Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Background:Evidence on how social and school-level contexts shape pediatric vision screening outcomes is limited, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the association between individual and contextual factors and vision screening outcomes in a pilot enhanced school-based vision screening program (ESVSP) in Kumasi, Ghana.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from an ESVSP to detect eye disorders in schoolchildren aged 4 to 22 years. Outcomes were the presence of eye disorders and referral adherence. Exposure variables were individual [(age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES)], and contextual [school type (public vs private)] factors. Logistic regression was used to estimate unadjusted (OR) and adjusted (aOR) odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results:We analyzed data for 1,123 children screened and 299 referred. The average age was 10.2 (±2.6) years. Overall, 34% (n=382) had suspected eye disorders, and 32.8% (n=98) adhered to the referral. After adjusting for key variables, children attending public (32.2%) compared to private (67.8%) schools had 45% lower odds of identified eye disorders (aOR= 0.55; 95% CI 0.37, 0.83). Children with low (13.3%) compared to high (28.6%) SES had 70% lower odds of referral adherence (aOR= 0.30; 95% CI 0.12, 0.80).Conclusion:In this pilot school-based program, school context and socioeconomic status were associated with suspected pediatric vision and eye disorders, and referral adherence, respectively. These findings highlight equity-relevant gaps in referral adherence and underscore the need for context-specific strategies to strengthen referral pathways in low-resource settings.

Mastering mathematics by many students can be a difficult undertaking because of its abstract nature, intricate concepts, and requirement for accuracy. Mathematics works with theoretical structures and demands a certain set of abilities and methods that make it challenging to master, in contrast to other topics that depend on concrete objects. Students may become frustrated and feel like they are lagging behind if they are unable to comprehend mathematical ideas. Nonetheless, students might better grasp mathematical topics when they employ a few basic learning tactics. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of teachers’ instructional strategies on students’ performance in mathematics, specifically identifying the factors that should be taken into account before choosing a teaching methodology. The study examined two distinct teaching approaches and their efficacy in a classroom setting. The research study’s instruments included observation and interviews; 117 students and 6 mathematics teachers participated in the study; the data sample was selected using a simple random sampling procedure; and descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze and discuss the study’s findings. The key findings of the study showed that teachers did not use activity-based learning to help students learn how to solve real-world problems using applied knowledge. Teachers were also failing to use the right technique to teach mathematical ideas in a way that would benefit students. Additionally, students declined the study of mathematics because they believed their teachers were providing them with authoritarian education. Lastly, the teaching tactics used by the math teachers had a negative impact on the academic achievement of the students. The study suggests that in order to improve the achievement of students in mathematics, the Ghana Education Service and policy makers should provide regular in-service training for teachers of mathematics. This would provide them with the necessary teaching strategies.

Paediatric sepsis remains a significant cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where health systems are often resource-constrained. Global sepsis protocols, although effective in high-income settings, may not be well-suited to LMIC contexts. We conducted a mixed-methods study in two hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo (PreHA). Specifically, we conducted a retrospective chart review, followed by key informant interviews with clinical staff, and integrated our findings with a previously published situational analysis. Qualitative data analysis employed the Three Delays Framework and the Donabedian Model to identify locations and causes of delays in care. Seventy-one charts met the inclusion criteria for review, having a history of fever or hypothermia and complete vital signs documented (16 from PreHA, 55 from KATH). Despite KATH managing more severely ill patients with higher sepsis scores and longer stays, mortality rates were similar at both sites. The chart review highlighted gaps in documentation and inconsistent care processes. Key informant interviews revealed themes such as provider altruism, community financial support and the positive role of research collaborations, while also illustrating systemic delays linked to financial and resource constraints. Paediatric sepsis care in Ghana is influenced by complex and interconnected structural, cultural and procedural factors. Our findings indicate that contextually adapted care pathways are crucial for improving sepsis outcomes in resource-constrained settings. Co-designed interventions, rather than wholly imported protocols, may offer a more sustainable approach to strengthening health systems in LMICs.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the quality of Home Economics education and identify factors that affect teaching and learning outcomes in senior high schools in the Ashanti Region. Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 96 teachers and 443 students from 10 senior high schools. The study analysed sociodemographic characteristics, infrastructure, course content, and student-related factors impacting teaching effectiveness. Findings: The study found that younger teachers and those with more teaching experience were more effective. Infrastructure issues, such as poorly equipped laboratories and outdated tools, did not significantly affect teaching effectiveness. However, practical sessions, use of teaching aids, quality of textbooks, and student interest were crucial for effective teaching. Research Limitation: The study was limited to selected senior high schools in the Ashanti Region, which may not be representative of other regions. Practical Implication: The findings highlight the need for improved resources, such as well-equipped laboratories and updated teaching materials, to enhance the effectiveness of Home Economics education. Teacher training programs could also focus on practical teaching methods and student engagement. Social Implication: Improving home economics education can equip students with essential life skills and promote better personal and family management practices. This can have a broader impact on community well-being and socioeconomic development. Originality/Value: This study provides valuable insights into the current state of Home Economics education in the Ashanti Region, highlighting areas for improvement and the importance of practical teaching methods and resources.

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the heavy metal concentrations in the sediments from the Korle Lagoon dumpsite and their potential leaching into the environment. The sediments were analyzed for total heavy metal concentrations using USEPA Method 3050B, with results showing the following ranges: 19.715–44.471 mg/kg for Cu, 0.098–0.398 mg/kg for Cd, 2.891–4.385 mg/kg for As, 26.00–45.176 mg/kg for Cr, 6.656–9.072 mg/kg for Ni, 33.932–60.029 mg/kg for Pb, 0.092–0.172 mg/kg for Hg, 111.9–214.88 mg/kg for Zn, and 12,884–19,192 mg/kg for Fe. Leachates from the sediments were analyzed using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) according to USEPA Method 1311. The metal concentrations in the leachate ranged from 0.002 to 0.005 mg/L for As, ND to 0.01 mg/L for Cd, 0.012 to 0.044 mg/L for Cu, 0.012 to 0.031 mg/L for Cr, 0.039 to 0.114 mg/L for Ni, 0.971 to 1.639 mg/L for Fe, ND to 0.001 mg/L for Hg, and 0.104 to 3.250 mg/L for Zn, with all leachate concentrations below the recommended guideline limits. The cumulative progressive TCLP results also showed metal concentrations below the guideline levels, suggesting that the leachate does not pose an immediate environmental risk. However, the study notes that while the current levels are within safe limits, significant leaching could occur if the pH of the medium decreases, potentially leading to environmental impacts over time. This research provides valuable insights into the current stability of the Korle Lagoon dumpsite sediments and establishes a baseline for future studies on long‐term environmental risks. The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of pH changes and metal leaching to predict future environmental impacts.

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant public health issue in Ghana, with one of the highest incidence rates of cancer among women. It is the second most common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related death among Ghanaian women of reproductive age, with an estimated 3072 new cases and 1815 deaths reported annually. Despite this condition being preventable and treatable through HPV vaccination, screening, and timely care, access to these interventions continues to be limited. Moreover, caring for patients with CC comes with unique challenges. This study explores healthcare providers’ experiences in delivering care to women with CC. A descriptive qualitative design was employed at a tertiary health facility in Ghana. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 diverse healthcare providers, including oncologists (n = 2), registered and oncology nurses (n = 8), oncologist pharmacist (n = 1), and allied health professionals (n = 3), using a semi-structured interview guide. The data were analysed using abductive thematic analysis. Participants had a median age of 34 years and a work experience range of one to eight years. Most were nurses (n = 8). Providers reported varied perceptions of patients, noting their resilience and delayed presentation. Major challenges included patient misconceptions, financial constraints, staff shortages, and inadequate equipment. Coping strategies included public education, financial advocacy, and team-based care approaches. Providers face significant emotional and professional demands in CC care, prompting the need for adaptive coping strategies. The study recommends expanding treatment centres nationwide, introducing mobile clinics, enhancing specialised training, increasing National Health Insurance support for CC, and instituting mandatory mental health services for healthcare providers caring for CC patient through the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health(MOH).

This paper critically examines how current forms of Open Science (OS) fall short of advancing health equity in global health. While OS is promoted as a public good, promising transparency, efficiency, and inclusive, current practices often reproduce rather than dismantle entrenched inequities. Data-sharing infrastructures and open-access policies, largely shaped by high-income countries, frequently extract from but fail to empower low- and middle-income countries. Appeals to transparency likewise overlook deeper asymmetries in whose knowledge is recognized, whose labor is valued, and whose communities benefit from scientific advances. We argue that in the context of global health, OS must be re-imagined not as a technical reform but as a political and epistemic project oriented toward health equity. Drawing on feminist, de-colonial, and Black feminist scholarship, we show how global health knowledge has been structured through histories of exclusion that continue to shape categories, standards, and priorities. Building on these critiques, the paper advances five guiding commitments for re-imagining OS: epistemic plurality, redistribution of resources, accountability to marginalized communities, co-creation and participatory governance, and reflexivity and care. Rather than a prescriptive model, these commitments offer enabling conditions for a more equitable and pluralistic science, reclaiming imagination as a vital resource for collective transformation.

ABSTRACTThe Ex utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) is a complex perinatal intervention designed to secure the fetal airway while maintaining uteroplacental circulation during delivery. We report on the first application of this procedure in West Africa, describing our obstetric and resource‐constrained challenges in the management of a fetus with a large cervical cystic hygroma, and highlighting the complexities of EXIT outcomes. A report on the management of a large fetal anterior neck swelling with anticipated airway obstruction, presenting at 38 weeks 4 days has been presented. Through a multidisciplinary team collaboration, a clear working protocol and simulations, the first‐ever EXIT procedure in our subregion was performed, although an adverse neonatal outcome was encountered. The outcomes of EXIT procedures are unpredictable; hence, adequate counseling is required to embrace the outcome.

Acute dysfunction of vital organs is the hallmark of critical illness. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, the most widely adopted approach to describe organ dysfunction, has not been updated in 30 years and therefore may not appropriately capture current clinical practice and outcomes. To inform the data-driven component of an updated score (SOFA-2) in varied geographical and resource settings (stages 6-8) after expert input via a modified Delphi process (stages 1-5). A federated analysis was performed on data collected from adult patients admitted to 1319 intensive care units (ICUs) in 9 countries (Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, United States) between 2014 and 2023. Four representative multicenter cohorts containing data from 2 098 356 patients were used for data-driven score development and internal validation. External validation was performed on 6 cohorts containing data from 1 241 114 patients. Content validity for organ dysfunction identified through the modified Delphi process should be reflected by predictive validity using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of the score measured on the first ICU day (higher scores indicate worse organ dysfunction). Of 3.34 million patient encounters, 270 108 (8.1%) died in the ICU (range, 4.5% to 20.5% across the 10 cohorts). SOFA-2 modified the 6 organ systems of the original SOFA score (brain, respiratory, cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hemostasis), including new variables and revised thresholds that better describe the organ dysfunction distribution from 0 to 4 points and their associated mortality (SOFA-2 AUROC, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.76-0.81; SOFA-1 AUROC, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.74-0.81). Evaluation of sequential SOFA-2 data from ICU day 1 to day 7 maintained its predictive validity. Insufficient data and lack of content validity precluded incorporation of gastrointestinal and immune dysfunction scores into SOFA-2. The SOFA-2 score, updated to include contemporary organ support treatments and new score thresholds, describes organ dysfunction in a large, geographically and socioeconomically diverse population of critically ill adults.