Dataset Information

Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria cases with efficacious drugs is an important strategy in the management and control of malaria in endemic populations. As part of a study investigating the factors modulating the development of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in the human host, we assessed the rate of RDT positivity of patients in different departments of the Ho Teaching Hospital and the relation with age and anaemia.

Materials and methods

Eight-hundred and ten individuals attending clinic at various departments within the Ho Teaching Hospital were screened for malaria antigenaemia using RDT as a point-of-entry investigation. RDT positive individuals were immediately treated for malaria whereas RDT negative individuals were treated for other ailments. Haematological analyses were performed for 69 of these patients and the relationship between RDT results and haemoglobin levels were investigated.

Results

The overall RDT positivity rate was 19.8% (160/810) of all individuals screened. There was no significant difference in the haemoglobin levels of RDT-positive and RDT-negative individuals (p value?=?0.272). The highest number of attendees screened was children in the paediatric outpatient department and paediatric ward, 62% (507/810), with RDT positivity rate of 17% (91/507). We found the highest RDT positivity rate of 51% (19/37) in the male medical ward.

Conclusions

This study shows that RDT is a useful tool in promoting prompt diagnosis and management of malaria and though children form a majority of hospital attendees and malaria infections, the frequency of malaria detection may be higher in adults as compared to children.

SUBMITTER: Dinko B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6020104 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Dinko Bismarck B Amakpa Eric E Kweku Margaret M Amoah Paul P Tampuori John J Adjuik Martin M Awandare Gordon A GA Deitsch Kirk W KW

Parasite epidemiology and control 20180618 3

<h4>Background</h4>Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of malaria cases with efficacious drugs is an important strategy in the management and control of malaria in endemic populations. As part of a study investigating the factors modulating the development of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> gametocytes in the human host, we assessed the rate of RDT positivity of patients in different departments of the Ho Teaching Hospital and the relation with age and anaemia.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Eig ...[more]

PMID: 29988323

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Project description:Approximately 15% of wastes generated in hospitals is hazardous. Improper handling of this waste renders the remaining fraction infectious which is perilous to the health of hospital workers, patients, visitors and even communities. Sufficient data on medical waste management practices particularly in low-income countries such as Ghana is required for effective monitoring and policy making. This study sought to assess the waste generation rates, waste management practices, frequency of sharp injuries and the knowledge of health-care workers on waste management guidelines in Ho Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Data was collected through observations and questionnaire administration from 100 health-care workers. The results revealed that the total amount of wastes generated was 1.70kg/patient/day (490.62 kg/day) comprising of 57.48%, 33.98% and 8.54% of general, infectious and hazardous wastes respectively. Further investigations showed that 52% of the health-care workers knew about the existence of a hospital waste management policy and 89% attested that they had received training on medical waste management. The existing waste management committee was however, non-functional. Waste segregation at source and the use of color-coded waste receptacles were not strictly followed. Contaminated general wastes were landfilled whiles hazardous wastes were either incinerated or buried. Only 11% of the waste handlers were always completely dressed in personal protective equipment and about 77% of the waste handlers always sustained sharp injuries. Incentivizing the waste management team to ensure strict adherence to a waste management plan would improve waste management at the hospital. Highlights • The waste generation rate at the hospital was 1.70 kg/patient/day.• Only 11% of waste handlers were always appropriately dressed in complete PPE.• In general, there was non-compliance with the stipulated guidelines on health-care waste management in the hospital.

Project description:IntroductionThe population of the aged is increasing globally and in Ghana. In 2020, the population aged over 60 years in Ghana was 2,051,903 and this is expected to reach 2.5 million by 2025 and 6.3 million by 2050. Despite the envisaged increase in the number and life expectancy of the older population in Ghana that will require nursing care, there is a paucity of data on nursing staff knowledge and attitudes toward elderly patients in Ghana.ObjectivesThis study, therefore, assessed factors affecting the care of elderly patients among nursing staff in a tertiary referral health facility in the Volta region of Ghana.MethodsThe study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design using quantitative data collection approaches. A total of 150 nurses were sampled with a response rate of 95%. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The analysis included logistic regression to predict factors associated with nurses' knowledge and attitude in caring for elderly patients, after multicollinearity diagnosis and controlling the effect of confounding variables.ResultsMajority (83.8%) of the nurses demonstrated good knowledge of the aging process, knowledge in the care of the elderly (88.7%), and (84.5%) had a positive caring attitude towards the elderly. Professional education, professional qualification, and knowledge on aged care were significantly associated with nurses' attitude towards the elderly (p<0.001), (p<0.005), and (p<0.010), respectively. Lack of special wards/facilities emerged as the predominantly perceived barrier to caring for the elderly as per the nurses' responses.ConclusionThe majority of nurses demonstrated good knowledge and attitude in the aging process and care of the aged. Lack of special wards/facilities and lack of staff motivation were the leading perceived barriers to rendering care to the elderly. Scaling up gerontological nursing programs and establishing special aged care facilities in Ghana with appropriate policy guidelines and regulations for implementation of care will help improve nurses' knowledge and caring attitudes toward the care of elderly patients. Likewise, a national geriatric care policy would help consolidate standard geriatric care in Ghana.

Dataset Information

Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Dataset Information

Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

&lt;i&gt;Plasmodium falciparum&lt;/i&gt; malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria cases detected for prompt treatment by rapid diagnostic tests in the Ho Teaching Hospital of the Volta Region of Ghana.