Prevalence and determinants of sexual abuse among adolescent girls during the COVID-19 lockdown and school closures in Ghana: A mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised that the pandemic may derail global efforts against child sexual abuse (CSA). OBJECTIVES: This study examines the prevalence and associated factors of sexual abuse among adolescent girls in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 853 adolescent girls aged 13-19 (16.03 ± 2.04 years) in Ghana. METHODS: The study employed a concurrent mixed-method design. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of CSA during the COVID-19 lockdown and school closures was 32.5 %. Protective factors for CSA were feeling safe in neighbourhood (AOR = 0.526, 95 % CI = [0.325, 0.850]) and parents often listen to opinions (AOR = 0.446, 95 % CI = [0.241, 0.826]). Risk factors for CSA were physical activity (AOR = 1.649, OR = 1.783, 95 % CIAOR = [1.093, 2.487, 95 % CIOR = [1.241, 2.561]), parents sometimes listen to opinions (AOR = 1.199, OR = 1.924, 95 % CIAOR = [0.504, 2.853], 95 % CIOR = [1.034, 3.582]), living with another relative (AOR = 2.352, OR = 2.484, 95 % CIAOR = [0.270, 20.523], 95 % CIOR = [0.317, 19.475]), Akan ethnicity (AOR = 1.576, OR = 1.437, 95 % CIAOR = [0.307, 8.091], 95 % CIOR = [0.316, 6.534]), having no disability (AOR = 1.099, OR = 1.138, 95 % CIAOR = [0.679, 1.581], 95 % CIOR = [0.786, 1.649]) and having a close relationship with parents (AOR = 1.334, OR = 1.752, 95 % CIAOR = [0.746, 2.385], 95 % CIOR = [1.096, 2.802]). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the risk and protective factors identified in this study can guide and inform the development of CSA prevention programmes during disruptive occurrences like school closures and lockdown.

Nutritional status of children in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Anthropometric measurements and food consumption survey were undertaken to assess the nutritional status of children in a village of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Results showed that mean body weight and height of 3 to 12 year-old children were about 80 per cent and 90 per cent of Harvard Standard; respectively. Mean energy intake was about 70 per cent of RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance by FAO/WHO). Though mean intake of dietary proteins was comparable to the RDA; the animal protein portion was only about 5 per cent. Iron; niacin and thiamin intakes were comparable to the RDAs. Calcium and riboflavin intakes were low; being about half of the RDAs. Wide individual variations of retinol intakes were observed among the subjects. The poor dietary situation might be a major contributory factor to the low anthropometric indices of the children in this region

ACTH--inosine pranobex in the treatment of AIDS. Encouraging results.

Twenty patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) received treatment with Inosine Pranobex and specific antibacterial and anti-parasitic therapy. Five died shortly after hospitalization, but a further fifteen who also received ACTH, survived, gained weight and improved clinically, biochemically and haematologically.

ACTH - inosine pranobex in the treatment of AIDS: encouraging results

Twenty patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) received treatment with Inosine Pranobex and specific antibacterial and anti-parasitic therapy. Five died shortly after hospitalization, but a further fifteen who also received ACTH, survived, gained weight and improved and clinically, biochemically and haematologically

Leucocyte suppression in treatment of 72 patients with paraquat poisoning.

72 patients who had ingested more than 10 ml 20% or 24% liquid paraquat concentrate were treated for 2 weeks with high doses of dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide, forced diuresis with liberal potassium supplements, and, to eliminate paraquat from the gut, Fuller's earth suspension, activated charcoal, and magnesium sulphate. 52 patients (72%) survived. Serum paraquat concentrations were measured retrospectively in samples from 25 patients. 18 had levels of 2-76 mg/l; 6 survived and 12 died. The other survivors were a patient with a serum level of 0.5 mg/l at 24 h and 6 with positive urine tests but no measurable paraquat in serum collected 8-16 h after admission.