Diabetes often occurs together with tuberculosis (TB) and both may affect each other negatively. Diabetes may be associated with neurocognitive dysfunctioning in affected patients and may negatively ...impact treatment adherence and outcomes. This study compared the neurocognitive status between newly diagnosed smear positive tuberculosis patients with dysglycaemia and those with normoglycaemia.
The current study was a cross-sectional study involving one hundred and forty-six (146) newly diagnosed smear positive TB patients. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and the results were categorized as either normoglycaemia, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or diabetes. Neurocognitive functioning among study participants was assessed at the time of TB diagnosis using Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ), Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool (MoCA), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Spitzer Quality of Life Index (QLI).
The mean age of the participants (n = 146) was 38.7 years with 78.8% being males and 21.2% females. Using the fasting blood glucose test, the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes were 5.5 and 3.4% respectively, both representing a total of 13 out of the 146 participants; whilst the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes using 2-h post-glucose values were 28.8 and 11.6% respectively, both representing a total of 59 out of the 146 participants. There were no significant differences in the mean scores on the neurocognitive measures between the dysglaycaemia and normoglycamic groups using fasting plasma glucose (FPG). However, there were significant differences in the mean scores between the dysglycaemia and normal groups using 2-h postprandial (2HPP) glucose values on Phobic Anxiety (Normal, Mean = 0.38 ± 0.603; dysglycaemia, Mean = 0.23 ± 0.356; p = 0.045), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores (17.26 ± 5.981 vs. 15.04 ± 5.834, p = 0.037).
Newly diagnosed smear positive patients with dysglycaemia were associated with significantly lower mean cognitive scores and scores on phobic anxiety than those with normoglyacaemia. The latter finding must be further explored.
Kidney transplantation in Ghana: Is the public ready? Boima, Vincent; Ganu, Vincent; Dey, Dzifa ...
Clinical transplantation,
October 2017, 2017-Oct, 2017-10-00, 20171001, Letnik:
31, Številka:
10
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Background
The burden of end stage renal disease (ESRD) is reported to be higher among people of African ancestry. The majority do not have access to kidney transplantation. Africans, in general, are ...less likely to donate a kidney or receive a transplant.
Aims
This study surveyed public perceptions of kidney transplantation in an inner city and suburban communities in Ghana. It examined people's willingness to either accept or donate a kidney to save a life. In addition, it evaluated factors that influenced their opinion on the issue.
Methods
A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in five purposively selected communities in the Greater Accra region in Ghana. Structured questionnaires and standardized instruments were administered to assess participants’ socio‐demographic characteristics, religiosity and spirituality, and perception of kidney transplantation.
Results
Of the 480 participants, 233 (48.5%) were willing to donate a kidney; 71.6% would only do so after death. Religion, loss of body part, and cultural values influenced participants’ willingness to donate a kidney. Uncertainty of health status post‐transplantation and uneasiness with the concept of transplantation influenced the participants’ willingness to accept a kidney transplant.
Conclusion
The study revealed that almost half of the participants hold positive views toward kidney transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Apart from increasing the risk of tuberculosis (TB), diabetes may be associated with more severe disease and lower rates of sputum conversion among TB patients.
METHODS
We conducted a ...baseline cross-sectional study with a longitudinal follow-up of newly diagnosed smear-positive TB patients for 6 months. Sputum conversion rates between those with dysglycemia and those without were compared at 2 months (end of the intensive phase) and 6 months (end of the treatment). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed to assess factors associated with dysglycemia as well as sputum conversion.
RESULTS
A significantly higher proportion of normoglycemic patients had negative sputum compared with those with dysglycemia (83% vs 67%, P-value < .05) at 2 months but not at 6 months (87% vs 77%, P-value > .05). After controlling for age group and adjusting for other covariates, patients with dysglycemia were 66% less likely to convert sputum than those with normoglycemia. Females were at least 7 times more likely than males and those with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of 88% were less likely compared with those with low WHR for sputum conversion at 2 months, respectively. At 6 months, females (compared with males) and those with high WHR (compared with those with normal WHR) were at over 9 times increased odds and 89% less likely for sputum conversion, respectively.
CONCLUSION
A significantly lower proportion of smear-positive TB patients with dysglycemia converted to smear negative after 2 months of treatment but not at the end of the treatment, thus suggesting a transient impact of dysglycemia on sputum conversion.
The study examined quality of life and prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients on long term hemodialysis. Further, it explored the impact of socio-demographic characteristics on depression and ...quality of life.
Study design was cross-sectional.
Study was conducted in the two renal dialysis units of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana.
One hundred and six participants on haemodialysis were recruited for the study. The Patient Health Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument were used to assess depression and quality of life.
Forty five percent of participants screened positive for symptoms of depression. Approximately 19% obtained low scores on overall quality of life. There were significant negative correlations between the following: Depression and overall QoL, Depression and duration of dialysis treatment and Depression and income level. There was positive correlation between overall QoL and duration of dialysis, treatment and income.
Depressive symptoms were common amongst patients on long term hemodialysis. Haemodialysis patients who obtained low scores on quality of life measures were more likely to screen positive for depressive symptoms. Screening for depressive symptoms among these patients is critical as early treatment may improve their general wellbeing.
Not indicayed.
This study examined the relationship between an Africentric worldview and psychological distress among 55 Ghanaian mothers of children with intellectual disability. The study hypothesized the ...protective effects of an Africentric worldview on psychological distress, and their association with parenting stress. Results showed that an Africentric worldview was negatively associated with psychological distress and parenting stress, and that parenting stress was positively related to psychological distress. Further hierarchical regression analysis showed that an Africentric worldview did not moderate the relationship between parenting stress and psychological distress. However, parenting stress mediated the relationship between an Africentric worldview and psychological distress. These findings reveal the positive influence of an Africentric worldview on psychological functioning of mothers of children with intellectual disability. Additionally, the findings underscore the need to develop culturally relevant interventions to help improve the well-being of mothers of children with intellectual disability. Implications for clinical and counselling practice are discussed.
Efforts of Ghanaian Universities and Colleges of Education in training pre-school teachers have been found inadequate and unable to meet their training needs. As a result, other private and ...non-governmental organisations have been contributing to the education of early childhood practitioners, although on pilot basis. Currently, most pre-school teachers remain untrained. Using the Cultural Historical Activity Theory as a Framework, this paper proposes a contextual approach to pre-school teacher education using radio as a training tool for teachers. The radio is easily accessible, handy, far reaching to remote rural settlements (than the Internet) and low in cost. It is suggested that as in other community radio efforts it should be localised so the community "runs" their own stations. Specific programmes should be devoted to topics on child development, child survival, early childhood pedagogy and other practical issues relevant to pre-school classrooms. The paper concludes by suggesting periodic community (of stakeholders) meetings to form a support group.
Psychology in Ghana Revisited Mate-Kole, C. Charles
Journal of black psychology,
06/2013, Letnik:
39, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The African has remained at the periphery of the study of human behavior. Theories propounded by Western psychologists and anthropologists have been applied to them with little attempts to understand ...the value of the African, whether in the African diaspora or in the African mainland. Mate-Kole revisits psychology in Ghana.
The burden of both tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus in developing countries including Ghana is high; often, the two coexist and impact each other negatively. Objective. The study aimed to ...determine the prevalence and predictive factors of dysglycaemia among newly diagnosed smear positive tuberculosis patients at a tertiary tuberculosis treatment centre in Ghana. Methods. Dysglycaemia at diagnosis was determined by the use of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), while sputum smear microscopy was used to assess the sputum status. Only smear positive patients were included in the study. Information on sociodemographic, anthropometrical, clinical, and medication history was also obtained. Results. In all, 146 participants, aged 18 to 75 years with a mean age of 38.7 years comprising 115 (78.8%) males and 31 (21.2%) females, were involved in the analysis. Upon initial screening, using fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 91.1 % had normal fasting level, 5.5 % had impaired fasting, and 3.4% were diagnosed with diabetes. Using 2-hour postprandial values (2HPP), 59.6% had normal plasma glucose, 28.8 % had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 11.6 % were diagnosed with diabetes. Overall, the prevalence of dysglycaemia (i.e., impaired fasting and diabetes) was 8.9% (95% CI: 5.21–14.82%) with FPG test and 40.4% (95% CI: 32.68–48.65%) with 2HPP test. The analysis revealed that 2HPP was associated with high mean age compared to FPG (36.67 ± 13.97 versus 41.69 ± 13.97, p-value = 0.033). In addition, marital status was significantly associated with FPG status of patients ( p = 0.028 ) . Conclusion. The prevalence of dysglycaemia was high among smear positive TB patients in Ghana. Higher mean age and marital status were associated with abnormal glucose tolerance and fasting plasma glucose, respectively. Clinical management of patients with tuberculosis should include screening for diabetes.
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