COVID-19 Africa Rapid-Grant Fund
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new type of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 respiratory disease) a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The pandemic presented a significant challenge requiring a global response informed by the best scientific research. The Global Research Council (GRC) issued a declaration calling on participating councils to collaborate in the fight against the virus and encourage open sharing of research findings and data as transparency shall help ensure the development of diagnostics, vaccines and prevention measures for the benefit of every nation.
To support Africa’s response to the pandemic and under the auspices of the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI), the NRF South Africa, IDRC, Sida, DFID, United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Newton Fund, South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ), SGCI participating councils, and additional partners collaborated to implement a Rapid Grant Fund to address research questions and implement science engagement activities associated with COVID-19. The Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) has been implemented through the collaborative efforts of fifteen science granting councils in sub-Saharan Africa since 2015.
The
NRF South Africa administered the USD4.75 million Rapid Grant Fund.
- Contribute to the African regional and continental response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Support knowledge generation and translation to inform diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19 on the continent.
- Strengthen African regional and continental science engagement efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Leverage strong multilateral collaborations to support Africa’s consolidated response to the COVID-19 pandemic and attract new collaborations from international partners.
The fund supported Research and Science Engagement. The COVID-19 Rapid Grant Fund repository on Africarxiv archives the research and engagement outputs from the grant recipients.
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Item Youths’ Violent Resistance of Necropolitical Landscape of COVID-19 in Nigeria’s Vanishing Foodscapes and Waterscapes(2021-07) Okorie, V. O.; Okorie, N.; Amusan, L.This article interrogates the necropolitical landscape of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The article explores how the landscape emerges at the intersection of COVID-19 regime and structural violence and materializes in foodscapes and waterscapes of the country. It, also, analyzes ethical quandaries arising as the brutal violence of the regime is amplified by structural violence in places and spaces of residence, recreation, leisure and labor of ordinary people. Using qualitative data derived from primary and secondary sources, the article demonstrates that the necropolitical landscape reconfigures social relationships, meanings and identities embedded in places and spaces where people interact with each other and with food and water to produce youth’s violent resistance as well as varnishing foodscapes and waterscapes. These changes ultimately impose the status of a living-dead on ordinary people in Nigeria. The article concludes that without the provision of adequate palliative, devoid of food fraud, geography of corruption, gender and ethnic-biases to every citizen, the government loses its moral ground to implement its COVID-19 regime. To meet the gap between what Nigeria can afford and what is required to implement the regime, both the government and its financial elites must embrace economic justice. Finally, the government should opt for a modified regime that factors the extant material conditions of the havenots into the arrangement.Item Umunthu, Covid-19 and mental health in Malawi(Elsevier, 2022) Kainja, Jimmy; Ndasauka, Yamikani; Mchenga, Martina; Kondowe, Fiskani; M'manga, Chilungamo; Maliwichi, Limbika; Nyamali, SimunyeThis paper investigates the centrality of Umunthu in mental health conception and treatment in Malawi. Umunthu is an African philosophical worldview which stresses that an individual is human as they relate to others, as in the saying I am because we are. Its communitarian approach contrasts with a predominantly western individualistic worldview; I think therefore I am. There are spelling variations of the word across Bantu languages, including bomoto (Congo), gimuntu (Angola); umunthu (Malawi); vumutu (Mozambique); vumuntu, vhutu (South Africa); humhunu/ubuthosi (Zimbabwe); bumuntu (Tanzania); and umuntu (Uganda). Literature shows that if embraced and advocated for, Umunthu plays a positive and influential role in mainstreaming and dealing with mental health issues in communitarian societies where the Umunthu ideals are part of the social fabric. However, in the case of Covid-19 and mental health in Malawi, the paper argues that Covid-19 preventive measures, particularly self-isolation when Covid-19 positive; maintaining social distance at all times; and reducing the number of people gathered at funerals, challenge Umunthu ideals, which have in the past been crucial in reducing stress, trauma and anxiety. This original paper bases its arguments on empirical data collected in a study conducted in Mangochi, Blantyre, Karonga and Lilongwe. Based on the study's findings, the paper highlights that although Covid-19 preventative measures have been globally embraced, it is also a limiting factor in the quest for mental health in societies with communitarian value systems.Item Rural vulnerability and institutional dynamics in the context of COVID-19: A scoping review(AOSIS, 2022) John, Sokfa F.; Okem, Andrew Emmanuel; Mubangizi, Betty Claire; Adekanla, Niyi; Ngubane, Londeka P.; Barry, IbrahimThis study reviewed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pre-existing vulnerabilities in rural communities using the scoping review strategy. It focused on manuscripts published on the topic in 2020. Based on 39 studies that met our inclusion criteria (out of 507 studies), we note that COVID-19 is exacerbating pre-existing rural vulnerabilities, including poverty, remoteness, socio-economic marginalisation and high unemployment. There is limited evidence that rural communities are resilient to the pandemic. Reduction in household expenditures and the community food system are the only reported forms of resilience. Although local institutions are supporting rural communities in responding to the impacts of the pandemic, several institutional dynamics undermine the effectiveness of the response. The increased risk of the pandemic is likely to reduce incomes and standards of living amongst poor communities. Thus, coping strategies were identified such as starting small gardens in communities, diet changes, targeting community markets with produce rather than retailers and food swap using social media, with food swap being the most adopted coping strategy. Although this study does not offer a comprehensive picture of the levels and nature of vulnerability, resilience and institutional dynamics of rural communities in different parts of the world reveal the limitations of existing knowledge of the vulnerability of rural communities in the context of COVID-19. This underscores the importance of further studies on rural vulnerability in the context of COVID-19 that will enable evidence-based responses to the pandemic in rural contexts.Item Impacts of COVID-19 Regime on Labor Within Food Systems: Whither BRICS Now and Beyond?(2022-01) Amusan, L.; Okorie, V. O.The advent of COVID-19 has reconfigured foodscape across the globe, BRICS inclusive. Some of the familiar sites where people in BRICS found food in pre-pandemic period has become increasingly threatened while many have completely disappeared, leaving behind dark food deserts. Information on the extent of the devastation caused by the pandemic is still emerging. Such information is pivotal to the articulation of affirmative programs and policies. This article, therefore, explores the impact of the pandemic on food systems of BRICS to indicate how the alliance may positively influence the repositioning of each country member’s foodscape to achieve food security both now and beyond this pandemic. This article uses content analysis of relevant documents and draws from functionalist’s perspective to outline various impacts of the pandemic on food systems. It argues that creating enabling environment for labor, making food security a common goal of BRICS as a body as well as putting in place mechanisms supporting local food systems will invariably ensure food security across various levels in BRICS.Item Unmaking Malnutrition-Related Attritional Deaths In Covid-19 Regime: Does Digital Extension And Youth Nexus Count In Africa?(2022-07) Okorie, V. O.The implementation of COVID-19 pandemic regime has created barriers between extension agents and farm families as well as between input suppliers and farmers. Farm families that hitherto relied on faceto-face extension education to make crucial nutrition-related decisions and navigate Africa’s unstable food system are apparently constrained by lockdown and physical distancing arising from the pandemic regime. Malnutrition crises, including installment death from hunger, have besieged many households. Experts are, however, suggesting the nexus between youth and digital extension as a game changer in the quest to address Africa’s nutrition insecurity. This paper, therefore, uses thematic analysis of relevant data to assess potentials, possibilities and limits of this emerging nexus to alter the continent’s grim nutritional landscape. The paper argues that the nexus has the potential not only to overcome the pandemic-induced malnutrition challenges but also prepare the continent for the present and future pandemics.Item Assessing Effects of Covid-19 Responses on Mental Health in Malawi (Report)(University of Malawi, 2022-09-05) Ndasauka, YamikaniThe Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic has overwhelmed health systems in all countries, especially those in the least developing countries, Malawi included. As such, this project sought to investigate the effects of Covid-19 responses on mental health in Malawi in terms of perception toward mental health in general, the mental health of adolescents and health workers and mental health services. The project had three main phases, research, awareness campaign and dissemination. The study found a massive influence of culture and religion on perceptions of people with mental health. Mental health is primarily understood from cultural and religious beliefs. Further, the study found that providing mental health services amidst the pandemic has strained the already pressed and neglected health sector. On the effects of Covid-19 on the mental health of frontline health workers, the study found a high prevalence of Covid-19 related depression (31.2%, n=109), anxiety (30.3%, n=109) and PTSD (24.8%, n=109) among healthcare workers. The study also found significantly more healthcare workers with depression (36% VS 16%, P=0.06), anxiety (38% vs 1%, P<0.01), and PTSD (30% vs 8%, P=0.03) in referral hospitals compared to district hospitals. In addition, the study found that overall, 22%, 21% and 23% of the adolescent respondents had Covid-19-related depression, anxiety and PTSD. The project implemented awareness campaigns in the four districts: Lilongwe, Mangochi, Karonga, and Zomba. These awareness campaigns aimed to increase awareness of Covid-19 and its effects on mental health. The awareness campaigns in Zomba and Lilongwe were in the form of Talk-Shows, where speakers were given 10 minutes of presentation which covered the following topics; Introduction to mental Health, Mental Disorders, risk factors of Mental disorders, ways of coping with mental health problems and service providers for mental health services. In Karonga, the project targeted secondary school-going adolescents and was conducted as a variety show which saw students showcase different activities like poems, dances, songs, and drama. In Mangochi, the campaign took place for two days. The first day consisted of mental health training for Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs). On the second day, the awareness campaign was conducted in the community, utilising theatre for development, where community leaders, men, women, and youths were engaged in raising mental health awareness through their play. In all the campaigns, participants were given different mental health IEC materials. The project is disseminating the project and study outcomes by publishing three policy briefs, media coverage, five academic publications, an edited book, and five conference presentations. Aside from increasing engagement with key stakeholders, including health practitioners, policymakers, lawmakers, academia, and government officials, on mental health issues and Covid-19, the project has reached more than 100,000 people through awareness campaigns, radio jingles, and IEC materials, to pay more attention to early signs of mental health problems, prevention and coping strategies and to deal away with the stigma associated with people suffering from mental health problems.Item BIOASSAY-GUIDED ISOLATION OF FURIN INHIBITORS FROM LEAF EXTRACT OF Momordica charantia L.(2022-09-18) Famutimi, Oladoyin Grace; Adewale, Isaac Olusanjo; Osiebe, Oghenesivwe; Aderogba, Mutalib AdeniranProprotein convertase-furin is involved in numerous physiological and pathogenic processes, such as viral propagation, bacterial toxin activation, cancer, and metastasis. Because of its involvement in these disease-related processes, the inhibition of this enzyme could be a promising drug target. The several existing synthetic inhibitors of furin are associated with side effects. Hence, we focused on natural sources, in particular, medicinal plant with antiviral capabilities. This study was designed to isolate the bioactive secondary metabolites present in Momordica charantia leaf extract and determine their potential bioactivity on furin. M. charantia leaves were air-dried, ground to fine powder and extracted using 80% (v/v) methanol. The methanolic extract was concentrated in vacuo at 40 oC and the crude extract obtained was partitioned successively with n-hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (BuOH). A bioassay-guided screening of the crude extract and solvent fractions was carried out against the activity of recombinant human furin with the release of fluorescent 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin (AMC) liberated from the substrate, Pyroglutamic acid-Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide, in a fluorimeter plate reader. Thereafter, the most potent fraction was subjected to chromatographic separation using thin layer (TLC) and column chromatographic techniques. The eluted fractions and subfractions were screened for bioactivity. The crude extract showed inhibition percentages of 51.9 and 100% at 7 and 12.5 ng/μl, respectively. The HEX fraction (7 ng/μl) exerted the highest inhibition (72%) on furin compared to other fractions while the BuOH fraction activated the enzyme by 1.5%. The chromatographed HEX fraction yielded seven (7) fractions with different physical properties. Five of these fractions gave single spot on TLC plate. Six fractions (MC I to VI) exhibited potent inhibition against furin with inhibition percentages ranging from 67 to 100% when 0.5 ng/μl of the inhibitor was used. Further fractionation of MC VI on preparative thin layer chromatography gave two sub fractions (A and B) which gave 50% inhibition, respectively. Overall, the presence of these potent inhibitors of furin in the leaf extract of M. charantia could provide a rationale for the ethnomedicinal use of the plant for viral infection in Nigerian folk medicine. Also, further investigations are underway for a better understanding and structural elucidation of the secondary metabolites responsible for the bioactivity observed on furin.Item COVID animations – Bringing Film to Life (Poster)(2023) Lugemwa, Abbas; Gibb, Tom; Kityo, Cissy; Ahebwa, Iqra; Ssempiri, Geofrey; Nakisekka, Mariam; Mugerwa, HenryAt the pick of COVID 19 pandemic there was limited scientific information reaching the political and technical teams for timely and evidence-based information sharing with the general population. Restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus along with disinformation, affected pandemic control measures and general health care delivery. It threatened to undermine public health targets and achievements built up over many years in areas such as Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Childhood Vaccination and Maternal and Child Healthcare. We adopted a collaborative approach to confront this, building on existing relationships and previous collaborations between diverse disciplines and institutions. This involved researchers, community organisers, community leaders, frontline healthcare providers and health communicators and journalists. The aim was to provide core and relevant information to help communities to improve outcomes from the COVID 19 pandemic, including shielding the elderly and vulnerable and vaccination; to inform about the interaction between COVID and other conditions.Item COVID ANIMATIONS: Bringing film to life (Presentation)(2023) Lugemwa, Abbas; Gibb, TomTraditional journalists, politicians, elders, and opinion leaders dominated ‘information’ and communications about the pandemic. Scientists were either side-lined, or didn’t know how to communicate the right information they had, had no resources to do it or all the information there was, wasn’t reaching them in time. The ‘COVID ANIMATIONS: Bringing film to life’ project employed a collaborative approach to science engagement and journalism with the aim of bridging the gap between COVID-19 scientific evidence generated and public health messaging. Using science-based community engagement to fight COVID-19 through animations and film journalism. Themes: -Creating COVID-19 community awareness and response through film -Mitigating the negative impact of COVID-19 on; Maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS care servicesItem Assessing Effects of Covid-19 Responses on Mental Health in Malawi (Poster)(2023) Ndasauka, Yamikani; Mchenga, Martina; Kondowe, Fiskani; M'manga, Chilungamo; Kainja, Jimmy; Maliwichi, Limbika; Nyamali, SimunyeThe Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic has overwhelmed health systems in all countries, especially those in the least developing countries, Malawi included. As such, this project sought to investigate the effects of Covid-19 responses on mental health in Malawi in terms of perception toward mental health in general, the mental health of adolescents and health workers and mental health services. The project had three main phases, research, awareness campaign and dissemination.Item Large-Scale Synthesis of CISe/ZnS Core-Shell Quantum Dots and Its Effects on the Enzymatic Activity of Recombinant Human Furin (an Activator of SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 Spike Proteins)(2023) Ncapayi, Vuyelwa; Famutimi, Oladoyin Grace; Lebepe, Thabang Calvin ; Maluleke, Rodney; Masha, Sam; Mgedle, Nande; Parani, Sundararajan; Kodama, Tetsuya; Adewale, Isaac Olusanjo ; Oluwafemi, Oluwatobi SamuelWe herein report, for the first time, the activity of copper indium selenide/zinc sulphide core-shell quantum dots (CISe/ZnS QDs) as an inhibitor against recombinant human furin, an enzyme that has been implicated in the aetiology of many diseases, including Covid-19. The cell viability of the as-synthesised CISe/ZnS QDs was tested against mouse colon carcinoma cells (C26), while the Furin activity was measured by hydrolysis of peptide substrate Pyr-RTKR-AMC liberating the fluorogenic 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin. The result showed that the as-synthesised stable near-infrared emitting (840 nm) CISe-ZnS QDs is biocompatible against C26 and can inhibit furin with an inhibition constant, Ki, of 15.66 μM. The IC50 was 11.29 ± 0.54 μM, while the enzymatic activity was abolished at about 23 μM of the inhibitor concentration. The results indicate the chemotherapeutic potential of CISe-ZnS QDs as an enzyme inhibitor, which may find application in managing diseases whose pathogenesis involves hyperactivity of furin.Item The world is coming to an end! COVID-19, depression, and anxiety among adolescents in Malawi(Frontiers, 2023) M'manga, Chilungamo; Ndasauka, Yamikani; Kainja, Jimmy; Kondowe, Fiskani; Mchenga, Martina; Maliwichi, Limbika; Nyamali, SimunyeIntroduction: This paper assessed the effects of Covid-19 on adolescent mental health in Malawi. There is minimal research on adolescent mental health in Africa, Malawi in particular. The study shows a link between the pandemic and mental health. Some factors that may have contributed to this link include; Covid-19 preventive measures, media exposure and the increase in unemployment. Methods: The study used a mixed methods approach, quantitative and qualitative methods. It was conducted in Malawi's four districts (Blantyre, Mangochi, Lilongwe and Karonga). Results: Overall 22%, 21%, and 23% of the respondents had depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, respectively. The Chi-square test showed that significantly more adolescents with secondary education (28%) had anxiety than those with primary education (14%). Further, regression analysis revealed that adolescents with anxiety were 18 [95%CI: 9.34, 35.8] times more likely to have depression compared to those who did not have anxiety. The study found no significant differences in the proportions of adolescents with the three outcomes when comparing different groups within the explanatory variable. The ratio of female and male adolescents with depression and anxiety was the same. Discussion: The adolescents expressed that Covid-19 affected their social, academic, and financial status. These effects had a significant bearing on their mental health in that they led to depression, anxiety, fear of the unknown, and stress. During the Covid-19 pandemic, adolescents' mental health diminished and posed a considerable risk to productivity of adolescents. As a result, adolescents may not fully realize their potential, form and maintain good relationships, contribute to their community and become resilient. These effects have devastating consequences for this young generation without proper coping strategies.Item Comparative analysis of the antibody titers to different SARS-COV-2 vaccines in vaccinated tertiary students in Botswana(2023) Maswabi, BokangRapidly evolving new variants of SARS-CoV-2, e.g., alpha, beta, delta and omicron, were associated with higher transmissibility and pathogenicity causing new waves of infections in most countries. During the Covid-19 pandemic Botswana like most countries in Africa initiated a rigorous vaccine program to protect its population. Due to the dynamics of vaccine availability Botswana engaged in a heterologous mix and match vaccine strategy which relied on using generally available vaccines while. The country prioritised vulnerable citizens. Hence subjects received various vaccines and in various regimen in both Homologous and heterologous combinations. In Botswana, the administered vaccines included inactivated virus-based vaccines Sinovac/CoronaVac, mRNA-based vaccines Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna and lastly viral vector-based vaccines AstraZeneca and Janssen by Johnson & Johnson. These vaccines stimulate immune responses, including B-cell (humoral/antibody) activation with subsequent production of antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA) [2,3,4]. Research work was done to analyse and quantify induced antibody titers (IgM and IgG) in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. We also enrolled participants in a longitudinal cohort-based sero-epidemiological survey to quantify the proportion of subjects who were seropositive at various points during Covid-19 pandemic.Item Nurturing Rural Resilience: Coping Strategies and Collaborative Initiatives in South Africa’s COVID-19 Response(2023) Okem, Andrew Emmanuel; Mubangizi, Betty Claire; Adekanla, N.,; John, S. F.The susceptibility of rural areas to the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic is readily apparent, particularly given the pre-existing conditions of poverty and resource limitations within these communities. Consequently, rural populations confront considerable adversity amid the pandemic. The capacity of these communities to withstand such challenges hinges upon their adeptness in managing the resultant impacts. This policy brief emanates from a research inquiry conducted within two distinct local municipalities in South Africa, namely Matatiele and Winnie Madikizela Mandela (WMM). It delineates the coping mechanisms employed by these municipalities to contend with the exigencies imposed by the COVID-19 crisis. Notably, strategies encompassing the mitigation of food insecurity, the diversification of income streams, the enhancement of emotional well-being, and the curtailment of expenditures assume primacy among individuals endeavouring to secure alternative means of sustenance. This observation underscores the fundamental role of coping strategies, often centred around the satisfaction of elemental requisites such as income generation and food provision. To fortify these communities against potential disruptions, cultivating resilient local institutions and implementing efficacious collaborative endeavours emerge as indispensable. Such measures empower communities to identify and adopt alternative livelihoods, concurrently facilitating the establishment of a supportive infrastructural framework.Item Kinetics of trypsin inhibition by methanolic and solvent-partitioned fractions of two medicinal plants – Momordica charantia and Xylopia aethiopica(2023-01-15) Adewale, Isaac Olusanjo; Adebiyi, Victor Gbolahan; Famutimi, Oladoyin Grace; Dada, Omoniyi VincentItem An Odyssey into the World of Enzymes(2023-03-14) Adewale, Isaac OlusanjoAn Inaugural Lecture Delivered at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria on Tuesday, 14th March, 2023 by Isaac Olusanjo Adewale, Professor of Biochemistry Inaugural Lecture Series 369Item Inhibition Characteristics of Peptide Extracts of Four Medicinal Plants on Activities of Bovine Trypsin(Elsevier, 2023-07-04) Famutimi, Oladoyin Grace ; Adewale, Isaac Olusanjo; Adegoke, Kehinde RofiatAqueous extract of leaves of Momordica charantia, Hymenocardia acida, Lawsonia inermis and fruit of Xylopia aethiopica have been used in sub Saharan Africa in the management of many viral diseases. Their medicinal properties had been reported to be due to their high antioxidant activities, but limited information is available whether these properties are also due to inhibition or modulation of proteases important in the pathology of viral infections. We report the inhibitory characteristics of peptides extracted from these medicinal plants against bovine trypsin, a serine protease. Extraction of the peptides was done using standard procedure and their inhibitory activities were measured against bovine trypsin. Aqueous extract of M. charantia, H. acida, L. inermis and X. aethiopica contain 5.7 ± 0.5 mg/ml, 1.0 ± 0.2 mg/ml, 1.8 ± 0.1 mg/ml and 28.3 ± 4.1 mg/ml of peptides, respectively. Using Nα-benzoyl-DL-arginine 4-nitroanilide (BAPNA) as trypsin substrate, a Km and Vmax of 0.34 mM and 0.6 μmole/min/mg protein obtained, were altered in the presence of the peptide extracts suggesting the extracts modulate trypsin activity. The inhibition was either competitive, non-competitive or mixed-type of non-competitive inhibition. Inhibition constant (Ki) ranging from 81 to 831±120 μg/ml were obtained using Dixon plot with the peptide extract from M. charantia being the most potent. We concluded that the medicinal and antiviral properties of the extracts could also be due to inhibition or modulation of proteases involved in the pathology of viral infection.Item LA COVID 19 DANS LA VILLE DE TOUBA : DE LA RÉSISTANCE À LA RÉSILIENCE COMMUNAUTAIRE.(harmattan, Sénégal, 2023-10-05) TOURE, Mamadou NdongThis article comes from the research project "Transmission of Covid 19 in Senegal: analysis of the socio-spatial dynamics of the factors of propagation in the region of Dakar and the town of Touba", implemented by the LEIDI Laboratory of the Gaston Berger University from 2021 to 2022 (02 years). It analyses the problem of community perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and its evolution in the town of Touba. It takes stock of the factors involved in resistance to and denial of the disease, and of the occupational categories most affected (commerce and transport). The overall aim of the study is to contribute to a better understanding of the community dynamics that prevailed during the Covid 19 pandemic in the city of Touba. Specifically, the aim is to question community players about their perception of the disease, and then the characteristics that explain the spread of the pandemic, particularly in terms of trade and transport. The methodology is based on the overall methodology of the research project mentioned above. The tools of the Active Participatory Research Method were favoured because of their ability to capture socio-economic realities through focus groups, interviews and testimonials, which we combined with a survey of 500 individuals from different socio-professional categories. The main findings are that community-based approaches should be favoured to deal with pandemics and future epidemics. Community transmission is generally linked to the precarious living conditions of a population that is often hard-working and obliged to travel every day in search of daily expenses in places open to the public, notably markets and bus stations.Item Assessing the performance of regular surgical nose masks as a sampling method for SARSCoV- 2 detection in a cross-sectional study(PLoS ONE, 2023-10-17) Opoku, Millicent; Obeng-Aboagye, Elizabeth; Yaa Kwartemaa Boamah, Georgina; Adu-Asamoah, Dina; Ismail, Rahmat bint Yusif; Akpo, Margaret Sena; Dogbatse, Elizabeth Etornam; Abraham, Joseph; Odoom, John Kofi; Owusu Donkor, Irene; Akorli, JewelnaNose masks are widely worn for protection against respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. They have been reported as possible substrates for viral sampling and testing for COVID-19 but, evaluations have so far been purposive; involving individuals known to have the infection and using improved materials on the nose masks to trap the virus. We investigated the feasibility of using the regular 3-ply surgical masks and, voluntary coughing as a mode of particle expulsion for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections in a cross-sectional study at Ghana’s first COVID-19 testing reference laboratory, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana. Paired samples of naso-oropharyngeal swabs and nose masks already worn by 103 consenting adult participants (retro masks) were collected. Participants were also required to produce three strong coughs into a newly supplied sterile surgical nose mask. Pre-wetted swabs in Viral Transport Media (VTM) were used in swabbing the inner lining of each nose mask. The swabs used were then stored in VTM to maintain the integrity of the samples. PCR results of SARS-CoV-2 detection from the nose masks were compared to those from naso-oropharyngeal swabs (‘gold-standard’). Out of the 103 participants tested with all three methods, 66 individuals sampled with naso-oropharyngeal swabs were detected as positive, and the retro and new masks matched 9 and 4, respectively. Only 3 individuals were positive across all three sampling methods accessed. The retro nose masks performed better in matching the gold-standard results than the new mask + coughing method, with 90% vs 80% sensitivity, positive predictive value of 13.6% vs 6%, and a weak but significant linear relationship (adj. R2 = 0.1; P = 0.0004). Importantly, we also show that the nose masks would work for sampling whether individuals are symptomatic or asymptomatic since gold-standard PCR cycling threshold (Ct) values for positive individuals did not differ between the two groups (P< 0.05). We recommend including features such as talking during participant engagement, use of a spontaneous cough inducer and increased coughing bouts > 3, to improve the performance of sterile nose masks for SARS-CoV-2 detection.