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Book Chapters 144
Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.
Conference Proceedings and Papers 107
Heritage Materials 659
Institute of African Studies (IAS) J. H. Nketia Archives 4
Journals 403

Recent Submissions

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Process Evaluation of Infection Prevention and Control Policies at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.

(University of Ghana, 2023) Opoku-Darko, V.

Background: Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) is a public health problem affecting hospitalized patients and healthcare workers, as they increase cost, morbidity, mortality and antibiotic resistance and the likelihood of being exposed to infections. The Center for Disease Control considers HCAIs as one of the commonest complications of health care management and admonishes the formulation and implementation of guidelines to prevent or control HCAIs in health facilities. However, there is limited evidence of how infection prevention control policies are implemented in healthcare facilities in Ghana. Objectives: This aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of infection prevention and control guidelines at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH). Specifically, the study assessed the knowledge of healthcare workers on infection prevention control policies, the various types of HCAIs; the risk factors associated with surgical site infections on patients; and the implementation of the guidelines employed to control and prevent surgical site infections in the hospital. Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative study involving in-depth interviews and observations. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with participants purposively selected because of their experience of either providing care (15 health workers) or receiving care (10 patients) at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. A checklist was used to interview participant. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The study found that majority (90%) of the respondents were knowledgeable about Health Care Associated Infections and familiar with the recommendations in the Infections Prevention and Control guidelines at the hospital. On the control of infections, all participants agreed that transmission of hospital acquired infections can be prevented through personal hygiene nd adhering to protocols. Most participants reported that surgical site infections are the most common HCAI at the GARH, particularly in the operating theatre, and that staff members working in the emergency wards are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of their jobs. Conclusion: Almost all the respondents reported having good knowledge on the IPC policies at the GARH. Compliance of healthcare professionals is essential to achieve universal, quality, and safe healthcare and a safe working environment.

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Seroepidemiology and Virological Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Infections in Kayayei

(University of Ghana, 2022) Asare, R.B.

Globally, hepatitis B virus is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with approximately 240 million persons living with chronic hepatitis B. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the disease is highly prevalent (≥8%), but little is known about the epidemiology and occult hepatitis B virus infection in migrant female head porters (Kayayei) in Ghana. Occult hepatitis B virus infection, defined as the presence of hepatitis B virus DNA in an individual negative for hepatitis B surface antigen with or without serological marker has become a global health threat. This study sought to provide information on the prevalence and nature of hepatitis B virus infection in migrant female head porters (Kayayei). The outcome is meant to promote health and inform policies aimed at curbing the spread of hepatitis B virus. A simple random sampling technique was employed to enrol 390 Kayayei from the slum (Agbogbloshie and Madina). Blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes and subsequently separated into plasma. A rapid diagnostic test kit (Micropoint, Micropoint Diagnostics, China) was used to detect hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B virus combo test kit (Diaspot (Serum/Plasma) Colloidal Gold, Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech, China) was used to detect the serological profile. DNA was extracted and conventional PCR was used to detect hepatitis B virus core DNA. Participants between the ages of 20-29 years, 44.1% (172/390) formed the highest age group recruited. The median age of study participants was 26 years. Majority of the Kayayei were married, 53.3% (208/390), 83.8% (327/390) had no formal education and 80.5% (314/390) were not aware of HBV infection. A total of 228 (58.5%) Kayayei were recruited from Madina and 162 (41.5%) from Agbogbloshie. There were some significant differences in the socio demographic characteristics of study participants at both research sites. The prevalence of HBsAg and occult hepatitis B virus infection were 6.4% (25/390) and 1.9% (7/365) respectively. There was no significant association between socio-demographics of participants and hepatitis B surface antigen positivity. Majority, 52.8% (66/125) of participants were susceptible to hepatitis B virus disease because they were naïve to the infection. Prevalence of 6.4% indicates moderate endemicity of HBV infection among the Kayayei. No identifiable factor was found to be associated with HBV positivity. Occult hepatitis B virus infection has implications for blood donation and transfusion with vulnerable group as blood donors. Vaccines should be made accessible since majority of the Kayayei had no hepatitis B virus serological marker.

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Single H/𝑯𝟐 Adsorption on Transition Metal Disulphides (TM𝑺𝟐)

(University of Ghana, 2022) Anakwah, M.

2D transition metal disulphides have gained a lot of research interest due to their fantastic electrical, optical, magnetic, and mechanical properties which makes them recommended for electrical and optical applications. More interestingly, they have been proposed as suitable alternatives to Pt hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts as they also exhibit layered structures in which the layers interact through Van der Waals forces. Semiconducting transition metal disulphides in bulk are indirect band gap materials whereas their monolayers exhibit direct band gap. Metallic (1T) phase of transition metal disulphides has been widely studied due to their higher hydrogen evolution reaction activity and the tremendous optical and electrical applications it offers. The successful fabrication of bilayer heterostructures of 1T transition metal disulphides will open opportunities for industry scale HER catalysts and electrical devices applications. In this work, we have analyzed structural, electronic, and energetic properties of monolayer 1T-Mo𝑆2 , 1T-Re𝑆2 , 1T-W𝑆2 and 1T-Pd𝑆2 using density functional theory calculations. Bilayer heterostructures including 1T-Mo𝑆2-Pd𝑆2, 1T-W𝑆2-Pd𝑆2, 1T-Pd𝑆2-Re𝑆2, 1T-Mo𝑆2-W𝑆2 and 1T-W𝑆2 Re𝑆2 have been formed and again density functional calculations have been performed on these heterostructures. It was found that 1T-Mo𝑆2 - Pd𝑆2 , 1T-W𝑆2 - Pd𝑆2 and 1T-Pd𝑆2 - Re𝑆2 can be formed spontaneously and also the bilayer heterostructures composed of two metallic monolayers predict a novel metallic van der Waal solids that might be used in future 2D nanomaterials. Finally, 1T-Mo𝑆2-Pd𝑆2, 1T W𝑆2-Pd𝑆2 were found to be the most stable with adsorption free energy close to zero and can serve as suitable catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction.

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Multinational Modelling Of PM2.5 And CO Exposures From Household Air Pollution In Peri-Urban Cameroon, Ghana And Kenya.

(Scientific Reports, 2025-02-26) Quansah, R.; Williams, H.; Baame, M.; Lorenzetti, F.; Mangeni, J.; et al.

In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 85% of the population uses polluting cooking fuels (e.g. wood, charcoal). Incomplete combustion of these fuels generates household air pollution (HAP), containing fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). Due to large spatial variability, increased quantification of HAP levels is needed to improve exposure assessment in sub-Saharan Africa. The CLEAN-Air(Africa) study included 24-h monitoring of PM2.5 and CO kitchen concentrations (npm2.5 =248/nCO =207) and female primary cook exposures (npm2.5 =245/nCO =222) in peri-urban households in Obuasi (Ghana), Mbalmayo (Cameroon) and Eldoret (Kenya). HAP measurements were combined with survey data on cooking patterns, socioeconomic characteristics and ambient exposure proxies (e.g. walking time to nearest road) in separate PM2.5 and CO mixed-effect log-linear regression models. Model coefficients were applied to a larger study population (n=937) with only survey data to quantitatively scale up PM2.5 and CO exposures.The final models moderately explained variation in mean 24-h PM2.5 (R2 =0.40) and CO (R2 =0.26) kitchen concentration measurements, and PM2.5 (R2 =0.27) and CO (R2 =0.14) female cook exposures. Primary/secondary cooking fuel type was the only significant predictor in all four models. Other significant predictors of PM2.5 and CO kitchen concentrations were cooking location and household size; household financial security and rental status were only predictive of PM2.5 concentrations. Cooking location, household financial security and proxies of ambient air pollution exposure were significant predictors of PM2.5 cook exposures. Including objective cooking time measurements (from temperature sensors) from (n=143) households substantially improved (by 52%) the explained variability of the CO kitchen concentration model, but not the PM2.5 model. Socioeconomic characteristics and markers of ambient air pollution exposure were strongly associated with mean PM2.5 measurements, while cooking environment variables were more predictive of mean CO levels.

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Metabolic Resistance To Pyrethroids With Possible Involvement Of Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acids In Anopheles Funestus, The Major Malaria Vector In Western Kenya.

(BMC Genomics, 2025-01-23) Debrah, I.; Zhong, D.; Machani, M.G.; Nattoh, G.; Ochwedo, K.O.; Morang’a, C.M.; et al.

Background The resurgence of Anopheles funestus, a dominant vector of human malaria in western Kenya was partly attributed to insecticide resistance. However, evidence on the molecular basis of pyrethroid resistance in western Kenya is limited. Here, we reported metabolic resistance mechanisms and demonstrated that multiple non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (ncRNAs) could play a potential role in An. funestus resistance to pyrethroid in western Kenya. Anopheles funestus mosquitoes were sampled using aspiration methods in Bungoma, Teso, Siaya, Port Victoria and Kombewa in western Kenya. The F1 progenies were exposed to deltamethrin (0.05%), permethrin (0.75%), DDT (4%) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.25%) following WHO test guidelines. A synergist assay using piperonyl butoxide (PBO) (4%) was conducted to determine cytochrome P450s’ role in pyrethroid resistance. RNA-seq was conducted on a combined pool of specimens that were resistant and unexposed, and the results were compared with those of the FANG susceptible reference strain. This approach aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenotypic pyrethroid resistance. Results Pyrethroid resistance was observed in all sites with an average mortality rate (MR) of 57.6%. Port Victoria had the highest level of pyrethroid resistance to permethrin (MR=53%) and deltamethrin (MR=11%. Teso had the lowest level of resistance to permethrin (MR=70%) and deltamethrin (MR=87%). Resistance to DDT was observed only in Kombewa (MR=89%) and Port Victoria (MR=85%). A full susceptibility to P-methyl (0.25%) was observed in all sites. PBO synergist assay revealed high susceptibility (>98%) to pyrethroids in all the sites except for Port Victoria (MR=96%). Whole transcriptomic analysis showed that most gene families associated with pyrethroid resistance.