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Dr. Ernest Kenu

Dr. Ernest Kenu
Snr. Lecturer
ekenu@ug.edu.gh / ernest_kenu@yahoo.com

Academic Qualifications

  • PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology) - University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra-Ghana
  • Fellowship in Cancer Epidemiology - National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  • Certificate in Management - Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and University of California, Los-Angeles
  • Certificate in Data Management - Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Faculty of Public Health, Accra- Ghana
  • Certificate in Leadership and Management - University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra- Ghana
  • Master of Public Health (MPH) - University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra- Ghana
  • Certificate in Outbreak investigation - University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra- Ghana
  • Certificate in Clinical Management of HIV/AIDS - Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine. Antwerp, Belgium
  • Certificate in LMIS - JSI/DELIVER/Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, (MB.ChB) - University of Ghana Medical School, Accra-Ghana
  • B.Sc, Medical Sciences - University of Ghana Medical School, Accra-Ghana

Research interests

  • Epidemiological, evaluation and pharmacokinetic studies in HIV and TB
  • Adolescent HIV cohort studies
  • Epidemiological studies in HIV, TB and malaria and NCDs
  • Disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, control and prevention, and use of GIS in modelling disease patterns (Anthrax and Buruli ulcer)

Current Research Focus

  • Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology of infectious diseases especially, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and neglected infectious diseases. My research over the years has focused on pharmacokinetics of anti-tuberculosis and anti-retroviral therapy in HIV and TB co-infected patients.
  • Field Epidemiology- Use of Geographical Information System (GIS) in investigating outbreaks and response. Future research in the use of GIS and environmental data in niche modelling to predict outbreaks and institute appropriate measures.
  • NCDs – Non-communicable diseases especially, hypertension, diabetes and cancer in the general population and particular in people living with HIV.

Research Projects completed over the last 5 years

  • Meningitis Outbreak Investigations in Ghana, 2015
  • Yaws Outbreak, Mpohor District - Western Region- March 24 – 29, 2016
  • The HIV-associated Tuberculosis epidemic in Ghana: Potential for improved Tuberculosis case detection -DETECT Study
  • Tuberculosis screening in patients with HIV: Use of audit and feedback to improve quality of care in Ghana
  • Hepatitis B viral resistance to Lamivudine (3TC) therapy in Hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV co-infected Ghanaian Patients
  • Pharmacokinetics of TDF/3TC/EFV in HIV Infected Pregnant women
  • Assessment of the Role of Drop In Centers in Improving HIV Outcomes among Key Populations in Ghana under USAID’s SHARPER and LINKAGES FOR HEALTH Projects, 2016
  • Management of dog bites by frontline service providers at Primary Health care facilities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana – 2014-2016
  • Assessment of Cervical Cancer Stigma in Ghana, West Africa – February 2015.

Courses Taught

Undergraduate

  • Epidemiology: Principles and Methods
  • Child Survival Programme: Expanded Programme of Immunisation
  • Child Survival: Management of the Sick Child

Post-Graduate

  • Principles of Field Epidemiology Methods
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Essentials of Public Health
  • Fundamentals of Clinical Trials

Publications

  • Bandoh, D. A. & Kenu, E. (2017). Dietary diversity and nutritional adequacy of under-fives in a fishing community in the central region of Ghana. BMC Nutrition, 3:2. DOI 10.1186/s40795-016-0120-4
  • Donne, K. A., Nyarko, K. M., Kenu, E. & Afari, E. A. (2016). Strengthening surveillance and response to public health emergencies in the West African sub-region: the role of Ghana FELTP. The Pan African Medical Journal,  25 (Supp 1):1.  DOI:10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.10579
  • Dongdem, A. Z., Dzodzomenyo, M., Asmah, R. H., Nyarko, K. M., Nortey, P., Agyei A., Adjei, D. N., Kenu E. & Adjei, A. A. (2016).  Hepatitis B Virus genotypes among Chronic Hepatitis B patients reporting at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 25 (Supp 1):5. DOI: 10.11604/Pamj.Supp.2016.25.1.6170
  • Mensah, E. K., Afari, E., Wurapa, F., Sackey, S., Quainoo, A., Kenu, E. & Nyarko, K. M. (2016). Exposure of small-scale gold miners in Prestea to mercury, Ghana, 2012. The Pan African Medical Journal,  25 (Supp 1):6. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.6171
  • Noora, C. L., Afari, E. A., Nuoh, R. D., Adjei, E. Y., Anthony, G. K., Abdulai, M., Sackey, S. O., Kenu, E. & Nyarko, K.O. (2016) Pedestrians’ adherence to road traffic regulations on the N1 Highway in Accra, Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 25 (Supp 1):11. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.6184
  • Afakye, K., Kenu, E., Nyarko, K. M. Johnson, S. A. M., Wongnaah, F. & Bonsu, G. K. (2016). Household exposure and animal-bite surveillance following human rabies detection in Southern Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 25 (Supp 1):12. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.201625.1.6200
  • Iddrisah, F. N., Yeboah-Manu, D., Nortey, P. A., Nyarko, K. M.,  Anim, J., Antara, S. N., Kenu E., Wurapa, F. & Afari,  E. A.  (2016). Outcome of Streptomycin-Rifampicin treatment of Buruli Ulcer in two Ghanaian district. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2016; 25 (Supp 1):13. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.6203
  • 8. Ayamdooh, E. N., Kenu, E., Forson, E. K., Afari, E., Sackey, S., Nyarko, K. M. & Yebuah, N. (2016). Mapping as a tool for predicting the risk of anthrax outbreaks in Northern Region of Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 25 (Supp 1):14. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.6205
  • Bjerrum, S., Bonsu, F., Hanson-Nortey, N. N., Kenu, E., Johansen, I. S., Andersen, A. B., Bjerrum, L., Jarbøl, D. & Munck, M. (2016). Tuberculosis screening in patients with HIV : use of audit and feedback to improve quality of care in Ghana. Glob Health Action, 9 : 32390 – http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v9.32390
  • Kenu, E., Sint, T. T., Kamenga C., Ekpini R. (2016). Early Infant Male circumcision in Cameroon and Senegal: Demand, service provision, and cultural context. Glob Health Sci Pract., 4 Suppl 1:S18-S28. http://dx.doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-15-00185
  • Bjerrum, S., Oliver-Commey, J., Kenu, E., Lartey, M., Newman, M. J., Addo, K. K., Hilleman, D., Andersen, A. B. & Johansen, I. S. (2016). Tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria among HIV-infected individuals in Ghana. Trop Med Int Health, doi:10.1111/tmi.12749
  • Archampong, T. N. A., Lartey, M., Sagoe, K. W., Obo-Akwa, A Kenu, E., Gillani, F. S., Yang, H., Boamah, I., Flanigan, T. & Kwara A. (2016). Proportion and factors associated with Hepatitis B viremia in antiretroviral treatment naïve and experienced HIV co-infected Ghanaian patients. BMC Infectious Diseases, 16:14 DOI 10.1186/s12879-016-1342-4
  • Bjerrum, S., Kenu, E., Lartey, M., Newman, M. J., Addo, K. K., Andersen, A. B. & Johansen, I. S. (2015) Diagnostic accuracy of the rapid urine lipoarabinomannan test for pulmonary tuberculosis among HIV-infected adults in Ghana–findings from the DETECT HIV-TB study. BMC Infectious Diseases (2015) 15:407. DOI 10.1186/s12879-015-1151-1
  • Lartey, M., Asante-Quashie, A., Essel, A., Kenu, E., Ganu, V., & Neequaye, A. (2015). Causes of death in hospitalized HIV patients in the early anti-retroviral therapy era. Ghana Medical Journal, 49 :1 http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gmj.v49i1.2
  • Kenu, E., Nyarko, K. N., Seefeld, L., Ganu, V., Ka ¨ser, M., Lartey, M., Calys-Tagoe, B. N. L., Koram, K., Adanu, R., Razum, O., Afari, E., & Binka, F. N. (2014). Risk factors for Buruli Ulcer in Ghana—A case control study in the Suhum-Kraboa-Coaltar and Akuapem South districts of the Eastern Region. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 8(11): e3279. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003279
  • Kenu, E., Obo-Akwa, A., Nuamah, G. B., Brefo, A., Sam M., Lartey, M. (2014). Knowledge and disclosure of HIV status among adolescents and young adults attending an adolescent HIV clinic in Accra, Ghana. BMC Research Notes, 26;7(1):844
  • Kenu, E., Ganu, V., Calys-Tagoe, B. N. L., Yiran, G. A. B., Lartey, M., & Adanu, R. (2014). Application of geographical information system (GIS) technology in the control of Buruli ulcer in Ghana; BMC Public Health, 14:724  doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-724.
  • Lartey, M., Essel, A., Asante-Quarshie, A., Kenu, E., Ganu, V., Neequaye, A. (2014). Adverse drug reactions to antiretroviral therapy during the early art period at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. The Pan African Medical Journal, 18:25 
  • Malm, K. L., Nyarko, K. M., Kenu, E., Bart-Plange, C., Koram, K., Gyapong J.O., Owusu-Agyei, S., Armah, G., & Binka, F. N. (2014). Malaria and respiratory syncytial virus as causes of acute febrile illness in an urban paediatric population in Ghana; MWJ,  5, 1
  • Calys-Tagoe, B. N. L., Yarney, J., Kenu, E., Owusu, N. A. K., Amanhyia, Enchill, E., & Obeng, I. (2014). Profile of cancer patients’ seen at Korle Bu Teaching hospital in Ghana (A cancer registry review). BMC Research Notes, 7:577 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/7/577
  • Dey, D., Kenu, E., and Isenberg, D. A. (2013). A Cancer complicating systemic lupus erythematosus – a dichotomy emerging from a nested case-control study. Lupus, 22, 919–9
  • Lartey, M, Sagoe, K, Kenu, E., Oliver-Commey, J., Bioma, V., Makafui, S., Mingle, J. A. A., Machan, J. & Kwara, A. (2011).Viral decay rates are similar in HIV-infected patients with and without TB coinfection during treatment with an Efavirenz-based regimen.Clin Infect Dis, 52:547-550. PMCID 3060905
  • Lartey, M., Sagoe, K. W.,  Yang, H.,  Kenu, E.,  Xexemeku, F.,  Oliver-Commey, J., Boima, V., Seshie, M., Sagoe, A., Mingle, J. A. A., Flanigan, T. P., Wu, H., & Kwara, A. (2011). Viral Decay Rates are Similar in HIV-infected Patients with and without TB Coinfection during Treatment with an Efavirenz-based Regimen. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 20;52(4):547-50.
  • Kenu, E., & Käser, M. (2011). Tuberkulose/HIV – Prävention und Therapie in Ghana. Koinfektion als Herausforderung des Gesundheitssystems
  • Kwara, A., Lartey, M., Boamah, I., Rezk, N. L., Oliver-Commey, J., Kenu, E., Kashuba, A. D. M., Court, M. H. (2009). Interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics of generic nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in TB/HIV-coinfected Ghanaian patients: UGT2B7*1c is associated with faster zidovudine clearance and glucuronidation. J Clin Pharmacol, 23; 49(9):1079-90.
  • Kwara, A., Lartey, M., Casly-Sagoe, K. W., Kenu, E. & Court, M.H. CYP2B6, CYP2A6 and UGT2B7 genetic polymorphisms are predictors of efavirenz mid-dose concentration in HIV-infected patients. AIDS, 23 (16):2101-6
  • Kwara, A., Lartey, M., Sagoe, K. W., Xexemeku, F., Kenu, E, Oliver-Commey, J., Boima, V., Sagoe, A., Boamah, I., Greenblatt, D. J. & Court, M. H. (2008). Pharmacokinetics of efavirenz when co-administered with rifampin in TB/HIV co-infected patients: pharmacogenetic effect of CYP2B6 variation. J Clin Pharmacol, (9):1032-40

Published conference proceedings

  • Kenu, E., Adanu, R., Razum, O. & Binka, F. SP5-32 Risk profile for transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans in Akuapem South and Suhum Kraboa-Coaltar, Ghana. J Epidemiol Community Health 2011;65:A453-A454 doi:10.1136/jech.2011.142976p.68

Books
   Contributions to treatment guideline and policy documents etc

  • Implementation of TB/HIV Collaborative Activities in Ghana: Joint Programme Planning Policy and Guidelines, March 2014
  • MODES OF HIV TRANSMISSION IN GHANA: Analysis of the Distribution of Recent HIV Infections in Ghana and Recommendations for Prevention, October 24, 2014
  • Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting 2016, Ghana
  • Ghana National HIV AND AIDS Strategic Plan 2016 -2020
  • Guideline for Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Ghana: Ghana Health Service/National AIDS/STI Control Programme, September 2016, Sixth Edition
  • NTP, Training Manual- January 2012

 

Book Chapters

Margaret Lartey, Ernest Kenu, Vincent Ganu, Terry Amarteifio and Obo Akwa. Evaluation of measures to reduce patient waiting time in a busy Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic in Ghana: in Margaret Lartey, Timothy Acheampong and Michael O. Mate-Kole editors; Internal Medicine Practice in Ghana: Challenges, Innovations and Future Directions. University of Ghana Readers. Digibooks Ghana Ltd 2015, pp 191-202.