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 Isolation of Angola-like Marburg virus from Egyptian rousette bats from West Africa(Nature Portfolio, 2020-01-24) Amman, Brian RMarburg virus (MARV) causes sporadic outbreaks of severe Marburg virus disease (MVD). Most MVD outbreaks originated in East Africa and field studies in East Africa, South Africa, Zambia, and Gabon identified the Egyptian rousette bat (ERB; Rousettus aegyptiacus) as a natural reservoir. However, the largest recorded MVD outbreak with the highest case-fatality ratio happened in 2005 in Angola, where direct spillover from bats was not shown. Here, collaborative studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Njala University, University of California, Davis USAID-PREDICT, and the University of Makeni identify MARV circulating in ERBs in Sierra Leone. PCR, antibody and virus isolation data from 1755 bats of 42 species shows active MARV infection in approximately 2.5% of ERBs. Phylogenetic analysis identifies MARVs that are similar to the Angola strain. These results provide evidence of MARV circulation in West Africa and demonstrate the value of pathogen surveillance to identify previously undetected threats.Item Predicting the adoption of improved cassava varieties in Sierra Leone(Academic Journals, 2021-02-15) Sesay, Janatu VeronicaIn Sierra Leone cassava plays a major role in households’ food and income security. Plant breeders have concentrated on improved varieties with an increasing yields per unit area. This study was designed to identify factors that influence adoption or rejection of improved cassava cultivars by growers. Data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions and field walks; locations were selected using multistage stratified random sampling. Logistic regression was used to model uptake of improved varieties. Most farmers usually grow several cultivars and just over half have included an improved variety. Of the six improved varieties released in 2005 by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute, only SLICASS 4, was widely adopted and three were not recorded in the study. Preferred characteristics are; high yield, sweet taste, early maturity and good cooking quality. Cultivars are more likely to be adopted where; cassava is a major crop, households are experienced in cultivating cassava, they have access to research, contact with extension agents and access to cassava markets. Improved cultivars are less likely to be adopted by small households with few resources. Cassava breeders should recognize what farmers find desirable but success will depend on; communicating research, having active extension agents and good access to markets. Key words: Adoption, improved varieties, cassava, Sierra Leone.Item 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 The use of condoms and other birth control methods among sexually active school-going adolescents in nine sub-Saharan African countries(BioMed Central, 2022-12-16) James, Peter BaiBACKGROUND: Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa still face sexual and reproductive health challenges. Contraceptives have been used to address these challenges. Despite efforts at national and global levels, contraceptive uptake among young people in Africa remains a challenge due to personal, societal, and health systems-based barriers. We estimated the prevalence and correlates of condom use and other birth control methods among sexually active school-going adolescents in nine sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Global School-based Student Health Surveys (GSHS) datasets pooled from nine SSA countries. We included a sample of 27,504 school-going adolescents 11 years and younger and 18 years and older. We employed meta-analysis using a random-effects model to estimate the total prevalence of the use of condoms, other birth control methods other than a condom and any birth control method at last sexual intercourse. We conducted complex sample descriptive and logistic regression analyses to determine the characteristics and determinants of not using condoms and other birth control methods among sexually active school-going adolescents in nine sub-Saharan African countries, respectively. RESULTS: More than half \[n = 4430, 53.8% (43.9-63.8)\], two-fifth \[n = 3242, 39.5% (33.2-45.9) and two-thirds of adolescents \[n = 4838, 65.6% (57.5-73.7)\] of sexually active in school adolescents across the nine sub-Saharan African countries used condom, other birth control methods and any form birth control method during their last sexual intercourse, respectively. The non-use of condoms at last sex was associated with being younger (less than 16 years) \[AOR = 1.48;95%CI: 1.12-1.94\], early sexual debut \[AOR = 1.81(1.47-2.22)\], having two or more sexual partners \[AOR = 1.30(1.06-1.58)\] and no/minimal parental support \[AOR = 1.54(1.17-2.03)\]. The non-use of other birth control methods at last sex was associated with being male \[AOR = 1.37 (1.09-1.73)\], early sexual debut \[AOR = 1.83(1.48-2.27) and having no parental support \[AOR = 1.64(1.34-2.00)\]. CONCLUSION: Contraceptive need among sexually active school adolescents in the nine sub-Saharan African countries is high. Such a need calls for the development of country-specific and or the review of existing school-based sexual health education and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health interventions that target risky adolescents and promote adolescent-parent effective communication, connectedness and support.Item Sexual risk behaviour among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone and Liberia: a secondary analysis of the 2017 Global school-based student health surveys(BioMed Central, 2022-12-24) James, Peter BaiBACKGROUND: Sierra Leone and Liberia have experienced civil wars and, recently, Ebola outbreaks that led to profound economic hardship, psychopathologies and family disruptions. These factors are associated with sexual risk behaviours among youths. However, there is very little information on sexual risk behaviour among Sierra Leonean and Liberian school-going adolescents. The present study assessed the prevalence and determinants of sexual risk behaviours among school-going adolescents (10-19 years) in Sierra Leone and Liberia. METHOD: We used publicly available nationally representative cross-sectional datasets of the 2017 Sierra Leone and Liberia Global school health survey. The sample consisted of 2798 and 2744 school-going adolescents from Sierra Leone and Liberia, respectively. Complex sample descriptive and regression analysis was used to analyse our data. RESULTS: The majority of adolescents in the two countries were involved in multiple sexual risk behaviour (80.2%), with a higher prevalence observed in Sierra Leone (85.2%) than in Liberia (75.3%). Liberian adolescents showed lesser odds of indulging in multiple sexual risk behaviours than their Sierra Leonean counterparts (AOR = 0.572; 95%CI: 0.345-0.946). Male, compared to females, were more likely to engage in multiple sexual risk behaviour (AOR = 2.310;95%CI:1.543-3.458), with a similar pattern observed in both countries. Alcohol use was associated with multiple sexual risk behaviour (AOR = 3.064; 95%CI: 2.137-4.392). Also, in Sierra Leone and Liberia, adolescents with one and two or more forms of psychological distress were more likely to have ever had sex than those who did not show any form of psychological distress. Missing class/school was associated with multiple sexual risk behaviour (AOR = 1.655; 95%CI:1.133-2.418). Peer support was only found to be a protective factor against no condom use among Liberian adolescents (AOR = 0.608; 95%CI: 0.435-0.850). Less parental support was only associated with ever had sex among adolescents in Sierra Leone (AOR = 2.027; 95%CI: 1.322-3.107) but not in Liberia (AOR = 1.034; 95%CI: 0.650-1.644). CONCLUSION: Our study found a high sexual risk behaviour among school-going adolescents in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Our finding highlights the need to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education in schools and communities that incorporate mental health promotion activities tailored to this group.Item IN-VITRO EFFECTS OF HESPERIDIN ON HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES SICKLING WITH MODIFICATIONS OF FUNCTIONAL CHEMISTRY(2022-08-15) Nwankwo, Henry ChizobaSickle cell disease (SCD) is still one of the highest leading inbred hemoglobinopathy amid Africans. The In-vitro effects of hesperidin on sickling human erythrocytes with functional chemistry of human sickle erythrocytes were investigated by standard methods.The induction of sickle cell in erythrocytes was done using 2%sodium metabisulphite at 3 hours optimally. The prevention and curative approaches (PA and CA) were adopted in comparison of human erythrocytesfrom AA-genotype. The erythrocytes were grouped into 3; AA–hesperidin treated (AA××), AA–hesperidin treated (AA×) and sickle cell serving as negative control (NC). The results showed 83% and 86% antisickling potency of hesperidin for prevention and curative approaches respectively. The results of functional chemistry analysis showed that hesperidin modifies the functional groups in favor of its antisickling effects judging from the FTIR observed bends and shifts. From GC-MS and LC-MS analyses, it was practical that hesperidin treatment favors the productions of fatty acid alkyl monoesters (FAMEs) with concomitant shutting down-effects on selenocompound metabolism. Pathway enrichment and topology analyses revealed non-specifically activation of fatty acid biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways upon hesperidin treatment. Thus, sickling-suppressive effects of hesperidin could potentially be associated with modulation of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemglobinthroughpossible modification of human sickle erythrocyte’s functional chemistry.Item Challenges of Biodiversity Conservation in Africa: A Case Study of Sierra Leone(Springer International Publishing, 2022) Fayiah, MosesItem Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice on family planning among women of reproductive age at hospitals and clinic centers in the rural Western Sierra Leone.(National Institutes of Health, 2022-06-01) Koroma, Alusine HassanInformed decisions about one's sexual and reproductive health can be made through family planning. Women of reproductive age in rural Sierra Leone's Western area were asked to participate in a survey to determine their attitudes and knowledge toward family planning and the use of contraceptives. A descriptive cross-sectional study survey was conducted in the Western Area Rural of Sierra Leone. Females in the range of 15 to 49 years old were included in the study. The research was conducted from November 2021 to December 2021. Using a pre-designed and pretested questionnaire, 180 women were assessed for their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding family planning. According to the study, all participants knew about family planning, but only 68.3% had used contraceptives. There were more than half who learned about it from the media. The study found that 95% of participants had a positive attitude towards contraceptives. Most commonly, contraceptives used were oral pills (31.6), injections (21.1%), implants (19.1%), lactational amenorrhea (13.8%), condoms (8.8%), and intrauterine devices (5%). In our study, the most common reasons given by participants for not using contraceptives were; not willing to disclose 52.6%, a desire for a child 19.2%, fear of side effects 15.7%, currently pregnant 8.7%, and against religious beliefs 3.5%. The study shows that even if people are aware and educated about contraceptives, they may not use them. Educating and motivating people and improving access to family planning services are still necessary to improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of contraceptive use and halt the population growth trend.Item Multi-cropping: A land-use pattern that supports livelihood activities and prevents land degradation in Sierra Leone(Serbian Geographical Society, 2023) Fayiah, MosesLand is a precious resource that requires adequate management attention to harness its potential of sustaining life and enhancing livelihood for all. The emergence of multi-cropping practices in Sierra Leone has negative and positive outcomes regarding environ-mental degradation. This article tries to synthesize multi-cropping land use challenges, benefits and role in tackling land degradation. The study was conducted in Mile 91 surrounding communities, Yoni Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, Northern provinces, Sierra Leone. A total of 100 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed. Additional data was collected through observation, group discussions and desktop review. The study reveals that multi-cropping practices, farming and deforestation were the main drivers of land-use change in the study. The key challenges facing the sustainable management of lands in Sierra Leone are obsolete land policies, complex land tenure system and conventional shifting cultivation practices. The land ownership system is strictly communal, with only a few families owning family bushes. The influx of recruited workers from overseas and other parts of Sierra Leone has positive and negative denotation. The study found that social problems like land confrontations, increase in food prices, school dropout rate, and dilution of traditional beliefs and norms are common in the study area. It is concluded that land-use change by multi-cropping is affecting the sustainable land management plan across the country. It is recommended that the government review past land policies and land tenure systems to tackle land confrontations soon.