Bacteriological Quality Assessment of swimming pools in the Osu-Labadi Area, Accra

Bacterial contamination of swimming pool water poses public health risks to swimmers and others who come into direct contact with such pools. There has been an increase in the patronage of swimming pools in Ghana for sports and recreation and therefore the need to investigate the pools compliance with sanitary standards. This study examined the bacteriological and physicochemical (pH, temperature and residual chlorine) levels of swimming pool water in Osu-Labadi, Accra, Ghana to determine the levels of bacterial pollution. Six outdoor swimming pools were randomly selected for this cross-sectional study. Microbiological examination was conducted on a total of 18 samples collected monthly in the evening after the pools had been used. This took place over a 3 month period, from March to May 2014, using standard microbiological and analytical methods. The results of the study indicated that the total viable bacteria count of all the pool water exceeded the acceptable limits. All 6 pools were contaminated by E. coli, Enterobacter faecalis and Klebsiella pneumonia, as well, 5 out of the 6 pools were contaminated by Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae. The residual chlorine level in all the pools was below the recommended level of 1.0 mg/liter. Statistical analysis showed significant association between water contamination with microbial indicators and physicochemical aspects such as pH, temperature and residual chlorine (p<0.05). The high microbial load count and the isolation of pathogenic bacteria from the pools is an indication of the need to improve monitoring by pool health authorities, improve pool disinfection standards and educate swimmers on hygiene before entering pools. Key words: swimming pool, microbial load, residual chlorine, bacterial contaminant

Social Media & Privacy: Understanding Privacy in The Age of Content Creator Culture

In today\u27s digital age, content creators are gaining public attention and becoming highly influential. With that increased influence, it is important to acknowledge the privacy concerns within this culture. This interpretive research study seeks to identify and understand the dynamics of privacy within the content creator culture. This research will leverage information from interviews with content creators from various social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Using theories to understand the phenomena, theories of privacy calculus, privacy paradox and self-disclosure, will be used to view how content creators define and navigate privacy, strategies employed to control personal information sharing, and measures set in place to address privacy concerns. The findings of this research will fill a gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of privacy dynamics within the content creator culture. This knowledge will not only contribute to academic discussions but also inform the development of practical guidelines and recommendations for content creators, social media platforms, and policymakers to ensure a balance between content sharing and privacy protection

Evaluation of the measles surveillance system of the Ga West Municipality, Ghana, 2017

Introduction: Over 140,000 people globally died from measles in 2018; most of which occurred in developing countries. In Ghana, measles is one of the diseases earmarked for elimination in the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy. The measles surveillance system seeks to monitor trends, detect outbreaks and report in a timely manner. In order to improve upon the performance of the Ga West Municipal Measles surveillance system, it was evaluated with the aim of determining its effectiveness. Methods: We used CDC updated guidelines for surveillance system evaluation to assess system attributes. Measles surveillance data from 2012 – 2016 were abstracted from the DHIMS. Case investigation forms, weekly and monthly IDSR reporting forms were reviewed to validate abstracted data. Key surveillance officers were interviewed on system operations. Data was analyzed descriptively to generate frequencies and relative frequencies. Results: The system operated with a reasonable number of disease variables and case definition was simple to apply. The system was found to be integrated with the national IDSR. Government facilities across all seven sub-districts, owned and contributed data to the system. Of the 48 suspected case-patients, 39 (81.0%) were investigated; none of which was positive giving a Predictive value positive (PVP) of 0%. Majority of facilities (though privately owned) did not contribute data to the system. All tested samples were received at the laboratory within the stipulated three (3) days. The system was stable with available case base forms. Over 56% (22/39) of the samples tested had no vaccination records. Data is used to guide routine and supplementary immunization activities. Conclusion: Ga west Municipal measles surveillance system is simple, flexible and generally acceptable. It is sensitive, timely, stable but with low representativeness. It is therefore effective. Municipal health officials have been sensitized on private sector participation and need for quality and timely data

Association between COVID-19 pandemic declaration and depression/anxiety among U.S. adults.

BackgroundAlthough studies have investigated the impact of the COVID-19 on mental health, few studies have attempted to compare the prevalence of depression/anxiety symptoms among U.S. adults before and after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration. We examined the prevalence and association between depression/anxiety symptoms and COVID-19 pandemic declaration among U.S. adult population and subgroups.MethodsA nationally representative cross-sectional study of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, Cycle 4) assessing health-related information and behaviors in U.S. adults aged ≥18 years from February through June 2020. The primary dependent variable was current depression/anxiety derived from Patient Health Questionnaire-4. The main independent variable was responses before and after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration in addition to sexual identity heterosexual identity, /race/ethnicity and rural-urban commuting areas. Covariates were sociodemographic factors, and health risk behaviors. Weighted percentages, multivariable logistic regression, and Chi-square tests were used to establish the prevalence and association between current depression/anxiety and the independent variables and covariates.ResultsA total of 3,865 participants completed the survey and included 35.3% of the participants before the COVID-19 pandemic declaration. Most of the sample were aged 50-64 years [33.0%]; males [51.0%]; and non-Hispanic Whites [70.1%]). The post-pandemic declaration included participants, aged 35-49 years [27.0%]; females [52.6%]; and non-Hispanic Whites [59.6%]). The prevalence of depression/anxiety was higher after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration (32.2%) than before the declaration (29.9%). Higher risks of depression/anxiety symptoms after the declaration were associated with being a sexual minority ([adjusted odds ratio] AOR, 2.91 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.38-6.14]) and having fair/poor general health (AOR, 2.91 [95% CI, 1.76-4.83]). The probability of experiencing depression/anxiety symptoms after the declaration was highest among homosexuals/lesbians/gays (65.6%) compared to bisexuals (39.6%), and heterosexuals (30.1%).ConclusionsIn this study, young adults, non-Hispanic Whites, and those with fair/poor general health had a higher burden of depression/anxiety symptoms after the pandemic declaration. The development of psychological support strategies to promote wellbeing during the pandemic may reduce psychological distress in the population, especially among at-risk populations

Imbalance of antioxidant enzymes activities and trace elements levels in Ghanaian HIV-infected patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been associated with high oxidative stress in HIV patients. The disparity in antioxidant-oxidant levels in HIV patients favours viral replication and disease progression. This study aimed at determining the effect of ART on antioxidant enzymes activities and trace elements levels in Ghanaian HIV patients. A total of 242 participants; comprising of 105 HIV-infected patients on ART, 77 HIV-infected ART-naïve, and 60 HIV seronegative controls were recruited for the study. Whole blood was collected and used for haematological profiling, and the determination of CD4+ counts, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and trace element levels. Serum was used for liver function tests and the determination of glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and plasma was used to estimate reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Low levels of haemoglobin (HB), hematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and trace elements were found in ART-naïve patients compared to those on ART and the seronegative controls. In the ART-naïve patients, glutathione reductase (GR) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) level were significantly low compared to patients on ART and seronegative controls. Activity of SOD was significantly reduced in ART-naïve patients compared to those on ART and the control group, and manganese is the only trace element that showed a strong negative correlation with SOD activity and a positive and significant correlation with CD4+ count, and therefore needs to be investigated further. The study suggests that assessing antioxidant levels or enzymes activities of patients infected with HIV should be considered during therapy

Thyroid hormone status in Ghanaian patients with chronic kidney disease

Introduction: There is limited data on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Ghanaian individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies exploring the effect of thyroid hormones on renal function decline are also scanty. Unrecognized thyroid dysfunction in CKD may increase the burden of adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine thyroid hormone status and lipid profiles in patients with CKD attending the Renal Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Methods: 60 clinically euthyroid patients with CKD, and 65 clinically euthyroid subjects without CKD were recruited for this study. Estimation of effective glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was done using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula with subsequent staging of CKD (stages 2-4). Collected venous blood samples from all study participants were analyzed for creatinine, free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides (TG). Results: Levels of TC, HDL, LDL, and TSH levels did not differ significantly between the two study groups. However, TG, VLDL, FT3 and FT4 levels were significantly higher in CKD patients than in the control group. TC, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL and TSH levels were not significantly different between stages of CKD in study subjects, although FT4 and FT3 levels were significantly different between all stages of CKD. Conclusion: Higher levels of FT3 and FT4 but not TSH, are associated with the incidence of CKD and eGFR decline in Ghanaian CKD patients

A predictive model and socioeconomic and demographic determinants of under-five mortality in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is among the countries that recorded high under-five child mortality rate in the world. To design and implement policies that can address this public health challenge, the present study developed a predictive model of factors that explained under-five mortality in Sierra Leone using the 2008 and 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS) datasets. LASSO regression technique was used to select the predictors to build the under-five predictive single-level logit and multilevel logit models. Statistical analyses were performed in the R freeware version 3.6.1. About 588 (10.4%) and 1320 (11.1%) children under five were reported dead in 2008 and 2013, respectively. The significant predictors of under-five mortality in Sierra Leone were the total number of children ever born, number of children under five in the household, mother's birth in the last five years, mother's number of living children, and number of household members, household wealth, maternal contraceptive use and intention, number of eligible women in the household, type of toilet facility, sex of the child, and weight of the child at birth. The study identified certain predictors that deserve policy attention and interventions to strengthen the efforts of creating child welfare and survival atmosphere in Sierra Leone