Validation of three pain scales among adult postoperative patients in Ghana.

Background: Pain assessment is an important component of pain management and health professionals require valid tools to assess pain to guide their pain management decisions. The study sought to select, develop, and validate context-appropriate unidimensional pain scales for pain assessment among adult post-operative patients.

Methods: A mixed methods design was adopted.

Dysmenorrhea Management and Coping among Students in Ghana: A Qualitative Exploration.

Study Objective: The study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of primary dysmenorrhea management and coping strategies for dysmenorrhea among adolescents and young adults who were in school.

Design: The study adopted a qualitative exploratory approach using a descriptive phenomenology to explore the phenomenon of interest.

Setting: The study was conducted in two educational institutions in Accra, Ghana: a Senior High School (SHS) and a University.

The experience of dysmenorrhoea among Ghanaian senior high and university students: pain characteristics and effects.

Background: Dysmenorrhoea is a common problem of women at the reproductive age and may have negative effect on the education of females at various stages on the educational ladder.

Context And Purpose: This study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the experience of dysmenorrhoea and its effect on female students in a secondary and a tertiary institution in Accra, Ghana.

Methods: The study employed a descriptive phenomenology design and was conducted at a University and a Senior High School (SHS) in Accra.

Breast cancer diagnosis and factors influencing treatment decisions in Ghana.

Researchers in this study explored the reactions of women with breast cancer and identified factors influencing treatment decisions. A qualitative exploratory approach was employed. Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital and a breast cancer support group.

Pattern of breast diseases in Accra: review of mammography reports.

Objectives: To document the mammographic patterns in females seeking medical attention in Accra.

Design: An analytic retrospective study was conducted using data extracted from mammography request forms and corresponding radiological reports of 180 females.

Setting: The radiology departments of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital the Trust Hospital and Medical Imaging Ghana all located in Accra.

Psychosocial aspects of breast cancer treatment in Accra, Ghana.

Objectives: To evaluate psychosocial influences and effects of breast cancer treatment.

Design: Cohort questionnaire survey.

Setting: Surgical Outpatient Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana.

Profile of breast diseases at a self-referral clinic in Ghana.

Background: Breast cancer is a common malignancy in Ghana, and many patients are referred with advanced disease and long duration of symptoms.

Objective: To determine the spectrum of breast disease diagnosed through patient self-referral in Ghana.

Methods: A breast clinic, where patients could walk in without referral, was started in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in 2001.

Comparison of four-day and ten-day post-mastectomy passive drainage in Accra, Ghana.

Objectives: To determine the optimum period for passive post-mastectomy drainage in Accra, Ghana, comparing early (day 4) to late (day 10) drain removal.

Design: Randomised prospective clinical study.

Setting: Surgical Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana

Subjects: Patients with breast cancer scheduled for total mastectomy and level 11 axillary clearance.

A study of breast cancer in korle bu teaching hospital: assessing the impact of health education.

Summary Introduction: Many patients with breast cancer report late with advanced disease. It is not known if recent breast awareness education programmes have led to a change in this trend at the Korle Bu Teaching hospital (KBTH).

Method: A prospective study of the characteristics of breast cancer patients seen by a surgical unit at KBTH over a three year period.

Breast cancer risk in patients with breast pain in Accra, Ghana.

Objective: To determine the risk of breast cancer in patients presenting with breast pain in Accra, Ghana.

Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Setting: A self-referral breast clinic in Accra, Ghana.

Position and susceptibility to inflammation of vermiform appendix in Accra, Ghana.

Objectives: To determine the normal (non-inflamed) position of the vermiform appendix in Ghana and carry out a pilot study to test the hypothesis "The retrocaecal appendix is less prone to inflammation".

Design: Retrospective autopsy study.

Setting: The pathology department and the department of surgery theatres of the Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana

Subjects: Consecutive autopsies and inflamed appendices at appendicectomy.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the korle bu teaching hospital, accra, ghana.

Summary Objectives: To study the indications for endoscopy, the endoscopic diagnosis and other lessons learnt.

Methods: A retrospective and prospective audit of all upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed in the Endoscopy Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital from January 1995 to December 2002 was performed.

Results: A total of 6977 patients, 3777 males and 3200 females with age range 1 year 8 months to 93 years were endoscoped.

An audit of aspects of informed consent and pain relief in general surgical units of korle bu teaching hospital.

SummaryThere is the need to adequately inform patients about their disease, treatment options, surgery and post-operative complications. Adequate pain relief after surgery leads to less morbidity. Two important aspects of surgical practice are being addressed in this paper, the need for informed consent and post operative pain relief.

Eosinophilic enteritis--a diagnostic dilemma.

Eosinophilic enteritis is a rare condition of unknown aetiology, although it is generally believed to be due to intestinal allergy. It may mimic peptic ulcer, subacute (or chronic) intestinal obstruction, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. The diagnosis is often difficult to make and most cases are only diagnosed after laparotomy/ laparoscopy and biopsy.