Browsing by Author "Abdulai, A."
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Item Cranioplasty using polymethyl methacrylate implant constructed from an alginate impression and wax elimination technique.(Ghana Medical Journal, 2006) Abdulai, A.; Iddrissu, M.; Dakurah, T.Design This is a retrospective review of the record charts. Setting A joint study by maxillofacial and neurosurgical units, department of surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, a tertiary and premier health care centre. Participants Seventeen consecutive patients with various cranial defects treated using prefabricated acrylic methyl methacrylate implants. Interventions The cranioplasty on all the patients took place at an average of about 12 months after the initial surgery. Main outcome measures Ghana Medical Journal Ghana Medical Association Cranioplasty Using Polymethyl Methacrylate Implant Constructed from an Alginate Impression and Wax Elimination Technique AE Abdulai, MI Iddrissu, and TK Dakurah Additional article information Summary Design This is a retrospective review of the record charts. Setting A joint study by maxillofacial and neurosurgical units, department of surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, a tertiary and premier health care centre. Participants Seventeen consecutive patients with various cranial defects treated using prefabricated acrylic methyl methacrylate implants. Interventions The cranioplasty on all the patients took place at an average of about 12 months after the initial surgery. Main outcome measures These included complications during and after surgery. X-ray views of the skull, ranging from true lateral to anterior-posterior, were taken at follow-up and examined to ascertain the stability of the graft by looking out for any adverse bony changes around it or loosening of any of the steel sutures securing it to the skull. Results A total of 17 patients (5 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 30.4 years were treated. Follow-up period ranged from 9 months to two years. In all cases the surgical procedure was uneventful and the cosmetic results were good. There was no significant change in the size and shape of the preformed methyl methacrylate implant after autoclaving. Conclusion Cranioplasty using prefabricated acrylic methyl methacrylate implants apart from being affordable also ensure shorter operative time and good aesthetic result.Item Dynamics of viral disease outbreaks: A hundred years (1918/ 19–2019/20) in retrospect ‐ Loses, lessons and emerging issues(Reviews in Medical Virology, 2023) Nii‐Trebi, N.I.; Mughogho, T.S.; Abdulai, A.; Tetteh, F.; et al.nfectious diseases continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a formidable obstacle to the development and well‐being of people worldwide. Viruses account for more than half of infectious disease outbreaks that have plagued the world. The past century (1918/19–2019/20) has witnessed some of the worst viral disease outbreaks the world has recorded, with overwhelming impact especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). The frequency of viral dis ease outbreak appears to be increasing. Generally, although infectious diseases have afflicted the world for centuries and humankind has had opportunities to examine the nature of their emergence and mode of spread, almost every new outbreak poses a formidable challenge to humankind, beating the existing pandemic preparedness systems, if any, and causing significant losses. These underscore in adequacy in our understanding of the dynamics and preparedness against viral disease outbreaks that lead to epidemics and pandemics. Despite these challenges, the past 100 years of increasing frequencies of viral disease outbreaks have engendered significant improvements in response to epidemics and pandemics, and offered lessons to inform preparedness. Hence, the increasing frequency of emer gence of viral outbreaks and the challenges these outbreaks pose to humankind, call for the continued search for effective ways to tackle viral disease outbreaks in real time. Through a PRISMA‐based approach, this systematic review examines the outbreak of viral diseases in retrospect to decipher the outbreak patterns, losses inflicted on humanity and highlights lessons these offer for meaningful preparation against future viral disease outbreaks and pandemics.Item Dynamics of viral disease outbreaks: A hundred years (1918/ 19–2019/20) in retrospect ‐ Loses, lessons and emerging issues(Reviews in Medical Virology, 2023) Nii‐Trebi, N.I.; Mughogho, T.S.; Abdulai, A.; Tetteh, F.; et al.Infectious diseases continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a formidable obstacle to the development and well‐being of people worldwide. Viruses account for more than half of infectious disease outbreaks that have plagued the world. The past century (1918/19–2019/20) has witnessed some of the worst viral disease outbreaks the world has recorded, with overwhelming impact especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). The frequency of viral dis ease outbreak appears to be increasing. Generally, although infectious diseases have afflicted the world for centuries and humankind has had opportunities to examine the nature of their emergence and mode of spread, almost every new outbreak poses a formidable challenge to humankind, beating the existing pandemic preparedness systems, if any, and causing significant losses. These underscore in adequacy in our understanding of the dynamics and preparedness against viral disease outbreaks that lead to epidemics and pandemics. Despite these challenges, the past 100 years of increasing frequencies of viral disease outbreaks have engendered significant improvements in response to epidemics and pandemics, and offered lessons to inform preparedness. Hence, the increasing frequency of emer gence of viral outbreaks and the challenges these outbreaks pose to humankind, call for the continued search for effective ways to tackle viral disease outbreaks in real time. Through a PRISMA‐based approach, this systematic review examines the outbreak of viral diseases in retrospect to decipher the outbreak patterns, losses inflicted on humanity and highlights lessons these offer for meaningful preparation against future viral disease outbreaks and pandemicsItem Effects of Rural-Urban Migration on Socioeconomic Status in the Accra Metropolitan District(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Abdulai, A.Rural urban migration has been a phenomenon that has gained world attention due to its associated challenges. This study sought to find out the effects of rural urban migration on the socio-demographic characteristics of migrants living in Abossey Okai Zongo. Using a mixed method approach, both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied in the administration of 100 semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered using a multi-staged approach. Respondents generally have low socio-demographic status. However, the results also indicate that respondents experience improvement in their livelihoods after migrating from the rural areas to Accra. The study also revealed that there are a lot of challenges that migrants go through in urban areas which include high rent cost, high cost of living, shortage of water, among others. The major coping strategy adopted by migrants to reduce the challenges they go through is by their association with religious and social groups. It recommended that although the government has made education free up to the senior high level, efforts are made to ensure its sustainability and measures put in place so that people within the school going age will be enrolled and educated. The study also recommends that efforts are put in place by district assemblies and other development agents in rural areas to boost local capacity so that equal opportunities can be provided between rural and urban areas. Also, there should be education on the need for more private people and groups to assist government in the provision of certain services in the urban centres. Future research should focus on identifying the reasons why there is a relationship between gender and improvement in livelihood of migrants.Item Insecticide Resistance Status and Mechanisms in Aedes Mosquitoes in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2020-10) Abdulai, A.Background Aedes mosquitoes are vectors of arboviral diseases such as dengue and yellow fever, which are of major public health concern. Vector control, which relies mainly on the use of insecticides, is the main intervention for arboviral disease control. However, Aedes mosquitoes are developing resistance to several classes of insecticides. In Ghana, data about the mechanisms involved in insecticide resistance in Aedes mosquitoes is lacking. Aim of Study The aim of this study is to investigate the insecticide resistance status of Aedes populations and the mechanisms involved in selected urban and suburban settings in Ghana. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study carried out in urban sites (Accra and Tema) and suburban sites (Ada and Navrongo) in Ghana. Aedes larvae were collected in all the study sites and raised to adults in the insectary. Phenotypic resistance was determined using the WHO susceptibility test. Resistant and susceptible Aedes mosquitoes were subjected to morphological identification. Insecticide target site genes were amplified and sequenced to detect mutations conferring genotypic resistance in Aedes populations. A synergist assay was also used to determine the involvement of the metabolic enzymes (specifically oxidases) in the phenotypic resistance observed across the sites. Results The results showed high phenotypic resistance to Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and pyrethroids, with percentage mortalities ranging from 11.3% to 75.8% for those exposed to DDT and 62.5% to 88.8% for those exposed to pyrethroids (deltamethrin and permethrin) in all sites. Aedes mosquitoes collected from Tema were found to be resistant to all the classes of insecticides tested (pyrethroids, organophosphates, organochloride and carbamates). Suspected resistance to carbamate and organophosphates was also detected in some sites. All resistant and susceptible Aedes mosquitoes that were morphologically identified were confirmed to be Aedes aegypti (100%). High frequency of point mutations at the voltage-gated sodium channel (F1534C and V1016I) were detected in both resistant and susceptible Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from all sites. Pre-exposure to Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) significantly enhanced the susceptibility of Aedes to almost all insecticides tested. This may be an indicator that metabolic enzymes (oxidases) may be partially or fully involved in the development of resistance in some Aedes populations. Conclusion These findings suggest that resistance profiles in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes vary across sites in Ghana and seem to be increasing rapidly especially among the pyrethroids and organochlorides (DDT). DDT resistance is widespread across all sites tested. The phenotypic resistance observed are likely to be mediated by multiple resistant mechanisms (genetic and metabolic mechanisms) per the findings obtained. Thus, there is a need to explore ways to effectively control resistant Aedes populations to help control arboviral diseases in Ghana.Item Insecticide resistance status of Aedes aegypti in southern and northern Ghana(Parasites & Vectors, 2023) Abdulai, A.; Owusu‑Asenso, C.M.; et al.Background Outbreaks of Aedes-borne arboviral diseases are becoming rampant in Africa. In Ghana, there is no organized arboviral control programme with interventions restricted to mitigate outbreaks. Insecticide application is a crucial part of outbreak responses and future preventative control measures. Thus, knowledge of the resistance status and underlying mechanisms of Aedes populations is required to ensure optimal insecticide choices. The present study assessed the insecticide resistance status of Aedes aegypti populations from southern Ghana (Accra, Tema and Ada Foah) and northern Ghana (Navrongo) respectively. Methods Phenotypic resistance was determined with WHO susceptibility tests using Ae. aegypti collected as larvae and reared into adults. Knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations were detected using allele-specifc PCR. Synergist assays were performed with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) to investigate the possible involvement of metabolic mechanisms in resistance phenotypes. Results Resistance to DDT was moderate to high across sites (11.3 to 75.8%) and, for the pyrethroids deltamethrin and permethrin, moderate resistance was detected (62.5 to 88.8%). The 1534C kdr and 1016I kdr alleles were common in all sites (0.65 to 1) and may be on a trajectory toward fxation. In addition, a third kdr mutant, V410L, was detected at lower frequencies (0.03 to 0.31). Pre-exposure to PBO signifcantly increased the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti to deltamethrin and permethrin (P<0.001). This indicates that in addition to kdr mutants, metabolic enzymes (monooxy‑ genases) may be involved in the resistance phenotypes observed in the Ae. aegypti populations in these sites. Conclusion Insecticide resistance underpinned by multiple mechanisms in Ae. aegypti indicates the need for surveil‑ lance to assist in developing appropriate vector control strategies for arboviral disease control in GhanaItem Perceptions of the roles, impact, challenges and needs of community drug distributors in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in difficult-to-access communities in Ghana(BMC Infectious Diseases, 2023) Forson, A.O.; Awuah, R.B.; Mohammed, A.R.; Owusu-Asenso, C.M.; Atakora, S.B.; Akosah-Brempong, G.; Abdulai, A.; Sraku, I.K.; Dhikrullahi, S.B.; Attah, S.K.; Afrane, Y.A.Introduction The success of mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Ghana depends, to a large extent, on the essential role community drug distributors (CDDs) play. This study aimed to investigate community’s perceptions of CDDs’ roles, impact of CDDs’ work, challenges faced by CDDs, and views on resources required to enhance CDDs’ work to sustain MDA campaigns. Methods A cross-sectional qualitative study employing the use of focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members and CDDs in selected NTD endemic communities together with individual interviews with district health officers (DHOs) was conducted. We interviewed 104 people aged 18 and over, purposively selected, through eight individual interviews, and 16 focus group discussions. Results Participants in the community FGDs noted that health education and the distribution of drugs were the main roles of CDDs. Participants also perceived that the work of CDDs had prevented the onset of NTDs, treated symptoms of NTDs, and generally reduced the incidence of infections. In the interviews with CDDs and DHOs, lack of cooperation/non-compliance by community members, demands by community members, lack of working resources and low financial motivation were mentioned as the main challenges to the work of CDDs. Moreover, the provision of logistics and financial motivation for CDDs were identified as factors that will enhance their work. Conclusions Incorporating more attractive schemes will incentivise CDDs to improve output. Addressing the challenges highlighted is an important step for the work of CDDS to be effective in controlling NTDs in difficult-to access communities in Ghana.