title: Baseline malaria vector transmission dynamics in communities in Ahafo mining area in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malaria vector dynamics are relevant prior to commencement of mining activities. A baseline entomology survey was conducted in Asutifi and Tano (referred to as Ahafo) in the Brong-Ahafo geo-political region of Ghana during preparatory stages for mining by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2006 and August 2007, eight Centre for Disease Control light traps were set daily (Monday-Friday) to collect mosquitoes. Traps were hanged in rooms that were selected from a pool of 1,100 randomly selected houses. Types of materials used in construction of houses were recorded and mosquito prevention measures were assessed from occupants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 5,393 mosquitoes were caught that comprised Anopheles gambiae (64.8%), Anopheles funestus (4.2%), as well as Culicines, comprising of Culex (30.4%) and Aedes species (0.6%). The entomological inoculation rate in Asutifi (279 infective bites/person/month) and Tano (487 infective bites/person/month) demonstrate relatively high malaria transmission in Ahafo. The presence or absence of Anopheles vectors in rooms was influenced by the type of roofing material (OR 2.33, 95%CI: 1.29-4.22, p = 0.01) as well as the presence of eaves gaps (OR 1.80, 95%CI: 1.37-2.37, p < 0.01). It was also associated with bed net availability in the room (OR 1.39, 95%CI: 1.08-1.80, p = 0.01). Over 80% of the houses were roofed with corrugated zinc sheets. Over 60% of the houses in Ahafo had no eaves gaps to give access to mosquito entry and exit into rooms and mosquito bed net coverage was over 50%. Other measures used in preventing mosquito bites included; coil (22.1%), insecticide spray (9.4%), repellent cream (4.0%) and smoky fires (1.1%), contributed minimally to individual mosquito preventive measures in impact areas. Similarly, levels of protection; coil (16.9%), insecticide spray (2.8%) and repellent cream (0.3%) for the non-impact areas, depict low individual prevention measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey identified areas where intensified vector control activities would be beneficial. It also demonstrates that transmission in Asutifi and Tano is high even before the commencement of mining operations. This study serves as baseline information to assess impact of mining activities in relation to future vector control interventions.
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. bonereme@gmail.com.
authors: Dominic B
authors: DB
authors: Dery
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. kwakupoku.asante@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Kwaku P
authors: KP
authors: Asante
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. charles.zandoh@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Zandoh
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. lawrence.febir@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Lawrence G
authors: LG
authors: Febir
authors: College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. cabrown@chs.edu.gh.
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Brown
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. george.adjei@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Adjei
authors: Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, C825/26 Lagos Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana. yawantwi_d@yahoo.co.uk.
authors: Yaw
authors: Y
authors: Antwi-Dadzie
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. emmanuel.mahama@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Mahama
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. kofi.tchum@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Kofi
authors: K
authors: Tchum
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. david.dosoo@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Dosoo
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. seeba.ae@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Seeba
authors: S
authors: Amenga-Etego
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. robert.adda@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Adda
authors: HealthLink Consulting, P.O. Box AN 6811, Accra-North, Ghana. healthlinkconsulting@gmail.com.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Mensah
authors: Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, C825/26 Lagos Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana. Kwabena.Owusu-Sekyere@Newmont.com.
authors: Kwabena B
authors: KB
authors: Owusu-Sekyere
authors: Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, C825/26 Lagos Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana. Chris.Anderson@Newmont.com.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Anderson
authors: Newfields, 730 17th Street, Suite 925, Denver, CO, 80202, USA. gkrieger@newfields.com.
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Krieger
authors: Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 200, Kintampo, Ghana. seth.owusu-agyei@kintampo-hrc.org.
authors: Seth
authors: S
authors: Owusu-Agyei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data