Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Syphilis Infections among people with psychiatric disorders at the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Ghana.
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Date
JULY, 2016
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Abstract
People with psychiatric disorders are at increased risk to HIV, Hepatitis B & C and Syphilis infections as compared to general population. Many risk behaviours have been identified in studies from both developed and developing countries. The psychiatric population is usually neglected in terms of prevention and control programs as compared to the general population.
Aim: This research is the first of its kind in Ghana and seeks to determine the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis infections, its related risk behaviours among people with psychiatric disorders at the Ankaful psychiatric hospital.
This is a cross-sectional study of the Ankaful psychiatric hospital with a total of 200 in-patients and out-patients surveyed. Participants (male/female) who were included in the study were clinically stable and above 18 years old. Questionnaire was administered on socio-demographic characteristics, psychiatric disorders, knowledge, attitude and substance use/abuse risk related practices for HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis infections. Serologic test was done for HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis after interview.
The results revealed that, 55% (n=110) were male whilst 45% (n=90) were female. The mean age was 35.60 and most participants were in the age group 20-39 years i.e. 64.5% (n=129) as compared to 4.5% (n=9) for the age group of less than 20 years and above 60 years respectively.
The overall prevalence of HIV (5.0%), HBV (9.5%), HCV (2.0%) and Syphilis (13.5%) were recorded. Multiple infections to HBV+Syphilis (0.5%), HBV+HIV (1.0%) HBV+Syphilis (0.5%) and HIV+HBV+Syphilis (0.5%) respectively.
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Thesis submitted to the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of a Master of Philosophy (M.phil) degree in Clinical Microbiology,