About

Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health and Director, University of Ghana Centre for Evidence Synthesis and Policy (UGCESP)

Summary
Prof. Anthony Danso-Appiah has extensive experience in evidence-based approaches and health systems strengthening, leading a number of commissioned systematic reviews and meta-analyses for the WHO and other leading evidence-based institutions in Europe, which have informed national and global policies. Over the years, Anthony has been actively involved with generating quality evidence through systematic synthesis methods and translating research into evidence-based policy and practice. He has extensive experienced with Health Technology Assessment (HTA), Clinical Guidelines Development, Evidence-based Medicine, Evidence-based Implementation Research and Clinical Trials Designs, among others.

Anthony worked mainly in Europe and is currently based at the University of Ghana. Here, he set up the University of Ghana Centre for Evidence Synthesis and Policy (UGCESP) which is a member of the Global Evidence Synthesis Initiative (GESI) Network, also founded the Africa Communities of Evidence Synthesis and Translation (ACEST), a Foundation supporting capacity building in quality evidence generation and translation into policy and practice across Africa and Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), and introduced Evidence Synthesis into the University of Ghana’s curriculum at the Doctoral level. He developed and facilitates the Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), a CPD credit awarding course of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons’ Residency Training Programme (which is mandatory for all Residents) to help increase evidence-based practice capacity of senior doctors at decision making levels.

Dr Danso-Appiah is a Working Group Member of various International Groups, including the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action CA17117 which is developing Evidence-Based Research Training Programme for clinical researchers in Europe to advance evidence-based health research; COST Action CA18208 which is involved with assessing novel tools for disease burden estimation and evaluation in Europe; Guidelines International Network for LMICs; and WHO Guideline Development Group for Schistosomiasis. He is a member of the Systematic Review Editors Training and Learning Initiative for Experienced Authors (LIXA); International Society of Evidence-Based Healthcare; Africa Evidence Network; and the Focal Person of the Cochrane Africa Network in Ghana. Tony has been an Advisor and Technical Expert for the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) for several years and led the synthesis of the main evidence for WHO’s first evidence-based guideline for schistosomiasis control which has just been completed.

Dr Danso-Appiah is a Mentor of the African Academy of Sciences, providing career pathway, policy and leadership development guidance for promising scientists across Africa. He has trained over 1,000 scientists, health professionals and policy makers in Evidence Synthesis and Evidence-based Medicine, and supervised over 50 Masters and PhD students in a wide range of specialty areas including implementation research, health systems strengthening and policy, infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes, and systematic reviews.

Research interest
Building capacity in evidence-based medicine, evidence synthesis and translating research into evidence-based policy and practice, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and satisfaction, particularly in Africa. Also, interested in building critical mass of African scientists, university lecturers, health professionals and policy makers in the gold standard approaches and methods for generating best evidence through innovative, evidence-informed, demand-driven, and policy and context-relevant research to strengthen to strengthen evidence-based healthcare delivery across countries in Africa that will improve patient outcomes and satisfaction across countries in Africa.

Education and Qualification

PhD, Evidence-based Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• DSc, Epidemiology, The Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences (NIHES), Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam
• MSc, Health Services Research, NIHES, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam
• BSc, Health Sciences; BSc, Nutrition (combined honours), University of Ghana, Legon
• Postgraduate Certificate in Business Management (PGCBM), Leadership and Sustainability, University of Cumbria, UK

Working Experience

Selected external appointments
Working Group Member: The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action CA17117 “Towards an International Network for Evidence-based Research in Clinical Health Research” to improve patients outcomes in Europe (Oct 2018 – Sep 2022)
Working Group Member: COST CA18208, Assessing Novel Tools for Disease Burden Estimation and Evaluation in Europe (Oct 2019 –Oct 2023)
Facilitator: Evidence-based Medicine (EBM), Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (2014-present)
Member and Evidence Synthesis Specialist: WHO Schistosomiasis Guideline Development, (2016-2020)
Member of WHO Experts that prepared WHO 2001-2010 Progress Report and 2012-2020 Strategic Plans for Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis Control (2011-2012)

Publications

Dsani E, Afari EA, Danso-Appiah A, Kenu E, Kaburi BB, Egyir B. Antimicrobial resistance and molecular detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli isolates from raw meat in Greater Accra region, Ghana. BMC Microbiol 2020 Aug 14;20(1):253. doi: 10.1186/s12866-020-01935-z
Danso-Appiah A, Minton J, Boamah D, Otchere J, Asmah RH, Rodgers M, Bosompem KM, Eusebi P, De Vlas SJ. Accuracy of point-of-care testing for circulatory cathodic antigen in the detection of schistosome infection: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bull World Health Organ. 2016, 1;94(7):522-533A
Boateng MA, Danso-Appiah A, Turkson BK, Tersbøl BP. Integrating biomedical and herbal medicine in Ghana - experiences from the Kumasi South Hospital: a qualitative study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16(1):189.
Danso-Appiah A, Olliaro PL, Donegan S, Sinclair D, Utzinger J. Drugs for treating Schistosoma mansoni infection. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000528. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000528.pub2 (181 pages).
Mutamad A. Amin, Mohamed Swar, Mohamed Kardaman, Durria Elhussein, Nouman, Mahmoud AG, Danso-Appiah A, Babiker A, Homeida M. Treatment of pre-school children under 6 years of age for schistosomiasis: safety, efficacy and acceptability of praziquantel. Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences, 2012V; 7(2):67-76.
Danso-Appiah A, Stolk WA, Bosompem KM, Otchere J, Looman CWN, Habbema JDF, de Vlas SJ. Health Seeking Behaviour and Utilization of Health Facilities for Schistosomiasis-related Symptoms in Ghana. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2010; 2;4(11):e867.
Norman G, Rice S, Spackman E, Stirk L, Danso-Appiah A, Suh D, Palmer S, Eastwood A. Trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2 positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction. Health Technol Assess. 2010; 15(Sup1): 33-42.
Danso-Appiah A, Garner P, Olliaro PL, Utzinger J. Treatment of urinary schistosomiasis: methodological issues and research needs identified through a Cochrane systematic review. Parasitology. 2009; 136:1-13.
Danso-Appiah A, Utzinger J, Liu J, Olliaro P. Drugs for treating urinary schistosomiasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008; Issue 3. Art. No.: CD000053. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000053.pub2 (92 pages).
Danso-Appiah A, De Vlas SJ, Bosompem KM, Habbema JD. Determinants of health-seeking behaviour for schistosomiasis-related symptoms in the context of integrating schistosomiasis control within the regular health services in Ghana. Tropical Medicine & International Health. 2004; 9(7):784-94.
De Vlas SJ, Danso-Appiah A, van der Werf MJ, Bosompem KM, Habbema JD. Quantitative evaluation of integrated schistosomiasis control: the example of passive case finding in Ghana. Tropical Medicine & International Health. 2004; 9(6):A16-21.
Danso-Appiah A, De Vlas SJ. Interpreting low praziquantel cure rates of Schistosoma mansoni infections in Senegal. Trends in Parasitology. 2002; 18(3):125-29.
Danso-Appiah A. Schistosomiasis. In: Neglected Tropical Diseases of sub-Saharan Africa. Editors: Gyapong J, Boatin B (Eds.) Book Series, Springer Publications, Feb. 2016, pg. 251‒288.
Norman G, Rice SJ, Spackman E, Stirk L, Danso-Appiah A, CRD and CHE Technology Assessment Group (2010). Trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2 positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction. National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Mugglestone M, Danso-Appiah A, Jones L, Sekhri A, Corkett M, Jacklin P, Round J, Fraser R, Guideline Development Group. Diabetes in Pregnancy: management of diabetes and its complications from pre-conception to the postnatal period, NICE Clinical Guideline. 2008, Henry Ling Ltd, Dorset Press, UK.

Ongoing Projects

Co-I, RESPONSE - Improving health systems responsiveness to neglected health needs of vulnerable groups in Ghana and Vietnam https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/directory_record/1299/response
Co-I, AMIPS- Improving equitable access to essential medicines in Ghana through bridging the gaps in implementing medicines pricing policy http://pharmacy.ug.edu.gh/news/amips-improving-equitable-access-essentia...
Working Group Member, COST Action CA17117 - Evidence-Based Research Training Programme for clinical researchers in Europe to advance evidence-based health research https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA17117/#tabs|Name:overview
Working Group Member, COST Action CA18208 - Assessing novel tools for disease burden estimation and evaluation in Europe  https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA18208/#tabs|Name:overview
Co-PI, Hypertension and related co-morbidities - Comprehensive synthesis of evidence on determinants of hypertension and related co-morbidities in Sub Saharan Africa. A joint initiative between the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Novartis Foundation, Switzerland and School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon (2016-2019)

Completed Projects

PI, Prevalence threshold that should be used to implement preventive chemotherapy (PC) of schistosomiasis: synthesis of the evidence (2017- 2019)
PI, Adverse events of Praziquantel in persons with or without schistosomiasis in endemic settings who receive praziquantel during PC campaign (2017-2019)
Co-PI and supervisor, “Impact of mHealth on contraceptives on uptake of mothers who delivered at LEKMA health facilities in Accra, Ghana during the first six months after delivery”. Funded by Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, Alumni Impact Award, USA (2016-2017)
Co-PI and supervisor, “Capacity of Health Facilities to Implement Universal Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines in Ghana”.  Funded by the International Society of Infectious Diseases (ISID), USA (2015‒2016)
PI, Drugs for treating S. mansoni infection, joint grant from TDR, WHO and Cochrane Collaboration (2012‒2013)
PI, Systematic review and meta-analysis of the circulating catholic antigen (CCA) test in the diagnosis of schistosome infections. Funded by WHO (2013)
PI, Synthesis of evidence from WHO-sponsored multi-country studies on praziquantel treatment of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children across Africa and whether evidence supports WHO policy, Funded by WHO (2010‒2011)
Co-I, The Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Low-Intensity Psychological Interventions for the Secondary Prevention of Relapse After Depression (2010-2011)
Co-I, Trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2 positive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction 2010-2011
Co-I, Diabetes in pregnancy. Diabetes in pregnancy Management of diabetes and its Complications from pre -conception to the postnatal period. This project was commissioned by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2007-2008
PI, Evidence on efficacy and safety of medicines for treating schistosomiasis to inform control policy and treatment practices. Funded by WHO (2008)
Co-I, Determinants of health seeking behaviour and integration of schistosomiasis treatment within the Primary Care in Ghana. Funded by WOTRO/NOW (1999‒2003)