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ASSESSMENT AND REASSESSMENT OF INJURED PATIENTS AT NON-TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN GHANA: A STEPPED-WEDGE CLUSTER RANDOMIZED TRIAL

2026-07-22T11:50:33Z

Title: ASSESSMENT AND REASSESSMENT OF INJURED PATIENTS AT NON-TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN GHANA: A STEPPED-WEDGE CLUSTER RANDOMIZED TRIAL Authors: Gyedu, A.; Issaka, A.; Donkor, P.; Mock, C. Abstract: Introduction: Frequent reassessment of injured patients is an important component of trauma and emergency care. How frequently such reassessment is done in African hospitals has been minimally addressed. We sought to address this gap, as well as to assess the effectiveness of a standardized trauma intake form (TIF) to improve assessment and reassessment rates. Methods: We undertook a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial with research assistants observing trauma care before and after introducing the TIF at emergency units of eight non-tertiary Ghanaian hospitals for 17.5 months. Differences in seven key performance indicators (KPIs) of assessment and reassessment were evaluated using generalized linear mixed regression. KPIs included: respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, level of consciousness, mobility, temperature, and oxygen saturation. Results: Management of 4077 patients was observed: 2067 before TIF initiation and 2010 after. In the before period, completion of KPIs of initial assessment ranged from 55% (oxygen saturation) to 88% (level of consciousness). KPIs for reassessment for patients still in the EU after 30 min (n = 1945, in before period) were much lower than for initial assessment, ranging from 10% (respiratory rate and oxygen saturation) to 13% (level of consciousness). The TIF did not significantly improve performance of any KPI of assessment or reassessment. Similar patterns pertained for the subgroup of seriously injured patients (Injury Severity Score ≥9). Conclusion: At non-tertiary hospitals in Ghana, performance of KPIs of initial assessment were mostly adequate, but with room for improvement. Performance of KPIs for reassessment were very low, even for seriously injured patients. The intervention (trauma intake form) did not impact reassessment rates, despite previously having been shown to impact many other KPIs of trauma care. Potential avenues to pursue to improve reassessment rates include other quality improvement efforts and increased emphasis on reassessment in training courses

TOXICITY AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS (CEOS): A REVIEW

2026-07-22T11:48:06Z

Title: TOXICITY AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF CITRUS ESSENTIAL OILS (CEOS): A REVIEW Authors: Brah, A. S.; Armah, F. A.; Obuah, C.; Akwetey, S. A.; Adokoh, C. K. Abstract: Citrus essential oil (CEO) is obtained from the fruit of Genus Citrus, a flowering plant shrub in the family of the Rutaceae (Eremocitrus or Microcitrus) and extensively used in food, chemical industry, and traditional medicinal treatment owing to its pleasant aroma, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. This review presents a botanical description, distribution, traditional uses, chemical composition, bioactive components, and the therapeutic uses as well as toxicological effects of the CEO. The objective was achieved via a comprehensive literature search of electronic databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, ACS, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, conference proceedings, thesis, and books until 2022 for publications. Citrus essential oils and their constituents are extracted and isolated either from the fruit peels, seeds, leaves, or flowers of the citrus plants. A comparative study of the sources of CEO confirmed its origin, ethnopharmacological and therapeutic uses. Over 2000 secondary metabolites have been isolated, with the main active constituents: being terpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes. A comprehensive literature review revealed vast therapeutic benefits of CEO. Incomplete data report on in vitro and in vivo trials especially, on dosage, positive and negative control groups, intervention time, toxicity studies, phytochemical profiling, and clinical trials seem to be a knowledge gap.

GROWING DEMAND OF HERBAL MEDICINE IN SUB- SAHARAN AFRICA: AN EVIDENCE FROM THE GHANAIAN CONTEXT

2026-07-22T11:46:58Z

Title: GROWING DEMAND OF HERBAL MEDICINE IN SUB- SAHARAN AFRICA: AN EVIDENCE FROM THE GHANAIAN CONTEXT Authors: Naatu, F.; Jibril, A. B.; Akolgo, I. G.; Nassè, T. B.; Opoku-Mensah, F. A.; Bamaalabong, P. P. Abstract: Purpose: The growing prevalence of herbal medicine usage despite facing criticisms sharply contrasts with the widespread endorsement of conventional medicine. This study extensively investigates the factors that contribute to the rising popularity of herbal medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly focusing on Ghana. Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative approach was used to measure the variables and to test the hypotheses in this research, and 412 relevant responses were assessed using the structural equation model. Research Findings: The results indicate that the type of illness and the marketing efforts of herbal firms significantly influence consumers' attitudes. Additionally, the pressure exerted by significant others, perceptions of one's ability to control consumption, and purchase intentions are also impacted. Interestingly, while efforts of herbal firms do not directly lead to purchase behavior, it does influence herbal medicine consumption through subjective norms. Practical Implication: The research underscores the importance of research and development in boosting the quality and effectiveness of herbal medicine. It offers practical insights and bridges gaps in understanding herbal medicine utilization. Originality / Value: The research’s originality highlights the combination of the theory of planned behaviour, type of sickness and firm efforts in assessing the factors accounting for the surge in demand for herbal medicine.

CONSEQUENCES OF TYPE-2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND MALARIA CO-MORBIDITY ON SPERM PARAMETERS IN MEN; ACASE-CONTROL STUDY IN A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

2026-07-22T11:46:17Z

Title: CONSEQUENCES OF TYPE-2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND MALARIA CO-MORBIDITY ON SPERM PARAMETERS IN MEN; ACASE-CONTROL STUDY IN A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA Authors: Abdulai, R.; Akwetey, S. A.; Ogunbode, O. O.; Aboagye, B. Abstract: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and malaria infection are highly prevalent in Africa particularly , in the Sub-Saharan Region. A greater number of people in the Ghanaian population who have T2DM are also reported to harbor malaria parasites. This study aimed to investigate the influence of T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters among patients in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This hospital-based cross-sectional analytic case-control study comprised 254 adult male study participants comprising 80 T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity , 80 T2DM only, and 94 normal controls. A blood sample (10mL) was drawn from each participant to measure FBG, HbA1c levels, Testosterone levels, Total cholesterol, and determination of Malaria parasite density. Seminal fluid was also collected from each participant for semen analysis. Sperm kinetics of the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group particularly ; total motility, rapid progressive motility, and slow progressive motility were negatively affected compared to both T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the Normal control (p<0.0001). Normal sperm morphology was significantly affected in the co-morbidity group compared to T2DM only(p<0.0001). Sperm vitality was also statistically significantly reduced in the T2DM&Malariaco-morbidity than in T2DMonly (t (64) =-8.62; p<0.001). There was a significant decline in testosterone levels in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group than in the T2DM only(p<0.0001) and the control (p <0.0001). In conclusion, T2DM and malaria infection have a stronger propensity to alter sperm morphology and lower sperm motility and vitality.