Clinical and laboratory presentation of first-time antenatal care visits of pregnant women in Ghana, a hospital-based study

Abstract

Background The WHO recommends pregnant women attend antenatal clinic at least three times during pregnancy; during the first, second and third trimesters. During these visits, an array of clinical and laboratory tests is conducted. The information obtained plays an important role not only in the management and care of pregnancy, but also guides policies targeted at addressing pregnancy-induced health challenges. This study therefore presents laboratory and clinical information of pregnant women at their first antenatal visits. Methods The study was cross-sectional in design which retrospectively reviewed laboratory and clinical data of pregnant women attending their first antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Comboni Hospital, Volta region, Ghana. The data reviewed included information on hemoglobin level, hemoglobin phenotype, malaria diagnostics, Human Immunodeficiency Virus test (HIV), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) test, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) test, Syphilis test, blood pressure, age, urine glucose, and urine protein. The hemoglobin level was assayed with a hemoglobinometer. Qualitative lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay techniques were used to diagnose the HIV, HCV, HBV, syphilis, and malaria status of the pregnant women. Urine dipstick was used assay for the urine protein and urine glucose, whilst the methemoglobin test was used for the G6PD deficiency and alkaline hemoglobin electrophoresis for hemoglobin phenotype. Data on demographic, anthropometric and vital signs such as age, weight and blood pressure were also collected. Descriptive statistics were performed. Frequency and percentages were used to describe the categorical variables and means and standard deviations used to describe the continuous variables. Results Hemoglobin S(Hb S) was found in 12.8% of the women with 73.4% having hemoglobin levels below 11.5g/dl. On G6PD deficiency, 1.6% and 0.8% were partially and fully defective respectively. Also, urine protein (1.2%) and glucose (0.4%) were detected. The prevalence of HBV, HCV and malaria were 4.4%, 3.6% and 2.4%, respectively. Conclusion Anemia in pregnancy was high among the study sample. Malaria and hepatitis infections were observed in the study sample. Policies on maternal health should be targeted at providing better nutritional options, that can enhance the hemoglobin level during pregnancy. Pregnant women should benefit from enhanced surveillance for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis.

Factors Associated with Late Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in a University Hospital in Brazil: Challenges to Achieving the 2030 Target

“…Therefore, access to screening for infections like HIV serves as a facilitator for preventive measures and timely diagnosis. A study conducted in Ghana in 2018 confirmed that the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was lower compared to the general population [ 24 ]. On the other hand, the testing policy during prenatal care has certain effects on the male population, as women discover the presence of HIV infection during pregnancy or through illness, leading to this diagnosis being discovered by their male partners [ 25 ].…”

Knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding iron deficiency anemia in the Eastern Region of Ghana

“…It means they are more likely to not allow adequate distance between their pregnancies, which may predispose them to iron de ciency anemia [16]. Abuku, Allotey, and Akonde [17] state that pregnant women should monitor their hemoglobin levels at every ANC visit. However, this study found that half of the respondents did not monitor their Hb at regular intervals.…”

Interventions for malaria prevention in pregnancy; factors influencing uptake and their effect on pregnancy outcomes among post-natal women in a tertiary facility in the Volta Region of Ghana

“…33 Malaria parasitaemia in pregnancy prevalence of 2.4%-28.8%, over 2016-2019, have been reported in the near-by South Tongu, Central Tongu and Akatsi districts. [34][35][36]…”