Publications by authors named "Evans Agbeno"

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess psychological distress and to identify any gender specific differences in the psychological distress among infertile couples after one year of unsuccessful pharmacotherapy.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted in four fertility clinics in the Cape Coast Metropolis.

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Background: Malaria in pregnancy can have adverse outcomes if untreated. Both malaria and pregnancy are associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. Although malaria is treated prophylactically with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screened for in pregnancy as part a routine antenatal care, their impacts have not been examined in terms of other forms of dysglycaemia.

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Background: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a gynaecological complication of urinary schistosomiasis (US) with an estimated burden of 20-120 million cases in endemic areas. A neglected sexual and reproductive health disease in sub-Saharan Africa, FGS increases susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections including cervical cancer and infertility among other morbidities. However, there appears to be limited FGS knowledge among practicing and pre-service health providers with implications for control.

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Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent malignancy and common cause of mortality in women worldwide, despite being one of the most preventable female cancers.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of patients about cervical cancer prevention methods and the use of these methods by women in an urban setting.

Method: A cross-sectional study design was employed.

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Background: Disorders of pregnancy such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the ameliorating role of maternal nutrition in the relationship between disorders of pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes has received very little attention. We investigated the relationship between HDP and GDM, and adverse birth outcomes in a Ghanaian population and evaluated the effect modifying role of fruits and vegetables consumption in the relationship.

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Background: In recent times, cervical dysbiosis which mostly causes and aggravates infections is highlighted for its role in immune modulation in cervical dysplasia, which promotes the shifting of Th1 phenotype immunity to Th2 phenotype immunity. This study therefore estimated and compared the levels of circulatory IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-, and IFN- cytokines among adult women identified to have different grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and with cervicovaginal infection.

Methods: A total of 157 participants were recruited from the Akyemansa District of Ghana, and cervical swabs and blood samples were taken.

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Background: Pharmacotherapy remains a first-line and major treatment option for couples struggling with infertility, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where other expensive alternatives are rarely available. Despite the reliance on pharmacotherapy for treating infertility in the subregion, especially for those diagnosed with unexplained infertility, little is known about the actual influence of drug therapies on conception.

Objectives: The study aimed to prospectively assess the prescription patterns and outcomes of pharmacotherapy for women undergoing fertility treatment in Ghana.

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Background: Globally, millions of people of reproductive age experience infertility. With that notwithstanding, most infertile patients undergoing pharmacotherapy withdraw from treatment before achieving the desired outcome. The reasons for their withdrawal, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, have not been well examined, hence the need for this study.

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Background: Few data are available on COVID-19 outcomes among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where high-risk comorbidities are prevalent. We investigated the impact of pregnancy on SARS-CoV-2 infection and of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy to generate evidence for health policy and clinical practice.

Methods: We conducted a 6-country retrospective cohort study among hospitalized women of childbearing age between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2021.

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Introduction: Caesarean sections (CS) feature prominently in obstetric care and have impacted positively on maternal / neonatal outcomes globally including Ghana. However, in spite of documented increasing CS rates in the country, there are no studies assessing the adequacy of post-CS pain control. This study assessed the adequacy of post-CS pain management as well as factors influencing this outcome.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on understanding the knowledge and health-seeking behavior of pregnant women regarding hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Ghana, particularly in the Central Region, which experienced high maternal mortality rates from these disorders.
  • A cross-sectional study surveyed 404 pregnant women at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, collecting data on their demographics and knowledge about the risk factors and complications associated with hypertensive disorders.
  • Results indicated that only 15.4% of participants had adequate knowledge about these conditions, and education level significantly influenced knowledge, with women holding tertiary degrees being six times more informed than those with basic education.
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Importance: Little is known about COVID-19 outcomes among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, where preexisting comorbidities are prevalent.

Objective: To assess the clinical outcomes and factors associated with outcomes among children and adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19 in 6 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study was a retrospective record review of data from 25 hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda from March 1 to December 31, 2020, and included 469 hospitalized patients aged 0 to 19 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Introduction: Obstetric intensive care unit admission (ICU) suggests severe morbidity. However, there is no available data on the subject in Ghana. This retrospective review was conducted to determine the indications for obstetric ICU admission, their outcomes and factors influencing these outcomes to aid continuous quality improvement in obstetric care.

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Objectives: The risk of an adverse event (AE) in obstetric clients receiving care in hospitals is greater than the risk of dying in aviation, road traffic accidents, and breast cancer. There is little understanding of AEs with respect to their causes at hospitals. The study aimed at assessing factors that are associated with the occurrence of AEs among hospitalized obstetric clients in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

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Background: Healthcare providers play a major role in the implementation of family planning policies. In Ghana, there has been a conscious effort to improve the knowledge of preservice and practicing health professionals on family planning. However, there have been concerns about the appropriateness of the attitudes and practices of these health cadres and, hence, their propensity to become barriers to the uptake of contraception in the general population.

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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacted an appreciable burden on health systems globally including adverse psychological impacts on health workers. This study sought to assess COVID-19-related fear, depression, anxiety and stress among hospital staff, potential factors that may help reduce its psychological effects and their personal coping strategies. The study will help to highlight the psychological impact of COVID-19 on Ghanaian health workers and indirectly serve as a needs assessment survey for input to support affected staff and the broader health system.

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Globally, there are prevailing knowledge gaps in the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among children and adolescents; and these gaps are especially wide in African countries. The availability of robust age-disaggregated data is a critical first step in improving knowledge on disease burden and manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children. Furthermore, it is essential to improve understanding of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with comorbidities and coinfections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, sickle cell disease, and malnutrition, which are highly prevalent among children in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Background: Prematurity (gestational age <37 completed weeks) accounts for the majority of neonatal deaths worldwide and most of these occur in the low-resource countries. Understanding factors that determine the best chances of preterm survival is imperative in order to enhance the care of neonates and reduce adverse outcomes in such complicated births.

Aim: This was to find out the proportions of preterm babies who survived at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) and the factors which influenced their survival.

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In the African context, there is a paucity of data on SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated COVID-19 in pregnancy. Given the endemicity of infections such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis (TB) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it is important to evaluate coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 and their impact on maternal/infant outcomes. Robust research is critically needed to evaluate the effects of the added burden of COVID-19 in pregnancy, to help develop evidence-based policies toward improving maternal and infant outcomes.

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Objectives: Unintended pregnancy presents a crisis situation with limited options for resolution. Abortion appears to be a commonly chosen option but is stigmatized in many societies including Ghana. Keeping a child from an unintended pregnancy is also unsuitable for many people.

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The study assessed the prevalence and determinants of non-fistulous urinary incontinence among gynaecologic care seekers as well as its interference with everyday life activities of affected women. A cross-sectional study involving 400 women was conducted in a tertiary facility in Ghana. Urinary incontinence was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-short form (ICIQ-SF) which has not been validated locally.

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Violence against women is a global challenge with negative health outcomes. Women living with HIV (WLHIV) in sero-discordant unions are at risk of violence after disclosure of their status This study assesses the risk factors for post-disclosure violence (PDV) against WLHIV in discordant unions in Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 129 consented WLHIV in discordant relationships in a tertiary facility from May to October 2017.

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Objective: To determine obstetric fistula knowledge among prenatal attendees and midwives in Mfantsiman municipality, Ghana.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among prenatal clinic attendees and midwives in Mfantsiman municipality from March to April, 2016. Women were selected by systematic sampling and consenting midwives were recruited.

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Background: Pregnancy crisis mismanagement has contributed to maternal deaths and illnesses globally and in Ghana due to absence/inadequate pregnancy options counselling for clients to make informed decisions. This study examines options counselling for abortion seekers in health facilities in Ghana.

Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study design was done in selected specialised public and NGO health facilities within Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana, using self-administered structured questionnaires for data collection from 1st January to 30th April, 2014.

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Background: Infertility is a major challenge for couples globally. Due to low income levels and the high cost of other assisted reproductive techniques, pharmacotherapy remain the major first line treatment option for infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of infertility as well as the effectiveness and success achieved following infertility pharmacotherapy at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

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