Estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates have significant public health policy implications since they shed light on the severity of illness in various groups and aid in strategic deployment of diagnostics, treatment and vaccination. Population-based investigations have not been conducted in Ghana to identify the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted an age stratified nationally representative household study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and identify risk factors between February and December 2021. Study participants, 5 years and older regardless of prior or current infection COVID-19 infection from across Ghana were included in the study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, contact with an individual with COVID-19-related symptoms, history of COVID-19-related illness, and adherence to infection prevention measures were collected. Serum obtained was tested for total antibodies with the WANTAI ELISA kit. The presence of antibodies against SAR-COV-2 was detected in 3,476 of 5,348 participants, indicating a seroprevalence of 67.10% (95% CI: 63.71–66.26). Males had lower seroprevalence (65.8% [95% CI: 63.5–68.04]) than females (68.4% [95% CI: 66.10–69.92]). Seroprevalence was lowest in >20 years (64.8% [95% CI: 62.36–67.19]) and highest among young adults; 20–39 years (71.1% [95% CI 68.83,73.39]). Seropositivity was associated with education, employment status and geographic location. Vaccination status in the study population was 10%. Exposure is more likely in urban than rural areas thus infection prevention protocols must be encouraged and maintained. Also, promoting vaccination in target groups and in rural areas is necessary to curb transmission of the virus.

Studies on the distribution of lymphatic filariasis (LF) have mostly focused on reporting prevalence at the community level and distribution at the district levels. Understanding the distribution patterns at community levels may help in designing surveillance strategies. This study aimed to characterize the spatial distribution of LF infections in four hotspot communities in Ghana. The research, involving 252 participants, collected demographic data, mass drug administration (MDA) information, household GPS coordinates, and antigen detection test results. The LF prevalence varied significantly among the communities, with Asemda having the highest (33.33%) and Mempeasem having the lowest (4.44%). Females had lower odds of infection than males (OR = 2.67, p = 0.003 CI: 1.39–5.13). Spatial analysis using kernel density, Anselin Local Moran’s, Getis-Ord Gi models, Ordinary Least Squares, and Geographic Weighted Regression revealed mixed patterns of spatial autocorrelation. This study identified LF hotspots, indicating clusters of high or low prevalence with some areas showing disparities between MDA coverage and LF positivity rates. Despite these hotspots, the overall distribution of LF appeared random, suggesting the importance of purposeful sampling in surveillance activities. These findings contribute valuable insights into the micro-epidemiology of LF, emphasizing the need for community-specific investigations to understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of MDA programs in controlling filarial infections. The study highlights the importance of refining surveillance strategies based on community-level distribution patterns.

Background: The Global Health community aims to eliminate soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections by 2030. Current preventive methods such as Mass Drug Administration, WASH practices, and health education needs to be complimented to halt transmission. We tracked the movement of hookworm-infected and non-infected persons and investigated soil factors in the places they frequented within an endemic community to further understand the role of human movement and sources of infections. Methods: 59 positive and negative participants wore GPS tracking devices for 10 consecutive days and their movement data captured in real time. The data was overlaid on the community map to determine where each group differentially spent most of their time. Soil samples were collected from these identified sites and other communal places. Physical and chemical properties were determined for each sample using standard methods and helminth eggs cultured into larvae using the Baermann technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine associations between larvae counts and soil factors. Helminth species were identified with metagenomic sequencing and their distributions mapped to sampling sites in the community. Results: The study found that there was no significant difference in the average larvae counts in soil between sites assessed by infected and non-infected participants ( P =0.59). However, soil factors, such as pH, carbon and sandy-loamy texture were associated with high larvae counts ( P <0.001) while nitrogen and clay content were associated with low counts( P <0.001). The dominant helminth species identified were Panagrolaimus superbus (an anhydrobiotic helminth), Parastrongyloides trichosuri (a parasite of small mammals), Trichuris trichuria (whipworm), and Ancylostoma caninum (dog hookworm). Notably, no Necator americanus was identified in any soil sample. Conclusion: This study provides important insights into the association between soil factors and soil-transmitted helminths. These findings contribute to our understanding of STH epidemiology and support evidence-based decision-making for elimination strategies. Author Summary: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections has been set to be eliminated 2030. To better understand how infections spread to achieve this, we tracked the movement of people positive and negative for infections. We enrolled 59 participants and equipped them with GPS tracking devices for 10 days continuously monitoring their movements in real time. We identified areas where each group spent the most time. Soil samples were collected from these locations and other communal areas. The physical and chemical properties of the soils were analysed using standard methods and helminth eggs cultured into larvae. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to study the relationship between larvae counts and soil factors. Metagenomic sequencing identified the types of helminths present in the soil samples. The study revealed that soil factors such as pH, carbon content, and sandy-loamy texture were associated with high larvae counts, while nitrogen and clay content were associated with lower counts. The dominant helminth species identified were Panagrolaimus superbus, Parastrongyloides trichosuri, Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and Ancylostoma caninum (dog hookworm). Interestingly, no samples contained Necator americanus . This study provides important insights into the connection between soil factors and STHs infections enhancing our understanding of STH epidemiology to inform evidence-based strategies for eliminating.

The global health community has targeted the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including soil-transmitted helminthiasis by 2030. The elimination strategy has not changed from that of control using regular mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole, WASH and education. Already doubts have been expressed about this achievement, principally because drugs do not interrupt transmission. We report here the findings of a cohort study aimed to identify host modifiable and environmental factors associated with hookworm infection and reinfection in rural communities in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana. Faecal samples of 564 consented participants were screened for intestinal parasites at baseline, 9 months and 24 months using the Kato-Katz method. At each time point, positive cases were treated with a single dose of albendazole (400 mg) and their samples were again screened 10-14 days post-treatment to record treatment failures. The hookworm prevalence at the three-time points was 16.7%, 9.22% and 5.3% respectively, whilst treatment failure rates were 17.25%, 29.03% and 40.9% respectively. The intensities of hookworm infection (in eggs per gram) at the time points were 138.3, 40.5 and 135, which showed a likely association with wet and dry seasons. We posit that the very low intensity of hookworm infections in humans during the dry season offers a window of opportunity for any intervention that could drastically reduce the community worm burden before the rainy season.