Factors influencing treatment success in drug-susceptible tuberculosis patients in Ghana: A prospective cohort study.

Optimal rates of positive tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes are crucial for patient well-being and preventing the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Unfavourable outcomes present significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, making it essential to identify factors that influence treatment success. This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes and explore determinants of success to inform effective interventions and contribute to TB eradication efforts.

Exploring the Role of the Pharmacist in the Prevention and Management of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are a leading cause of poor maternal and birth outcomes worldwide. Prompt management of these disorders is usually recommended to optimize outcomes. Administration of pharmacotherapeutic agents is critical in the prevention and management of these disorders.

Quality of antenatal care and outcomes of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy among antenatal attendees: A comparison of urban and periurban health facilities in Ghana.

Rural-urban-peri urban disparity assessments on health outcomes have been considered as critical determinants of health and health service outcomes. It is policy relevant in terms of the burden of disease and also provides focus on target interventions. This study aimed to assess the differences in the quality of Ante-natal Care (ANC) and the outcomes of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy (HDPs) from selected health facilities in Ghana.

Prevalence, Awareness, and Control of Hypertensive Disorders amongst Pregnant Women Seeking Healthcare in Ghana.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are no longer seen as "transitory diseases cured by delivery." It accounts for up to 50% of maternal deaths. Information concerning HDPs is less in developing countries like Ghana.

Determinants of adverse reactions to first-line antitubercular medicines: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The success of tuberculosis treatment relies on patients adhering to their medication regimen consistently. However, adherence levels tend to decrease among patients who experience adverse drug reactions to antitubercular medications, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to examine the types, incidence rates, and severity of adverse reactions caused by first-line antitubercular drugs.

Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations globally, including Ghana. Knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, and the application of preventive public health interventions are pivotal to its control. Besides a lockdown, measures taken against the spread of the virus include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and, more recently, vaccination against the virus.

Iron-deficiency anaemia in children with congenital heart diseases at a teaching hospital in Ghana.

Background: Uncorrected congenital heart lesions in children keep them in a state of constant hypoxia with compromised quality of life and reduced life expectancy. This requires early diagnosis and interventions including prevention and treatment of the resultant anaemia. Unfortunately, congenital heart disease (CHD) often goes unrecognized and thus untreated.

Reuse of patients' own drugs in hospitals in Ghana; the evidence to support policy.

Background: Given the documented benefits of Patient Own Drugs (PODs) in most developed countries and scanty data on PODs management in developing countries the aim of the study was to evaluate the assessment, quality and extent of PODs use among hospitalised patients. Furthermore the perceived benefits and challenges in executing PODs management by the pharmacy staff in the hospital setting were explored.

Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Metabolic Syndrome among Schizophrenic Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in the Middle Belt of Ghana.

The study determined the prevalence of MetS in patients with schizophrenia at the Psychiatric Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana. This comparative cross-sectional study recruited 348 schizophrenic patients comprising 236 antipsychotic-treated and 112 newly diagnosed treatment- patients. The MetS prevalence was assessed based on World Health Organization (WHO), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the National Cholesterol Education Programme, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria.

Situational analysis of antibiotic use and resistance in Ghana: policy and regulation.

Background: Antibiotics have played an essential role in decreasing morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. However, indiscriminate use and unrestricted access is contributing to the emergence of bacterial resistance. This paper reports on a situational analysis of antimicrobial use and resistance in Ghana, with focus on policy and regulation.

Malaria rapid diagnostic test evaluation at private retail pharmacies in Kumasi, Ghana.

Objective: Malaria rapid diagnostic test (MRDT) provides a good alternative to malaria microscopy diagnosis, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study therefore evaluated MRDT in private retail pharmacies (PRPs) as a critical step in community case malaria management.

Methods: In a prospective, cross-over, validation survey at six PRPs in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, 1200 patients presenting with fever in the preceding 48 h were sampled.

Perceived barriers to pharmacist engagement in adverse drug event prevention activities in Ghana using semi-structured interview.

Background: Pharmacist involvement in the prevention of medication errors is well documented. One such method, the process by which hospital pharmacists undertake these clinical interventions needs to be described and documented. The perceived barriers to pharmacists succeeding in getting their recommendations accepted could inform future safety strategy development.

Medication Administration Errors in an Adult Emergency Department of a Tertiary Health Care Facility in Ghana.

Objectives: This study determined the incidence, types, clinical significance, and potential causes of medication administration errors (MAEs) at the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary health care facility in Ghana.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional nonparticipant observational technique. Study participants (nurses) were observed preparing and administering medication at the ED of a 2000-bed tertiary care hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Medication safety activities of hospital pharmacists in Ghana; challenges and perceived impact on patient care.

Background: Pharmacists by their training have the competences and skills to promote safe use of medicines which is an essential component of patient safety. This study explored the perceptions of hospital pharmacists' role in medication safety in Ghana, identified their attendant challenges and ways of enhancing such roles in the future.

Method: A self-administered questionnaire was delivered to 200 pharmacists selected conveniently from the 10 regions of Ghana.

Medication safety strategies in hospitals--a systematic review.

Background: Medication safety is an essential component of patient safety in health care delivery. Providing strategies to effectively prevent medication errors and adverse drug events in hospitals has gained international recognition.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to review systematically the research literature on the various interventions for providing medication safety in hospitals.

Error-provoking conditions in the medication use process: the case of a government hospital in Ghana.

Objective: This study aimed to explore error-provoking factors prevalent in hospitals that have the potential to cause medication errors and to create awareness of the existence of medication errors.

Methods: A total of 200 medical folders of in-patients in the health facility were randomly selected and assessed based on a checklist to record potential medication errors. The medication use process and working environment as well as drug packages and labels in the pharmacy were observed, and potential medication errors were documented.