Browsing by Author "Debrah, Justice Kofi"
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- Assessment of biomedical waste handling in GhanaPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Wahaj, Zujaja; Sadaf, Lubaba; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThis article reports a study in Greater Accra and Eastern Region, to assess knowledge and practices related to biomedical waste (BMW) handling and disposal in six health care facilities (HF) in Ghana. The results showed a significant knowledge gap in handling expired blood units, human tissue, and liquid BMW. Of the respondents, 87.0% revealed inadequate procedural knowledge in disposing of liquid BMW, with only 19.6% inspecting it; and 82.2% of the respondents demonstrated insufficient knowledge of handling expired blood units. Intensive training in handling of BMW is required to produce adequate understanding of procedural guidelines.
- Barriers and challenges to waste management hindering the circular economy in Sub-Saharan AfricaPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Teye, Godfred Kwesi; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaMore and more, waste generated in most parts of the Western world has been recycled and transformed into new circularity products. However, managing waste within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), such as in Ghana, has become a challenge due to the continued practice of the old traditional linear waste economy, that is, the taking, making and disposing methods of management, representing a threat to global environmental sustainability. Despite the need to revise current linear waste management (WM) in order to turn to the circular economy (CE) model, which consists of the concept of renew, remake and share, to advance sustainable development, a number of factors restrict the CE realization in practice, specifically in developing countries. An integrative methodology was used in this article to identify some of the challenges that hinder the achievement of CE in SSA countries. The results revealed the absence of educational programs and public awareness of waste management activities. The findings also highlight the lack of political will, funding and national policies on WM as some of the most significant issues. The study contributes to further encouraging policymakers and policy implementers, entrepreneurs and relevant interested groups to commit resources to sustainable WM services aiming to advancing CE in SSA countries.
- Chemical characteristics of bottom ash from biomedical waste incinerators in GhanaPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaBiomedical waste (BMW) incineration is the most used alternative disposal method in developing countries, such as Ghana. The improper disposal of incinerator-generated bottom ash (BA) is a significant concern due to the hazardous nature of waste. A study was conducted at Tema Hospital (TGH) and Asuogyaman Hospital (VRAH) incinerator sites. The BA samples were sent to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Industrial Research, Ghana. The BA samples were weighed with fisher analytical balance, ground, and sieved with standard grade meshes of 120, 100, and 80 to determine the BA particle size distribution. The chemical composition and heavy metals were analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques. The results indicated the chemical composition of the analysed BA samples was CaCO3 (49.90%), CaO (27.96%) and MgCO3 (6.02%) for TGH and CaCO3 (48.30%), CaO (27.07%), and SiO2 (6.10%) for VRAH, respectively. The mean concentration (M) (kg m−3) and standard deviation (SD) for TGH in the BA were 7.082 ± 0.478 (Ti), 4.657 ± 0.127 (Zn) and 4.271 ± 1.263 (Fe), while that of VRAH consisted of 10.469 ± 1.588 (Ti), 7.896 ± 2.154 (Fe) and 4.389 ± 0.371 (Zn). Therefore, the heavy metals’ mean concentration at the BA is above the WHO permissible limits of soil, i.e., 0.056 kg m−3 (Ti), 0.085 kg m−3 (Pb), 0.100 kg m−3 (Cr) and 0.036 kg m−3 (Cu). Furthermore, the heavy metal mean concentrations of TGH and VRAH present in the BA analysed samples were ranked in descending order: Ti > Zn > Fe and Ti > Fe > Zn, respectively. It is therefore recommended that BA must be properly disposed of because of the hazardous nature of heavy metals present in the analysed samples, which are able to cause environmental and public health issues.
- Factors influencing management of dry cell battery waste: a case of Greater Accra Region in GhanaPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Teye, Godfred Kwesi; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaIndiscriminate disposal of dry cell battery (DCB) waste contributes to environmental and public health issues in developing countries such as Ghana, due to the toxic nature of this specific waste. Accordingly, a study was conducted in Accra, Ghana, to determine the socio-economic and demographic factors influencing handling DCB waste, aiming a sustainable environment. Using a random sampling technique, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted, encompassing 367 respondents from the Accra-Tema Metropolitan areas and Tema West Municipal Assembly in Greater Accra, Ghana. Using descriptive and multivariate statistical methods, the survey data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The results of this study show that female gender and residential area are likely to positively influence the use of DCB at home. Education significantly affects the use of DCB and its proper disposal. The results also suggest that 78% of the respondents disposed of DCB waste in waste bins. The mean monthly income of the respondents stands at USD 270, which is average and likely partially to positively influence the disposal of the DCB. The data collected revealed that female gender, age group, family size, and education level influence the indiscriminate disposal of DCB waste and DCB waste recycling. The results highlight that educated females above the age of 55, with a monthly income, are likely to properly segregate DCB waste. This study contributes to the knowledge gap in relation to dry cell battery waste management (DCBWM) in developing countries, aiming to advance global sustainability. This study is expected to contribute to educate and create awareness in managing DCB waste to reduce its indiscriminate disposal which leads to environmental pollution and negatively affects human health and environmental sustainability in Ghana.
- Improper medical waste management in Ghana: environmental sustainability and public healthPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaHandling, managing, and disposal of waste, especially biomedical waste (BMW), in healthcare facilities (HF), present significant challenges to Governments in sub-Saharan Africa. BMW is mixed with domestic waste and disposed into landfills in most developing countries. However, in recent times, efforts have been made to handle adequately and manage BMW for proper disposal due to its hazardous nature and the impact it poses to the environment and public health to move towards the achievement of some United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Ghana, the government, non-governmental agencies, and individual entrepreneurs provide the infrastructure of HF, such as the buildings and medical equipment, while neglecting the proper handling of BMW, thereby affecting SDGs 3, 6, 13 to 15. Therefore, to address and analyse improper management practices of BMW, from generation to disposal, and its impact on the environment and human health in Ghana, Africa, a research study was conducted in six selected HF in Greater Accra and Eastern Regions of Ghana from March 2021 to April 2022. This thesis, resulting from that assessment, aims to evaluate the nature of BMW from the point of generation through transportation and disposal, determining the knowledge and practices of healthcare practitioners and BMW handlers towards handling and managing BMW and the associated potential effects on the environment and public health. In addition, it will appraise the content of bottom ash (BA) from the incinerator for the presence of oxides and heavy metals. A mixed methodological approach, integrating a qualitative and quantitative study, comprising descriptive and systematic review research design, was used to accomplish the objectives of the chapters in this doctoral thesis through questionnaires, observation, interviews, and laboratory work. The participants for this thesis were selected using a convenience sampling technique to assess the understanding and practice of BMW management in Ghana. The data collected in this thesis were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 27, and the chemical compositions of the BA were also analysed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results of work done in this thesis reveal a significant shortcoming in handling and managing BMW in Ghana, in relation to segregation, collection, transportation, and treatment/disposal methods in most HF. 11.41 tonnes of BMW are generated, with 49.1% being infectious and an average infectious BMW rate between 0.23 to 2.34 kg/bed/day. Thus, BMW generators, collectors and handlers do ineffective segregation, do not disinfect BMW containers, have inadequate means of transportation for BMW, and lack proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Eighty-seven percent (87%) of studied HF needs more procedural knowledge of handling liquid BMW, and 82.2% lack knowledge of handling expired blood. Also, 95% of patients from the studied HF have unused out-of-date medicine at home and disposed of in waste bins. In addition, 33% of the studied HF has no medical technology to process the waste, while 33% use an incinerator to handle BMW. Nonetheless, both BMW and incinerated BA from BMW are disposed of in open spaces or landfills. The BA has a high concentration of heavy metal ions such as Fe, Zn, Ti, Pb, Cr, and other oxides that affect the environmental and human health and could negatively impact the achievement of UN SDGs 3, 6, 13 to 15 by 2030. Therefore, tools and logistics must be provided by the Ministry of Health, Ghana, and Ghana Health Service for proper handling of BMW for environmental sustainability in Ghana and SSA in general. Furthermore, BMW circularity needs to be implemented to transform generated waste for other innovative purposes like using plastics from HF for artifacts and pavement blocks for roads and houses, and BA for binding materials in construction. At the same time, regular training will ensure requisite skills and knowledge for improving practice in handling BMW and reducing the risks associated with environmental pollution, which threatens public health. This thesis will also guide HF in Ghana and other SSA countries in proper management of BMW and BA, which will contribute to preserve environmental and human health regarding the achievement of the UN 2030 SDGs. In the context of this thesis, the attainment of these SDGs specifically includes good healthy living (SDG 3), clean water and hygienic conditions.
- Industrial waste management in Ghana: environmental challenges and climate change impacts on human healthPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Teye, Godfred Kwesi; Wahaj, Zujaja; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaWaste having a significant and relevant material presence in our everyday life was not considered worthy of human attention up until the 1990s. Most probably, this delayed recognition of waste is due to the fact that it has been mistakenly understood as something that is supposed to remain invisible to the human eye in a sense that it is assumed to be occupying those spaces that are not inhabited by human beings. Contemporary times, however, are marked by giving due importance to waste. It is seen as a crucial environmental and health challenge for species’ survival on earth and is therefore placed center stage in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to protect the planet. More recently, SDG 12, ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, has alerted to fast-growing waste management (WM) environmental issues. With the earth being viewed as a limited natural resource and having the inadequate capacity to accommodate wastes leading to adverse environmental and health consequences, caution must be taken to understand the associations between global consumption, total waste, and wasting patterns. Conceptualizing waste as a globally circulating material, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and sulphur oxide (SOx), the governance of waste has become a global concern. This chapter focuses on WM in Ghana, a middle-income economy country in the West of Africa. Due to rapid industrialization, Ghana is witnessing an ever-escalation of the country’s contribution to global environmental waste issues, especially GHG emissions. This study aims to identify and address the challenges associated with managing waste in Ghana. Additionally, it proposes specific measures to mitigate climate change and its effects on the environment and human health resulting from WM. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 responses received from WM experts based on the aim. The data were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 27. 72% of respondents were male, with most completing first and second degrees and have been working between 11 and 15 years. Although most of the respondents’ report waste being poorly managed, 93% consider that the associated causes of improper WM include inadequate infrastructure, lack of landfills, lack of tools and logistics, and equipment. All respondents believed that the challenges affect climate change through the emission of GHGs and particulate matter, resulting in global warming and impacting human health.
- Innovative use of plastic for a clean and sustainable environmental management: learning cases from Ghana, AfricaPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaAddressing the plastic problem requires rigorous attention and practical education for sustainability. Due to the common effective waste management practices in some parts of the world, the plastics’ menace is generally well recognized and controlled worldwide. However, some developing countries do not have acceptable waste management practices, resulting in significant environmental, social, and health cross-cutting issues. Plastic is a significant threat to the environment in Ghana, specifically the urban environment and oceans. The new paradigm shift of virtually using non-biodegradable plastics in all daily products sold increases plastic waste in the environment, which creates problems, such as choked drainage system and breeding places for insects. The scale of these issues requires innovative and practical ideas to help solve this problem. The paper shows how plastic waste is innovatively and creatively converted to artifacts and pavement blocks in Ghana. These innovative ideas have contributed to reduce the volume of plastic waste and enhance environmental sustainability in Africa. The community’s benefits involving friendly environmental activities are identified and represent learning cases from Ghana to the world, particularly to Africa.
- Managing medical waste in Ghana – the realityPublication . Debrah, Justice Kofi; Carlotto, Ivani Nadir; Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThis study estimates the Medical Waste (MW) generated and the handling process in six Healthcare Facilities (HF) in Ghana, Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA), and identifies the associated parameters. The data were collected by field work and MW collection, identification and weighing. The results indicate that the average rate of infec- tious MW ranged from 0.23 to 2.34 kg/bed/day (M = 0.95 kg/bed/ day), and 0.24 to 1.68 kg/bed/day for non-infectious MW (M = 0.56 kg/bed/day). An amount of 11.41 tonnes of MW were estimated in the six HF in Greater Accra and Eastern Region in Ghana, comprising 49.1% infectious MW. The results suggest that the number of outpatients/day and the size of HF are the main predictors for the MW generation. The study shows that the segre- gation of MW is not correctly practised in the studied HF since 33% used the uncontrolled combustion process of open burning and dumping to handle 0.99 tonnes (8.7%) of MW.
- A new microbicidal pervious concrete pavement for hospital parking-lots: assessment of the modulus of elasticityPublication . Oliveira, Evailton Arantes de; Debrah, Justice Kofi; Guerreiro, Maria João Correia de Simas; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaIn the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), it is important to articulate a safeguard against urban contamination originating from hospitals, mainly the tires of vehicles that travel in the hospital parkinglots and contaminating the various parts of the city through traffic on urban roads. With the purpose of disinfecting the pavement of hospital parking-lots to prevent diseases, this research proposes the use of a new pavement composed of pervious concrete with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) additive, i.e., lime powder. The well-known powder lime becomes a disinfectant with a microbicidal effect which increases the pH of the pavement, being a low cost and an abundant material. Studies have shown that this additive affects the mechanical strength of pervious concrete when added to its mixture. Accordingly, the objective of the study is to find a balance between mechanical strength and the ideal proportion of lime powder additive in the pervious concrete mixture through finite element prototypes subjected to vertical loads of 10,000 N with variation in the modulus of elasticity. The results of the structural simulations indicate the prototype with the best performance ratio is 1:0.8:4 (cement:Ca(OH)2:limestone), compressive strain of 15.70 kg/cm2, density of 1,971.42 kg/m3 and modulus of elasticity of 1,480.22 MPa, with demonstrates a satisfactory mechanical performance for the use of this new pavement in hospital parking-lots.
- Perceptions of women waste handlers in Ghana, Africa: a proposal for social intervention based on the 2030 Agenda and bioethical paradigmPublication . Carlotto, Ivani Nadir; Debrah, Justice Kofi; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaBackground and objective: This study aims to identify the connections between social interventions (SI), Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) 2030 Agenda, and the bioethical paradigm, using research involving women dealing with waste in Ghana, Africa, as a background. In its SDG 5 – gender equality – the 2030 Agenda makes it possible to reflect on the connections between bioethics, gender equality (GE), and vulnerable populations. SI, in turn, reflects on the social context and the factors that guide the implementation of projects and their impacts on society, the mobilization of resources, and the generation of sustainable attitudes. These combined aspects value human interactions and focus on individuals. The design of the connections between SI, SDG 5, and bioethics is presented in this chapter to encourage and develop intervention measures focusing on the well-being, quality of life, equality, and inclusion of the women surveyed. Methodology: Exploratory-descriptive study with a quantitative-qualitative approach. Sample: women waste handlers (WWH) from Ghana, Africa, random sampling, non-probabilistic for convenience, CI = 95%, n = 33 respondents. Findings and conclusions: This research suggests the need to implement a social development program aimed at WWH, in line with the SI and the 2030 Agenda. The promotion of well-being, quality of life, inclusion, and equality of women are principles that are associated with the bioethical paradigm, SDG 5, and SI. The possible practical implications of this research include the formulation of a social program in line with public policies and public-private partnerships, aimed at making morally justified decisions to assess gender equity and equality of women vulnerable to risky work; development of an integrated approach between SI, SDG 5, and the bioethical paradigm in vulnerable populations, namely, in the studied population, promoting investigations and actions informed by evidence, having as a background the theme of GE; recognition of the bioethical paradigm, SDG 5, and SI as an investment and as a necessary resource to strengthen the role of women and men and to encourage and disseminate the use of gender indicators as a positive element to contribute to the formulation of interventions in populations vulnerable; formulation and implementation of the Women’s Development Program aimed at actions in public health, education, and income generation, with a focus on socially sustainable interventions.