Maxwell Akple

Microbiological quality of urban-vended salad and its association with gastrointestinal diseases in Kumasi, Ghana

The influence of consumption of salads on exposure to gastrointestinal diseases was assessed in urban environments in Kumasi, Ghana. Data was collected using a cross-sectional survey involving 15 salad sellers and 213 consumers and microbiological laboratory analysis of 96 samples of ready-to-eat salad. Findings showed higher contamination in street-vended salads than those in cafeterias with thermotelerant coliforms levels of 4.00–5.43 log units per 100 g salad, 32% of samples had Salmonella sp ., and 17% had helminth eggs. Overall, there was an insignificant inverse relationship between salad consumption and gastrointestinal diseases among street salad consumers (RR = 0.81) and a strong positive relationship with cafeteria consumers (RR = 5.51). However, stratified analysis on relative risk showed a likelihood of strong influence from other risk factors embedded in socio-economic status such as poor sanitation. We recommend more integrated studies on risk factors for gastrointestinal diseases in poor urban areas.

Microbiological quality of water from hand-dug wells used for domestic purposes in urban communities in Kumasi, Ghana

Assessment was done on the microbiological quality of water in hand-dug wells in urban communities in Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 256 water samples were taken from eight wells and examined for faecal coliforms, enterococci and helminths. High contamination levels were recorded in the wells, more so in the wet season, with faecal coliforms levels between 6.44 and 10.19 log units and faecal enterococci between 4.23 and 4.85 CFU per 100 ml. Influence on protection and lining of wells on water quality was not pronounced but mechanization reduced contamination significantly by about 3 log units. This study shows a stronger influence of poor sanitation and improper placement of wells on water quality compared to improvements made from lining and protection of wells. In the race to increase access to drinking water in poor urban settlements, quality of groundwater could be a major barrier, if provision of drinking water is not matched with improvements in sanitation and urban planning.

Occupational Health and Safety Management: The Use of Personal Protective Equipment (Ppe) by Artisans in The Local Automotive Industry in Volta Region, Ghana

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a very important role in ensuring that artisans are healthy and safe in automotive workshops. Different studies have revealed that PPE is often not worn by workers in the informal sector in Ghana, and this undermines their general health and safety and leads to different types of injuries. This study focuses on the usage of PPE among local automotive artisans in Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to two hundred (200) artisans randomly selected which constituted the sample for the study.The results from the study revealed that majority of artisans understand the need for PPE usage for protection against accident, injury and illness and willing to practice it. However most artisans do not wear PPE because it is sometimes not available for use and in few cases where it is available the issue of comfort with respect to its usage needs to be addressed. Policies and regulations with respect to the use of PPE need to be developed and implemented in Ghana. Keywords— Personal Protective Equipment, health and safety, automotive workshops, Local artisan.