Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months among caregivers of children under five years in northern Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Despite consistent evidence highlighting the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months, EBF duration sometimes falls short of six months or exceeds it. This research seeks to explore factors influencing the practice of optimal duration of EBF and identify factors associated with suboptimal EBF durations. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 districts across four Northern regions of Ghana with 2000 caregivers of children under five years old.

Novel peptide and hyaluronic acid coated biomimetic liposomes for targeting bacterial infections and sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome resulting from an imbalanced immune response to severe infections. Despite advances in nanomedicines, effective treatments for sepsis are still lacking. Herein, vancomycin free base (VCM)-loaded dual functionalized biomimetic liposomes based on a novel TLR4-targeting peptide (P3) and hyaluronic acid (HA) (HA-P3-Lipo) were developed to enhance sepsis therapy.

Quasi-2D-Ising-type magnetic critical behavior in trigonal Cr1.27Te2.

Single crystal Cr1.27Te2 samples were synthesized by using the chemical vapor transport method. Single crystal x-ray diffraction studies show a trigonal crystal structure with a P3̄m1 symmetry space group.

Promoting responsive care and early learning practices in Northern Ghana: results from a counselling intervention within nutrition and health services.

Objective: This study assesses change in caregiver practices after integrating responsive care and early learning (RCEL) in nutrition and health services and community platforms in northern Ghana.

Design: We trained health facility workers and community health volunteers to deliver RCEL counselling to caregivers of children under 2 years of age through existing health facilities and community groups. We assessed changes in caregivers' RCEL practices before and after the intervention with a household questionnaire and caregiver-child observations.

Predictive signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis isolates in Northern Ghana.

Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) is a public health burden in Ghana that causes up to 10% mortality in confirmed cases annually. About 20% of those who survive the infection suffer permanent sequelae. The study sought to understand the predictive signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis implicated in its outcomes.

Reasons for delay in accessing free treatment of obstetric fistula in South-East Nigeria - A qualitative study.

Obstetric fistula continues to be a menace in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. The national policy for its elimination makes surgical repair free in dedicated national centres. However, the majority of the clients present late for repair.

A Clinico-Pathological Study of Vulvo-Vaginal Disease at a Nigerian Tertiary Health Facility.

Introduction: The vulva and vagina are of great significance to womanhood owing to the myriads of specialized functions they perform. The diseases of this organ have physical, social, mental, and psychological ramifications. The aim of this work is to study the pathological pattern and clinical presentation of diseases of the vulva and vagina at the Department of Anatomical Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the Jos University Teaching Hospital between 1st January 2011 and December 31st, 2020.

Stigma and discrimination tendencies towards COVID-19 survivors: Evidence from a nationwide population-based survey in Ghana.

Historically, infectious diseases have generated fears among populations. Unhealthy handling of these fears result in the stigma and discrimination of infected patients. Globally, measures taken so far by governments to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, although helpful, have created fears in people.

A Clinicopathological Study of 236 Cystic Ovarian Lesions at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

Background: Cystic ovarian lesions are defined by an ovarian fluid containing space limited by a membrane. The exact prevalence of the disease is unknown. A proper diagnosis is imperative for the choice of appropriate therapy.

Predictors of late presentation for obstetric fistula repair in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria.

Late presentation is a challenge to reducing the backlog of obstetric fistulas. We aimed to identify characteristics of women presenting late for repair in order to improve patient recruitment. It was a cross-sectional comparative study.

The role of universal health coverage in the eradication of obstetric fistula in Nigeria-A commentary.

Obstetric fistula is a serious public health problem affecting women in low- and middle-income countries. It is characterized by continuous leakage of urine and/or feces from the vagina as a result of injuries sustained from childbirth. It has continued to exist in Nigeria because the publicly funded health-care system has failed to provide quality, equitable, accessible, and affordable maternal health care.

Adapting a nurse-led primary care initiative to cardiovascular disease control in Ghana: a qualitative study.

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, where rural primary health care is provided mainly by the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative. CHPS locates nurses in community-level clinics for basic curative and preventive health services and provides home and outreach services. But CHPS currently lacks capacity to screen for or treat CVD and its risk factors.

Full-scale Raman imaging for dental caries detection.

Early detection of dental caries is critical for avoiding more invasive and advanced treatment at a later stage. However, currently available techniques are unsatisfactory for early detection. Raman spectroscopy is known to have both high sensitivity and specificity in the analysis of mineral content in a tooth; but translating Raman spectroscopy to clinical caries detection remains a challenge.

Enterocutaneous Fistula Coexisting with Enterovesical Fistula: A Rare Complication of Ovarian Cystectomy.

Enterocutaneous fistula is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the skin, while enterovesical fistula is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the bladder. Both are not usual complications of ovarian cystectomy. We present a patient with enterovesical fistula coexisting with enterocutaneous fistula following ovarian cystectomy.

Transvaginal Retropubic Urethropexy Versus Pubovaginal Sling for Treatment of Postrepair Urinary Incontinence.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the success rates of transvaginal retropubic urethropexy with fascia lata pubovaginal sling (PV sling) for treatment of postrepair urinary incontinence at a fistula center in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 60 patients who had transvaginal retropubic urethropexy and 46 patients who had PV sling on account of postrepair incontinence at National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between January 2014 and December 2016. Data were retrieved from the hospital records.

Intravenous urography findings in women with ureteric fistula.

Introduction: Ureteric fistula is one of the major morbidities that can arise from pelvic surgeries. It mainly results from gynaecological and obstetric procedures. Intravenous urography is an imaging modality for the upper urinary tract.

Profile and outcome of patients with recurrent urogenital fistula in a fistula centre in Nigeria.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Management of a recurrent urogenital fistula is very challenging and requires experienced surgeons. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics, success rates, and associated factors related to surgical repairs of patients with recurrent urogenital fistulas by an experienced team at a fistula centre in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 154 patients that had repeat urogenital fistula repairs at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between January 2014 and December 2016.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women with pelvic organ prolapse in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria.

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the herniation of pelvic organs from its anatomical confines, and it is of considerable importance to the practicing gynaecologist in middle and low income countries. It is commonly associated with, urinary tract infection (UTI), both symptomatic and asymptomatic due to anatomical and physiological changes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women with pelvic organ prolapse, to know the organisms commonly implicated and the sensitivity pattern.

Bladder spasm following urogenital fistula repair.

Objective: To examine the occurrence of bladder spasms following surgical repair of urogenital fistula.

Methods: The present retrospective study included data from patients who underwent surgical repair of urogenital fistula at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. Patients who underwent rectovaginal fistula repair and those who experienced persistent postoperative pain requiring high doses of analgesia were excluded.

Treatment Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition Cases at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Objective. This study investigated the treatment outcomes and determinant factors likely to be associated with recovery rate. Methods.