Department of Environmental Health Sciences

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace.njala.edu.sl/handle/20.500.144402/168

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Author: search.filters.author.Kamara, Abu-Bakarr S

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    Analysing the association between perceived knowledge, and attitudes on Lassa Fever infections and mortality risk factors in lower Bambara Chiefdom
    (BioMed Central, 2024-06-24) Kamara, Abu-Bakarr S
    BACKGROUND: Lassa fever (LF) presents significant public health challenges in Sierra Leone, particularly in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom. This study aims to deeply understand how knowledge and attitudes towards LF correlate with community-driven prevention and control measures. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative approach was used to conduct the research. Data from 2167 participants were collected using an Android-based survey from 1st February 2022 to 14th February 2022. Respondents' knowledge of LF causes, risk factors, transmission modes, and preventive measures were evaluated through a multiple-choice questionnaire, and attitudes toward prevention and control were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 and frequencies were presented in count, percentage, and table. Chi-square statistics were used to test for associations. RESULTS: Among the 2167 participants, over half were males (1184, 54.60%), farmers (1406, 64.90%), married (monogamous) (1428, 65.90%), and had never attended school (1336, 61.70%). Respondents demonstrated high knowledge levels of LF across socio-demographic groups (33% to 100%) and shared a positive attitude towards prevention and control (mean score of 26.77 on a 5-40 scale). Educational level, religious beliefs, and occupational status significantly influenced LF knowledge (p < 0.05). Specifically, illiterates had a high knowledge score of 48.24%, while those with tertiary education had the highest score at 83.33%. Additionally, a Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive linear relationship between the degree of knowledge and positive attitude towards LF infection and mortality risk factors (r = 0.090, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: High LF knowledge in Lower Bambara Chiefdom positively influences prevention attitudes. Education, religion, and occupation are key factors. Tailored interventions enhance public health efforts.
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    Socioeconomic and environmental predictors of lassa fever transmission in Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone
    (BioMed Central, 2025-10-31) Kamara, Abu-Bakarr S
    BACKGROUND: Lassa fever (LF), is a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa and poses significant public health challenges. This study explores and identifies socioeconomic, and environmental markers contributing to transmission of LF in Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative survey was used, and through stratified sampling and a systematic data collection approach, we selected 26 enumeration areas (EAs) generating 2,167 households. A structured questionnaire was administered to capture respondents' demographics, community characteristics, and LF-related risk factors. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). These included descriptive statistics to summarize the data, Chi-square tests to assess associations between categorical variables, and bivariate analyses specifically cross-tabulations and Chi-square tests to identify potential risk factors and correlations between sociodemographic/environmental variables and LF transmission. RESULTS: Less-bushy surroundings (53.9% to 73.5%); common mixed farming practice (61.5%); standpipes water source (40.5%) and waste burning practice (77.3%) are the most dominant environmental markers. Socioeconomic markers: farming (53.9%); construction materials included mud walls (72.0%) and zinc roofing (90.0%). Logging activities (36.9%) were conducted close to residential areas, with an average distance of just 14.7 m. Demographic variables sex, age, education, occupation, and relationship to the household head were statistically significant to LF transmission (p < 0.05). Environmental and socioeconomic markers such as farming practices, construction materials, palm-fruit storage, slashing and burning activities were significant (p < 0.05) LF transmission markers. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, demographic factors and poor environmental and socioeconomic practices like inadequate waste disposal, close proximity to logging sites and unsafe farming practices were significantly associated with LF transmission. These findings highlight areas that community education and environmental sanitation should be prioritised by public health policymakers and community-based prevention programs.