In vitro assessment of crude oil degradation by Acinetobacter junii and Alcanivorax xenomutans isolated from the coast of Ghana.

This study was aimed at using in vitro microcosm experiments to assess crude oil degradation efficiency of Acinetobacter junii and Alcanivorax xenomutans isolated along Ghana's coast. Uncontaminated seawater from selected locations along the coast was used to isolate bacterial species by employing enrichment culture procedures with crude oil as the only carbon source. The isolates were identified by means of the extended direct colony transfer method of the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS), as Acinetobacter junii, and Alcanivorax xenomutans. Remediation tests showed that Acinetobacter junii yielded degradation efficiencies of 27.59 %, 41.38 % and 57.47 %. Whereas efficiencies of 21.14 %, 32.18 % and 43.68 % were recorded by Alcanivorax xenomutans representing 15, 30 and 45 days respectively. Consortia of Acinetobacter junii, and Alcanivorax xenomutans also yielded 32.18 %, 48.28 % and 62.07 % for the selected days respectively. Phylogenetic characterization using ClustalW and BLAST of sequences generated from the Oxford Nanopore Sequencing technique, showed that the Ghanaian isolates clustered with Alcanivorax xenomutans and Acinetobacter junii species respectively. An analysis of the sequenced data for the 1394-bp portion of the 16S rRNA gene of the isolates revealed >99 % sequence identity with the isolates present on the GenBank database. The isolates of closest identity were Alcanivorax xenomutans and Acinetobacter junii with accession numbers, NR_133958.1 and KJ147060.1 respectively. Acinetobacter junii and Alcanivorax xenomutans isolated from Ghana's coast under pristine seawater conditions have therefore demonstrated their capacity to be used for the remediation of crude oil spills.

Acceptance of and Adherence to a Four-Dose RTS,S/AS01 Schedule: Findings from a Longitudinal Qualitative Evaluation Study for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme.

BACKGROUND: The WHO recommended the use of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine (RTS,S) based on a pilot evaluation in routine use in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted to examine facilitators and barriers to uptake of a 4-dose RTS,S schedule. METHODS: A cohort of 198 caregivers of RTS,S-eligible children from communities where RTS,S was provided through the pilot were interviewed three times over a ≈22-month, 4-dose schedule. The interviews examined caregiver perceptions and behaviors. Children's vaccination history was obtained to determine dose uptake. RESULTS: 162 caregivers remained at round 3 (R3); vaccination history was available for 152/162 children. Despite early rumors/fears, the uptake of initial doses was high, driven by vaccine trust. Fears dissipated by R2, replaced with an enthusiasm for RTS,S as caregivers perceived its safety and less frequent and severe malaria. By R3, 98/152 children had received four doses; 34 three doses; 9 one or two doses; and 11 zero doses. The health system and information barriers were important across all under-dose cases. Fears about AEFIs/safety were important in zero-, one-, and two-dose cases. Competing life/livelihood demands and complacency were found in three-dose cases. Regardless of the doses received, caregivers had positive attitudes towards RTS,S by R3. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our study will help countries newly introducing the vaccine to anticipate and preempt reasons for delayed acceptance and missed RTS,S doses.

Public relations strategies employed by the Ghana Health Service to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: a qualitative inquiry.

BACKGROUND: Strategies for developing and advancing good public relations can be recognized in nearly all fields of life without making an exception for the healthcare industry. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, matters of public health have gathered more force. The importance of effective public relations for improving healthcare is highlighted by the position that immediate access to reliable health information should be the hallmark of a just society. However, the strategies available for addressing major threats to the uptake of public health services such as mass vaccination campaigns are not properly studied and documented in the Ghanaian context. This organizational case study explored strategies used by healthcare professionals working with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to address COVID-19-related vaccine hesitancy in the country. METHODS: We performed a qualitative inquiry with semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with 25 public health officials of the GHS. The interviews were timed to coincide with the mass deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in four Regions. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collected included demographic characteristics, perspectives on public relations strategies used in the past year to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake as well as successes and pitfalls. Thematic analysis was performed with NVIVO software to generate themes from interview transcripts. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged from the data analysis and these are presented. Healthcare workers perceived vaccine hesitancy to be a threat with the potential to undermine an important strategic organizational goal related to COVID-19 illness. In terms of PR strategies, we determined that a combination of informative, motivational, persuasive and coercive public relations strategies was employed by the Ghana Health Service to address the challenge of vaccine hesitancy. We further found that PR strategies were deployed across both traditional (print, radio, TV) and emerging/social media networks. Officials were optimistic that the strategies would produce results, but were uncertain whether they could attribute current successes or failures to the PR strategies used. CONCLUSION: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public relations strategies which have been employed by the Ghana Health Service to address vaccine hesitancy are characterized and catalogued. The nature of the audience and PR strategies employed suggests that the effect of these strategies may be short-lived unless they are constantly reinforced by the GHS. These findings show that effective PR strategies exist for addressing vaccine hesitancy in public health practice.

Isolation and characterization of crude-oil-dependent bacteria from the coast of Ghana using oxford nanopore sequencing.

The utilization and improper use of crude oil can have irreparable damage on the environment and human populations. This study sought to isolate hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria from 1% v/v pristine seawater and 1% v/v crude oil using enrichment culture techniques. Whole genome sequencing of DNA using the Oxford Nanopore sequencing technique with Fastq WIMP as the workflow at 3% abundance was undertaken. The results showed that the most abundant isolates identified using this technique at specific sampling sites were, Acinetobacter junii (51.9%), Alcanivarax pacificus (15.8%), Acinetobacter haemolyticus (21.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23.4%), Alcanivorax xenomutans (24.7%), Alcanivorax xenomutans (23.0%) Acinetobacter baumannii (40.0%) and Acinetobacter junii (14.2%). Cumulatively, the most abundant isolates in the 8 sampling sites were Acinetobacter junii (17.91%), Alcanivorax xenomutans (11.68%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.68%), Escherichia coli (7.67%), Acinetobacter haemolyticus (3.40%), and Alkanivorax pacificus (3.10%). Spearman's rank correlation analysis to examine the strength of relationship between the physicochemical parameters and type of bacteria isolated, revealed that salinity (0.8046) and pH (0.7252) were the highest. Isolated bacteria from pristine seawater, especially Escherichia coli have shown their capacity for bioremediating oil spill pollution in oceanic environments in Ghana.

Manganese, Iron, Lead, and Zinc Levels and Haematological Profile among Welders in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District, Ghana.

Welders are exposed to metal ions or oxides through direct contact at occupational sites or indirectly through uptake from contaminated dust or air. This study was a case-control study designed to assess the levels of some heavy metals and the hematological profile of welders (cases) as compared to nonwelders (controls) from Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of Ghana, comparatively to determine whether their values are within acceptable international range. A quantitative-based survey using structured questionnaires was used to collect demographic data from purposively selected welders (n = 40) and nonwelders (n = 40) from the study area. Five (5 mL) blood samples were collected from the study participants and analyzed for blood cell count as well as levels of Mn, Fe, Pb, and Zn. There were no significant differences in the Mn, Zn, and Fe levels between the welders and nonwelders (p=0.431, 0.53 vs. 0.23 mg/L, p=0.05, 0.41 vs. 0.15, p=0.886, 1.82 vs. 1.11). The level of Pb was, however, significantly lower among welders compared to the nonwelders (p=0.016, 0.09 < 0.3 mg/L). The total white blood cell count did not differ significantly between welders and nonwelders (p=0.365, 5.16 vs. 4.85 × 109/L). However, the mixed cell fraction was significantly higher among welders compared to nonwelders (p=0.027, 0.34 × 109/L > 0.28 × 109/L). Red blood cell count and indices showed no significant differences between the welders and nonwelders. Hemoglobin levels in welders were, however, higher (14.47 g/dL) but this was not statistically significant compared to their nonwelder counterparts (13.85 g/dL). It was concluded from the study that welders in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District of the Western Region of Ghana had elevated levels of Pb in their bodies. This was associated with an increase in mixed white blood cell fraction platelets. However, the recorded levels were within the accepted physiological limits suggesting that the heavy metal exposure of welders had no clinically pathological significance.

Conceptual Behaviour Underpinning the Occurrence of Nonfaecal Matter in Faecal Sludge in Some Urban Communities, Ghana.

Faecal sludge (FS) management is pertinent to the achievement of sustainable development goal 6.2 around the world; yet it is constrained by urbanisation challenges, waste management complexities, and defective attitudes. These deny communities of the plausible supply of resources from FS. This paper assesses the perception underpinning the occurrence of nonfaecal matter in FS in Ghana. Primary data were obtained from 400 respondents in four communities in Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana, using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed by using STATA software version 15. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were conducted on all independent variables and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. The study identified the following as the most perceived frequently disposed nonfaecal matter into FS: sanitary pads and diapers (38.5%), fabrics/rags (23.2%), toilet rolls (20.8%), razor/shaving sticks (10.3%), and others (7.2%). Gender, state of toilet facility (roof or unroofed), presence of container for collecting other types of waste in the toilet room, and state of container in toilet room either covered or uncovered were the factors found to be significantly associated with the disposal of solid waste (SW) into FS at 95% confidence level. The fear of exposing used sanitary materials for rituals, the use of fabric as an alternative to toilet rolls, and the desire to conceal aborted pregnancies from the public were some of the reasons alluded to the disposal acts. Education and awareness campaigns on proper SW disposal practices, appropriate use of toilet facilities, and the resource potentials of FS were found to be the best way forward to discourage indiscriminate disposal of SW into FS.

Antimicrobial and coagulation potential of Moringa oleifera seed powder coupled with sand filtration for treatment of bath wastewater from public senior high schools in Ghana.

The use of natural plant extracts for treatment of water in some parts of the world has been recorded throughout human history. An example is the use of Moringa oleifera in water purification due to its coagulation properties. However, the efficiency of the treatment systems largely depends on the design of the system and its operation. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of Moringa oleifera seed powder coupled with sand filtration in treating greywater from public senior high schools in the Bolgatanga Municipality and Kasena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Microbial and physico-chemical properties of greywater collected monthly from the senior high schools was analyzed. Moringa oleifera seed powder was added to raw greywater and then filtered through a sand filter bed. Physico-chemical and microbial parameters of the treated greywater were then analyzed. Mean turbidity, TDS, TSS, T. phosphate and T. nitrogen of the raw greywater was 312.5 ± 76.58 NTU, 445.6 ± 86.77 mg/L, 160.0 ± 28.68 mg/L, 89.3 ± 7.76 mg/L and 30.19 ± 3.63 mg/L respectively whiles average BOD, COD, E. coli and Total coliform were 1032.5 ± 252.40 mg/L, 1736.0 ± 431.59 mg/L, 84.75 x 106 ± 94.01 x 106 N/100ml and 184.25 x 10s ± 181 x 106 N/100ml respectively. After treatment, there was percentage reduction in turbidity (98.14%), TDS (72.7%), TSS (98.9%), T. phosphate (75.64%), T. nitrogen (43.11%), Total coliform and E. coli (>99%) were recorded. Turbidity was 0.1 NTU and did not meet the WHO standard for drinking water but T. hardness, E. coli and pH was in line with the WHO limit for drinking water. However, BOD increased, and this could be attributed to the significant protein content in the seed of Moringa oleifera. Moringa oleifera seed powder coupled with sand filtration demonstrated the antimicrobial and coagulative potential as turbidity and E. coli of the raw bath greywater from the senior high schools reduced by >98% and >99.99% respectively after treatment.

Biting rates and relative abundance of Simulium flies under different climatic conditions in an onchocerciasis endemic community in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the relative abundance and biting rates of riverine blackflies (vectors of onchocerciasis) is essential as these entomological indices affect transmission of the disease. However, transmission patterns vary from one ecological zone to another and this may be due to differences in species of blackfly vectors and the climatic conditions in the area. This study investigated the effects of climate variability on the relative abundance and biting rates of blackflies in the Tanfiano community (Nkoranza North District, Bono East Region, Ghana). Such information will help to direct policy on effective timing of the annual mass drug administration of ivermectin in the area. METHODS: The study employed human landing collections and locally built Esperanza window traps to collect blackflies from March 2018 to February 2019. The relative abundance and biting rates of the Simulium vectors as well as the monthly climatic conditions of the study area were monitored. Correlation analysis and Poisson regression were used to establish the relationships between the variables. RESULTS: The relative abundance and biting rates of the Simulium vectors were highest in the drier months of March, April and August, characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, longer hours of sunshine and stronger winds. The rainy months of May, June and July, characterized by low temperatures, high humidity, few hours of sunshine and weaker winds, had relatively low blackfly abundance and biting activity. Correlation analysis showed that only temperature was significantly, positively correlated with the relative abundance of blackflies (r = 0.617, n = 12, P = 0.033) and monthly biting rates (r = 0.612, n = 12, P = 0.034). A model to predict relative abundance and monthly biting rates using climatological variables was developed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that Simulium species in the study area preferred higher temperature, lower humidity and rainfall, more hours of sunshine and relatively stronger winds for survival. It is thus recommended that for the study district and others with similar climatological characteristics, mass drug administration of ivermectin should take place in April and September when the abundance of vectors has begun to decline after peaking.

Medical Waste-Sorting and Management Practices in Five Hospitals in Ghana.

Hospital waste management in Ghana faces the risk of cross-contamination from the lack of thorough sorting of the waste at the points of generation, codisposal of hazardous and nonhazardous waste types, and use of open-fire pits and substandard incinerators for burning infectious waste. This has increased the potential for the spread of infections and chemical pollutants. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five hospitals in Ghana to assess behavioral patterns on waste sorting and the effectiveness of hospital waste management in Ghana. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed purposively to some staff of the five hospitals to assess workers' perceptions on medical waste sorting and handling. Additionally, focused group discussions and transect walks were adopted to examine the current collection, storage, treatment, and disposal methods used in the health facilities. Chi-square analyses showed significant differences in waste-sorting behavior based only on occupation (p < 0.0001, n=180) and not on gender, education, or experience in the health sector. Even though contaminated sharps were separated into brown safety boxes, color coding for other infectious waste containers was inconsistent across the health facilities. The study revealed that incineration is still the modal method of treatment in Ghanaian hospitals and therefore new approaches such as an engineering approach were required to minimize its environmental effects. It is recommended that periodic in-service training workshops be held for healthcare staff on the right source-segregation of medical waste, in order to facilitate the effective and safe handling, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste from health facilities.

Ellucidating the incidence and the prevalence of Schistosomiasis spp infection in riparian communities of the Bui dam.

The flow rate of rivers are affected when modifications are made for the benefit of mankind. Some man-made alterations carried out include dam construction. The aim of this study was to investigate the health impact of the Bui dam with respect to the prevalence and awareness level of schistosomiasis in a typical damming environment. The study was conducted in 4 riparian communities within the dam catchment area. A cross-sectional study design was employed to interview 350 individuals. Urine and stool samples were also collected from 386 participants. Results of the study showed that, knowledge of schistosomiasis was significantly greater in close communities (99.47%) than their far counterparts (50.29%) (p > 0.001; OR = 172). Schistosomiasis infection rate in the close communities (32.57%) were significantly greater in far communities (7.23%; p ≤ 0.0001). The overall prevalence of 82 (21.1%) was recorded for Schistosoma haematobium and 64 (16.1%) for Schistosoma mansoni. A significantly high prevalence of S. haematobium (43.3%) was found in the age group 15-24 with no prevalence reported for age group 5-9 (Close communities) (p = 0.012). When the same age group was further examined for S. mansonii, group 5-9 recorded a prevalence of 0% with age group 10-14 showing a high prevalence of 26.1% (p = 0.047). From the study, it was concluded that, though awareness level of Schistosomiasis knowledge on the cause, mode of transmission and symptoms were high, they were ignorant on personal preventive strategies. In addition, the study also revealed that, S. haematobium was more prevalent among inhabitants living closer to the Bui dam with children less than 14 years of age being the worst affected.

Prevalence of onchocerciasis and associated clinical manifestations in selected hypoendemic communities in Ghana following long-term administration of ivermectin.

BACKGROUND: Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease which is still of immense major public health concern in several areas of Africa and the Americas. The disease manifests either as ocular or as dermal onchocerciasis with several symptoms including itching, nodules, skin thickening, visual impairment and blindness. Ivermectin has been an efficient microfilaricide against the causative agent of the disease (Onchocerca volvulus) but reports from some areas in Africa suggest the development of resistance to this drug. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of onchocerciasis and associated clinical conditions frequently associated with the disease in three endemic communities in Ghana which have been subjected to 18 to 20 rounds of mass drug administration of ivermectin. This was to help determine whether or not onchocerciasis persists in these communities. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Three communities (Tanfiano, Senya and Kokompe) in the Nkoranza North District of Ghana where mass drug administration of ivermectin had been ongoing for more than two decades were selected for the study. The population was randomly sampled and 114 participants recruited for the study based on the eligibility criteria. The study participants were examined for the presence of parasites and clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis following established protocols. RESULTS: The study showed that the prevalence of microfilaria in the Tanfiano, Senya, Kokompe communities were 13.2, 2.4, and 2.9%, with nodule prevalence being 5.3, 4.9 and 14.3% respectively. Females in the study communities had a higher prevalence of microfilaria carriers (5.17%) relative to males (2.44%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.2800, unpaired t test). The most frequent clinical manifestation observed in this study among all participants was dermatitis (25.4%), followed by visual impairment & nodules (7.9% each) and then by blindness (4.4%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that despite several years of mass drug administration with ivermectin, infection with onchocerciasis and the commonly associated clinical manifestations of the disease still persist in the study communities. This calls for a greater urgency for research and development aimed at discovering new or repurposed anti-filarial agents which will augment ivermectin if global onchocerciasis eradication targets are to be achieved.

A Perspective Analysis of Dams and Water Quality: The Bui Power Project on the Black Volta, Ghana.

Large dams play an important role in promoting economic and social development in many countries. However, the construction of such dams can have a detrimental effect on the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate perceptions of drinking water quality among inhabitants of selected communities within the Bui Dam environs. With the help of questionnaires, 100 respondents from communities "near to the dam" were randomly selected and interviewed. Their responses were compared with another 100 respondents selected from "far from the dam" communities. These were augmented with in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, and personal observation. Analysis of the results showed that, there were greater proportions (31%) of the participants who lived in "near communities" within the age category 20-25 compared to 19% of their "far communities" counterparts. There were significantly greater proportions of female respondents in the "near to the dam" (57%) compared to respondents in the "far from the dam" communities (52%). The study further showed that the perception of risk of consuming contaminated drinking water was more common among "far from the dam" communities (odds ratio = 4.57). The perception of the quality of water based on some physical properties was investigated as part of our study. Analysis of the results showed that significantly greater proportion of the "far from the dam" communities (35%) perceived their water had an objectionable smell compared to 7% of inhabitants of their other counterparts (p value = 0.001). The study further showed that significantly greater proportion of the study participants in the far from the communities perceived that their water had colour (65%) and they did not drink water from any other source (63%) apart from their stream. The study demonstrated that generally, inhabitants within the study communities perceived the construction of the Bui Power Project has negatively affected their drinking water quality.