Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria cases with efficacious drugs is an important strategy in the management and control of malaria in endemic populations. As part of a study investigating the factors modulating the development of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in the human host, we assessed the rate of RDT positivity of patients in different departments of the Ho Teaching Hospital and the relation with age and anaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight-hundred and ten individuals attending clinic at various departments within the Ho Teaching Hospital were screened for malaria antigenaemia using RDT as a point-of-entry investigation. RDT positive individuals were immediately treated for malaria whereas RDT negative individuals were treated for other ailments. Haematological analyses were performed for 69 of these patients and the relationship between RDT results and haemoglobin levels were investigated. RESULTS: The overall RDT positivity rate was 19.8% (160/810) of all individuals screened. There was no significant difference in the haemoglobin levels of RDT-positive and RDT-negative individuals (p value = 0.272). The highest number of attendees screened was children in the paediatric outpatient department and paediatric ward, 62% (507/810), with RDT positivity rate of 17% (91/507). We found the highest RDT positivity rate of 51% (19/37) in the male medical ward. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that RDT is a useful tool in promoting prompt diagnosis and management of malaria and though children form a majority of hospital attendees and malaria infections, the frequency of malaria detection may be higher in adults as compared to children.

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Hospital, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information about the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors among the Ghanaian health workforce in the Western Region. This study sought to determine the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among healthcare workers at the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Hospital in the Western Region of Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 112 employees of the Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Hospital was conducted. The cardiometabolic risk variables assessed were obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes. Sociodemographic parameters were also captured. The prevalence of hypertension and obesity was determined using the JNC VII panel and WHO BMI criteria for obesity classifications. Blood lipids and glucose concentrations were evaluated using standard methods. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was 16.07% and 52.68%, respectively. About 38.39% of participants were overweight, and 12.50% were obese. Atherogenic dyslipidaemia was 26.79%, whereas prediabetes glycaemic levels and diabetes incidence were 5.41% and 4.50%, respectively. Fifty percent (50.00%) of participants presented at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Aging and adiposity were associated with increasing cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSION: Cardiometabolic risk factors are prevalent among healthcare providers in Sefwi-Wiawso. The cardiometabolic dysregulation observed among this cohort of healthcare professionals may be modulated by age and adiposity.

The Burden and Trend of Blood-Borne Pathogens among Asymptomatic Adult Population in Akwatia: A Retrospective Study at the St. Dominic Hospital, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence and trend of blood-borne pathogens (HIV, HCV, HBV, and Syphilis) among asymptomatic adults at Akwatia during a four-year period (2013-2016). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of secondary data of blood donors who visited the hospital from January 2013 to December 2016. Archival data from 11,436 prospective donors was extracted. Data included age, sex, and place of residence as well as results of infectious markers (HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis). RESULTS: The prevalence of blood-borne pathogens in the donor population was 4.06%, 7.23%, 5.81%, and 10.42% for HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections, respectively. A significant decline in HBV and HCV infections was observed in the general donor population and across genders. HIV infection rate remained steady while Syphilis infections recorded a significantly increasing trend, peaking in the year 2015 (14.20%). Age stratification in HBV infection was significant, peaking among age group 40-49 years (8.82%). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic blood-borne pathogen burden was high among the adult population in Akwatia. Gender variations in HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections in the cumulative four-year burden were observed. Awareness needs to be created, especially in the older generation.