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Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in developing countries
 

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KINTAMPO  DSS, GHANA

 

 

Brief Introduction to Kintampo DSS

The Kintampo north and south districts (previously simply referred tyo as the Kintampo district) are two of the 16 districts currently in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.  The Kintampo DSS area (constituting of Kintampo north and south districts), has a surface area of 7,162 square kilometres. It is bounded to the north by the Black Volta, west by the Wenchi and Tain districts, in the East by the Atebubu District and to the south by Techiman and south-east by the Nkoranza north and south districts respectively.

 

The main indigenous ethnic groups are of the Bono, and the Mo origin. There is however a large permanent immigrant population from the northern Regions of Ghana (Dagarbas, Dagombas and Konkombas) who are mostly farmers. A few Dangbes and Ewes who are mainly fishermen are settled along the banks of the Black Volta. Settlements are mainly concentrated along the main trunk road linking the district capitals (Kintampo/Jema) to northern Region.

 

The vegetation is mainly of the forest-savannah transition type. There are two rainy seasons: the major rainy season, from March to June and the minor season from July to November. December to February is usually dry. The farming activities correspond to the two raining seasons.

 

Key theme:

To research into areas health diseases that are of public health importance nationally and internationally, come up with appropriate interventions that are aimed at significantly reducing the public health importance of these diseases, sharing results of our findings with appropriate sectors of the health ministry of Ghana and internationally with other collaborating institutions/health organisations among others.

 

Priority Research Areas

·     Malaria epidemiological studies; malaria drug intervention studies and malaria vaccines trials

·     Maternal, child and neonatal studies; incorporating new maternal, child and neonatal intervention studies to help control mortality among these vulnerable group.

·     Micronutrient initiatives: use of “Sprinkles” to control anaemia; use of vitamin A and other micronutrients to control infant/child morbidity/mortality.

·     HIV/AIDS: Evaluating novell approaches that will help improve the use of VCT services as a way of assessing potential HIV cases for early treatment

·     Mental Health research: role of cannabis in the proliferation of schizophrenia; the prevalence of mental health depression among post-partum mothers and the causes; Dementia among the aged and the extent of denial of health support.

 

KEY PUBLICATIONS

 (1) Zlotkin S, Schauer C, Owusu-Agyei S, Wolfson J, Tondeur MC, Asante KP, Newton S, Serfass RE, Sharieff W. Demonstrating zinc and iron bioavailability from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate and zinc gluconate Sprinkles in young children. J Nutr. 2006 Apr;136(4):920-5.

(2) Sharieff W, Zlotkin S, Tondeur M, Feldman B, Tomlinson G. Physiologic mechanisms can predict hematologic responses to iron supplements in growing children: a computer simulation model. Am J Clin Nutr 2006; 83(3):681-687.

(3) Edmond K, Zandoh C, Quigley M, Amenga-Etego S, Owusu-Agyei S, Kirkwood B. Delayed breastfeeding initiation increases risk of neonatal mortality. Pediatrics 2006; 117(3):e380-e386.

(4) Newton S, Cousens S, Owusu-Agyei S, Filteau S, Stanley C, Linsell L et al. Vitamin a supplementation does not affect infants' immune responses to polio and tetanus vaccines. J Nutr 2005; 135(11):2669-2673.

(5) Bahl R, Frost C, Kirkwood B, Edmond K, Martines J, Bhandari N et al. Infant feeding patterns and risks of death and hospitalization in the first half of infancy: multicentre cohort study. Bull World Health Organ 2005; 83(6):418-426.

(6) Hussein J, Bell J, Nazzar A, Abbey M, Adjei S, Graham W. The Skilled Attendance Index: Proposal for a new measure of skilled attendance at delivery. Reproductive Health Matters 2004; 12(24):160-170.

(7) Tondeur WC, Schauer C, Christofides AL, Asante KP, Newton S, Serfass RE et al. Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with different iron and hematologic status by using a dual-stable-isotope method. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 80(5):1436-1444.

(8) Zlotkin S, Arthur P, Schauer C, Antwi KY, Yeung G, Piekarz A. Home-Fortification with Iron and Zinc Sprinkles or Iron Sprinkles Alone Successfully Treats Anemia in Infants and Young Children. J Nutr 2003; 133(4):1075-1080.

(9) Zlotkin S, Arthur P, Antwi KY, Yeung G. Randomized, Controlled Trial of Single Versus 3-Times-Daily Ferrous Sulfate Drops for Treatment of Anemia. Pediatrics 2001; 108(3):613-616.

(10) Zlotkin S, Antwi KY, Schauer C, Yeung G. Use of microencapsulated iron(II) fumarate sprinkles to prevent recurrence of anaemia in infants and young children at high risk. Bull World Health Organ 2003; 81(2):108-115.

(11) Hill, Z., Kendall, C., Arthur, P., Kirkwood, B., Adjei, E. Recognising childhood illnesses ; and their traditional explanations: exploring options for care-seeking interventions in the context of the IMCI strategy of rural Ghana. (2003) Trop Med Int Health 8(7),668-76.

 

Site Contact Details

Site Leader: Dr. Seth Owusu-Agyei

Tel +233 61 24145

+233 61 27304

Email: Seth.owusu-agyei@ghana-khrc.org

Website: http://www.ghana-khrc.org