RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Several reports show that suicide is the second and third leading cause of untimely death in young people below the age of 30. Little, however, is known about the profile and trend of suicide in this country due to lack of systematic studies and a lack of national statistics on suicide. This study seeks to examine the profile and pattern of suicide cases recorded within northern Ghana for the past decade. AIM: This study aimed to report the prevalence of suicide as an independent cause of death; the choice of suicide method and the alleged reasons for suicide within the northern part of Ghana. SETTING: Retrospective review of coroners' reports within the northern part of Ghana. METHOD: In this descriptive study, 309 completed suicides as archived by the office of the coroner were examined. The coroners' reports of 309 individuals, whose deaths received a suicide verdict or an open verdict in which the cause of death was likely to be suicide from 2008 to 2017, were examined. Student's t-test was used to ascertain significant age differences between the genders involved. RESULTS: Amongst the 309 decedents examined, approximately, 61% were male, with ages ranging from 5 to 81 years. Hanging and poisoning were the most commonly used methods to complete suicide accounting for 124 (40.1%) and 102 (33.0%) deaths, respectively. Regarding the reasons for completed suicide, 78 (25.2%) were because of unknown reasons and 66 (21.4%) were because of social stigma. There was a notable decline in the prevalence of suicide from 2014 to 2017 compared with the years from 2010 to 2013. CONCLUSION: Suicide was highest in the 30-39 year age group with hanging and poisoning being the most common method employed. Stigmatisation and psychosocial problems arising from chronic illness and economic hardship were significant triggers of suicide amongst the suicide decedents in the northern part of Ghana.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Unlike some neighboring countries like Nigeria, few studies on actual causes, impact and the prevention of road traffic collisions have been carried out in Ghana. There is the need for further research and this study sought to link injuries that caused the death of drivers involved in vehicular collisions to the latent possible contributing diseases and medical conditions in these drivers and how these conditions predispose them to the collisions. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that used the forensic autopsy records of driver fatalities and various injuries and medical conditions of drivers involved in road traffic collisions. Information on all drivers was retrieved from archives at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital' Pathology Unit. Demographics and cause of death were used in selecting the cases, including all driver-related road traffic collisions from 2009 to 2014. RESULTS: A total of 1842 road traffic collisions were recorded with 127 of them being driver related. There were 31 cases (24.4%) in 2014; the highest cases recorded for this study, with the least recorded in 2009 with only 12 cases (9.4%). There were 121 (95.3%) male drivers and 6 female drivers (4.7%). Most of the male drivers were between the ages of 30 and 39 with 39 cases, while that of females was between 40 and 49 years with 6 cases. There was no significant statistical correlation between age and sex (P = .124). No statistical correlation also existed between sex and year (P = .331). Pathologies of all body systems were established. Cardiovascular diseases were the most prevalent systemic medical condition seen in the drivers with 44.1%. CONCLUSION: The study established that the drivers had various latent medical conditions and all these could lead to possible incapacitation, affecting driver judgment, leading to collisions on the road. The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) should request medical screening before issuing driver licenses.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of publications on the prevalence of venous thromboembolism in Ghana. Knowledge of the prevalence of venous thromboembolism, which is often undetected clinically, will help save lives as appropriate interventions can be made as well as provide a general clue to clinicians on detecting venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism. METHODS: The study employs a retrospective design with data extracted from the Autopsy Daybook of the Pathology unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, 2009 to 2016. Data on patients' demographics were retrieved to establish diagnoses and age and gender distribution. Analysis was made of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis as a cause of death recorded on death certificates using the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases, version 10. RESULTS: A total of 150 cases of deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism were available for the study period and the results showed an average age of 45.3 years with a standard deviation of 19.96. The ages ranged between 3 years and 96 years with the age group 31 to 40 years being the modal age group. Males recorded the highest number of cases with 92 (59.35%) compared to females with 63 (40.65%). Respiratory disorders, of which pneumonia is the most prevalent, are the leading clinical condition that is often misdiagnosed in place of pulmonary thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: VTE is a major health problem especially among the elderly, but unfortunately the clinical diagnosis is usually missed by clinicians hence the need to maintain a high suspicion index.
