Relationship between land use and groundwater quality in six districts in the eastern region of Ghana.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Fianko JR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2797838 | biostudies-other | 2009 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:BackgroundMeningitis, a disease of the Central Nervous System is described as inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It is characterised by fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, photophobia, altered consciousness, convulsion/seizures and coma. In December, 2015, twelve suspected cases of meningitis were reported in Tain district in Brong Ahafo region (BAR). Subsequently, dozens of suspected cases were hospitalized in five district hospitals in BAR. We investigated to determine the magnitude, causative agent and risk factors for the disease transmission.MethodsA community-based 1:2 case-control study (with 126 individuals) was conducted form 10/12/15 to 26/4/16 in 27 districts of Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana. We defined suspected meningitis cases as people presenting with sudden headache and fevers (Temp> 38.0 °C) in combination with one of the following signs: neck stiffness, altered consciousness, convulsions, bulging fontanelle (infants) and other meningeal signs. Controls were selected from the same neighbourhood and defined as individuals with no overt meningitis signs/symptoms. We collected CSF samples and performed serological testing using Pastorex-Meningitis-Kit and culture for bacterial isolation. Moreover, structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographics, living conditions, health status and other risk factors. We conducted univariate data analysis and logistic regressions to study disease-exposure associations using Stata 15.ResultsA total of 969 suspected cases with 85 deaths (CFR = 9.0%) were recorded between December, 2015 and March, 2016. Majority, 55.9% (542/969) were females aged between 10 months-74 years (median 20 years, IQR; 14-34). Of the 969 cases, 141 were confirmed by Laboratory test with Streptococcus pneumoniae identified as the causative agent. Cases were reported in 20 districts but 6 of these districts reported cases above threshold levels. The outbreak peaked in week 6 with 178 cases. Overall attack rate (AR) was 235.0/100,000 population. District specific ARs were; Tain; 143.6/100,000, Wenchi; 110.0/100,000, Techiman; 46.6/100,000, Jaman North; 382.3/100,000 and Nkoranza South; 86.4/100,000. Female and male specific ARs were 251.3/100,000 and 214.5/100,000 respectively. Age group 10-19 years were most affected 33.8% (317/940). We identified sore throat [aOR = 5.2, 95% (CI 1.1-26.1)] and alcohol use [aOR = 9.1, 95%(CI 1.4-55.7)] as factors associated with the disease transmission.ConclusionMeningitis outbreak due to Streptococcus pneumoniae was established in BAR. Upper respiratory tract infection and alcohol use were associated with the outbreak. Mass campaigns on healthy living habits, signs and symptoms of meningitis as well as the need for early reporting were some of the control measures instituted. Moreover, we recommend Pneumococcal vaccination in BAR to prevent future outbreaks.
| S-EPMC6013862 | biostudies-literature
Project description:INTRODUCTION:District health managers play a pivotal role in the delivery of basic health services in many countries, including Ghana, as they are responsible for converting inputs and resources such as, staff, supplies and equipment into effective services that are responsive to population needs. Weak management capacity among local health managers has been suggested as a major obstacle for responsive health service delivery. However, evidence on district health managers' competencies and its association with health system performance is scarce. AIM:To examine managerial capacity among district health managers and its association with health system performance in six districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana. METHODS:Fifty-nine district health managers' in six different performing districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring their management competencies and skills. In addition, the participants provided information on their socio-demographic background; previous management experience and training; the extent of available management support systems, and the dynamics within their district health management teams. A non-parametric one-way analysis was applied to test the association between management capacity and district performance, which was measured by 17 health indicators. RESULTS:Shortcomings within different aspects of district management were identified, however there were no significant differences observed in the availability of support systems, characteristics and qualifications of district health managers across the different performing districts. Overall management capacity among district health managers were significantly higher in high performing districts compared with lower performing districts (p = 0.02). Furthermore, district health managers in better performing districts reported a higher extent of teamwork (p = 0.02), communication within their teams (p<0.01) and organizational commitment (p<0.01) compared with lower performing districts. CONCLUSION:The findings demonstrate individual and institutional capacity needs, and highlights the importance of developing management competencies and skills as well as positive team dynamics among health managers at district level.
| S-EPMC6975551 | biostudies-literature
Project description:OBJECTIVE:This study aims at assessing the groundwater quality of the three districts of Eastern Terai region of Nepal viz. Morang, Jhapa, Sunsari using physicochemical characteristics and statistical approach so that possible contamination of water reservoir can be understood. pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, color, total dissolved solids, fluorides, ammonia, nitrates, chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, calcium, magnesium, total alkalinity, iron, manganese, arsenic have to be analyzed to know the present status of groundwater quality. RESULTS:Results revealed that the value of analyzed parameters were within the acceptable limits for drinking water recommended by World Health Organization except for pH, turbidity, ammonia and iron. As per Nepal Drinking Water Quality Standards, fluoride and manganese too were not complying with the permissible limit. Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, manganese, and total alkalinity show good positive correlation with major water quality parameters. Calcium, magnesium, total hardness, calcium hardness and total alkalinity greatly influences total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. ANOVA, Tukey, and clustering highlight the significance of three districts. Groundwater can be considered safe, but there is always a chance of contamination through chemical wastes in the heavily industrialized area of Morang and Sunsari Industrial corridor.
| S-EPMC5963105 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundGhana adopted the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system, which is an integration of the various programs in the surveillance system and can contain disease outbreaks and pandemics. Implementation of the IDSR is influenced by several factors which can affect its functionality and ability to contain disease outbreaks. This study assessed the factors influencing the IDSR system in selected districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted between February-March, 2022 in Fanteakwa North, Abuakwa South and New Juaben South districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana among health care workers who are involved in IDRS activities. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis at 0.05 significant level with 95% confidence interval.ResultsThree hundred and forty-seven (347) health care workers participated in the study with 56.2% (195/347) indicating that rumor registers were available at the health facilities. Most of the respondents (64.8%, 225/347) had means of transport for disease surveillance activities while majority (61.9%, 215/347) had case-based forms for case investigation. About half (51.9%, 180/347) of the participants revealed that they did not receive any feedback from the next higher level in the past year. Availability of transport for IDSR activities was almost 3.4 times more likely to contribute positively to IDSR system compared to facilities without transport (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI = 1.44-7.83; p = 0.005). Respondents who have the capacity to apply case definition are 2 times more likely to contribute to an effective IDSR system compared to health workers who cannot apply case definition (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.17-3.21; p = 0.013). Respondents who did not receive feedback from the next higher level were 52% less likely to have an effective IDSR system compared to respondents who received feedback from the next higher level (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.23-1.00; p = 0.05).ConclusionEffective operation of IDSR is affected by the application of case definition and means of transport at health facilities. In addition, the capacity of health care workers to provide feedback can influence the smooth operation of the IDSR in the studied area in Ghana.
| S-EPMC11321551 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Despite decades of implementation of maternity healthcare programmes, including a focus on increasing the use of antenatal care (ANC) and concomitant birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR), the uptake of ANC continues to be below expectations in many developing countries. This has attendant implications for maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates. Known barriers to ANC use include cost, distance to health care services and forces of various socio-cultural beliefs and practices. As part of a larger study on BPCR in rural Ghana, this paper reflects on the use of ANC in the study areas from rights-based and maternal engagement theoretical perspectives, with a focus on the barriers to ANC use.Mixed methods approach was adopted to collect data from 8 study communities from individual in-depth interviews with 80 expectant mothers and 13 health care professionals, and 24 focus groups comprising 240 community members. The qualitative data followed a thematic analytical method, while the quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics.The average number of ANC visits were 3.34±1.292, and the majority of expectant mothers (71.3%) enrolled for ANC at the 8th week or later, with the longest delay recorded at the 6th month of gestation. Traditional norms significantly influenced this delay. Likewise, overall use of ANC during pregnancy was shaped by cultural factors related to perceptions of pregnancy, gender-based roles and responsibilities and concerns that ANC would result in an overweighed baby and culturally inappropriate delivery at a health care facility.Greater understanding of the sociocultural barriers to ANC is essential if proposed changes in community-specific health education programs are to facilitate early commencement and increased use of ANC.
| S-EPMC5619770 | biostudies-other
Project description:Although Ghana is a leading global cocoa producer, its production and yield have experienced declines in recent years due to various factors, including long-term climate change such as increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, as well as drought events. With the increasing exposure of cocoa-producing regions to extreme weather events, the vulnerability of cocoa production is also expected to rise. Supplemental irrigation for cocoa farmers has emerged as a viable adaptation strategy to ensure a consistent water supply and enhance yield. However, understanding the potential for surface and groundwater irrigation in the cocoa-growing belt remains limited. Consequently, this study aims to provide decision-support maps for surface and groundwater irrigation potential to aid planning and investment in climate-smart cocoa irrigation. Utilizing state-of-the-art geospatial and remote sensing tools, data, and methods, alongside in-situ groundwater data, we assess the irrigation potential within Ghana's cocoa-growing areas. Our analysis identified a total area of 22,126 km2 for cocoa plantations and 125.2 km2 for surface water bodies within the cocoa-growing regions. The multi-criteria analysis (MCA) revealed that approximately 80% of the study area exhibits moderate to very high groundwater availability potential. Comparing the MCA output with existing borehole locations demonstrated a reasonable correlation, with about 80% of existing boreholes located in areas with moderate to very high potential. Boreholes in very high potential areas had the highest mean yield of 90.7 l/min, while those in low groundwater availability potential areas registered the lowest mean yield of 58.2 l/min. Our study offers a comprehensive evaluation of water storage components and their implications for cocoa irrigation in Ghana. While groundwater availability shows a generally positive trend, soil moisture and surface water have been declining, particularly in the last decade. These findings underline the need for climate-smart cocoa irrigation strategies that make use of abundant groundwater resources during deficit periods. A balanced conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources could thus serve as a sustainable solution for maintaining cocoa production in the face of climate change.
| S-EPMC10520077 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Groundwater represents almost half of the drinking water worldwide and more than one third of water used for irrigation. Agro-industrial activities affect water resources in several manners; one of the most important is leaching of agrochemical residues. This research identifies the major contributors of changes in groundwater quality comparing two contrasting land uses in a karstic area of the Yucatan peninsula as case study. Using a multiple approach, we assess the impact of land use with physicochemical data, multivariate analyses, hydrogeochemistry and nitrate isotopic composition. We confirmed that agricultural land use has a greater impact on groundwater quality, observed in higher concentration of nitrates, ammonium, potassium and electrical conductivity. Seasonality has an influence on phosphates and the chemical composition of the groundwater, increasing the concentration of dissolved substances in the rainy season. There was a clear effect of manure application in the agricultural zone and the nitrate isotopic composition of groundwater points toward recharge in certain areas. We consider that seasonality and land use effects are intertwined and sometimes difficult to separate, likely because of land use intensity and hydrogeochemical process at a local scale. Finally, we observed poor groundwater quality in the agricultural area during the wet season; thus, it is desirable to maintain non-agricultural areas that provide groundwater of appropriate quality.
| S-EPMC7266785 | biostudies-literature
Project description:A comprehensive chemical quality assessment of groundwater resources in the Talensi District has been conducted using conventional graphical methods and multivariate statistical techniques. The study sought to determine the main controls of groundwater chemistry and its suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes in the district. Silicate and carbonate mineral weathering were identified as the main controls on groundwater chemistry in the district, with reverse ion exchange also playing a role. High nitrate and lead levels observed have been associated with agrochemicals and wastewater from farms and homes. Three main flow regimes have been identified with Q-mode cluster analysis, in which mixed cation water types have been revealed, where areas designated as recharge zones are dominated by Na+?+?K+-Mg2+-HCO3 - fresh water types characterised by low mineralisation and pH, which evolve into Mg2+- Na+?+?K+- HCO3 - fresh water type with corresponding increased mineralisation of the groundwater. Based on the water quality index (WQI) technique modified for the district and an interpolation technique using ordinary kriging developed from a well-fitted exponential semivariogram for the estimated WQIs, the groundwater quality has been spatially classified as generally 'good' to 'excellent' for domestic purposes. Generally, the quality of groundwater for domestic usage deteriorates as one moves towards the north of the district, whereas waters in the east and west present the best quality. Classifications based on the United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL), Wilcox, and Doneen diagrams suggest that groundwater from the unconfined aquifers of the district is of excellent quality for irrigation purposes.
| S-EPMC7171681 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMaternal, Child Health and Nutrition improvement Project is a World Bank-funded project implemented in all then ten regions of Ghana, which aims at improving access and utilization of community-based maternal, child health, and nutrition services in order to accelerate progress. This study is aimed at determining the implementation status of the project in the Eastern region by evaluating the processes involved and identifying implementation barriers from the perspective of implementors.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional in design and employed a quantitative data collection approach in ten Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) centres in five districts in the region. The project coordinators and Community Health Officers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The project implementation reports at the facility level were reviewed using a checklist. Tertile statistic was used to describe the status of the project implementation.ResultThe finding from this study indicated "complete implementation status" for maternal, child health, and nutrition activities of the project. However, none of the facilities evaluated had satisfactorily implemented all the governance processes and were therefore rated as "partially complete." The main implementation barriers emerged from the study were related to restrictions placed on the use of project funds and delays in the fund disbursement to CHPS facilities.ConclusionThe evidence gathered from the study showed very good implementation status for community-led maternal and child health service delivery, indicative of a positive response to the guidelines by service providers at the periphery and can have positive impact on the project's objectives and goals. Governance component of the project, however, revealed inadequate alignment with guidelines which might have been influenced by the lack of knowledge as a result of lack of training for implementers. This therefore calls for in-service training and improved supportive supervision at both administrative and service delivery levels.
| S-EPMC7520675 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundBuruli ulcer (BU) is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Its exact mode of transmission is not known. Previous studies have identified demographic, socio-economic, health and hygiene as well as environment related risk factors. We investigated whether the same factors pertain in Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar (SKC) and Akuapem South (AS) Districts in Ghana which previously were not endemic for BU.MethodsWe conducted a case control study. A case of BU was defined as any person aged 2 years or more who resided in study area (SKC or AS District) diagnosed according to the WHO clinical case definition for BU and matched with age- (+/-5 years), gender-, and community controls. A structured questionnaire on host, demographic, environmental, and behavioural factors was administered to participants.ResultsA total of 113 cases and 113 community controls were interviewed. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis identified presence of wetland in the neighborhood (OR=3.9, 95% CI=1.9-8.2), insect bites in water/mud (OR=5.7, 95% CI=2.5-13.1), use of adhesive when injured (OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.1-6.8), and washing in the Densu river (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1-4.96) as risk factors associated with BU. Rubbing an injured area with alcohol (OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.008-0.57) and wearing long sleeves for farming (OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.14-0.62) showed protection against BU.ConclusionThis study identified the presence of wetland, insect bites in water, use of adhesive when injured, and washing in the river as risk factors for BU; and covering limbs during farming as well as use of alcohol after insect bites as protective factors against BU in Ghana. Until paths of transmission are unraveled, control strategies in BU endemic areas should focus on these known risk factors.
| S-EPMC4238991 | biostudies-literature