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Konadu-Yeboah D, Yempabe T, Bo-Ib Buunaaim AD, Konadu P, Owusu R, Arthur J, Osei FA, Nuertey B, Mensah NK, Odoom SF, Addo-Larbi W, Martin C, Buehler P, Addo R, Yankyera BO, Osei PK, Azaglo M, Okyere P, Mensah B, Misbahu Y, Hamdiyat A, Abrefi B, Akuoku D, Minta S, Pokuaa M, Imoro M, Dongyele M, Howard A, Harrison WJ. Training Traditional Bonesetters in Basic Principles of Fracture Treatment: A Proof of Concept in Ghana. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2023; 105:1995-2001. [PMID: 37607222 DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.22.01304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study assessed the effectiveness of a traditional bonesetter (TBS) educational program that was designed to increase knowledge, reduce complications, and promote the referral of patients to local hospitals by TBSs when necessary. METHODS From April to December 2021, TBSs from the Northern Sector (the Northern, Savannah, and North East regions) and the Ashanti region of Ghana underwent a 4-day training course that had been designed to teach basic principles of fracture care with the use of local tools. We assessed the levels of knowledge of the TBSs both before and after training. The change in practice of the trained TBSs also was assessed at 6 months using a structured questionnaire and a checklist. RESULTS In total, 157 TBSs were trained in 5 training sessions over a 9-month period. There was an improvement in knowledge in all of the modules of training, with an overall knowledge gain of 19.7% (from 67.2% to 86.9%). At 6 months of follow-up, the practices of TBSs that had most improved were record-keeping, hand hygiene, and patient rehabilitation. As a result of the referral system that was established by the training project, a total of 37 patients were referred to local hospitals in the 6 months following the training. CONCLUSIONS Formal training for TBSs that was provided by a multidisciplinary team with use of a locally developed curriculum and tools was effective in improving the practice and outcomes of treatment by TBSs. There was marked knowledge retention by the trained TBSs at 6 months after training in fracture management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Education, training, and the establishment of referral pathways between TBSs and local hospitals could improve trauma care in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Konadu-Yeboah
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Tolgou Yempabe
- Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
- University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | | | - Peter Konadu
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ruth Owusu
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joshua Arthur
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Samuel Frimpong Odoom
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Okyere
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mathias Dongyele
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Anthony Howard
- Oxford Trauma, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM), Leeds University, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Oppong Asante K, Onyeaka HK, Kugbey N, Quarshie ENB. Self-reported injuries and correlates among school-going adolescents in three countries in Western sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:899. [PMID: 35513863 PMCID: PMC9074264 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13315-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Unintentional injuries among adolescents constitute a significant public health problem globally. Injured adolescents may face negative outcomes ranging from poor academic performance to short- and long-term physical and psychosocial health struggles, and even death. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and describe the correlates and most frequent causes of injuries among school-going adolescents in three West African countries – Benin, Ghana, and Liberia. Methods We analysed self-reported data provided by 8,912 school-going adolescents who participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey in Ghana (2012), Benin (2016), and Liberia (2017). Students responded to questions on sociodemographic factors, family involvement factors, mental health factors, school environment factors and injury behaviours. Results The overall 12-month prevalence estimate of serious injuries in adolescents was 40.9% (Benin = 27.3%; Ghana = 46.1%; Liberia = 49.2%). The most frequently reported injury type was a broken bone or dislocated joint (33% in Benin), cuts or stab wounds (31.7% in Ghana), and non-specified injuries (35.2% in Liberia). Prevalence of serious injuries was higher among males and increased with age. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, interpersonal aggression outside the family context (bullying victimisation, engaging in physical fights, and having been physically attacked) emerged as key correlates of increased odds of serious injuries. Conclusion The relatively higher prevalence estimates of serious injury reported in this study underscore the need for the included countries to develop interventions aimed at reducing and preventing physical injuries among adolescents. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13315-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku Oppong Asante
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 84, Legon, Accra, Ghana. .,Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
| | - Henry K Onyeaka
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Mclean, Boston, USA
| | - Nuworza Kugbey
- University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 84, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Aboagye RG, Seidu AA, Bosoka SA, Hagan JE, Ahinkorah BO. Prevalence and Correlates of Unintentional Injuries among In-School Adolescents in Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18136800. [PMID: 34202752 PMCID: PMC8297100 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Injuries among adolescents pose significant public health problems. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of adolescents’ mortality and disability with the largest burden in low-and middle-income countries. Yet, there is paucity of data in Ghana on adolescent injuries. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of unintentional injuries among in-school adolescents in Ghana using data from the Global School-Based Health Survey. Cross-sectional data on 2058 adolescents in junior and senior high schools who randomly participated in the 2012 Global School-Based Health Survey were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the prevalence of unintentional injuriesacross the background characteristics of in-school adolescents. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine the factors associated with unintentional injuries. The results were presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios at a 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of one or more serious injuries in the past 12 months was 57.0%. The most commonly reported type and cause of injuries were “I had a cut or stab wound” (15.2%) and “I fell” (13.1%), respectively. In the adjusted regression, in-school adolescents aged 14–16 (aOR = 1.60, CI = 1.12–2.28) were more likely to report one or more serious injuries compared to their counterparts aged 13 or younger. In-school adolescents who participated in physical education (aOR = 1.27, CI = 1.03–1.58) had higher odds of reporting one or more serious injuries. The odds of being injured was higher among adolescents who were truant at school compared to those who were not truant (aOR = 1.42, CI = 1.14–1.77) In-school adolescents who were bullied were more likely to report being injured one or multiple times compared to their counterparts who were not bullied (aOR = 2.16, CI = 1.75–2.65). In addition, the odds of being injured once or multiple times were higher among adolescents who were physically attacked (aOR = 2.21, CI = 1.78–2.75), those that engaged in physical fighting (aOR = 1.94, CI = 1.54–2.45), and those who reported high psychological distress (aOR = 2.00, CI = 1.52–2.63) compared to their counterparts who were not. Conversely, adolescents in senior high schools were 39% less likely to be injured once or multiple times compared to those in junior high schools (aOR = 0.61, CI = 0.47–0.79). A relatively high prevalence of unintentional injuries was found among in-school adolescents in the study. The numerous factors identified in this study could be integrated into health promotion and injury prevention activities to help reduce the occurrence of injuries among in-school adolescents. Moreover, students who are susceptible to unintended injuries such as older adolescents, victims of bullying, those who participate in physical education, those who are often involved in fights, truants, and those who have psychological distress should be sensitized to take measures that will reduce their level of susceptibility. First aid treatment services should also be made available in schools to treat victims of unintended injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Gyan Aboagye
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe PMB 31, Ghana;
| | - Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana;
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Department of Estate Management, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi P.O. Box 256, Ghana
| | - Samuel Adolf Bosoka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe PMB 31, Ghana;
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Physical Education and Recreation, Department of Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast PMB TF0494, Ghana
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Postfach 100131, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia;
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Kılınç E, Gür K. Behaviours of adolescents towards safety measures at school and in traffic and their health beliefs for injuries. Int J Nurs Pract 2020; 26:e12861. [DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eda Kılınç
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department Pamukkale University Denizli Turkey
| | - Kamer Gür
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health Nursing Department Marmara University Istanbul Turkey
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Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Measures for Preventing Drowning in Africa: A Systematic Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55100637. [PMID: 31557943 PMCID: PMC6843779 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury related mortality worldwide, and accounts for roughly 320,000 deaths yearly. Over 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries with inadequate prevention measures. The highest rates of drowning are observed in Africa. The aim of this review is to describe the epidemiology of drowning and identify the risk factors and strategies for prevention of drowning in Africa. Materials and Methods: A review of multiple databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Emcare) was conducted from inception of the databases to the 1st of April 2019 to identify studies investigating drowning in Africa. The preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) was utilised. Results: Forty-two articles from 15 countries were included. Twelve articles explored drowning, while in 30 articles, drowning was reported as part of a wider study. The data sources were coronial, central registry, hospital record, sea rescue and self-generated data. Measures used to describe drowning were proportions and rates. There was a huge variation in the proportion and incidence rate of drowning reported by the studies included in the review. The potential risk factors for drowning included young age, male gender, ethnicity, alcohol, access to bodies of water, age and carrying capacity of the boat, weather and summer season. No study evaluated prevention strategies, however, strategies proposed were education, increased supervision and community awareness. Conclusions: There is a need to address the high rate of drowning in Africa. Good epidemiological studies across all African countries are needed to describe the patterns of drowning and understand risk factors. Further research is needed to investigate the risk factors and to evaluate prevention strategies.
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Schauer SG, Hill GJ, Connor RE, Oh JS, April MD. The pediatric resuscitative thoracotomy during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan - A retrospective cohort study. Injury 2018; 49:911-915. [PMID: 29409595 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2018.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combat zone trauma poses a unique set of challenges and injury patterns not seen in the civilian setting. The role of the pediatric resuscitative thoracotomy in combat zones remains unclear given a paucity of data regarding procedure outcomes in this setting. We compare outcomes among children in traumatic arrest undergoing resuscitative thoracotomy versus cardiopulmonary (CPR) resuscitation only. METHODS We queried the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DODTR) from 2007 to 2016 for all pediatric subjects that underwent a resuscitative thoracotomy or CPR in the prehospital or emergency department setting during operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. We removed CPR subjects with mechanisms of injury not matched in the thoracotomy cohort. RESULTS During the study period, there were 3439 pediatric encounters. We identified 13 subjects who underwent a resuscitative thoracotomy and 66 subjects who underwent CPR without thoracotomy with matching mechanisms of injury. When comparing the two cohorts those in the thoracotomy group had higher median thorax body region scores (median 3 versus 0, p = .001), but a trend towards higher rates of survival to discharge (31% versus 9%, p = .108). The youngest survivor in the thoracotomy cohort was less than 1 year old. CONCLUSIONS We observed a trend towards higher survival among subjects that underwent a resuscitative thoracotomy survived to hospital discharge compared to subjects undergoing CPR without thoracotomy. The literature will benefit from further data to confirm an association between this procedure and a survival benefit among pediatric subjects in the resource limited setting. Furthermore, improvements in documentation will guide equipping and training providers expected to care for pediatric trauma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven G Schauer
- US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA, San Antonio, TX, United States; San Antonio Military Medical Center, JBSA, San Antonio, TX, United States; 59th Medical Wing, JBSA Lackland, TX, United States.
| | - Guyon J Hill
- Dell Children's Medical Center, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Richard E Connor
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, JBSA, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - John S Oh
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Michael D April
- San Antonio Military Medical Center, JBSA, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Yagmur F, Celik S, Yener Z, Koral F, Yaman T, Sezer Y, Kandemir E. Head Trauma–Related Deaths Among Preschool Children in Istanbul, Turkey. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2016; 37:35-9. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Quarshie ENB, Osafo J, Akotia CS, Peprah J. Adolescent suicide in Ghana: a content analysis of media reports. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2015. [PMID: 26015405 DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v10.27682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescent suicide is now a major health concern for many countries. However, there is paucity of systematic studies and lack of official statistics on adolescent suicide in Ghana. Mass media coverage of adolescent suicide (even though crude), at least, may reflect the reality of the phenomenon. With an ecological orientation, this study used qualitative content analysis to analyse the pattern of 44 media reports of adolescent suicide in Ghana from January 2001 through September 2014. Results showed that hanging was the dominant method used. The behaviour usually takes place within or near the adolescent's home environment. The act was often attributed to precursors within the microsystem (family and school) of the deceased. This study serves a seminal function for future empirical studies aimed at deeper examination of the phenomenon in order to inform prevention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Osafo
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana-Legon, Accra, Ghana;
| | - Charity S Akotia
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana-Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jennifer Peprah
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana-Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Quarshie ENB, Osafo J, Akotia CS, Peprah J. Adolescent suicide in Ghana: a content analysis of media reports. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2015; 10:27682. [PMID: 26015405 PMCID: PMC4444762 DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v10.27682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescent suicide is now a major health concern for many countries. However, there is paucity of systematic studies and lack of official statistics on adolescent suicide in Ghana. Mass media coverage of adolescent suicide (even though crude), at least, may reflect the reality of the phenomenon. With an ecological orientation, this study used qualitative content analysis to analyse the pattern of 44 media reports of adolescent suicide in Ghana from January 2001 through September 2014. Results showed that hanging was the dominant method used. The behaviour usually takes place within or near the adolescent's home environment. The act was often attributed to precursors within the microsystem (family and school) of the deceased. This study serves a seminal function for future empirical studies aimed at deeper examination of the phenomenon in order to inform prevention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Osafo
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana-Legon, Accra, Ghana;
| | - Charity S Akotia
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana-Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jennifer Peprah
- Department of Psychology, University of Ghana-Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Awini E, Sarpong D, Adjei A, Manyeh AK, Amu A, Akweongo P, Adongo P, Kukula V, Odonkor G, Narh S, Gyapong M. Estimating cause of adult (15+ years) death using InterVA-4 in a rural district of southern Ghana. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:25543. [PMID: 25377337 PMCID: PMC4220134 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.25543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Data needed to estimate causes of death and the pattern of these deaths are scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. Such data are very important for targeting, monitoring, and evaluating health interventions. Objective To estimate the mortality rate and determine causes of death among adults (aged 15 years and older) in a rural district of southern Ghana, using the InterVA-4 model. Design Data used were generated from verbal autopsies conducted for registered adult members of the Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance System who died between 2006 and 2010. The InterVA-4 model was used to assign the cause of death. Results Overall, the mortality rate for the period under review was 7.5/1,000 person-years (py) for the general population and 10.4/1,000 py for those aged 15 and older. The leading cause of death was communicable diseases (CDs), with a malaria-specific mortality rate of 1.06/1,000 py. Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)-specific mortality rate was the next highest (1.01/1,000 py). HIV/AIDS attributed deaths were lower among males than females. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contributed to 28.3% of the deaths with cause-specific mortality rate of 2.93/1,000 py. Stroke topped the list with cause-specific mortality rate of 0.69/1,000 py. As expected, young males (15–49 years) contributed to more road traffic accident (RTA) deaths; they had a lower RTA cause-specific mortality rate than older males (50–64 years). Conclusions Data indicate that CDs (e.g. malaria and TB) remain the major cause of death with NCDs (e.g. stroke) following closely behind. Verbal autopsy data can provide the causes of mortality in poorly resourced settings where access to timely and accurate data is scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Awini
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana;
| | - Doris Sarpong
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Alexander Adjei
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Alfred Kwesi Manyeh
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Alberta Amu
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patricia Akweongo
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
| | - Philip Adongo
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
| | - Vida Kukula
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gabriel Odonkor
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Solomon Narh
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Margaret Gyapong
- Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Whiteside LK, Oteng R, Carter P, Amuasi J, Abban E, Rominski S, Nypaver M, Cunningham RM. Non-fatal injuries among pediatric patients seeking care in an urban Ghanaian emergency department. Int J Emerg Med 2012; 5:36. [PMID: 23014102 PMCID: PMC3517513 DOI: 10.1186/1865-1380-5-36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background According to the World Health Organization (WHO), injuries represent the largest cause of death among people ages 140 –and contribute to a large burden of disease worldwide. The aims of this study were to characterize the prevalence and relative mechanism of injury among children seeking emergency care and describe the demographics at time of presentation among these children to inform further research in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A prospective cross-sectional survey of pediatric patients (n = 176) was conducted between 13 July 2009 and 30 July 2009 in the Accident and Emergency Center at Komfo Anoche Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. Participants were asked questions regarding demographics, insurance status, overall health, and chief complaint. Results Of the 176 patients surveyed, 66% (n = 116) presented for injuries. The mean age was 4.7 years (range 1.5 months to 17 years), and 68% (n = 120) were male. Of those presenting with injury, 43% (n = 50) had road traffic injuries (RTI). Of the RTIs, 58% (n = 29) were due to being an occupant in a car crash, 26% (n = 13) were pedestrian injuries, and 14% (n = 7) were from motorcycles. There was no significant difference in demographics, health status or indicators of socioeconomic status between injured and non-injured patients. Conclusions Among pediatric patients presenting for acute care at KATH during the study time frame, the majority (n = 116, 66%) presented for injuries. To date, there are no studies that characterize pediatric patients that present for acute care in Ghana. Identifying injury patterns and collecting epidemiologic data are important to guide future research and educational initiatives for Emergency Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren K Whiteside
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, UM Injury Center 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Suite H3200, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, United States of America.
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Leite Cavalcanti A, Barros De Alencar CY, Sant'Anna Araujo Rodrigues I, Suenya de Almeida Pinto M, Fabia Cabral Xavier A, Leite Cavalcanti C, Gondim Valenciq AM. Injuries to the head and face in Brazilian adolescents and teenagers victims of non-natural deaths. THE JOURNAL OF FORENSIC ODONTO-STOMATOLOGY 2012; 30:13-21. [PMID: 23000807 PMCID: PMC5734846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of injuries to the head and face in adolescent and teenager victims of non-natural deaths. A retrospective study was undertaken by the analysis of medical forensic reports obtained from medical forensic examinations performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine of the city of Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, between January 2003 and December 2007. From a total of 607 reports issued during this time span, the study sample consisted of 423 reports (69.6%) referring to adolescents and teenagers of both genders, aged 12 to 18 years, who were confirmed to have died from external causes. The causes of death were encoded according to the Chapter XX of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). The majority of victims were 17 year old males (25.8%). Firearms (33.3%) and transport accidents (32.2%) were the most common causes of death, with boys showing a 3.7 times greater likelihood of getting killed by firearms than girls. There was statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of transport accidents and gender. The majority of victims (71.6%) presented with multiple injuries throughout the body. There was statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of transport accidents and the presence of multiple injuries. A high percentage of the victims presented with injuries to the head and face. There was statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of transport accidents and the presence of injury to the head. Fatal gunshot wounds and transport accidents were the main causes of death of male adolescents and teenagers. The victims presented with multiple injuries, especially to the head and face, and the mandible was the most frequently injured facial bone. .
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Affiliation(s)
- A Leite Cavalcanti
- Graduate Program in Community Health, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
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Epidemiology of injuries in Nigeria-a systematic review of mortality and etiology. Prehosp Disaster Med 2011; 26:293-8. [PMID: 22008394 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x11006546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trauma is a major health issue worldwide, but especially so in developing countries such as Nigeria, where no comprehensive, national, injury data exist. There is a need to better define the epidemiology of injury as a basis for formulation of violence and injury prevention strategy. METHODS This is a systematic analysis of published data on the epidemiology of injuries. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to describe the prevalent causes of injury among adults and children, and the causes of injury mortality. RESULTS The medical records of 15,694 patients from the age of two weeks to 95 years formed the analysed data set. The mean value of their ages was 27 ±13 years and the gender ratio (M:F) 2:1. The injury burden is 11.2/100,000 population. The prevalent causes of injury are: (1) road traffic crashes (RTCs) = 68.4 % of 9939 patients; (2) fall = 5.5%; (3) gunshot injury = 3.2%; and (4) burns = 2.4%. Among children, the leading causes are: (1) RTC = 33.9% of 2,199 patients; (2) fall = 29.1%; (3) foreign body related = 5.5%; (4) bites = 4.9%; and (5) burns = 4%. Mortality resulted mainly from head injury, 26.6% of 575, and hemorrhage 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS Road traffic incidents are the leading cause of injury among adults and children. Falls are six times more prevalent among children than for adults. Burns and firearm injuries are relatively uncommon. Injury mortality results mainly from head injury and hemorrhage.
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Ohene SA, Tettey Y, Kumoji R. Cause of death among Ghanaian adolescents in Accra using autopsy data. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:353. [PMID: 21910900 PMCID: PMC3180708 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited data on adolescent mortality particularly from developing countries with unreliable death registration systems. This calls for the use of other sources of data to ascertain cause of adolescent mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the causes of death among Ghanaian adolescents 10 to 19 years in Accra, Ghana utilizing data from autopsies conducted in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). FINDINGS Out of the 14,034 autopsies carried out from 2001 to 2003 in KBTH, 7% were among adolescents. Of the 882 deaths among adolescents analyzed, 402 (45.6%) were females. There were 365 (41.4%) deaths from communicable disease, pregnancy related conditions and nutritional disorders. Non-communicable diseases accounted for 362 (41%) cases and the rest were attributable to injuries and external causes of morbidity and mortality. Intestinal infectious diseases and lower respiratory tract infections were the most common communicable causes of death collectively accounting for 20.5% of total deaths. Death from blood diseases was the largest (8.5%) among the non-communicable conditions followed by neoplasms (7%). Males were more susceptible to injuries than females (χ2 = 13.45, p = .000). At least five out of ten specific causes of death were as a result of infections with pneumonia and typhoid being the most common. Sickle cell disease was among the top three specific causes of death. Among the females, 27 deaths (6.7%) were pregnancy related with most of them being as a result of abortion. CONCLUSIONS The autopsy data from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital can serve as a useful source of information on adolescent mortality. Both communicable and non-communicable diseases accounted for most deaths highlighting the need for health care providers to avoid complacency in their management of adolescents presenting with these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally-Ann Ohene
- World Health Organization Country Office in Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yao Tettey
- Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Robert Kumoji
- Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana
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