University of Health and Allied Sciences

About: University of Health and Allied Sciences is a education organization based out in Ho, Ghana. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 637 authors who have published 1063 publications receiving 9380 citations. The organization is also known as: UHAS & IAU-024335.

Trends of tuberculosis case detection, mortality and co-infection with HIV in Ghana: A retrospective cohort study.

Abstract: Background In an era of renewed commitment to accelerate the declines in Tuberculosis (TB) incidence and mortality, there is the need for National Tuberculosis Programmes (NTPs) to monitor trends in key indicators across a geographical location and to provide reliable data for direct measurement of TB incidence and mortality In this context, we explored the trends of TB case detection, mortality and HIV co-infection, and examined the predictors of TB deaths in Ten districts of the Volta region of Ghana Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all TB cases registered from 2013 to 2017 in 10 districts of the Volta Region of Ghana Case detection rate (CDR) was computed as the ratio of the number of new and relapse TB case notified to NTP to the number of estimated incident TB cases in a given year Case fatality rates were estimated using data from 2012–2016 cohort of TB patients Simple and multiple logistic regression were used to identify predictors of TB deaths with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals estimated Results Overall, there were 3,735 new and relapse TB patients who commenced anti-TB treatment during the period, representing the case detection rate of 401% with district variations The CDR remained stable during the 5 years Of the total cases, HIV status was documented for 3,144 (842%), among whom, 712 (226%) were HIV positive The TB/HIV co-infection was more prevalent among children under 15 years of age (301%), males (306%), treatment after lost to follow-up patients (333%), and smear-negative pulmonary TB patients (291%) The prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection did not significantly change over the years The overall case fatality rate was 13% (n = 486), with considerable variation among HIV-positives and HIV-negative TB patients (218% and 11% respectively) (p<0001) and among districts TB/HIV co-infection, sputum smear-negative pulmonary TB and district of anti-TB treatment predicted TB mortality Conclusion TB case detection rate was low and remained stable during the study period, whereas co-infection with HIV and mortality rates were quite high, indicating the need for feasible strategies such as active case finding to improve case detection, and improved case management to reduce mortality

Household and market survey on availability of adequately iodized salt in the Volta region, Ghana

Abstract: Consumption of adequately iodized salt (AIS) ≥15 ppm is one of the criteria for measuring progress towards universal salt iodization (USI) and sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders After a series of behavior change interventions aimed at increasing utilization of AIS, this survey was conducted to evaluate extent of achievement of USI Cross-sectional survey was conducted in 1961 households and 350 markets to estimate the iodine levels of salt consumed or sold Three degrees of iodization were estimated from fine, coarse and granular texture salt using MBI rapid field test kits Differences in iodization levels were determined using Bonferroni test in STATA Determinants for household utilization of AIS were identified using regression analysis and reported as odds ratio (OR) Availability of AIS in households (245%) and markets (309%) was far below the 90% recommendation No differences were observed in urban (268%) and rural (241%) households Households that used fine-texture salt

Antimicrobial properties of metal piperidine dithiocarbamate complexes against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans

Abstract: In this study, a series of metal piperidine dithiocarbamate complexes (M = Zn, Cu, Co, Fe, Ni, Bi and Ag) were synthesized and characterized using microelemental, 1HNMR, mass spectrometry and FT-IR analyses. Antimicrobial properties of the complexes were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in a 96-well plate, using the broth dilution assay. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes was in the order Zn>Co>Cu>Ag=Bi=Ni>Fe against Staphylococcus aureus and Co> Zn >Fe>Ag=Bi=Cu=Ni against Candida albicans. The results indicate that the complexes were effective against the microorganisms at high concentrations.

Maintaining quality newborn care in Ghana amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract: Cite this article: Pan Africa Medical Journal. 2020;35(2):6. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.35.4.22797 Received: 12 Apr 2020 Accepted: 13 Apr 2020 Published: 16 Apr 2020 Domain: Pediatrics (general)

Serum adipocytokines and adiposity as predictive indices of preeclampsia.

Abstract: This study was aimed at determining the levels of serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin and lipids during the first trimester in pregnant women and to evaluate the relationship between these biochemical markers and preeclampsia (PE). Available evidence point to changes in the levels of these adipokines in PE hence this study examined the potential of using these biomarkers in the prediction of the disease. This was a case-control study which compared first trimester serum biochemical and anthropometric parameters in pregnant women who subsequently developed PE and those who did not. Blood pressure and urine protein were determined after 20 weeks of gestation and diagnosis of PE performed according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the lipid profile with the exception of HDL cholesterol which was significantly lower (p = 0.043) in the PE group compared to the normotensive group. There were, however, significant differences (p < 0.05) in the adipokines between the PE group and those without PE. Analyses of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the adipokines, showed their ability to correctly predict PE even after controlling for body mass index (BMI) and family history of hypertension. Adiponectin, leptin, resistin and visfatin were found to be significant predictors of PE, with resistin being the best predictor after controlling for BMI. However, adiponectin was the best predictor after controlling for BMI, age, parity and family history of diabetes and preeclmapsia.