RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Edentulism affects the quality of life and general health of an individual. But in ageing individuals, it has been observed to have greater impact, manifesting in functional, psychological and social limitations. With an increasing older adult population in Ghana, its burden is likely to increase. This study was thus carried out to explore the association between edentulism and quality of life among older Ghanaian adults. METHODS: Secondary analysis of WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in Ghana was conducted using self-reported edentulism as the dependent variable. Participants included a nationally representative sample of adult's aged 50 years and older living in Ghana. Quality of life was measured using the 8 item WHOQOL measure and a single item measure which was a question "How would you rate your overall quality of life?". To assess the association between edentulism and the independent variables, a bivariate analysis was carried out. A Poisson regression model was then performed, adjusting for age, sex, income, education and the diagnosis of a chronic disease condition. A Spearman's correlation analysis was also carried out between the single and multi item measure of quality of life to assess how well they correlate. RESULTS: Edentulism was observed to be associated with significantly lower levels of SWB among older adults using both the single-item and multiple-item measure (WHOQOL). It, however, showed no association with happiness. Among edentulous respondents, females and those with no formal education reported significantly lower quality of life. The WHOQOL correlated positively and strongly with the single-item measure. CONCLUSION: Edentulism may not be life threatening and yet it has been shown to have a negative effect on the quality of life of older adult Ghanaians. More emphasis may thus need to be placed on the oral health of the aging population in Ghana to avoid it.
Asunto(s)
Boca Edéntula/psicología , Calidad de Vida , Actividades Cotidianas , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Enfermedad Crónica , Atención Odontológica/psicología , Escolaridad , Femenino , Ghana , Felicidad , Humanos , Renta , Masculino , Estado Civil , Persona de Mediana Edad , Satisfacción Personal , Religión , Población Rural , Autoinforme , Factores Sexuales , Población UrbanaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In 2010, there was a sudden increase in the number of children admitted to Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi with caustic soda poisoning. AIM: To quantify the increase and identify possible causes. METHODS: Detailed review of case-notes of all children admitted with poisoning from January 2009 to June 2010 was undertaken using a standardised proforma. RESULTS: From January to June 2010, there was a six-fold increase in the number of children admitted with caustic soda poisoning compared with January to June 2009 (13 vs 2). Owing to the increase in caustic soda ingestion, there were almost twice the number of cases of chemically-induced poisoning in January-June 2010 (34) as in January-June 2009 (19 cases). In the entire period (January 2009 to June 2010), the majority of admissions for chemical poisoning were children ≤3 years of age and 50 of the 72 (69.4%) cases were boys. In six of the 13 cases in the January-June 2010 period, caustic soda was drunk directly from a plastic water bottle. All children with caustic soda poisoning had been given palm oil to drink by their guardians. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the recent introduction of bottled water is an important element in the increase of caustic soda poisoning. Previously, water was sold in plastic bags. The plastic water bottles are re-used to store caustic soda which children then drink, mistaking it for water.