Genetics in medical school curriculum:A look at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Genetics is assuming an increasingly important role in medicine. As a result,the teaching of genetics should also be increased proportionally to ensure that future physicians will be able to take advantage of the new genetic technology,and to understand the associated ethical,legal and social issues. At the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry,we have been able to incorporate genetic education into a four-year medical curriculum in a fully integrated fashion. This model may serve as a template for other medical curriculum still in development.

Knowledge and the Attitude on the Use of Mouthwash among Two Selected Senior High Schools in Kumasi

BACKGROUND: The route of most systemic diseases begins in the oral cavity. Oral health knowledge of mouthwashes and their uses is indispensable for the general population and especially adolescents. The use of mouthwash by adolescents can be a beneficial adjunct to their oral hygiene routine, providing additional protection against dental diseases and promoting fresher breath. Overuse or misuse of mouthwash, particularly those containing alcohol or other potentially irritating ingredients, may lead to adverse effects such as oral mucosal irritation, dry mouth, or alteration of the oral microbiome. OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and use of mouthwash among senior high school students in Kumasi. METHODOLOGY: 120 students responded to a standard questionnaire by a convenient sample technique. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 and MS Excel were used for data management and analysis. The results of the study were presented using tables, bar charts, and pie chart. RESULTS: The ages of the respondents ranged from 14 to 20 years. Out of the 120 participants, 71 students that represent 59.2% of the total, used mouthwash. Majority of the participants (63%) utilized a mouthwash after brushing their teeth. 49% of the participants reported using mouthwash to address halitosis, 37% used it to combat periodontal disease, and 10% used it for relief from a sore throat. CONCLUSION: In general, most of the participants who use mouthwash had excellent knowledge and a positive attitude toward the use of mouthwash.

Instruments Assessing Problematic Use of the Internet and Their Associations with Psychological Distress among Ghanaian University Students

Background:The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of Problematic Internet Use(PIU)instruments and their correlation with psychological distress and time spent on Internet activities among university students in Ghana.Methods:In the present cross-sectional survey design study,520 participants(35.96% female)were recruited with a mean age of 19.55 years(SD=1.94)from several university departments(i.e.,Behavioral Sciences,Materials Engineering,Nursing and Midwifery,and Biochemistry and Biotechnology)of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)between 19 July and 04 August,2023.Participants completed a survey that included the following measures:the Gaming Disorder Test(GDT),Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents(GADIS-A),Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form(IGDS9-SF),Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale(BSMAS),Smartphone Application Based Addiction Scale(SABAS),Nomophobia Questionnaire(NMP-Q),and the external criterion measure:Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21(DASS-21).Confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)was carried out to evaluate the structure of the instruments.Cronbach’s α,McDonald’s ω,and composite reliability were used to evaluate internal consistency.Pearson correlation was used to examine the associations between the scores of instruments assessing PIU,time spent on Internet activities,and the level of psychological distress.Results:Model fits confirmed the(i)unidimensional structure of the GDT,BSMAS,SABAS,IGDS9-SF,(ii)two-factor structure of the GADIS-A,and(iii)four-factor structure of the NMP-Q.Additionally,the study found that different types of PIU were significantly associated with psychological distress and time spent on related Internet activities.Conclusion:The six instruments validated in the present study demonstrated very good to excellent psychometric properties when applied to university students in Ghana.The significant associations between Internet-related disorders,time spent on Internet-related activities,and psychological distress highlight the importance of addressing issues of PIU among this population.

Using Pearson’s System of Curves to Approximate the Distributions of the Difference between Two Correlated Estimates of Signal-to-Noise Ratios: The Cases of Bivariate Normal and Bivariate Lognormal Distributions

Background: The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is recognized as an index of measurements reproducibility. We derive the maximum likelihood estimators of SNR and discuss confidence interval construction on the difference between two correlated SNRs when the readings are from bivariate normal and bivariate lognormal distribution. We use the Pearsons system of curves to approximate the difference between the two estimates and use the bootstrap methods to validate the approximate distributions of the statistic of interest. Methods: The paper uses the delta method to find the first four central moments, and hence the skewness and kurtosis which are important in the determination of the parameters of the Pearsons distribution. Results: The approach is illustrated in two examples;one from veterinary microbiology and food safety data and the other on data from clinical medicine. We derived the four central moments of the target statistics, together with the bootstrap method to evaluate the parameters of Pearsons distribution. The fitted Pearsons curves of Types I and II were recommended based on the available data. The R-codes are also provided to be readily used by the readers.

Efficacy and safety of bamlanivimab in patients with COVID-19:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Monoclonal antibodies(mAbs)have shown clinical benefits against coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).Several studies have reported the use of bamlanivimab as a promising treatment option for COVID-19.AIM To synthesize the latest evidence for the efficacy and safety of bamlanivimab alone in the treatment of adult patients with COVID-19.METHODS A literature search was conducted in PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,medRxiv,and Google Scholar using“SARS-CoV-2”,“COVID-19”,“LY-CoV555”,and“Bamlanivimab”keywords up to January 25,2023.The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane bias tools.The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 3.0 was used to analyze the data.RESULTS A total of 30 studies involving 47368 patients were included.A significant difference was observed between the bamlanivimab and standard of care/placebo groups in terms of mortality rate[risk ratio(RR)=50,95%confidence interval(CI):0.36-0.70],hospitalization rate(RR=0.51;95%CI:0.39-0.68),and emergency department(ED)visits(RR=0.69;95%CI:0.47-0.99);while the two groups exhibited no significant difference in terms of intensive care unit(ICU)admission(P>0.05).Compared to other mAbs,bamlanivimab was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization(RR=1.44;95%CI:1.07-1.94).However,no significant difference was detected between the bamlanivimab and other mAbs groups in terms of mortality rate,ICU admission,and ED(P>0.05).The incidence of any adverse events was similar between the bamlanivimab and control groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Although the results suggest the efficacy and safety of bamlanivimab in COVID-19 patients,further research is required to confirm the efficacy of this drug for the current circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The potential of gene therapies for spinal cord injury repair:a systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies

Currently,there is no cure for traumatic spinal co rd injury but one therapeutic approach showing promise is gene therapy.In this systematic review and meta-analysis,we aim to assess the efficacy of gene therapies in pre-clinical models of spinal cord injury and the risk of bias.In this metaanalysis,registe red at PROSPERO(Registration ID:CRD42020185008),we identified relevant controlled in vivo studies published in English by searching the PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase databases.No restrictions of the year of publication were applied and the last literature search was conducted on August 3,2020.We then conducted a random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood estimator.A total of 71 studies met our inclusion crite ria and were included in the systematic review.Our results showed that overall,gene therapies were associated with improvements in locomotor score(standardized mean difference[SMD]:2.07,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.68-2.47,Tau^(2)=2.13,I^(2)=83.6%)and axonal regrowth(SMD:2.78,95%CI:1.92-3.65,Tau^(2)=4.13,I^(2)=85.5%).There was significant asymmetry in the funnel plots of both outcome measures indicating the presence of publication bias.We used a modified CAMARADES(Collaborative Approach to M eta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data in Experimental Studies)checklist to assess the risk of bias,finding that the median score was 4(IQR:3-5).In particula r,reports of allocation concealment and sample size calculations were lacking.In conclusion,gene therapies are showing promise as therapies for spinal co rd injury repair,but there is no consensus on which gene or genes should be targeted.

Connecting cellular mechanisms and extracellular vesicle cargo in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is followed by a cascade of dynamic and complex events occurring at the cellular level. These events include: diffuse axonal injury, neuronal cell death, blood-brain barrier break down, glial activation and neuroinflammation, edema, ischemia, vascular injury, energy failure, and peripheral immune cell infiltration. The timing of these events post injury has been linked to injury severity and functional outcome. Extracellular vesicles are membrane bound secretory vesicles that contain markers and cargo pertaining to their cell of origin and can cross the blood-brain barrier. These qualities make extracellular vesicles intriguing candidates for a liquid biopsy into the pathophysiologic changes occurring at the cellular level post traumatic brain injury. Herein, we review the most commonly reported cargo changes in extracellular vesicles from clinical traumatic brain injury samples. We then use knowledge from animal and in vitro models to help infer what these changes may indicate regrading cellular responses post traumatic brain injury. Future research should prioritize labeling extracellular vesicles with markers for distinct cell types across a range of timepoints post traumatic brain injury.

Effectiveness of Post-Traumatic Growth Intervention to Promote Positive Post-Traumatic Traits in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of post-traumatic growth(PTG)model-based intervention to improve positive psychological traits in Chinese breast cancer patients.Design:A randomized control trial of a psychological group intervention based on PTG model.Methods:The Clinical Trial was registered on 17 August 2019 at Chinese Clinical Trials.gov with Registration number ChiCTR1900025264.A total of 92 patients with breast cancer were recruited.The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group(n=46)and the control group(n=46).A six-session psychological group intervention based on PTG model was implemented in the experimental group,and a six-session health education was implemented in the control group.The outcomes weremeasured at baseline(pre-intervention),3 weeks,6 weeks after the intervention.The primary outcome was posttraumatic growth assessed by the Chinese version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory(PTGI);Secondary outcomes included psychological resilience,family resilience,rumination,and self-disclosure.Results:A total of 87 patients with breast cancer completed this study,including 44 patients in the experimental group and 43 patients in the control group.There was no significant difference in baseline data of breast cancer patients between the two groups except for the treatment regimen(p>0.05).The two groups were compared after the intervention;the interaction effects between the total scores of posttraumatic growth,family resilience,and self-disclosure and the time term were statistically significant(p<0.05),indicating that the trend of change in total scores of post-traumatic growth,family resilience,and self-disclosure differed between the experimental and control groups over time,and the scores improved in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group.The comparison of psychological resilience and total score of rumination at each time point was statistically significant(p<0.05),indicating that group intervention based on the PTG model could improve the psychological recovery ability and rumination level of the experimental group.Conclusion:The psychological group intervention based on the PTG model significantly improved post-traumatic growth,family resilience,and self-disclosure in patients with breast cancer.However,the impact on psychological resilience and rumination was relatively small.Long-term intervention is needed to further test the effect of the PTG model on psychological resilience and rumination.

Etiology, Prevalence, and Management of Oral and Maxillofacial Soft Tissue Injuries in Children at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi-Ghana

Background: Maxillofacial injury may vary from simple soft tissue lacerations to complex fractures of the orofacial region. Soft tissue injuries, whether isolated or in combination with other injuries, form part of the frequent traumatic craniofacial injuries seen at the emergency department. The force of impact and the injury type is directly related to the severity of the injury sustained. This study aimed to analyze the etiological factors, prevalence, and management of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue injuries at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective study that involved children presenting with oral and maxillofacial injuries at the Accident and Emergency Department and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi between the period of April to October 2020 (6 months). Patient selection was by convenience sampling targeting all children with injuries who met the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were children below the age of 18 years whose parents or caregivers consent to participation. Children with maxillofacial injuries as a result of burns were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period a total of 134 children were reviewed with oral and maxillofacial injuries at KATH. Of these, 107 (78.9%) were recorded cases of orofacial soft tissue injuries. There were 63 (58.9%) males and 44 (41.1%) females and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The age range of patients studied was 8 months – 17 years, with mean age ± SD being 9.5 ± 5.3 years. Road Traffic Crash (50.5%) was the most common etiology of which Motor cycle crash constituted 24.3% and Pedestrian knockdown was 19.6%. Falls (42.1%) were the next most common etiology. The lips (19.8%) and the forehead (18.5%) were the most frequently injured sites on the face whiles the tongue (3.3%) had the most injuries intraorally. Laceration (45.7%) was the most frequent injury reviewed, followed by abrasions (35.8%). Most of the soft tissue injuries underwent primary closure (56.3%). A complication rate of 21.2% was recorded in this study and hypertrophic scarring (11.3%) was the most observed.

Prevalence of Thumb Sucking Habits amongst Children at the Knust Basic School

Main Objective: To determine the prevalence of thumb sucking habits amongst children at the KNUST Basic School. Methodology: This study was quantitative and descriptive with the design being a cross-sectional type. The data was obtained from KNUST Basic School with a sample size of 200. Data was obtained through questionnaires and clinical examination. Results: Out of the 200 children studied, 19 (9.5%) were identified as thumb suckers, with a majority being females (13, 68.42%) and the rest being males (6, 31.58%). Most of the thumb suckers (47.37%) engaged in the habit due to hunger. The clinical manifestations observed among the thumb suckers included Class I malocclusion (94.7%), high arched palate (89.5%), anterior open bite (4), increased overjet (3, 15.8%), proclined maxillary incisors (4, 22.2%), linguoversion of mandibular incisors (1, 5.6%), unilateral posterior crossbite (2, 10.5%), speech changes (7, 41.2%), thinner thumb (7, 36.8%), elongated thumb (9, 47.4%), and callus formation on the thumb (2, 10.5%). Conclusion: Thumb sucking is a common oral habit which stimulates the growth of the orofacial complex from ages 0 to 3 years. The habit of thumb sucking is usually outgrown by age 3 but beyond this age, it turns out as a deleterious habit which has to be seen as such and measures put in place to stop thumb sucking.

The emerging role of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to ameliorate hippocampal NLRP3 inflammation induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescence

Our previous studies have reported that activation of the NLRP3(NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3)-inflammasome complex in ethanol-treated astrocytes and chronic alcohol-fed mice could be associated with neuroinflammation and brain damage.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(MSC-EVs)have been shown to restore the neuroinflammatory response,along with myelin and synaptic structural alterations in the prefrontal cortex,and alleviate cognitive and memory dysfunctions induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescent mice.Considering the therapeutic role of the molecules contained in mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles,the present study analyzed whether the administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles isolated from adipose tissue,which inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,was capable of reducing hippocampal neuroinflammation in adolescent mice treated with binge drinking.We demonstrated that the administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles ameliorated the activation of the hippocampal NLRP3 inflammasome complex and other NLRs inflammasomes(e.g.,pyrin domain-containing 1,caspase recruitment domain-containing 4,and absent in melanoma 2,as well as the alterations in inflammatory genes(interleukin-1β,interleukin-18,inducible nitric oxide synthase,nuclear factor-kappa B,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,and C–X3–C motif chemokine ligand 1)and miRNAs(miR-21a-5p,miR-146a-5p,and miR-141-5p)induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescent mice.Bioinformatic analysis further revealed the involvement of miR-21a-5p and miR-146a-5p with inflammatory target genes and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways.Taken together,these findings provide novel evidence of the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived EVs to ameliorate the hippocampal neuroinflammatory response associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by binge drinking in adolescence.

Impact of cancer diagnosis on life expectancy by area-level socioeconomic groups in New South Wales, Australia: a population-based study

Objective: Improvement in cancer survival over recent decades has not been accompanied by a narrowing of socioeconomic disparities. This study aimed to quantify the loss of life expectancy(LOLE) resulting from a cancer diagnosis and examine disparities in LOLE based on area-level socioeconomic status(SES).Methods: Data were collected for all people between 50 and 89 years of age who were diagnosed with cancer, registered in the NSW Cancer Registry between 2001 and 2019, and underwent mortality follow-up evaluations until December 2020. Flexible parametric survival models were fitted to estimate the LOLE by gender and area-level SES for 12 common cancers.Results: Of 422,680 people with cancer, 24% and 18% lived in the most and least disadvantaged areas, respectively. Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had a significantly greater average LOLE than patients from the least disadvantaged areas for cancers with high survival rates, including prostate [2.9 years(95% CI: 2.5±3.2 years) vs. 1.6 years(95% CI: 1.3±1.9 years)] and breast cancer [1.6 years(95% CI: 1.4±1.8 years) vs. 1.2 years(95% CI: 1.0±1.4 years)]. The highest average LOLE occurred in males residing in the most disadvantaged areas with pancreatic [16.5 years(95% CI: 16.1±16.8 years) vs. 16.2 years(95% CI: 15.7±16.7 years)] and liver cancer [15.5 years(95% CI: 15.0±16.0 years) vs. 14.7 years(95% CI: 14.0±15.5 years)]. Females residing in the least disadvantaged areas with thyroid cancer [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.4±1.4 years) vs. 0.6 years(95% CI: 0.2±1.0 years)] or melanoma [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.8±1.1 years) vs. 0.7 years(95% CI: 0.5±0.8 years)] had the lowest average LOLE.Conclusions: Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had the highest LOLE with SES-based differences greatest for patients diagnosed with cancer at an early stage or cancers with higher survival rates, suggesting the need to prioritise early detection and reduce treatment-related barriers and survivorship challenges to improve life expectancy.

Misinterpretation of sleep-induced second-degree atrioventricular block

A number of publications have claimed that Mobitz type Ⅱ atrioventricular block(AVB)may occur during sleep.None of the reports defined type Ⅱ AVB and representative electrocardiograms were either misinterpreted or missing.Relatively benign Wenckebach type Ⅰ AVB is often misdiagnosed as Mobitz type Ⅱ which is an indication for a pacemaker.Review of the published reports indicates that Mobitz type II AVB does not occur during sleep when it is absent in the awake state.Conclusion:There is no proof that sleep is associated with Mobitz type Ⅱ AVB.

Parameters Estimation of a Bivariate Generalized Poisson Distribution with Applications to Metabolic Syndrome Data

Background: Bivariate count data are commonly encountered in medicine, biology, engineering, epidemiology and many other applications. The Poisson distribution has been the model of choice to analyze such data. In most cases mutual independence among the variables is assumed, however this fails to take into accounts the correlation between the outcomes of interests. A special bivariate form of the multivariate Lagrange family of distribution, names Generalized Bivariate Poisson Distribution, is considered in this paper. Objectives: We estimate the model parameters using the method of maximum likelihood and show that the model fits the count variables representing components of metabolic syndrome in spousal pairs. We use the likelihood local score to test the significance of the correlation between the counts. We also construct confidence interval on the ratio of the two correlated Poisson means. Methods: Based on a random sample of pairs of count data, we show that the score test of independence is locally most powerful. We also provide a formula for sample size estimation for given level of significance and given power. The confidence intervals on the ratio of correlated Poisson means are constructed using the delta method, the Fieller’s theorem, and the nonparametric bootstrap. We illustrate the methodologies on metabolic syndrome data collected from 4000 spousal pairs. Results: The bivariate Poisson model fitted the metabolic syndrome data quite satisfactorily. Moreover, the three methods of confidence interval estimation were almost identical, meaning that they have the same interval width.

The Oral Health Status of Person with Special Needs in Kumasi

Background: The most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide is oral health-related disease, with dental caries and periodontal conditions being common. Oral health status significantly impacts overall health and quality of life. Barriers to dental care affect children with special needs. This study evaluates the oral health status and treatment requirements of people with special needs. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study in Kumasi, Ghana examined oral health status among people, 121 children with special needs over two months, in June-July 2022. Dental caries, periodontal changes, malocclusion, and trauma were assessed. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: The oral health status among people with special needs in this study was generally moderate, with a range from very good to very poor. The prevalence of dental caries was 37%, with a mean DMFT score of 2.82. Periodontal health showed unsatisfactory indicators such as mobile teeth, poor gingival health, high plaque scores, and the presence of halitosis. Conclusion: This descriptive study aimed to provide baseline data on the oral health status of special needs students in Kumasi, addressing the lack of knowledge in this area. It highlighted the importance of dental care in maintaining good oral health and overall well-being in individuals with special needs. Coordinated efforts by dental professionals are needed to provide dental health education and preventive interventions for these children.

Parental Knowledge of Pre-Hospital Management of Avulsed Permanent Tooth in Children at Kath

BACKGROUND: Permanent tooth avulsion is one of the severe forms of dental traumatic injuries. The immediate action taken at the site of the accident is crucial to the prognosis of the tooth. Replantation is considered as the treatment of choice. OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of parents who accompany their children to the pediatric dental clinic, KATH on the pre-hospital management of avulsed permanent tooth in children. METHODS: A researcher administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the knowledge of pre-hospital management of avulsed permanent tooth from 83 parents who accompanied their wards to the pediatric dental clinic at KATH. RESULTS: A total of 83 parents were involved in the study. 30 (36%) were males while 53 (64%) were females. The majority of the parents (57%) were either university trained or had attended college of education. Only 32 parents (39%) were aware of the possibility of replantation. Majority of the parents chose non-physiologic media as the transport media of choice and only 10% would attempt self-replantation before seeking professional help. 76 parents (92%) had no previous education on pre-hospital management of avulsed tooth. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study indicate that parental knowledge on pre-hospital management of avulsed permanent tooth is low hence the need for massive public educational campaigns.

Prevalence of Dental Anomalies among Patients Who Report to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s Orthodontic Clinic

BACKGROUND: Dental anomalies are variations from the established well-known general anatomy and morphology of the tooth as a result of disturbances during tooth formation. They can be developmental, congenital, or acquired and may be localized to a single tooth or involve systemic conditions. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of dental anomalies in patients who report to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) dental clinics. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used with a sample size of 92 patients aged 18 or older, obtained through convenience sampling. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. RESULTS: The study included 92 patients aged 18 to 72 years, with 47.8% males and 52.2% females. Dental anomalies were observed in 51.1% of participants, with a higher prevalence in females (55.3%). The most common anomalies were diastema (48.3%), impacted teeth (22.0%), dilaceration (11.9%), and peg-shaped lateral teeth (6.8%). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of conducting thorough dental examinations to identify and address dental anomalies, which may have implications for treatment. Early detection and correction of these anomalies are crucial to prevent future complications.

Why do thoracic epidurals fail?A literature review on thoracic epidural failure and catheter confirmation

Thoracic epidural anesthesia(TEA)has been the gold standard of perioperative analgesia in various abdominal and thoracic surgeries.However,misplaced or displaced catheters,along with other factors such as technical challenges,equipment failure,and anatomic variation,lead to a high incidence of unsatisfactory analgesia.This article aims to assess the different sources of TEA failure and strategies to validate the location of thoracic epidural catheters.A literature search of PubMed,Medline,Science Direct,and Google Scholar was done.The search results were limited to randomized controlled trials.Literature suggests techniques such as electrophysiological stimulation,epidural waveform monitoring,and x-ray epidurography for identifying thoracic epidural placement,but there is no one particular superior confirmation method;clinicians are advised to select techniques that are practical and suitable for their patients and practice environment to maximize success.

Effects of Maternal Death on Children Living in the Sagnarigu Municipality

Introduction: The greatest effect of maternal mortality is renowned in children aged 2 - 5 months whose mothers had died. Children whose mothers died due to maternal complications were likely to record a higher mortality in infancy compared to children of surviving mothers. Motherless children mostly suffer a lot due to lack of day-to-day care, isolation, lack of motivation as well as economic cost associated with mother’s death. Thus, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the lives of children whose mothers passed away during childbirth at the Sagnarigu Municipality. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out at the Sagnarigu Municipal. The study recruited 297 respondents. To assess the effects of maternal death on the lives of children, families that experienced maternal death were assessed. The number of pregnancies experienced by the deceased woman, pregnancy-related complaints experienced, determinants of maternal death, number of children alive, and their standard of living were assessed with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Results: The data showed that negligence, illiteracy, poor road access, poverty, ignorance, delays in recognizing the problem, delays in making appropriate decisions, delays in the health facility, delays in giving the appropriate treatments, and traditional beliefs were some of the factors that led to maternal death in the Sagnarigu Municipality. Conclusion: The study concluded that determinants of maternal death in the Sagnarigu Municipal included the following;negligence, illiteracy, poverty, and delays in recognizing the problem. The study findings also demonstrated that the effects of maternal death on children are diverse and cut across different areas of a child’s life including livelihood sustenance, healthcare, education, and emotional and psychological development.

The Perspectives of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Dental School Graduates

Background: The idea of establishing a Dental school at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was borne out of a need. There was a shortfall in the supply of dental surgeons, especially in the northern half of the country. Aim/Objective: To seek for feedback from KNUST Dental school graduates over the past six about their overall assessment of the BDS courses taught during their clinical training and challenges faced in the course of their training. Methodology: A cross-sectional retrospective study of all KNUST Dental school graduates from 2012 to 2017. A structured goggle form questionnaire was developed. The Google form link was emailed to the representatives who in turn forwarded the link to their year mates. The questionnaire was filled online and submitted as requested. Results: This represented 63.0% of the entire graduates from KNUST Dental School. The male to female ratio was 1.3:1.0. The age range of our graduate was from 24 yrs (3.8%) to 32 years (1.9%). The average age was 26.3 years. 48.10% of respondents said their training was very good. The major challenges were inadequate clinical space (25.2%) and lack of materials and dental chairs for students’ clinic (27.3%). Conclusion: On the whole, the quality of the training was rated as very good even though some of the courses taught during the clinical training were rated as poor. Inadequate dental chairs, laboratory and clinic materials, supervision of student’s clinic were some of the major challenges expressed by the graduates.