A survey of female genital schistosomiasis of the lower reproductive tract in the volta basin of Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of female genital schistosomiasis in riparian communities in the Volta basin of Ghana, DESIGN: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted among women 15-49 years in the Volta Basin. Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence was determined using microscopy. A structured questionnaire was also administered to collect information on the demography, obstetric history and reproductive health experiences. Cervical punch biopsy was collected from women who consented to be screened for FGS. Descriptive statistics was used to determine frequency of occurrence, chi squared and logistic regression to identify associated variables RESULTS: Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence among the women was 24.8% while 10.6% of them diagnosed with FGS. More FGS diagnosed women (57.7%, p value =0.04%) were observed to report copious discharge, vaginal itch (80.8%, p=0.042) and lower abdominal pain (66.7%, p= 0.041) compared to FGS negative women. The predominant abnormal observation of the lower genital tract made was erythematous cervix (18.8%). CONCLUSION: The study confirms the reproductive health symptoms associated with FGS and recommends awareness creation on FGS among women in endemic communities to facilitate early treatment.

Sero-epidemiology of toxoplasmosis amongst pregnant women in the greater accra region of ghana.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in relation to exposure to infection risk, age and pregnancy-related risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 294 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in Accra who consented to participate. Personal and Toxoplasma infection risk related data were obtained by questionnaire interviews. Venous blood was safely drawn from each participant and spun to obtain sera. Each of the 159 randomly selected serum samples was tested for specific anti-Toxoplasma (anti-T. gondii) antibodies IgG, IgA and IgM using a commercial ELISA kit (Calbiotech Inc., CA). ELISA results were correlated with exposure to possible infection risk factors as well as age and pregnancy-related risk factors. RESULTS: The 159 women aged 15-40 years in their first, second and third trimesters, numbered 29, 70 and 60, respectively. An overall anti-T. gondii antibodies IgG, IgA and IgM seroprevalence of 92.5% (147/159) was recorded, with 4.1% (6/147) of them having anti-IgG only. The remaining 88.7% (141/159) had anti-Toxoplasma antibodies IgG, IgA and IgM in various combinations and consisted of 17.7% (25/141) in their first, 44.0% (62/141) in their second, and 38.3% (54/141) in their third, trimesters. Twelve women (7.6%) were seronegative for all 3 antibodies CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence was high among the women and exposure to contact with cats' faeces was found to be the major T. gondii infection risk factor. Age and pregnancy-related risk factors did not have association with T. gondii infection within the limitations of this study.

HTLV-1 and other viral sexually transmitted infections in antenatal and gynaecological patients in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of infection with Human T cell lymphotrophic (leukemia) virus-1 (HTLV-1), Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in patients attending the antenatal and gynaecological outpatient clinics at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). DESIGN: Prospective observational survey. Serum from each of the 517 participants was analysed for infection with Hepatitis B surface antigen with a latex agglutination test kit (Biotech Laboratories Ltd., Suffolk, United Kingdom), and tested for antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C virus, and Human T cell lymphotrophic (leukemia) virus-1 (HTLV-1) with SERODIA passive-particle agglutination assay kits (FUJIREDIO Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The results were compared with reports from other institutions. SETTINGS: The Obstetrics and Gynaecology outpatient clinics of the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. The virology Unit of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Accra, Ghana. RESULTS: The prevalence of infection with Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 16.8%, Hepatitis C antibody 5.2% and HTLV-1 2.7%. Twelve (6%) out of 199 participants who gave informed consent tested positive for HIV antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The study has demonstrated a high transmissible risk of HBV, HIV, HTLV-1, and HCV in Ghana and the necessity for antenatal screening for HBsAg to identify babies at risk of neonatal hepatitis B infection for appropriate intervention.