Patient knowledge and self-management of asthma at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital adult asthma clinic.

ObjectiveThis study assessed patients' knowledge of asthma, their level of self-management and satisfaction with care at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Adult Asthma Clinic.MethodsThis study was a quantitative cross-sectional study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Adult Asthma Clinic in Accra. Sixty-eight (68) clinically diagnosed asthma patients who have been attending clinic regularly for reviews for more than six months, were recruited in this study.

Screening for pulmonary hypertension in pregnant women with sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) has evolved from a condition predominantly fatal in childhood to a chronic illness impacting many adults, including women of reproductive age. For females with SCD, pregnancy represents one of the greatest health threats, exacerbating existing health challenges and introducing new risks. Despite advancements in healthcare, routine screening for existing complications like pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains inconsistent, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the prevalence of SCD is highest.

Impact of hospital-community diabetes management intervention in Central Region, Ghana: A retrospective study.

Objective: Effective diabetes management remains suboptimal in low-resourced countries including Ghana. We determined the effectiveness of hospital-community link diabetes management intervention on glycaemic control and other outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective study design, using secondary data from the Ghana-Netherlands for Health Foundation diabetes programme.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Inmates at the Monrovia Central Prison, Liberia.

Determination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in key populations including prison inmates is crucial for formulating appropriate intervention approaches. However, in many low-income countries, such as Liberia, there is hardly any documentation on HBV prevalence among inmates. This study determined and evaluated the prevalence of HBV infections among incarcerated persons in the Monrovia Central Prison, Liberia.

Contribution of diabetes to amputations in sub-Sahara Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetes related amputations remain a major global problem, with devastating complications. We critically appraised relevant literature to quantify the prevalence of diabetes related amputations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). An electronic search was performed using the EMBASE and PubMed databases until 2020.

Sickle Cell Disease Genomics of Africa (SickleGenAfrica) Network: ethical framework and initial qualitative findings from community engagement in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Objectives: To provide lay information about genetics and sickle cell disease (SCD) and to identify and address ethical issues concerning the Sickle Cell Disease Genomics of Africa Network covering autonomy and research decision-making, risk of SCD complications and organ damage, returning of genomic findings, biorepository, data sharing, and healthcare provision for patients with SCD.

Design: Focus groups using qualitative methods.

Setting: Six cities in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania within communities and secondary care.

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Childhood Body Fatness.

Objective: This study aimed to uncover genetic contributors to adiposity in early life.

Methods: A genome-wide association study of childhood body fatness in 34,401 individuals within the Nurses' Health Studies and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study was conducted. Data were imputed to the 1000 Genomes Phase 3 version 5 reference panel.

Characterization of Campylobacter associated gastric enteritis among patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Background: Campylobacter infections in HIV positive patients often present with substantial mortality and morbidity when compared to HIV negative patients.

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of Campylobacter, antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genetic factors, and risk of Campylobacter infection associated with living in close proximity to domestic animals in HIV patients with gastric enteritis at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Methods: Resistance to different antibiotics was assessed with Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

The Sickle Cell Disease Ontology: Enabling Collaborative Research and Co-Designing of New Planetary Health Applications.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common blood disorders impacting planetary health. Over 300,000 newborns are diagnosed with SCD each year globally, with an increasing trend. The sickle cell disease ontology (SCDO) is the most comprehensive multidisciplinary SCD knowledge portal.

Cross-sectional study of association between psychosocial stressors with chronic kidney disease among migrant and non-migrant Ghanaians living in Europe and Ghana: the RODAM study.

Objectives: The association between psychosocial stressors (PS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations is unknown. We examined the association between PS and CKD prevalence among rural and urban Ghanaians and Ghanaian migrants living in three European cities. We also assessed if the influence of PS on CKD is partially mediated by primary risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) of CKD.

Cross-sectional study of association between socioeconomic indicators and chronic kidney disease in rural-urban Ghana: the RODAM study.

Objectives: Studies from high-income countries suggest higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among individuals in low socioeconomic groups. However, some studies from low/middle-income countries show the reverse pattern among those in high socioeconomic groups. It is unknown which pattern applies to individuals living in rural and urban Ghana.

Thyroid hormone status in Ghanaian patients with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: There is limited data on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Ghanaian individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies exploring the effect of thyroid hormones on renal function decline are also scanty. Unrecognized thyroid dysfunction in CKD may increase the burden of adverse health outcomes.

Depression and quality of life in patients on long term hemodialysis at a nationalhospital in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Unlabelled: The study examined quality of life and prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients on long term hemodialysis. Further, it explored the impact of socio-demographic characteristics on depression and quality of life.

Design: Study design was cross-sectional.

20 year trends in renal disease mortality in Ghana: A review of autopsies.

Aim: Data on the changing levels in renal morbidity and mortality are scant globally. We sought to assess trends in renal disease mortality and attributable causes over a 20 year period in Ghana.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 20 year autopsy records of the Pathology Departments of leading teaching hospitals in Ghana, (Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi) from January 1994 to December 2013.

Chronic kidney disease burden among African migrants in three European countries and in urban and rural Ghana: the RODAM cross-sectional study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major burden among sub-Saharan African (SSA) populations. However, differences in CKD prevalence between rural and urban settings in Africa, and upon migration to Europe are unknown. We therefore assessed the differences in CKD prevalence among homogenous SSA population (Ghanaians) residing in rural and urban Ghana and in three European cities, and whether conventional risk factors of CKD explained the observed differences.

Relationship between educational and occupational levels, and Chronic Kidney Disease in a multi-ethnic sample- The HELIUS study.

Background: Ethnic minority groups in high-income countries are disproportionately affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for reasons that are unclear. We assessed the association of educational and occupational levels with CKD in a multi-ethnic population. Furthermore, we assessed to what extent ethnic inequalities in the prevalence of CKD were accounted for by educational and occupational levels.

Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA genes in dyspeptic Ghanaian patients.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is prevalent in Ghana. The development of gastro-duodenal disease is dependent on virulence of the infecting strain, host susceptibility and environmental factors. Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA strains induce more inflammation, ulceration and oncogenesis.

Factors associated with uterine fibroid in Ghanaian women undergoing pelvic scans with suspected uterine fibroid.

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumours affecting premenopausal women and are often associated with considerable hospitalization and morbidity. Literature shows virtually no study concerning the quantification of the main factors associated with uterine fibroids in Ghanaian women. The purpose of this study was to assess the main factors associated with uterine fibroid among Ghanaian women presenting for ultrasound.

Hepatitis B virus genotypes among chronic hepatitis B patients reporting at Korle-Bu teaching hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Introduction: Knowledge of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype is an important predictive variable which might have an impact in management and treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. In Ghana very little information is available on hepatitis B genotypes. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of HBV genotypes circulating among chronic hepatitis B patients reporting at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana.

Giardia lamblia infections in children in Ghana.

Introduction: Though giardiasis is an important public health problem in Ghana, several aspects of its epidemiology, particularly the molecular epidemiology has not been investigated adequately. This could be a major hindrance to effective surveillance and control of giardiasis in the country. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of infecting children at a paediatric hospital in Ghana.

Anaemia in pregnant adolescent girls with malaria and practicing pica.

Introduction: Pregnancy during the adolescent period is challenging mainly because of the nutritional demands of both the adolescent and pregnancy period. The risk for anaemia increases especially in developing countries such as Ghana where malaria is endemic and the practice of pica is common. In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of anaemia, pica practice and malaria infection among pregnant adolescent girls and assess the extent to which these factors are associated.

Prevalence of hemoglobin S trait among blood donors: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT) or Hemoglobin S (HbS) trait which is due to inheritance of an abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other has been known to be common among people of African descent. Individuals with SCT may find themselves in the blood donor population without knowing their 'carrier' status and this may have severe consequences on their health as well as that of a recipient, particularly if they happen to be a sickle cell disease patient. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HbS trait among blood donors.

Ethnic Disparities in CKD in the Netherlands: The Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) Study.

Background: Evidence suggesting important ethnic differences in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence comes mainly from the United States, and data among various ethnic groups in Europe are lacking. We therefore assessed differences in CKD in 6 ethnic groups living in the Netherlands and explored to what extent the observed differences could be accounted for by differences in conventional cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, physical activity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia).

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) cohort study.

Assessment of the level of agreement in the interpretation of plain radiographs of lumbar spondylosis among clinical physiotherapists in Ghana.

Background: Objective physical assessment of patients with lumbar spondylosis involves plain film radiographs (PFR) viewing and interpretation by the radiologists. Physiotherapists also routinely assess PFR within the scope of their practice. However, studies appraising the level of agreement of physiotherapists' PFR interpretation with radiologists are not common in Ghana.

Effects of aerobic exercise on selected physiological parameters and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week aerobic exercise program on physiological parameters and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Patients attending a diabetes clinic participated in this randomized control trial. They were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group by ballot.