Evaluation of the malaria surveillance system - Adaklu District, Volta Region, Ghana, 2019.

Objectives: We evaluated the malaria surveillance system in Adaklu District of the Volta Region of Ghana to determine if the system was meeting its objectives and assessed its usefulness and attributes.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used in evaluating the surveillance system.

Methods: We interviewed stakeholders using a semi-structured questionnaire on case detection and reporting.

Adherence to the test, treat and track strategy for malaria control among prescribers, Mfantseman Municipality, Central Region, Ghana.

Background: The test, treat, and track (T3) strategy is directed at ensuring diagnosis and prompt treatment of uncomplicated malaria cases. Adherence to T3 strategy reduces wrong treatment and prevents delays in treating the actual cause of fever that may otherwise lead to complications or death. Data on adherence to all three aspects of the T3 strategy is sparse with previous studies focusing on the testing and treatment aspects.

Effect of different helmet types in head injuries: a case-control study in northern Ghana.

Background: Motorcycle helmet use is low in Ghana and many helmets are non-standard. There are limited data on the effectiveness of the different helmet types in use in the real-world circumstances of low-income and middle-income countries. This study assessed the effect of different helmet types on risk of head injury among motorcycle crash victims in northern Ghana.

Sleeping space matters: LLINs usage in Ghana.

Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) is an effective malaria prevention mechanism. However, ownership of LLIN does not imply its use among households. The availability of enough sleeping space is a natural prerequisite to install and use LLINs.

Evaluation of Buruli Ulcer Disease Surveillance System in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana, 2011-2015.

Background: Buruli ulcer (BU) is one of the most neglected tropical diseases caused by . infection may manifest initially as a pre-ulcerative nodule, a plaque, or oedema which breaks down to form characteristic ulcers with undermined edges. The Ga West Municipality is an endemic area for Buruli ulcer, and we evaluated the BU surveillance system to determine whether the system is meeting its objectives and to assess its attributes.

Psychological working conditions and predictors of occupational stress among nurses, Salaga Government Hospital, Ghana, 2016.

Introduction: Occupational stress is a recognized health problem among nurses. Globally, its prevalence varies between 9.2% and 68.

Sustainability of a field epidemiology and laboratory training programme: the Ghanaian story.

Introduction: Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs) are functional ways of strengthening epidemiology, surveillance and outbreak response capacity in countries. However, sustainability of FETPs is a major challenge facing most countries especially in Africa. The Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (GFELTP) started in 2007 in the University of Ghana School of Public Health as a solution to gaps in the public health workforce.

Obstetric determinants of preterm delivery in a regional hospital, Accra, Ghana 2016.

Background: Globally, prematurity is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality contributing 30-40% of neonatal mortality. The consequences of preterm deliveries are enormous with developmental and childhood complications as well as high economic and psycho-social burden on the parents (family) and society. Some risk factors include ever having preterm delivery, multiple births and some medical conditions like sexually transmitted infection and urinary tract infections but these have not been ascertained in our study area.

Outbreak of scabies among preschool children, Accra, Ghana, 2017.

Background: Scabies occurs worldwide with a prevalence between 0.3 and 46.0%.

Post-Ebola Syndrome among Ebola Virus Disease Survivors in Montserrado County, Liberia 2016.

Introduction: An increased number of survivors have emerged from the 2014 West African Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic. Post-Ebola Syndrome (PES) is a group of physical and psychological symptoms affecting EVD survivors. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PES among EVD survivors in Montserrado County, Liberia.

Evaluation of cholera surveillance system in Osu Klottey District, Accra, Ghana (2011-2013).

Introduction: Cholera is an acute illness characterized by profuse watery diarrhea. It is caused by vibrio cholera subgroup 01 and 0139. Rapid administration of fluid replacement therapy and supportive treatment can reduce mortality to around 1%.

Evaluation of bacterial meningitis surveillance data of the northern region, Ghana, 2010-2015.

Introduction: Bacterial meningitis is a disease of major public health importance especially for countries such as Ghana; whose northern part lies within the meningitis belt. The Northern region of Ghana has been recording cases with outbreaks over the years. In order to generate evidence to improve surveillance, we described the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis using surveillance data of the northern region.

THE PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE AND THEIR HANDLERS IN NORTH TONGU, VOLTA REGION, GHANA.

Background: The need to understand the contribution of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) to the general tuberculosis burden in a poor resource setting is paramount. The aim of this study is to determine the burden of BTB among herdsmen and cattle in the North Tongu district of Volta Region in Ghana.

Materials And Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region between the period of October 2011- March 2012.

Evaluation of the enhanced meningitis surveillance system, Yendi municipality, northern Ghana, 2010-2015.

Background: Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges of the brain and or spinal cord. Global mortality rates vary from 2% to 30%. Epidemic meningitis remains a public health concern along the meningitis belt of Africa.

Review of meningitis surveillance data, upper West Region, Ghana 2009-2013.

Introduction: The Upper West region of Ghana is within the meningitis belt. Analysis of long term surveillance data is necessary for understanding changes in the disease occurrence. We analyzed five years of surveillance data to describe by person, place and time and to determine trends in meningitis.

Trends of diarrhoeal diseases in children under five years in the War Memorial Hospital-Navrongo, Ghana: 2010-2013.

Introduction: Diarrhoea is the third leading cause of hospital morbidity in children under five years in the War Memorial Hospital (WMH). With the current changes in climate, little is known about the seasonal and spatial distribution of diarrhoeal diseases in the WMH. We determined trends of diarrhoeal diseases in children under five years in the WMH.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus co-infection among HIV-seropositive persons attending antiretroviral clinics in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Introduction: Hepatitis B and HIV infections are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana. Understanding the extent of the co-infection is critical to the optimal care of persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV). We determined the prevalence and risk factors of HBV co-infection in PLHIV and assessed the knowledge of health care workers (HCW) in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics regarding the co-infection.

Cholera outbreak following a marriage ceremony in Medinya, Western Ghana.

Introduction: Cholera is a diarrhoea disease caused by the bacterium . On 13th June 2011, there was a reported outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea at Medinya among people who eat at a mass traditional wedding ceremony in the Western Region of Ghana. We investigated to characterize the outbreak, and implement control and preventive measures.

Determinants of stillbirths in Northern Ghana: a case control study.

Introduction: Stillbirths are more common than the death of a baby after birth. In 2012, Tamale Metropolitan Area in the Northern Region of Ghana reported 35 stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries. This study was therefore conducted to determine the sociodemographic, obstetric and maternal medical health related risk factors associated with stillbirths.

Diarrhoea morbidity patterns in Central Region of Ghana.

Introduction: Diarrhoea diseases remain a major public health threat with nearly 1.7 billion cases annually worldwide occurring in all age groups. In Ghana diarrhoea kills about 14,000 children under five years annually.

Pedestrians' adherence to road traffic regulations on the N1 Highway in Accra, Ghana.

Introduction: Pedestrian behavior and adherence to road traffic regulation is vital in the prevention and control of road traffic accidents (RTA) especially on highways in Ghana. We assessed pedestrians' adherence to road crossing regulations on the George Walker Bush (N1) Highway in Accra.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of pedestrians crossing the N1 highway from both sides of the road between 7:00 am and 11:00am.

Factors influencing utilization of intermittent preventive treatment for pregnancy in the Gushegu district, Ghana, 2013.

Introduction: The coverage of adequate (≥2 doses) IPTp-SP in Ghana is below the national target of 80% and that is a threat to reducing the incidence of malaria in pregnancy. The primary objective of the study was to determine the client and facility related factors associated with adequate uptake of IPTp-SP and suggest approaches for increased uptake.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among ANC clients and staff in Gushegu, questionnaires was administered to 330 conveniently sampled nursing mothers and all ANC staff present.

Training Ghanaian frontline healthcare workers in public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigation and response.

Introduction: Beyond initial formal academic education, the need for continuous professional development through in-service workforce capacity improvement programs that are aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills of public healthcare workers has assumed immense priority worldwide. This has been heightened by the on-going Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, which is exposing the weak public health systems in West Africa. In response to this need, the Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program organized a short-course for frontline health workers in the Greater Accra region of Ghana in order to augment their surveillance and outbreak response capacity.

Outbreak of foodborne gastroenteritis in a senior high school in South-eastern Ghana: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: On 4th February 2015, a group of Senior High School students from Fanteakwa district presented to the emergency unit of the district hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. All the students had eaten from a specific food vendor and had neither eaten any other common meal that day nor the previous day. A foodborne disease outbreak was suspected.