Article
Infectious Diseases
Young Eun Kim
Summary: This study assessed the impact of the Ebola virus disease outbreak on child mortality in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone from 2014 to 2016. The results showed that the child mortality rate decreased significantly for children born after the outbreak, but the association with the increase in Ebola cases remained strong. Additionally, there were variations in the utilization of maternal health services after the outbreak.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Economics
Darin Christensen, Oeindrila Dube, Johannes Haushofer, Bilal Siddiqi, Maarten Voors
Summary: Research suggests that skepticism about the quality of health systems in developing countries contributes to higher mortality rates. By improving the perceived quality of healthcare through interventions, it is possible to promote community health and enhance the resilience of health systems during crises like epidemics.
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Hamida Massaquoi, Catherine Atuhaire, Gorgeous Sarah Chinkonono, Betty Nyawira Christensen, Hannah Bradby, Samuel Nambile Cumber
Summary: The study found that the Ebola epidemic posed numerous challenges to adolescent mothers' health-seeking behavior, such as fear of contracting Ebola, community perceptions, loss of income, extreme poverty, and encounters with health workers and facilities. These factors discouraged adolescent mothers from seeking healthcare services during the epidemic.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Daniela Manno, Philip Ayieko, David Ishola, Muhammed O. Afolabi, Baimba Rogers, Frank Baiden, Alimamy Serry-Bangura, Osman M. Bah, Brian Kohn, Ibrahim Swaray, Kwabena Owusu-Kyei, Godfrey T. Otieno, Dickens Kowuor, Daniel Tindanbil, Elizabeth Smout, Cynthia Robinson, Babajide Keshinro, Julie Foster, Katherine Gallagher, Brett Lowe, Macaya Douoguih, Bailah Leigh, Brian Greenwood, Deborah Watson-Jones
Summary: This study investigated the association between Ebola virus antibody seropositivity and concentration, and potential risk factors for infection. Among 1,282 adults and children from a community affected by the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, 8% tested positive for virus antibodies without experiencing any disease symptoms. Antibody concentration was found to increase with age.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Claudette Amuzu, Peter Bai James, Abdulai Jawo Bah, Alex Vandy Saffa Bayoh, Shepherd Roee Singer
Summary: Child survivors of the 2013-2016 West African Ebola virus disease outbreak were more likely to experience musculoskeletal, ocular, auditory, and neurological symptoms compared to their close contacts over a year after the outbreak ended. Joint pain and headache were the most common self-reported symptoms in both groups.
Article
Immunology
Ashley Hazel, Michelle C. Davidson, Abu Rogers, M. Bailor Barrie, Adams Freeman, Mohamed Mbayoh, Mohamed Kamara, Seth Blumberg, Thomas M. Lietman, George W. Rutherford, James Holland Jones, Travis C. Porco, Eugene T. Richardson, J. Daniel Kelly
Summary: This study examines the spread of the Ebola virus within social networks in Sukudu village. Although no evidence explaining the decline of the epidemic was found, the study excludes potential reasons and identifies three social interactions in Ebola transmission.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Padraig Lyons, Maike Winters, Zangin Zeebari, Kirsten Schmidt-Hellerau, Paul Sengeh, Mohammad B. Jalloh, Mohamed F. Jalloh, Helena Nordenstedt
Summary: The study found that religious leaders' messages during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone had a positive impact on promoting safe burial behaviors, including acceptance of alternative burial methods and waiting more than 2 days before burial.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nadezhda Duffy, Dana Bruden, Harold Thomas, Erin Nichols, Barbara Knust, Thomas Hennessy, Mary R. Reichler, James Bangura, Charles Keimbe, Amara Jambai, Oliver Morgan, Ismail Farmar, Francis Davies, Mohamed Sima Dumbuya, Hannah Kamara, Mohamed Kallon, Joseph Kpukumu, Sheku Abu, Fatmata Bangura, Saidu Rahim Bangura, Tomeh Bangura, Hassan Benya, Sandi Blango, Imurana Conteh, Peter Conteh, Bintu Jabbie, Sheku Jabbie, Luseni Kamara, Francis Lansana, Maada Rogers, Sahr Brima Sewa, Matthew Yamba, P. Bessler, Faith Washburn, E. Ervin, S. Campbell, W. Chung, S. Hersey
Summary: Household contacts who provide care to an Ebola virus disease (EVD) case have a significantly higher risk of contracting EVD compared to contacts who do not provide care. Limiting the number of care providers in a household can reduce the risk of EVD transmission to both care providers and non-care providers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel C. Ficenec, Donald S. Grant, Ibrahim Sumah, Foday Alhasan, Mohamed S. Yillah, Jenneh Brima, Edwin Konuwa, Michael A. Gbakie, Fatima K. Kamara, Nell G. Bond, Emily J. Engel, Jeffrey G. Shaffer, William A. Fischer, David A. Wohl, Susan D. Emmett, John S. Schieffelin
Summary: This study characterizes hearing loss among Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) survivors, finding that over 1/5 of survivors develop hearing loss. The association between hearing impairment and symptoms affecting the eye and nervous system is noted, suggesting a common mechanism of pathogenesis.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachid Muleia, Marc Aerts, Christel Faes
Summary: The study investigated the spatial heterogeneity of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in 2014 using a stochastic SEIR model, and found differences in transmission rates among districts. Bayesian estimation revealed potential persistence of the outbreak or likelihood of new cases in certain districts.
Article
Health Policy & Services
K. Megan Collier, Elizabeth K. Klein, Stephen Sevalie, Bailah Molleh, Yusuf Kabba, Abdulai Kargbo, Joseph Bangura, Henry Gbettu, Stewart Simms, Clara O'Leary, Stacy Drury, John S. Schieffelin, Theresa S. Betancourt, Thomas M. Crea
Summary: The 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak was the largest in history, resulting in approximately 11,000 deaths. This study explores the knowledge and beliefs about the disease among Ebola survivors and their families, emphasizing the importance of community-based public health responses.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Olivia Farrant, Mamadu Baldeh, Joseph Baio Kamara, Emma Bailey, Stephen Sevalie, Gibrilla Deen, James Baligeh Walter Russell, Daniel Youkee, Andy J. M. Leather, Justine Davies, Sulaiman Lakoh
Summary: This study aims to study the mortality of patients with COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, explore the factors associated with mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlight the complexities of treating patients with a novel epidemic disease in a fragile health system. The study found that the in-hospital mortality rate of COVID-19 patients in Sierra Leone was 41.3%, compared to the pre-pandemic rate of 23.8%. Factors contributing to the higher mortality were COVID-19 infection and hypertension.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kathryn M. Hogan, Henry Saidu Bangura, Jing Li, Mohamed Akmed Salim Kamara, Jiafu Jiang, Michael E. von Fricken
Summary: This study examines the impact of the 2014-2016 Ebola virus outbreak on tuberculosis treatment outcomes at a military hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The results show that factors such as HIV status, patient age, TB status, and the time since the start of the outbreak are significantly associated with TB treatment outcomes. The probability of unknown and unsuccessful treatment outcomes increased with each month after the outbreak.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Demography
Gillian McKay, Sara L. Nam, Maseray Fofanah, Suliaman Gbonnie Conteh, Shelley Lees, Luisa Enria
Summary: This study explores women's perspectives on delaying pregnancy and using family planning during the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, providing insights into the impact of the outbreak on maternal health services and the reasons behind women's choices.
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sachin Agnihotri, Charles Alpren, Brima Bangura, Sarah Bennett, Yelena Gorina, Jadnah D. Harding, Sara Hersey, Ansumana S. Kamara, Mohamed A. M. Kamara, John D. Klena, Fiona McLysaght, Nishi Patel, Lance Presser, John T. Redd, Thomas T. Samba, Alexander K. Taylor, Mohamed A. Vandi, Scott Van Heest
Summary: This study details the process of consolidating epidemic records and establishing a database during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, with a focus on assisting families in locating the graves of loved ones who passed away during the epidemic through the SLED Family Reunification Program. The project aimed to create a data source for epidemiological research and highlighted the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of this unique information source for public health research.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)