inner wall of each augmented water receptacle, transported immediately to the Microbiology Laboratory in a sterile tube containing 2-3ml of sterile physiological saline to prevent drying. Culture, isolation, identification of potential microorganisms and their susceptibility to the commonly used antibiotics in the hospital were done. Thirty-five (35) augmented water receptacles from 17 sites within the hospital were studied. All the containers were filled with tap water without further treatment after storage. The cleaning schedules of the receptacles varied among wards, with 7 (41.2%) being cleaned with detergents weekly, 3 (17.6%) twice weekly and 7 (41.2%) monthly. Escheriachia coli 13 (24.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13 (24.1%), Staphylococcus aureus 8 (14.8%), Klebsiella species 7 (12.9%), Citrobacter species 6 (11.1%), and Legionella species 5 (9.3%) were isolated. These isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance. Augmented water receptacles were found to be a reservoir for pathogenic microbes. These microorganisms are a potential source of water borne disease outbreaks.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SURGICAL AMPUTATIONS IN TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL, GHANA

2022-06-02T10:40:01Z

Title: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SURGICAL AMPUTATIONS IN TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL, GHANA Authors: Yempabe, T.; Salisu, W. J.; Buunaaim, A. D. B.; Hussein, H.; Mock, C. N. Abstract: The current study aimed to explore the details of surgical amputations in Tamale, Ghana. This was a retrospective descriptive study. We analyzed case files of 112 patients who underwent surgical amputations between 2011 and 2017. Demographics, site of amputation, indication for amputation, and outcomes were retrieved from case files. Descriptive statistics were used to report the means and frequencies. Associations between variables were assessed using Chi-Square, ANOVA, and Student’s t-test. The mean age of the participants was 43.6±23.1 years (range 2 to 86). Most (64.3%) were males. Lower limb amputations accounted for most (78.6%) cases. Diabetic vasculopathy was the most prevalent indication (44.6%), followed by trauma (36.6%). The mean hospital stay was 30.1±22.4 days (range 5 to 120). Surgical site infection (17.9%) was the main complication. In our study setting, there is thus far limited capability for proper management of diabetes mellitus, which needs to be improved. There is also an urgent need for multidisciplinary foot care teams that will help patients receive comprehensive care to reduce complications from diabetes and other vasculopathies.

BARRIERS TO INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR IN GHANA: PROSPECTIVE, MULTI-CENTRE COHORT STUDY

2022-03-16T09:47:04Z

Title: BARRIERS TO INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR IN GHANA: PROSPECTIVE, MULTI-CENTRE COHORT STUDY Authors: Alhassan, A.; Abantanga, F.A.; Omar, O.; Nepogodiev, D.; Bhangu, A.; Majeed, S. F.; Opare-Asamoah, K.; Ohene-Yeboah, M.; Tabiri, S. Abstract: Inguinal hernia (IH) is the most common general surgical pathology in Ghana with hernia repair rate very low. The objective was to assess patient-perceived barriers to IH repair in Ghana and identify predictors of experiencing delays until surgery. A multicenter prospective study was conducted during the Ghana Hernia Society outreach. Data regarding diagnosis using Kingsnorth’s classification of IH, age of patients, duration of hernia, reason for delay in repair, insurance status, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, travel distance, region, hospital, and waiting times were obtained from patients and folders. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to analyze delay until surgery and Kingsnorth’s classification while controlling for the covariates of age, insurance status, ASA class among others. The most common reasons were queues for surgery (23%), poverty (10%), and seeking traditional medicine (9%). On multivariate linear regression, increasing age and ASA class III were predictors of longer delays. Patients experienced significant increase of 1.1 years’ delay to surgery for every 10-year increase in of age. ASA Class III patients were significantly more likely to be delayed by 11.5 years compared to ASA Class I patients. Efforts should be made to address and overcome the barriers to IH repair identified.