Human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B virus and syphilis infections among longdistance truck drivers in, a Port City in Ghana

Although the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis infections among longdistance truck drivers has been well documented globally, such data are sparse from Africa, and there has been no such data from Ghana. This study carried out between the months of January and June 2013 sought to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors of HIV, HBV and syphilis infections among long distance truck drivers at the Tema sea port, Ghana. Materials and Methods: Of a total of 800 eligible drivers, 106 (13.25%) drivers consented to take part in the study. Subjects voluntarily completed a risk factor questionnaire and provided blood specimen for testing for HIV, syphilis and the surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg). Results: The mean age of the drivers was 40.56 ± 11.56 years. The sero-prevalence of HIV was 0.94%, 14.2% had HBsAg and reactive syphilis serology was 3.8%. On multivariate analysis, the main determinants of HBV infection were; multiple sexual partnership (OR, 6.36; 95% CI: 1.35­29.79), patronage of commercial sex workers (OR, 6.85; 95% CI: 0.88 ­ 52.89), cross-border travelers (OR: 6.89-fold, 95% CI: 0.86 - 55.55) and prolonged duration of trips for more than two weeks (OR: 4.76; 95% CI: 0.59 ­ 38.02). The main determinant of syphilis infection on multivariate analysis was being a Muslim (OR, 2.19; 95% CI: 0.22 ­ 21.74). Conclusion: The data indicate a lower sero-prevalence of HIV but a higher sero-prevalence of syphilis. However, the sero-prevalence of HBV infection is comparable to that of the general population

Cryptosporidial Diarrhoea in Children at a Paediatric Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Background: Diarrhoeal diseases are common among children in developing countries, and are caused by several aetiological agents including Cryptosporidium sp. Several species of this parasite exist which may belong to either anthroponotic or zoonotic forms. With recent application of molecular tools, species involved in human transmission in any locality and sources of infection can now be determined. Aim: We screened children with acute diarrhoea at a paediatric hospital in Accra, Ghana for enteric parasites to determine frequency of cryptosporidial diarrhoea. Cryptosporidium isolates were then characterized by molecular methods to determine the genetic species in transmission. Methodology: A total of 365 diarrhoeic children of age ≤ 5 years were used in this cross-sectional study. Stool samples were collected and tested for enteric parasites by microscopy and ELISA. Cryptosporidium isolates were subsequently genotyped by PCR-RFLP and confirmed by sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. Demographic and clinical data were obtained by a structured questionnaire and data analysed for possible association with cryptosporidial diarrhoea. Results: Enteric parasites detected were Cryptosporidium sp. (22.2%), G. lamblia (5.8%) and E. histolytica (0.8%). Neither gender nor breastfeeding habits, presence of domestic animals, source of children’s food, seasons (dry or rainy) appeared to be associated with infection of Cryptosporidium sp. However, age of children, source of drinking water, and education level of mother seems to have association with infection of the parasite. Genotyping results show that C. parvum is the only species involved in transmission. Conclusion: Cryptosporidium parvum is the commonest enteric parasite causing diarrhoea among children with acute diarrhoea. Children ≤ 3 years and those who drank sachet water were most affected. A carefully planned health education among illiterate mothers and improved sanitary conditions could reduce rate of infections. Further sub-genotyping of C. parvum is needed to determine whether source of infection is zoonotic or anthroponotic.