Department of Biological Sciences
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace.njala.edu.sl/handle/20.500.144402/136
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Item Menstrual Hygiene Management- A Study among Adolescent Girls in Five Schools in Bo District, Sierra Leone(Scientific Research and Community Ltd, 2020-07-01) Osborne, AugustusMenstruation can place significant impacts on girl’s health and education if they are not properly informed about effective menstrual hygiene management. The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in five schools in Bo district, Sierra Leone and to assess the restrictions practiced by them during menstruation. A cross sectional study design was carried out among 103 in November 2019. A self-administered structured questionnaire at schools was used for data collection. Data was collected regarding their knowledge about menstruation, from where they get information and practices followed to maintain menstrual hygiene, problems faced while attending school during menstruation and facilities available in school, etc. The analysis part was done with the help of SPSS version 25. Age of respondents varied between 12-21 years with the mean age of 16.5. 69.9% of the girls don’t know from were menstrual bleeding occurs. Majority of the girls are using sanitary pads as absorbent during menstruation. 42.7% of the girls said they have been restricted from praying when seeing their menses and 49.5% of the girls said they feel their school is uncomfortable to keep hygiene during menstruation. The findings led to the conclusion that the girls have deficient knowledge and inadequate practices regarding menstruation and its management. ISSN: 2634 - 680XItem Assessment of Perceptions and Practices on Menstruation among Adolescent Girls in Five Schools in bo district, Sierra Leone(Scientific Research and Community Ltd, 2020-06-26) Osborne, AugustusMenstrual hygiene is essential as it promotes the health of women. Unhygienic menstrual practices can affect the health of girls and can lead to urinary tract infections. Many girls deficient of appropriate knowledge in menstruation and menstrual hygiene. It is therefore necessary to assess their perceptions, problems, and practices on menstruation. This Cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 103 secondary school girls from five schools in the southern part of Sierra Leone via structured questionnaire. Majority of the students, were aged 15-18 years. 29.1% of the girl’s attained menstruation at age 14 years. 57.3% of the girls believed that the normal monthly interval of menstruation is 28 days. 33% of the girls said Menstruation upsets them. Staining of dress and bad odor 30.1% were the most embarrassment faced by girls during menstruation. 64.1% of the girls said Scared was their reaction to Menstruation. 78.6% of the girls said Worried is how they feel when they don’t get their period on time. Menstrual problems were most commonly discussed with their mothers, (68%), and least commonly discussed with the fathers, 1.9%. Majority of the respondents had poor knowledge on menstruation, menstrual hygiene and practices. Menstruation perceptions are poor, and practices often incorrect. A multi-dimensional approach focusing on capacity building of mothers, and teachers on sexuality education skills; using religious organizations as avenues for sexuality education; and effectively using the Mass Media as reproductive health education channels are recommended towards improving adolescents’ perceptions and practices on menstruation. (Afr Reprod Health 2008; 12\[1\]:74-83).ISSN: 2634 - 680XItem Knowledge, prevalence, and risk factors for self-reported sexually transmitted diseases among University Students in Sierra Leone(African Journals OnLine, 2023-12-12) Osborne, Augustus**Introduction:** Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a worldwide health concern. Students often engage in sexual acKvity while away at college, puVng themselves at risk for STDs, unintended pregnancies, and unsafe aborKons because of their lack of parental supervision. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of STDs and the variables that contribute to their spread among Sierra Leonean University students. **Methods:** An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 340 Njala University students selected using the multistage sampling technique in August 2022. The data were collected using a structured, pre-tested self-administered quesKonnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analyses and Pearson chi-square were employed through SPSS version 26 to identify factors associated with sexually transmitted infections. The odds raKo with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of associaKon. In the regression analysis, variables with a p-value of less than 5% were considered statically significant associations between covariates and sexually transmitted infections. **Result:** The prevalence of a posiKve test for STIs among the sexually acKve respondents was found to be (33.6%). The knowledge of STIs among the respondents was very high (90.6%). All respondents in the various age groups (16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40 and 41-450) were likelier to have good knowledge of STIs with OR >1 and p < 0.05. **Conclusion:** Self-reported STI infection rates among Sierra Leonean University students were relatively high. Therefore, it is crucial to educate students about the dangers of sexual promiscuity and the need to continue using condoms.Item Herbal medicine safety awareness among Healthcare Professionals in Freetown Sierra Leone(African Journals OnLine, 2023-12-12) Osborne, Augustus**Background:** There is a pressing need to incorporate herbal medicine preventaKve measures into the current pharmacovigilance system, as recent evidence from the World Health OrganizaKon (WHO) shows. However, medical professionals are generally unaware of the relaKve safety of herbal remedies. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the awareness of herbal safety among medical professionals in Sierra Leone. **Methodology:** In this study, we used a cross-secKonal survey of medical staff (n=309) working at three of Freetown, Sierra Leone's, leading medical centers between March and April 2022. The data analysis was performed using StaKsKcal Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. We employed descripKve staKsKcs to count instances of a category and assign a percentage. We used a backwards stepwise binary logisKcs regression to find significant associaKons between awareness and predictors at the 5% significance level (p0.05). **Results:** Evidence from the study revealed that around 54.7% of respondents knew about herbal medicine safety. There is an associaKon between the knowledge about drug-herbal interacKon and the level of understanding, average observed risk (AOR) = 1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-2.66; however, no connecKon was found between years of experience and how well-knownherbal remedies are safe, and finally, no associaKon between the various departments and the level of understanding except for the outpaKent department \[Adjusted Odds RaKo (AOR) = 0.49; 95% Confidence Interval (CI):0.25-0.95\]. **Conclusion:** Our findings reveal that medical professionals' knowledge concerning the security of herbal medicine in Freetown, Sierra Leone is unsaKsfactory. Therefore, the regulatory bodies of the various healthcare cadre must promote standardised, coordinated educaKon for all medical personnel to establish an effecKve pharmacovigilance framework for tracking herbal medicaKon.Item Trends, and patterns, of premarital sexual intercourse and its associated factors among never-married young women aged 15–24 in Sierra Leone(Public Library of Science, 2024-08-22) Osborne, AugustusBACKGROUND: Premarital sexual intercourse has essential implications for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young women. These include increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction as well as exposure to the risks of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. This study examined the trends, patterns, and associations of premarital sexual intercourse among young women aged 15-24 in Sierra Leone. METHODS: Nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2008, 2013, and 2019 Demographic and Health Surveys in Sierra Leone were used for the study. A weighted sample of 9,675 never-married young women was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of premarital sexual intercourse in Sierra Leone. Percentages were used to present the results of the trends and patterns of premarital sexual intercourse. We employed a multilevel binary logistic regression modelling technique to examine the associations of premarital sexual intercourse. The results were presented using adjusted odds ratio with their respective 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of premarital sexual intercourse among the young women in Sierra Leone was 62.9%. Over the survey years, premarital sexual intercourse increased from 59.8% in 2008 to 65.1% in 2013. However, it declined by 3.5% to 61.6% in 2019. Young women aged 20-24 (aOR = 12.47, 95% CI = 10.54-14.76) had higher odds of engaging in premarital sexual intercourse than those aged 15-19. Young women with higher educational levels (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.17-2.99), those who were working (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.44-1.78), those who listened to the radio (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.29-1.60), and those who lived in the Northwestern (aOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.68-2.84), Eastern (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.23-1.760, Northern (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.25 -, 1.76), and Southern (aOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.36-1.94) regions were more likely to engage in premarital sexual intercourse compared to those with no formal education, those not working, those who did not listen to the radio, and those who lived in the Western region, respectively. Young women in the richest wealth category (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.49-0.78), and residing in rural areas (aOR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.98) had lower odds of engaging in premarital sexual intercourse relative to those from the poorest wealth quintile and those living in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Our study found a high prevalence of premarital sexual intercourse among young women in Sierra Leone. Premarital sexual intercourse was associated with age, educational level, wealth, employment, and region. This necessitates providing them with comprehensive information regarding sexual and reproductive health behaviours, specifically emphasising the benefits and adverse consequences of engaging in sexual experimentation. Additionally, it is crucial to promote the adoption of abstinence, injections, implants, and condom usage through consistent advocacy for youth-risk communication.Item Trends and inequalities in anaemia prevalence among children aged 6–59 months in Ghana, 2003–2022(BioMed Central, 2024-11-08) Osborne, AugustusBACKGROUND: Anaemia, characterised by a deficiency in red blood cells or haemoglobin, is a public health issue in Ghana, particularly among children. The prevalence of anaemia in this age group has been a longstanding concern due to its adverse effects on cognitive development, physical growth, and well-being. This study examined the trends and inequalities in anaemia prevalence among children aged 6-59 months in Ghana between 2003 and 2022. METHODS: Data from the Ghana Demographic Health Survey conducted between 2003 and 2022 was used to analyse the prevalence of anaemia in children aged 6-59 months. The World Health Organization's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software calculated several inequality measures, including difference, ratio, population-attributable risk, and population-attributable percentage. An inequality assessment was performed for six stratifiers: child's age, mother's economic status, maternal educational level, place of residence, child's sex, and sub-national region. RESULTS: Anaemia prevalence among children aged 6-59 months in Ghana declined from 76.1% in 2003 to 48.9% by 2022. The results revealed an age-related inequality in anaemia prevalence among children in Ghana, with younger age group ( 6-11 months) consistently showing higher rates. The age-related inequality Difference was 24.6 percentage points in 2022, indicating that age is crucial to understanding anaemia risk. Economic-related inequality between children of mothers in Quintile 5 (richest) and Quintile 1 (poorest) increased from a Difference of 21.1 percentage points in 2003 to 32.7 percentage points in 2022 highlighting the stark inequalities across wealth quintiles. Education inequality between children of mothers with higher education and no education decreased from a Difference of 29.4 percentage points in 2003 to 25.3 percentage points in 2022, suggesting that children from less educated households are still at higher risk. Place of residence inequality between children of mothers living in urban areas and rural areas increased from a Difference of 12.3 percentage points in 2003 to 14.8 percentage points in 2022 reflecting urban-rural disparities. Sex-related inequality between male and female children decreased from a Difference of -0.3 percentage points in 2003 to -5.5 percentage points in 2022 indicating the absence of inequality based on sex of the child. Lastly, regional inequalities are pronounced, as indicated by an increase in the Difference from 21.2 percentage points in 2003 to 34.0 percentage points in 2022, highlighting that children in certain regions like the Northern and Upper East are more affected by anaemia. CONCLUSION: The decline in anaemia prevalence among children aged 6-59 months in Ghana, reflects substantial progress; however, notable inequalities persist across age, economic status, education, place of residence, and region. To address these disparities, strategies such as enhancing access to healthcare services in underserved regions, implementing community education programs to raise awareness about nutrition and health, and promoting economic empowerment initiatives can be effective. Additionally, community education can play a crucial role in offsetting the effects of low household education levels, fostering a more informed population that can advocate for better health practices and policies. By addressing these key areas, we can work towards reducing anaemia prevalence and improving child health outcomes across all populations in Ghana.Item Socioeconomic and geographical inequalities in adolescent fertility rates in Sierra Leone, 2008–2019(Public Library of Science, 2024-12-13) Osborne, AugustusBACKGROUND: Sierra Leone, like many other sub-Saharan African countries, grapples with the challenge of high adolescent fertility rates. This study examines the socio-economic and geographical inequalities in adolescent fertility rates in Sierra Leone between 2008 and 2019. METHODS: Three rounds of the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys (2008, 2013, and 2019) were analysed to examine inequalities in adolescent fertility rates. Descriptive analyses were performed using the online version of the World Health Organization's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software. Adolescent fertility rate was stratified using four dimensions: economic status, education, place of residence, and province. Difference (D), ratio (R), population attributable risk (PAR) and population attributable fraction (PAF) were calculated as measures of inequality. RESULTS: The adolescent fertility rates in Sierra Leone declined from 142.5 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years in 2008 to 103.5 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years in 2019. For economic status, inequality in adolescent fertility rates decreased from 117.3 births per 1,000 adolescent girls in 2008 to 110.6 in 2019. The PAF indicated that the national adolescent fertility rate could have been 46.8% lower in 2008, 42.5% lower in 2013, and 53.5% lower in 2019 if all wealth quintiles had the same fertility rates as the wealthiest quintile (quintile 5). Educational inequality in adolescent fertility rates decreased significantly, from 135.3 births per 1,000 adolescent girls in 2008 to 75.8 in 2019. The PAF showed that the setting average of adolescent fertility rate could have been 57.9% lower in 2008, 33.1% lower in 2013, and 23.9% lower in 2019 without education-related disparities. For place of residence, inequality between urban and rural areas decreased from 82.3 births per 1,000 adolescent girls in 2008 to 74.5 in 2019. The PAF indicated that the national adolescent fertility rate could have been 32.9% lower in 2008, 30.7% lower in 2013, and 33.9% lower in 2019 if rural girls had the same fertility rates as urban girls. Our results further showed that inequality based on province decreased from 77.9 births per 1,000 adolescent girls in 2008 to 64.0 in 2019. The PAF showed that the national average of adolescent fertility rates could have been 34.6% lower in 2008, 37.6% lower in 2013, and 35.8% lower in 2019 without provincial disparities. CONCLUSION: Our study found a positive decline in AFR across socioeconomic and geographic groups in Sierra Leone, but significant inequalities remain. Economic status and education are key drivers, with the poorest quintile consistently showing higher AFR. Although AFR declined among girls across all levels of education over time, it increased between 2008 and 2019 for those with primary and higher education. Rural areas had a higher AFR than urban ones, though with less national impact. Policymakers should focus on improving economic opportunities, enhancing quality education, and expanding access to family planning services to reduce adolescent pregnancy and address socioeconomic and educational inequalities.Item Prevalence and predictors of school truancy among adolescents in Sierra Leone: evidence from the 2017 Global School-based Health Survey(BioMed Central, 2024-06-18) Osborne, AugustusBACKGROUND: School truancy, deliberately skipping school without permission, is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences for individual students, education systems, and entire communities. While this phenomenon is not unique to Sierra Leone, the specific context of the post-conflict nation raises concerns about its potential impact on the country's fragile rebuilding process. This study examines the prevalence and predictors of school truancy among adolescents in Sierra Leone. METHODS: The study analysed the cross-sectional 2017 Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) data in Sierra Leone, a nationally representative survey conducted among adolescents aged 10-19 years using a multistage sampling methodology. A weighted sample of 2,769 adolescents in Sierra Leone was included in the study. A multivariable binary regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of school truancy among adolescents. The regression results were presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The prevalence of school truancy was 35% among adolescents in Sierra Leone. Adolescents who use alcohol (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.45, 3.58) and who have ever had sexual intercourse (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.10, 2.53) had higher odds of being associated with school truancy. Adolescents who planned suicide (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.36, 0.93) and whose parents did not intrude on their privacy (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.97) had lower odds of being associated with school truancy. CONCLUSION: School truancy is a critical issue in Sierra Leone, demanding multi-pronged interventions at policy and practice levels. Addressing underlying causes like alcohol use, sexual behaviour, planned suicide, and parent's intrusion of privacy is crucial. Key strategies include fostering positive school environments, providing mental health support, and improving parent-child communication.Item Predictors of insecticide-treated bed nets use among pregnant women in Sierra Leone: evidence from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey(BioMed Central, 2024-06-19) Osborne, AugustusBACKGROUND: Malaria remains a significant public health threat in Sierra Leone, particularly for pregnant women and their unborn children. Infection during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences, including maternal anaemia, low birth weight, premature birth, and even death. Therefore, preventing malaria during pregnancy is crucial for improving maternal and child health outcomes. This study investigated the predictors of insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) use among pregnant women in Sierra Leone. METHODS: The study analysed the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey data (SLDHS). The study comprised a total of 900 pregnant women aged 15-49 years, representing the nationally representative sample. A multivariable binary regression analysis was used to explore the predictors of ITN use. The regression results were presented using an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The study found that the prevalence of ITN use among pregnant women was 64.2 \[60.4, 67.9\] in Sierra Leone. Pregnant women who were married \[aOR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.32, 3.07\] had higher odds of bed net use than those who were unmarried. Pregnant women with five or more children \[aOR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.01, 2.84\] had higher odds of mosquito bed net use than those with four and below children. Pregnant women living in the Northern, Northwestern, Southern and Western regions all had lower odds of bed net use than those in the Eastern region, with the lowest odds among those living in the western region \[aOR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.09, 0.40\]. Pregnant women who were Muslims \[aOR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.41, 0.95\] had lower odds of mosquito bed net use than Christians. Pregnant women with female household heads \[aOR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.44, 0.95\] had lower odds of mosquito bed net use than those with male household heads. CONCLUSION: ITN use among pregnant women in Sierra Leone remains suboptimal. Marital status, parity, sex of household head, region and religion were associated with bed net use. The government and policymakers in Sierra Leone should integrate ITN education and distribution into prenatal care services, emphasizing the benefits for both mother and baby-partnering with healthcare providers to raise awareness and encourage consistent use. Involve local leaders, religious figures, and mothers' groups to promote the benefits of ITN during pregnancy. Educate husbands and partners on the importance of ITN use during pregnancy and encourage their support in its consistent use.Item Inequalities in measles immunization coverage among two-year-olds in Sierra Leone, 2008–2019(BioMed Central, 2024-11-11) Osborne, AugustusBACKGROUND: Measles, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, remains a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and achieving high immunization coverage is crucial for protecting children and communities. This study investigated the trends and inequalities in measles immunization coverage among two-year-olds in Sierra Leone between 2008 and 2019. METHODS: The study utilized data from the Sierra Leone Demographic Health Surveys conducted in 2008, 2013, and 2019. The World Health Organisation Health Equity Assessment Toolkit was used to calculate various inequality measures, including Difference (D), Ratio (R), Population Attributable Risk (PAR), and Population Attributable Fraction (PAF). An inequality assessment was conducted for six stratifiers: age, economic status, level of education, place of residence, sex of the child, and sub-national province. RESULTS: In Sierra Leone, measles immunization coverage increased between 2008 and 2013 and decreased slightly in 2019. In 2008, 66.2% of two-year-olds were immunized, which increased to 86.2% in 2013 and then fell slightly to 82.2% in 2019. There was a decrease in inequality for age from 4.2 percentage points in 2008 to 3.0 percentage points in 2019 (D = 4.2 in 2008 and 3.0 in 2019). Economic-related inequality decreased from 8.1 percentage points in 2008 to 7.5 percentage points in 2019 (D = 8.1 in 2008 and 7.5 in 2019). Inequality in education decreased from 10.3 percentage points in 2008 to 7.4 percentage points in 2019 based on results from the inequality measure D. For place of residence, inequality decreased from 6.0 percentage points in 2008 to 4.0 percentage points in 2019. For the child's sex, the inequality increased from 1.9 percentage points in 2008 to 4.5 percentage points in 2019. The PAF revealed that the setting average could have been 1.4% higher in 2008 and 2.7% higher in 2019 without the child's sex inequality. Provincial inequality decreased from 19.4 percentage points in 2008 to 16.9 percentage points in 2019 (D = 19.4 in 2008 and 16.9 in 2019). CONCLUSION: The observed fluctuations in national measles immunization coverage for children under two underscore the need for sustained efforts in vaccination programs. While improvements in access based on age, socioeconomic status, education level, and place of residence suggest progress in reducing inequalities, the persistent provincial disparities, with a significant gap in 2019, highlight ongoing challenges that must be addressed to ensure equitable health outcomes. Additionally, the increase in inequalities based on the child's sex during the study period raises concerns about targeted interventions that may inadvertently neglect specific groups. These findings imply that policymakers must prioritize strategies that maintain high vaccination rates and focus on closing the geographical and sex-based gaps, particularly in underserved provinces and among vulnerable populations.
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