Emmanuel Kwasi Abu

University of Cape Coast | UCC · Department of Optometry and Vision Science

In developing countries such as Ghana, ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) remains a public health concern. This is because of its unknown etiology patterns, the growing concerns of antibiotic resistance strains and the contribution of ON to childhood blindness. This study was therefore conducted to determine the causative agents, risk factors and the antib...

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of two ocular biometric measurements to obtain Hirschberg ratios (HRs) in a binocularly normal paediatric population, and to assess the repeatability of this approach. Methods: Ocular biometry data from 80 participants (aged 5 to 14 years) was ob-tained using the KM- 1 LED...

Objective: To evaluate dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Parameters assessed included meibum expressibility and quality, Schirmer test 1, tear breakup time (TBUT), ocular surface staining, blink rates and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSD...

Clinical relevance: Inclusion of personality profile assessment and appropriate psychotherapeutic regimen in glaucoma diagnosis and management protocols could prove useful for enhanced medication adherence in patients living with glaucoma. Background: There is poor adherence to medication among patients with glaucoma, especially in people of Afr...

Background To investigate the impact of dry eye syndrome (DES) on dry eye-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Research design and methods Evaluation of DES included assessment of meibomian gland function, tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, fluorescein ocular surface staining, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSD...

This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and risk perception of pregnant and non pregnant women towards COVID-19 vaccines using a cross-sectional matched-sample study approach. A web-based questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions was administered to adults older than 18 years in the sub–Saharan African (SSA) region. Respondents (n = 13...

Background The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diasporan dwellers. Methods This...

Background Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remains a major threat to global public health. This study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitan...

This paper discusses multidisciplinary international research collaboration team formation during the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges faced, strategies adopted, achievements and dynamics in the implementation of research on Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), by the African Translational Research Group (ATReG). The paper also discusses the lessons l...

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a universal health crisis resulting in significant morbidities and mortalities particularly among high-risk groups. This study sought to determine regional factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 mitigation practices and risk perception of contracting the dis...

Purpose: To investigate the effect of filters and illumination on contrast sensitivity in persons with cataract, pseudophakia, maculopathy and glaucoma to provide a guide for eye care providers in low vision rehabilitation. Materials and methods: A within-subjects experimental design with a counter-balanced presentation technique was employed in th...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe COVID-19 infection and complications. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in diabetes and explored reasons for nonvaccinating. This was a web-based cross-sectional survey using a mixed-method approach conducted between March-May 2021 corresponding to most SSA countries' earl...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe COVID-19 infection and complications. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in diabetes and explored reasons for nonvaccinating. A web-based cross-sectional survey using a mixed method approach was distributed to participants aged ≥18 years with self-reported DM in 11 Sub-Saha...

Background: The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diaspora. Methods: This was a cro...

The COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out across all the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, with countries setting targets for achieving full vaccination rates. The aim of this study was to compare the uptake of, resistance and hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine between SSA locally residents and in the diaspora. This was a cross-sectional study co...

Background Vaccination remains the most powerful weapon against the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, false information about COVID-19 vaccines through various platforms including social media remain a major threat to global public health. The study examined the impact of information sources on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy...

Background: The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide, resulting in extraordinary measures put in place in various countries including Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Objective: To assess the factors associated with compliance with the public health measures imposed by various SSA countries. M...

Purpose: The key preventive measures adopted to minimise the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had significant health, economic and physical impacts mostly in developing countries. This study evaluated the health, economic and physical impacts of COVID-19 lockdown measures among sub-Saharan African (SSA) population and associated demogr...

This study investigated risk perception of contracting and dying of SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Sahara Africa during and after the lockdown periods. Two online surveys were conducted one year apart, with participants 18 years and above living in sub-Sahara Africa or the diaspora. Each survey took four weeks. The first survey was taken from 18 April to 16 May...

Public transport plays an important role in improving mobility for persons with visual impairment. Commercial drivers are major stakeholders in ensuring that there are efficient and accessible public transport systems on university campuses that have a relatively high number of persons with visual impairment. We conducted a cross-sectional survey a...

Background: Perceived risk towards the coronavirus pandemic is key to improved compliance with public health measures to reduce the infection rates. This study investigated how Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) living in their respective countries and those in the diaspora perceive their risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus as well as the assoc...

Health education is key in the prevention of Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON). However, health education in relation to eye care in Ghana is very low. To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of mothers on Ophthalmia Neonatorum (eye infection in newborns), a descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, using a standardised interviewe...

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated high mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, there is panic amongst healthcare workers because of the higher risk of being infected. This study compared knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) and examined common associated f...

As the search for effective treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection continues, the public opinion around the potential use of chloroquine (CQ) in treating COVID-19 remains mixed. While the Western world panic-shopped for groceries and consumables, Africans stored some important medications like Chloroquine which were promoted t...

Purpose: There is poor adherence to medication among patients with glaucoma especially in people of African ancestry. The present study assessed the influence of personality traits on adherence to glaucoma medication among patients living with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) from an African population. Methods: A clinic-based cross sectional stu...

Abstract Background Malaria and helminths diseases are co-endemic in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Immune responses from each of these pathogens interact, and these interactions may have implications on vaccines. The GMZ2 malaria vaccine candidate is a fusion protein of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3) and glutamate rich...

Purpose To evaluate the awareness, knowledge and the perception of risks of glaucoma among rural and urban dwellers in Ghana, a high prevalent country, in order to provide information for health promotion planning. Method In a population-based descriptive cross-sectional survey, 1200 adults were selected from household settings, using a two-stage...

Background Perceived risk towards the coronavirus pandemic is a key to improved compliance with public health measures to reduce the infection. This study investigated how Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) living in their respective countries and those in the diaspora perceive their risk of COVID-19 outbreak and the factors associated. Methods A web-bas...

Misinformation about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a significant threat to global public health because it can inadvertently exacerbate public health challenges by promoting spread of the disease. This study used a convenience sampling technique to examine factors associated with misinformation about COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa using an...

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated f...

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated f...

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measur...

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) bas created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measur...

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a global public health crisis and non-compliance with public health measures to contain the infection poses a challenge to Sub-Saharan African governments. This study investigated the associations between compliance and public opinion on COVID-19 public health containment measur...

Globally, the conspiracy theory claiming 5G technology can spread the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is making the rounds on social media and this could have a significant effect in tackling the spread of the pandemic. This study investigated the impact of the myth that 5G technology is linked to COVID-19 pandemic among sub-Saharan Africans (SSA)....

Background Globally, the conspiracy theory claiming 5G technology can spread the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is making the rounds on social media and this could have a significant effect in tackling the spread of the pandemic. This study investigated the impact of the myth that 5G technology is linked to COVID-19 pandemic among sub-Saharan Afric...

Background: Autophagy has a crucial role in the defense against parasites. The interplay existing between host autophagy and parasites has varied outcomes due to the kind of host cell and microorganism. The presence of autophagic compartments disrupt a significant number of pathogens and are further cleared by xenophagy in an autolysosome. Another...

The recently identified novel coronavirus (CoV), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While published data about other highly infectious human COVs [that is, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (...

Background: Ocular injury is a major cause of ocular morbidity and unilateral visual impairment and represents a considerable public health concern especially in low resource societies. Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology and visual outcomes of ocular injuries in southern Ghana Methods: A retrospective hospital-based case series was conducted....

To evaluate the impact of blood sugar level on ocular measures, including refractive error (RE), amplitude of accommodation (AoA), and lag of accommodation (LoA), in pre-presbyopes with type-1 diabetes. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) and ocular measures of type-1 diabetes patients (age: 14–39 years; n = 30) on insulin treatment was recorded while th...

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) and its associated ergonomic factors among university administrative staff in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 administrative staff of the University of Cape Coast. The procedure included a self-administered questionnaire, co...

Purpose Garcinia kola (bitter kola) is locally ingested across the West African subregion. It has ocular hypotensive effects similar to some commonly used glaucoma medications when administered topically. The study assessed the effect of oral ingestion of G. kola on intraocular pressure (IOP). Method A randomized, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled,...

Purpose. To determine normative values of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL) and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters and their association with routine clinical tests such as refractive error (RE), stereoacuity (SA), and contrast sensitivity (CS) in an African population. Methods. In a cross-sectional observational study, 100 normal subjects...

The protozoan parasites are evolutionarily divergent, unicellular eukaryotic pathogens representing one of the essential sources of parasitic diseases. These parasites significantly affect the economy and cause public health burdens globally. Protozoan parasites share many cellular features and pathways with their respective host cells. This includ...

Background: Inter-regional trends of visual loss in most developing countries remain largely unknown. We compared the causes of childhood blindness among children attending blind schools in the northern (one school) and southern (two schools) regions of Ghana and assessed their need for spectacles and low-vision devices. Methods: Using a standar...

Background: The role of optometrists in paediatric visual assessment must compliment the role of other eye-care practitioners at all levels of care. This study was undertaken to determine if optometrists in Ghana screen, diagnose and manage paediatric ocular conditions (for example, strabismus, amblyopia), and further assessed if optometrists in G...

Background: Necator americanus (hookworm) and Plasmodium falciparum co-infections are common in endemic communities in rural Ghana. Human immune responses to P. falciparum and hookworm are complex, and the dynamics of cytokine levels and effector mediators are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the effect of hookworm and P. falciparu...

Objectives: The study sought to evaluate the microbial contamination of in-use therapeutic ophthalmic medications in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Methods: Residual content of topical therapeutic ophthalmic medications were retrieved from patients who were prescribed these medications for at most 2 weeks in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Yet to be dispens...

Background: Contact lenses are gaining popularity in developing countries as an alternative to spectacles for the correction of refractive errors. It is needful, therefore, to generate information to guide the mode of practice, and assist the industry in developing products for the increasing contact-lenses-user population. The purpose of this stud...

Aim: Amplitude of accommodation (AoA) can be determined clinically using different methods. Some methods are known to be more reliable than others for measuring AoA in different age categories. The purpose of this study was to compare Hofstetter’s age-expected norms with five recommended methods of measuring AoA in order to determine age-appropriat...

Background: Midwives are the primary healthcare attendants of pregnant women and have per their mandate among others to detect and manage minor ailments presented by pregnant women including ocular disorders. This study was, therefore aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of Midwives regarding the use of topical ophthalmic...

There is great concern about the increasing rise in the rate of caesarean section in both developed and developing countries. This study was to ascertain the prevalence and compare outcomes of elec-tive and emergency caesarean sections among women who deliver at the University of Cape Coast Hospital, Ghana. This retrospective study reviewed records...

Purpose: To determine the near vision spectacle coverage and barriers to obtaining near vision correction among adults aged 35 years and older in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study design was adopted and 500 out of 576 participants aged 35 years and older were examined from 12 randomly selected clu...

Over the years, caesarean section has become increasingly safe and remains one of the most commonly performed surgeries in obstetric practice worldwide. Even though there is an increased rate of Caesarean section in both developed and developing countries, some studies have suggested that African women have an aversion for it. We therefore set out...

Purpose . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ocular disorders in HIV positive patients attending the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Methods . A cross-sectional study using systematic random sampling was conducted on 295 HIV positive patients. Data collection consisted of semistructured questionnaires, laboratory investigation, medi...

The study examined the ocular health of agricultural workers in the fisheries sub sector with the aim of establishing a possible correlation between the work place hazards and their ocular health. A multi-stage random sampling (involving 683 subjects, 358 fishmongers and 325 fishers) was employed. Ocular hazards encountered at the work place includ...

To investigate the refractive and non-strabismic binocular vision status of Optometry students in University of Cape Coast, Ghana and to establish any associations between these conditions. A cross sectional study of 105 Optometry students were taken through a comprehensive optometric examination to investigate the refractive and non-strabismic bin...

Objective: To evaluate the anti-cataract potential of an aqueous whole plant extract of Heliotropium indicum (HIE) on galactose-induced cataract in Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and methods: Cataract scores were recorded in 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats in which cataract was being induced by an oral administration of 1500 mgkg(-1) galactose tw...

Purpose: To evaluate associations between IFN-γ +874T/A and TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism with the development of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. Methods: By ARMS-PCR, a cross-sectional genetic study involving 30 patients with Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis and 87 controls was carried out. Results: IFN-γ +874: by comparing with the AA genotype, indivi...

Purpose: To conduct the first ever population-based survey on ocular toxoplasmosis in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in three randomly selected communities in the Central Region, Ghana. Visual acuity (VA) measurement, dilated fundus examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy and serology...

Purpose: To determine visual outcome (low vision and blindness) in patients with inactive ocular toxoplasmosis. Methods: This study employed a cross sectional design involving a series of 30 patients with inactive toxoplasmic ocular lesions. Ophthalmic assessment including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, slit lamp biomicroscopy, an...

Purpose: To conduct an ocular health and safety assessment of mechanics in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Methods: Using a multistage sampling approach, 500 mechanics were enumerated from a population of 1200 artisans (550 being mechanics). We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire where all participants w...

To determine the prevalence of visual impairment attributable to refractive error and other causes in a youthful Ghanaian population. A prospective survey of all consecutive visits by first-year tertiary students to the Optometry clinic between August, 2013 and April, 2014. Of the 4378 first-year students aged 16-39 years enumerated, 3437 (78.5%) u...

The purpose of the study was to determine the epidemiology of ocular disorders and visual impairment among junior high school children in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among junior high school children from both public and private schools. Participants underwent ophthalmic examination that included visual...

SUMMARY About 20-90% of the world's population has had contact with Toxoplasma gondii parasites. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in the Central Region, Ghana. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in three selected communities. Serum samples were tested f...

The purpose of the present study was to assess the practice of ocular self-medication among people of the Cape Coast Metropolis, Central Region of Ghana. A population-based survey involving 421 respondents ≥18 years old was conducted. A pre-tested interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, ocular symptoms for which self...