60 research outputs found
Mercury Exposure Biomarkers and Neurologic Measure Differences between Registered and Unregistered ASGM Miners in Ghana
No full textInjury Profiles Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Tarkwa, Ghana
No full textArtisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is inherently risky, but little is known about mining-associated hazards and injuries despite the tremendous growth worldwide of ASGM and the benefits it offers. The current study aimed to characterize the physical injuries associated with ASGM in Ghana to guide policy formulation. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Tarkwa mining district of the Western Region of Ghana in 2014. A total of 404 small-scale miners were recruited and interviewed regarding their occupational injury experiences over the preceding 10 years using a paper-based structured questionnaire. Nearly one-quarter (23.5%) of the miners interviewed reported getting injured over the previous 10 years, and the overall injury rate was calculated to be 5.39 per 100 person years. The rate was significantly higher for women (11.93 per 100 person years) and those with little mining experience (e.g., 25.31 per 100 person years for those with less than one year of work experience). The most injury-prone mining activities were excavation (58.7%) and crushing (23.1%), and over 70% of the injuries were reported to be due to miners being hit by an object. The majority of the injuries (57%) were lacerations, and nearly 70% of the injuries were to the upper or lower limbs. Approximately one-third (34.7%) of the injuries resulted in miners missing more than two weeks of work. One-quarter of the injured workers believed that abnormal work pressure played a role in their injuries, and nearly two-fifths believed that their injuries could have been prevented, with many citing personal protective equipment as a solution. About one-quarter of the employees reported that their employers never seemed to be interested in the welfare or safety of their employees. These findings greatly advance our understanding of occupational hazards and injuries amongst ASGM workers and help identify several intervention points
A comparison of licensed and un-licensed artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) in terms of socio-demographics, work profiles, and injury rates
No full textAbstract Background Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) represents one of the most hazardous work environments. While formalization of this sector has been suggested (e.g., Minamata Convention) as a means to improve working conditions, we are unaware of empirical evidence that supports this notion. This study aimed to compare sociodemographic profiles, work profiles, and injury rates among miners working in licensed versus un-licensed ASGM sites. Methods In the Tarkwa mining region of Ghana, 404 small-scale miners were recruited in 2014 and interviewed regarding their occupational injury experiences over the preceding 10 years. Workers were drawn from 9 mining sites, of which 5 were licensed and 4 were not licensed. Results Sociodemographic characteristics of miners from the two groups were relatively similar. Those currently working in an un-licensed mine have spent more time in the ASGM sector than those currently working in a licensed mine (94 vs. 70 months). Miners working in an un-licensed site tended to experience more injury episodes (e.g., 26% vs. 8% had 3 or more injury events) and not use personal protective equipment during the time of an injury (92% indicated to not using vs. 73%) when compared to miners working in a licensed site. A total of 121 injury episodes were recorded for 2245 person years of ASGM work. The injury rate for those working in un-licensed mines was 5.9 per 100 person years (59 injuries in 995 person years) versus 5.0 (62 injuries in 1250 person-years) in the licensed mines. When focusing on the male miners, there was a significant difference in injury rates between those working in a licensed mine (4.2 per 100 person years) versus an un-licensed mine (6.1 per 100 person years). Conclusions These findings advance our understanding of injuries amongst ASGM workers, and help identify important differences in socio-demographics, work profiles, and injury rates between miners working in a licensed versus and un-licensed site. The findings suggest that certain working conditions in a licensed site may be safer
Application of geographical information system (GIS) technology in the control of Buruli ulcer in Ghana
No full textEvaluation of the tuberculosis surveillance system in the Ashaiman Municipality of the Greater Accra Region
No full textBirth and Emergency Planning: A Cross Sectional Survey of Postnatal Women at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
No full textBirth and emergency planning encourages early decision making, helps
overcome barriers to skilled maternity care and reduces preventable
maternal and newborn deaths. A facility based postnatal survey of 483
childbearing women in Accra, Ghana determined birth and emergency
planning steps, awareness of obstetric danger signs, reported maternal
and newborn complications and birth outcome based on length of hospital
stay. Supervised antenatal care and delivery were nearly universal.
Overall, 62% had a birth plan, 74% had adequate knowledge of danger
signs, while 64% and 37% reported maternal and newborn complications
respectively. Accompaniment by a birth companion and saving money were
considered the most useful planning steps. Knowledge of danger signs
was associated with birth and emergency planning, and birth and
emergency planning was associated with reported birth outcome. Birth
and emergency planning as a critical component of antenatal care can
influence birth outcomes and should be extended to all pregnant women.La planification des naissances et d'urgence encourage la prise de
décision rapide, aide à surmonter les obstacles aux soins de
maternité qualifiés et réduit les décès
maternels et néonatals évitables. Une enquête
post-natale qui a été basée sur
l’établissement, et auprès des 483 femmes en âge
de procréer à Accra, au Ghana a déterminé les
étapes de planification des naissances et d'urgence, la
sensibilisation des signes de danger obstétrical, a rapporté
des complications maternelles et néonatales et les résultats
des naissances selon la durée du séjour à
l'hôpital. Les soins prénatals et l'accouchement
surveillés étaient presque universels. Dans l'ensemble, 62%
avaient un plan de naissance, 74% avaient une connaissance
adéquate des signes de danger, tandis que 64% et 37% ont
déclaré des complications maternelles et néonatales,
respectivement. Le fait d’être accompagné par un
compagnon de naissance et d’économiser de l'argent ont
été considérés comme les étapes de
planification les plus utiles. La connaissance des signes de danger a
été associée à la naissance et à la
planification d'urgence et la planification des naissances et d'urgence
a été associée à des résultats des naissances
déclarées. La planification des naissances et d'urgence comme
un élément essentiel des soins prénatals peuvent influer
sur les résultats de grossesses et devrait être mis a la
portée de toutes les femmes enceinte
A retrospective analysis of breast cancer subtype based on ER/PR and HER2 status in Ghanaian patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
No full textA three year review of Tuberculosis surveillance data in Montserrado County, Liberia, 2016-2018
No full textIntroduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem. Liberia's annual mortality rate remains high with estimated incidence 14,000 cases (308 per 100,000). The study's objective was to analyze the distribution of TB cases by person place and time, estimate the prevalence, case detection rate and outcome of all form of TB cases in Montserrado from 2016-2018.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive analysis where we reviewed and analyzed reports for all forms of TB notified by districts through the DHIS2 in Montserrado County from 2016 to 2018. We also extracted data from the data sources and analyzed the data to obtained measure of disease occurrence and disease frequency using Microsoft Excel, 2013.
Results: A total of 18141 cases of all forms of TB were notified in Montserrado County from 2016 to 2018; out of which 5271 (29%) cases were sputum smear positive. Of cases notified, 58% (5081/8716) were males and 20%1026 were among 25-34 year age group. TB cases were 36% in 2017 and 29% in 2018. In 2017, the prevalence was 140/100000 population. Prevalence among the male population was 461/100,000 population and female accounted for 306/100,000 population. Up to 60% of TB cases were notified by two districts (Bushrod & Central Monrovia). Cases were detected at the rate of 46% in 2017 and 43% in 2018 with Bushrod district detection rate of 151%. On average, 34% of patients on treatment were cured and 15% defaulted showing treatment success rate at 24%.
Conclusion: Tuberculosis remains a problem in Liberia and males in productive age group accounted for most cases in Bushrod and Central Monrovia districts. The prevalence of TB is high. Though more cases were detected in Bushrod district, the case detection rate showed a decreasing trend in 2018. Patients were cured of TB but data also showed defaulted record and a treatment success rate far lower than the national target 85%. We recommend that Ministry of health through National TB control should intensify sensitization and TB health education to improve the case detection and treatment success rates
Birth and Emergency Planning: A Cross Sectional Survey of Postnatal Women at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
No full textBirth and emergency planning encourages early decision making, helps
overcome barriers to skilled maternity care and reduces preventable
maternal and newborn deaths. A facility based postnatal survey of 483
childbearing women in Accra, Ghana determined birth and emergency
planning steps, awareness of obstetric danger signs, reported maternal
and newborn complications and birth outcome based on length of hospital
stay. Supervised antenatal care and delivery were nearly universal.
Overall, 62% had a birth plan, 74% had adequate knowledge of danger
signs, while 64% and 37% reported maternal and newborn complications
respectively. Accompaniment by a birth companion and saving money were
considered the most useful planning steps. Knowledge of danger signs
was associated with birth and emergency planning, and birth and
emergency planning was associated with reported birth outcome. Birth
and emergency planning as a critical component of antenatal care can
influence birth outcomes and should be extended to all pregnant women.La planification des naissances et d'urgence encourage la prise de
décision rapide, aide à surmonter les obstacles aux soins de
maternité qualifiés et réduit les décès
maternels et néonatals évitables. Une enquête
post-natale qui a été basée sur
l’établissement, et auprès des 483 femmes en âge
de procréer à Accra, au Ghana a déterminé les
étapes de planification des naissances et d'urgence, la
sensibilisation des signes de danger obstétrical, a rapporté
des complications maternelles et néonatales et les résultats
des naissances selon la durée du séjour à
l'hôpital. Les soins prénatals et l'accouchement
surveillés étaient presque universels. Dans l'ensemble, 62%
avaient un plan de naissance, 74% avaient une connaissance
adéquate des signes de danger, tandis que 64% et 37% ont
déclaré des complications maternelles et néonatales,
respectivement. Le fait d’être accompagné par un
compagnon de naissance et d’économiser de l'argent ont
été considérés comme les étapes de
planification les plus utiles. La connaissance des signes de danger a
été associée à la naissance et à la
planification d'urgence et la planification des naissances et d'urgence
a été associée à des résultats des naissances
déclarées. La planification des naissances et d'urgence comme
un élément essentiel des soins prénatals peuvent influer
sur les résultats de grossesses et devrait être mis a la
portée de toutes les femmes enceinte
ReView Bamboozled: Archival Affects
No full textThe first time the author watched Spike Lee’s Bamboozled (2000), the film literally moved her body 3000 miles. In this video reView, Bamboozled moves the author again, this time to the very space that gives the film its continued, urgent relevance: the archive. In moving and being moved, the author surprisingly discovers a little-known archival collection in Buffalo, NY that directly relates to Lee’s film and its usage of black memorabilia. ReVIEW BAMBOOZLED: ARCHIVAL AFFECTS chronicles the author’s journey into this archive and her remarkable discussion with the archivist and her research assistant about the stakes of that collection, Spike Lee’s film, and the affects of both. It also reViews archival practice, showing the tensions of working with what the archivist acknowledges to be, in some ways, “the uncollectible.
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