Objectives: To determine the rate and factors associated with viral load non-suppression among adults living with HIV/AIDS on active anti-retroviral therapy (ART).Design: A retrospective cross-sectional studySetting: Three ART clinics in Kumasi, GhanaParticipants: All HIV-infected adults who were ≥18 years and on active ART for 12 months and whose viral loadnhad been estimated were included.Main outcome measure: Unsuppressed viral load among patients on ARTResults: In all, 483 HIV patients were included in the study, with 369 (76.4%) achieving viral load suppression. Gender, educational level, comorbidity status, and duration on ART were independently associated with viral nonsuppression (p < 0.05).Conclusions: This study has revealed that the rate of viral suppression in the study area is lower than the UNAIDS 90% target. The findings have implications on designing new and stemming up implementation of existing interventions to improve the rate of viral suppression among patients in the study area. It is also necessary that more of such studies are replicated in other parts of the country to identify risk factors for virological failure among patients on ART.

Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for approximately 95% of all diabetes cases, making the disease a global public health concern. The increasing prevalence of T2DM has highlighted the importance of evidence-based guidelines for effective prevention, management, and treatment. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) can produce positive effects on patient behaviors and health status. Study objective. We synthesized findings from the existing studies to find out whether or not the impact of DSME on patient health behaviors and outcomes differ by the different models of diabetes care. That is, we determined whether there are differences in DSME outcomes when patient’s care provider is a general practitioner, a specialist, a nurse, or a combination of these health professionals. Methods. Searches were made of six electronic databases to identify relevant English language publications on DSME from 2000 through 2019. Titles and abstracts of the search results were screened to select eligible papers for full-text screening. All eligible papers were retrieved, and full-text screening was done by three independent reviewers to select studies for inclusion in the final analysis. Twenty-one studies were included in the final analysis. The main outcome measures assessed were glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), diet, and physical activity. Results. The majority of the patients with diabetes were seen by primary care physicians. In general, the studies reported significant improvements in patient health behaviors and outcomes. Some differences in outcomes between the different models of care were observed. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the effects of DSME on patients’ health behaviors and outcomes could differ by the different models of diabetes care. However, considering the limited sample of publications reviewed, and because none of the reviewed studies directly measured the impact of the DSME program on patient behaviors and outcomes, significant conclusions could not be reached.

Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunisation is a common problem in transfused patients because of the possibility of haemolytic reaction and limited availability of compatible blood. In highincome countries, pre-transfusion antibody screening is performed routinely. In Ghana, patients are transfused with ABO Rh 'D' compatible blood without screening for immune antibodies. We therefore studied the prevalence and specificities of RBC antibodies in transfused patients at Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital, Ghana. The study was cross-sectional, involving previously transfused patients who required another transfusion. Participants' basic data on demography and transfusion history were recorded. Blood samples were screened and subsequently typed for RBC antibodies using a column gel agglutination test. A total of 106 transfused patients, 52 male and 54 females were enrolled. The patients had previously received a median of 4 RBC units (range 1-14). Of these, ten patients (9.4%) had 11 RBC alloantibodies, whose specificities were 2 anti-K; 2 anti-C; one each of anti-D, -E, -M, and -S; and 3 were pan-reactive. The number of transfusion episodes was significantly associated with the rate of alloimmunisation (p=0.000). In conclusion the overall alloimmunisation rate in the study was 9.4% and this was significantly associated with increasing number of transfusion episodes. Antibodies were mainly directed against antigens in the Rhesus system and K antigen. We recommend that antibody screening be incorporated into routine pre-transfusion testing procedures in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global public health problem, with significant morbidity and mortality from acute and chronic complications. Increasing awareness and improving knowledge of HBV helps reduce the risk of the disease. Although many studies have been conducted on HBV in Ghana, few have focused on examining knowledge, attitude and preventive practices among adolescents towards the disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess HBV knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among adolescents in high schools in the Asante Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 adolescents from six senior high schools within the Asante Mampong Municipality. Data was collected using a 30-item structured questionnaire. Each item had two response options: “Yes” and “No”. A scoring system was generated and respondents were given a score on each item answered. A positive response to an item was scored 1 point and a negative response was scored 0. Scores were then summed up and averaged to give the mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were male (60%), between 15 and 17 years (45%), Christian (93%) and in their first year of study. The adolescents had basic knowledge, positive attitude, and poor practices towards HBV. There was no significant relationship between the demographic variables of the respondents and KAP mean scores. CONCLUSION: There is the need to introduce health education and awareness programs in schools within the Asante Mampong Municipality to improve students’ level of knowledge of HBV. Countrywide studies examining KAP towards HBV infection among adolescents are also warranted.