Research Article Open Access

Predictive Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis Isolates in Northern Ghana

Abstract

Objective: Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is a public health burden in Ghana that causes up to 10% mortality in confirmed cases annually. About 20% of those who survive the infection suffer permanent sequelae. The study sought to understand the predictive signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis implicated in its outcomes.

Materials and methods: Retrospective data from the public health division, Ghana Health Service (GHS) on bacterial meningitis from 2015 to 2019 used for this study. A pre-tested data extraction form was used to collect patients information from case based forms kept at the disease control unit from 2015 to 2019. Data were transcribed from the case based forms into a pre-designed microsoft excel template. The data was cleaned and imported into SPSS version 26 for analysis.

Results: Between 2015-2019, a total of 2446 suspected bacterial meningitis cases were included in the study. Out of these, 842 were confirmed. Among the confirmed cases, males constituted 55.3%. Children below 14 years of age were most affected (51.4%). The pathogens commonly responsible for bacterial meningitis were Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae with their respective strains especially Nm W135, Nm X, Spn St. 1 and Spn St. 12F/12A/12B/44/4 being responsible for most of the confirmed cases. The presence of neck stiffness (AOR=1.244; C.I=1.026-1.508), convulsion (AOR=1.338; C.I=1.083-1.652), altered consciousness (AOR=1.516; C.I=1.225-1.876) and abdominal pains (AOR=1.404; C.I=1.011-1.949) or any of these signs and symptoms poses a higher risk for testing positive for bacterial meningitis cases adjusting for age.

Conclusion: Patients presenting one and/or more of these signs and symptoms (neck stiffness, convulsion, altered consciousness and abdominal pain) have a higher risk of testing positive for bacterial meningitis adjusting for age.

Enoch Weikem Weyori*, Braimah Baba Abubakari, Nkrumah Bernard, Abass Abdul Karim, Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu, Kuugbee Dogkotenge Eugene, Adadow Yidana, Shamsu Deen Ziblim, Benjamin Nuertey, Benjamin Asubam Weyori, Etowi Boye Yakubu, Stebleson Azure, Valentine Koyiri Cheba, Adatsi Richard Kojo

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