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Introduction. Each year, an estimated 25000 rabies death occurs in Africa. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains the only proven approach in preventing rabies deaths. Most of rabies deaths occur among those who delayed, did not receive, or complete rabies PEP. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of animal bite, factors associated with delays in initiating, and nonadherence to rabies PEP regimen. Method. Data on clients reporting for rabies PEP in a tertiary hospital setting in Ghana were collected from 2013 to 2016. Demographics, place, and source of exposure were collected. Other information obtained included adherence to the PEP protocol and GPS coordinates of the town of animal bites. The shortest distance between the GPS coordinates of town of animal bite and the site of administration of the rabies PEP was calculated. A total of 1030 individuals received rabies PEP over the period. Results. Overall, 52.9% (545) were males while 47.1% (485) were females. Majority of the cases were between the age group 1–10 years accounting for 29.2%. Dog bites accounted for 96.5% (n = 994). Cats, nonhuman primates, human bites, respectively, accounted for 1.8% (n = 18), 1.2% (n = 12), and 0.6% (n = 6) of all bites. Majority of bites occurred at home (66.2% (n = 646)). Also, 31.6% (n = 308) and 2.3% (n = 22) of bites occurred on the streets and neighbors/friends’ homes, respectively. Only, 18.7% initiated PEP within 24 hours of bite. Rabies PEP regimen completion rate was 95.2% (n = 976). The median distance travelled to access rabies PEP was 7.87 km (IQR, 3.58–16.27) km. Overall, 34.7% (n = 344) had the animal bite within 4.99 km radius of the treatment room of KBTH. Clients who delayed in initiating rabies PEP were 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3–5.1) times more likely to be males and 2.0 (1.1–3.9) times more likely to receive bites in a location more than 5 km radius from the KBTH treatment room. Gender, age, and distance of bite from the treatment room were not associated with the likelihood of not completing rabies PEP schedule. Discussion. Bites from suspected rabies infected animals remain a problem in southern Ghana. There are significant delays in initiating PEP for rabies prevention. Most animal bite victims are children ten years and below. Male gender and bites more than 5 km radius from the site of rabies PEP administration were most significant factors associated with delays in initiating rabies PEP. There is the need for adopting strategies to encourage prompt initiation and adherence to PEP.
Joyce A. Addai; Benjamin D. Nuertey. Pattern of Animal Bites and Delays in Initiating Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis among Clients Receiving Care in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Journal of Tropical Medicine 2020, 2020, 1 -6.
AMA StyleJoyce A. Addai, Benjamin D. Nuertey. Pattern of Animal Bites and Delays in Initiating Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis among Clients Receiving Care in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2020; 2020 ():1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoyce A. Addai; Benjamin D. Nuertey. 2020. "Pattern of Animal Bites and Delays in Initiating Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis among Clients Receiving Care in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital." Journal of Tropical Medicine 2020, no. : 1-6.
Optimum care of sick neonates often involves transporting them across different levels of care. Since their condition may deteriorate over time, attention needs to be paid to travel distances and how they are transferred. We examined the mode of transport, distances travelled, condition on arrival and outcome of outborn neonates admitted to a district and a regional hospital in Ghana using a cross-sectional study involving caregivers of neonates admitted to these hospitals. Information on referral characteristics and outcome were obtained from questionnaires and the child’s case notes. Overall, 153 caregivers and babies were studied. Twelve deaths, 7.8%, occurred. Neonates who died spent a median duration of 120 min at the first health facility they visited compared with 30 min spent by survivors; they travelled mostly by public buses, (41.7%), compared with 36.0% of survivors who used taxis. Majority of survivors, 70.2%, had normal heart rates on arrival compared with only 41.7% of neonates who died; hypothermia was present in 66.7% compared with 47.6% of survivors. These findings indicate that the logistics for neonatal transport were inadequate to keep the neonates stable during the transfer process, thus many of them were compromised especially those who died. Further studies are warranted.
Edem M. A. Tette; Benjamin D. Nuertey; Dominic Akaateba; Naa Barnabas Gandau. The Transport and Outcome of Sick Outborn Neonates Admitted to a Regional and District Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Children 2020, 7, 22 .
AMA StyleEdem M. A. Tette, Benjamin D. Nuertey, Dominic Akaateba, Naa Barnabas Gandau. The Transport and Outcome of Sick Outborn Neonates Admitted to a Regional and District Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Children. 2020; 7 (3):22.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEdem M. A. Tette; Benjamin D. Nuertey; Dominic Akaateba; Naa Barnabas Gandau. 2020. "The Transport and Outcome of Sick Outborn Neonates Admitted to a Regional and District Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study." Children 7, no. 3: 22.
Neonatal mortality is the major contributor to under-five mortality rates in many low and middle income countries. We examined the health practices, care-seeking behavior, and referral of sick outborn neonates to a district and regional hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted over an eight (8) month period in 2018. Data were obtained from caregiver interviews and case notes. Altogether, 153 outborn neonates were examined. Inappropriate practices including the use of enemas, cord care with cow dung, and herbal baths were found. Three babies treated this way died. The majority of caregivers sought care at a health facility. However, 67 (44%) sought care only after their babies were ill for ≥7 days, suggesting the influence of a period of confinement on health seeking. More than half, 94 (61.4%), of the facilities visited referred patients to destination hospitals without giving any treatment. Delayed care-seeking was associated with a low birth weight, using home remedies, and a maternal age of ≥30 years. Altogether, 12 neonates (7.8%) died, consisting of three males and nine females (p = 0.018). Socio-cultural factors strongly influence health seeking behavior and the health outcome of neonates in this setting. There appeared to be a limited repertoire of interventions for treating neonatal disease in primary care.
Edem Tette; Benjamin Nuertey; Emmanuel Azusong; Naa Gandau. The Profile, Health Seeking Behavior, Referral Patterns, and Outcome of Outborn Neonates Admitted to a District and Regional Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Children 2020, 7, 15 .
AMA StyleEdem Tette, Benjamin Nuertey, Emmanuel Azusong, Naa Gandau. The Profile, Health Seeking Behavior, Referral Patterns, and Outcome of Outborn Neonates Admitted to a District and Regional Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study. Children. 2020; 7 (2):15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEdem Tette; Benjamin Nuertey; Emmanuel Azusong; Naa Gandau. 2020. "The Profile, Health Seeking Behavior, Referral Patterns, and Outcome of Outborn Neonates Admitted to a District and Regional Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study." Children 7, no. 2: 15.
We aimed to investigate whether the provision of water, sanitation, and hand hygiene (WASH) interventions were associated with changes in hand hygiene compliance and perceptions of healthcare workers towards infection control. The study was conducted from June 2017 through February 2018 among healthcare workers in two Northern districts of Ghana. Using a pretest-posttest design, we performed hand hygiene observations and perception surveys at baseline (before the start of WASH interventions) and post-intervention (midline and endline). We assessed adherence to hand hygiene practice using the WHO direct observation tool. The perception study was conducted using the WHO perception survey for healthcare workers. Study outcomes were compared between baseline, midline and endline assessments. The hand hygiene compliance significantly improved from 28.8% at baseline through 51.7% at midline (n = 726/1404; 95% CI: 49.1-54.2%) to 67.9% at endline (n = 1000/1471; 95% CI: 65.6-70.3%). The highest increase in compliance was to the WHO hand hygiene moment 5 after touching patients surrounding (relative increase, 205%; relative rate, 3.05; 95% CI: 2.23-4.04; p < 0.0001). Post-intervention, the top three policies deemed most effective at improving hand hygiene practice were: provision of water source (rated mean score, n = 6.1 ± 1.4), participation in educational activities (rated mean score 6.0 ± 1.5); and hand hygiene promotional campaign (6.0 ± 1.3). Hand hygiene compliance significantly improved post-intervention. Sustaining good hand hygiene practices in low resource settings should include education, the provision of essential supplies, and regular hand hygiene audits and feedback.
Appiah Labi; Noah Obeng-Nkrumah; Benjamin Demah Nuertey; Sheila Issahaku; Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye; Peter Baffoe; David Duncan; Priscilla Wobil; Christabel Enweronu-Laryea. Hand hygiene practices and perceptions among healthcare workers in Ghana: A WASH intervention study. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2019, 13, 1076 -1085.
AMA StyleAppiah Labi, Noah Obeng-Nkrumah, Benjamin Demah Nuertey, Sheila Issahaku, Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye, Peter Baffoe, David Duncan, Priscilla Wobil, Christabel Enweronu-Laryea. Hand hygiene practices and perceptions among healthcare workers in Ghana: A WASH intervention study. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. 2019; 13 (12):1076-1085.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAppiah Labi; Noah Obeng-Nkrumah; Benjamin Demah Nuertey; Sheila Issahaku; Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye; Peter Baffoe; David Duncan; Priscilla Wobil; Christabel Enweronu-Laryea. 2019. "Hand hygiene practices and perceptions among healthcare workers in Ghana: A WASH intervention study." The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 13, no. 12: 1076-1085.
Background Maternal perceptions about caesarean section contribute to delayed presentation of women for emergency obstetric care. This increases the risks of perinatal and neonatal mortality and slows down the reductions needed to achieve the sustainable development goal (SDG) target of reducing neonatal mortality and ending new-born deaths. The aim of the study is to determine maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing neonatal mortality at a regional and a district hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods This descriptive study was carried out at two hospitals in the Upper West Region, the most rural region in Ghana, between 15th January and 29th June, 2018. Maternal perceptions were examined among antenatal care attendants at the Upper West Regional Hospital (UWRH) and St Joseph’s Hospital Jirapa (SJH), a district hospital, using questionnaires administered by trained nurses. Results Altogether, 416 completed questionnaires were obtained, comprising 206 from expectant women attending the UWRH and 210 from SJH. Although the majority of women in this study preferred spontaneous vaginal delivery (87.4%, n = 348) to caesarean section, most of the respondents (n = 281, 73%) indicated their willingness to have a caesarean section if necessary. The main reason for not wanting a CS was the long recovery time (51.8%, n = 148). Almost half of women interviewed, representing 45.1% (180) did not know or feel that CS can promote child survival and about a fifth, 21.6% (85) believed that CS can have adverse effects on child survival. Factors associated with poor perception of CS included, no formal education, age less than 19 years and no employment. Conclusion Majority of women in this study had a positive attitude towards the uptake of CS if it becomes necessary. Lack of formal education, age less than 19 years and unemployment are associated with poor maternal perception of CS. Education to improve the perception of CS as a promoter of child survival is necessary and to discourage perceptions that it causes adverse perinatal or neonatal outcome particularly in at risk populations.
Barnabas B. Naa Gandau; Benjamin D. Nuertey; Nana Ayegua Hagan Seneadza; Dominic Akaateba; Emmanuel Azusong; Judith Y. Yirifere; Herta B. Kankpeyeng; Edem M. A. Tette. Maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana; a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2019, 19, 1 -14.
AMA StyleBarnabas B. Naa Gandau, Benjamin D. Nuertey, Nana Ayegua Hagan Seneadza, Dominic Akaateba, Emmanuel Azusong, Judith Y. Yirifere, Herta B. Kankpeyeng, Edem M. A. Tette. Maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana; a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2019; 19 (1):1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBarnabas B. Naa Gandau; Benjamin D. Nuertey; Nana Ayegua Hagan Seneadza; Dominic Akaateba; Emmanuel Azusong; Judith Y. Yirifere; Herta B. Kankpeyeng; Edem M. A. Tette. 2019. "Maternal perceptions about caesarean section deliveries and their role in reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in the Upper West Region of Ghana; a cross-sectional study." BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 19, no. 1: 1-14.
Purpose. To determine the prevalence, causes, and factors associated with presenting visual impairment and blindness among pensioners. Design. A nationwide cross-sectional study. This study was part of the analysis on data obtained in the pensioners’ medical survey conducted among members of the National Pensioners Association in Ghana. Method. (i) Setting: it was a multicenter study involving thirteen centers throughout Ghana with a center in each regional capital. (ii) Study population: the study involved 4813 pensioners. (iii) Observation procedures: data were captured through the use of questionnaires, physical examinations including eye examinations, and urine and blood sample analysis. (iv) Main outcome measure: presenting visual impairment and blindness (as defined by the WHO ICD-10 classification). Results. The overall prevalence of blindness among pensioners in Ghana was 3.8% (95% CI = 3.2–4.4), while the prevalence of moderate and severe visual impairment was 21.7% (95% CI = 20.5–23.0). The prevalence of blindness was lowest in the 60–65-year-old age group (2.1% (95% CI = 1.3–2.8)) and highest in the above 80-year-old age group (12.2% (95% CI = 6.6–17.8)). Cataract was the leading cause of blindness (62.4%) and moderate and severe visual impairment (55.7%). Factors significantly associated with blindness and visual impairment include educational status, vegetarianism, arthritis, and having proteins in urine. Conclusion. There is a high prevalence of visual impairment and blindness among the pensioners in Ghana. Sadly, the greatest cause was cataract, which is correctable. Increase in formal education status will be important in the prevention of blindness and visual impairment.
Benjamin D. Nuertey; Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur; Joyce Addai; Victor Adongo; Augustine D. Nuertey; Clement Kabutey; Isaac Asimadu Mensah; Richard Bekoe Biritwum. Prevalence, Causes, and Factors Associated with Visual Impairment and Blindness among Registered Pensioners in Ghana. Journal of Ophthalmology 2019, 2019, 1 -10.
AMA StyleBenjamin D. Nuertey, Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur, Joyce Addai, Victor Adongo, Augustine D. Nuertey, Clement Kabutey, Isaac Asimadu Mensah, Richard Bekoe Biritwum. Prevalence, Causes, and Factors Associated with Visual Impairment and Blindness among Registered Pensioners in Ghana. Journal of Ophthalmology. 2019; 2019 ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBenjamin D. Nuertey; Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur; Joyce Addai; Victor Adongo; Augustine D. Nuertey; Clement Kabutey; Isaac Asimadu Mensah; Richard Bekoe Biritwum. 2019. "Prevalence, Causes, and Factors Associated with Visual Impairment and Blindness among Registered Pensioners in Ghana." Journal of Ophthalmology 2019, no. : 1-10.
The elderly are faced with health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems, which can be linked to obesity and overweight. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight and its associated factors amongst registered pensioners in Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among members of the national pensioners association of Ghana. 4813 pensioners took part in the study. Thirteen study centers were used in the study with at least one center per regional capital. Questionnaires, physical examinations, blood and urine sample examinations were carried out. Overall, 16.3% of the pensioners were obese while 30.0% were overweight. Prevalence of obesity among males and females were 8.0% and 34.5% respectively. Pensioners who were hypertensive had 1.8 times the odds (95% CI = 1.5-2.0) of being obese/overweight. Serum triglycerides levels of 2.26 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or more, were associated with 80% chance of obesity and overweight (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3 - 2.5). There was 30% increase in arthritis among obese/overweight pensioners compared to normal/underweight pensioners. Obesity and overweight pensioners were more likely to be using eyeglass (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3-2.2) and less likely to report hearing loss (OR = 0.7, 95% CI =0.5-1.0). The prevalence of obesity among the elderly in Ghana is high. Age had an inverse linear relationship with BMI among pensioners. Hypertension, arthritis and dyslipidemia were associated with obesity among registered pensioners.
Benjamin D. Nuertey; Alabira Iddrisu Alhassan; Augustine D. Nuertey; Isaac Asimadu Mensah; Victor Adongo; Clement Kabutey; Joyce Addai; Richard Bekoe Biritwum. Prevalence of obesity and overweight and its associated factors among registered pensioners in Ghana; a cross sectional studies. BMC Obesity 2017, 4, 26 .
AMA StyleBenjamin D. Nuertey, Alabira Iddrisu Alhassan, Augustine D. Nuertey, Isaac Asimadu Mensah, Victor Adongo, Clement Kabutey, Joyce Addai, Richard Bekoe Biritwum. Prevalence of obesity and overweight and its associated factors among registered pensioners in Ghana; a cross sectional studies. BMC Obesity. 2017; 4 (1):26.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBenjamin D. Nuertey; Alabira Iddrisu Alhassan; Augustine D. Nuertey; Isaac Asimadu Mensah; Victor Adongo; Clement Kabutey; Joyce Addai; Richard Bekoe Biritwum. 2017. "Prevalence of obesity and overweight and its associated factors among registered pensioners in Ghana; a cross sectional studies." BMC Obesity 4, no. 1: 26.