Hypertensive disorders associated with pregnancy are a major health concern and a leading cause of maternal indisposition and transience. The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy as well as antihypertensive therapy and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women at Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) in Ghana. This was a retrospective study conducted using data from the folders of pregnant hypertensive patients. The study was conducted at the maternity ward of TTH from 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2019. Participants were all pregnant women with a diagnosis of hypertensive disorders. The prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was 12.5%. The most common antihypertensive medication prescribed was sustained-release oral nifedipine, which was prescribed for 548 (81.4%) participants either alone or with methyldopa, followed by oral methyldopa: 506 (75.2%), intravenous hydralazine: 94 (14.0%), intravenous labetalol: 28 (4.2%) and diuretics: 10 (1.5%). Thirty-eight (5.7%) babies died before delivery, whereas 635 (94.3%) babies were born alive. Twenty-six out of the 38 dead babies (68.4%) were babies of pregnant women with elevated BP, whereas 12 (31.6%) were babies of those with normal BP. There was a statistically significant association between BP control and delivery outcomes. The study observed adherence to antihypertensive medicines recommended by the standard treatment guidelines of Ghana for the management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The BPs of about two-thirds of the study participants were well controlled with the antihypertensive therapy. The majority of the study participants with well-controlled BP had positive delivery outcomes.

Background Information on the quality of acute ischemic stroke care provided in lower-to-middle income countries is limited. Objective This study was undertaken to examine the quality of acute ischemic stroke care provided at Tamale Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Methods The medical records of patients admitted into the medical ward of the hospital between January to October 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Extent of compliance to 15 stroke performance indicators were determined. Results Under the study period, 105 patients were admitted at the hospital with acute ischemic stroke. The mean (±SD) age was 65 ± 12 years; 38.1% were males; 65.7% had National Health Insurance Scheme coverage. Glasgow Coma Scale was the only functional stroke rating scale used by physicians to rate stroke severity. About a quarter of the patients had CT scan performed within 24 h of admission. Less than a quarter of the patients had a last known well time documented. Rate of thrombolytic administration was 0%. Less than a quarter of the patients were prescribed venous thromboembolism prophylaxis on the day of admission or day after. Only 13.8% of patients had documented reasons for not being prescribed venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Antiplatelet therapy was prescribed to 33.3% of the patients by the end of day 2 of admission. Anticoagulation was prescribed to all patients who had comorbid condition of atrial fibrillation as part of the discharge medications. More than half of the patients were discharged to go home with statin medications. Documented stroke education was provided to 31.4% caretakers or patients. Slightly less than half of the patients were assessed for or received rehabilitation. Less than a quarter had documented dysphagia screening within 24 h of admission. None of the patient had their stroke severity rated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on arrival. No patient obtained carotid imaging assessment by end of day 2. Conclusion There were several gaps in the quality of acute ischemic stroke care provided to patients at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. With the exception of discharging patients on statin medications, there was poor adherence to all other stroke performance indicators.

Introduction tuberculosis (TB) remains a global major health problem, especially in developing countries. Although treatment regimen for TB has been highly effective, treatment-related adverse effects account for significant morbidity leading to reduced effectiveness of therapy and high default rate. This study evaluated the nature and occurrence of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) in patients receiving first line antitubercular therapy (ATT) in Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) and its effects on adherence. Methods the study was a cross-sectional study for a period of six months. A total of 66 participants who were on first line antituberculotic therapy consented for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Results about 77% (n=51) of the participants had experienced ADRs. Gastrointestinal symptoms were the most commonly reported symptoms of ADR (80%, n=41). Regarding adherence, over half (51.0%, n=26) said the occurrence of the Adverse Drug Reaction had affected the manner in which they take their medications. Of these, 84.6% (n=22) of the participants indicated that they skipped/missed their medications and 15.4% stopped the medication entirely. About 39.2% (n=20) reported ADRs to a healthcare practitioner and 60.8% did not. All the reported cases were managed by a health practitioner using another medication. Conclusion the study showed that ADRs are common among patients receiving first line ATT. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) related ADRs were the most common. Adherence to first line antitubercular therapy is poor as a result of adverse drugs reaction.