Objective This study aimed to qualitatively assess and compare some techniques involved in cuff inflation and its corresponding pressure estimations as well as associated complications among patient s undergoing general anaesthesia with intubation for cesarean section at the obstetric unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Results Finger palpation of the pilot balloon, predetermined volume of air, and a pressure gauge were used to measure endotracheal tube cuff pressure after intubation . Associated side effects were determined after 24 hours of endotracheal tube extubation. Data for 384 patients were included in the analysis. Cuff pressure measured among patients varied from < 20 -30 cmH 2 O for the standard manometer group, 20 to 50 cmH 2 O for the predetermined volume of air group and < 20 to < 50 cmH 2 O for the finger palpation group. Side effects were recorded in 2.3 % of patients from the standard manometer group, 53.2 % from the predetermined volume of air group and 83.6 % from the finger palpation group. The findings of this study, therefore, suggested that finger palpation of a pilot balloon and a predetermined volume of air methods are prone to cuff over inflation and post-extubation airway complications.

Background In Ghana, only 52% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies and the rate of increase has been steadily slow across all geographical areas of Ghana. The purpose of this study was to determine the various factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among mothers who visited the child welfare clinic at the Tema General Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Methodology This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Child Welfare Clinic of the Tema General Hospital, Accra, Ghana. A random sampling technique was used to recruit mothers with children between the ages of 6 months and 24 months attending the Child Welfare Clinic. Mothers were interviewed with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Results Out of the 222 of mothers interviewed, 68.8% of them exclusively breastfed their infants up to 6 months. Mothers who have good knowledge were more than 3 times (AOR = 3.484, 95% CI 1.200, 10.122, P = 0.022) likely to breastfeed their children exclusively. Those who had positive attitudes towards EBF were about 4 times (COR: 4.018, 95% = 1.444, 11.181, P = 0.008) more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who had poor attitudes towards EBF. Also, mothers whose spouses complained about EBF were about 3 times (AOR: 2.655, 95% CI 0.620, 11.365, P = 0.018) at increased odds of not exclusively breastfeeding their babies. Conclusions High rate of EBF among mothers who visited the child welfare clinic was found. The mothers' level of knowledge and attitude towards EBF significantly influenced the 6 months of EBF. Spouses also showed a high influence on whether or not mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies.

Background: Various analgesic adjuvants, including opioids, have been tested and demonstrated to be clinically beneficial when added to local anesthetics to increase the duration of analgesia with the risk of various adverse effects. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that a scorpion venom component, BmK AGAP, may have a synergistic effect with lidocaine. Methods: We performed partial sciatic nerve ligation on 84 rats to induce a rapid onset and long-lasting mechanical allodynia. An equal volume (600µl) of lidocaine and BmK AGAP were prepared with saline. The rats were randomly assigned to one of seven groups. Group A (n=12) received saline as the control; Group B (n=12) received lidocaine alone; Group C (n=12) received BmK AGAP alone; Group D, E, F and G (n= 12 each) received lidocaine and different concentrations of BmK AGAP combined. The von Frey filaments were used to assess mechanical allodynia in the rats. Results: We observed a decrease in pain intensity and a prolonged duration of analgesia in rats that received BmK AGAP with lidocaine Conclusion: BmK AGAP with lidocaine decreased pain intensity and increased the duration of analgesia.

Background: Lower limb orthopaedic surgeries are commonly associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. Adequate pain relief is essential for patients undergoing such procedures, as uncontrolled pain can lead to delayed recovery, prolonged hospitalization, and increased morbidity. Intrathecal administration of bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, has been shown to provide effective analgesia after lower limb orthopaedic surgery. However, the duration of analgesia with bupivacaine alone is limited, and the addition of an opioid, such as morphine, can prolong the duration of analgesia. Objective: The objective of this study was to document the comparative effect of adding morphine to intrathecal bupivacaine or only intrathecal bupivacaine for lower limb trauma orthopedic surgeries in terms of onset of action, duration of analgesia, pain severity, and side effects. Methods: This was a comparative longitudinal study design conducted at the Orthopaedic Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit 60 patients. A standard structured questionnaire was also used to collect data on the socio-demographics, and clinical features of patients, drug used,side effects and severity of pain at 24,48 and 72 hrs after surgery. Results: Co-administration of intrathecal bupivacaine with morphine produced good and long-lasting postoperative analgesia with a mean time of 1004.25 ± 310.43 minutes, whiles using only bupivacaine produced shorter postoperative analgesia with a mean time of 294.75 ± 195.

Background: In Ghana, only 52% of mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies and the rate of increase has been steadily slow across all geographical areas of Ghana. The purpose of this study was to determine the various factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who visited the child welfare clinic at the Tema General Hospital.Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Child Welfare Clinic of the Tema General Hospital. A random sampling technique was used to recruit mothers with children between the ages of 6 months and 24 months attending the Child Welfare Clinic. Mothers were interviewed with the aid of a structured questionnaire.Results: About 65.8 % of mothers exclusively breastfed their infants for six months. Mothers who had good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding had 96.3% increased odds of exclusively breastfeeding their babies (COR: 0.037, p = 0.000, CI = 95%). Also, mothers whose spouses complained of exclusively breastfeeding had decreased odds (COR: 0.205, p = 0.000, CI = 95%). Finally, mothers who had poor attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding were 8.733 times less likely to exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months (COR = 8.733, p = 0.000, CI = 95%).Conclusions: High rate of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers who visited the child welfare clinic was found. The level of knowledge and attitude of the mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding significantly influenced the six months practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Spouses also showed a high influence on whether or not mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies.