Introduction
Dog bite is the second most common injury sustained by humans after snake bites, and it is amongst the top 12 causes of non-fatal injuries worldwide. Globally, 59,000 human deaths occur ...annually due to rabies, and 95% of these deaths occur in Asia and Africa. Dog bites remained a public health concern in Ghana, with three out of every 1000 incidence resulting in human rabies. Analysis of the surveillance data is key in understanding the burden of dog bites in the Volta region. This study describes the epidemiology of dog bites in the Volta Region, Ghana, to inform policy on prevention and control.
Methods
We conducted a descriptive analysis of secondary data on dog bites. We obtained aggregate data from 2015 to 2019 from the District Health Management Information System (DHMIS). Variables extracted were gender, age, and location. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel cleaned, reviewed, and analyzed. We used descriptive statistics to summarize results into frequency and proportion and displayed results in tables, graphs, and maps.
Results
During the study period, 4737 dog bite cases were identified from a population of 1,907,529 (incidence of 248 per 100,000). Twelve (0.25%) humans were confirmed for rabies with a 100% case fatality rate. Males accounted for 2455 (51.8%) of dog bite cases. The age group between 10 and 19 years (21.9%) was most affected. About 35.0% (1640/4737) were administered with the anti-rabies vaccine, and 25.3% (1200/4737) were administered anti-tetanus toxoid. Keta district (550 per 100000) reported the highest incidence of dog bites. Dog bite cases were highest in the third and fourth quarters of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017.
Conclusion
The incidence of dog bites and rabies was high in the Volta region. Children and adolescents were mostly affected. There was a low coverage rate of anti-rabies vaccine and anti-tetanus toxoids usage. We recommended that the Regional Health Directorates and the Regional Veterinary Department develop robust strategies to control stray or free-roaming dogs in the Volta region.
•The overall adherence to PEP was 17.9%.•The overall level of adequate knowledge of PEP was 16.6%.•About 91.5% reported that they were at risk of occupational exposure to HIV.•Workers who had ...received training on PEP were 4 times likely to adhere to PEP.•Those who perceived a low-risk exposure to HIV were less likely to adhere to the PEP.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a global public health threat, and all frontline Health care workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk of exposure to body fluids from potential HIV patients and to sharp instruments. Though timely Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) decreases the possibility of seroconversion to HIV after occupational exposure, most HCWs rarely adhere to the PEP protocol. This study aims to determine the predictors of adherence to PEP among frontline healthcare workers in the Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana.
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 frontline HCWs. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using STATA version 14 software. Binomial logistic regression was performed at the 0.05 level of significance and 95% confidence interval.
Overall, 17.9% of HCWs adhered to PEP. Frontline HCWs who perceived they had low and very low risk of occupational exposure to HIV transmission were 96% AOR = 0.04 (95% C.I: 0.00, 0.39) P = 0.006 and 94% AOR = 0.06 (95% C.I: 0.00, 0.62) P = 0.019 respectively less likely to adhere to PEP. HCWs who received training on PEP were 4 times more likely to adhere to PEP compared to those who had never received it AOR = 4.24 (1.31, 13.19) P = 0.013.
Adherence to PEP protocol among HCWs was low. Therefore, there is a need for interventions to increase the perception of risk of occupational exposure to HIV transmission and to intensify training on PEP among frontline HCWs in the Ho Teaching Hospital. This will go a long way to increase their adherence to PEP.
This article examines the role of elections in bordering through disputes over cross-border voting since Ghana returned to multi-party democracy in 1992. It uses case studies from some communities ...that border Togo in the Volta Region of Ghana which is the epicenter of alleged cross-border voting. In these communities, "border citizenship" is expressed through the deployment of ritual space, social and political relations which is across national borders. But this begs the question whether border citizens view voting as a right or not, or more specifically, contest the border by participating in elections on either side of the border. This article argues that border citizens are not only involved in contesting the border; one can assume to have a border citizenship and still respect the border in elections by refusing the act of cross-border voting. This study not only contributes to border studies by highlighting the importance of electoral politics in the bordering process but it also brings to light the complexities of cross-border voting, since it shows that border residents in the Ghana-Togo borderland communities do not all perceive cross-border voting positively.
The risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV can be reduced through the provision of prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) of HIV services. This study assessed clients' satisfaction with PMTCT of HIV ...services received at health facilities in the Volta Region, Ghana. A cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from a sample of 405 pregnant women receiving antenatal care (ANC) services and 80 mothers attending postnatal care clinics (PNCs). Logistic regression was performed at the 0.05 significance level. About 77.1% were satisfied with PMTCT of HIV services. Respondents with no formal education (Adjusted Odds Ratio AOR = 0.05; CI: 0.01 to 0.52; p = 0.012), Farmers (AOR = 0.18; CI: 0.07 to 0.43; p < 0.001), the Guans (AOR = 0.04; CI: 0.04 to 0.35; p = 0.003) and the Konkombas (AOR = 0.05; CI: 0.01 to 0.50; p = 0.011) were less likely to be satisfied with the PMTCT services. Clients in the rural areas (AOR = 15.00; CI: 4.45 to 56.74; p < 0.001), those in semi-urban areas (AOR = 2.13; CI: 1.12 to 1.47; p = 0.021), mothers with one child (AOR = 3.39; C.I: 1.07 to 10.66; p = 0.037) and two children (AOR = 8.70; CI: 2.36 to 31.66; p < 0.001) were more likely to be satisfied with the PMTCT services. Clients who received information from health workers (AOR = 7.03; CI: 1.81 to 27.36; p = 0.005), those who received HIV testing (AOR = 8.83; CI: 2.18 to 35.86; p = 0.002) and infant feeding (AOR = 3.15; CI: 1.05 to 9.43; p = 0.041) services were more likely to be satisfied with the PMTCT services. Health promotion interventions should target those without any formal education, farmers, those residing in urban settings and those without children.
Abstract Background Little is known about the nexus between online gambling and psychological distress among youth, especially in Ghana. This study aimed to investigate the effects of online sports ...betting on psychological distress, focusing on depression, anxiety, and stress among young individuals in the Volta region of Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at various betting centers in the Volta region of Ghana. Four hundred and three (403) participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The study used a standardized questionnaire to assess psychological distress with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21) and problematic gambling with the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). The analysis included both descriptive and inferential methods. These include the implementation of the bootstrap technique within multiple regression models using the current versions of Jeffreys’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) 0.18.2, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 29.0.2, and Microsoft Excel (2019). Results The study found a prevalence of 40% for problematic gambling and 44% for moderate gambling problems among participants, resulting in an overall gambling prevalence of 84%. Regarding psychological distress, the estimated prevalence of depression among participants was 43.6%, with stress reported at 31.1% and anxiety at 68.8%. The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 48%. When analyzing the link between gambling and psychological distress, the study noted that males were more prone to gambling-related psychological distress than females (β = 2.036, p = 0.025). Furthermore, individuals with problem gambling showed the highest probability of experiencing more significant psychological distress compared to other groups (β = 9.228, p = 0.002), followed by those with moderate gambling levels (β = 3.283, p = 0.002). Conclusion We recommend that the mental health unit of the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with the Gaming Commission of Ghana, should develop youth-friendly interventions to address the prevalence and onset of problematic gambling among the youth, especially males. This could, in turn, reduce the prevalence of psychological distress among youth engaged in online gambling in Ghana.
We evaluated the malaria surveillance system in Adaklu District of the Volta Region of Ghana to determine if the system was meeting its objectives and assessed its usefulness and attributes.
...Descriptive cross-sectional design was used in evaluating the surveillance system.
We interviewed stakeholders using a semi-structured questionnaire on case detection and reporting. We assessed the system attributes using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems. We extracted and reviewed malaria surveillance data from the District Health Management Information System 2. Summary statistics and direct content analysis were performed on quantitative and qualitative data respectively.
Of the 80,441 suspected malaria cases recorded in Adaklu District from 2014 to 2018, 47,917 (59.6%) cases were confirmed. The system was meeting its objective of detecting malaria cases and monitoring trends in the population however, the system missed an epidemic in August 2016. Data generated from the surveillance system is used by the NMCP to aid in the distribution of logistics such as LLINs, RDT test kits, and track malaria control progress in the district. Staff at all levels were able to detect, confirm, treat and report malaria. All sub-districts/health facilities reported to the district and reports were all accurate and timely. The predictive value positive was 62.9%.
The malaria surveillance system in Adaklu District was useful and meeting its set objective of monitoring trends of malaria in the population. It was simple, flexible, acceptable and representative; however, the system was not detecting epidemics. The District Health Management Team should set alert and epidemic thresholds to help detect promptly epidemics of malaria in the district.
Objective
To determine the extent of longitudinal continuity of care (CoC) during pregnancy and delivery in the Volta Region of Ghana.
Methods
Longitudinal data were used from the National Health ...Insurance Claims Dataset for the period January to December 2013 for pregnant women who sought antenatal and delivery care in the region. Pregnant women who delivered at a health facility with at least three visits were included in the study. Five CoC indices were calculated for each pregnant woman.
Results
Of the 14 474 pregnant women included in the study, 58.4% had perfect CoC. Mean CoC indices were: most frequent provider continuity (MFPC) 0.82 ± 0.25; modified, modified continuity index (MMCI) 0.86 ± 0.20; continuity of care index (COCI) 0.76 ± 0.30; sequential continuity index (SECON) 0.80 ± 0.28; and place of delivery continuity (PDC) 0.68 ± 0.41.
Conclusion
There are relatively medium to high levels of CoC indices during pregnancy and delivery, with place of delivery CoC having the lowest score, an indication that more pregnant women switched providers during delivery. There is a need for policy to ensure CoC during pregnancy.
The score for place of delivery continuity of care is low, which is an indication that more pregnant women switched care providers during delivery.
Geophagia although pleasurable and somewhat a necessity among pregnant women, also comes along with its own attendant problems such as exposure to potentially hazardous substances like bacteria, ...fungi, helminthes and ova, radioactive materials, and toxic elemental minerals in the soil depending on the geographical location.
This study evaluated the potential health risk involved during the exposure of pregnant women to toxic elemental minerals via the consumption of clay as pica (geophagia). Elemental mineral analysis was carried out using Buck Scientific 210VGP Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific, Inc. East Norwalk, USA). Risk assessment methods were also used to ascertain the various risks factors and the overall risk level.
Concentrations of the macro elements investigated were 1.38 ± 1.5, 2.40 ± 1.5, 7.74 ± 1.5, 4.01 ± 1.0, 13.24 ± 2.2 and 13.76 ± 2.1 mg/Kg for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) respectively. While that for the micro elements were 1.63 ± 0.03 μg/Kg, 4.72 ± 0.8, 0.53 ± 0.02 and 1.85 ± 0.3 mg/kg respectively for arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) values ranged 0.611-5.44 (mg/kg Bw/day), 6.26 × 10
- 106.5, 0.067-10.34 and 15 respectively.
There is the likelihood of posing adverse health problems when clay samples obtained from Anfoega which is sited in the Volta region of Ghana is consumed due to the fact that the HQ's of these elemental minerals were > 1 which points to high content of Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni). It is also likely to cause adverse health problems in an individual's life time since THQ for Arsenic, Lead and Nickel were above 1. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of these toxicants were exceedingly great (≤ 15) which implied a high level of unsafety associated with this clay. Per the results from this study, it is not safe for pregnant women to consume clay as pica since these toxic elements may cause detrimental effects on the foetus of the unborn child.
Abstract
Background
Alterations in the structure of haemoglobin (Hb) are usually brought about by point mutations affecting one or, in some cases, two codons encoding amino acids of the globin ...chains. One in three Ghanaians are said to have sickle cell disorders, whereas malaria continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality among children. This study determined the prevalence of sickle cell disorders and malaria infection among children aged 1–12 years in the Volta Region.
Methods
This was a community-based cross-sectional survey that involved 938 children aged 1–12 years selected from three districts, one each from the 3 geographical zones of the Volta Region using a multistage sampling method. Demographic information was collected using a standard questionnaire and anthropometric indices were measured. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) electrophoresis was used to determine the Hb genotypes and sub-microscopic parasites were determined by PCR.
Results
The prevalence of sickling screening positive was 16.0% with an overall prevalence of sickle cell disorders being 2.0%. Among the individual genotypes making up the sickle cell disorders, genotype HbSF was the highest (0.9% as compared to 0.2%; HbSS, 0.6%; HbSC and 0.3%; HbSCF). Microscopic
Plasmodium falciparum
parasitaemia was detected among 5.5% of the children and 14.2% sub-microscopic prevalence by PCR. Children with sickle cell disorders were more likely to have sub-microscopic parasitaemia (AOR = 5.51 95%CI (2.15, 14.10),
p
< 0.001) as well as anaemia (AOR = 3.03 95% CI (1.04, 8.82),
p
= 0.042), compared to those with normal genotypes. There was no significant difference observed between sickle cell disorders and growth and development of the children screened.
Conclusions
Sickle cell disorders were significantly associated with sub-microscopic parasitaemia as well as anaemia in this study. Establishment of sickle cell clinics in the district and regional hospitals will help in the management of children with the disorder and also generate a national database on sickle cell disorders. National neonatal screening policies must also be put in place to help in early detection and management of these disorders.
Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy is required for viral load suppression. This study investigated the sociodemographic (age, sex, marital status, level of education, monthly income, ...settlement type, distance to the antiretroviral therapy-providing site, ethnicity) and health system (antiretroviral therapy-providing site) determinants of antiretroviral therapy adherence among human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients in the Volta Region, Ghana.
A cross-section design was adopted, collecting data from 1729 human immunodeficiency virus patients and analysing them using STATA version 17 at level 0.05.
Antiretroviral therapy adherence was poor (51.2%). Being divorced (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.65), widow (AOR = 0.58), cohabiting (AOR = 0.22), Ewe (AOR = 3.7), Ga/Dangbe (AOR = 2.27), living in a rural area (AOR = 1.54) and an urban area (AOR = 0.64), having a monthly income of GH₵1000 or less (AOR = 3.21), covering a distance of 51 km and above to the antiretroviral therapy centre (AOR = 1.79), receiving antiretroviral therapy from Ketu South Municipal Hospital (AOR = 0.09), Hohoe Municipal Hospital (AOR = 0.03), Ho Municipal Hospital (AOR = 0.02) and Ho Teaching Hospital (AOR = 0.09) were the determinants of antiretroviral therapy adherence.
Antiretroviral therapy adherence was low. Interventions to improve antiretroviral therapy adherence should target these significant determinants.
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