Browsing by Author "Wright, J."
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Item An assessment of the replicability of a standard and modified sanitary risk protocol for groundwater sources in Greater Accra(Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2019-02) Yentumi, W.; Dzodzomenyo, M.; Sashie-Doe, K.; Wright, J.Sanitary risk inspection, the systematic observation of contamination hazards, is often used to manage safety of water sources such as wells and boreholes. However, the replicability of sanitary risk inspections undertaken by different observers has not been studied. This study aimed to assess the replicability of sanitary risk inspections by two different observers in urban and peri-urban neighbourhoods of Greater Accra, Ghana. Two observers independently used a standard protocol to record contamination hazards around 62 groundwater sources, additionally recording urban-specific hazards such as damaged sewage pipes via a modified protocol. We calculated risk scores as the proportion of hazards observed at each source, separately for each observer. Linn’s concordance correlation coefficient indicated very high agreement between the two observers’ risk scores (n = 62; c = 0.949, 95% confidence limits 0.917–0.968). However, risk scores from urban-specific observations were uncorrelated with those from the standard protocol (r = 0.11, p = 0.41 for observer 1; r = 0.16, p = 0.22 for observer 2). Ours is the first study of replicability of sanitary risk observations and suggests high inter-observer agreement. However, urban contamination hazards were not captured using the standard protocol. In the future, assessment of inter-observer agreement and observations of urban-specific hazards could be incorporated into nationwide or regional sanitary risk surveys.Item Characteristics of packaged water production facilities in Greater Accra, Ghana: implications for water safety and associated environmental impacts(Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2020-02-04) Dzodzomenyo, M.; Semey, M.D.K.; Dotse-Gborgbortsi, W.; Wright, J.Packaged water (sold in bags or bottles) is widely consumed in many countries and is the main drinking-water source for most urban Ghanaian households. There are, however, few studies of packaged water production. This study aims to assess the source water, treatment, and manufacturing characteristics of sachet water (vended in 500 mL plastic bags), together with pointof- manufacture risks to hygienic production. A sample of 90 sachets was collected of brands sold in four neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana, their packaging and physical characteristics recorded, and a risk score calculated from these. Production processes were observed at 60 associated sachet factories, producers interviewed, and surrounding neighbourhoods surveyed for contamination hazards. 80% of producers packaged groundwater from boreholes and all treated water via reverse osmosis. Almost all manufacturers (95%) reported site visits by regulators in the previous year and few risks to hygienic production were observed at factories. Sanitary risk scores were 9.2% higher at the seven factories never visited by a regulator, though this difference was not significant (t ¼ 1.81; p ¼ 0.07). This survey suggests most Ghanaian sachet water originates from groundwater and is comparatively safe, though a minority remains unregulated. Groundwater governance policy could support this industry in meeting Greater Accra’s growing water demand through the designation of protected municipal wellfields.Item Estimation of packaged water consumption and associated plastic waste production from household budget surveys(Environmental Research Letters, 2017-07) Wardrop, N.A.; Dzodzomenyo, M.; Aryeetey, G.; Hill, A.G.; Bain, R.E.S.; Wright, J.Packaged water consumption is growing in low- and middle-income countries, but the magnitude of this phenomenon and its environmental consequences remain unclear. This study aims to quantify both the volumes of packaged water consumed relative to household water requirements and associated plastic waste generated for three West African case study countries. Data from household expenditure surveys for Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia were used to estimate the volumes of packaged water consumed and thereby quantify plastic waste generated in households with and without solid waste disposal facilities. In Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia respectively, 11.3 (95% confidence interval: 10.3-12.4), 10.1 (7.5-12.5), and 0.38 (0.31-0.45) Ml day-1 of sachet water were consumed. This generated over 28 000 tonnes yr-1 of plastic waste, of which 20%, 63% and 57% was among households lacking formal waste disposal facilities in Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia respectively. Reported packaged water consumption provided sufficient water to meet daily household drinking-water requirements for 8.4%, less than 1% and 1.6% of households in Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia respectively. These findings quantify packaged water's contribution to household water needs in our study countries, particularly Ghana, but indicate significant subsequent environmental repercussions. © 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd.Item Increased flooded area and exposure in the White Volta river basin in Western Africa, identified from multi‑source remote sensing data(nature, 2022) Li, C.; Dash, J.; Asamoah, M.; Sheffield, J.; Dzodzomenyo, M.; Gebrechorkos, S.H.; Anghileri, D.; Wright, J.Accurate information on flood extent and exposure is critical for disaster management in datascarce, vulnerable regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, uncertainties in flood extent affect flood exposure estimates. This study developed a framework to examine the spatiotemporal pattern of floods and to assess flood exposure through utilization of satellite images, ground-based participatory mapping of flood extent, and socio-economic data. Drawing on a case study in the White Volta basin in Western Africa, our results showed that synergetic use of multi-temporal radar and optical satellite data improved flood mapping accuracy (77% overall agreement compared with participatory mapping outputs), in comparison with existing global flood datasets (43% overall agreement for the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) Near Real-Time (NRT) Global Flood Product). Increases in flood extent were observed according to our classified product, as well as two existing global flood products. Similarly, increased flood exposure was also observed, however its estimation remains highly uncertain and sensitive to the input dataset used. Population exposure varied greatly depending on the population dataset used, while the greatest farmland and infrastructure exposure was estimated using a composite flood map derived from three products, with lower exposure estimated from each flood product individually. The study shows that there is considerable scope to develop an accurate flood mapping system in SSA and thereby improve flood exposure assessment and develop mitigation and intervention plans.Item The influence of distance and quality on utilisation of birthing services at health facilities in Eastern Region, Ghana(BMJ Global Health, 2020-01-09) Dwomoh, D.; Dotse-Gborgbortsi, W.; Alegana, V.; Hill, A.; Tatem, A.J.; Wright, J.Objectives Skilled birth attendance is the single most important intervention to reduce maternal mortality. However, studies have not used routinely collected health service birth data at named health facilities to understand the influence of distance and quality of care on childbirth service utilisation. Thus, this paper aims to quantify the influence of distance and quality of healthcare on utilisation of birthing services using routine health data in Eastern Region, Ghana. Methods We used a spatial interaction model (a model that predicts movement from one place to another) drawing on routine birth data, emergency obstetric care surveys, gridded estimates of number of pregnancies and health facility location. We compared travel distances by sociodemographic characteristics and mapped movement patterns. Results A kilometre increase in distance significantly reduced the prevalence rate of the number of women giving birth in health facilities by 6.7%. Although quality care increased the number of women giving birth in health facilities, its association was insignificant. Women travelled further than expected to give birth at facilities, on average journeying 4.7 km beyond the nearest facility with a recorded birth. Women in rural areas travelled 4 km more than urban women to reach a hospital. We also observed that 56% of women bypassed the nearest hospital to their community. Conclusion This analysis provides substantial opportunities for health planners and managers to understand further patterns of skilled birth service utilisation, and demonstrates the value of routine health data. Also, it provides evidence-based information for improving maternal health service provision by targeting specific communities and health facilities.Item On the potential of Google Street View for environmental waste quantification in urban Africa: An assessment of bias in spatial coverage(SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, 2023) Umar, F.; Amoah, J.; Asamoah, M.; Okotto, L-G.; Wright, J.; et al.Mismanaged domestic waste threatens ecosystem health, with substantial increases predicted from developing country cities if current consumption and waste service collection trends con tinue. Google Street View (GSV) imagery has been used to quantify urban environmental waste in high-income countries. GSV availability is increasing elsewhere, but its coverage is variable. This study aims to evaluate bias in spatiotemporal GSV coverage relative to environmental waste in two case study cities. An environmental survey measured environmental waste in Greater Accra, Ghana and Kisumu, Kenya via 95 and 81 transects, respectively. Six summary metrics of environmental waste were calculated and compared for transects with full, partial, and no GSV coverage via multi level regression. Multi-level regression indicated no significant differences in scattered waste density for transects with versus without GSV coverage. However, both cities had significantly lower waste burning densities along transects with GSV coverage (4.3 versus 24.2 burning sites/Ha in Kisumu; 1.7 versus 13.6 sites/Ha for Greater Accra) compared to those without Street View density of large waste piles was significantly lower in Kisumu transects with Street View coverage (1.4 versus 11.5 sites/Ha). Because of partial imagery coverage, GSV imagery analysis is likely to under-estimate waste indicators such as waste burning density. Future studies using GSV to quantify waste indicators in African cities should therefore correct for coverage bias.Item Sachet water quality and product registration: A cross-sectional study in Accra, Ghana(Journal of Water and Health, 2018-05) Dzodzomenyo, M.; Fink, G.; Dotse-Gborgbortsi, W.; Wardrop, N.; Aryeetey, G.; Coleman, N.; Hill, A.; Wright, J.Objectives: To assess the extent to which packaged water producers follow product registration procedures and to assess the relationship between product registration and drinking water quality in Accra, Ghana. Methods: Following preliminary analysis of a national water quality survey, 118 packaged sachet water samples were collected by sampling all brands sold by 66 vendors. A sample of vendors were selected from two high income and two low-income areas of Accra, Ghana. Sachet packaging and labelling details were recorded and compared to a regulatory database to assess product registration. All samples were weighed and tested for faecal indicator bacteria and selected physico-chemical parameters. Results: Product registration numbers and brand names could be matched to regulatory records for 77 out of 118 sachets (65.2%). All samples tested were compliant with national water quality standards for faecal indicator bacteria and nitrate. Brand registration was not associated with any of the quality indicators considered Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that whilst a substantial proportion of sachet water is sold without formal product registration, the microbial quality of the unlicensed water is consistently high in Accra, Ghana. Further examination of regulatory enforcement and monitoring will be needed to ensure sustained high water quality over time.