A cardiovascular polypill for secondary stroke prevention in a tertiary centre in Ghana (SMAART): a phase 2 randomised clinical trial.

Background: A cardiovascular polypill containing generic drugs might facilitate sustained implementation of and adherence to evidence-based treatments, especially in resource-limited settings. However, the impact of a cardiovascular polypill in mitigating atherosclerotic risk among stroke survivors has not been assessed. We aimed to compare a polypill regimen with usual care on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) regression after ischaemic stroke.

Burden of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and vascular risk factors among people living with HIV in Ghana.

Background: The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to rise due to a rapid epidemiological transition and improved treatment of HIV infection on the sub-continent.

Objective: The Evaluation of Vascular Event Risk while on Long-term Anti-retroviral Suppressive Therapy (EVERLAST) Study sought to assess the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis and characterize the nature of CVD risk factors among HIV patients on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ghana.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (n = 250) in comparison with HIV positive ART naïve (n = 201), and HIV uninfected controls (n = 250).

Phone-based intervention for blood pressure control among Ghanaian stroke survivors: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: The potential of mobile-health (mHealth) technology for the management of hypertension among stroke survivors in Africa remains unexplored. We assessed whether an mHealth technology-enabled, nurse-guided intervention initiated among stroke patients within one month of symptom onset is effective in improving their blood pressure (BP) control.

Methods: A two-arm pilot cluster randomized controlled trial involving 60 stroke survivors, ≥18 years, with BP ≥140/90 mmHg at screening/enrollment visit at a medical center in Ghana.

PINGS (Phone-Based Intervention Under Nurse Guidance After Stroke): Interim Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Purpose: Stroke exacts an immense toll in sub-Saharan Africa where there are few resources, and stroke prevention research is limited. The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an m-Health technology-enabled, nurse-guided intervention in improving blood pressure (BP) control among Ghanaian stroke patients within 1 month of symptom onset.

Methods: We conducted a 2-arm cluster pilot randomized controlled trial involving 60 recent stroke survivors encountered within a single tertiary medical system in Ghana.