About

Research Interests
Schistosomiasis & Malaria Control 

Dr. Anto has extensive experience working in the Ghana Health Service as a Health Research Officer. He has collaborated with other researchers and conducted several researches across Ghana and Internationally. He is currently the Coordinator of the Bachelor of Public Health Programme in the School of Public Health.

Education and Qualification

• Ph.D (Parasitology), University of Ghana
• MPhil, University of Ghana
• BSc (Hons), University of Ghana

Working Experience

1. PREVIOUS ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH APPOINTMENTS

2. Principal Health Research Officer: Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Services. 2006-2008

3. Health Research Officer: Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Services. 2001-2006

4. Research Officer: Navrongo Health Research Centre. 1997-2001

5. Demonstrator, Department of Zoology, University of Ghana, Legon. 1996-1997

6. Biology Teacher: Nkonya Secondary School. 1984-1989.

1. PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Acting head: Department of Research, Education and Administration, School of Nursing, University of Ghana, 2008-2010

Coordinator: Bachelor of Public Health Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, 2011-2021 

1. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
   1. Statutory
2. Member: Appointments and Promotions Board SPH  2012-2014
3. Member: International Health Regulation, Ghana 2013-date
4. Member: Academic Board – Representative of Department Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of public health, 2013-2015
5. Member: Academic Board – Representative of Department Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of public health, 2016-2019
6.  Member:  Academic Board – Representative of Department Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of public health, 2019-date
7. Member: University Academic Board

8. Member: College of Health Sciences University Academic Board

     b. Adhoc 

9. Member: Organizing Committee, third College of Health Sciences Annual Scientific Conference
10. Member, School of Public Health, Strategic Plan Implementation Committee 2012
11. Member: Committee to plan rollout of general amnesty for students, 2021
12. Member: Committee set up by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (ASA) to review the proposed PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences Programme; February, 2012
13. Member: Committee set up by the Pro Vice Chancellor (ASA) to review new College of Health Science programmes; September, 2020
14. Member: Committee set up by the Pro Vice Chancellor (ASA) to review new College of Health Science programmes; June, 2020
15. Member: Inter-School Committee on Examination Malpractice, July 2021

1. SERVICES TO OTHER UNIVERSITIES
2. External Assessor for Academic Promotion:   University for Development Studies (Lecturer to senior lecturer). 2016/2017
3. External Examiner: PhD Thesis) PhD thesis entitled “Towards elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana: Refining the strategy through quality improvement.” Wits University, Faculty of Health Sciences
4. External Examiner: MPH programme, Catholic University College, Fiapre
5. Lead, Moderation of examination questions for Public Health Programmes: Catholic University College, Fiapre
6. Academic Board Member: Presbyterian University College, Abetifi; College of Health Sciences Representative

Grant review 

1. Grant name: MRC Research grant

       Application number: MR/S005013/1

   2. Grant name: MRC Research grant

      Application number MR/V005669/1

1. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
   1. African Association of Medical and Veterinary Malacology
   2. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 
   3. Ghana Science Association
   4. Akuafo Hall Alumni Association
   5. Old students Association- Nkonya Secondary School

Publications

1. Anto F, Agongo IH, Asoala V, Awini E, and Oduro AR (2019). Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy: Assessment of the Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Three-Dose Policy on Birth Outcomes in Rural Northern Ghana. Journal of Tropical Medicine; 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6712685.

1. Anto F and Bimi L. (2017). Potential of Lanistes varicus in limiting the population of Bulinus truncatus. BMC Research Notes; 10:509. DOI 10.1186/s13104-017-2837-9
2. Anto F, Asoala V, Adjuik M, Anyorigiya T, Oduro A, et al. (2014) Childhood Activities and Schistosomiasis Infection in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana. Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy; 2: 152. 

1. Anto F, Asoala V, Adjuik M, Anyorigiya T, Oduro A, et al. (2013) Water Contact Activities and Prevalence of Schistosomiasis Infection among School-age Children in Communities along an Irrigation Scheme in Rural Northern Ghana. Journal of Bacteriology and Parasitology; 4: 177. 

1. Anto, F., Asoala, V., Anyorigiya, T., Oduro, A., Adjuik, M., Akweongo, P., Aborigo, R., Bimi, L., Amankwa, J and Hodgson, A. (2011). Simultaneous administration of praziquantel, ivermectin and albendazole, in a community in rural northern Ghana endemic for schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Tropical Medicine and International Health; 16: 1112–1119

1. Anto, F., Asoala, V., Anyorigiya, T., Oduro, A., Adjuik, M., Owusu-Agyei, S., Dery, D., Bimi, L. and Hodgson, A. (2009). Insecticide resistance profiles for malaria vectors in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana. Malaria Journal; 8:81.

1. Anto, F., K. Bosompem, J. Kpikpi, M. Adjuik and D. Edoh. (2005). Experimental control of Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, by the ampullariid snail Lanistes varicus. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology; 99 (2): 203-209.

1. Anto, F., M. E. Aryeetey, T. Anyorigiya, V. Asoala and J. Kpikpi (2005). The relative susceptibilities of juvenile and adult Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncates to the molluscicidal activities in the fruit of Ghanaian Blighia sapida, Blighia unijugata and Balanites aegyptiaca. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology; 99 (2): 211-217.

1. Akuffo R, Sanchez C, Chicharro C, Carrillo E, Attram N, Mosore M-T, Yeboah C, Kotey NK, Boakye D, Ruiz-Postigo J-A, Moreno J, Wilson M, Sarfo B, Anto F (2021). Detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 15(5): e0009416. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009416

1. Akuffo R, Wilson M, Sarfo B, Attram N, Mosore M-T, Yeboah C, Cruz I, Ruiz-Postigo J-A, Boakye D, Moreno J, Anto F. (2021). Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 15(5): e0009413. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009413

1. Danso M, Anto F (2021). Factors Associated with Tramadol Abuse: A Cross‑Sectional Study Among Commercial Drivers and Assistants in the Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana. Drugs - Real World Outcomes https://doi.org/10.1007/s40801-021-00247-6

1. Amoako B. K and Anto F (2021). Late ANC initiation and factors associated with sub-optimal uptake of sulphadoxinepyrimethamine in pregnancy: a preliminary study in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 21:105 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03582-2
2. Bimi L, Ofosu Addo H, Anto F (2020) Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections in the Rural North of Ghana. Integr J Vet Biosci Volume 4(2): 1-4.
3. Angmorteh, M. E., and Anto, F (2020). Individual and Community Factors Associated with Household Insecticide-Treated Bednet Usage in the Sunyani West District of Ghana Two Years after Mass Distribution. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. doi.org/10.1155/2020/7054383

1. Bimi L, Anto F, Hanson T, Okofo-Mensah M, Sawyerr LM, Tetteh AK (2020). A Preliminary Assessment of Gut Helminths of Two Synanthropic Foragers, Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), and the African Pied Crow (Corvus albus), on a University Campus, Ghana. The Asia Journal of Applied Microbiology; 6 (1): 1-7. doi: 10.18488/journal.33.2020.71.1.7

1. Mensah BA, Aydemir O, Myers-Hansen JL, Opoku M, Hathaway NJ, Marsh PW, Anto F, Bailey J, Abuaku B, Ghansah A (2020). Antimalarial drug resistance profiling of Plasmodium falciparum infections in Ghana using molecular inversion probes and next generation sequencing. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 01423-19. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01423-19. 
2. Amankwah S and Anto F (2019). Factors Associated with Uptake of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Private Health Facilities in Tema Metropolis, Ghana. Journal of Tropical Medicine; 2019: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9278432

1. Martin Banong-le, Samuel Kwabena Ofosu and Francis Anto (2019). Factors associated with syphilis infection: a cross-sectional survey among outpatients in Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District, Ghana; BMC Infectious Diseases; 19:360. 

1. Peter Anlaakuu and Francis Anto (2017). Anaemia in pregnancy and associated factors: a cross sectional study of antenatal attendants at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, Ghana. BMC Research Notes; 10:402. DOI 10.1186/s13104-017-2742-2

1. Ivy Owusu‑Boateng and Francis Anto (2017). Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy: a cross‑sectional survey to assess uptake of the new sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine five dose policy in Ghana. Malaria Journal; 16:323 DOI 10.1186/s12936-017-1969-7

1. Didier Nzolo, Francis Anto, Sarah Hailemariam, Didier Bakajika, Daniel Muteba, Jean-Claude Makenga, Gautier Mesia, Celestin Nsibu, Samuel Mampunza and Gaston Tona (2017). Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disorders Following Ivermectin Mass Administration: A Descriptive Study Based on the Democratic Republic of Congo Pharmacovigilance System. Drugs - Real World Outcomes: 1-8. DOI 10.1007/s40801-017-0110-0

1. Gregory K. Amenuvegbe, Anto Francis and Binka Fred (2016). Low tuberculosis case detection: a community and health facility based study of contributory factors in the Nkwanta South district of Ghana. BMC Research Notes; 9:330 DOI 10.1186/s13104-016-2136-x

1. Benjamin Osei-Tutu and Francis Anto (2016). Trends of reported foodborne diseases at the Ridge Hospital, Accra, Ghana: a retrospective review of routine data from 2009-2013. BMC Infectious Diseases; 16:139 DOI 10.1186/s12879-016-1472-8

1.  Mensah EO, Aikins MK, Gyapong M, Anto F, Bockarie MJ, Gyapong JO (2016) Extent of Integration of Priority Interventions into General Health Systems: A Case Study of Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme in the Western Region of Ghana. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; 10(5): e0004725. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004725

1. Victor Dery, Nancy O. Duah, Ruth Ayanful‑Torgby, Sena A. Matrevi, Francis Anto and Neils B. Quashie (2015). An improved SYBR Green‑1‑based fluorescence method for the routine monitoring of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to anti‑malarial drugs. Malaria Journal; 14:481 DOI 10.1186/s12936-015-1011-x

1. Irene Offei Owusu, Dziedzom K. de Souza, Francis Anto, Michael D. Wilson, Daniel A. Boakye, Moses J. Bockarie and John O. Gyapong (2015). Evaluation of human and mosquito based diagnostic tools for defining endpoints for elimination of Anopheles transmitted lymphatic filariasis in Ghana. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; 109: 628–635

doi:10.1093/trstmh/trv070

1. Frances Baaba da-Costa Vroom, Richmond Aryeetey, Richard Boateng, Francis Anto, Moses Aikins, Margaret Gyapong and John Gyapong (2015). Data reporting constraints for the lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration activities in two districts in Ghana: A qualitative study. SAGE Open Medicine; 3: 2050312115594083

1. Justin Stoler, Rawanal Dashti, Francis Anto, Julius N. Fobil, Gordon A. Awandare (2014). Deconstructing “malaria”: West Africa as the next front for dengue fever surveillance and control Acta Tropica, 135: 58-65. 

1. Offei M, Anto F (2014) Compliance to Mass Drug Administration Programme for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination by Community Members and Volunteers in the Ahanta West District of Ghana. Journal of Bacteriology and Parasitology; 5: 180. 

1. Simon Kasasa, Victor Asoala, Laura Gosoniu, Francis Anto, Martin Adjuik, Cletus Tindana, Thomas Smith, Seth Owusu-Agyei and Penelope Vounatsou (2013). Spatio-temporal malaria transmission patterns in Navrongo demographic surveillance site, northern Ghana. Malaria Journal; 12:63 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-12-63

1. Bimi L, Laar AK, Anto F(2012) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Taeniasis in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of Northern Ghana. J Bacteriol Parasitol 3:129 

1. Cairns M, Ghani A, Okell L, Gosling R, Carneiro I, Anto F, Asoala V, Owusu-Agyei S, Greenwood B, Chandramohan D, Milligan P. (2011). Modelling the protective efficacy of alternative delivery schedules for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in infants and children.  PLoS One; 6(4):e18947.

1. Oduro, A. R., Fryauff, D. J., Koram, K. A., Rogers, W. O., Anto, F., Atuguba, F., Anyorigiya, T., Adjuik, M., Ansah, P., Hodgson, A. and Nkrumah, F. (2010). Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine–Based Intermittent Preventive Treatment, Bed Net Use, and Antenatal Care during Pregnancy: Demographic Trends and Impact on the Health of Newborns in the Kassena Nankana District, Northeastern Ghana. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 83 (1): 79–89.

1. Armah GE, Hoshino Y, Santos N, Binka F, Damanka S, Adjei R, Honma S, Tatsumi M, Manful T, Anto F. (2010). The global spread of rotavirus G10 strains: Detection in Ghanaian children hospitalized with diarrhea. Journal of Infectious Diseases. Suppl: 231-238.

1. Oduro, A. R., Anyorigiya, T., Anto, F., Amenga-Etego, L., Ansah, N. A., Atobrah, P., Ansah, P., Koram, K. and Hodgson, A. (2008). A randomized, comparative study of supervised and unsupervised artesunate-amodiaquine, for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology; 102(7):565-576.

1. Oduro, A. R., Aborigo, R. A., Amugsi, D., Anto, F., Anyorigiya, T., Atuguba, F., Hodgson, A. and Koram, K. A. (2008). Understanding and retention of the informed consent process among parents in rural northern Ghana. Medical Ethics; 9:12

1. Oduro, A. R., Koram, K. A., Rogers, W., Atuguba, F., Ansah, P., Anyorigiya, T., Ansah, A., Anto, F., Mensah, N., Hodgson,  A. and Nkrumah, F. (2007). Severe falciparum malaria in young children of the Kassena-Nankana district of northern Ghana. Malaria Journal; 6(1):96

1. Owusu-Agyei, S., Awini, E., Anto, F., Mensah-Afful, T., Adjuik, M., Hodgson, A., Afari, E. and Binka, F. (2007). Assessing malaria control in the Kassena-Nankana district of northern Ghana through repeated surveys using the RBM tools. Malaria Journal; 6(1):103

1. Oduro, A. R., Anyorigiya, T., Koram, K., Anto, F., Atobrah, P. and Hodgson, A.  (2007). Amodiaquine in future combination treatment of malaria in Ghana Tropical Doctor; 37: 154–156

1. Armah, G. E, Gallimore, C. I, Binka, F. N, Asmah, R. H, Green, J, Ugoji, U, Anto, F, Brown, D. W. and Gray, J. J. (2006). Characterisation of norovirus strains in rural Ghanaian children with acute diarrhea. Journal of Medical Virology; 78(11):1480-1485.
2. Oduro, A. R., Anyorigiya, T., Hodgson, A., Ansah, P., Anto F, Ansah, N. A., Atuguba, F., Mumuni, G. and Amankwa, J. (2005). A randomized comparative study of chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Tropical Medicine and International Health; 10(3):279-284.
   
    
3. Oduro, A. R., Anyorigiya, T., Adjuik, M., Afful, T. M, Anto, F., Atuguba, F., Owusu-Agyei, S. and Hodgson, A. (2004). A randomized, comparative study of two regimens of beta-artemether for the treatment of uncomplicated, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, in northern Ghana. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology; 98(5):433-440.

1. Maxwell Appawu, Seth Owusu-Agyei, Samuel Dadzie, Victor Asoala, Francis Anto, Kwadwo Koram, William Rogers, Francis Nkrumah, Stephen L. Hoffman, and David J. Fryauff (2004). Malaria transmission dynamics at a site in northern Ghana proposed for testing malaria vaccines. Tropical Medicine and International Health; 9(1): 1-7.

1. Koram, K. A., Owusu-Agyei, S., Fryauff, D. J., Anto, F., Hodgson, A., Atugubah, F., Hoffman, S. L.  , and Nkrumah F. K. (2003). Seasonal profile of malaria infection, anaemia, and bednet use among age groups and communities in northern Ghana. Tropical Medicine and International Health; 8(9): 793-802.

1. The Navrongo Rotavirus Research Group: Fred N. Binka, Francis K. Anto, Abraham R. Oduro,. Elizabeth A. Awini, Alex K. Nazzar, George E. Armah, Richard H. Asmah, Andrew J. Hall et al. (2003) Incidence and Risk Factors of Pediatric Rotavirus Diarrhea in Northern Ghana. Tropical Medicine and International Health; 8(9) 840-846.

1. Armah E. G., Steele, A. D., Binka, F. N., Esona, M. D., Asmah, R. H., Anto, F., Brown, D. Green, J., Cutts F and Hall, A. (2003). Changing Patterns of Rotavirus Genotypes in Ghana: Emergence of Human Rotavirus G9 as a Major Cause of Diarrhea in Children. Journal of Clinical Microbiology; 41(6): 2317-2322.

1. Owusu-Agyei, S., Binka, F., Koram, K. Anto, F., Adjuik, M., Nkrumah, F. and Smith, T. (2002).  Does radical cure of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum place adults in endemic areas at increased risk of recurrent symptomatic malaria?  Tropical Medicine and International Health; 7 (7): 599-603. 

1. Armah, G.E., Pager, C.T., Asmah, R.H., Anto, F., Oduro, A.R., Binka, F. and Steele D. (2001). Prevalence of unusual human rotavirus strains in Ghanaian children. Journal of Medical Virology, 63(1): 67-71.

1. Asmah, R. H., Green, J., Armah, G. E., Gallimore, C. I., Gray, J. J., Iturriza-Gomara, M., Anto, F., Oduro, A., Binka, F. N., Brown, D. W. and Cutts, F. (2001). Rotavirus G and P genotypes in rural Ghana. Journal of Clinical Microbioogy, 39(5):1981-4198.
   
    
2.  Armah, G.E., Essel, R.H., Asmah, R.H., Anto, F and Binka, F. N. (2000). Detection of Human group C rotavirus in Ghanaian children. Ghana Medical Journal, 34(3): 157-164.

Ongoing Projects

• Integrating schistosomiasis treatment into lymphatic filariasis elimination programme in rural Ghana
• Insecticide Resistance Profiles for Malaria Vectors in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana
• Using community-based volunteers to reach non-enrolled school-age children through community-directed treatment of schistosomiasis in school-age children in rural northern Ghana