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CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH PATRONAGE OF SKILLED DELIVERY SERVICES BY PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED WOMEN IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

2026-06-23T11:51:30Z

Title: CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH PATRONAGE OF SKILLED DELIVERY SERVICES BY PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED WOMEN IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS Authors: AKUBORI, D. Abstract: The United Nations‟ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities guarantees persons with disabilities the same level of right to access quality and affordable healthcare, including sexual and reproductive healthcare services, as persons without disability, unfortunately, persons with disabilities are still one of the most marginalised and socially excluded groups in many countries including Ghana. The objective of this study was to explore the challenges associated with patronage of skilled delivery services by physically challenged women in the tamale metropolis. A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted among 12 physically challenged women. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire through interviews. The physically challenged women were interviewed and additional interviews were conducted among their husbands/relatives and midwives as a complementary information. A snow ball sampling method was used to select eligible respondents. The data were analyzed using a thematic framework approach. Seventy-five per cent of women with disability interviewed said they delivered their last child in a health facility assisted by a health staff. About 92% indicated that, deliveries conducted by midwives in health facilities are described as skilled deliveries. Staff attitude, cost of services, inadequate family support, the attitude of other health seekers and lastly, infrastructure not being disability friendly were the major challenges faced by physically challenged women in accessing skilled delivery services: About 83% indicated that provision of skilled delivery services in the study area was bad. Knowledge of physically challenged women on skilled delivery services was fairly high whiles patronage of skilled delivery services was slightly low among disabled women in the study and are due to challenges such as negative staff attitude, cost of services, inadequate family support, the attitude of other health seekers and infrastructure not disability-friendly. In order to improve the prevailing situation, the Ghana Health Service should provide the needed infrastructure and also intensify its campaign on the need for every pregnant woman, including physically challenged women in labour to be attended to or supervised by a skilled attendant Description: MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

BACTERIAL INFECTION IN SURGICAL WOUND AFTER ORTHOPEDICS TRAUMA SURGERY AT THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

2025-10-31T11:37:11Z

Title: BACTERIAL INFECTION IN SURGICAL WOUND AFTER ORTHOPEDICS TRAUMA SURGERY AT THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA Authors: FREDRICK, G. Abstract: Background: Orthopedic trauma surgery (OTS) can result in surgical site infections (SSIs), and the repercussions include prolonged and increased cost of treatment. This study sought to investigate surgical site infection after orthopedics trauma surgery. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital from September 2023 to August 2024. Data on demographics, comorbidities, preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative parameters were collected from patients, medical records, and the operation report. Samples were collected from patients suspected of SSI, and cultured for bacterial isolation, identification and antimicrobial resistance characterization. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the independent risk factors of surgical site infection. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Surgical site infection was defined following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Results: A total of 210 patients were enrolled, of which 6.7% (14) developed SSIs, including 1.0% (2) deep and 5.7% (12) superficial SSIs. The study reported a maximum and minimum age of 86 years and 0.67 years (8 months), respectively. The median age (Interquartile range) reported in this study was 35.5 (18 - 47). The incidence rate of SSI in open fractures and closed fractures in this study was 3.3% (7) and 2.9% (6), respectively. According to multivariate regression analysis, blood transfusion before surgery (p=0.034; OR=3.53; 1.10 – 11.33), was identified as an independent risk factor of SSI following OTS. Out of 19 specimens, 14(73.68%) were culture-positive, yielding 22 isolates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5 (22.73%) was the most common bacterial isolate, followed by Klebsiella spp. 4 (18.18%). ESβL-positive isolates were 3(23.08%). PCR confirmed the expression of CTXM and SHV genes by two Klebsiella spp., and the CTXM gene by Proteus vulgaris. Conclusion: The study reported the incidence rate of SSI after OTS to be 6.7% (67 per 1000 surgical operations) within one year. Blood transfusion before surgery was identified as an independent risk factor of SSI following OTS. ESβL positive isolates were 3(23.08%). PCR confirmed the expression of CTXM and SHV genes by two Klebsiella spp., and CTXM gene by Proteus vulgaris. Description: AWARD OF A MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY

T-CELL EXHAUSTION AMONG PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS CLIENTS IN NORTHERN REGION, GHANA

2025-10-31T10:36:29Z

Title: T-CELL EXHAUSTION AMONG PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS CLIENTS IN NORTHERN REGION, GHANA Authors: JACOB, N. O. A. Abstract: Pulmonary tuberculosis is commonly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis pathogenesis is based on immune cell depletion and immune system evasion. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pulmonary tuberculosis clients were studied for transcription patterns associated with immune cell exhaustion, cellular activity, and inflammatory response at various therapeutic stages of anti-TB therapy at the Chest Clinic of Tamale Teaching Hospital, an experimental study was carried out with twenty-five clients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and five healthy control clients, making a total of thirty clients. Based on the different stages of the anti-TB treatment, the clients were divided into six groups; namely: newly diagnosed (zero month), intensive phase (≤ 2 months), continuous phase I (>2 & ≤ 5 months), continuous phase II (>5 & ≤ 6 months), completed phased (>6) and healthy control group. Blood specimens were taken from every client in each group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated, followed by Ribonucleic acid extraction, then complementary deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, polymerase chain reaction of the biomarkers of T cells exhaustion, inflammatory cytokines and cellular activities markers. 1% agarose gel electrophoresis was used for the deoxyribonucleic acids bands visualization. The deoxyribonucleic acid gene expression and quantification were carried out using Image J software and Graph pad Prism version 8 statistical tool on the genes of T cell exhaustion, inflammatory cytokine and cellular activities markers. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant between the groups. Programme cell death 1 protein, cytotoxic T lymphocytes associated protein 4, CD244 and lymphocyte activated gene 3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells predict positive pulmonary tuberculosis prognosis during treatment. Correlation analysis suggests CD244 could be a strong marker for monitoring pulmonary tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Transcription of inflammatory cytokines was restored to normal following the initiation of anti-TB treatment. Cellular activity markers CD69, Ki67, Interleukin 7R, Interleukin 15R, GATA-3, CD4 and CD8 were restored to normal and could be used to monitor PTB treatment outcome. The study demonstrated the potential value of T-cell exhaustion markers, specifically PD-L1, inflammatory markers like Interleukin 2, Interferon-gamma and Tumor necrosis factor-a, as well as cellular activity indicators Kiel 67, CD69, GATA-3, CD4, and CD8 blood-based biomarkers can be used in place of sputum in monitoring treatment progress of pulmonary tuberculosis clients. Description: AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY

DEGREE OF RED BLOOD CELL REDUCTION IN DIFFERENT STRAINS OF SEMI IMMUNE MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI ANKA AFTER CHRONIC EXPOSURE

2022-07-12T11:49:29Z

Title: DEGREE OF RED BLOOD CELL REDUCTION IN DIFFERENT STRAINS OF SEMI IMMUNE MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI ANKA AFTER CHRONIC EXPOSURE Authors: Helegbe, G. K. Description: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MEDICAL SCIENCE IN INFECTION RESEARCH