Browsing by Author "Obiri-Danso, Kwasi"
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- ItemBurden of respiratory viral infections among inmates of a Ghanaian prison(Research Gate Publication, 2019-09-08) Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; El-Duah, Philip; Owusu, Michael; Yeboah, Richmond; Kwarteng, Alexander; Ofori, Linda; Gorman, Richmond; Obiri-Danso, Kwasi; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0003-1671-0755; 0000-0003-1671-0755; 0000-0002-2765-6179; 0000-0002-0893-2908; 0000-0002-6831-3375; 0000-0002-5497-1684; 0000-0003-4232-4292Respiratory viral infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Information on circulating respiratory viruses among prisoners is lacking, although this is of public health importance and knowledge would assist in putting in place preventive measures to forestall disease outbreaks. The aim of this study therefore was to get the footprint of such diseases that have epidemic potential to be described and quantified for control. Prisoners on remand numbering 203 in a prison in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, were interviewed using prevalidated questionnaire, nasopharyngeal samples taken and screened by real-time PCR for common respiratory viruses in February, 2018. Of the total number of 203 participants enrolled, majority were males (n = 198, 97.54%). The modal age unsurprisingly was in the active working class of 18 to 35 years (n = 155, 76.36%) with 48 (23.65%) of participants older than 35 years. Inmates reported nasal congestion (n = 83, 40.89%), cough with or without pharyngitis (n =108, 53.20%) and fever (n = 74, 39.48%). Viruses detected in throat samples were Infl uenza A (n = 1, 0.49%) and Rhinovirus (n = 8, 3.94%). There was no statistically significant association between respiratory virus positivity and age (p = 0.118), gender (p > 0.900), duration of incarceration (p = 0.239) and reported symptoms (p = 0.724). The prison population may have a lower prevalence of respiratory viruses circulating in them. This may be dominated by those with high antigenic diversity.
- ItemEstimating malaria transmission risk through surveillance of human–vector interactions in northern Ghana(Parasites & Vectors, 2023) Yihdego, Yemane; Coleman, Sylvester; Gyamfi, Frank; Kolyada, Lena; Tongren, Jon Eric; Zigrumgabe, Sixte; Dery, Dominc B.; Badu, Kingsley; Obiri-Danso, Kwasi; Boakye, Daniel; , Szumlas, Daniel; Armstead, Jennifer S.; Dadzie, Daniel K.; 0000-0002-0964-0894; 0000-0002-7886-5528Background Vector bionomics are important aspects of vector-borne disease control programs. Mosquito-biting risks are afected by environmental, mosquito behavior and human factors, which are important for assessing exposure risk and intervention impacts. This study estimated malaria transmission risk based on vector–human interactions in north‑ ern Ghana, where indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been deployed. Methods Indoor and outdoor human biting rates (HBRs) were measured using monthly human landing catches (HLCs) from June 2017 to April 2019. Mosquitoes collected were identifed to species level, and Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (An. gambiae s.l.) samples were examined for parity and infectivity. The HBRs were adjusted using mosquito parity and human behavioral observations. Results Anopheles gambiae was the main vector species in the IRS (81%) and control (83%) communities. Indoor and outdoor HBRs were similar in both the IRS intervention (10.6 vs. 11.3 bites per person per night [b/p/n]; z = −0.33, P=0.745) and control communities (18.8 vs. 16.4 b/p/n; z = 1.57, P=0.115). The mean proportion of parous An. gambiae s.l. was lower in IRS communities (44.6%) than in control communities (71.7%). After adjusting for human behavior observations and parity, the combined efect of IRS and ITN utilization (IRS: 37.8%; control: 57.3%) on reducing malaria transmission risk was 58% in IRS + ITN communities and 27% in control communities with ITNs alone (z = −4.07, P<0.001). However, this also revealed that about 41% and 31% of outdoor adjusted bites in IRS and control communities respectively, occurred before bed time (10:00 pm). The mean directly measured annual entomologic inoculation rates (EIRs) during the study were 6.1 infective bites per person per year (ib/p/yr) for IRS communities and 16.3 ib/p/yr for control communities. After considering vector survival and observed human behavior, the estimated EIR for IRS communities was 1.8 ib/p/yr, which represents about a 70% overestimation of risk compared to the directly measured EIR; for control communities, it was 13.6 ib/p/yr (16% overestimation). Conclusion Indoor residual spraying signifcantly impacted entomological indicators of malaria transmission. The results of this study indicate that vector bionomics alone do not provide an accurate assessment of malaria transmission exposure risk. By accounting for human behavior parameters, we found that high coverage of ITNs alone had less impact on malaria transmission indices than combining ITNs with IRS, likely due to observed low net use. Reinforcing effective communication for behavioral change in net use and IRS could further reduce malaria transmission.
- ItemHydro-Climatic Modelling of an Ungauged Basin in Kumasi, Ghana(Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., 2018) Osei, Marian Amoakowaah; Amekudzi, Leonard Kofitse; Wemegah, David Dotse; Preko, Kwasi; Gyawu, Emmanuella Serwaa; Obiri-Danso, KwasiThe Owabi catchment which is about 69 km2 provides about 20 % of water needs of the Kumasi metropolis has been in recent times prone to high anthropogenic activities that threaten water resource management. The Soil-Water-AssessmentTool (SWAT) was used to assess the extent of these activities on the hydrology on the catchment from 1986 to 2015. Specifically, the model simulated historic and projected stream-flow and water balance. Initial results revealed the forest and topography 5 played major role in water loss at the catchment as evapotranspiration and surface runoff were the dominant modulating processes. Monthly calibration/validation of the model yielded satisfactory results with NSE (0.66/0.67), R2 (0.67/0.67), PBIAS (8.2%/8.0%) and RSR (0.59/0.58). Nine sensitive parameters of which the catchment slope (CN2) ranked principal were found to control runoff amounts into the river. The model uncertainty was also quite low as the 95PPU enveloped about 50% of the observed streamflow within a width of 0.45 - 0.55. Furthermore, future streamflow predictions were modelled under RCP2.6, 10 RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climatic scenarios, and two landuse scenarios, landuse category 1 and 2 (LU1 and LU2). An increasing trend of the downscaled rainfall totals between 2021 to 2050 for all RCPs were observed. This will positively impact streamflow generation at the catchment under LU1. There is an expected deficit of streamflow amounts under LU2 relative to LU1, and a marginal reduction as compared to the baseline. In general, the model proved efficient in determining the hydrology parameters in the catchment and therefore has potential to be used for further modelling of water quality and pollution to aid 15 effective water resource decisions at the catchment. 1 Introducti
- ItemThe impact of climate and land-use changes on the hydrological processes of Owabi catchment from SWAT analysis(Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 2019-07-24) Amekudzi, L.K.; Osei, Marian Amoakowaah; Wemegah, David Dotse; Preko, Kwasi; Gyawu, Emmanuella Serwaa; Obiri-Danso, KwasiStudy region: The 69 km2 Owabi catchment in Ghana. Study focus: The Soil-Water-Assessment-Tool (SWAT) was used to assess the hydro-climatic variability resulting from anthropogenic activities from 1986 to 2015. Specifically, the model simulated historic and projected stream-flow and water balance. Future stream-flow projections were modelled for three climate ensembles under three different representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for two land-use categories. New hydrological insights for the region: Initial results revealed that forest and topography played major role in water loss, whereas evapotranspiration and surface runoff were the dominant modulating processes. Monthly calibration/validation of the model yielded acceptable results with NSE, R2, PBIAS and RSR values of 0.66/0.67, 0.67/0.67, 8.2%/8.0% and 0.59/0.58 respectively. Uncertainty was fairly low and the model enveloped about 50% of the observed stream-flow. The RCP projections for all land use categories showed decreasing rainfall and streamflow trends. The model proved efficient in determining the catchment hydrology parameters and has potential to be used for further modelling of water quality and pollution to aid in effective water management.
- ItemThe impact of climate and land-use changes on the hydrological processes of Owabi catchment from SWAT analysis(Journal of Hydrology, 2019-09) Osei, Marian Amoakowaah; Amekudzi, Leonard Kofitse; Wemegah, David Dotse; Preko, Kwasi; Gyawu, mmanuella Serwaa; Obiri-Danso, KwasiStudy region: The 69 km2 Owabi catchment in Ghana. Study focus: The Soil-Water-Assessment-Tool (SWAT) was used to assess the hydro-climatic variability resulting from anthropogenic activities from 1986 to 2015. Specifically, the model simulated historic and projected stream-flow and water balance. Future stream-flow projections were modelled for three climate ensembles under three different representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for two land-use categories. New hydrological insights for the region: Initial results revealed that forest and topography played major role in water loss, whereas evapotranspiration and surface runoff were the dominant modulating processes. Monthly calibration/validation of the model yielded acceptable results with NSE, R2, PBIAS and RSR values of 0.66/0.67, 0.67/0.67, 8.2%/8.0% and 0.59/0.58 respectively. Uncertainty was fairly low and the model enveloped about 50% of the observed stream-flow. The RCP projections for all land use categories showed decreasing rainfall and streamflow trends. The model proved efficient in determining the catchment hydrology parameters and has potential to be used for further modelling of water quality and pollution to aid in effective water management.
- ItemStarter culture for corn grist fermentation(1989-06-26) Obiri-Danso, KwasiMicroorganisms involved in the Fermentation of corn dough were isolated frog local products using serial dilution and pour plate techniques. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the Isolates were studied in pure cultures. The dough microflora comprised Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida tropicalis, Candida kefyr and Candida krusei. These isolates were tested for their ability to utilize soluble carbohydrates as carbon sources of energy for growth. The isolates as well as combinations of them were inoculated into fresh corn grists at a seeding rate of 1 x 106 cells per ml Fermentation was monitored for 96 hours for the following parameters: per cent moisture, total nitrogen, total acidity, solubility, total sugars and dough rise. Also pH, viable yeast count, temperature, aroma, taste and texture were determined daily each for 4 days. Glucose, sucrose and galactose gave the Seat growth for Succharomyces cerevisiae, Candida tropicalis and Candida kefyr whilst Candida krusei multiplication was supported by only glucose. Temperature increased from 25oC to 29oC within the initial 24 hours and remained constant; moisture per cent increased progressively throughout the fermentation period. pH decreased significantly ( 0.05) from pH 6.55 to pH 3.70 4.00 at the end of 96 hours. Also acidity per cent increased significantly (P 0.05) from 0.11 to 0.39-0.54 (in terms of lactic acid) with fluctuations due to ester formation. Percentage sugars decreased significantly (P 0.05) from 5.10-5.00 to 1.10-0.70. Viable yeast numbers increased at a rate of 10 - 60 per cent every 2 hours during the first 48 hours but decreased by 13 - 62 per cent within the next 48 hours. Digestibi1ity improved by 41 per cent. Also observed was per cent total nitrogen which increased by 4 – 14 per cent at the end of 96 hours. Volume of corn dough increased by 10 -33 per cent during the first 24 hours but later fall to 9 – 25 per cent. Sactharomyces cervisiae, candida tropicalic and Candida kefyr produced the best acceptable flavours. For starter culture production to be used for controlled fermentation, the three yeasts can be recommended.