Browsing by Author "Bonsu, G."
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Item Barriers to healthcare workers reporting adverse events following immunization in four regions of Ghana(Vaccine, 2019-11-29) Bosomprah, S.; Gidudu, J.F.; Shaum, A.; Dodoo, A.; Bonsu, G.; Amponsa-Achiano, K.; Darko, D.M.; Sabblah, G.; Opare, J.; Nyaku, M.; Owusu-Boakye, B.; Oduro, A.; Aborigo, R.; Conklin, L.; Welaga, P.; Ampadu, H.H.Despite didactic training on adverse events following immunization (AEFI) in Ghana, the reporting ratio of AEFI was 1.56 per 100,000 surviving infants in 2015, below the minimum reporting ratio of 10. We aimed to estimate the proportion of health care workers (HCWs) reporting AEFI and to identify barriers to reporting. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of HCWs in four regions in Ghana. A simple random sample of 176 health facilities was selected and up to two HCWs were randomly selected per facility. We used the Rao-Scott Chi-squared test to compare factors associated with reporting of AEFI in the last year. We used an open-ended question to identify reasons for low reporting. One supervisor from each facility, responsible for overall reporting and management of AEFI, was also interviewed. A total of 306 HCWs from 169 facilities were interviewed. Of these, 176 (57.5%) reported they had ever encountered an AEFI. Of the 120 who had encountered an AEFI in the last year, 66 (55.0%) indicated they had reported the AEFI, and 38 (31.7%) completed a reporting form. HCWs (n = 120) reported multiple barriers to reporting of AEFI; the most common barriers were fear of personal consequences (44.1%), lack of knowledge or training (25.2%), and not believing an AEFI was serious enough to report (22.2%). Discussion of AEFI during the last supervisory visit was significantly associated with reporting in the past year (OR 7.39; p < .001). Of 172 supervisors interviewed, 65 (37.8%) mentioned their facilties had ever encountered an AEFI; over 90% of facilities had reporting forms. We identified low reporting of AEFI and multiple barriers to reporting among HCWs in the four selected regions of Ghana. Discussing AEFI during supervisory visits with HCWs might improve reporting. Additionally, strategies to address fear of personal consequences as a barrier to reporting of AEFI are needed.Item Community-based mass treatment with azithromycin for the elimination of yaws in GhanaÐResults of a pilot study(PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2018-03-22) Abdulai, A.A.; Agana-Nsiire, P.; Biney, F.; Kwakye-Maclean, C.; Kyei-Faried, S.; Amponsa-Achiano, K.; Simpson, S.V.; Bonsu, G.; Ohene, S.; Ampofo, W.K.; Adu-Sarkodie, Y.; Addo, K.K.; Chi, K.; Danavall, D.; Chen, C.Y.; Pillay, A.; Sanz, S.; Tun, Y.; Mitjà, O.; Asiedu, K.B.; Ballard, R.C.Introduction The WHO yaws eradication strategy consists of one round of total community treatment (TCT) of single-dose azithromycin with coverage of > 90%.The efficacy of the strategy to reduce the levels on infection has been demonstrated previously in isolated island communities in the Pacific region. We aimed to determine the efficacy of a single round of TCT with azithromycin to achieve a decrease in yaws prevalence in communities that are endemic for yaws and surrounded by other yaws-endemic areas. Methods Surveys for yaws seroprevalence and prevalence of skin lesions were conducted among schoolchildren aged 5±15 years before and one year after the TCT intervention in the Abamkrom sub-district of Ghana. We used a cluster design with the schools as the primary sampling unit. Among 20 eligible primary schools in the sub district, 10 were assigned to the baseline survey and 10 to the post-TCT survey. The field teams conducted a physical examination for skin lesions and a dual point-of-care immunoassay for non-treponemal and treponemal antibodies of all children present at the time of the visit. We also undertook surveys with non-probabilistic sampling to collect lesion swabs for etiology and macrolide resistance assessment. Results At baseline 14,548 (89%) of 16,287 population in the sub-district received treatment during TCT. Following one round of TCT, the prevalence of dual seropositivity among all children decreased from 10.9% (103/943) pre-TCT to 2.2% (27/1211) post-TCT (OR 0.19; 95%CI 0.09±0.37). The prevalence of serologically confirmed skin lesions consistent with active yaws was reduced from 5.7% (54/943) pre-TCT to 0.6% (7/1211) post-TCT (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.25±0.35). No evidence of resistance to macrolides against Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue was seen. Discussion A single round of high coverage TCT with azithromycin in a yaws affected sub-district adjoining other endemic areas is effective in reducing the prevalence of seropositive children and the prevalence of early skin lesions consistent with yaws one year following the intervention. These results suggest that national yaws eradication programmes may plan the gradual expansion of mass treatment interventions without high short-term risk of reintroduction of infection from contiguous untreated endemic areas.Item Sex differences in perceived risk and testing experience of HIV in an urban fishing setting in Ghana(International Journal for Equity in Health, 2014-11) Yawson, A.E.; Appiah, L.K.; Yawson, A.O.; Bonsu, G.; Aluze-Ele, S.; Owusu Amanhyia, N.A.K.; Lartey, M.; Adjei, A.A.; Lawson, A.L.; Beckwith, C.; Kwara, A.; Flanigan, T.Introduction: Understanding sex differences in willingness to test and testing experience could aid the design of focus interventions to enhance uptake and engagement with care, treatment and support services. This study determined differences in perceived risk of acquiring HIV, willingness to test and HIV testing experience in an urban fishing community. Methods: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in 2013 among men and women in two fishing communities (Chorkor and James Town) in Accra. In all, 554 subjects (≥18 years) were involved, 264 in Chorkor and 290 in James Town. Data on demographic characteristics, perceived risk for HIV and willingness to test for HIV and testing experience were collected with a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were used for the analysis at 95% significant level, using SPSS version 21. Results: Of 554 subjects, 329 (59.4%) were females, and median age was 32 years. Overall, only 91(40.4%) men and 118(35.9%) women perceived themselves to be at risk of acquiring HIV. A significant proportion of women were willing to test for HIV compared to men (86.3% vs. 80.0%, P = 0.048). Women were more likely to have ever tested for HIV compared to men (42.2% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.001) and more women had tested within 12 months prior to survey than men (49.6% vs. 40.6%, P = 0.230). Of the number who had tested for HIV infection, a higher proportion of men tested voluntarily 42(65.6%), while a higher proportion of women tested as part of healthcare service received 96(69.1%); (P = 0.001; indicating women vs. men). Conclusion: Sex differences in risk perception and willingness to test need more focused public education and behaviour change communication strategies to achieve high coverage. Community-based strategies could improve HIV testing among men whilst more access to testing in health settings should be available to women in these communities. © 2014 Yawson et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.