COVID-19 pandemic and dental practice in Ghana.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems and their provision of care has globally been challenged, including the delivery of Oral healthcare. In Ghana, it has become imperative that healthcare delivery including the practice of Dentistry and its sub-specialties be re-oriented in our peculiar setting to ensure minimal risk of spread of the infection. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the practice of Dentistry in the country.

COVID-19 pandemic and dental practice in Ghana

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems and their provision of care has globally been challenged, including the delivery of Oral healthcare. In Ghana, it has become imperative that healthcare delivery including the practice of Dentistry and its sub-specialties be re-oriented in our peculiar setting to ensure minimal risk of spread of the infection. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the practice of Dentistry in the country

Factors Associated With Waiting Time for Breast Cancer Treatment in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

Background Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Ghana. Data are limited on the predictors of poor outcomes in breast cancer patients in low-income countries; however, prolonged waiting time has been implicated. Among breast cancer patients who received treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, this study evaluated duration and factors that influenced waiting time from first presentation to start of definitive treatment. Method We conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of 205 breast cancer patients starting definitive treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between May and December 2013. We used descriptive statistics to summarize patient characteristics. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman rank correlation were performed to examine the patients, health system, and health worker factors associated with median waiting time. Poisson regression was used to examine the determinants of waiting time. Results The mean age of the patients was 51.1 ± 11.8 years. The median waiting time was 5 weeks. The determinants of waiting time were level of education, age, income, marital status, ethnicity, disease stage, health insurance status, study sites, time interval between when biopsy was requested and when results were received and receipt of adequate information from health workers. Conclusion A prolonged waiting time to treatment occurs for breast cancer patients in Ghana, particularly for older patients, those with minimal or no education, with lower income, single patients, those with late disease, those who are insured, and who did not receive adequate information from the health workers. Time to obtain biopsy reports should be shortened. Patients and providers need education on timely treatment to improve prognosis.

Edentulism and quality of life among older Ghanaian adults.

BACKGROUND: Edentulism affects the quality of life and general health of an individual. But in ageing individuals, it has been observed to have greater impact, manifesting in functional, psychological and social limitations. With an increasing older adult population in Ghana, its burden is likely to increase. This study was thus carried out to explore the association between edentulism and quality of life among older Ghanaian adults. METHODS: Secondary analysis of WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in Ghana was conducted using self-reported edentulism as the dependent variable. Participants included a nationally representative sample of adult's aged 50 years and older living in Ghana. Quality of life was measured using the 8 item WHOQOL measure and a single item measure which was a question "How would you rate your overall quality of life?". To assess the association between edentulism and the independent variables, a bivariate analysis was carried out. A Poisson regression model was then performed, adjusting for age, sex, income, education and the diagnosis of a chronic disease condition. A Spearman's correlation analysis was also carried out between the single and multi item measure of quality of life to assess how well they correlate. RESULTS: Edentulism was observed to be associated with significantly lower levels of SWB among older adults using both the single-item and multiple-item measure (WHOQOL). It, however, showed no association with happiness. Among edentulous respondents, females and those with no formal education reported significantly lower quality of life. The WHOQOL correlated positively and strongly with the single-item measure. CONCLUSION: Edentulism may not be life threatening and yet it has been shown to have a negative effect on the quality of life of older adult Ghanaians. More emphasis may thus need to be placed on the oral health of the aging population in Ghana to avoid it.

Prevalence and geographic distribution of edentulism among older Ghanaians.

OBJECTIVES: Edentulism has important health implications for aging individuals and is used as an indicator of the oral health of a population. Its distribution is unequal within populations, with the greatest burden on disadvantaged and socially marginalized populations. With an increasing older adult population in Ghana, its burden may increase; however, there is no nationwide information on edentulism in Ghana. Focusing on adults 50 years and older, this study assessed the prevalence of edentulism among older Ghanaians and its distribution across the country. METHODS: Secondary analysis of WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in Ghana was conducted using self-reported edentulism as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 2.8%, varying by sex (men had lower rates; OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.47-0.97); by location, being more prevalent in urban areas (3.6%) and the Western Region (4.7%); by education levels (rates were higher among those with no formal education; OR = 1.626, 95% CI = 1.111-2.380); and by marital status (those living without a partner had higher rates; OR = 1.980, 95% CI =1.366-2.870). On multivariate logistic regression, the variables positively associated with edentulism were older age (OR = 0.945) and urban residence (OR = 0.582). Living in the Brong Ahafo (OR = 3.138), Central (OR = 2.172), Eastern (OR = 2.257), or Volta regions (OR = 3.333) was negatively associated with edentulism. CONCLUSION: Edentulism is unequally distributed across Ghana. Future aged cohorts are likely to follow the same patterns of geographic and social disadvantage if needed interventions are not carried out. This study provides nationwide data to assist service planning.