Sickle Lung Disease Long-Term Consequences and Prevention.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is of global significance due to its severity and occurrence worldwide. Inheritance of the abnormal hemoglobin structure contributes to microvascular events that underlie the development of the multi-systemic complications seen in the disease pathogenesis. Pulmonary complications are common and heterogeneous including pulmonary hypertension, sleep-disordered breathing and lung function abnormalities.

Clinical breast examination and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ghana: multilevel logistic regression analysis.

Background: Breast cancer poses a significant health burden in Ghana and globally, being the primary cause of cancer-related illness and death among women. The World Health Organization has identified clinical breast examination as the gold standard for women in low and middle-income countries. However, the uptake of clinical breast examination remains low in these settings, including Ghana, where the nationwide prevalence and associated factors of this practice have not been determined.

Persistent ascending mesocolon: an unexpected content in a giant and complex paraumbilical hernia of a 48-year-old obese woman.

Persistent ascending mesocolon (PAM) is a rare congenital anomaly in ⁓2%-4% of individuals. PAM is associated with various complications, including volvulus of the colon and caecum, bowel perforation, intestinal obstruction, and adhesions. This case is reported on a 48-year-old woman who reported to the Ho Teaching Hospital specialist clinic with a 13-year history of initial painless and reducible paraumbilical swelling.

Machine learning and molecular docking prediction of potential inhibitors against dengue virus.

Introduction: Dengue Fever continues to pose a global threat due to the widespread distribution of its vector mosquitoes, and . While the WHO-approved vaccine, Dengvaxia, and antiviral treatments like Balapiravir and Celgosivir are available, challenges such as drug resistance, reduced efficacy, and high treatment costs persist. This study aims to identify novel potential inhibitors of the Dengue virus (DENV) using an integrative drug discovery approach encompassing machine learning and molecular docking techniques.

Employee engagement, perceived organizational support, and job performance of medical staff at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.

This study examined the moderating effect of perceived organizational support on the link between employee engagement and the job performance of medical staff at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The study adopted a purely quantitative approach, using the explanatory research design. Data were collected from 310 full-time nurses and midwives of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in the Central Region of Ghana.

Survival machine learning methods for mortality prediction after heart transplantation in the contemporary era.

Although prediction models for heart transplantation outcomes have been developed previously, a comprehensive benchmarking of survival machine learning methods for mortality prognosis in the most contemporary era of heart transplants following the 2018 donor heart allocation policy change is warranted. This study assessed seven statistical and machine learning algorithms-Lasso, Ridge, Elastic Net, Cox Gradient Boost, Extreme Gradient Boost Linear, Extreme Gradient Boost Tree, and Random Survival Forests in a post-policy cohort of 7,160 adult heart-only transplant recipients in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database who received their first transplant on or after October 18, 2018. A cross-validation framework was designed in mlr.

Barriers to orthodox medical care of prostate cancer in Ghana.

Traditional medicine is widely used in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana, where it is commonly integrated with modern orthodox medicine. This study examines the barriers that delay the pursuit of orthodox medical care for prostate cancer (PCa) in Ghana's Central region, where a blend of traditional and modern orthodox medicine exists. The preference for indigenous traditional medicine often results in late-stage presentations of PCa, adversely affecting patient outcomes.

Educate, Advocate, Act Now: a sustainable approach to combating antimicrobial resistance TODAY.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a great challenge to health systems all over the world. It is exacerbated by the abuse, misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, plants and the environment. This viewpoint emphasizes the critical need to address the challenges of AMR through an integrated, long-term approach that focuses on education, advocacy and collective action.

Coping strategies of COVID-19 recovered patients at the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre.

Background: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a disease with diverse effects on multiple organ systems, leading to varying presentations and severe complications. As the pandemic progresses, the challenges faced by those who recovered from the disease evolved as various coping strategies were adopted post recovery.

Aim: This study investigated the coping strategies used by individuals recovering from COVID-19 to manage the physical, psychological, and social impacts of the disease.

Use of youth-friendly health services and predictive factors: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study among young people in the Tamale metropolis.

Globally, teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections are on the increase among young people. However, their knowledge and uptake of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services are low. This study evaluated young people's knowledge, attitude and utilization of youth-friendly health services in the Tamale Metropolis.

Post-COVID-19 conditions and health effects in Africa: a scoping review.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused global devastations in social, economic and health systems of every nation, but disproportionately of nations in Africa. In addition to its grave effects on the global systems, there is continuation or development of new symptoms among individuals who have contracted the virus, with the potential to further stress the health systems on the continent. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to collate and summarise the existing research evidence on the prevalence and health effects of post-COVID-19 conditions in Africa.

The prognosis for delayed immune recovery in HIV-infected children might be associated with pre-cART CD4 T cell count irrespective of co-infection with tuberculosis.

Background: Immune reconstitution following the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) significantly impacts the prognosis of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Our previous studies have indicated that the baseline CD4 T cells count and percentage before cART initiation are predictors of immune recovery in TB-negative children infected with HIV, with TB co-infection potentially causing a delay in immune recovery. However, it remains unclear whether these predictors consistently impact immune reconstitution during long-term intensive cART treatment in TB-negative/positive children infected with HIV.

Recurrent Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in U.S. Travelers Treated with Artemether-Lumefantrine.

We report two cases of recurrent malaria in U.S. travelers returning from Africa (Ghana and Central African Republic) despite a full course of artemether-lumefantrine (AL).

Exploring reduction of prolonged binocular vision testing time: the agreement between the first and second thirty seconds within one minute of accommodative and vergence facility tests.

The study sought to compare the number of cycles (NOS) for the first and second thirty-seconds (FASTS) within 1 min of accommodative facility (AF) and vergence facility (VF) testing to explore possibilities of reducing testing time to 30 s. In this cross-sectional study, a multistage sample of school children (aged 8-17 years) was taken through ocular-visual screening. Eligible participants (586) underwent refraction, stereo-acuity measurement, AF testing using ± 2D lens flippers, and VF testing using 3 BI/12 BO flipper prisms.

A Global Collaborative Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antigenicity Across 15 Laboratories.

Setting up a global SARS-CoV-2 surveillance system requires an understanding of how virus isolation and propagation practices, use of animal or human sera, and different neutralisation assay platforms influence assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigenicity. In this study, with the contribution of 15 independent laboratories across all WHO regions, we carried out a controlled analysis of neutralisation assay platforms using the first WHO International Standard for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (source: NIBSC). Live virus isolates (source: WHO BioHub or individual labs) or spike plasmids (individual labs) for pseudovirus production were used to perform neutralisation assays using the same serum panels.

Cholera Outbreaks in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in the Last Decade: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cholera is linked to penury, making low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. In this systematic review, we analyzed the drivers contributing to these outbreaks, focusing on the epidemiology of cholera in LMICs. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024591613).

In Vitro Evaluation of Rosemary Essential Oil: GC-MS Profiling, Antibacterial Synergy, and Biofilm Inhibition.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become precarious, warranting investments in antimicrobial discovery. To investigate the antibacterial activity of rosemary essential oil (REO), alone and in combination with selected conventional antibiotics. REO was subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (including minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination) and investigation of anti-pre-biofilm and antibiofilm activities.

Pathology and VP2-Based Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Associated with an Outbreak in Layer Chickens in Ghana.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) continues to threaten poultry production globally, with highly virulent strains circulating in many parts of Africa. In this study, molecular characterization was performed on a circulating infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain from an outbreak in a layer flock in Ghana. Layer chicks presented for necropsy had markedly enlarged and hemorrhagic bursae of Fabricius, with necrotic foci and catarrhal exudate on the serosal surface.

Association of Molecular Detections of Microsporidia in Stool Samples with Clinical and Immunological Parameters in Ghanaian HIV Patients.

Although the etiological relevance of the detection of microsporidia in human stool samples remains uncertain, the immunological status of patients has been posited as an important determinant of potential clinical impact of these parasites. To further assess the interplay between the epidemiology of microsporidia and immunological markers, we conducted a study utilizing real-time PCR targeting , , , and , combined in a single fluorescence channel. The study involved a cohort of 595 clinically and immunologically well-characterized Ghanaian HIV patients, alongside 82 HIV-negative control individuals from Ghana.

Clinical Readiness for Practice of Nursing Students: A Concept Analysis.

Introduction: The concept of clinical readiness for practice among nursing students is yet to be analyzed, and there is a lack of empirical evidence on its usage among academics and clinicians.

Methods: This concept analysis is anchored on a systematic literature review that adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and incorporated the eight iterative steps of Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. This concept analysis method involved: (1) choosing a concept; (2) determining the objectives of the analysis; (3) identifying usages of the concept; (4) determining the defining attributes; (5) identifying a model case; (6) identifying other cases, including borderline, contrary, and related cases; (7) identifying antecedents and consequences; and (8) defining empirical references.

Effect of Group Antenatal Care on Breastfeeding Knowledge and Practices Among Pregnant Women in Ghana: Findings from a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth to ensure child health and survival. Antenatal care provides an opportunity to educate pregnant women on optimal breastfeeding practices. A cluster-randomized control trial in Ghana examined the impact of group antenatal care on breastfeeding knowledge and practice.

Spatial Variation and Predictors of Women's Sole Autonomy in Healthcare Decision-Making in Bangladesh: A Spatial and Multilevel Analysis.

Knowing the spatial variation and predictors of women having sole autonomy over their healthcare decisions is crucial to design site-specific interventions. This study examined how women's sole autonomy over their healthcare choices varies geographically and what factors influence this autonomy among Bangladeshi women of childbearing age. Data were obtained from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18.

Assessment of Donkey Welfare at Slaughter in Ghana.

Donkey slaughter in West Africa has received limited scientific attention, despite increasing over recent years. This study aimed to explore factors affecting donkey welfare, both ante-mortem and at slaughter, in the Upper East region of Ghana. A total of 134 donkeys at five different slaughter points were assessed using animal-based indicators.

A systematic review for non-targeted analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

This review follows the PRISMA guidelines to provide a systematic review of 115 peer reviewed articles that used non-targeted analysis (NTA) methods to detect per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). This literature highlights the significant positive impact of NTA in understanding PFAS in the environment. Within the literature a geographical bias exists, with most NTA studies (∼60 %) conducted in the United States and China.

Physical activity and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania: insights for public health policy in low-income contexts.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened anxiety levels globally, disproportionately affecting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity (PA) has shown potential to alleviate mental health challenges, including anxiety. This study explores the relationship between PA and anxiety among Tanzanian adults during the pandemic, examining whether self-reported health status moderates this relationship and identifying demographic variations.