Clinical Presentation and Pattern of Neuro-developmental Disorders in a Health Facility in Ghana: Implications for the Health and Educational Sectors

Clinical presentations of neuro-developmental disorders in a health facility

  • Erica D Dickson Department of Medicine, 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana .
  • Joseph Osarfo Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • Emmanuel Asampong Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
  • Irene Kretchy Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2020.12.1.2.114-120
Keywords: Neurodevelopmental disorders, paediatric, emotions, academic performance, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders with life-long implications for cognition, behaviour, emotions, academic performance, social well-being, and future career. Early identification and interventions yield a better outcome. Yet, there is a gap in knowledge about the range of NDD that exists in Ghana among laypersons, health, and education professionals.
Objective: This study examined the clinical presentations and patterns of NDD in a clinical psychological clinic of a quasigovernmental hospital in Ghana.
Methods: Using a retrospective chart review design, secondary data were extracted from eligible psychological reports of children managed at the clinic from January 2012 to December 2018.
Results: Most children (62.96%, n = 85/135) were aged 6 - 13 yr. at the time of establishing a diagnosis. They had been referred from private schools (49.62%, n = 67/135) because they were doing poorly academically (38.51%, n = 52/135) or exhibited some behavioural problems (22.22%, n = 30/135). Most of them had been born at term by spontaneous delivery (58.51%, n= 79/135) but went through traumatic delivery and suffered perinatal complications (32.6%). There was a significant association between birth asphyxia and labour complications (p < 0.0001), gestational age (p < 0.008), mode of delivery (p < 0.016), and cerebral palsy (p < 0.018). Almost forty per cent had comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders.
Conclusion: Findings from this study have implications in the prevention and early identification of NDDs. Parental education must be intensified during antenatal care and childhood educators must be trained to identify NDDs to enable early referral for diagnosis and intervention.

Author Biographies

Erica D Dickson, Department of Medicine, 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana .

Dr. Erica Dickson is a Medical practitioner and a clinical psychologist at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

Joseph Osarfo, Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

Prof. Osafo is a clinical Psychologist and a suicidologist and is currnetly the head of the Psychology Department at the University of Ghana.

Irene Kretchy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Dr. Kretchy is a Pharmacist and a clinical psychologist who also heads the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy.

Published
2020-12-15
Issue
Vol 1 No 2 (2020): Second Edition in 2020 of the HSI Journal Volume 1 Issue 2 Publication
Section
Original Research Article