Aim: The onset of the new global pandemics such as COVID-19 and Ebola may have shifted attention from factors affecting voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS, especially among university students. The study sought to determine the factors influencing VCT uptake among university students. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the University for Development Studies, from May to June 2020. Methodology: The study population was 119 (males: 71.4% and females: 28.6%) aged between 20 to 45 years. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. Results: Males were less likely to obtain information regarding VCT from the hospital as compared to the media [OR: 0.193(95%CI: 0.041-0.914)]. A student who was informed regarding VCT [OR: 6.833(95%CI 1.258-37.119)], a student who knew where VCT services were provided [OR: 9.336(3.002-29.032)], a student who was willing to take an HIV test [OR: 4.400(1.515-12.777)] and a student who tested for HIV on campus [OR: 5.455(1.930-15.418)] had greater odds of VCT uptake. However, the odds that a student tested for HIV was less for other reasons either than medical [OR: 0.284(0.084-0.959)]. Conclusions: The findings of this study are useful for healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, policymakers and university management regarding HIV infection prevention and control among students.

The 2D:4D ratio is the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure and has been suggested as a correlate of adult circulating testosterone and estrogen. The study aimed to determine whether sexual dimorphism in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be partly explained by the 2D:4D ratio or adult circulating testosterone or estrogen. The study was cross‐sectional from June to December 2021 at the University for Development Studies. The study involved 206 healthy adults (Female = 93, Male = 113) between 18 and 30 years. The 2D:4D ratio was measured using computer‐assisted analysis. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for testosterone, estradiol and creatinine using the ELISA technique and routine biochemical analysis. The adjusted eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) creatinine equation (2021). The eGFR and the testosterone‐to‐estradiol ratio (TT:E2) were significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between sex and the TT:E2 on the eGFR (p < 0.001). Although the relationship between the eGFR and the TT:E2 was negative in both males and females, a unit change in the TT:E2 had a greater impact on the eGFR in females (B = −1.38) than in males (B = −0.01). Sexual dimorphism in the eGFR is influenced by both testosterone and estradiol. Although the sex difference in the eGFR may be influenced by the TT:E2, estrogen seems to account for more variability in the eGFR than testosterone.

Background: Sexuality is a complex phenomenon that is being influenced by psychological, nutritional as well as physiological factors. Its dysfunction includes desire, arousal, orgasmic and sex pain disorders. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and risk factors in a cohort of both married and unmarried female students in UDS-Tamale. Methods: The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was administered to 150 female students independent of age (mean±SD: single (24.1 ± 2.0) and married (29.6 ± 5.2)) domiciled in UDS-Tamale campus. Results: Out of a total of 150 questionnaires administered. 93 (62.0%) females returned the questionnaires, and 79 were complete and evaluable questionnaires. This represents 52.7% response rate. From this study, the age ranges as well as the mean (SD) of the age of the participants are 20 to 42 and 27.0 ± 4.8 years respectively. The mean duration of marriage is 4.6 ± 3.4 years. Majority of the studied participants are non-smokers (97.5%), do not consumed alcoholic beverages (67.1%), do not have any chronic disease (69.6%) and do not also have any family history of any chronic disease condition (55.7%). The mean income level, BMI as well as WHR are Ghc 590.1 ±406.9, 25.6 ± 3.5 kg m-2 and 0.8 ± 0.1 respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the single respondent was 67.6%. The most prevalent areas of difficulties were: infrequency 81.1%, Avoidance 64.9%, non-communication 64.9%, dissatisfaction 64.9%, anorgasmia 62.2%, non-sensuality 56.8% and vaginismus 56.8%. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the married respondent was 54.8%. Sexual dysfunction is high in both single female (67.9%) and married female (54.8%) medical students in the study. Conclusion: Married females in the study were more obese than single females, and the married-obese group was associated with high sexual dysfunction. Notwithstanding this however, the single-normal females had more sexual dysfunction compared to the married-normal females. The SD in the females appear to be contributed mostly by infrequency and avoidance in the single female group, whereas by dissatisfaction and infrequency in the married female group.

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Objective: The total prostate specific antigen (TPSA) test is still widely used in Ghana for PCa screening due to its simplicity and logistical challenges in the healthcare sector. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of TPSA in PCa screening in Ghana. Results: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted at the Department of Urology of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. The study involved 69 male patients with histologically confirmed BPH or PCa. The study population was between 45 to 104 years. BPH patients constituted 74% (51/69) while 26% (18/69) were PCa patients. Venous blood samples were collected before the prostate examination and analysed for TPSA. The BPH group was statistically compared with the PCa group in terms of age and TPSA levels. The TPSA was significantly elevated in PCa (P=0.001). Univariate [OR: 8.684(1.757-42.927)] and multivariate [aOR:10.544(2.001-55.562)] analysis showed that TPSA was positively associated with PCa; but this association was only moderate (AUC:0.78, P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity 64.0% at a cut-off value of 20.0ng/ml. The TPSA test has only moderate performance in PCa screening and should always be complemented by a second screening test.