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. The z-test was used for proportions, to compare parameters between baseline (2017) and endpoint (2022). The Friedman test was used to assess changes in blood glucose levels, and the multivariable Logistic regression to identify factors associated with blood glucose control. RESULTS: Analyses of 251 clinical records showed decline in median blood glucose levels across six years from 8.8 mmol/L (7.2-12.9) in 2017 to 6.5 mmol/L (5.7-7.2) (p = 0.001) in 2022, recording 43 % increase in patients attaining glycaemic control in 2022 (p = 0.001). The Friedman test showed significant reduction in glucose levels (χ2 = 319.2, p = 0.001), with an effect size of 0.25 using the Kendall test. The logistic regression analyses revealed that patients on metformin and Glibenclamide combination were more likely to achieve glycaemic control than those on metformin monotherapy (adjusted OR = 7.30, 95 % CI 2.31-23.01, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The intervention achieved significant reduction in blood glucose levels. Patients with diabetes benefit from the hospital-community link diabetes management intervention regarding glycaemic control.

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. Twenty-four out of 834 studies retrieved were included. The pooled prevalence of diabetic-related amputations was 36.9% (95%CI: 32.9%-40.8%). Complications of diabetes related amputations included infection, anaemia, foot deformity and mortality. The study revealed a substantial contribution of diabetes to the burden of amputations in SSA and suggests the need for further studies to assess how to reduce the incidence of diabetes, reduce the incidence of and or delay the progression of macro and microvascular complications of diabetes in SSA.

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. RESULTS: A total of 1,354 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (P < 10-4 ) were selected for replication in a previously published genome-wide association study of childhood BMI. Nineteen significant genome-wide (P < 5 × 10-8 ) regions were observed, fourteen of which were previously associated with childhood obesity and five were novel: BNDF (P = 7.58 × 10-13 ), PRKD1 (P = 1.43 × 10-10 ), 20p13 (P = 2.05 × 10-10 ), FHIT (P = 1.77 × 10-8 ), and LOC101927575 (P = 3.22 × 10-8 ). The BNDF, FHIT, and PRKD1 regions were previously associated with adult BMI. LOC101927575 and 20p13 regions have not previously been associated with adiposity phenotypes. In a transcriptome-wide analysis, associations for POMC at 2p23.3 (P = 3.36 × 10-6 ) and with TMEM18 at 2p25.3 (P = 3.53 × 10-7 ) were observed. Childhood body fatness was genetically correlated with hip (rg = 0.42, P = 4.44 × 10-16 ) and waist circumference (rg = 0.39, P = 5.56 × 10-16 ), as well as age at menarche (rg = -0.37, P = 7.96 × 10-19 ). CONCLUSIONS: Additional loci that contribute to childhood adiposity were identified, further explicating its genetic architecture.

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. PARTICIPANTS: Patients, parents/caregivers, healthcare professionals, community leaders and government healthcare representatives. RESULTS: Results from 112 participants revealed similar sensitivities and aspirations around genomic research, an inclination towards autonomous decision-making for research, concerns about biobanking, anonymity in data sharing, and a preference for receiving individual genomic results. Furthermore, inadequate healthcare for patients with SCD was emphasised. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed the eagerness of patients and parents/caregivers to participate in genomics research in Africa, with advice from community leaders and reassurance from health professionals and policy-makers, despite their apprehensions regarding healthcare systems.

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. In addition, all the Campylobacter isolates were tested for ampicillin (blaOXA-61), erythromycin (aph-3-1), tetracycline tet(O), streptomycin (aadE), and the energy-dependent multi-drug efflux pump (cmeB) resistance genes using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Out of a total of 140 (97 females and 43 males) tested patients, 71 (50.7%) patients were positive for Campylobacter coli. Female patients aged within 31-40 years (31.6%) and 41-50 years (31.6%) had high frequency of Campylobacter infection. Most of the infected patients lived in close proximity to chickens (53.5%), however, some patients (14.1%) lived in close proximity to goats. Phenotypic resistance evaluation revealed widespread resistance to ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (100%), ciprofloxacin (71.8%), erythromycin (69%), and gentamicin (49.3%). However, limited no of isolates contained blaOXA-61 (1.41%), cmeB (7.0%) and tet(O (7.0%) resistance genes. CONCLUSION: HIV patients with gastric enteritis were infected with resistant Campylobacter coli. Further studies are required to examine correlation of infected patients with C. coli and risk of living in close proximity to poultry birds. There is the need for routine investigation of Campylobacter in patients with gastroenteritis in order to assist in the development of strategies for combating diseases involving resistant zoonotic bacteria strains.

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. The SCDO was collaboratively developed by the SCDO working group, which includes experts in SCD and data standards from across the globe. This expert review presents highlights and lessons learned from the fourth SCDO workshop that marked the beginning of applications toward planetary health impact, and with an eye to empower and cultivate multisite SCD collaborative research. The workshop was organized by the Sickle Africa Data Coordinating Center (SADaCC) and attended by 44 participants from 14 countries, with 2 participants connecting remotely. Notably, from the standpoint of democratizing and innovating scientific meeting design, an SCD patient advocate also presented at the workshop, giving a broader real-life perspective on patients' aspirations, needs, and challenges. A major component of the workshop was new approaches to harness SCDO to harmonize data elements used by different studies. This was facilitated by a web-based platform onto which participants uploaded data elements from previous or ongoing SCD-relevant research studies before the workshop, making multisite collaborative research studies based on existing SCD data possible, including multisite cohort, SCD global clinical trials, and SCD community engagement approaches. Trainees presented proposals for systematic literature reviews in key SCD research areas. This expert review emphasizes potential and prospects of SCDO-enabled data standards and harmonization to facilitate large-scale global SCD collaborative initiatives. As the fields of public and global health continue to broaden toward planetary health, the SCDO is well poised to play a prominent role to decipher SCD pathophysiology further, and co-design diagnostics and therapeutics innovation in the field.

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. DESIGN: A multi-centred cross sectional data from the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants study. SETTING: Rural and urban Ghana and three European cities (Amsterdam, Berlin and London). PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 5659 adults (Europe 3167, rural Ghana 1043 and urban Ghana 1449) aged 25-70 years. EXPLANATORY MEASURES: PS defined by negative life events, perceived discrimination, perceived stress at work/home and depressive symptoms. Three CKD outcomes were considered using the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes severity of CKD classification. Comparisons between PS and CKD outcomes were made using logistic regression analyses across all sites. RESULTS: We observed higher proportion of negative life events (68.7%) and perceived permanent stress (15.9%) among Ghanaians living in Ghana than Ghanaians living in Europe. Depressive symptoms (7.5%) and perceived discrimination (29.7%) were more common among Ghanaians living in Europe than Ghanaians living in Ghana. No significant association was observed between any of the PS constructs and CKD outcomes across sites except for positive association between stress at work/home and albuminuria (2.81, 95% CI 1.46 to 5.40) and CKD risk (2.78, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.43) among Ghanaians living in Berlin. CONCLUSION: Our study found a positive association between stress at work/home and albuminuria and CKD risk. There was no convincing evidence of associations between the other PS constructs and the prevalence of CKD risk. Further studies are needed to identify potential factors driving the high prevalence of CKD among these populations.

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. The aim of this study was to determine thyroid hormone status and lipid profiles in patients with CKD attending the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. METHODS: 60 clinically euthyroid patients with CKD, and 65 clinically euthyroid subjects without CKD were recruited for this study. Estimation of effective glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was done using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula with subsequent staging of CKD (stages 2-4). Collected venous blood samples from all study participants were analyzed for creatinine, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG). RESULTS: Levels of TC, HDL, LDL, and TSH levels did not differ significantly between the two study groups. However, TG, VLDL, FT3 and FT4 levels were significantly higher in CKD patients than in the control group. TC, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL and TSH levels were not significantly different between stages of CKD in study subjects, although FT4 and FT3 levels were significantly different between all stages of CKD. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of FT3 and FT4 but not TSH, are associated with the incidence of CKD and eGFR decline in Ghanaian CKD patients.

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. METHOD: A prospective cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. A total of two hundred and forty-four (244) women were consecutively evaluated from November 2011 to February 2012 using a 2-5 MHz curvilinear probe of Philips HD3 ultrasound machines at three centres in Accra using a trans-abdominal pelvic approach. Data was analysed with (SPSS) version 20.0 for windows, 2010; Chicago. The Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine associations between selected demographic and gynaecological characteristics and uterine fibroid appearance. All tests were two-tailed and p-value of less than 0.05 was interpreted as significant. RESULTS: The range, mean and standard deviation (SD) of the patients' age were 14-54 years, 31.89 years and ± 7.92 respectively. Factors that associated significantly with uterine fibroid in Ghanaian women included obesity (X2 = 17.3, p-value = 0.001), participant's age range (X2 = 47.4, p-value = 0.001), parity (X2 = -10.169, p-value = 0.001), and age at last delivery (X2 = 34.579, p-value = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Uterine fibroid was mainly associated with women of older age group of the reproductive age than the younger age categories and also associated more with women with without children compared to those with more children. Moreover, it associated more with obese patients and patient with late age at last delivery.

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. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty five (265) pregnant adolescent girls were recruited from three hospitals in Accra. Haemoglobin levels, malaria infection and the practice of pica were assessed. Pearson's Chi squared tests were used to determine associations and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds of being anaemic. Significance was set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Anaemia prevalence was 76% with severity ranging from mild (47.8%) to severe (0.8%). About 27.5% were moderately anaemic. Pica was practiced in only 9.1% of the girls. Malaria infection was prevalent in 17.7% of the girls. The logistic regression analysis indicated that pregnant girls with malaria infection were 3.56 times more likely to be anaemic when compared to those without malaria. Also, those who practiced pica were 1.23 times more likely to be anaemic when compared to those who did not practice pica. CONCLUSION: Anaemia is very prevalent in pregnant adolescent girls and is a public health problem. Drastic measures should be taken to reduce the high prevalence.

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. METHODS: Blood samples (10 ml) were collected from 250 consenting patients. DNA was extracted and amplified using polymerase chain reaction technique. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used for the detection of genotypes. RESULTS: Out of the 250 chronic hepatitis B patients who were HBsAg positive, 91 (36.4%) were males aged 29.8 ± 9.1 and 159 (63.6%) females aged 33± 12.1 years. HBV DNA was detected in 111 (44.4%) but only 58 (52%) of these were typeable. These were classified as genotype A, 8 (7.2%); genotype D, 3 (2.7%) and genotype E, 47 (42.3%). Our results did not show any association between the infecting genotype and age (X2= 0.923; p-value=0.623) or gender (X2= 0.283, p= 0.579). CONCLUSION: Consistent with similar studies worldwide, the results suggest that genotypes A, D and E were the genotypes circulating among chronic hepatitis B patients who reported to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital with genotype E being the most predominant and therefore constitutes an important public health concern. We recommend further epidemiological studies to understand the implication of genotype E in terms of disease progression and treatment.

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 Giardia lamblia infecting children at a paediatric hospital in Ghana. METHODS: A total of 485 patients including 365 diarrhoea and 120 non-diarrhoea children were enrolled into the study. Stool samples were collected and analysed for parasite presence using microscopy, ELISA and PCR. Positive samples were subsequently characterized into assemblages by PCR-RFLP, and further confirmed with sequencing of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. Epidemiological data on demographic, clinical and behavioral features of the study subjects were also collected. RESULTS: Prevalence of G. lamblia infections in diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea children were 5.8% and 5% respectively (P>0.5). Sequence data confirmed Giardia lamblia assemblage B as the predominant genotype in both diarrhoea and non-diarrhoea cases. There was no significant association of G. lamblia infection with any of the epidemiological variables investigated. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that assemblage B could be the predominant genotype causing giardiasis in children. Increased public health education focusing on good sanitary practices, particularly among mothers and children, could decrease the risk of G. lamblia infection.

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. RESULTS: This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling method to recruit subjects. A total of 150 prospective and healthy blood donors comprising 138 males and 12 females were involved in the study. Two (2) ml of venous blood was collected from each donor into K(3)EDTA tubes and analyzed using the sodium metabisulphite slide test and cellulose acetate Hb electrophoresis at alkaline pH (8.6) for Hb genotypes. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS 20.0) and Chi square were used to analyse the data obtained. Out of the 150 blood donors, 133 (88.7 %) tested negative for sickling (131 were genotype AA and 2 were AC) and 17 (11.3 %) tested positive for sickling, all of whom were genotype AS. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed the existence of SCT among the blood donor population sampled. Taking blood from such people can harm their health as well as that of the recipient if they happen to be sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. It is therefore recommended that blood donors as well as donated blood units should be screened for SCT to avoid causing any harm to both the donor and recipient.

Acute toxicity studies of Croton membranaceus root extract.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Croton membranaceus root and leaf extracts are used in the Bahamas to aromatize tobacco, in Nigeria to improve digestion, and in Ghana, for benign prostate hyperplasia. Despite claims of success there is paucity of information on its toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine if Croton membranaceus has acute toxicity properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Roots were air-dried in a solar dryer for one week before milling. The powder was extracted with 96% ethanol, freeze-dried and re-extracted with distilled water and freeze-dried. 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-200 g) were divided equally into 2 treatment groups [low dose (LD) and high dose (HD)], plus a control group (C). LD and HD received 1500 and 3000 mg/kg b.wt. Croton membranaceus aqueous extract, respectively, one time and observed for 14 days. Haematological [Full Blood Count and haemoglobin (Hb)], biochemical [bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatise (ALP), γ-glutamyltranspetidase (GGT), urea, creatinine, creatinine kinase - Muscle and Brain (CK-MB), creatinine kinase - Total (CK-R)] examinations were performed. RESULTS: Control group's CK-MB (5444±534 U/L) and LD group CK-MB (4014±1016 U/L) were significantly different (p<0.05). Control and the HD group CK-MB (3955±1135 U/L) were significantly different (p<0.05). Both LD and HD CK-R levels (697±197U/L and 732±203 U/L, respectively), were lower than the control (1139±220 U/L) at 48 h and 14 days (p<0.05, p<0.05, respectively). γ-GT levels of the HD group was 4.8±0.4 U/L compared to the Control group value of 0.9±0.2 U/L (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taking all factors into consideration, Croton membranaceus ingestion does not produce general acute toxicity. However, its creatinine kinase lowering ability could be explored.