Genomic analysis of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli from Urban Environmental water sources in Accra, Ghana, Provides Insights into public health implications.

Wastewater discharge into the environment in resource-poor countries poses a threat to public health. Studies in this area within these countries are limited, and the use of high-throughput whole-genome sequencing technologies is lacking. Therefore, understanding of environmental impacts is inadequate.

Smoke exposure, hemoglobin levels and the prevalence of anemia: a cross-sectional study in urban informal settlement in Southern Ghana.

Background: In sub-Saharan African cities, more than half of the population lives in informal settlements. These settlements are close to smoky dumpsites, industrial plants, and polluted roads. Furthermore, polluting fuels remain their primary sources of energy for cooking and heating.

A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL WORK EXPOSURES AMONG ELECTRONIC WASTE WORKERS AT AGBOGBLOSHIE, ACCRA GHANA.

Occupational exposure associated with unstructured, informal e-waste recycling has received very limited attention. This study aimed to quantify the occupational physical exposures among informal e-waste workers at the largest e-waste site in Africa. A cross-sectional field survey of 163 male e-waste workers was conducted using a self-report occupational physical activity questionnaire, along with direct work observations, and pedometer estimates of walking activity for a subset of workers (n = 42).

Development of an observation-based tool for ergonomic exposure assessment in informal electronic waste recycling and other unregulated non-repetitive work.

Most existing ergonomic assessment tools are intended for routine work. Time- and cost-efficient observational tools for ergonomic assessment of unregulated work are lacking. This paper presents the development of an observation-based tool designed to investigate ergonomic exposures among informal electronic waste workers that could be applied to other unregulated jobs/tasks.

Micronutrient-rich dietary intake is associated with a reduction in the effects of particulate matter on blood pressure among electronic waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana.

Background: Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) releases particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air. Human exposure to PM has been reported to induce adverse effects on cardiovascular health. However, the impact of PM on the cardiovascular health of e-waste recyclers in Ghana has not been studied.

Effect of Particulate Matter Exposure on Respiratory Health of e-Waste Workers at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana.

: Direct and continuous exposure to particulate matter (PM), especially in occupational settings is known to impact negatively on respiratory health and lung function. : To determine the association between concentrations of PM (2.5, 2.

Spatiality in Health: The Distribution of Health Conditions Associated with Electronic Waste Processing Activities at Agbogbloshie, Accra.

Background: A walk through the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site shows a marked heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of the different e-waste processing activities, which are likely to drive clustering of health conditions associated with the different activity type in each space.

Objective Of Study: To conduct a spatial assessment and analysis of health conditions associated with different e-waste activities at different activity spaces at Agbogbloshie.

Methods: A choropleth showing the various activity spaces at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site was produced by mapping boundaries of these spaces using Etrex GPS device and individuals working in each activity spaces were recruited and studied.

Determinants of bed net use among older people in Nigeria: results from a nationally representative survey.

Introduction: the use of bed nets is a well-recognized and cost-effective preventive measure against malaria. However, little is known about factors associated with the use of bed nets among older people in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the determinants of bed net use among older Nigerian adults.

Lipid-related genetic polymorphisms significantly modulate the association between lipids and disability progression in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To investigate whether lipid-related or body mass index (BMI)-related common genetic polymorphisms modulate the associations between serum lipid levels, BMI and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: The association between disability progression (annualised Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) change over 5 years, ΔEDSS) and lipid-related or BMI-related genetic polymorphisms was evaluated in a longitudinal cohort (n=184), diagnosed with MS. We constructed a cumulative genetic risk score (CGRS) of associated polymorphisms (p<0.

Maternal education and child immunization: the mediating roles of maternal literacy and socioeconomic status.

Introduction: Previous studies in Nigeria have documented significant association between maternal education and child immunization. However, little is known about the pathway through which maternal education improves immunization uptake. This study aims to examine whether maternal literacy and socioeconomic status mediates the relationship between maternal education and complete immunization coverage in children.

An adverse lipid profile and increased levels of adiposity significantly predict clinical course after a first demyelinating event.

Objective: To investigate the prospective associations between adiposity and lipid-related variables and conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS), time to subsequent relapse and progression in disability.

Methods: A cohort of 279 participants with a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination was prospectively followed to 5-year review. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and serum samples taken for measurement of lipids and apolipoproteins.

Frequency of Comorbidities and Their Association with Clinical Disability and Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients may be at an increased risk of comorbidities due to the debilitating and chronic nature of the disease. An increased understanding of comorbidities and disease course in MS may provide new insights and enhance MS management. We aimed at investigating the frequency of comorbidities and their associations with clinical disability and relapse in MS.

Severity of malaria in relation to a complement receptor 1 polymorphism: a case-control study.

Background: Studies on the relationship between complement receptor 1 (CR1) polymorphisms in exon 29 encoding the Knops blood group antigens (Swain-Langley (Sl) and McCoy (McC)) and outcome of clinical malaria have produced inconsistent results.

Methods: Blood samples from Ghanaian children (n = 150) aged 1-12 years with complicated and uncomplicated malaria were genotyped for the Sl and McC blood group alleles by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Effect of Sl and McC genotypes on the clinical outcome of malaria was evaluated using logistic regression.

The co-occurrence of multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes: shared aetiologic features and clinical implication for MS aetiology.

We reviewed the evidence for the co-occurrence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and multiple sclerosis (MS), and assessed the clinical significance of this association and the shared aetiological features of the two diseases. T1D and MS contribute considerably to the burden of autoimmune diseases in young adults. The co-occurrence of MS and T1D has been reported by a number of studies, suggesting that the two conditions share one or more aetiological components.

Vascular comorbidities in the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis.

Vascular comorbidities are common in the general population and are associated with adverse health outcomes. In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), an increasing amount of evidence suggests that vascular comorbidities are also common, but an association with MS risk and disability has not been conclusively established. This review aims to critically examine published data on the relationship between vascular comorbidities (including vascular risk factors) and MS.

Human enteroviruses are not the cause of neurological impairments in children at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Introduction: Convulsions associated with fever and acute onset of unknown aetiology with case fatalities have become a long observed medical condition at the Child Health Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Children admitted to the department with seizures of undetermined origin and fever has been a source of diagnostic confusion. Studies from the Asia Pacific region suggest a link with non-polio enteroviruses.

An adverse lipid profile is associated with disability and progression in disability, in people with MS.

Background: There is accumulating data suggesting an association between serum lipids, apolipoproteins and disability in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: To investigate the associations between serum lipids, apolipoproteins and disability in MS.

Methods: A cohort of 178 participants with clinically-definite MS in southern Tasmania, Australia were prospectively followed from 2002 - 2005, and serum samples were obtained at study entry and at each biannual review, to measure lipid profile and apolipoprotein levels.

Adverse lipid profile is not associated with relapse risk in MS: results from an observational cohort study.

Background: There is increasing evidence that serum lipids and apolipoproteins may be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical course.

Objective: To investigate the associations between serum lipids, apolipoproteins, body mass index and relapse in MS.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 141 participants with relapsing-remitting MS was followed from 2002 to 2005.