The Prognostic Significance of the Size of Primary Malignant Breast Tumour in Ghanaian Women: A Retrospective Histopathological Review (2001-2014) in the Department of Pathology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on breast cancer (BC) in Ghanaian women found the disease to be common in young women who present late with large palpable tumours. The aim of this study was to determine how the size of a primary malignant breast tumour influences the prognosis of BC in Ghanaian women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of BCs diagnosed in mastectomy and wide local excision biopsy specimens with axillary clearance were conducted. Primary malignant breast tumours were categorised based on the size (cm) into: tumour d" 2.0cm (T1), tumour >2.0 d" 5.0 cm (T2) and tumour > 5.0 cm (T3). Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 (Chicago). Associations between tumour variables were determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient and Fisher's exact test (GraphPad prism version 5). RESULTS: The mean size of primary malignant breast tumours was large (5.8±3.8cm). Approximately half were T3 tumours. The mean ages of women diagnosed with T1, T2 and T3 tumours were: 51.5 ±2.0, 52.8±12.4 and 51.2 ±12.7 years, respectively. High grade BCs (II and III combined), involvement of 4 or more positive lymph nodes by malignant cells, high TNM stage and increased prevalence of positive malignant tumour margins were all significantly high in T3 tumours (P<0.0001) compared to T1 and T2 tumours. There were significant associations between T2 tumours and the histological subtype (p- = 0.011) and nodal involvement (p = 0.044) by malignant cells. Similarly, T3 tumours showed significant positive association with the histological subtype (p = 0.019) and nodal involvement (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The study found large primary tumour size (T3) to show significant positive association with the histological subtype and lymph nodes involvement by tumour. T3 tumours also showed increased prevalence of positive tumour margins.

CONTEXTE: Les études antérieures sur le cancer du sein (CS) chez les femmes ghanéennes ghanéennes, la maladie est fréquente chez les jeunes femmes qui se présentent tardivement avec de grosses tumeurs palpables.. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer l'influence de la taille d'une tumeur maligne primaire du sein sur le pronostic du cancer du sein au Ghana. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Une revue rétrospective de cancer du sein diagnostiqués dans des spécimens de mastectomie et de biopsie d'excision locale large avec dégagement axillaire. Les tumeurs malignes primaires du sein Les tumeurs malignes primaires du sein ont été classées en fonction de leur taille (cm) en : tumeur d'" 2,0 cm (T1), tumeur >2,0 d" 5,0 cm (T2) et tumeur > 5,0 cm (T3). Les données ont été analysées en utilisant la version 23 du SPPS (Chicago). Les associations entre variables tumorales ont été déterminées par le coefficient de corrélation de Spearman et le test exact de Fisher (GraphPad prism version 5). RÉSULTATS: La taille moyenne des tumeurs malignes primaires du sein était grande (5,8±3,8cm). Environ la moitié étaient des tumeurs T3. L'âge moyen L'âge moyen des femmes diagnostiquées avec des tumeurs T1, T2 et T3 était de : 51.5±2,0, 52,8±12,4 et 51,2±12,7 ans, respectivement. Les cancer du sein de haut grade (II et III combinés), l'implication de 4 ganglions lymphatiques positifs ou plus par des cellules malignes, un stade TNM élevé et une prévalence accrue de marges tumorales malignes positives. et la prévalence accrue de marges tumorales malignes positives étaient toutes significativement élevées dans les tumeurs T3 (P<0,0001) par rapport aux tumeurs T1 et T2. Il existait Il y avait des associations significatives entre les tumeurs T2 et le sous-type histologique (p- = 0,0001). histologique (p- = 0,011) et l'atteinte ganglionnaire (p = 0,044) par les cellules malignes. cellules malignes. De même, les tumeurs T3 ont montré une association positive significative avec le sous-type histologique (p = 0,019) et la présence de ganglions (p = 0,018). CONCLUSION: L'étude a montré que la taille importante de la tumeur primaire (T3) à montrer une association positive significative avec le sous-type histologique et l'implication des ganglions lymphatiques par la tumeur. Les tumeurs T3 ont également montré prévalence accrue de marges tumorales positives. Mots clés: Taille de la tumeur primaire, variables tumorales, pronostic, femmes ghanéennes.

Mammography examination among women aged 40 years or older in Ghana: evidence from wave 2 of the World Health Organization's study on global AGEing and adult health multicountry longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the uptake of mammography among Ghanaian women aged 40 years or older and to examine critical risk factors that influence the uptake. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 2787 women and 1948 men aged ≥18 years were surveyed in the Wave 2 (2014-2015) of the World Health Organization's multicountry study on AGEing and adult health in Ghana. Of the 2787 women aged ≥18 years, data on a total of 2301 women aged ≥40 years were included in this study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to examine critical risk factors for mammogram examination. RESULTS: Of the 2301 women sampled, only 83 (3.61%) ever had mammogram. The odds of mammogram examination were lower for women aged ≥70 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19, 0.93), being self-employed (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.42) and being informal sector employee (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.57) in the multivariable analyses. Belonging to the Ewe ethnic group (OR=3.41, 95% CI:1.88, 6.16) compared to the Akan group was associated with increased odds of mammogram examination in the multivariable analysis. Women aged ≥70 years, being self-employed, being an informal employee and belonging to the Ewe ethnic group were independently associated with mammography examination. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of screening for breast cancer using mammography among Ghanaian women aged 40 years and older was 3.6%. Age, type of employer and ethnicity were associated with an older adult woman's likelihood to access mammography screening. Overall, our study provided critical data to encourage and promote good health-seeking behaviour in terms of breast cancer screening among older adult women. Further qualitative studies are warranted to explore why some of these factors influence mammography.

Serum magnesium and calcium in preeclampsia: a comparative study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: A large percentage (16% of maternal mortality in developed countries, compared to 9% in developing countries), is due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The etiology of preeclampsia remains unknown, with poorly understood pathophysiology. Magnesium and calcium play an important role in vascular smooth muscle function and therefore a possible role in the development of preeclampsia. AIM: We aimed to compare serum magnesium and total calcium levels of preeclamptic and normal pregnant women at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 30 normal pregnant and 30 preeclamptic women with >30 weeks gestation and aged 18-35 years, was conducted at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Magnesium and calcium were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. RESULTS: Mean serum magnesium and total calcium levels in preeclamptic women were 0.70±0.15 and 2.13±0.30 mmol/L, respectively. Mean serum magnesium and total calcium levels in normal pregnant women were 0.76±0.14 and 2.13±0.35 mmol/L, respectively. There was a statistically nonsignificant difference in serum magnesium and total calcium in preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women, with p-values of 0.092 and 0.972, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum magnesium and total calcium, therefore, seem not to differ in preeclamptic women compared to normal pregnant women in Ghana.

Perspectives of urban Ghanaian women on vasectomy.

BACKGROUND: Advocacy for male involvement in family planning has been championed over the years after the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). There are a few contraceptive methods for men, and vasectomy uptake has been identified as one of the indicators of male involvement in family planning. Vasectomy also known as male sterilization is a permanent form of contraception. It is a generally safe, quick, easy, effective surgical operation with rare complications to prevent release of sperm. The study explored the vasectomy perspectives of urban Ghanaian women. METHODS: A qualitative approach was used and five focus group discussions were held with women in urban Accra. The study was conducted in the five sub-metropolitan areas of the Accra Metropolitan Health Directorate from September-October 2013. Participants were adult and young adult women who are members of organized groups and unions. Data were analyzed manually after transcribing and coding and themes were sorted using thematic version 0.9. RESULTS: Both adult and young adult participants regarded vasectomy as an easy way for male partners to become promiscuous and cheat on them (women) because the operation renders males incapable of having a child; promiscuity could lead to the women contracting sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. They were also skeptical about vasectomy and the possibility that it could damage the sexual organs of their partners and affect their sexual relationships. The uptake of vasectomy will not benefit a new wife in case of divorce or death of a previous wife. Some women would allow their partners to undergo the procedure only if both of them will benefit health-wise and also if it would reduce the financial burden on the family. CONCLUSION: The women held mixed perceptions; both negative and positive views were shared on vasectomy uptake. The views were predominantly negative, and they regarded vasectomy as an unacceptable method of contraception. The women virtually had no reasons to encourage their partners to undergo a vasectomy. In order to increase vasectomy uptake in Ghana, innovative efforts to address the misconceptions and superstitions surrounding vasectomy should take centre stage; appropriate and targeted messaging during integrated health services delivery and social/health campaigns would be a good starting point.

Recreation, transportation or labour saving? Examining the association between household asset ownership and body mass index among Ghanaian women.

BACKGROUND: In most of the developing world, ownership of modern household assets such as television sets, refrigerators, microwave ovens and washing machines is becoming common. Ownership of these household assets, however, promotes sedentary behaviour which has implications for obesity and non-communicable disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, increased household asset ownership is an indicator of socio-economic status and is also associated with obesity promoting dietary behaviours especially in urban areas. Very few studies have examined the relationship between household asset ownership and obesity in sub-Saharan Africa where asset ownership is becoming a norm. This paper examined the relationship between ownership of different types of household assets and Body Mass Index (BMI) among a nationally representative sample of Ghanaian women. METHODS: The study analysed secondary data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) involving a total of 4916 women aged 15-49 years. The analytical sample consist of 4010 (weighted sample) non-pregnant females who had valid data on all the variables used in the analyses. The BMI of the women was used as the dependent variable with three categories of normal weight, overweight and obese based on the standard World Health Organization (WHO) classifications. Multinomial logistic regression models were specified to examine the relationship between ownership of household assets and BMI. RESULTS: Obesity was more common among women whose household owned a television-15.60 %, DVD/VCD-18.58 %, computer-20.70 %, refrigerator-17.16 % and washing machine-27.43 %, but less common among women whose household owned a motorcycle/scooter-7.74 % and a bicycle-7.92 %. Household ownership of DVD was significantly associated with increased odds of obesity (OR = 1.59, P < 0.01) while ownership of a motor cycle/scooter (OR = 2.05, P <0.001), a refrigerator (OR = 1.33, P < 0.05), and a television set (OR = 1.27, P < 0.10) were associated with higher odds of overweight. Ownership of each additional household asset was also associated with 15 % and 25 % higher odds of overweight and obesity respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that at least one asset among the various domains of household assets examined is associated with either overweight or obesity among Ghanaian women. Also, increased household asset ownership is associated with increased odds of overweight and obesity. Interventions that aim at reducing sedentary and unhealthy dietary behaviours in the phase of increasing asset ownership maybe helpful in addressing the rising prevalence of obesity among Ghanaian women.

Where do Overweight Women in Ghana Live? Answers from Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis.

Contextual influence on health outcomes is increasingly becoming an important area of research. Analytical techniques such as spatial analysis help explain the variations and dynamics in health inequalities across different context and among different population groups. This paper explores spatial clustering in body mass index among Ghanaian women by analysing data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey using exploratory spatial data analysis techniques. Overweight was a more common occurrence in urban areas than in rural areas. Close to a quarter of the clusters in Ghana, mostly those in the southern sector contained women who were overweight. Women who lived in clusters where the women were overweight were more likely to live around other clusters where the women were also overweight. The results suggest that the urban environment could be a potential contributing factor to the high levels of obesity in urban areas of Ghana. There is the need for researchers to include a spatial dimension to obesity research in Ghana paying particular attention the urban environment.

Preference of ghanaian women for vaginal or caesarean delivery postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: To determine Ghanaian women's preferred mode of delivery and opinion of caesarean section after caesarean delivery. DESIGN: A cross sectional study of women who recently delivered by caesarean section prior to hospital discharge. SETTING: Two teaching hospitals in Ghana: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. RESPONDENTS: 154 patients who delivered by caesarean section between the 1(st) and 31(st) August, 2003 were interviewed. Of the 154 initiating the interview, 151 completed, and 145 had complete data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Delivery preference and general opinion of caesarean delivery. RESULTS: The majority of women interviewed indicated that they preferred vaginal delivery (55%). Despite preference for vaginal delivery among these women who had delivered by caesarean section, the majority had a generally positive opinion of caesarean section (53%). CONCLUSION: Ghanaian women with experience of caesarean delivery prefer vaginal delivery.