Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Addressing Diagnostic and Programmatic Gaps to Advance Elimination Efforts.

This report underscores the critical need to include Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) within schistosomiasis elimination frameworks and sexual and reproductive health programs. Affecting an estimated 40-56 million women, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, FGS is often underdiagnosed and neglected in public health programs. This paper highlights FGS as a vital gap in schistosomiasis control and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, advocating for integrated approaches that address FGS awareness and diagnosis within disease elimination initiatives and health services.

Elimination of visceral leishmaniasis in Ethiopia - cross-sector collaboration and costsharing to promote sustainability.

Background Sustainable elimination of Visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem requires the contribution of various stakeholders led by governments efforts. An estimation of the contribution of different stakeholders was conducted focusing on the cost of diagnosis, treatment and management of visceral leishmaniasis in a hospital setting. Objectives The study aimed to estimate the cost of diagnosis, treatment and management of visceral leishmaniasis in a public hospital in Ethiopia, when including the contributions of the government and other stakeholders.

Prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among 15-49-year-old women in Sierra Leone: A secondary data analysis of Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey of 2019.

Background: Undernutrition of women of childbearing age is pertinent for maternal and offspring health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition (underweight and stunting) among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Sierra Leone using a secondary data analysis of the 2019 Demographic Health Survey.

Methods: Anthropometric measurements and maternal characteristics were obtained from the Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey (SLDHS) of 2019.

Factors contributing to delays in accessing health facility-based maternal delivery services in Sierra Leone, 2018: A community-based cluster survey.

Background: With a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 516 deaths per 100,000 live-births, Sierra Leone hosts one of the highest maternal mortalities in globally. National data indicates that over 98% of maternal deaths are related to delays in accessing obstetric services. This study sought to examine factors contributing to delays in accessing maternal delivery services as perceived by women in Sierra Leone.

Anaemia and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months during the post-ebola period in Sierra Leone: a national cross-sectional survey- 2019.

Background: Anaemia is a global public health problem associated with early childhood adverse effects on mental, physical, and social development. Sierra Leone had made progress in reducing the prevalence of anaemia pre-Ebola period however this was affected by the Ebola epidemic which further strained an already struggling health system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with anaemia during post-Ebola period among children aged 6-59 months in Sierra Leone.

Assessment of antimicrobial stewardship programmes and antibiotic use among children admitted to two hospitals in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health concern and irrational use of antibiotics in hospitals is a key driver of AMR. Even though it is not preventable, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes will reduce or slow it down. Research evidence from Sierra Leone has demonstrated the high use of antibiotics in hospitals, but no study has assessed hospital AMS programmes and antibiotic use specifically among children.

Behavioral practices towards antibiotic use among health care workers - Sierra Leone, 2021: a facility-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: globally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) kills around 1.27 million 700,000 people each year. In Sierra Leone, there is limited information on antibiotic use among healthcare workers (HCWs).

Antibiotic use among hospitalised patients in Sierra Leone: a national point prevalence survey using the WHO survey methodology.

Objective: Inappropriate use of antibiotics is a major driver of antibiotic resistance. A few studies conducted in Africa have documented that about half of hospitalised patients who receive antibiotics should not have received them. A few hospital-based studies that have been conducted in Sierra Leone have documented a high usage of antibiotics in hospitals.

Double burden of malnutrition among women in reproductive Age (15-49 years) in Sierra Leone: a secondary data analysis of the demographic health survey 2019 (SLDHS-2019).

Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is rising globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sierra Leone, the incidence of overweight, obesity (OWOB), and overnutrition among women has sharply increased. This finding accompanies the high incidence of undernutrition, which has been prevalent for decades.

Have Hand Hygiene Practices in Two Tertiary Care Hospitals, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Improved in 2023 following Operational Research in 2021?

In 2021, an operational research study in two tertiary hospitals in Freetown showed poor hand hygiene compliance. Recommended actions were taken to improve the situation. Between February-April 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the same two hospitals using the World Health Organization hand hygiene tool to assess and compare hand hygiene compliance with that observed between June-August 2021.

Improvement in the Surveillance System for Livestock Diseases and Antimicrobial Use Following Operational Research Studies in Sierra Leone January-March 2023.

In Sierra Leone, two operational research (OR) studies in 2019 and 2021 showed deficiencies in the data being captured by the Integrated Animal Disease Surveillance and Reporting (IADSR) system. This third OR study was conducted in 2023 to assess whether the second OR study's results and recommendations were disseminated with the key stakeholders, the uptake of the recommendations, improvements in data capture in the IADSR system, and to describe the data on livestock disease and antimicrobial use. In 2022, on seven occasions, the authors of the second OR study disseminated the study's findings.

Assessing Changes in Surgical Site Infections and Antibiotic Use among Caesarean Section and Herniorrhaphy Patients at a Regional Hospital in Sierra Leone Following Operational Research in 2021.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major public health threat to the success of surgery. This study assessed changes in SSIs and use of antibiotics among caesarean section (CS) and herniorrhaphy patients at a regional hospital in Sierra Leone following operational research. This was a comparative before and after study using routine hospital data.

Training Health Policy Researchers on Policy Engagement and Research Translation for Greater Impact: Evaluation of the Amplify@LDI Program.

Background: Few researchers receive formal training in research translation and dissemination or policy engagement. We created Amplify@LDI, a training program for health services and health policy researchers, to equip them with skills to increase the visibility of their research through translation and dissemination activities.

Aims: To describe the program's participants and curriculum, and evaluate the first 2 years of the program.

Improvement in Infection Prevention and Control Performance Following Operational Research in Sierra Leone: A Before (2021) and After (2023) Study.

Introduction: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial to limit health care-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. An operational research study conducted in Sierra Leone in 2021 reported sub-optimal IPC performance and provided actionable recommendations for improvement.

Methods: This was a before-and-after study involving the national IPC unit and all twelve district-level secondary public hospitals.

Determinants of quality contraceptive counselling information among young women in Sierra Leone: insights from the 2019 Sierra Leone demographic health survey.

Background: The quality of contraceptive counseling information received by prospective clients of family planning services can greatly influence both the uptake and continued use of contraceptives. Therefore, an understanding of the level and determinants of quality contraception information among young women in Sierra Leon could inform family programs, with the aim of reducing the high unmet need in the country.

Methods: We analyzed secondary data from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey (SLDHS).

Prevalence and factors associated with underweight among 15-49-year-old women in Sierra Leone: a secondary data analysis of Sierra Leone demographic health survey of 2019.

Background: Women are at higher risks of being underweight than men due to biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Underweight women have high risks of poor obstetric outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with being underweight among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Sierra Leone.

Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone: evidence from a nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey of 2019.

Background: Globally, teenage pregnancy remains a public health concern because of the associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. To address the extensive social, political and economic effects of teenage pregnancy, there is need for current epidemiological evidence on its prevalence and associated factors, especially from low resource settings where the burden is highest.

Methods: We used data from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDH), which included 3,427 female adolescents.

Women empowerment indices and utilization of health facilities during childbirth: evidence from the 2019 Sierra Leone demographic health survey.

Background: Women empowerment is recognized as a potential enabling factor to the utilization of health facilities during childbirth. However, the association between women empowerment and utilization of health facilities is poorly studied, especially in counties with high maternal mortality. Therefore, we investigated the association between women empowerment indices and the utilization of health facilities during childbirth in Sierra Leone.

Status of the latest 2016 World Health Organization recommended frequency of antenatal care contacts in Sierra Leone: a nationally representative survey.

Background: Timely and increased frequency of quality antenatal care (ANC) contacts is one of the key strategies aimed at decreasing maternal and neonatal deaths. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised the ANC guidelines to recommend at least eight ANC contacts instead of four. This study aimed to determine the proportion of women who received eight or more ANC contacts and associated factors in Sierra Leone.

Association between exposure to family planning messages on different mass media channels and the utilization of modern contraceptives among young women in Sierra Leone: insights from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey.

Background: Access to sexual and reproductive health information enables young women to make appropriate decisions. We examined the association between exposure to family panning messages on different mass media and the use of modern contraceptives among young women in Sierra Leone.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey data of young women aged 15-24 years.

Continuum of maternal and newborn health in Sierra Leone: a 2019 national survey.

Introduction: Globally, Sierra Leone has some of the worst maternal and child health indicators. The situation is worsened by a dearth of evidence about the level of continuum of care, an evidence-based intervention aimed at reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Hence this study aimed to assess the level of and factors associated with continuum of maternal and newborn care in Sierra Leone.

Anemia and Associated Factors Among Lactating Women in Sierra Leone: An Analysis of the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019.

Background: Anemia is a condition in which hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and/or red blood cell (RBC) numbers are lower than normal and insufficient to meet an individual's physiological needs. The prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age is high in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Sierra Leone. However, data on anemia among lactating women in Sierra Leone are scarce.

Assessment of Infection Prevention and Control Measures at Points of Entry in Sierra Leone in 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Implementing and monitoring infection prevention and control (IPC) measures at immigration points of entry (PoEs) is key to preventing infections, reducing excessive use of antimicrobials, and tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Sierra Leone has been implementing IPC measures at four PoEs (Queen Elizabeth II Quay port, Lungi International Airport, and the Jendema and Gbalamuya ground crossings) since the last Ebola outbreak in 2014-2015. We adapted the World Health Organization IPC Assessment Framework tool to assess these measures and identify any gaps in their components at each PoE through a cross-sectional study in May 2021.

Malaria and Helminthic Co-Infection during Pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Malaria and helminthic co-infection during pregnancy causes fetomaternal haemorrhage and foetal growth retardation. This study determined the pooled burden of pregnancy malaria and helminthic co-infection in sub-Saharan Africa. CINAHL, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were used to retrieve data from the literature, without restricting language and publication year.