Browsing by Author "Antobre-Boateng, A."
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Item Outbreak of foodborne gastroenteritis in a senior high school in South-eastern Ghana: A retrospective cohort study(BioMed Central Ltd., 2016) Ameme, D.K.; Alomatu, H.; Antobre-Boateng, A.; Zakaria, A.; Addai, L.; Fianko, K.; Janneh, B.; Afari, E.A.; Nyarko, K.M.; Sackey, S.O.; Wurapa, F.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. We investigated to verify the outbreak, determine its magnitude, identify the source and implement control measures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. We reviewed medical records and interviewed patrons of the food vendor. We collected data on age, sex, signs and symptoms, date of illness onset, date of admission, date of discharge, treatments given and outcome. A case of foodborne disease was any person in the school with abdominal pain, vomiting and or diarrhoea from 4th to 11th February 2015 and had eaten from the food vendor. We conducted active case search to identify more cases. We conducted environmental assessment and collected clinical and food samples for laboratory testing. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using Stata 12.0. Results: A total of 68 cases were recorded giving overall attack rate of 35.79 % (68/190) with no death. Of these, 51.47 % (35/68) were males. Mean age of case-patients was 17.8 (standard deviation +/-1.62). The index case, a 17-year-old female student ate from the food vendor on 4th February at 9:00 am and fell ill at 3:40 pm later that day. Compared to those who ate other food items, students who drank water from container at the canteen were more likely to develop foodborne disease at statistically significant levels [RR = 2.6, 95 % CI = (2.11-3.15)]. Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) and Salmonella species (Salmonella spp) were isolated from water and stew respectively. Clinical features of case-patients were compatible with both organisms. Conclusion: A foodborne gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in a Senior High School in Fanteakwa District from 4th to 7th February 2015. The most probable aetiologic agent was C. perfringens with contaminated water at canteen as the vehicle of transmission. Concurrent Salmonella spp infection could not be ruled out. Rapid outbreak response helped in controlling the outbreak.Item A Study of Some Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Schistosomiasis in 2 Rural Communities in the Asuogyaman District(University of Ghana, 1999-08) Antobre-Boateng, A.; Nkrumah-Mills, G.; Ashitey, G.A.; Osei, L.; University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, School of Public HealthThis study was intended to find the social and environmental factors that affect the prevalence o f schistosomiasis in two rural communities in the Asuogyaman District. The study was conducted in response to a felt need by the District Health Administration. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to interview young people aged 10-20 years on their knowledge, attitude and practice concerning schistosomiasis, a focus group discussion among a selected group o f adults and a non-participant observation. The study revealed the lack o f water and sanitation facilities in Dzidzokope as compared to South Senchi where such facilities exist, to have contributed to the relatively higher prevalence in Dzidzokope. Also, the study showed that the community with a higher prevalence (Dzidzokope) is located just near the source o f infection while that with a lower prevalence is further away from the river source. Analysis showed that knowledge was high among respondents, with 80% in Dzidzokope and 86% in South Senchi associating schistosomiasis with the Lake but such knowledge is not consistent with their practices especially in the Dzidzokope community where the prevalence is higher. In this study, members o f both communities poorly rated education on schistosomiasis as a preventive and control measure, even though they receive health education on schistosomiasis from the school and the Volta River Authority. Based on the findings o f the study, the following key recommendations have been made to the relevant authorities: • New settlements should be located fairly distant from the shores o f the Lake and provided with water and sanitation facilities to reduce frequency o f entry of the people into the water. • Health education should stress on the mode o f transmission of schistosomiasis. • Treatment should be given to all members o f the community at the same time.