Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe
Biographic Data
| ID | 9064227 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe |
| GIVEN NAMES | Franklin |
| FAMILY NAME | Asiedu-Bekoe |
| SIGNATURE | ASIEDU-BEKOE F |
| AFFILIATIONS | Ghana Health Service |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 12 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 12 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
Covid-19 in Ghana-Using the health system framework to describe Rise-mitigation strategies for Covid-19 response and recovery in Ghana
Navigating global crises like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) demands strategic and impactful health interventions. Evaluating these interventions is crucial for fortifying health systems at both national and global scales. This article described and appraised projects carried out under the United States Government-funded, Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) initiative during the pandemic in Ghana, offering insights and…
Integration of Covid-19 testing into existing ILI surveillance system in Ghana
The similarities between the presentations of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and COVID-19, generated calls for the integration of COVID-19 surveillance into the existing ILI surveillance system. The aim was to optimize outcomes through efficient use of resources. Ghana responded to the World Health Organization call to integrate the two systems. We share the processes undertaken to integrate SARS-CoV-2 into the ILI surveillance system in Ghana. Sta…
Improving the specimen referral system in Ghana
Introduction: Ghana's specimen referral system (SRS) is driven by vertical surveillance programs and outbreak response events; the lack of integration limits public health disease surveillance capacity. We assessed the current state of the SRS, the existence of biosafety, biosecurity guidelines, and the turnaround time (TAT) from sample collection to result return. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using the African Society for Labor…
The epidemiology of Lassa fever in Ghana
Background: Viral disease outbreak remains a key public health concern given its impact on life and livelihood. Historical data suggests Lassa fever is endemic in several West African countries with sporadic cases occurring elsewhere in the region. In February 2023, Ghana recorded its second outbreak of Lassa fever following that of 2011. The present study sought to document the epidemiology of the recent outbreak in Ghana. Methods: The study use…
Timeliness of yellow fever specimen collection and transport in Ghana, 2018–2022
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, and recent outbreaks of yellow fever have occurred in multiple African countries, including Ghana (2021–2022). Delayed diagnosis of yellow fever may cause increased morbidity and mortality. To improve timely detection of yellow fever, we need to better understand the factors contributing to diagnostic delays. We analyzed the diagnostic testing timeline of all suspected yellow fever cases i…
Implementation of an Integrated Sample Referral System (ISRS) in Ghana
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragile health system in Ghana and in particular, its specimen referral system (SRS), which for years had been limited to Tuberculosis (TB), HIV Viral Load and Early Infant Diagnosis among few laboratories. The implementation of a siloed SRS with the sole focus on TB, HIV viral load, and early infant diagnosis has been to the detriment of other diseases of public health importance. This programmat…
Decreased influenza activity during the Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana, 2020
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on influenza activity globally. In this study, we analyzed trends of influenza activity in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using active prospective influenza surveillance data from 29 sentinel sites. At the sentinel sites, we enrolled patients presenting with symptoms based on the WHO case definition for influenza-like illness (ILI) …
Yellow fever in Ghana
Understanding the epidemiology and ecology of yellow fever in endemic regions is critical for preventing future outbreaks. Ghana is a high-risk country for yellow fever. In this study we estimate the disease burden, ecological cycles, and areas at risk for yellow fever in Ghana based on historical outbreaks. We identify 2387 cases and 888 deaths (case fatality rate 37.7%) from yellow fever reported in Ghana from 1910 to 2022. During the approxima…
Post introduction evaluation of the malaria vaccine implementation programme in Ghana, 2021
The malaria vaccine has been piloted successfully in Ghana. Intensive advocacy; community engagement, and social mobilization; and regular onsite supportive supervision are critical enablers for successful introduction of new vaccines. Stakeholders are convinced of the feasibility of a nationwide scale up using a phased subnational approach taking into consideration malaria epidemiology and global availability of vaccines
Association between mobility, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and Covid-19 transmission in Ghana
Governments around the world have implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions to limit the transmission of COVID-19. Here we assess if increasing NPI stringency was associated with a reduction in COVID-19 cases in Ghana. While lockdowns and physical distancing have proven effective for reducing COVID-19 transmission, there is still limited understanding of how NPI measures are reflected in indicators of human mobility. Further, there is a lack o…
Epidemiology of influenza in Ghana, 2011 to 2019
Influenza virus is an important contributor to acute respiratory illnesses and is estimated to cause up to 650,000 respiratory deaths each year. Ghana recorded influenza viruses as far back as 1918 when the Spanish influenza pandemic led to the death of >100,000 people in a population of 4 million at the time. An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) among poultry in Ghana in 2007, led to the establishment of virological surveilla…
Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 outbreak of unknown source in a Ghanaian senior high school
Outbreak of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 occurred in a SHS in Accra from January to February, 2018. Even though source of the outbreak could not be determined, prompt case management and health education on hand and personal hygiene as non-pharmacological factors probably contributed to the outbreak control. The outbreak ended with a scheduled mid-term break. This underscores the need for more evidence on the effect of school closure in influenza outb…
No prominent works on this page.
Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 outbreak of unknown source in a Ghanaian senior high school
Outbreak of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 occurred in a SHS in Accra from January to February, 2018. Even though source of the outbreak could not be determined, prompt case management and health education on hand and personal hygiene as non-pharmacological factors probably contributed to the outbreak control. The outbreak ended with a scheduled mid-term break. This underscores the need for more evidence on the effect of school closure in influenza outb…
Association between mobility, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and Covid-19 transmission in Ghana
Governments around the world have implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions to limit the transmission of COVID-19. Here we assess if increasing NPI stringency was associated with a reduction in COVID-19 cases in Ghana. While lockdowns and physical distancing have proven effective for reducing COVID-19 transmission, there is still limited understanding of how NPI measures are reflected in indicators of human mobility. Further, there is a lack o…
Epidemiology of influenza in Ghana, 2011 to 2019
Influenza virus is an important contributor to acute respiratory illnesses and is estimated to cause up to 650,000 respiratory deaths each year. Ghana recorded influenza viruses as far back as 1918 when the Spanish influenza pandemic led to the death of >100,000 people in a population of 4 million at the time. An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) among poultry in Ghana in 2007, led to the establishment of virological surveilla…
Post introduction evaluation of the malaria vaccine implementation programme in Ghana, 2021
The malaria vaccine has been piloted successfully in Ghana. Intensive advocacy; community engagement, and social mobilization; and regular onsite supportive supervision are critical enablers for successful introduction of new vaccines. Stakeholders are convinced of the feasibility of a nationwide scale up using a phased subnational approach taking into consideration malaria epidemiology and global availability of vaccines
Decreased influenza activity during the Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana, 2020
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on influenza activity globally. In this study, we analyzed trends of influenza activity in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using active prospective influenza surveillance data from 29 sentinel sites. At the sentinel sites, we enrolled patients presenting with symptoms based on the WHO case definition for influenza-like illness (ILI) …
Yellow fever in Ghana
Understanding the epidemiology and ecology of yellow fever in endemic regions is critical for preventing future outbreaks. Ghana is a high-risk country for yellow fever. In this study we estimate the disease burden, ecological cycles, and areas at risk for yellow fever in Ghana based on historical outbreaks. We identify 2387 cases and 888 deaths (case fatality rate 37.7%) from yellow fever reported in Ghana from 1910 to 2022. During the approxima…
Improving the specimen referral system in Ghana
Introduction: Ghana's specimen referral system (SRS) is driven by vertical surveillance programs and outbreak response events; the lack of integration limits public health disease surveillance capacity. We assessed the current state of the SRS, the existence of biosafety, biosecurity guidelines, and the turnaround time (TAT) from sample collection to result return. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using the African Society for Labor…
The epidemiology of Lassa fever in Ghana
Background: Viral disease outbreak remains a key public health concern given its impact on life and livelihood. Historical data suggests Lassa fever is endemic in several West African countries with sporadic cases occurring elsewhere in the region. In February 2023, Ghana recorded its second outbreak of Lassa fever following that of 2011. The present study sought to document the epidemiology of the recent outbreak in Ghana. Methods: The study use…
Timeliness of yellow fever specimen collection and transport in Ghana, 2018–2022
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, and recent outbreaks of yellow fever have occurred in multiple African countries, including Ghana (2021–2022). Delayed diagnosis of yellow fever may cause increased morbidity and mortality. To improve timely detection of yellow fever, we need to better understand the factors contributing to diagnostic delays. We analyzed the diagnostic testing timeline of all suspected yellow fever cases i…
Implementation of an Integrated Sample Referral System (ISRS) in Ghana
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragile health system in Ghana and in particular, its specimen referral system (SRS), which for years had been limited to Tuberculosis (TB), HIV Viral Load and Early Infant Diagnosis among few laboratories. The implementation of a siloed SRS with the sole focus on TB, HIV viral load, and early infant diagnosis has been to the detriment of other diseases of public health importance. This programmat…
Covid-19 in Ghana-Using the health system framework to describe Rise-mitigation strategies for Covid-19 response and recovery in Ghana
Navigating global crises like the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) demands strategic and impactful health interventions. Evaluating these interventions is crucial for fortifying health systems at both national and global scales. This article described and appraised projects carried out under the United States Government-funded, Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) initiative during the pandemic in Ghana, offering insights and…
Integration of Covid-19 testing into existing ILI surveillance system in Ghana
The similarities between the presentations of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and COVID-19, generated calls for the integration of COVID-19 surveillance into the existing ILI surveillance system. The aim was to optimize outcomes through efficient use of resources. Ghana responded to the World Health Organization call to integrate the two systems. We share the processes undertaken to integrate SARS-CoV-2 into the ILI surveillance system in Ghana. Sta…
Medicine (8 works) · Public health (6 works) · Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research (6 works) · Virology (6 works) · Environmental health (5 works) · Epidemiology (5 works) · Internal Medicine (5 works) · Outbreak (5 works) · Influenza-like illness (4 works) · Respiratory viral infections research (4 works)