Awareness and attitudes towards face and organ transplant in Kumasi, Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the level of awareness and attitudes towards face and organ transplant among the people of Kumasi, Ghana. DESIGN: An observational study was employed, where participants were randomly selected for the study. PARTICIPANTS: The respondents were commuters waiting to board public vehicles at the Kejetia lorry station, Bantama/Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital taxi station, Buokrom Estate F-line lorry station, traders, and residents of Adum and Bantama, all in Kumasi. METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted from 1(st) February to 30(th) April 2009. An interview-based questionnaire was used for the convenient sample of respondents. Data obtained included: demographic profile and items covering awareness, attitudes and beliefs towards face and organ transplant. RESULTS: Out of the 1020 respondents, females (53.2%) outnumbered males. The age of respondents ranged from 10 to 89 years; mean was 27.50± 2.98 years; majority (72.3%) was Christians, whilst 61.8% had gone through tertiary education. Few (33.5%) of the respondents were aware of face transplant; 70.0% and 62.1% were willing to receive a face if their face was disfigured or donate their face when dead respectively. Also, 50.6% were aware of organ transplant, whiles 59.1% would receive/donate an organ when required. Multiple regression analysis shows statistical significant association between attitudes, awareness and demographic variables listed. CONCLUSION: Face and organ transplant were found to have a relatively low and high awareness level respectively. However, an affirmative attitude was recorded for face and organ transplant. More education on face and organ donations is needed.

Awareness of breast developmental anomalies: a study in Jamasi, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Few global studies investigating breast developmental anomalies (BDA) among young females have been conducted. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of BDA awareness among young females in central Ghana. METHODS: In February 2008, clinical breast examination was performed for both breasts of female volunteers at five selected junior high schools (JHS) in Jamasi, Ghana. Anonymous pretested questionnaires were administered to those found to have BDA. RESULTS: Of the 600 female students surveyed, 78 (13%) were found to have BDA. All 78 females completed the questionnaire. The respondents ranged in age from 12 to 21 years (mean 15.3 years). Most of the respondents (83%) had some knowledge of BDA. Although 63% had been aware of their own BDA for 1-3 years before the survey; 78% did not know the cause of their BDA. According to their self-reports, BDA had no influence on the schooling of 78.2% or the family of 70.5% of the respondents. CONCLUSION: Awareness of BDA among the JHS females in Jamasi is high. Appropriate education and treatment should be encouraged for continual management of a high awareness level for BDA.

Burn disasters in the middle belt of Ghana from 2007 to 2008 and their consequences.

AIM: To study the survival and mortality trends in four fire disasters in the middle belt of Ghana from 2007 to 2008 and to explore measures that could minimize the risk of future disasters. METHODS: Data were collected from clinical records from the Burns Intensive Care Unit and the Casualty Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana and from the various disaster sites and the Ghana Police Service. RESULTS: A total of 212 were injured from four burn disasters; 37 (17%) died on the spot; 175 (83%) reported to the Casualty Unit out of which 46 (26%) were admitted. The victims admitted had mean age 24.6 years with male to female ratio 2.3:1; 25 (54%) of the admitted victims died. The average burned surface area of the admitted victims was 63%, with a mean survival rate of 46%. Statistical analysis for mortality when the surface area of the burn was >70% was 0.0005 (P-value). CONCLUSION: The four petrol-related fire disasters showed variable mortality rates. Death and severe disability of victims of future disasters can be avoided if intensive road accident preventive measures and massive public education are encouraged.

Basic plastic surgery skills for district and community doctors to manage Buruli ulcer in Ghana

Background: The increase in incidence of Buruli ulcer in Ghana has also been complicated by problems in the care of the patients including lack of knowledge and training by staff, unwillingness of the staff to handle the cases for fear of contracting the disease. Method: An evaluation of training workshop on basic plastic surgery skills. Results: Three basic plastic surgery skills training workshops were held in 3 hospitals in 3 different districts in the region with participation from 15 hospitals/health centers drawn from 7 districts of the Ashanti Region. In all 128 health personnel comprising of Doctors ­ 18, Medical Assistants ­ 24, Clinical Nurses ­ 60 and Others ­ 26 were trained. These trainees went on to form the core of the so-called Buruli Ulcer Management Teams (BUMTs), which are now active in 6 of the institutions that participated in the programme. Conclusion: As a result of these workshops active Buruli Ulcer Management Teams (BUMTs) have been formed in 6 health institutions in the region