Ghana Health Services
Improving access to Lymphatic Filariasis MMDP services through an enhanced evidence-based, cascade training model for health worker capacity strengthening in Ghana
This social science study will address the following:
Formative question: What were the successes and challenges of the LF MMDP pilot in the Upper East region for increasing the capacity of health workers of all levels and improving the ability of patients to manage LF morbidity?
Intervention question: Can a modified capacity strengthening package, developed based on the formative research results, be effective at increasing the capacity of health workers of all levels and improving the ability of patients to manage LF morbidity?
Characterizing the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis prevalence in school age children to develop the optimal survey designs for sub-implementation unit decisions
What is the optimal sampling strategy for SCH impact assessments to enable sub-implementation unit decisions?
Proposal to evaluate whether an ov-16 ELISA sero-prevalence threshold of 2% can be safely applied to stop Mass Drug Administration of ivermectin in onchocerciasis endemic areas
Can Ov-16 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) sero-prevalence in children aged 5-9 years equal to or less than 2% at the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval be safely applied to stop Mass Drug Administration of ivermectin in onchocerciasis endemic areas without the risk of resurgence?
Improving access to Lymphatic Filariasis MMDP services through an enhanced evidence-based, cascade training model for health worker capacity strengthening in Ghana
This social science study will address the following:
Formative question: What were the successes and challenges of the LF MMDP pilot in the Upper East region for increasing the capacity of health workers of all levels and improving the ability of patients to manage LF morbidity?
Intervention question: Can a modified capacity strengthening package, developed based on the formative research results, be effective at increasing the capacity of health workers of all levels and improving the ability of patients to manage LF morbidity?
Strategies for the ENdgame: Targeting Infections among Non-compliants in the Elimination of Lymphatic filariasis (SENTINEL)
Non-compliance is a primary barrier to attaining elimination goals. This study aims to utilize data captured in MDA registers to address non-compliance in the Ahanta West District of Ghana, which has been identified as a hotspot of LF transmission with >1% microfilaria (mf) prevalence after 15-16 rounds of MDA. On the basis of information identified in the register, this study proposes to deploy two strategies:
- Engage and Treat individuals who were ill, missed treatment, or were unable to participate during the last MDA, and
- Test and Treat for individuals who might be systemically non-compliant or afraid of adverse events. The use of MDA registers to assist in locating non-compliant individuals is novel and would provide valuable evidence for other programs and represents an alternative strategy for countries struggling with the end game. It may also help provide insight as to whether systematically non-compliant individuals truly serve as a reservoir for LF in areas designated as hotspots. Qualitative data collection will aid in understanding reasons for systematic non-compliance and may lead to changes in social mobilization strategies.
Understanding areas of increased trachoma risk (hotspots) through the implementation of a post validation trachoma surveillance strategy
To determine if there is evidence of on-going or recent transmission in the “hotspot” communities of increased risk two years after they were identified during the pre-validation surveys (clinical, antibody and infection data).
Understanding areas of increased trachoma risk (hotspots) through the implementation of a post validation trachoma surveillance strategy
To determine if there is evidence of on-going or recent transmission in the “hotspot” communities of increased risk two years after they were identified during the pre-validation surveys (clinical, antibody and infection data).
Bringing near real-time data solutions to MDA in Ghana – progress towards elimination of Onchocerciasis
Ghana aims to eliminate onchocerciasis by 2025. Currently, all data points for mass drug administrations are collected on paper. Paper-based data collection does not allow for rapid evaluation and course correction throughout the implementation of the MDA. This study proposes a collaboration between the monitoring and evaluation division of the Ghana Health Service and the Clinical Informatics Research Unit at the University of Southampton. The study aims to answer the primary research question: Can community-driven electronic data collection, and near real-time provision of source data and interactive visualizations better support decision-makers on approaches to evaluating and managing MDAs for onchocerciasis?
Improving Mass Drug Administration After Transmission Assessment Survey Failure: Results from a Mixed Methods Study
- What factors are associated with the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of MDA?
- What is the impact of an adapted and tailored intervention package on effective coverage?
Determination of the prevalence of LF infection in districts not included in LF control activities and of the basis for integrated implementation of LF - onchocerciasis elimination strategies in potentially co-endemic areas
Field validation of the diagnostic performance of the Wb123/Ov16 biplex rapid diagnostic test and Wb123 ELISA, compared to the filariasis test strip (FTS) in a setting initially found to be non-endemic for lymphatic filariasis, in which clinical cases have been identified.
Investigation of communities at increased risk of trachoma recrudescence & a model post-elimination surveillance strategy
Primary research question
Is there evidence of on-going or recent ocular Ct transmission in communities of northern Ghana felt to be at increased risk of recrudescence, at least two years since they were identified with Ct infection and or high anti-Pgp3 seroprevalence during pre-validation trachoma surveillance surveys?
Secondary research questions
What is the geographical extent of the boundaries of any persistent Ct infection and on-going transmission in the post-elimination setting?
What is the community-level (anti-Pgp3) prevalence of seropositivity for the multiplex bead array (MBA) (and possibly ELISA) as compared to the lateral flow assay (LFA)?
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the trachoma surveillance strategy and the use of alternative diagnostic indicators to validate the elimination of blinding trachoma in Ghana
To determine if PCR or serology techniques are better than TF for assessing Trachoma prevalence during the surveillance phase of Trachoma Elimination Programs.
Randomized Control Trial Comparing Efficacy of a Single Dose of Treatment of Yaws with 20 mg/kg Versus 30 mg/kg of Azithromycin
Non-inferiority study comparing a 20mg/kg dosing strategy of azithromycin to a 30mg/kg dosing strategy in the treatment of yaws
Field validation of sampling strategies for integrating STH surveys into Transmission Assessment Surveys (Ghana)
Test STH-TAS,Understand the age prevalence of LF Antibody in different setting.
Characterising the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis prevalence in school-age children, following ≥5 rounds of preventive chemotherapy, to develop optimal survey designs for informing sub-implementation unit decisions
How is the epidemiological distribution of Schistosoma haematobium in school aged children (5 to 14 years) after multiple rounds of preventive chemotherapy across three districts in Togo.
Strategies for the ENdgame: Targeting Infections among Non-compliants in the Elimination of Lymphatic filariasis (SENTINEL)
Non-compliance is a primary barrier to attaining elimination goals. This study aims to utilize data captured in MDA registers to address non-compliance in the Ahanta West District of Ghana, which has been identified as a hotspot of LF transmission with >1% microfilaria (mf) prevalence after 15-16 rounds of MDA. On the basis of information identified in the register, this study proposes to deploy two strategies:
- Engage and Treat individuals who were ill, missed treatment, or were unable to participate during the last MDA, and
- Test and Treat for individuals who might be systemically non-compliant or afraid of adverse events. The use of MDA registers to assist in locating non-compliant individuals is novel and would provide valuable evidence for other programs and represents an alternative strategy for countries struggling with the end game. It may also help provide insight as to whether systematically non-compliant individuals truly serve as a reservoir for LF in areas designated as hotspots. Qualitative data collection will aid in understanding reasons for systematic non-compliance and may lead to changes in social mobilization strategies.
Understanding areas of increased trachoma risk (hotspots) through the implementation of a post validation trachoma surveillance strategy
To determine if there is evidence of on-going or recent transmission in the “hotspot” communities of increased risk two years after they were identified during the pre-validation surveys (clinical, antibody and infection data).
Bringing near real-time data solutions to MDA in Ghana – progress towards elimination of Onchocerciasis
Ghana aims to eliminate onchocerciasis by 2025. Currently, all data points for mass drug administrations are collected on paper. Paper-based data collection does not allow for rapid evaluation and course correction throughout the implementation of the MDA. This study proposes a collaboration between the monitoring and evaluation division of the Ghana Health Service and the Clinical Informatics Research Unit at the University of Southampton. The study aims to answer the primary research question: Can community-driven electronic data collection, and near real-time provision of source data and interactive visualizations better support decision-makers on approaches to evaluating and managing MDAs for onchocerciasis?
Determination of the prevalence of LF infection in districts not included in LF control activities and of the basis for integrated implementation of LF - onchocerciasis elimination strategies in potentially co-endemic areas
Field validation of the diagnostic performance of the Wb123/Ov16 biplex rapid diagnostic test and Wb123 ELISA, compared to the filariasis test strip (FTS) in a setting initially found to be non-endemic for lymphatic filariasis, in which clinical cases have been identified.
Investigation of communities at increased risk of trachoma recrudescence & a model post-elimination surveillance strategy
Primary research question
Is there evidence of on-going or recent ocular Ct transmission in communities of northern Ghana felt to be at increased risk of recrudescence, at least two years since they were identified with Ct infection and or high anti-Pgp3 seroprevalence during pre-validation trachoma surveillance surveys?
Secondary research questions
What is the geographical extent of the boundaries of any persistent Ct infection and on-going transmission in the post-elimination setting?
What is the community-level (anti-Pgp3) prevalence of seropositivity for the multiplex bead array (MBA) (and possibly ELISA) as compared to the lateral flow assay (LFA)?
Factors Influencing Low Coverage of School Deworming Exercise in Two Districts in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana: An Implementation Research Study
1.What are the perceptions of community members in school deworming exercise?
2. What are the operational difficulties health workers and teachers encounter in school deworming exercise?
3. What are the barriers affecting school deworming exercise among community members?
4. What strategies can be identified to improve coverage in school deworming exercise?
Assessing schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infection in pregnant women: A basis for inclusion in routine antenatal care (ANC) screening
To screen pregnant women visiting ANC for helminth infections.