Browsing by Author "Owusu-Dabo, Ellis"
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- ItemBurden of respiratory viral infections among inmates of a Ghanaian prison(Research Gate Publication, 2019-09-08) Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; El-Duah, Philip; Owusu, Michael; Yeboah, Richmond; Kwarteng, Alexander; Ofori, Linda; Gorman, Richmond; Obiri-Danso, Kwasi; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0003-1671-0755; 0000-0003-1671-0755; 0000-0002-2765-6179; 0000-0002-0893-2908; 0000-0002-6831-3375; 0000-0002-5497-1684; 0000-0003-4232-4292Respiratory viral infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Information on circulating respiratory viruses among prisoners is lacking, although this is of public health importance and knowledge would assist in putting in place preventive measures to forestall disease outbreaks. The aim of this study therefore was to get the footprint of such diseases that have epidemic potential to be described and quantified for control. Prisoners on remand numbering 203 in a prison in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, were interviewed using prevalidated questionnaire, nasopharyngeal samples taken and screened by real-time PCR for common respiratory viruses in February, 2018. Of the total number of 203 participants enrolled, majority were males (n = 198, 97.54%). The modal age unsurprisingly was in the active working class of 18 to 35 years (n = 155, 76.36%) with 48 (23.65%) of participants older than 35 years. Inmates reported nasal congestion (n = 83, 40.89%), cough with or without pharyngitis (n =108, 53.20%) and fever (n = 74, 39.48%). Viruses detected in throat samples were Infl uenza A (n = 1, 0.49%) and Rhinovirus (n = 8, 3.94%). There was no statistically significant association between respiratory virus positivity and age (p = 0.118), gender (p > 0.900), duration of incarceration (p = 0.239) and reported symptoms (p = 0.724). The prison population may have a lower prevalence of respiratory viruses circulating in them. This may be dominated by those with high antigenic diversity.
- ItemContraceptive Characteristics of Women Living with HIV in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana(International Journal of MCH and AIDS, 2013) Gyimah, Akosua A.; Nakua, Emmauel K.; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis; Otupiri, Easmon; 0000-0001-8986-1648Objectives: Contraceptive use among women living with HIV is important to prevent the transmission of the infection to their partners, prevent unintended pregnancies and prevent the mother-to-child transmission of the infection. The study sought to determine the contraceptive characteristics of women living with HIV in the Kumasi metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2012 at two HIV/AIDS clinics in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Interviewer- administered questionnaires were used to collect data from two hundred and ninety five women. Data from one hundred and eighty three women living with HIV and who were sexually active were analyzed. Factors associated with contraceptive use were examined using logistic regression. Results: The overall contraceptive use was high; 84.7% were using a modern contraceptive method. The male condom was the commonest contraceptive method (77.0%) used and this was the main contraceptive method promoted at the HIV/AIDS clinic. Dual method usage was low (4.4%). Multivariate analysis showed that the significant predictor of contraceptive use was HIV status disclosure to partner (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.07-0.87; p = 0.03). Conclusions and Public Health Implications: The integration of family planning and HIV/AIDS services could stress dual method use and encourage HIV status disclosure to partner.
- ItemHaematological Profile and ACE2 Levels of COVID-19 Patients in a Metropolis in Ghana(COVID, 2024) Ackah, Ezekiel B.; Owusu, Michael; Sackey, Benedict; Boamah, Justice K.; Kamasah, Japhet S.; Aduboffour, Albert A.; Akortia, Debora; Nkrumah, Gifty; Amaniampong, Andrews; Klevor, Nicholas; Agyemang, Lawrence D.; Ayisi-Boateng, Nana K.; Sylverken, Augustina; Phillips, Richard Odame; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis; 0000-0001-7491-5420; 0000-0001-5066-150X; 0000-0003-1016-7720; 0000-0003-0369-555X; 0000-0002-0961-4434; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0001-8992-0222; 0000-0003-4232-4292Background: Several studies have linked coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk to age and ABO blood groups. Variations in plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels and blood counts have been reported, suggesting an association between disease severity and low lymphocyte levels. Aim: this study aimed to understand how these factors relate to COVID-19 in Ghanaian patients, considering geographical and demographic differences. Methods: Participants were recruited from six hospitals in Kumasi, Ghana, between June 2020 and July 2021. Nasopharyn geal swabs were taken to test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and blood samples were collected for complete blood count testing, ABO/Rhesus typing, and assessment of plasma ACE2 levels. Demographic and COVID-19 severity data were gathered, and IBM SPSS version 25.0 was used for analysis. Results: Overall, 515 patients were enrolled, out of which 55.9% (n = 288/515) were males and 50.3% (n = 259/515) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The median age was 37 years (IQR = 26–53). Age was significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.002). The severe COVID-19 group was the oldest (70 years, IQR = 35–80) and presented with anaemia (haemoglobin, g/dL: 9.55, IQR = 7.85–11.93), leukocytosis (WBC × 103/µL: 15.87, IQR = 6.68–19.80), neutrophilia (NEUT × 106/µL: 14.69, IQR = 5.70–18.96) and lymphocytopenia (LYMPH × 106/µL: 0.47, IQR = 0.22–0.66). No association was found between SARS-CoV-2 positivity and ABO (p = 0.711) or Rh (p = 0.805) blood groups; no association was also found between plasma ACE2 levels and SARS-CoV-2 status (p = 0.079). However, among COVID-19 participants, plasma ACE2 levels were significantly reduced in the moderate illness group (40.68 ng/mL, IQR = 34.09–48.10) compared with the asymptomatic group (50.61 ng/mL, IQR = 43.90–58.61, p = 0.015). Conclusions: While there may be no real association between the ABO blood group, as well as plasma ACE2 levels, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Ghanaian patients, older individuals are at a higher risk of severe disease. Anaemia, and leukocytosis with lymphocytopenia may be indicators of poor disease progression.
- ItemIs pulmonary tuberculosis in pregnant women a problem in Ghana? Observations and lessons from the National Tuberculosis Prevalence Project(Wolters Kluwer - Medknow, 2019) Awua‑Boateng, Nana Yaa; Mohammed, Aliyu; Aglanu, Leslie Mawuli; Acheampong, Godfred; Amuasi,J. H.; Bonsu,F.A.; Phillips, Richard Odame; Owusu-Dabo, EllisBackground: Despite appropriate prevention and control measures, tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of the disease in pregnancy is usually challenging, as the symptoms may be attributed to the pregnancy. Little is known about the true burden of the disease and its associated risk factors among pregnant women. This study sought to assess the prevalence of TB among pregnant women and associated sociodemographic characteristics in Ghana. Methods: The study used nationally representative data gathered from the national TB project in 2013. A total of 1747 pregnant women were sampled from 56 randomly selected diagnostic health centers across the ten regions of Ghana. TB was confirmed with Ziehl–Neelsen staining technique using morning sputum samples from pregnant women who reported coughing for more than 2 weeks. We assessed how the observed TB prevalence differed by some sociodemographic characteristics and other factors. We further examined the regional spatial distribution of pregnant women with TB in the country. Results: Up to 11.2% of the pregnant women had a history of cough during pregnancy. Eighteen (1.1%) cases of TB were confirmed among the pregnant women during the 2‑year period, with the Eastern region of the country recording the highest (n = 13, 72%), followed by Volta region ( n = 2, 11.1%). No cases were recorded in five regions. The geographical region of residence was the only determinant of TB in pregnancy significantly associated with TB (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Although the burden of TB was found to be low, appropriate control measures have to be put in place to detect the disease during the early stages of pregnancy to safeguard the health of the expectant mother and the unborn child.
- ItemUse of social media in a national Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Survey: lessons from the first anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Ghana(AAS Open Research, 2019) Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis; Kwarteng, Alexander; Twumasi-Ankrah, Sampson; Owusu, Michael; Adu-Amoah, Louis; Dumevi, Rexford Mawunyo; Arthur, Rejoice Agyeiwaa; Addofoh, Nicholas; Dzata, Francisca; Bonsu, Frank; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0003-4232-4292; 0000-0002-0893-2908; 0000-0002-9183-1883; 0000-0001-5066-150X; 0000-0001-6755-2545; 0000-0002-7135-2754Background: The widespread use of social media applications on mobile phones indicate that smart phones have become more than just a simple medium for voice calling. Several studies have shown the potential benefit of these social media applications in discussing many health conditions. We report on tracking sample transport by public and private transport providers using WhatsApp during the first nationwide drug resistance tuberculosis (TB) survey in Ghana. Methods: The survey was conducted between February 2016 and June 2017, and involved 33 TB diagnostic sites selected on the basis of a two-stage cluster randomized sampling design on both anticipated yield and probability proportional to size method. We engaged the services of privately and publicly owned vehicles’ union to transport samples to the central laboratories in Kumasi for further laboratory processing.We created a mobile social group platform (‘National TBDRS’) on WhatsApp consisting of two representatives from each site as well as other stakeholders. The purpose was to notify a laboratory team in Kumasi, on the following details of the sample: date and time of dispatch, driver’s name, car number, estimated time of arrival, and bus terminal name. Results: A total 3077 WhatsApp messages were received during the survey period. Of these, 2879 (93.57%) messages were related to the survey. We observed a positive correlation between the total number of messages received and the total number of well-packaged sputum samples sent (r=0.89, p=0.02). There were no major transport delays (11:44±03:50) and all samples arrived within a 3-day window from the survey sites. Conclusions: Using WhatsApp as a platform of communication can significantly aid in improving tracking of samples, enhance accountability of for example drivers handling the samples over at a road crossing and communication across health facilities.