Assessing the prevalence and risk factors of neural tube defects at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi
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Date
JUNE 2019
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Abstract
Neural tube defect (NTD) is caused by folic acid deficiency, hereditary, lifestyle,
environmental factors and chromosomal abnormalities, and among others it is a
remarkable public health burden. However, the documented Ghana health literature is
devoid of research studies on prevalence and causes of NTD in Kumasi Metropolis. This
study therefore assessed the prevalence and risk factors of NTD at the Komfo Anokye
Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi. The participants in this study were mothers of
both live babies with and without NTDs born between the period of January, 2012 to
December, 2016. The study collected both primary and secondary data from 65 mothers
of babies born with NTD and 65 mothers of babies born without NTD at the Mother and
Baby Unit (MBU) of KATH. The secondary data were collected from the medical
records of the babies with NTD and their mothers while primary data were collected
through administration of structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed
quantitatively with the help of SPSS version 21.0. The study found out that the
prevalence of NTD at KATH was 2.63 per 1000. The commonest type of NTD
diagnosed was Meningocele. As mothers advanced in age the likelihood of neural tube
defects significantly decreases. Mothers in urban communities had significantly less
likelihood to give birth to babies with neural tube defects than mothers in rural
communities. Single mothers had higher likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural
tube defects than married mothers. Mothers with lower educational level had higher
likelihood of giving birth to babies with neural tube defects. Folic acid intake before
pregnancy (one year before pregnancy) reduced the likelihood of giving birth to babies
with neural tube defects. Mothers in the test group were diagnosed of anaemia and
eclampsia more than mothers in the controlled group. Gestational diabetic mothers
exposed to smoke from firewood and anemic mothers living in dusty environment had
highly significant likelihood of giving birth to babies with NTD. Pregnant women should
be educated on nutrition and healthy life style at healthcare facilities as part of their
antenatal. Pregnant women should also be made aware of their risk factors to help them
know how to interact with the environment to prevent the occurrence of NTDs. Ministry
of Health should further embark on massive folic acid intake education to help reduce
the occurrence of NTDs.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the
requirement for the award of Master of Science in Human Nutrition And Dietetics (IDL)
Keywords
Neural tube defects, KATH