Safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines among persons 15- years and above in Ghana: A cohort event monitoring study.

Introduction: The development of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic occurred with an unprecedented speed, requiring extraordinary post-approval safety monitoring to facilitate ongoing evaluation of their benefit-risk profile. In Ghana, the Food and Drugs Authority granted emergency use authorization to six of these vaccines including the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, namely, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The objective of the study was to estimate the incidence of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) and adverse events of special interest (AESIs) in persons vaccinated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and to identify factors associated with the development of AEFIs.

First results from the lessons learnt from the deployment of the Med Safety App for reporting adverse drug reactions in Ghana.

Background: The use of mobile phone technology for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in pharmacovigilance is relatively new.The objective of the study was to explore challenges and facilitators for the use of the Med Safety App for reporting ADRs in Ghana. A comparative evaluation of ADR reports received through the app and the standard paper-based form was also conducted.

Preliminary findings from stimulated spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions during COVID-19 pandemic: an experience from Ghana.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is limited information on the safety of drugs used for the treatment of COVID-19.

Objective: Objective of this study is to describe the pattern of stimulated spontaneous adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports received from healthcare professionals for SARS-CoV-2 positive patients in Ghana and lessons learnt particularly for low- and middle-income countries.

Effectiveness of Mass Media Campaigns to Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Harm: A Systematic Review.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of mass media messages to reduce alcohol consumption and related harms using a systematic literature review.

Methods: Eight databases were searched along with reference lists of eligible studies. Studies of any design in any country were included, provided that they evaluated a mass media intervention targeting alcohol consumption or related behavioural, social cognitive or clinical outcomes.