Predictors of anti-glycaemic medication-taking among adults with diabetes mellitus seeking care in a tertiary hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana

Objectives: This study sought to assess the level of anti-glycaemic medication-taking and its predictors among adults living with diabetes receiving treatment at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). Design: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among adults living with diabetes and receiving care at CCTH. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anti-glycaemic medication-taking were gathered using a structured questionnaire. A scale consisting of 4 domains (filling prescribed medication; taking medications appropriately according to the instructions of healthcare professionals; practising behavioural modifications and showing up for follow-up appointments) and eight items was used to measure the level of anti-glycaemic medication-taking. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test (and Fisher's exact test where appropriate), bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used in analysing the data. Setting: The study was carried out in the diabetes clinic in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Participants: The total enumerative sampling technique was used to select 250 adults living with diabetes and receiving care at CCTH. Main outcome measures: Anti-glycaemic medication-taking Results: Out of 250 participants studied, 42% had high anti-glycaemic medication-taking. Predictors of anti-glycaemic medication-taking included forgetfulness (aOR=0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.64, p<0.001), patient's involvement in treatment plan (aOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.64, p=0.014) and having good knowledge about one's medication (aOR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.10-4.98, p=0.028). Conclusion: Less than half of the sample population (42%) had high anti-glycaemic medication-taking, with forgetfulness, involvement in the treatment plan and good knowledge about anti-glycaemic medications, predicting medication-taking

Factors affecting family medicine programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review of recent literature

Objectives: This study sought to assess the level of anti-glycaemic medication-taking and its predictors among adults living with diabetes receiving treatment at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). Design: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among adults living with diabetes and receiving care at CCTH. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anti-glycaemic medication-taking were gathered using a structured questionnaire. A scale consisting of 4 domains (filling prescribed medication; taking medications appropriately ac-cording to the instructions of healthcare professionals; practising behavioural modifications, and showing up for fol-low-up appointments) and eight items was used to measure the level of anti-glycaemic medication-taking. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test (and Fisher's exact test where appropriate), bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used in analysing the data. Setting: The study was carried out in the diabetes clinic in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Participants: The total enumerative sampling technique was used to select 250 adults living with diabetes and receiv-ing care at CCTH.Main outcome measures: Anti-glycaemic medication-taking Results: Out of 250 participants studied, 42% had high anti-glycaemic medication-taking. Predictors of anti-glycae-mic medication-taking included; forgetfulness (aOR=0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.64, p<0.001), patient's involvement in treatment plan (aOR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02-0.64, p=0.014) and having good knowledge about one's medication (aOR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.10-4.98, p=0.028). Conclusion: Less than half of the sample population (42%) had high anti-glycaemic medication-taking, with forget-fulness, involvement in the treatment plan and good knowledge about anti-glycaemic medications, predicting medi-cation-taking

Unmet need in family planning at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital of Ghana

Background: Knowing the prevalence of unintended pregnancy, unmet need in family planning and the associated factors in cape coast, is important for ensuring that all women have access to the most effective methods of family planning in order to reduce the occurrence of unintended pregnancies. This study aims to determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancies, unmet need in family planning and the associated factors among women attending antenatal clinics at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Republic of Ghana.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical components was carried out from 20th April 2015 to 20th June 2015 to simultaneously measure the prevalence of unmet need for family planning and related factors.  All clients reporting for ANC at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital during the study period were recruited into the study.Results: A total of 324 clients were recruited. The mean age was 29.98±5.86 years, 85.80% were married, 46.58% had tertiary education and 79.94% had a source of income. Up to 54.94% of the clients had not planned their index pregnancy. Among subjects who had not planned their index pregnancies, 74.71% had not used a family planning method. There is a significant association between age, educational level, the presence of a source of income, marital status and the occurrence of unplanned pregnancy.Conclusions: There were high prevalence of unplanned pregnancy and unmet need for family planning. There is a significant association between age, educational level, the presence of a source of income, marital status and the occurrence of unplanned pregnancy.

Effects of Patients’ Perceptions on Hypertension Treatment in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Background:Therising levels of hypertension related complications in Ghana are perceived to be associated with low anti-hypertensive medication adherence, which is attributable to patient wrongperceptions of hypertension. Aim:To explore the effects of patients’ perceptions on hypertension treatment in cape coast, Ghana. Study Design:Cross sectional survey.Place and Durationof Study:Cape Coast, Ghana. December 2013 to March 2014.Methodology:Eight out of 350 patients were selected from a baseline quantitative survey conducted at the Cape Coast Metropolis. The purposive sampling technique was used after baseline analysis with the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, to select four adherents andfour non-adherents to anti-hypertensive medication. In-depth interviews were conducted for the eight patients, data was processed using content analysis procedure based on three specific themes. Results:Perceived appearance of symptoms was misinterpreted as sign of rising blood pressure. Combination of anti-hypertensive and herbal preparations was prevalent among non-adherents. Perceived side effects of anti-hypertensive particularly, sexual weakness wasintense among non-adhering patients. Conclusion:Hypertensive patients in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana, were at a higher risk of medication non-adherence and uncontrolled blood pressure. The findings underscore the need to change patient orientation about hypertension, by addressing misconceptions of symptoms and medication side effects, whiles discouraging theuse of herbal preparations.

Parasitic Profile of Fresh Vegetables Sold in Selected Markets of the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana

Background: Vegetable consumption is a major source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre for the body. While fresh vegetables play a key role in the prevention of some chronic diseases, cancers, and alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies, some have been associated with foodborne parasitic infections. Objectives: We investigated the parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold in three market places in the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. Materials and Methods: In this study conducted over a period of three (3) months, a total of one hundred and twenty-six (126) vegetable samples were obtained from three (3) selected markets in the Metropolis. Six (6) different species of vegetables namely tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata), carrot (Daucus carota), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spring onion (Allium fistulosum) and green pepper (Capsicum annuum) were subjected to parasitological examination for the detection of parasite forms such as larvae, ova and cysts. Results: The overall prevalence of parasitic contamination of vegetables in this study was 52.4%. Five different parasites were detected namely Strongyloides spp, Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Entamoeba coli. The prevalence of parasitic contamination was higher in leafy vegetables such as spring onions (90.5%), lettuce (76.2%) and cabbage (66.7%). Multiple parasitic contaminations were a common feature of leafy vegetables than smoothly surfaced ones such as green pepper and tomatoes. Conclusion: The study revealed that most vegetables purchased from the markets in the metropolis were highly contaminated with intestinal parasites. It is therefore recommended that vegetables should be subjected to thorough disinfection processes before being served for food to reduce the transmission of intestinal parasites.