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Aboagye FT, Annison L, Hackman HK, Acquah ME, Ashong Y, Owusu-Frimpong I, Egyam BC, Annison S, Osei-Adjei G, Antwi-Baffour S. Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 within Accra Metropolis Postlockdown. Adv Virol 2024; 2024:2993144. [PMID: 38584794 PMCID: PMC10997420 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2993144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Currently, sequencing has been the only tool for the identification of circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. However, it is known to be an expensive and laborious approach involving high technical expertise. Considering the reduced adherence to preventive measures postlockdown in Accra, this study presents an alternative method that leverages polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Accra Metropolis postlockdown. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2022. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 268 consenting participants. Samples were subjected to nucleic acid extraction and followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were subsequently subjected to variant identification using rapid PCR. Findings. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Accra Metropolis was 30.2%. The majority of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in females, participants aged 41-50 years, and symptomatic participants. Participants aged ≤10 years and females recorded the highest viral load while participants aged 41-50 years recorded the highest number of infections. The SARS-CoV-2 variants detected were Alpha (64.2%), Delta (22.2%), and Omicron (13.6%). Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection identified were chills, cough, headache, body weakness, sore throat, and dyspnoea in order of decreasing association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was a strong association between symptom status, gender, age, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Accra Metropolis postlockdown within the sampling period. The Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 is the predominant circulating variant, and persons presenting with symptoms are most likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Children aged ≤10 years serve as a reservoir for infection transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank T. Aboagye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana
- Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lawrence Annison
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana
| | - Henry Kwadwo Hackman
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana
| | - Maame E. Acquah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yvonne Ashong
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, College of Medical Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isaac Owusu-Frimpong
- Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Water Research Institute, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bill C. Egyam
- Department of Molecular Biology, MDS Lancet Laboratories Ghana Limited, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sharon Annison
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - George Osei-Adjei
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Accra Technical University, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Antwi-Baffour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
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Ofori SK, Schwind JS, Sullivan KL, Chowell G, Cowling BJ, Fung ICH. Modeling the health impact of increasing vaccine coverage and nonpharmaceutical interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 in Ghana. Pathog Glob Health 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38318877 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2024.2313787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Seroprevalence studies assessing community exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Ghana concluded that population-level immunity remained low as of February 2021. Thus, it is important to demonstrate how increasing vaccine coverage reduces the economic and public health impacts associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission. To that end, this study used a Susceptible-Exposed-Presymptomatic-Symptomatic-Asymptomatic-Recovered-Dead-Vaccinated compartmental model to simulate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission and the role of public health interventions in Ghana. The impact of increasing vaccination rates and decline in transmission rates due to nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on cumulative infections and deaths averted was explored under different scenarios. Latin hypercube sampling-partial rank correlation coefficient (LHS-PRCC) was used to investigate the uncertainty and sensitivity of the outcomes to the parameters. Simulation results suggest that increasing the vaccination rate to achieve 50% coverage was associated with almost 60,000 deaths and 25 million infections averted. In comparison, a 50% decrease in the transmission coefficient was associated with the prevention of about 150,000 deaths and 50 million infections. The LHS-PRCC results indicated that in the context of vaccination rate, cumulative infections and deaths averted were most sensitive to vaccination rate, waning immunity rates from vaccination, and waning immunity from natural infection. This study's findings illustrate the impact of increasing vaccination coverage and/or reducing the transmission rate by NPI adherence in the prevention of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia K Ofori
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
| | - Jessica S Schwind
- Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
| | - Kelly L Sullivan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
| | - Gerardo Chowell
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Benjamin J Cowling
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Isaac Chun-Hai Fung
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia
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Dofuor AK, Quartey NKA, Osabutey AF, Boateng BO, Lutuf H, Osei JHN, Ayivi-Tosuh SM, Aiduenu AF, Ekloh W, Loh SK, Opoku MJ, Aidoo OF. The Global Impact of COVID-19: Historical Development, Molecular Characterization, Drug Discovery and Future Directions. Clin Pathol 2023; 16:2632010X231218075. [PMID: 38144436 PMCID: PMC10748929 DOI: 10.1177/2632010x231218075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
In December 2019, an outbreak of a respiratory disease called the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in Wuhan, China. The SARS-CoV-2, an encapsulated positive-stranded RNA virus, spread worldwide with disastrous consequences for people's health, economies, and quality of life. The disease has had far-reaching impacts on society, including economic disruption, school closures, and increased stress and anxiety. It has also highlighted disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the SARS-CoV-2. The symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe. There is presently no effective cure. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in developing COVID-19 vaccine for different therapeutic targets. For instance, scientists developed multifold vaccine candidates shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak after Pfizer and AstraZeneca discovered the initial COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines reduce disease spread, severity, and mortality. The addition of rapid diagnostics to microscopy for COVID-19 diagnosis has proven crucial. Our review provides a thorough overview of the historical development of COVID-19 and molecular and biochemical characterization of the SARS-CoV-2. We highlight the potential contributions from insect and plant sources as anti-SARS-CoV-2 and present directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Naa Kwarley-Aba Quartey
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Biosciences, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Belinda Obenewa Boateng
- Coconut Research Program, Oil Palm Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
| | - Hanif Lutuf
- Crop Protection Division, Oil Palm Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kade, Ghana
| | - Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Selina Mawunyo Ayivi-Tosuh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Albert Fynn Aiduenu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - William Ekloh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Seyram Kofi Loh
- Department of Built Environment, School of Sustainable Development, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Jnr Opoku
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Owusu Fordjour Aidoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are widely prevalent disorders, and important contributors to morbidity and mortality, in both developing and developed countries. It is conjectured that these obstructive lung diseases may have had more deleterious effects in developing nations during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We provide an evidence-based perspective on the relationship between asthma/COPD prevalence and COVID-19 burden, and the impact of comorbid asthma/COPD on selected COVID-19 outcomes and healthcare utilization, with special reference to developing countries. RECENT FINDINGS Developing countries with higher COPD (but not asthma) prevalence appear to have higher COVID-19 related mortality. Patients with asthma (but not COPD) in developing countries may be less likely to acquire COVID-19. Published literature suggests that the overall impact of comorbid asthma or COPD on adverse COVID-19 outcomes may be broadly similar between developed and developing nations. SUMMARY There is paucity of information on interaction between asthma/COPD and COVID-19 in developing countries. Limited data suggest minor differences between developed and developing nations. In view of inadequacies in healthcare preparedness and delivery in several developing countries, there is a need to generate quality evidence to assess impact of obstructive lung diseases and COVID-19 on each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh N Aggarwal
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Coyer L, Boyd A, Schinkel J, Agyemang C, Galenkamp H, Koopman ADM, Leenstra T, Moll van Charante EP, van den Born BJH, Lok A, Verhoeff A, Zwinderman AH, Jurriaans S, van Vught LA, Stronks K, Prins M. SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence and correlates of six ethnic groups living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: a population-based cross-sectional study, June-October 2020. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e052752. [PMID: 34992110 PMCID: PMC8739540 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES It has been suggested that ethnic minorities have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19. We aimed to determine whether prevalence and correlates of past SARS-CoV-2 exposure varied between six ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Participants aged 25-79 years enrolled in the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting population-based prospective cohort (n=16 889) were randomly selected within ethnic groups and invited to participate in a cross-sectional COVID-19 seroprevalence substudy. OUTCOME MEASURES We tested participants for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and collected information on SARS-CoV-2 exposures. We estimated prevalence and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 exposure within ethnic groups using survey-weighted logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and calendar time. RESULTS Between 24 June and 9 October 2020, we included 2497 participants. Adjusted SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was comparable between ethnic Dutch (24/498; 5.1%, 95% CI 2.8% to 7.4%), South-Asian Surinamese (22/451; 4.9%, 95% CI 2.2% to 7.7%), African Surinamese (22/400; 8.3%, 95% CI 3.1% to 13.6%), Turkish (30/408; 7.9%, 95% CI 4.4% to 11.4%) and Moroccan (32/391; 7.2%, 95% CI 4.2% to 10.1%) participants, but higher among Ghanaians (95/327; 26.3%, 95% CI 18.5% to 34.0%). 57.1% of SARS-CoV-2-positive participants did not suspect or were unsure of being infected, which was lowest in African Surinamese (18.2%) and highest in Ghanaians (90.5%). Correlates of SARS-CoV-2 exposure varied across ethnic groups, while the most common correlate was having a household member suspected of infection. In Ghanaians, seropositivity was associated with older age, larger household sizes, living with small children, leaving home to work and attending religious services. CONCLUSIONS No remarkable differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were observed between the largest ethnic groups in Amsterdam after the first wave of infections. The higher infection seroprevalence observed among Ghanaians, which passed mostly unnoticed, warrants wider prevention efforts and opportunities for non-symptom-based testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Coyer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity (AII), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anders Boyd
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting HIV Monitoring, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janke Schinkel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charles Agyemang
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henrike Galenkamp
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anitra D M Koopman
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tjalling Leenstra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric P Moll van Charante
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bert-Jan H van den Born
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anja Lok
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Center for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud Verhoeff
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Healthcare Innovation, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aeilko H Zwinderman
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Jurriaans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke A van Vught
- Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karien Stronks
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity (AII), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Asante EA, Awuviry-Newton K, Abekah-Carter K. Social Networks in Limbo. The Experiences of Older Adults During COVID-19 in Ghana. Front Public Health 2021; 9:772933. [PMID: 34869184 PMCID: PMC8635502 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.772933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
While studies exploring COVID-19 and its global influence have begun, social networks and support among older adults in low-and middle-income countries, such as Ghana have been inadequate despite its enormous relevance. Thus, the study presents the voices of older adults in Jamestown, Accra and their social networks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected from 15 older adults through in-depth interviews on older adults' social network experiences during COVID-19 pandemic situation. Older adults generally struggled to maintain connections with their family members, friends, neighbors, and the community, especially during the lockdown. They ascribed their limited interaction to COVID-19 preventive measures, such as social distancing and the limitation of face-to-face meetings imposed by the government. Loneliness, stress, and depression are also linked to the breakdown of social networks. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on older adults' quality of life. It emerged that the Ghanaian society could reconsider the professional services of gerontologists, social workers, community outreach workers, and philanthropists in mitigating loneliness, stress, and depression among older adults in current and future pandemics.
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de-Graft Aikins A, Sanuade O, Baatiema L, Asante PY, Agyei F, Asah-Ayeh V, Okai JAO, Osei-Tutu A, Koram K. COVID-19, chronic conditions and structural poverty: A social psychological assessment of the needs of a marginalized community in Accra, Ghana. J Soc Polit Psych 2021. [DOI: 10.5964/jspp.7543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the African region COVID-19 infection and death rates are increasing (writing in May 2020), most deaths have occurred among individuals with chronic conditions, and poor communities face higher risks of infection and socio-economic insecurities. We assessed the psychosocial needs of a chronic illness support group in Accra, Ghana, within the context of their broader community. The community lives in structural poverty and has a complex burden of infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Between March and May 2020, we conducted interviews, group discussions, and surveys, with members of the support group and their caregivers, frontline healthcare workers, and religious and community leaders. Data was analysed through the social psychology of participation framework. Community members understood COVID-19 as a new public health threat and drew on eclectic sources of information to make sense of this. Members of the support group had psychosocial and material needs: they were anxious about infection risk as well as money, food and access to NCD treatment. Some community members received government food packages during the lockdown period. This support ended after lockdown in April and while anti-poverty COVID policies have been unveiled they have yet to be implemented. We discuss the impact of these representational, relational and power dynamics on the community’s access to COVID-19 and NCD support. We argue that strategies to address immediate and post-COVID needs of vulnerable communities have to focus on the politics and practicalities of implementing existing rights-based policies that intersect health, poverty reduction and social protection.
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Kretchy IA, Boadu JA, Kretchy JP, Agyabeng K, Passah AA, Koduah A, Opuni KFM. Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in Ghana: A national cross-sectional online survey. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101633. [PMID: 34777985 PMCID: PMC8575551 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
82.5% of all participants reported CAM use during the COVID-19 pandemic period. 69.1% of CAM users intended it for COVID-19 infection prevention. Commonly used CAM include vitamins, spiritual healing/prayer, minerals and herbals. Age, sex and COVID-19 illness perception significantly predicted CAM use.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is widespread and has played critical roles in preventing infections, including previous coronaviruses. This study sought to document current practices in the use of CAM for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in Ghana. An anonymous electronic survey was conducted from February 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, basic clinical information, illness perceptions about COVID-19, and CAM use during the pandemic period were generated. While about 82.5% (986/1195) of the participants used CAM during the COVID-19 period, 69.1% (681/986) of CAM users intented it for COVID-19 infection prevention. Vitamin supplements (88.1%, 869/986), spiritual healing/prayer (23.3%, 230/986), mineral supplements (22.3%, 220/986), botanical/herbal medicines (22.2%, 219/986), and diet therapy (19.4%, 191/986) were the main types of CAM used. From the adjusted binary logistic regression model, current age (aOR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.01–1.05), sex (aOR: 1.41, 95%CI: 1.02–1.95), participants’ perceptions of consequences (aOR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.04–1.17), identity (aOR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.06–1.25) and concerns about COVID-19 (aOR: 0.91, 95%CI: 0.85–0.97) were statistically significant predictors of CAM use. These results suggest the need for appropriate public health policy on COVID-19 and CAM use in addition to directing further research initiatives toward an optimized COVID-19 prevention scheme using clinically validated CAM treatments. Research to validate the clinical efficacy of these products, especially the herbs, for COVID-19 prevention while isolating lead compounds that could be optimized and used for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 is also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene A Kretchy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG43, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph A Boadu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG43, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - James-Paul Kretchy
- Department of Physician Assistantship Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Central University, Miotso, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kofi Agyabeng
- Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alfred A Passah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG43, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Augustina Koduah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG43, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwabena F M Opuni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG43, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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