Analysis of meningitis outbreak data, Jaman North District, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

• Published in: Ghana medical journal 2020-06, Vol.54 (2), p.53-58
• Main Authors: Dartey, Bismark, Afreh, Osei, Teviu, Emmanuel, Khumalo, George, Letsa, Timothy, Issah, Kofi, Opoku, Samuel, Iddrissah, Florence, Nortey, Priscillia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 0016-9560; 2616-163X
• DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v54i2s.9

Background: Descriptive analysis of meningitis outbreak in Jaman North districts of Brong Ahafo Region.Design: Descriptive secondary data analysisData Source: records of meningitis cases were extracted from case-based forms and line list.Main outcome measure: The source and pattern of outbreakResults: A total of 367 suspected cases with 44 confirmed were recorded from Jaman North during the period of January to March 2016. The mean age of those affected was 58 ± 13years. The case fatality rate was 0.82% and the proportion of males to females was 1:1.3 (160/207). The age group most affected was 15-29 years (54.7%) and the least was 45-49 years (3.0%). Streptococcus pneumoniae formed 77.3% of confirmed cases whilst Neisseria meningitides was 20.5%. Cases with Neisseria meningitides came from a border town in La Côte d’Ivoire.Conclusion: A protracted propagated meningitis outbreak occurred; and the predominant bacteria strain among confirmed cases was Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cases were mainly females and the most vulnerable group were people aged 15-29 years.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitides, meningitis outbreak, Jaman North District, GhanaFunding: This work was funded by the authors. Author BKD was sponsored under CDC (Frontline FETP)-CDC CoAg 6NU2GGH001876.