Utility of Extraction-Free SARS-CoV-2 Detection by RT-qPCR for COVID-19 Testing in a Resource-Limited Setting.

The COVID-19 epidemic had a profound impact on global health and the economy and Ghana was no exception to its far-reaching consequences. Regarding detection of the causative agent-the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), reverse-transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) is widely recognized as a very sensitive and reliable diagnostic technique used globally. There are, however, high operational costs in acquiring test kits, equipment, and accessories for RT-qPCR testing, which pose significant challenges in resource-limited settings.

Groundwater quality and potential analysis using geospatial techniques: The case of Ashanti Region in Ghana.

The ecosystem and economy's reliance on clean water is influenced by various factors such as geology, topography, soil types, activities, and the presence of plants and animals. The Ghana Water Company is encountering difficulties in delivering water to consumers in the Ashanti Region due to the shortage of surface water resources, leading to water rationing in the area. Furthermore, poor waste disposal practices, illegal mining, use of fertilizers, and industrial activities have resulted in surface and groundwater source damage.

Understanding the relationship between road users and the roadway infrastructure in Ghana.

Ghana exemplifies the contribution of road crashes to mortality and morbidity in Africa, partly due to a growing population and increasing car ownership, where fatalities have increased by 12 to 15 % annually since 2008 (National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), 2017). The study described in this paper focused on understanding driver behavior at unsignalized junctions in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Understanding driver behavior at unsignalized junctions is particularly important since failure to stop or yield can seriously affect vulnerable road users.

Effects of a community-level intervention on maternal health care utilization in a resource-poor setting of Northern Ghana.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effects of health education and community-level participatory interventions at the community level and the use of community maternal health promoters on the utilization of maternal health care services in poor rural settings of northern Ghana.

Methods: A randomized controlled survey design was conducted from June 2019 to July 2020 in two rural districts of northern Ghana. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the participants.

Public perceptions of vehicular traffic emissions on health risk in Lagos metropolis Nigeria: A critical survey.

The perception and behavior of the public is key in reducing Traffic-related air pollution health burdens which has become an increasingly alarming problem in many cities across the globe. The study assessed the perception of the public about vehicle traffic emissions and the health hazard associated with them in Lagos, Nigeria using structured questionnaires. Multivariate statistical analysis and structural equation modeling were performed to determine the factors that were associated with the participant's perception of traffic air pollution and the health risks it presents.

A comprehensive study of child pedestrian crash outcomes in Ghana.

Pedestrians are considered as one of the vulnerable road user groups. Among pedestrians of all ages, children are the most at risk. Previous studies have shown that children have inadequate knowledge of road safety and are unable to identify risks on road.

Did Ghana Do Enough? A Scientometric Analysis of COVID-19 Research Output from Ghana within the African Context.

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated worldwide research efforts to provide knowledge about the disease. Yet little is known about how Ghana contributed to this critical knowledge production. This scientometric analysis was conducted to ascertain Ghana's COVID-19 research output within the African context to gain understanding and identify potential future directions.

Health impacts of changes in travel patterns in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana.

Background: Health impact assessments of alternative travel patterns are urgently needed to inform transport and urban planning in African cities, but none exists so far.

Objective: To quantify the health impacts of changes in travel patterns in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana.

Methods: We estimated changes to population exposures to physical activity, air pollution, and road traffic fatality risk and consequent health burden (deaths and years of life lost prematurely - YLL) in response to changes in transportation patterns.

The relationship between driver and passenger's seatbelt use: a bivariate probit analysis.

Vehicle seatbelt has been shown to have a beneficial impact on occupants. However, some occupants do not use the seatbelt when inside a moving vehicle. Despite the numerous investigation on the risk factors associated with seatbelt use by occupants, little is known about the relationship between driver and passenger seatbelt use.

Modelling risk factors for red light violation in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

Red light running places the violator and other road users at risk of road traffic crash. The aim of this research was to undertake a baseline study to establish the current rate of red light running in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana and to determine the associated risk factors. An uninterrupted road side observational survey was conducted at 10 signalized intersections using pro-forma checklist.

Road traffic crashes at night-time: characteristics and risk factors.

The study was to examine the nature and risk factors associated with road traffic crashes at night in Ghana and identify potential measures to control them. Crash and injury data for the period 2013-2017 were analyzed. The fatality index and fatal crash ratio measures were employed to assess the severity of injuries among traffic participants.

A bivariate probit analysis of child passenger's sitting behaviour and restraint use in motor vehicle.

Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children worldwide, though many of these deaths are preventable. Buckling young children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts and also seating them in appropriate position can lead to a significant reduction of serious and fatal injuries. This study investigated sitting behaviour and restraint use among child passengers through cross-sectional observational surveys conducted in Kumasi, Ghana.

Prevalence rate of helmet use among motorcycle riders in Kumasi, Ghana.

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence rate and identified the associated factors influencing helmet use in Kumasi, Ghana.

Methods: The data used in this study were collected from motorcycle riders in the Kumasi metropolis through questionnaire survey. The contributing factors influencing helmet use were determined using a logistic regression model.

The effect of natural and built environmental characteristics on pedestrian-vehicle crash severity in Ghana.

Despite the benefits of walking as a means of travelling, walking can be quite hazardous. Pedestrian-vehicle crashes remain a major concern in Ghana as they account for the highest percentage of fatalities. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of both natural and built environmental features on pedestrian-vehicle crash severity in Ghana.

Road Traffic and Other Unintentional Injuries Among Travelers to Developing Countries.

Injuries result in nearly 6 million deaths and incur 52 million disability-adjusted life-years annually, making up 15% of the global disease burden. More than 90% of this burden occurs in low- and middle-income countries. Given this burden, it is not unexpected that injuries are the leading cause of death among travelers to low- and middle-income countries, namely, from road traffic crashes and drowning.

A cross-sectional observational study of helmet use among motorcyclists in Wa, Ghana.

Motorcyclists' injuries and fatalities are a major public health concern in many developing countries including Ghana. This study therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence of helmet use among motorcyclists in Wa, Ghana. The method used involved a cross-sectional roadside observation at 12 randomly selected sites within and outside the CBD of Wa.

The effect of road and environmental characteristics on pedestrian hit-and-run accidents in Ghana.

The number of pedestrians who have died as a result of being hit by vehicles has increased in recent years, in addition to vehicle passenger deaths. Many pedestrians who were involved in road traffic accident died as a result of the driver leaving the pedestrian who was struck unattended at the scene of the accident. This paper seeks to determine the effect of road and environmental characteristics on pedestrian hit-and-run accidents in Ghana.

Reporting on road traffic injury: content analysis of injuries and prevention opportunities in Ghanaian newspapers.

In order to analyse traffic injury reporting in Ghanaian newspapers and identify opportunities for improving road safety, the content of 240 articles on road traffic injury was reviewed from 2005 to 2006 editions of two state-owned and two privately owned newspapers. The articles comprised reports on vehicle crashes (37%), commentaries (33%), informational pieces (12%), reports on pedestrian injury (10%), and editorials (8%). There was little coverage of pedestrian injuries, which account for half of the traffic fatalities in Ghana, but only 22% of newspaper reports.

Analysis of fatal road traffic crashes in Ghana.

The major objective of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with fatal road traffic crashes (RTCs) and to propose remedial measures to address them. Fatal RTC data for the period 2005-2007 in Ghana were analysed using the Micro-computer Accident Analysis Package (MAAP) software. Other transport-related research works were reviewed and incorporated in the article.