Conference Abstract | Volume 9, Abstract 047 (ConfProc7) | Published: 30 Jun 2026
Mary Opoku1,&, Gideon Oteng2, Dominic Afriyie Kusi3, Asamoah Yaw Karikari1, Ziyadah Gbene Suleman1, Ballu Cletus1, Ofori Bangdome Obed1, Michael Dzokoto4, Nana Konama Kotey3, Ernest Kenu1
1Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana, 2Kumasi South Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana, 3National Yaws Eradication Programme, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana, 4Upper West Akim District Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Adeiso, Ghana
&Corresponding author: Mary Opoku, Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana, Email: marynnaa13@gmail.com
Received: 29 Aug 2025, Accepted: 28 Oct 2025, Published: 30 Jun 2026
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Yaws, Upper West Akim, surveillance, analysis
©Mary Opoku et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Mary Opoku et al. Analysis of yaws surveillance data, Upper West Akim District, Eastern Region, Ghana, 2018-2023. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfProc7):047. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO7-0047
Yaws, caused by Treponema pallidum pertenue, primarily affects children in tropical, low-resource settings. Globally, 0.7% of suspected cases were confirmed in 2023. In Ghana, the prevalence is 0.3%, with Upper West Akim District contributing 8.3% of confirmed cases. If left untreated, 10% of cases will result in disfigurement. We analysed yaws surveillance data from 2018 to 2023 to describe its distribution, clinical characteristics, and follow-up practices.
We conducted a secondary analysis of yaws surveillance data (2018-2023) using DHIMS-2 and confirmed case line lists. We included all ages and excluded cases with incomplete data. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were extracted using a standardised tool and analysed descriptively with Microsoft Excel (v21) and QGIS (v3.34.7). Results were presented as frequencies, percentages, and maps.
From 2018 to 2023, 2,826 suspected yaws cases were reported; 9.6% (270/2,826) tested positive by RDT and 7.1% (202/2,826) were confirmed by DPP, giving a 74.8% (202/270) confirmation rate among probable cases. The mean age was 11.8 years (SD ±7.2). Males 67.8% (137/202) and children aged 10-14 years 66.8% (135/202) were most affected. The Okurase subdistrict accounted for 62.4% (126/202) of all confirmed cases. Most cases 82.2% (166/202) were identified through active surveillance and presented as ulcers 92.1% (186/202). The case-to-contact treatment ratio was 1:6 (170/972).
Yaws cases were clustered in the Okurase subdistrict, predominantly affecting males and children aged 10-14 years. The high proportion of suspected cases but low confirmation rate suggests over-suspicion due to broad case definition. Reliance on active detection and suboptimal contact follow-up (case-to-contact treatment below WHO-recommended ratio 1:10), indicates surveillance gaps. Strengthening clinician diagnosis, community surveillance, and contact tracing is critical for achieving yaws eradication goals.
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