Ghana medical journal最新文献

{"title":"Patient expectations of outcome from systemic treatment for metastatic breast cancer.","authors":"Anita E Agbeko, Adelaide Bekai, Jonathan Boakye-Yiadom, Serwaa Asare-Bediako, Jonathan Bayuo, Francis Aitpilla, Kwabena Agbedinu, Ishmael Kyei, Joshua Arthur","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.2","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The primary goal of treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is to improve patients' quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore the expectations of patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving systemic therapy.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A longitudinal qualitative approach was used in this study.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in the breast clinic and the oncology department of a tertiary facility in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Fifty-six (56) women diagnosed with MBC aged between 18 and 75 years participated in the study.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>In-depth interviews were conducted to explore participants' expectations regarding the systemic treatment they received before its initiation and 3 months after its initiation. The data was analysed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the start of treatment, participants expected to be healed or cured, to avoid death, to experience improvement in their symptoms, and to be able to perform their usual functions/roles. At three months follow-up, 50% of the women had died. Of the 28 who were alive, some had experienced improvement in their symptoms, some had no change, and others had deteriorated. The cost of treatment was a concern.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women with MBC have unfeasible expectations of a cure from the treatment they receive. After starting systemic treatment for their disease, symptoms improved for some participants, while others deteriorated. Mortality among women with MBC is high.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"3-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231486/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148166347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circulation of Human Coronaviruses in SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza-negative patients with respiratory infections during Ghana's 2021 COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Mildred A Adusei-Poku, Emmanuella A Apuri, Loretta Kwasah, Linda Boatemaa, Yaw Awuku-Larbi, Joseph A Quarcoo, Nana A Asante Ntim, Ivy A Asante","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.4","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the prevalence and distribution of human coronaviruses among persons presenting with respiratory symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional study.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Outpatients and inpatients with respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>A total of 350 samples were collected from persons presenting with respiratory symptoms between July and December 2021. These samples were previously tested and confirmed negative for both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>None.</p><p><strong>Main outcome: </strong>It was expected that human coronaviruses (HCoVs) 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 would be detected among SARS-CoV-2 and influenza-negative patients presenting with respiratory symptoms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 350 samples analysed, HCoVs were detected in 123 (35%). Among these, 83% (102/123) were from outpatients, with 17% (21/123) from inpatients. The distribution of specific HCoVs was as follows: 22% (78/350) tested positive for NL63, 5% (18/350) for OC43, 4% (14/350) for HKU1, and 4% (13/350) for 229E. The highest detection rate was observed in the 15-24-year age group, accounting for 46% (56/123) of positive cases, followed by the 25-44-year group at 29% (36/123). The lowest detection rate was noted in infants under 1 year old. Additionally, eight cases (2%) showed co-detections of different HCoVs, with NL63 co-infections being the most common.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HCoVs 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 were prevalent in our study population. This study underscores the importance of differential diagnoses for respiratory viruses with pandemic potential.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>This study was funded by a fellowship from the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC/2021/0009).</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"22-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231484/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148166249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnosis and follow-up of the first case of Gaucher disease under enzyme replacement therapy in Senegal.","authors":"Mohamed Keita, Blaise F Faye, Alioune B Senghor, Alioune B Diallo, Elimane S Bousso, Sokhna A Touré, Moussa Seck, Saliou Diop","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.7","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gaucher disease is a rare inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase, leading to the accumulation of glucocerebroside within macrophages. This accumulation results in a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, which may be life-threatening in severe cases. We report the first documented case in Senegal of a patient with Gaucher disease successfully treated with enzyme replacement therapy. The diagnosis was established based on characteristic bone marrow findings showing Gaucher cells, together with markedly reduced β-glucocerebrosidase activity and elevated chitotriosidase levels. The disease was diagnosed at the age of 11 years, and regular intravenous enzyme replacement therapy was initiated. Treatment was well tolerated and resulted in significant clinical improvement and a marked enhancement in the patient's quality of life. However, genetic confirmation by GBA1 mutation analysis could not be performed due to limited access to molecular testing, which represents an important limitation of this report and prevented precise molecular classification of the disease. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely initiation of enzyme replacement therapy to prevent severe complications in Gaucher disease. Long-term follow-up studies remain necessary to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of enzyme replacement therapy in this setting.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"48-51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231480/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148166424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Agreement and diagnostic accuracy of noncycloplegic retinoscopy, subjective and autorefraction in a young adult Ghanaian population.","authors":"Samuel Kyei, Jehu Azure, Randy Asiamah, Michael A Kwarteng","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.5","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the agreement and diagnostic accuracy of retinoscopy, subjective and autorefraction among young adults in a sampled Ghanaian population.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional design.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Optometry Department of Bishop Ackom Memorial Christian Eye Centre, Cape Coast, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Refractive error data were obtained from 100 adults aged 18-35 years (200 eyes)using autorefraction, retinoscopy and subjective refraction.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Spherical equivalent, J₀ and J₄₅ values, and sensitivity and specificity for myopia and hyperopia detection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age was 23.38 ± 4.39 years, 61% females. This study used Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation to compare refractive techniques. For spherical equivalents, retinoscopy and subjective refraction yielded high agreement (ICC=0.9), and autorefraction and subjective refraction exhibited significant agreement (ICC=0.8, p < 0.001). Retinoscopy and subjective refraction showed a significant correlation (ICC = 0.81, p < 0.001). Similarly, autorefraction and subjective refraction for J₀ correlated (ICC=0.67, p < 0.001), and retinoscopy and subjective refraction showed low agreement on the J₄₅ axis (ICC=0.01, p=0.48). Autorefraction and subjective refraction were weakly but significantly correlated (ICC=0.22, p < 0.001). The specificity and sensitivity of retinoscopy in detecting myopia are similar to those of autorefraction. The accuracy of retinoscopy was greater than that of autorefraction in detecting myopia. However, retinoscopy and autorefraction demonstrated equal accuracy in detecting hyperopia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In young adults, retinoscopy shows strong agreement with subjective refraction, demonstrating its consistency in evaluating spherical equivalents and the J₀ axis. Although efficient, autorefraction showed reduced precision and less consistency for J₄₅ axis determination.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"29-38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231482/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148166315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of physical activity among community-dwelling adults in Ghana.","authors":"Hosea Boakye, Elizabeth Duah, Akua A Bilson, Martin Ackah, Thomas Hinneh, Ulric S Abonie, Albert Atabila","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.6","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To examine the association between physical activity (PA) and knowledge of PA recommendations, sociodemographic, and behavioural characteristics among adults attending the outpatient department of a secondary health facility.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional using a multi-stage sampling method.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Outpatient department of a secondary health facility.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Adults aged 18 years and older attending the outpatient department of a secondary health facility.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 480 participants, the majority were females (57.7%), had a healthy weight (63.3%), were unmarried (44.6%), and had at least one child (58.5%). Less than half of the participants were in the pre-contemplation stage (30.8%), had adequate knowledge of physical activity recommendations (17.1%), and met recommended physical activity levels (46.3%). Females (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.40, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.24-0.67, p < 0.001), older adults (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.08-0.64, p = 0.005), people with high sedentary behaviour (OR = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.22-0.95, p = 0.036) and people in the pre-contemplation stage (reference) were less likely to engage in physical activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Engaging in physical activity is strongly influenced by age, gender, sedentary behaviour, and stages of behaviour change. These determinants should be considered in interventions for promoting physical activity among community-dwelling adults.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"39-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148166357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative analysis of transvaginal sonographic cervical assessment and Bishop Score in predicting labour induction success at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.","authors":"Teresa A Mensah, Kwaku Asah-Opoku, Kwame Adu-Bonsaffoh, Alim Swarray-Deen, Evans K Agbeno, Samuel A Oppong","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.3","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v60i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare transvaginal sonographic cervical assessment and Bishop Score (BS) in predicting successful induction (vaginal delivery within 24 hours) among low-risk postdate pregnancies (late term and post-term) induced at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>An analytical cross-sectional study conducted between 2022 and 2023.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Women with low-risk post-date pregnancies admitted for induction of labour. Transvaginal sonographic cervical assessment and BS were done for participants before the start of induction.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>The predictive abilities of the transvaginal sonographic cervical length (TVSCL), the BS and the posterior cervical angle (PCA) in predicting vaginal delivery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 184 women recruited, 168 were included in the final analysis. The rate of vaginal delivery was 82.1%. Successful induction occurred in 117/168 participants (69.9%) [CI:62.1-76.5]. TVSCL ≤ 2.5cm was comparable in accuracy with BS ≥ 4 in predicting vaginal delivery. For predicting vaginal delivery within 24 hours, the accuracy of the PCA at ≥ 106 was marginally higher than the BS [AUC: 62.3; 61.0], although both were statistically significant. 95% of women preferred transvaginal sonographic assessment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BS and transvaginal sonographic assessment were comparable in predicting delivery when used for pre-induction cervical assessment. Transvaginal sonographic cervical assessment was better tolerated.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"60 1","pages":"11-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148166370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceived facilitators and barriers to routine utilisation of standardised outcome measures among physiotherapists in Namibia.","authors":"Matthew Chiwaridzo, Farirai Kamba, Zenra Buys, Munyaradzi Chimara, Marius van der Merwe, Witness Mudzi","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.9","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the context-specific perceived facilitators and barriers to routine utilisation of standardised outcome measures (SOMs) by physiotherapists (PTs) in Namibia.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Private or public clinics/hospitals in Namibia.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>Practising physiotherapists.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>The study evaluated \"routine\" utilisation of SOMs operationally defined as using SOMs for 70% to 100% of the time in clinical practice. The study also determined the perceived facilitators and barriers to the routine utilisation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 99 respondents, 96 (96.9%) had complete questionnaires. The majority of participants were female (n=64, 66.7%), had a Bachelor's degree (n=86, 89.6%), trained outside Namibia (n=82, 85.4%), and were practising as private practitioners (n=74, 77.1%). About half of the participants (n=47, 49.0%) \"routinely\" used SOMs, especially impairment-based tools. The most common reasons for SOMs utilisation were tool affordability and availability. However, about a quarter (n=41, 43.6%) were strongly deterred from using SOMs because of the language of construction of the tool, whilst 36.2% (n=34) highlighted that most SOMs had a higher reading proficiency than the patient population. Time-related barriers were also perceived by 34.0% (n=32) of the participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Routine utilisation of SOMs by PTs is below average in Namibia, primarily due to tool-related factors, such as the language of construction.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"242-250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877710/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green tea's impact on fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers in obese males with different gonadal statuses in Onitsha, Nigeria.","authors":"Ifeoma J Onuora, Samuel C Meludu, Chikaodili N Obi-Ezeani, Emmanuel C Dioka, Obiageli E Nnoruka","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.8","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study assessed the effects of 12-week green tea supplementation on fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers in obese males with varying gonadal statuses.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A 12-week interventional study measuring hormonal and oxidative stress changes pre- and post-supplementation.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Conducted in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving community-dwelling obese males categorised by gonadal status.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>One hundred obese males (aged 29-50) were categorised into Eugonadism, Compensatory Hypogonadism, and Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism groups. Normal-weight eugonadic males served as controls. Participants were selected based on BMI and gonadal hormone levels.</p><p><strong>Interventions: </strong>Participants consumed two bags of green tea infused in 150 mL of boiled water daily for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months. Hormonal levels: luteinising hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, and oestradiol were measured using ELISA, while oxidative stress markers: malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analysed colourimetrically.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>changes in oxidative stress markers and reproductive hormone levels post-supplementation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Obese participants had significantly higher MDA and lower TAC and GPx than controls (p<0.05). Green tea significantly reduced MDA, oestradiol, and prolactin, whereas it increased TAC, GPx, and testosterone (p < 0.05). LH and FSH were normalised in Eugonadic and Compensatory Hypogonadic groups but remained elevated in Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Green tea supplementation reduced oxidative stress and improved hormonal balance in obese males, suggesting its potential for managing obesity-related reproductive dysfunction. Further studies should explore long-term effects.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong></p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"235-241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877706/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond a single system: Lessons from Ghana's discontinued national EHR and the imperative for an interoperable digital health ecosystem.","authors":"Yaw Adjei Ofori-Adjei","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.1","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"177-180"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877703/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalences and factors associated with HBV, HCV and HIV infections in haemodialysis patients in rural areas of Gabon.","authors":"Martial H Ekomy, Alda M Ngoubadjambo, Edmery M Ntsounga, Herman Begouabe, Laetitia P A Ekouaghe, Moussa Togola, Léina O M Moubeyi, Cédric S Obiang","doi":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.11","DOIUrl":"10.4314/gmj.v59i4.11","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in rural haemodialysis patients at the Franceville haemodialysis centre in Gabon.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Retrospective, descriptive and analytical study using exhaustive sampling.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Study conducted in a rural setting at the Franceville haemodialysis centre.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>One hundred nineteen records of haemodialysis patients in whom HBV, HCV and HIV serologies were performed. Four incomplete files were excluded.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Viral infection, frequency of socioclinical characteristics, and univariate analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One hundred and fifteen haemodialysis patients were included, 70 men and 45 women. The mean age was 46.64±18.74 years. The seroprevalence of infection was 1.74%, 4.35% and 12.17% for HBV, HCV and HIV, respectively. HBV infection was associated with previous dialysis (p=0.000; OR: 36.667; 95% CI [1.825-736.304]), duration of dialysis (p=0.019; OR: 0.055; 95% CI [0.003-11.324]), elevated transaminases (p=0.000; OR:112; 95% CI [3.738-3355.535]), and initial nephropathy (p=0.0157; OR:15.149; 95% CI [0.853-268.535]). HCV infection was associated with elevated transaminases (p=0.001; OR: 27.25; 95% CI [1.432-518.553]) and incident kidney disease (p=0.039; OR: 8.916; 95% CI [0.751-105.791]). HIV infection was associated with incident kidney disease (p=0.000; OR:6.852; 95% CI [1.982-23.689]).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A low seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and a moderate seroprevalence of HIV infection has been reported in haemodialysis patients. Certain factors are associated with these infections. Systematic vaccination against HBV, responsible sexual behaviour and current and future strict hygiene measures will help to reduce viral infections in dialysis.</p><p><strong>Funding: </strong>None declared.</p>","PeriodicalId":94319,"journal":{"name":"Ghana medical journal","volume":"59 4","pages":"260-268"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877707/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146145482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}