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DRIVERS OF HOUSEHOLD ANTIBIOTIC USE IN URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN NORTHERN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE CONTROL

2026-03-19T11:17:12Z

Title: DRIVERS OF HOUSEHOLD ANTIBIOTIC USE IN URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS IN NORTHERN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE CONTROL Authors: Vicar, E. K.; Walana, W.; Mbabila, A.; Darko, G. K.; Opare‐Asamoah, K.; Majeed, S. F.; Obeng‐Bempong, M. Abstract: Background: Urban informal settlements have been described as the epicenters of frequent antibiotic misuse, which has local and global consequences on the goals of antimicrobial stewardship. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and practices of antibiotic use among households in urban informal settlements in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana. Method: This study was a prospective cross‐sectional survey of the two major informal settlements in theTamale metropolis, namely Dungu‐Asawaba and Moshie Zongo. In all, 660 households were randomly selected for this study. Households with an adult and at least a child under 5 years old were randomly chosen. An adult with knowledge of household healthcare practices was selected to respond to a structured questionnaire. Results: In all, 291 (44.1%) of the 660 households reported taking at least one type of antibiotic within the last month before the study and 30.9% (204/660) had used antibiotics without a prescription. Information on which antibiotics to use was obtained mostly from friends/family members 50 (24.5%) and were commonly purchased from a medical store or a pharmacy 84 (41.2%), saved up from a previously used antibiotic 46 (22.5%), a friend/family members 38 (18.6%), and drug hawkers 30 (14.7%). Amoxicillin 95 (26.0%) was the most frequently used antibiotic and the commonest indication for antibiotics use was diarrhea 136 (37.9%). Female respondents (odds ratio [OR]=3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.199–4.301; p<0.0001), larger households (OR=2.02; 95% CI=1.337–3.117; p=0.0011) and those with higher monthly household income (OR=3.39; 95% CI=1.945–5.816; p<0.0001) were more likely to have good knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, bad attitudes influenced participants' use of antibiotics without prescription (OR =2.41; 95% CI=0.432–4.05; p=0.0009).

UTEROVESICAL FISTULA AND ITS TREATMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

2025-07-10T11:40:48Z

Title: UTEROVESICAL FISTULA AND ITS TREATMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Authors: Brtnický, T.; Simono Charadan, A. M.; Koliba, P.; Malecová, M.; Dubová, O.; Hubka, P.; Zikán, M. Abstract: Summary: Aim: Aim of the study to summarize the current information on diagnostic and treatment options for uterovesical fistula as a consequence of iatrogenic complication. Methods: Literature review of available information on surgical treatment options for uterovesical fistula resulting from previous caesarean section and comparison with our own experience in the developing world. Conclusion: Uterovesical fistula is an abnormal communication between the bladder and uterus. The cause of this pathology in most cases is an iatrogenic complication, most commonly arising after a caesarean section. The incidence of this pathology varies significantly geographically. In developed countries, these fistulas are rather rare. On the other hand, in developing countries, uterovesical fistulas are more common with a significant impact on the subsequent life of the patient due to generally inaccessible health care

SERUM METABOLOME SIGNATURES CHARACTERIZING CO-INFECTION OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM AND HBV IN PREGNANT WOMEN

2025-07-10T11:23:11Z

Title: SERUM METABOLOME SIGNATURES CHARACTERIZING CO-INFECTION OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM AND HBV IN PREGNANT WOMEN Authors: Asantewaa, G.; Anabire, N.G.; Bauer, M.; Weis, S.; Neugebauer, S.; Quaye, O.; Helegbe, G.K. Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is on the rise among pregnant women in northern Ghana. Mono-infection with either of these two pathogens results in unique metabolic alterations. Thus, we aimed to explicate the effects of this co-infection on the metabolome signatures of pregnant women, which would indicate the impacted metabolic pathways and provide useful prognostic or diagnostic markers. Using an MS/MS-based targeted metabolomic approach, we determined the serum metabolome in pregnant women with P. falciparum mono-infection, HBV mono-infection, P. falciparum, and HBV co-infection and in uninfected (control) women. We observed significantly decreased sphingolipid concentrations in subjects with P. falciparum mono-infection, whereas amino acids and phospholipids were decreased in subjects with HBV monoinfection. Co-infections were found to be characterized distinctively by reduced concentrations of phospholipids and hexoses (mostly glucose) as well as altered pathways that contribute to redox homeostasis. Overall, PC ae C40:1 was found to be a good discriminatory metabolite for the coinfection group. PC ae C40:1 can further be explored for use in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria and chronic hepatitis B co-morbidity as well as to distinguish co-infections from cases of mono-infections

URINARY TRACT INFECTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVING ANTENATAL CARE AT A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

2025-07-09T11:26:00Z

Title: URINARY TRACT INFECTION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVING ANTENATAL CARE AT A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA Authors: Vicar, E. K.; Acquah, S. E. K.; Wallana, W.; Kuugbee, E. D.; Osbutey, E. K.; Aidoo, A.; Acheampong, E.; Mensah, G. I. Abstract: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is frequently encountered during pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal e5ects. However, very little information is available on the prevalence of UTI among pregnant women in the northern part of Ghana, a region with a high birth rate. *is study employed a cross-sectional analysis of the prevalence, antimicrobial pro8le, and risk factors associated with UTI in 560 pregnant women attending primary care for antenatal check-ups. Sociodemographic obstetrical history and personal hygiene information were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire. Afterward, clean catch mid-stream urine samples were collected from all participants and subjected to routine microscopy examination and culture. Of 560 pregnant women, 223 cases (39.8%) were positive for UTI. *ere was a statistically signi8cant association between sociodemographic, obstetric, and personal hygiene variables and UTI (p < 0.0001). Escherichia coli (27.8%) was the commonest bacterial isolate followed by CoNS (13.5%) and Proteus species (12.6%). *ese isolates exhibited greater resistance to ampicillin (70.1–97.3%) and cotrimoxazole (48.1–89.7%) but were fairly susceptible to gentamycin and ciproBoxacin. Gram-negative resistance to meropenem was up to 25.0%, and Gram positives resistance to cefoxitin and vancomycin was up to 33.3% and 71.4% respectively. *e current 8ndings extend our knowledge of the high frequency of UTIs and associated risk factors in pregnant women with E. Coli being the predominant and usual isolate. Variation existed in the resistance pattern of isolates to various drugs, underscoring the need to perform urine culture and susceptibility before treatment