Typhoid fever in the West Gonja Municipality, Ghana: Analysis of 2022 laboratory surveillance data

Abstract

Introduction: Typhoid fever (TF) is a major public health problem in developing countries. Surveillance data from the West Gonja Municipality (WGM) of Ghana have not been analysed to provide an understanding of the disease burden. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, trend and distribution of TF in the WGM of Ghana. Method: We conducted a secondary data analysis by collecting data on laboratory-tested cases of suspected TF between January and December 2022. We determined the seroprevalence based on either IgM or IgG or both. We tested associations between demographics and TF antibody status using logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 2,998 suspected and 377 (12.6%) tested TF records were analysed. The mean age of the tested cases was 30.8 years (SD ± 18.2). The overall seroprevalence of TF was 52.3% (197/377), [95% CI (47.1-57.4)]. There was no significant association between typhoid serum antibody status with age groups, sex and sub-municipality. Seroprevalence was highest among individuals aged 61 years and above (63.3%), 51-60 years (61.3%), and children <11 years (55.6%). Males had a higher rate, 56.1% (96/171). The Dass and Canteen Sub-municipalities had the highest positivity rates, 83.3% (5/6) and 55.3% (162/293) respectively. Over the period, cases fluctuated with peaks in March and April. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of TF was high in the municipality with males, the oldest aged groups and children having the highest burden of infection. Although testing was low, there was a high positivity in March and April, with cases positively skewed towards Dass and Canteen areas. The health authorities should improve testing and institute laboratory-based culture testing and surveillance.