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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zuzana Hrdlickova, Joseph Mustapha Macarthy, Abu Conteh, S. Harris Ali, Victoria Blango, Alpha Sesay
Summary: The Ebola epidemic in West Africa from 2013 to 2016 was a valuable learning experience for the population, health experts, practitioners, and government structures. It went through stages of initial confusion and denial, followed by fear and stigmatization, and finally to community engagement and ownership of the response. This paper discusses the successful strategies deployed by two urban poor communities in Sierra Leone, such as developing and implementing by-laws for monitoring and surveillance, which helped curb the epidemic. The authors recommend earlier community engagement and two-way knowledge exchange for future public health emergencies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Osman Koroma, Yanhua Chen, Peicheng Wang, Geer Chen, Qian Lin, Ming Yen Cheung, Jiming Zhu
Summary: This study evaluated the National Community Health Worker Policy in Sierra Leone and found significant shortfalls in practice. CHWs' job satisfaction was generally low, mainly affected by factors such as payment, working conditions, and career development opportunities.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicholas Paul Oliphant, Nicolas Ray, Andrew Curtis, Elizabeth Musa, Momodu Sesay, Joseph Kandeh, Anitta Kamara, Kebir Hassen, Shane O'Connor, Yuki Suehiro, Hailemariam Legesse, Ebeny Francois Temgbait Chimoun, Debra Jackson, Tanya Doherty
Summary: Little is known about strategies for optimizing the scale and deployment of community health workers to improve geographic accessibility of primary healthcare services. The study uses data from Sierra Leone to explore the optimization of the scale and deployment of community health workers, providing insights for current policy and future plans.
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
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Onome T. Abiri, Abdulai J. Bah, Michael Lahai, Durodami R. Lisk, James P. Komeh, Joy Johnson, Wiltshire C. N. Johnson, Sheku S. Mansaray, Joseph Sam Kanu, James B. W. Russell, Fawzi Thomas, Murtada M. Sesay, Thomas A. Conteh, Alphan Tejan-Kella, Mohamed Sesay, Manal Ghazzawi, Brian Thompson, Sorie Conteh, Gibrilla Fadlu Deen
Summary: This article discusses the regulation and weaknesses of clinical trials during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, and emphasizes the need for the government and partners to provide more resources to build a better clinical trial structure and system for future public health emergencies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rianna T. Murray, Laura Briggs Drew, Christina Memmott, Ya-Maila Bangura, Elisabeth F. Maring
Summary: The Ebola epidemic from 2014-2016 in West Africa greatly impacted communities and families, with little known about the experiences of survivors. This qualitative study in Sierra Leone revealed that participants faced challenges such as fear, financial distress, and confusion during and after the epidemic. Despite the country being declared Ebola-free, stigma, fear, and distrust towards the government and healthcare system continued among community members. Future research should focus on the extended impact of the epidemic on communities, including long-term psychological, social, and economic consequences.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Samantha Horn, Yana Litovsky, George Loewenstein
Summary: This study suggests that curiosity can be a useful tool in increasing demand for and engagement with aversive health information. By manipulating curiosity through various methods, researchers found that participants were more likely to view and engage with information about their drinking habits, cancer risk, and the sugar content in drinks. Overall, curiosity prompts provide a simple and effective way to increase engagement with aversive health information.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sandra Gillner
Summary: Despite high expectations, the extensive and rapid adoption of AI in medical diagnostics has not been realized. This study investigates the perception and navigation of AI providers in complex healthcare systems, revealing their self-organization to increase adaptability and the practices utilized to mitigate tensions within the healthcare subsystems.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fabian Duartea, Alvaro Jimenez-Molina
Summary: This study found that violence related to social protest has a significant impact on depressive symptoms, leading to an increase in depression among the population in Chile. The effect varies by gender and age, with a stronger influence on men and young adults.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nick Graetz, Carl Gershenson, Sonya R. Porter, Danielle H. Sandler, Emily Lemmerman, Matthew Desmond
Summary: Investments in stable, affordable housing may be an important tool for improving population health. This study, using administrative data, found that high rent burden, increases in rent burden during midlife, and evictions were associated with increased mortality.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wan Wei
Summary: This study explores the phenomenon of other patient participation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), uncovering the various roles that third parties can assume during medical interactions. The findings contribute to existing research on patient resistance and triadic medical interactions, providing insights into the dynamics and implications of third-party involvement in medical consultations.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Harry Scarbrough, Katie Rose M. Sanfilippo, Alexandra Ziemann, Charitini Stavropoulou
Summary: This paper examines the contribution of pilot implementation studies to the wider spread and sustainability of innovation in healthcare systems. Through an empirical examination of an innovation intermediary organization in the English NHS, the study finds that their work in mobilizing pilot-based evidence involves configuring to context, transitioning evidence, and managing the transition. The findings contribute to theory by showing how intermediary roles can support the effective transitioning of pilot-based evidence, leading to more widespread adoption and sustainability of innovation.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marta Seiz, Leire Salazar, Tatiana Eremenko
Summary: This study examines the impact of maternal educational selection on birth outcomes during an economic recession, and finds that more educated mothers are more likely to give birth during high unemployment periods. Additionally, maternal education mitigates the adverse effects of unemployment on birth outcomes and is consistently associated with better perinatal health.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jingyuan Shi, Hye Kyung Kim, Charles T. Salmon, Edson C. Tandoc Jr, Zhang Hao Goh
Summary: This study examines the influence of individual and collective norms on COVID-19 vaccination intention across eight Asian countries. The findings reveal nuanced patterns of how individual and collective social norms influence health behavioral decisions, depending on the degree of cultural tightness-looseness.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elliot Friedman, Melissa Franks, Elizabeth Teas, Patricia A. Thomas
Summary: This study found that positive relations with others have a significant impact on functional limitations and longevity in aging adults, independent of social integration and social support.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zhuolin Pan, Yuqi Liu, Ye Liu, Ziwen Huo, Wenchao Han
Summary: This study examines the effects of age-friendly neighbourhood environment and functional abilities on life satisfaction among older adults in urban China. The findings highlight the importance of transportation, housing, and social and physical environment factors in influencing functional abilities and life satisfaction. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers in enhancing older adults' life satisfaction in the Chinese urban context.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2024)