Publications by authors named "Sedzro K Mensah"

Article Synopsis
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes evidence-based interventions, known as "Best Buys," to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but there is limited knowledge about their implementation in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana.
  • This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining document reviews of Ghana's WHO Best Buys scores from various years and interviews with key policymakers to assess how well these NCD policies are being implemented and identify any gaps.
  • Findings indicate that while Ghana shows some progress in adopting WHO Best Buys, with fluctuating implementation scores, significant challenges persist, including socio-cultural issues, stakeholder engagement, policy enforcement, and limited public awareness and financing for NCD prevention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) predispose households to exorbitant healthcare expenditures in health systems where there is no access to effective financial protection for healthcare. This study assessed the economic burden associated with the rising burden of type-2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension comorbidity management, and its implications for healthcare seeking in urban Accra.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study design was used.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Key populations (KPs) are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and efforts to prevent HIV infections among KPs have been less successful, largely due to existing laws and legislation that classify the groups as illegal. Understanding the HIV infection pathway and the burden of HIV infection among Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Transgender people (TG), Men who have sex with Men (MSM), People who Inject Drugs (PWID), and Prison Inmates (PIs) is critical to combatting the HIV epidemic globally. This study aims to estimate HIV prevalence and model the risk factors of HIV positivity rate among the aforementioned KPs in Sierra Leone.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted in Ghana between February and December 2021 to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 using a nationally representative sample of participants 5 years and older, collecting data on various risk factors.
  • The results showed a seroprevalence of 67.10%, with lower rates in males and individuals over 20, while young adults aged 20-39 had the highest rates.
  • The findings indicate that vaccination coverage was only 10%, and heightened infection risk in urban areas suggests a need for better vaccination efforts and adherence to preventive measures, especially in rural regions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The raging COVID-19 pandemic is arguably the most important threat to global health presently. Although there Although there is currently a a a vaccine, preventive measures have been proposed to reduce the spread of infection but the efficacy of these interventions, and their likely impact on the number of COVID-19 infections is unknown. In this study, we proposed the SEIQHRS model (susceptible-exposed-infectious-quarantine-hospitalized-recovered-susceptible) model that predicts the trajectory of the epidemic to help plan an effective control strategy for COVID-19 in Ghana.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The Global Programme for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) has been in operation since the year 2000, with the aim of eliminating the disease by the year 2020, following five to six rounds of effective annual mass drug administration (MDA). The treatment regimen is ivermectin (IVM) in combination with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) or albendazole (ALB). In Ghana, MDA has been undertaken since 2001.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF