Exploring Maternal Biomarkers and Risk Factors in Preeclampsia: Insights from a Ghanaian Case-control Study
Aims: The involvement of maternal sociodemographic, obstetric, clinical, anthropometric and biochemical variables in preeclampsia has been demonstrated in previous studies. However, there are intra- and inter-population variabilities in study findings due to differences in genetic and environmental factors. This requires population-specific studies to aid the formulation of local protocols for the early detection and management of preeclampsia. Study Design: This was a case-control study Pl...
Exploring Hematological and Biochemical Disparities in Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Females: A Cross-Sectional Twin Study in a Ghanaian Population
There are sex-dependent differences in hematological and biochemical variables in adulthood attributed to the predominant effects of testosterone in males and estrogen in females. The Twin Testosterone Transfer (TTT) hypothesis proposes that opposite-sex females may develop male-typical traits due to exposure to relatively higher levels of prenatal testosterone than same-sex females. Additionally, prenatal testosterone exposure has been suggested as a correlate of current circulating testoste...
Is sexual dimorphism in morphometric variables of the proximal femur moderated by age in adulthood? A cross-sectional study in Ghana
Ageing may impact proximal femoral morphometry in both males and females. However, it is not clear whether the observed sexual dimorphism is attributable to an ageing effect in the post-pubertal period. The potential effect of ageing on sexual dimorphism in the proximal femur is most significantly relevant for forensic and osteoarchaeological research. The study was cross-sectional and comprised 123 participants (females = 72 and males = 51), who were recorded between January 2017 and June 20...
Is sexual dimorphism in morphometric variables of the proximal femur moderated by agein adulthood? Across-sectional study in Ghana
Ageing may impact proximal femoral morphometry in both males and females. However, it is not clear whether the observed sexual dimorphism is attributable to an ageing effect in the post-pubertal period. The potential effect of ageing on sexual dimorphism in the proximal femur is most significantly relevant for forensic and osteoarchaeological research. The study was cross-sectional and comprised 123 participants (females = 72 and males = 51), who were recorded between January 2017 and June 20...
Immune checkpoint molecules B7‐1 and B7‐H1 as predictive markers of pre‐eclampsia: A case–control study in Ghana
Background/Aim: Immune tolerance in the fetal–maternal junction is maintained by a balance in the Th1/Th2 system. Th1‐type immunity is associated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines and immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) such as B7‐H1, while Th2‐type immunity is characterized by anti‐inflammatory cytokines and ICMs such as B7‐1. Any imbalance in the Th1/Th2 immune system may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre‐eclampsia (PE). Hitherto, the potential of serum B7‐1 and ...
Are sex differences in blood cell count and hemoglobin moderated by the 2D:4D ratio? A cross‐sectional study in a Ghanaian population
Background and Aims: There are sex differences in blood cell count and hemoglobin (HGB) in adulthood due to differences in the levels of circulating sex hormones. The second‐to‐fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure. The 2D:4D or the right‐left difference (Dr‐l) are sexually dimorphic and are correlates of sex hormones in adulthood. The study sought to determine whether sex differences in adult blood cell count and HGB can be partly explained by...
Forensic science in Ghana: A review
The use of forensic science continues to grow across the world. In Ghana, major advancements took off in 2011, including the introduction of modern DNA profiling and the establishment of an automated fingerprint identification system. These developments have led to some positive impacts on the delivery of justice, including the exoneration of a wrongly incarcerated individual. However, a review of the policy-related aspects of forensic science shows gaps in legislation, governance, service pr...
Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment on Complete Blood Count Parameters
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 bloo...
Hepatitis B and C Status and Associated Risk Factors among Migrant Female Head Porters [Kayayei] within La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality, Ghana
Aim: This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, prevalence and associated risk factors of viral hepatitis among migrant female head porters (Kayayei) in La-Nkwantanang Madina municipality of the Greater Accra region, Ghana. Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at three market centers [Atima, LaNkwantanang and Madina markets] within the La-Nkwantanang Madina municipality of the Greater Accra region, Gh...
Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment on Liver and Kidney Functions
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 ini...
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in LCAT may contribute to dyslipidaemia in HIV‑infected individuals on HAART in aGhanaian population
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 ...
Models for predicting height from percutaneous lengths of the ulna and femur in a Ghanaian population
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 involving 99 adults (males=52, females=47) between the ages of 19–31yrs. The height, femoral and ulnar lengths of all participants were measured twice using standard anthropometric methods. Regression predictive equation models were developed based on PFL, PUL, age and the combined PFL+PUL. p < 0.05 wa...
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio versus Monocyte to Lymphocyte ratio in predicting hypertensive diseases of pregnancy
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) ha...
A comparative study of glycaemic variability using four different Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) devices
Background: Blood glucose measurement is a way of monitoring changes in glycaemia. Different point-of-care testing (POCT) glucose meters are on the market and hence there is an increase in variability of the results given by these meters. This study sought to measure the glycaemic variability using four different point-of-care glucose meters Methods: Four point of care glucometers namely; Accu-chek performer nano, OneTouch select plus flex, OneTouch Ultra 2 and Easy Check were used test blood...
Second to fourth (2D:4D) digit ratio and their relationships among a mother and child population in Ghana
The study aimed to determine the relationship between digit ratios among a mother–child population in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study from December 2020 to April 2021 involving 272 mothers, their daughters (n= 132) and their sons (n= 140). The right (2D:4DR) and the left (2D:4DL) digit ratios were measured using computer-assisted analysis. The data were analysed in SPSS (v23) and GraphPad Prism (v8) at an alpha value of 0.05. The mean±SD age of the mothers was 23.9 ± 3.67 years wh...
Doctorate
University for Development Studies
July 2018 to Present