A5009032152- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Disaster Response and Management
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Global Security and Public Health
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Global Health Care Issues
- Disaster Management and Resilience
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Health and Conflict Studies
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
University of Sierra Leone
2023-2025
Njala University
2017-2024
Gulu University
2022
Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre
2021
Global debates about vaccines as a key element of pandemic response and future preparedness in the era Covid-19 currently focus on questions supply, with attention to global injustice vaccine distribution African countries rightful beneficiaries international de-regulation financing initiatives such COVAX. At same time, demand uptake are seen be threatened by hesitancy, often attributed an increasingly globalised anti-vaxx movement its propagation misinformation conspiracy, now reaching...
It is unclear how public authorities shaped responses to Ebola in Sierra Leone. Focusing on one village, we analyze what happened when "staff, stuff, space, and systems" were absent. Mutuality between neighbors, linked secret societies, necessitated collective care for infected loved ones, irrespective of the risks. Practical learning was quick. Numbers recovering reported be higher among people treated hidden locations, compared those taken Treatment Centres. Our findings challenge positive...
Despite having safe and efficacious vaccines against COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy is widespread. Although a trusted source of information, has been reported among healthcare professionals, yet few studies have explored this phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted cross-sectional survey professionals Sierra Leone from January to March 2022. Measures included sociodemographic/health-related information COVID-19-related concerns. From the responses, we constructed (VAX) score, with higher...
Abstract Background Health is increasingly affected by multiple types of crises. Community engagement recognised as being a critical element in successful crisis response, and number conceptual frameworks global guideline documents have been produced. However, little known about the usefulness such whether they contain sufficient information to guide effective community response. We undertake scoping review examine literature official guidelines on response using realist-informed analysis...
Abstract Background Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it accounts for high morbidity and mortality rates. Sierra Leone, including Port Loko District, continues to experience burden of malaria despite government interventions. This study evaluates the existing interventions treatment at Government Hospital, examining socio-economic determinants contributing failure. Methods The employed cross-sectional design with quantitative...
This article shares findings on COVID-19 in Africa across 2020 to examine concepts and practices of epidemic preparedness response. Amidst uncertainties about the trajectory COVID-19, stages emergency response emerge practice as interconnected. We illustrate how complex dynamics manifest diverse actors interpret modify approaches according contexts experiences. suggest that concept "intersecting precarities" best captures temporalities at stake; these precarities include effects control...
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that poor knowledge and stigma are impacting HBV control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but their role not well understood. We conducted cross-sectional study of adults aged ≥18 years community pharmacy setting Freetown, Sierra Leone. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes health-seeking behaviors regarding HBV. Logistic regression identify predictors related...
Abstract Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is effective at preventing vertical transmission. Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea are hyperendemic West African countries; yet, childhood vaccination coverage suboptimal, the determinants of incomplete poorly understood. We analyzed national survey data (2018–2020) children aged 4–35 months to assess complete HBV (receiving 3 doses pentavalent vaccine) <3 doses). Statistical analysis was conducted using complex sample command in SPSS...
ABSTRACT Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is effective at preventing mother-to-child transmission. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are hyperendemic West African countries; yet childhood immunization coverage suboptimal barriers to poorly understood. We analyzed national survey data (2018-2020) of children aged 4-35 months assess full HBV (receiving 3 doses the pentavalent vaccine) incomplete < doses). Statistical analysis was conducted using complex sample command in SPSS...
Abstract Stigma associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common in endemic countries; however; instruments are lacking to accurately measure HBV‐related stigma. We therefore aimed develop and validate a concise instrument for measuring perceived stigma Sierra Leone. enrolled 220 people living HBV (PWHB) aged ≥18 years from August November 2022. The initial Likert‐scale entailed 12 items adapted Berger's HIV Scale. included four additional the USAID indicators enacted proposed scale's...
October 11, 2020, marks the seventh month since World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Unlike other coronavirus diseases, there is geographically disproportionate distribution of incidence cases around world. We observed significantly high and deaths in countries territories with no or very small number malaria low national TB 2018. speculate that less affected by partly due to overexposure which led regular use artemisinin anti-malaria drugs as well...
To assess the impact of COVID-19-related interruptions and seasonal patterns on hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening in a hyperendemic setting Sierra Leone.
Abstract Background Infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola and Covid-19 are increasing in frequency. They may harm reproductive, maternal newborn health (RMNH) directly indirectly. Sierra Leone experienced a sharp deterioration of RMNH during the 2014–16 epidemic. One possible explanation is that donor funding have been diverted away from to response. Methods We analysed donor-reported data Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD)’s Creditor Reported System (CRS) before,...
ABSTRACT Background HIV stigma continues to hinder the care of people with (PWH), especially in low-resource settings. We aimed adapt and validate a concise scale for perceived Sierra Leone. Methods enrolled participants two clinics Eastern Southern Leone 2022. assessed using 12-item adaptation Berger’s Stigma Scale enacted select USAID indicators. used ordinal logistic regression identify predictors Pearson’s correlation examine associations between stigma. Results 624 PWH were enrolled....
ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence and burden of chronic HBV in Sierra Leone. Methods We used electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web Science, Google Scholar African Journals Online to systematically review articles reporting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence estimates Serra Leone during 1997-2022. estimated pooled rates assessed sources heterogeneity Results Of 406 publications screened, 22 studies total sample size 107,186 were...
A year after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic much of the Africa continent started experiencing spikes in number cases and related deaths what referred to as third wave pandemic. These came right behind heels second that barely went unnoticed Africa. As July 2021, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Nigeria, Libya, Kenya, Algeria, Zambia Ethiopia accounted for approximately 86% reported increase COVID-19; these countries were aptly described being at forefront continent’s Unlike those...
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that poor knowledge and stigma are impacting HBV control efforts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), however their role not well understood. We conducted cross-sectional study of adults aged &ge; 18 years community pharmacy setting Freetown, Sierra Leone. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes, health-seeking behaviors regarding HBV. Logistic regression identify...
Stigma associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common in endemic countries; however; instruments are lacking to accurately measure HBV-related stigma. We therefore aimed develop and validate a concise instrument for measuring perceived stigma Sierra Leone. enrolled 220 people living HBV (PWHB) aged ≥ 18 years from August November 2022. The initial Likert-scale entailed 12 items adapted Berger's HIV Scale. included 4 additional the USAID indicators enacted proposed scale's psychometric...
ABSTRACT Background There are limited studies evaluating the impact of COVID-19-related interruptions on hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening in endemic countries Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We conducted a retrospective study HBV testing community pharmacy Freetown, Sierra Leone, from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2022. compared participant characteristics using Pearson’s chi-square test. evaluated trends and diagnosis one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s or Dunnett’s post-test. Findings Of 920...
<title>Abstract</title> Background Epidemic outbreaks like Ebola and Covid-19 are increasing in frequency. They may harm reproductive, maternal newborn health (RMNH) directly indirectly. Sierra Leone experienced a sharp deterioration of RMNH during the 2014-16 epidemic. One possible explanation is that donor funding have been diverted away from to response. Methods We analysed donor-reported data Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD)’s Creditor Reported System before,...