ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Associated risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in the Hohoe municipality of Ghana

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a major cause of morbidity globally. Type 2 diabetes is more common and is increasingly becoming an important medical and public health issue. This study identified the risk factors associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Hohoe Municipality. Method: This was an unmatched case-control study that recruited 75 cases and 151 controls to trace various exposures of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A face-to-face interview was employed to administer semi-structured questionnaires to participants. Fasting/random blood glucose and blood pressure levels, weight and height were measured with appropriate instruments. Findings: Diabetes prevalence rate was 70.7% in the cases and 8.6% in the controls. Controlled diabetes was 29.3%. Approximately, 69.3% of diabetics had hypertension as compared to 53.6% among non-diabetics (p=0.031). Prevalence of hypertension among controls was also 53.6%. Married respondents were 88% times less likely to have diabetes as compared to those who were single (AOR=0.12, p<0.001). Artisans and were 5.21 times more likely to develop diabetes as compared to those who were unemployed (AOR=5.21, p=0.032). Those who consumed fruits 1-3 times and more than 3 times per week were 82% and 92% times less likely to develop diabetes (AOR=0.18, p=0.039) and (AOR=0.08, p=0.007) respectively. Participants whose occupation involved vigorous exercise were 69% times less likely to develop diabetes as compared to those whose work did not (AOR=0.3, p= 0.039). Conclusion: Uncontrolled diabetes was high with 3 out of 4 diabetics not able to control their blood sugar levels. About 7 out of every 10 diabetics had hypertension. A very high (8.6 %) proportion of adults had diabetes and were not aware. Married adults were 83% less likely to have diabetes. We recommend that intensive education of the management and control of diabetes and periodic screening for diabetes be instituted to curb the incidence among adults in the Hohoe Municipality

Source: UCC
Association between adverse pregnancy outcome and imbalance in angiogenic regulators and oxidative stress biomarkers in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Background: Gestational hypertension (GH) and Preeclampsia, (PE) are the most complicated amongst hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The mechanism that links hypertension in pregnancy to adverse maternal outcomes is not fully understood though some relate this to endothelial dysfunction originating from an imbalanced angiogenic regulators and oxidative stress biomarkers. This study assessed the correlation between angiogenic regulators and oxidative stress biomarker levels with adverse pregnancy outcomes among GH and PE participants. Methods: A cohort of pregnant women who received antenatal care at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) were followed. During their antenatal visits, 100 developed PE and 70 developed GE, of these, 50 PE and 50 GH gave informed consent. Their blood samples were taken at time of diagnosis and 48 h post-partum. 50 other aged-matched women who did not develop neither GH nor PE were selected as controls. Placental growth factor (PLGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and 8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-epi-PGF2α) levels were estimated by ELISA and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was measured spectrophotometrically. Graphpad Prism was used for data analysis. Results: Median levels of sFlt-1, 8-epi-PGF2α and sFlt-1/PLGF were elevated among participants with PE co-existing with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), placental abruptio, placental previa, HELLP syndrome and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared to PE without adverse outcomes (p = 0.041, p = 0.005, p = 0.0002). Levels of PLGF, T-AOC and PLGF/ sFlt-1 were significantly reduced among participants with PE co-existing with IUFD, placental abruptio, placental previa, HELLP syndrome and IUGR compared to PE without adverse outcomes (p = 0.0013, p = 0.006, p < 0.0001). A significant negative correlation of IUGR (p = 0.0030; p < 0.0001), placental abruptio (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001), IUFD (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001), stillbirth (p = 0.0183 and p < 0.000), and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (p = 0.0420; p = 0.0044) were associated with both PLGF and T-AOC whilst a significant positive correlation of IUGR, placental abruptio (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001), IUFD (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001), stillbirth (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001), and PPH (p = 0.0043; p = 0.0039) were observed with both sFlt-1 and 8-epi-PGF2α in PE. Conclusions: Imbalance in the levels of angiogenic regulators and oxidative stress biomarkers correlates with adverse pregnancy outcomes among PE participants. Early identification of these imbalance would alert health care givers in anticipation of adverse pregnancy outcome and thus increased surveillance during pregnancy and parturition and measures to ameliorate the adverse outcome.

Source: UCC
Association between dry eye symptoms and signs

The study was a clinical-based survey involving 215 first-year students selected consecutively during a regular ocular health examination at the University of Cape Coast Optometry Clinic. The data collection process spanned for a period of four months. Out of the 215 students, 212 returned their completed questionnaires and were subsequently included in the study. Dry eye tests including meibomian gland assessment, tear break up time, fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, and blink rate assessment, were performed on each subject after completion of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. ShapiroeWilk test was used to determine the normality of the clinical tests, and Spearman's correlations co-efficient was used to determine the correlations between the clinical test results and dry eye symptoms. Results: Statistically significant associations were found between OSDI scores and blink rate (rs ¼ 0.140; P < 0.042), and associations between OSDI scores and contrast sensitivity scores (rs ¼ 0.263; P < 0001). However, the results of corneal staining (rs ¼ 0.006; P < 0.926), Schirmer test (rs ¼ 0.033; P ¼ 0.628), tear break up time (rs ¼ 0.121; P < 0.078), meibomian gland expressibility (rs ¼ 0.093; P < 0.180), and meibomian gland quality (rs ¼ 0.080; P < 0.244) showed no significant association with OSDI. The correlation coefficients range from 0.006 to 0.263 showed low to moderate correlation between dry eye symptoms and the results of clinical test. Conclusion: Associations between dry eye symptoms and clinical examinations are low and inconsistent, which may have implications for the diagnoses and treatment of dry eye disease.

Source: UCC
Association between dry eye symptoms and signs

Purpose: To evaluate the association between subjective dry eye symptoms and the results of the clinical examinations. Methods: The study was a clinical-based survey involving 215 first-year students selected consecutively during a regular ocular health ex- amination at the University of Cape Coast Optometry Clinic. The data collection process spanned for a period of four months. Out of the 215 students, 212 returned their completed questionnaires and were subsequently included in the study. Dry eye tests including meibomian gland assessment, tear break up time, fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, and blink rate assessment, were performed on each subject after completion of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. ShapiroeWilk test was used to determine the normality of the clinical tests, and Spearman's correlations co-efficient was used to determine the correlations between the clinical test results and dry eye symptoms. Results: Statistically significant associations were found between OSDI scores and blink rate (rs ¼ 0.140; P < 0.042), and associations between OSDI scores and contrast sensitivity scores (rs ¼ 0.263; P < 0001). However, the results of corneal staining (rs ¼ 0.006; P < 0.926), Schirmer test (rs ¼ 0.033; P ¼ 0.628), tear break up time (rs ¼ 0.121; P < 0.078), meibomian gland expressibility (rs ¼ 0.093; P < 0.180), and meibomian gland quality (rs ¼ 0.080; P < 0.244) showed no significant association with OSDI. The correlation coefficients range from 0.006 to 0.263 showed low to moderate correlation between dry eye symptoms and the results of clinical test. Conclusion: Associations between dry eye symptoms and clinical examinations are low and inconsistent, which may have implications for the diagnoses and treatment of dry eye disease.

Source: UCC
Association between dry eye symptoms and signs

Purpose: To evaluate the association between subjective dry eye symptoms and the results of the clinical examinations. Methods: The study was a clinical-based survey involving 215 first-year students selected consecutively during a regular ocular health ex- amination at the University of Cape Coast Optometry Clinic. The data collection process spanned for a period of four months. Out of the 215 students, 212 returned their completed questionnaires and were subsequently included in the study. Dry eye tests including meibomian gland assessment, tear break up time, fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, and blink rate assessment, were performed on each subject after completion of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. ShapiroeWilk test was used to determine the normality of the clinical tests, and Spearman's correlations co-efficient was used to determine the correlations between the clinical test results and dry eye symptoms. Results: Statistically significant associations were found between OSDI scores and blink rate (rs ¼ 0.140; P < 0.042), and associations between OSDI scores and contrast sensitivity scores (rs ¼ 0.263; P < 0001). However, the results of corneal staining (rs ¼ 0.006; P < 0.926), Schirmer test (rs ¼ 0.033; P ¼ 0.628), tear break up time (rs ¼ 0.121; P < 0.078), meibomian gland expressibility (rs ¼ 0.093; P < 0.180), and meibomian gland quality (rs ¼ 0.080; P < 0.244) showed no significant association with OSDI. The correlation coefficients range from 0.006 to 0.263 showed low to moderate correlation between dry eye symptoms and the results of clinical test. Conclusion: Associations between dry eye symptoms and clinical examinations are low and inconsistent, which may have implications for the diagnoses and treatment of dry eye disease

Source: UCC
Association between eNOS Gene Polymorphism (T786C and VNTR) and Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Ghana

Abstract: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) variants have been found to be associated with several vascular disorders as well as the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD) complications such as vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). Studies on eNOS gene variants among SCD patients are rare in Ghana and several other African countries. The current study aimed to determine a possible association between variants of the eNOS gene (variable number of tandem repeats in intron 4 and T786C) in SCD complications among Ghanaian patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 89 HbSS patients with complications and 46 HbSS patients without complications. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes in the buffy coat and separated from collected whole blood samples of the study participants. PCR amplification, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to genotype T786C (rs2070744) variants. Variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron 4 was genotyped by PCR and direct electrophoresis. There was a significant difference in the genotype frequency of the T786C variant between HbSS patients with complications and those without complications (p = 0.0165). However, there was no significant difference in the VNTR intron 4 variant of the eNOS gene between patients with complications and those without complications (p > 0.05). The study shows an association between the eNOS gene variant (T786C) and complications in SCD.

Source: UCC
Association between eNOS Gene Polymorphism (T786C and VNTR) and Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Ghana

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) variants have been found to be associated with several vascular disorders as well as the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD) complications such as vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). Studies on eNOS gene variants among SCD patients are rare in Ghana and several other African countries. The current study aimed to determine a possible association between variants of the eNOS gene (variable number of tandem repeats in intron 4 and T786C) in SCD complications among Ghanaian patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 89 HbSS patients with complications and 46 HbSS patients without complications. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes in the buffy coat and separated from collected whole blood samples of the study participants. PCR amplification, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to genotype T786C (rs2070744) variants. Variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron 4 was genotyped by PCR and direct electrophoresis. There was a significant difference in the genotype frequency of the T786C variant between HbSS patients with complications and those without complications (p = 0.0165). However, there was no significant difference in the VNTR intron 4 variant of the eNOS gene between patients with complications and those without complications (p > 0.05). The study shows an association between the eNOS gene variant (T786C) and complications in SCD.

Source: UCC
Association between psychosocial factors and glycemic level of diabetic patients.

The study sought to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors such as anxiety, depression, stress and social support, age, and glucose level of persons living with diabetes at the St. Michael’s Hospital, Pramso in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey research design (cross-sectional survey) was adopted for the study. Through the use of convenience and purposive sampling procedures, 110 respondents were selected to participate in the study. The questionnaire was used to gather the requisite data for the study. The data were analyzed through the computation of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, Pearson product moments correlation coefficient, independent t-test as well as one-way ANOVA. The study among other things found out that, there was a weak to moderate correlation between psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, social support and the attitude towards self-care. The study recommended that health care professionals should endeavor to counsel patients on stress management techniques, need for regular exercises and therapy on how to handle their thoughts and emotions in times of feelings of helplessness and hopelessness in order to reduce anxiety among diabetic patients.

Source: UCC
Association between risky sexual behaviour and HIV risk perception among in- school adolescents in a municipality in Ghana

Background: Studies considering the association between adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour and how they perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection are scares in Ghana. The study assessed the association between HIV risk perception and risky sexual behaviour among in-school adolescents in a municipality in Ghana. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 706 students, using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between HIV risk perception and risky sexual behaviour. Results: Of all the adolescents, 27.7% were sexually active. Among the sexually active, 51.8 % had sexual intercourse below 14 years, 65.4% did not used condom at their last sexual intercourse, and 37.2% had multiple sexual partners. Only 20.5% of the adolescents perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV infection. Being sexually active was independently associated with having HIV risk perception (OR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27). Adolescents who had multiple sexual partners were more likely than their counterparts with single sexual partners to perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection (AOR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.10 – 5.20). Non-use of condom at least sexual intercourse and early sexual debut were not associated with HIV risk perception. Conclusion: Except for those with multiple sexual partners, the adolescents generally did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection despite their involvement in risky sexual behaviour. Interventions that help adolescents to correctly assess their HIV risk perception and build on their susceptibility to HIV infection are needed.

Source: UCC
Association between Risky Sexual Behaviour and HIV Risk Perception among in-school Adolescents in a Municipality in Ghana

Studies considering the association between adolescents’ risky sexual behaviour and how they perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection are scares in Ghana. The study assessed the association between HIV risk perception and risky sexual behaviour among in-school adolescents in a municipality in Ghana.A cross sectional study was conducted among 706 students, using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between HIV risk perception and risky sexual behaviour. Of all the adolescents, 27.7% were sexually active. Among the sexually active, 51.8 % had sexual intercourse below 14 years, 65.4% did not used condom at their last sexual intercourse, and 37.2% had multiple sexual partners. Only 20.5% of the adolescents perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV infection. Being sexually active was independently associated with having HIV risk perception (OR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27). Adolescents who had multiple sexual partners were more likely than their counterparts with single sexual partners to perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection (AOR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.10 – 5.20). Non-use of condom at least sexual intercourse and early sexual debut were not associated with HIV risk perception.Except for those with multiple sexual partners, the adolescents generally did not perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV infection despite their involvement in risky sexual behaviour. Interventions that help adolescents to correctly assess their HIV risk perception and build on their susceptibility to HIV infection are needed.

Source: UCC
Association of ABO blood groups and complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Accra, Ghana

Background: The clinical outcome of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in endemic areas is associated with erythrocyte polymor- phisms including the ABO blood groups. Studies have reported association of ABO blood group to susceptibility, resistance and severity of P. falciparum malaria infection. Individuals with blood group ‘A’ have been found to be highly susceptible to falciparum malaria whereas blood group ‘O’ is said to confer protection against complicated cases. Methods: The study was conducted between January to April 2010, at the outpatient department of the Korle-Bu teaching Hos- pital in Accra, Ghana. Five milliliters of blood sample was collected from each participant and the haemoglobin level, parasitaemia and ABO blood group of the samples collected were determined. Results: We analysed samples from 239 malaria patients and found that group O was present in 16.1% of complicated cases weighed against 40.9% of uncomplicated controls. Individuals with complicated malaria were about twice likely to be of blood group A and B than O (A vs. O, OR=1.90, 95% CI=1.59 – 2.26, P<0.0001; B vs. O, OR=1.82. 95% CI=1.57 – 2.23, P<0.0001). Blood group O participants with complicated diseases had low parasitaemia compared to the blood groups (P<0.0001). This may give blood group O individuals a survival advantage over the other groups in complicated malaria as suggested. Participants with complicated falciparum malaria were generally anaemic and younger than those with uncomplicated disease Conclusion: Blood group O offers some protection from com- plicated falciparum malaria and may possess a survival advantage over the Non-O groups.

Source: UCC
Association of arsenic with adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Exposure to arsenic is one of the major global health problems, affecting > 300 million people worldwide, but arsenic’s effects on human reproduction are uncertain. oBjectives: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between arsenic and adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality. Methods: We searched PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE (from 1946 through July 2013) and EMBASE (from 1988 through July 2013) databases and the reference lists of reviews and relevant articles. Studies satisfying our a priori eligibility criteria were evaluated independently by two authors. results: Our systematic search yielded 888 articles; of these, 23 were included in the systematic review. Sixteen provided sufficient data for our quantitative analysis. Arsenic in groundwater (≥ 50 μg/L) was associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortion (6 studies: OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.27, 3.10), stillbirth (9 studies: OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.32, 2.36), moderate risk of neonatal mortality (5 studies: OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.78), and infant mortality (7 studies: OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.62). Exposure to environmental arsenic was associated with a significant reduction in birth weight (4 studies: β = –53.2 g; 95% CI: –94.9, –11.4). There was paucity of evidence for low-to-moderate arsenic dose. conclusions: Arsenic is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant mortality. The interpretation of the causal association is hampered by methodological challenges and limited number of studies on dose response. Exposure to arsenic continues to be a major global health issue, and we therefore advocate for high-quality prospective studies that include individual-level data to quantify the impact of arsenic on adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality. citation: Quansah R, Armah FA, Essumang DK, Luginaah I, Clarke E, Marfoh K, Cobbina SJ, Nketiah-Amponsah E, Namujju PB, Obiri S, Dzodzomenyo M. 2015. Association of arsenic with adverse pregnancy outcomes/infant mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Health Perspect 123:412–421; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307894

Source: UCC
The Association of Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure Measures by Non-Contact Tonometry and Goldmann Applanation Tonometry among Glaucoma Patients.

BACKGROUND፡ The aim of this study was to determine whether Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) is associated with intraocular pressure measurement (IOP) with a Non-contact tonometer and the Goldmann applanation tonometer in glaucoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved two hundred and thirty-two eyes of clinically diagnosed glaucoma patients receiving care at a referral facility. IOP measurements were obtained using both the Non-Contact Tonometer (NCT) and Goldmann Applanation Tonometer (GAT). The association between age, ethnicity, and CCT, as well as CCT on the measures of NCT and GAT, were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 64(55.2%) males and 52 (44.8%) females and their ages ranged from 18 to 85 years (mean age = 47.72; SD ± 15.75 years). There was a weak positive correlation between the CCT and NCT findings in the right eye (r = 0.19, n = 116, p < 0.05) and in the left eye (r = 0.25, n = 116, p < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between CCT and GAT measurements. Age had a significant correlation with CCT while gender and ethnicity had no significant correlation. CONCLUSION: The study found a significant association between CCT and NCT. However, there was no significant association between CCT and GAT. CCT had an association with age but independent of gender and ethnicity since there was no significant relationship between these variables.

Source: UCC