Publications

ZERO MALARIA: A MIRAGE OR REALITY FOR POPULATIONS OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA IN HEALTH TRANSITION.

The global burden of malaria continues to be a significant public health concern. Despite advances made in therapeutics for malaria, there continues to be high morbidity and mortality associated with this infectious disease. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected by the disease, but unfortunately the region is burdened with indigent health systems.

ISOFORM-SELECTIVE VERSUS NONSELECTIVE HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITORS IN HIV LATENCY REVERSAL

HIV remains incurable due to the persistence of a latent viral reservoir found in HIV-infected cells, primarily resting memory CD4+ T cells. Depletion of this reservoir may be the only way to end this deadly epidemic. In latency, the integrated proviral DNA of HIV is transcriptionally silenced partly due to the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs).

OCCURRENCE OF INFLUENZA AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING RADIOTHERAPY IN GHANA.

Influenza co-infection with bacteria is a leading cause of influenza-related deaths and severe respiratory infections, especially among high-risk groups like cancer patients undergoing treatment. However, acute respiratory infection (ARI)-like symptoms developed by upper-torso cancer (UTC) patients receiving radiotherapy are considered as side-effects of the radiation. Hence influenza and bacterial pathogens implicated in ARI are not investigated. MethodsThis prospective cohort study examined 85 in-patients with upper-torso cancers undergoing radiotherapy at the National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre (NRONMC) of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. Eligible patients who consented were recruited into the study from September 2018 to April 2019.

SARS-COV-2 INFECTIONS AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS CONTRIBUTED TO COVID-19 CASES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG PROSPECTIVE AIR TRAVELERS FROM GHANA.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by asymptomatic individuals has been reported since the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in various parts of the world. However, there are limited data regarding SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic individuals in Ghana. The aim of the study was to use test data of prospective travelers from Ghana as a proxy to estimate the contribution of asymptomatic cases to the spread of COVID-19.

HIV CURE STRATEGIES: WHICH ONES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR AFRICA?

Although combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced mortality and improved lifespan for people living with HIV, it does not provide a cure. Patients must be on ART for the rest of their lives and contend with side effects, unsustainable costs, and the development of drug resistance.

EVALUATION OF SOCIAL MOBILIZATION COMPONENT OF THE SECOND YEAR OF LIFE (2YL) PROJECT ON IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE IN ADAKLU DISTRICT, GHANA.

Ghana has had relatively high immunization coverage of more than 85% for infant antigens in the first year of life. However, there is a decline in immunization coverage for vaccines provided during the second year of life (2YL) of the child. As part of the 2YL project implemented in Ghana to strengthen the 2YL immunization platform, social mobilization strategies were utilized to help improve coverage for vaccines provided in the 2YL of a child.