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Pathophysiologically, type 2 diabetes can result from insulin resistance or insulin insufficiency alone. It is unclear whether relative insulin shortage or pronounced insulin resistance is linked to poor cardiometabolic problems like obesity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance (IR), hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. One hundred and twenty-one (121) type 2 diabetic men participated in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted between September 2018 and September 2019. Sociodemographic information was collected using a self-designed questionnaire. Anthropometric data were also taken and blood samples collected for estimation of insulin, glucose, and lipid concentrations. HOMA-IR was calculated from the fasting insulin and glucose values, and a HOMA − IR ≥ 2 was considered to indicate insulin resistance. Of the 121 participants, 39.7% were classified as insulin-resistant. Levels of total cholesterol ( 4.82 ± 1.2 mmol/L; p = 0.007 vs. 4.25 ± 1.1 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol ( 3.17 ± 0.9 mmol/L; p = 0.001 vs. 2.52 ± 0.8 mmol/L), and TC/HDL-C ratio ( 3.93 ± 0.9 ; p = 0.042 vs. 3.58 ± 0.9 ) and the prevalence of abnormal LDL-C (14.6%; p = 0.015 vs. 2.7%) and elevated BP (83.3%; p = 0.048 vs. 67.1%) were higher in the insulin-resistant group. LDL cholesterol ( AUC = 0.670 ; p = 0.001 ) better classified subjects as being insulin-resistant compared to other lipid markers. The odds of insulin resistance in dyslipidaemia were not statistically significant after adjusting for obesity. The link between insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia and hypertension in male diabetics may thus be mediated by obesity.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major complication of pregnancies and can lead to fetal growth retardation, premature delivery and maternal morbidity and mortality. The study aimed at assessing the potential role of the placenta in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Methods: This study was a case-control study conducted at the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana from September, 2016 to March 2017.Twenty (20)pregnant women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (i.e., Pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia) as cases and 30 normotensive pregnancies as controls, were included in the study. The placenta was excised after delivery, homogenized and assayed for malondialdehyde,catalase, total peroxide, oxidative stress index, total antioxidant capacity and placental lipid profile.Results: The ages of the two groups were similar, with malondialdehyde (p = 0.001) and Oxidative Stress Index (p < 0.001) being significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group whereas Total Antioxidant Capacity (p < 0.001) and Catalase (p = 0.011) were significantly higher in the control group compared to the hypertensive group. The proportion of normal, term and livebirth deliveries were significantly higher among controls compared to the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy group. Among the estimated oxidative stress markers, total antioxidant capacity turned out to be the best predictor of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Conclusion: Our findings suggest oxidative stress in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and that placental oxidative stress could be the drivingfactor for the pathogenesis and severity of these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Annals of Medical Laboratory Science (2021) 1(2), 39 - 49

Background: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are two systemic inflammatory indices with promising prognostic and predictive abilities for HDP. The study aimed to determine the abilities of the NLR and MLR in predicting HDP among pregnant women in Ghana. Methods: This was a case-control study that was carried out between September 2015 and May 2016 at the Bolgatanga regional hospital. The study involved 50 pregnant women of whom 60% (30/50) had normotensive pregnancies (controls) and 40% (20/50) were confirmed to have HDP (cases). The cases were compared with the controls in terms of their socio-demographic characteristics, full blood count parameters, NLR and MLR. Probability value 0.05). The sensitivities of NLR and MLR were 95.0% and 70.0%, while their specificities were 56.7% and 73.3%, respectively. The positive likelihood ratio (+LR) of MLR was higher than that of NLR (2.6 vs. 2.2). Conclusion: Both the NLR and MLR have moderate predictive ability for hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP). However, the MLR will be a better predictor for HDP than the NLR. We recommend the addition of NLR and MLR when reporting full blood count results for pregnant women.

This study aimed to develop predictive models from percutaneous femoral (PFL) and ulna (PUL) lengths for estimating height among a living Ghanaian population. This was a cross-sectional study invol...

Aim: This study assesses the effects of HAART on liver and renal functions in HIV infected individuals on HAART. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Methods: This study was conducted in Tamale, Ghana from August, 2015 to November 2017. Methodology: A total of 300 HIV infected participants with ages ranging from 19 to 79 years who have been administered with HAART for at least 6 months were recruited. Pre-HAART administration (baseline) demographic and clinical information, with initial liver and renal function test results were retrieved from the medical records of the participants present at the ART center. Post HAART administration blood sample (5 mLs) was taken from each participant into a gel separated vacutainer tube, allowed to clot and spun at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes to produce serum. The product (serum) was used for liver and renal function test analysis using a fully automated chemistry analyser (Vital Scientific Selectra Flexor XL). Results: Of the study population, 72% were administered with AZT/3TC/EFV, 13% with AZT/3TC/NVP, 6.7% with TDF/3TC/LPV/r and TDF/3TC/NVP, 1% with AZT/3TC/EFV while 0.7% were administered with TDF/FTC/EFV. The following parameters were significantly increased post HAART administration; ALT (25.53 ± 16.90 to 30.87 ± 19.28 U/L), ALP (163.7 ± 141.0 to 215.2 ± 143.4 U/L), GGT (37.27 ± 25.21 to 53.19 ± 41.71 U/L), Total protein (73.97 ± 17.08 to 82.31 ± 11.62 g/L), Albumin (38.02 ± 9.331 to 41.01 ± 7.471 g/L), Globulin 38.02 ± 15.71 to 42.79 ± 25.20 (g/L). There were however significant reductions in Total bilirubin (12.13 ± 10.85 to 9.434 ± 4.560 µmol/L), Direct bilirubin (6.616 ± 5.770 to 4.184 ± 2.806 µmol/L), (Creatinine 73.19 ± 36.13 to 63.14 ± 27.14 µmol/L) and Urea (3.515 ± 2.552 to 3.011±1.274 mmol/L). Conclusion: HAART improves renal function, induces elevation in liver enzymes, stimulates the production of plasma proteins and reduces serum bilirubin concentration.

Aim: This study assesses the effects of HAART on complete blood count parameters among HIV infected participants. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Methods: This study was conducted in Tamale, Ghana from August, 2016 to December, 2017. Methodology: A total of 300 HIV infected participants with ages ranging from 19–79 years, administered with HAART for at least 6 months were recruited. Pre-HAART administration (baseline) demographic and clinical information, with initial full blood count results were retrieved from the medical records of the participants. Post HAART administration blood sample (5mLs) was taken from each participant into an EDTA vacutainer tube and complete blood count (CBC) performed using URIT 5250 haematology analyser. Participants transfused with blood over the last 4 months were excluded from the study. Results: The study recorded significant decreases in WBC and Neutrophil (%) post HAART administration. Lymphocyte (%), Haemoglobin, Haematocrit, MCV, MCHC, RDW-SD were all significantly higher post HAART administration. Total Platelets count, MPV, PDW-SD, PCT and P-LCR were significantly lower post-HAART administration. A comparison of the effects of EFV and NVP administered with AZT/3TC backbone yielded the following results. The NVP group recorded a significantly higher HCT compared with the EFV group (p-0.0073). A significantly higher mean PCT, MPV, P-LCR, PLCC, PDW-SD were recorded in the EFV group compared to the NVP group respectively. Conclusion: The administration of HAART is associated with significant improvements in erythroid and lymphoid lineages, reduce anaemia, improves immunity and general patient well-being. NVP improve erythroid cell indices while EFV ameliorate platelet indices. HAART regimen should be chosen based on the pre-HAART laboratory tests conducted on the individual.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is known to cause lipid abnormalities such as dyslipidaemia in HIV-infected individuals. Yet, dyslipidaemia may not independently occur as it may be worsened by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). This case–control study was conducted in three-selected hospitals in the Northern part of Ghana. The study constituted a total of 118 HIV-infected participants aged 19–71 years, who had been on HAART for 6–24 months. Dyslipidaemia was defined based on the NCEP-ATP III criteria. HIV-infected individuals on HAART with dyslipidaemia were classified as cases while those without dyslipidaemia were grouped as controls. Lipid profile was measured using an automatic clinical chemistry analyzer and genomic DNA was extracted for PCR (GeneAmp PCR System 2700). Overall, the prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 39.0% (46/118). High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed in all cases. A total of 256 selected PCR amplicons comprising 137 LPL (exons 3, 5 and 6) and 119 LCAT (exons 1, 4, and 6) were sequenced in 46 samples (Inqaba Biotech). Six (6) clinically significant SNPs were identified in exons 1 and 4 for LCAT whereas 25 non-clinically significant SNPs were identified for LPL in exons 5 and 6. At position 97 for LCAT exon 1, there was a deletion of the nucleotide, ‘A’ in 32.5% (13/40) of the sampled population while 67.5% (27/40) of the sample population retained the nucleotide, ‘A’ which was significantly associated with dyslipidaemic outcomes in the study population (p = 0.0004). A total of 25 SNPs were identified in exons 5 and 6 of LPL; 22 were substitutions, and 3 were insertions. However, none of the 25 SNPs identified in LPL exon 5 and 6 were statistically significant. SNPs in LCAT may independently contribute to dyslipidaemia among Ghanaian HIV-infected individuals on HAART, thus, allowing genetic and/or functional differential diagnosis of dyslipidaemia and creating an opportunity for potentially preventive options.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) has long been known to affect a significant number of people worldwide with serious implications and limitations on sexual expression and fulfillment. This may affect the sexual quality of life (SQoL) of individuals and their partners. A cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients and their partners who visited the Tema General Hospital. A total of 130 and 116 diabetic males and females and their partners were interviewed. Male and female diabetic participants and partners were evaluated using the Golombuk Rust Inventory for Sexual Satisfaction-Male (GRISS-M)/SQoL-M and GRISS-Female/SQoL-F, respectively. For the diabetic males, the mean age and duration of diabetes (DOD) was 63.04±10.85 and 8.38±6.53 years, respectively, and that of the diabetic females was 56.98±9.42 and 6.11±5.31 years, respectively. Diabetic male participants with SD were significantly older and had a longer duration of diabetes. The mean SQoL and SQoL-Partner (SQoL-P) recorded for the diabetic males and their partners was 42.29±30.88 and 52.86±15.26, respectively. The mean SQoL and SQoL-P recorded for the diabetic females and their partners was 57.73±14.91 and 64.97±19.68, respectively. Diabetic males who had impotence had female partners with significantly lower SQoL-P scores, and similar results were recorded for those who had premature ejaculation, nonsensuality, avoidance and dissatisfaction problems. Female diabetics who had nonsensuality, avoidance and infrequency had male partners who recorded significantly lower SQoL-P scores. Female diabetics with higher perceptions of what an adequate intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) should be had male partners with significantly lower SQoL-P scores. Ageing and DOD are more likely to affect the sexual functioning of diabetic males than females. SD in diabetics with problems of impotence/vaginismus, premature ejaculation/anorgasmia, nonsensuality and avoidance has an adverse effect on the SQoL-P of their partners. Male partners of diabetic females who have a higher perception of IELT had a reduced SQoL. Ageing and longer DOD in diabetics are associated with a reduced SQoL-P of their partners.

Background: Some evidence has shown that the prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire and erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with testosterone levels whilst higher levels of testosterone have been reported to increase the frequency of intercourse. Available evidence points towards an etiologic role for hypogonadism in the causation of diabetes, metabolic syndrome (Mets) and sexual dysfunction (SD) even though the exact pathophysiological linkage is yet to be fully elucidated. This study therefore sought to evaluate the impact of testosterone as well as its bioactive components on both the MetS and SD. Method: Diabetic men engaged in a stable heterosexual relationship for at least 2 years were recruited for this study. Participants were at least 18 years and provided an informed and signed consent to partake in this study. Fasting blood samples were taken from the participants for biochemical and hormonal assay. The participants were then evaluated using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction for males (GRISS-M). Metabolic syndrome was assessed using the NCEP-ATP III, IDF and WHO criteria. All data analyses were performed using the SPSS software, version 11.0 systat, Inc. Germany and GraphPad Prism, version 5.0, San Diego California, USA. Results: The mean total, free and bioavailable testosterone as well as SHBG recorded among the participants was 7.10 ± 1.23 ng/ml, 0.10 ± 0.01 ng/ml, 7.01 ± 1.41 ng/ml and 4.33 ± 1.12 nmol/l respectively. Subjects with the MetS showed significantly lower SHBG levels in comparison with subjects without the MetS. Participants with raised triglyceride levels showed significantly lower levels of total, free and bioavailable testosterone when compared to participant without raised triglycerides. Participants with problems of avoidance and infrequency of sexual activity showed significantly lower levels of total, free and bioavailable testosterone when compared to participants without avoidance or infrequency problems. The +SD/+MetS group recorded the lowest SHBG levels. Conclusion: Testosterone and its bioactive components are associated with male libido as well as the metabolic syndrome. Low levels of free and bioavailable testosterone are true determinants of the MetS in men.

Background: Diabetes is amongst the most researched diseases worldwide due to its debilitating effects on patients. Diabetics have a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Evidence has linked erectile dysfunction severity to increased age, duration of diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism. However, the role of inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of SD is still unclear. The contributions of hormonal parameters and adipokines to both macro and micro vascular complications are still poorly understood. This study was conducted to provide some evidence of an association between SD, the metabolic syndrome and inflammatory hormones. Method: A total of 130 diabetic males participated in this study. All participants were at least 18 years and were actively engaged in a stable heterosexual relationship for a minimum of two years before they were recruited for this study. The Diabetic men were evaluated using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction for males (GRISS-M). The NCEP-ATP III, IDF and WHO criteria were used to assess the metabolic syndrome. Blood samples were taken for biochemical and hormonal assays. Results: Participants with raised Triglyceride levels showed significantly higher leptin levels for NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria. Participants with impotence showed significantly lower leptin/adiponectin ratio (p = 0.0184) whilst participant with non-sensuality showed significantly higher values of leptin/adiponectin ratio (p = 0.0103). A significantly higher levels of insulin (p = 0.0265) was recorded in participants with Dissatisfaction problems. Participants with Non communication problems showed significantly higher levels of insulin (p = 0.0419) and lower levels of adiponectin (p = 0.0438) whilst participants with infrequency showed significantly lower levels of adiponectin (p = 0.0042). Conclusion: The relative balance between pro inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators of endothelial dysfunction could possibly be essential for the progression of diabetes to SD and the MetS thus a longitudinal study which measures a range of both pro and anti-inflammatory hormones and adipokines as risk factors for SD and the MetS could potentially aid in improvements in assessing the risk of developing these conditions among diabetics.

Introduction: Alcohol usage has largely been seen as a risk factor for the development of sexual dysfunction as well as erectile dysfunction. Others have reported that prolonged alcohol usage and abuse is compatible with normal sexual function in the absence of endocrinological problems as well as hepatic dysfunction. About seventy five (75) percent of alcoholics have various sexual difficulties with improvements in sexual functions occurring after treatment of alcoholism and psychosexual therapy. It is evident from the various reports over the years that mild and occasional alcohol usage is not as much implicated in the causation of SD and its other forms as heavy, addictive or dependent alcohol usage. Alcohol usage has also long been linked to hypogonadism, testicular atrophy as well as leydig cell toxicity. Alcohol induced hypogonadism has been reported to resolve after withdrawal of alcohol use. Since both diabetes and alcohol usage have been strongly associated with both hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction, it is logical to expect that diabetics who frequently consume alcohol will have a worsened hypogonadal state and sexual function. This research therefore seeks to provide evidence of an association between alcohol consumption in diabetics and a worsened sexual dysfunction in comparison to diabetics who did not consume alcohol. Methods: Type II diabetic patients attending the Diabetic Clinic at the Maamobi General Hospital between the periods of January 2010 and March 2011 were consecutively recruited for this study. Diabetics with other known endocrinological diseases and physical disabilities were excluded from the study. Sexual function was assessed using the GRISS-M. Early morning fasting samples were used in lipid and testosterone profile assays. Results: Study participants who consumed alcohol recorded higher levels of triglycerides and LDL-Cholesterol. They also recorded significantly lower levels of bioavailable testosterone. Furthermore they also recorded higher scores for impotence, premature ejaculation, non-sensuality and infrequency but lower scores for avoidance and were about six times more likely to be infrequent in their sexual activity in comparison with those who did not consume alcohol. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption among diabetic males is associated with hypogonadism and has an impact on several domains of male sexual function. Diabetic males should be advised to avoid alcohol abuse in order to facilitate the management of diabetes associated sexual dysfunction.

There are arguments as to whether haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) better predicts Metabolic syndrome (MetS) than fasting plasma glucose. The aim of the study was to explore the comparative abilities of HbA1c and Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in predicting cardiometabolic risk among apparently healthy adults in the Tamale metropolis. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Tamale metropolis from September, 2017, to January, 2018, among one hundred and sixty (160) apparently healthy normoglycemic adults. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to gather sociodemographic data. Anthropometric and haemodynamic data were also taken and blood samples collected for haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and lipid profile. MetS was classified using the harmonised criteria as indicated in the joint interim statement (JIS). Out of the 160 participants, 42.5% were males and 57.5% were females. FPG associated better with MetS and other cardiovascular risk markers, compared to HbA1c. FPG had the largest area under curve for predicting MetS and its components. This study shows a stronger association between FPG and MetS compared with haemoglobin A1c; it also provides evidence of a superior ability of FPG over HbA1c in predicting MetS and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes in apparently heathy normoglycemic individuals.

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) continues to increase. There is therefore the need for early detection to avert possible adverse outcomes. Several anthropometric methods have been suggested to predict MetS, but no consensus has been reached on which is best. The aim of the study was to explore the comparative abilities of conicity index, body adiposity index, abdominal volume index, body mass index, and waist circumference in predicting cardiometabolic risk among apparently healthy adults in the Tamale metropolis. This study was a cross sectional study conducted from September 2017 to January 2018, among one hundred sixty (160) apparently healthy normoglycemic normotensive adults. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to gather sociodemographic data. Anthropometric and haemodynamic measurements were also taken. Blood samples were collected for fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile. MetS was classified using the harmonised criteria as indicated by the joint interim statement (JIS). Of 160 participants, 42.5% were male and 57.5% were female. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) associated better with MetS and other cardiovascular risk factors. Generally, BMI and WC showed largest area under curves (AUCs) than abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), and conicity index (CI) in predicting MetS and its components. Upon gender stratification, AVI and CI had the larger AUCs in females whiles BMI remained the superior index in males. Whiles BMI and WC remained useful parameters, they were not useful in predicting MetS and its components in the female population in this study.

Obesity and hypertension are emerging problems in the Tamale metropolis in the northern region of Ghana. This study investigated the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among market men and women in the Tamale Metropolis. This is from a viewpoint of the market place, being an occupational environment that predisposes individual to obesity, mainly due to sedentary living and enhanced access to all sorts of food. A total of 220 market men and women were contacted. 15 individuals refused to take part in the study and 5 returned incomplete questionnaires, leaving 200 complete and evaluable respondents comprising 100 men and 100 women. The study population was selected randomly from four major markets (Lamashegu market, Aboabo market, Tamale central market and Kukuo market) in the city. Obesity was measured using the various anthropometric parameters (BMI, WHR, WC and %BF) and blood pressure was measured. The prevalence of hypertension was 3% while the prevalence of obesity was 25.0%, 35.5%, 30.0% and 52.5% using BMI, WHR, WC and %BF respectively among the entire study population. Among the men, 27.0%, 8.0%, 8.0% and 37.0% were obese using BMI, WHR, WC and %BF respectively; whilst the women recorded 23.0%, 63.0%, 52.0% and 68.0% as the prevalence of obesity using BMI, WHR, WC and %BF respectively. Among the men, 5.0% were hypertensive while 1.0% of women had hypertension. Prevalence of obesity and blood pressure values increased with increase in age. The prevalence of obesity is a common phenomenon among the market men and women in the metropolis. Irrespective of the criteria used, obesity is more common among the market women. The prevalence of obesity from this study is age dependent; it also depends on educational level as well as marital status. The prevalence of hypertension on the other hand is low and it is common among the men as compared to the women and also increased with age. Education on hypertension and obesity should be prioritized among the market men and women as a greater proportion of our study pop-ulation who were obese were found to be illiterates.Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences (2015) 4(3), 9-17Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, sedentary lifestyle, occupation, adiposity

PIH accounts significantly for maternal and perinatal mortality, especially in rural communities. The sudden onset of PIH and the lack of definitive case management is worrisome. The study analysed differential leucocytes count on PIH outcomes. This is a case-control study of 40 PIH (8 GH, 16 PE and 16 EC) and 60 normotensive women who visited the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Ghana. Data on socio-demographics, clinical history and laboratory evaluations on blood and placental tissues were collected and analysed. Lymphocytes count was markedly increased in PIH women, while total leucocytes, neutrophils and NLR were significantly decreased. Lymphocytes count increased with severity of PIH (p=0.0037). A correlation (r=-0.9565, p

The issues of nutrition and dietary habits are timely because nutrition plays an important role among the external factors that may impact the health of an individual. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of nutrient intake and physical activity on nutritional status of second cycle students within the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from February, 2015 to April, 2015 where a total of 200 students, comprising both male (49.5%) and female (50.5%) students were conveniently selected from two schools; a day school (44%) and a boarding school (56%). A questionnaire containing closed ended and open ended questions were developed to cover socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, physical activity and nutrients intake. The mean age of the participants was 17.78±1.7 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study were 6% (BMI), 28% (WHR) and 1% (BMI), 10% (WHR) respectively. The prevalence of underweight and high physical activity was higher in males (p=0.0017 and p=0.0027 respectively) whiles the prevalence of overweight, obesity and low physical activity were higher in females (p=

About 25% of the world's adult population suffers from arterial hypertension with about 1.5 billion estimated to develop hypertension by 2025. Hypertensive patients have been reported to have a higher risk of developing diabetes and sexual dysfunction. Hypertension have been linked with lubricative and orgasmic difficulties in females, as wel as ED and vascular disease in men. Obesity has also been linked to ED in diabetic males as well as several aspects of female sexuality. Hypertension and obesity are closely related, each occurring in greater frequency with the other, it is only logical to think that comorbidities of obesity and hypertension could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and SD. This research looks at the relationship between hypertension and obesity comorbidities and its association with sexual function in type II diabetics. Diabetic patients who were at least 18 years old and were engaged in a stable heterosexual relationships for at least 1 year were recruited for this study. Participants were categorized into the -HYP/-OB, +HYP/-OB and the +HYP/+OB groups. Sexual function was assessed using the GRISS-M and GRIS-F for the diabetic males and females respectively. Early morning fasting blood samples was used in lipid profile as well as FBG assay. The Coronary risk was estimated as Total/HDL Cholesterol. Triglyceride levels and coronary risk were highest in the +HYP/+OBES group, followed by the +HYP/-OBES group, with the -HYP/-OBES group recording the lowest levels. PE and infrequency recorded the highest score among the +HYP/+OBES group with the +HYP/-OBES group recording the lowest scores. SQoL was highest amongst the -HYP/-OBES group, with the +HYP/+OBES group recording the lowest scores. Anorgasmia and avoidance increased along the shades of HYP/OBES groups. Comorbidities of hypertension and obesity increases the risk of coronary disease, affects some domains of sexual function and decreases the SQoL of diabetics.

This study assessed the awareness and knowledge level of cervical cancer among reproductive women in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. A structured question-naires was used to gather data from one hundred and fifty (150) women. The participants were re-cruited using the convenient sampling method. Out of the total number of 150, 50% of the women were between 21 and 29 years old whiles 14% were aged 15-20 years. The findings suggest that 70.7% of the participants have ever heard of cervical cancer but when they were asked to mention the symptoms of cervical cancer most of these women said they did not know. Those who have heard about cervical cancer mentioned mass media as their source of information (36.7%) whiles 25.3% indicated health workers as their source of information. In conclusion the study revealed the lack of in depth knowledge on cervical cancer, the need for mass education on the disease and the establishment of cervical cancer control program, screening and treatment centers in order to curb misdiagnosis of the disease to reduce mortality associated with the disease. Keywords : Tumour, behaviour, sexual age, Upper East, Ghana

Background This cross-sectional study aimed at quantifying the perceptions of Ghanaian men and women on how long they thought sex should last, from intromission until ejaculation. Method A random sample of 568 heterosexual men and women within the Kumasi Metropolis was surveyed from December 2009 to February 2010. The question of primary interest in the present study includes perceived intravaginal ejaculatory latency (IELT), in minutes, for four different conditions: “adequate,” “desirable,” “too short,” and “too long” IELT. Results The interquartile range for the respondent’s judgment of an “adequate” length for IELT was from 7.0 to 20.3 min; “desirable” from 10.0 to 25.0 min; “too short” from 2.0 to 5.0 min; “too long” from 10.5 to 60.0 min. However, the “actual” IELT (i.e. what the respondents are capable of doing) as found in this study was from 6 to 15 min. Ghanaian perceptions about ejaculatory latencies were in part consistent with data from Germany and contrary to data from the USA on ejaculatory latency and were not affected by age or educational level. Conclusion These results suggest that the average Ghanaian believes that intercourse that lasts 7.0–25.0 min is normal. Dissemination of the present finding to the public may modify their expectations for IELT which will lead to a realistic replica of sexuality and hence help prevent sexual disappointments and dysfunctions. It will also be beneficial to couples who are being treated for sexual problems by normalizing their expectations.

Background Despite the fact that the physically disabled have difficulties in many aspects of their lives, including sexuality, society often ignores these needs or assume that they have no such needs. This cross-sectional study therefore seeks to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and its impact on the quality of life among persons with physical disability residing in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. Method This study was conducted among 235 persons with physical disability dwelling in communities within the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana between September 2011 and April 2012. All participants were evaluated by using a semi-structured questionnaire, the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaire and the Sexual Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL). Self-designed semi-structured questionnaire was also administered to each consented study participant for socio-demographic information. Results The response rates were 72% and 63.6% for male and female respectively. The age range of the male was 19–74 years with 61.1% being married whilst the age range of the female was 20–66 years with 54.3% being married. 30% and 7.1% of the male and female respectively consumed alcohol beverage. The mean Sexual quality of life (SQoL) score was slightly higher in the females (57.7 ± 15.8), ranging from 25.6 to 97.8. Univariate analysis of the male data showed that the only significant factor that tends to increase the male SD was alcohol (OR: 24.6; CI: 1.4 - 14.9; p = 0.0071). The prevalence of SD was higher among the female populace (65.7%) compared to the 64.4% for the male populace though very closely comparable. Except for non-communication (NC) and anorgasmia (impotence in males), all other areas of difficulty had higher percentages in males than females. Conclusion The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the physically challenged is comparable to prevalence rates in the able male and female population. This could impact significantly on their self-esteem and quality of life via avoidance, impotence and vaginismus thereby causing emotional distress leading to relationship problems. Alcohol increases the risk of developing SD by five-fold in physically challenged men.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of stress and anxiety, as well as the association that exists between stress/anxiety and sociodemographic characteristics, among pregnant women at the Tamale West Hospital in Ghana. This study was conducted among 154 pregnant women vis-iting the Tamale West hospital for antenatal care, from March to May, 2015. All participants were evaluated using a Self-designed semi-structured questionnaire for socio-demographic information, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for stress assessment and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for assessment of anxiety. The response rate was 96.3%, with an age range of 17-42. Whereas 43.5% of the studied population were illiterate, 24.0% had attained basic education, 21.4% had attained secondary education while only 11.0% had attained tertiary educa-tion. Most of the studied participants were unemployed (57.8%), with a mean ± s.d. income level of Ghc 103.4±207.9. Almost all of them were married (96.8%) with mean ± s.d. marriage duration of 6.2±4.8 years, mean ± s.d. number of birth of 1.7±1.4 as well as mean ± s.d. gestation week of 21.3±10.9 weeks. Almost all the pregnant women had no complication in the current pregnancy (99.4%) as well as in their previous pregnancy (96.1%). The mean ± s.d. of anxiety score as well as stress score from the studied population were 15.3±3.2 and 13.2±4.9 respectively. The prevalence of anxiety was 9.7% whiles that for stress among these studied participants was 28.6%. Higher propor-tion (26.6%) of educated women had anxiety disorders with a lower (21.9±10.8) mean gestation peri-od being associated with anxiety disorders. Age was higher (28.1±5.8; p=0.0155) in women with pregnancy specific stress than in normal women (25.0±7.9). A higher proportion of women who were married (99.1%; 0.0097) were normal as compared to those who had pregnancy stress (90.9%). Mean number of births was seen to be higher among normal women (4.3±5.9; 0.0054) than those with stress (1.8±1.4). This study reiterates the rising levels of pregnancy specific stress and anxiety, with social and medical factors such as literacy levels, gestational period, age, marital status and parity playing major roles in the determination of pregnancy related stress and anxiety levels. Keywords : Mood disorder, ante-natal, gestational week, risk factors, Ghana