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Lakoh S, Bangura MM, Adekanmbi O, Barrie U, Jiba DF, Kamara MN, Sesay D, Jalloh AT, Deen GF, Russell JBW, Egesimba G, Yendewa GA, Firima E. Impact of COVID-19 on the Utilization of HIV Testing and Linkage Services in Sierra Leone: Experience from Three Public Health Facilities in Freetown. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1235-1243. [PMID: 37642824 PMCID: PMC10940454 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04149-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the delivery of essential health services globally. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on HIV testing and linkage services at three public health facilities in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing and linkage to treatment services (HTS) at Connaught Hospital (CH-tertiary), Lumley Government Hospital (LGH-secondary) and George Brooke Community Health Center (GBC-primary) in Freetown. Statistical analyses were conducted in Stata (16.1, StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). Intra-pandemic HTS (2020) and HTS during recovery (2021) were compared with pre-pandemic HTS (2019). Of the 8538 people tested for HIV in the three facilities, 4929 (57.5%) visited CH. Only 2249 people were tested for HIV in 2020 compared to 3825 in 2019 (difference: - 41.2%, P < 0.001). Fewer people were also tested in 2021 (difference: - 35.6% P < 0.001). The largest reductions in testing in 2020 occurred in women (- 47.7%), children under 15 (- 95.2%), married people (- 42.6%), and CH (- 46.2%). Overall, 1369 (16.0%) people were positive for HIV; CH (878, 17.9%), LGH (469, 15.6%) and GBC (22, 3.5%). The likelihood of a positive HIV test was 26% lower in 2020 than 2019 (PR 0.74; 95% CI 0.64-0.85; P < 0.001), but 16% higher in 2021 than 2019 (PR 1.16; 95% CI 1.03-1.30; P < 0.05). Of the 1369 HIV diagnosis, 526 (38.4%) were linked to care. We found significant disruptions in HIV testing and linkage services at different levels of service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need to strengthen essential health services during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Moses M Bangura
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Darlinda F Jiba
- Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Daniel Sesay
- Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Abdulai Tejan Jalloh
- Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Gibrilla F Deen
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - James B W Russell
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Ginika Egesimba
- ICAP at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - George A Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria.
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Song JW, Yang G, Kamara MN, Sun W, Guan Q, Barrie U, Jiba DF, Jalloh AT, Liu M, Tamba FK, Yendewa GA, Wang L, Zhao R, Lakoh S. HIV viral suppression at different thresholds and duration of treatment in the dolutegravir treatment era in Sierra Leone: a nationwide survey. Virol J 2023; 20:279. [PMID: 38031075 PMCID: PMC10687966 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02245-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Viral load assessment for people living with HIV is key for monitoring treatment and achieving the 95-95-95. In this study, we aimed to assess the degree of viral suppression at different thresholds and treatment duration after the introduction of dolutegravir-based therapy in ten public hospitals in Sierra Leone. METHODS We used a cross-sectional study design to recruits patients aged 18 years or older between August 2022 and January 2023. Statistical analyses were performed using R-software. Logistic regression was used to assess factors independently associated with viral suppression. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 2,253 patients recruited, 1,720 (76%) were women and 1,705 (76%) were receiving a fixed dose combination of tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir. The median age and duration of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) was 36.0 (IQR, 28.0-45.0) years and 40.9 (IQR, 14.4-79.6) months, respectively. Using a threshold of HIV RNA < 1000 copies/mL, 1,715 (88.4%) patients on ART for more than 6 months were virally suppressed. Viral suppression rates were higher with dolutegravir-based (1,277, 89.5%) than efavirenz-based (418, 86.2%) ART. HIV RNA was < 200 copies/mL in 1,643 (84.6%) patients or < 50 copies/mL in 1,487 (76.6%) patients or between 50 and 999 copies/mL in 228 (11.7%) patients. Viral suppression rates at different ART durations (months) were as follows: 84.2% (≤ 3), 88.8% (4-6), 90.9% (6-12), and 88.1% (> 12). Viral suppression rates were higher for patients aged 40 or older (40-50 years: aOR 2.05, 95%CI 1.41-3.04, P < 0.01; 50-60 years: aOR 2.51, 95%CI 1.53-4.35, P < 0.01; >60 years: aOR 2.69, 95%CI 1.28-6.63, P = 0.02). Men had 49% lower odds of viral suppression than women (aOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.38-0.67, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION We report a viral suppression rate of 88.4% among patients on treatment for at least 6 months, with higher rate of suppression with dolutegravir than efavirenz. Factors associated with virological suppression were age and gender, emphasizing the need for innovative differentiated ART delivery models to optimize viral suppression and achieve the 95% target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Wen Song
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Wei Sun
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qun Guan
- The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Darlinda F Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Abdulai Tejan Jalloh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Francis K Tamba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - George A Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ligui Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Rongtao Zhao
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
| | - Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
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Jiba DF, Lakoh S, Wang S, Sun W, Barrie U, Kamara MN, Jalloh AT, Tamba FK, Yendewa GA, Song JW, Yang G. Sero-prevalence of syphilis infection among people living with HIV in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional nationwide hospital-based study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:762. [PMID: 37932713 PMCID: PMC10626761 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08740-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, there were an estimated 7.1 million new syphilis infections in 2020, with more than 30% of these new infections reported in African countries such as Sierra Leone. Despite this, there is no HIV-specific syphilis screening program in Sierra Leone. Thus, data are needed to inform public health practice. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of syphilis seropositivity and factors associated with syphilis seropositivity among people living with HIV (PLHIV). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at 10 health facilities in Sierra Leone, among adults with HIV, aged 18 years or older, from September 2022 to January 2023. Parameters of interest were collected including age, sex, marriage, antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen, HIV viral load, duration of ART treatment, and hospital level of care. The syphilis antibody was detected by a rapid test based on immunochromatography assay. Data were analyzed using R-software version 4.2.3 (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Pearson's χ2 test, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were applied to assess the differences in syphilis seropositivity between groups as appropriate. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with syphilis seropositivity. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS Of the 3082 PLHIV individuals in our study, 2294 (74.4%) were female and 2867 (93.0%) were receiving ART. With a median age of 36 years, 211 (6.8%, 95% CI 6.0-7.7) were positive for syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis was highest in people aged 60 years and over (21.1%, 95%CI 14.7-29.2), followed by people aged 50-60 years (15.5%, 95%CI 11.9-19.9) and in the widowed population (11.9%, 95%CI 8.9-15.8). There were no differences in syphilis seropositivity between gender, ART status, ART regimen, duration of ART, HIV viral load and hospital level of care. Older age (50-60 years: adjusted OR 3.49, 95%CI 2.09-5.85 P < 0.001; 60-100 years: adjusted OR 4.28, 95%CI 2.21-8.17, P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of seropositive syphilis. CONCLUSIONS We observed a high prevalence of syphilis among PLHIV. Older people and widowed population have higher syphilis seropositivity. Older age was an independent predictor of syphilis positivity. Therefore, we call for the integration of syphilis screening, treatment and prevention in HIV services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darlinda F Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Sulaiman Lakoh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Shuchao Wang
- Changchun Veterinary Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Sun
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Abdulai Tejan Jalloh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Francis K Tamba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - George A Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jin-Wen Song
- Senior Department of Infectious Diseases, the Fifth Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Lakoh S, Yi L, Russell JBW, Zhang J, Sevalie S, Zhao Y, Kanu JS, Liu P, Conteh SK, Williams CEE, Barrie U, Adekanmbi O, Jiba DF, Kamara MN, Sesay D, Deen GF, Okeibunor JC, Yendewa GA, Guo X, Firima E. High incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and related antibiotic resistance in two hospitals of different geographic regions of Sierra Leone: a prospective cohort study. BMC Res Notes 2023; 16:301. [PMID: 37907960 PMCID: PMC10619308 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06591-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common worldwide, but due to limited resources, its actual burden in low-income countries is unknown. Currently, there are gaps in knowledge about CAUTI due to lack of surveillance activities in Sierra Leone. In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the incidence of CAUTI and associated antibiotic resistance in two tertiary hospitals in different regions of Sierra Leone. RESULTS The mean age of the 459 recruited patients was 48.8 years. The majority were females (236, 51.3%). Amongst the 196 (42.6%) catheterized patients, 29 (14.8%) developed CAUTI. Bacterial growth was reported in 32 (84%) patients. Escherichia coli (14, 23.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10, 17.0%), and Klebsiella oxytoca (8, 13.6%) were the most common isolates. Most isolates were ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (33, 56%) and WHO Priority 1 (Critical) pathogens (38, 71%). Resistance of K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, E. coli, and Proteus mirabilis was higher with the third-generation cephalosporins and penicillins but lower with carbapenems, piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin. To reduce the high incidence of CAUTI and multi-drug resistance organisms, urgent action is needed to strengthen the microbiology diagnostic services and develop and implement catheter bundles that provide clear guidance for catheter insertion, care and removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
| | - Le Yi
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - James B W Russell
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Juling Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Stephen Sevalie
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- 34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Yongkun Zhao
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Sarah K Conteh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Christine Ellen Elleanor Williams
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Darlinda F Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Daniel Sesay
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Gibrilla F Deen
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - George A Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xuejun Guo
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- , SolidarMed, Maseru, Lesotho
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria
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Kamara MN, Lakoh S, Kallon C, Kanu JS, Kamara RZ, Kamara IF, Moiwo MM, Kpagoi SSTK, Adekanmbi O, Manzi M, Fofanah BD, Shewade HD. Hand Hygiene Practices and Promotion in Public Hospitals in Western Sierra Leone: Changes Following Operational Research in 2021. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:486. [PMID: 37999605 PMCID: PMC10674222 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hand hygiene is the most important intervention for preventing healthcare-associated infections and can reduce preventable morbidity and mortality. We described the changes in hand hygiene practices and promotion in 13 public hospitals (six secondary and seven tertiary) in the Western Area of Sierra Leone following the implementation of recommendations from an operational research study. This was a "before and after" observational study involving two routine cross-sectional assessments using the WHO hand hygiene self-assessment framework (HHSAF) tool. The overall mean HHSAF score changed from 273 in May 2021 to 278 in April 2023; it decreased from 278 to 250 for secondary hospitals but increased from 263 to 303 for tertiary hospitals. The overall mean HHSAF score and that of the tertiary hospitals remained at the "intermediate" level, while secondary hospitals declined from "intermediate" to "basic" level. The mean score increased for the "system change" and "institutional safety climate" domains, decreased for "training and education" and "reminders in the workplace" domains, and remained the same for the "evaluation and feedback" domain. Limited resources for hand hygiene promotion, lack of budgetary support, and formalized patient engagement programs are the persistent gaps that should be addressed to improve hand hygiene practices and promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Christiana Kallon
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Rugiatu Z Kamara
- US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Matilda Mattu Moiwo
- Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Satta S T K Kpagoi
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Hemant Deepak Shewade
- Division of Health Systems Research, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai 600077, India
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Moiwo MM, Kamara GN, Kamara D, Kamara IF, Sevalie S, Koroma Z, Kamara KN, Kamara MN, Kamara RZ, Kpagoi SSTK, Konteh SA, Margao S, Fofanah BD, Thomas F, Kanu JS, Tweya HM, Shewade HD, Harries AD. Have Hand Hygiene Practices in Two Tertiary Care Hospitals, Freetown, Sierra Leone, Improved in 2023 following Operational Research in 2021? Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:431. [PMID: 37755893 PMCID: PMC10538178 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2021, an operational research study in two tertiary hospitals in Freetown showed poor hand hygiene compliance. Recommended actions were taken to improve the situation. Between February-April 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the same two hospitals using the World Health Organization hand hygiene tool to assess and compare hand hygiene compliance with that observed between June-August 2021. In Connaught hospital, overall hand hygiene compliance improved from 51% to 60% (p < 0.001), and this applied to both handwash actions with soap and water and alcohol-based hand rub. Significant improvements were found in all hospital departments and amongst all healthcare worker cadres. In 34 Military Hospital (34MH), overall hand hygiene compliance decreased from 40% to 32% (p < 0.001), with significant decreases observed in all departments and amongst nurses and nursing students. The improvements in Connaught Hospital were probably because of more hand hygiene reminders, better handwash infrastructure and more frequent supervision assessments, compared with 34MH where interventions were less well applied, possibly due to the extensive hospital reconstruction at the time. In conclusion, recommendations from operational research in 2021 contributed towards the improved distribution of hand hygiene reminders, better handwash infrastructure and frequent supervision assessments, which possibly led to improved hand hygiene compliance in one of the two hospitals. These actions need to be strengthened, scaled-up and guided by ongoing operational research to promote good hand hygiene practices elsewhere in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Mattu Moiwo
- Ministry of Defence, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Joint Medical Unit, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (G.N.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Gladys Nanilla Kamara
- Ministry of Defence, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Joint Medical Unit, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (G.N.K.); (S.S.)
- Department of Clinical Research, Sustainable Health Systems, 34 Military Hospital Research Center, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Dauda Kamara
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (D.K.); (Z.K.); (K.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.); (S.M.); (J.S.K.)
| | | | - Stephen Sevalie
- Ministry of Defence, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Joint Medical Unit, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (G.N.K.); (S.S.)
- Department of Clinical Research, Sustainable Health Systems, 34 Military Hospital Research Center, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Zikan Koroma
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (D.K.); (Z.K.); (K.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.); (S.M.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Kadijatu Nabie Kamara
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (D.K.); (Z.K.); (K.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.); (S.M.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Matilda N. Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (M.N.K.); (F.T.)
| | - Rugiatu Z. Kamara
- United States Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone;
| | | | | | - Senesie Margao
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (D.K.); (Z.K.); (K.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.); (S.M.); (J.S.K.)
| | - Bobson Derrick Fofanah
- World Health Organization Country Office, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (I.F.K.); (B.D.F.)
| | - Fawzi Thomas
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (M.N.K.); (F.T.)
- Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, National Pharmacovigilance Centre, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (D.K.); (Z.K.); (K.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.); (S.M.); (J.S.K.)
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (M.N.K.); (F.T.)
| | - Hannock M. Tweya
- International Training and Education Centre for Health, Lilongwe P.O. Box 30369, Malawi;
| | - Hemant Deepak Shewade
- Division of Health Systems Research, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai 600077, India;
| | - Anthony David Harries
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 2 Rue Lantier, 75001 Paris, France;
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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7
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Kamara RZ, Kamara IF, Moses F, Kanu JS, Kallon C, Kabba M, Moffett DB, Fofanah BD, Margao S, Kamara MN, Moiwo MM, Kpagoi SSTK, Tweya HM, Kumar AMV, Terry RF. Improvement in Infection Prevention and Control Compliance at the Three Tertiary Hospitals of Sierra Leone following an Operational Research Study. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:378. [PMID: 37505674 PMCID: PMC10385074 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8070378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes in line with the World Health Organization's (WHO) eight core components has been challenging in Sierra Leone. In 2021, a baseline study found that IPC compliance in three tertiary hospitals was sub-optimal. We aimed to measure the change in IPC compliance and describe recommended actions at these hospitals in 2023. This was a 'before and after' observational study using two routine cross-sectional assessments of IPC compliance using the WHO IPC Assessment Framework tool. IPC compliance was graded as inadequate (0-200), basic (201-400), intermediate (401-600), and advanced (601-800). The overall compliance scores for each hospital showed an improvement from 'Basic' in 2021 to 'Intermediate' in 2023, with a percentage increase in scores of 16.9%, 18.7%, and 26.9% in these hospitals. There was improved compliance in all core components, with the majority in the 'Intermediate' level for each hospital IPC programme. Recommended actions including the training of healthcare workers and revision of IPC guidelines were undertaken, but a dedicated IPC budget and healthcare-associated infection surveillance remained as gaps in 2023. Operational research is valuable in monitoring and improving IPC programme implementation. To reach the 'Advanced' level, these hospitals should establish a dedicated IPC budget and develop long-term implementation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rugiatu Z. Kamara
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Country Office, Emergency Operation Centre, Wilkinson Road, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone;
| | - Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara
- World Health Organization Country Office, 21 A-B Riverside Drive, Off Kingharman Road, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (I.F.K.); (B.D.F.)
| | - Francis Moses
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Science, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone
| | - Christiana Kallon
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
| | - Mustapha Kabba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
| | - Daphne B. Moffett
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Country Office, Emergency Operation Centre, Wilkinson Road, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone;
| | - Bobson Derrick Fofanah
- World Health Organization Country Office, 21 A-B Riverside Drive, Off Kingharman Road, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (I.F.K.); (B.D.F.)
| | - Senesie Margao
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
| | - Matilda N. Kamara
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
| | - Matilda Mattu Moiwo
- Ministry of Defence, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone;
| | - Satta S. T. K. Kpagoi
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Fourth Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown 00232, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (J.S.K.); (C.K.); (M.K.); (S.M.); (M.N.K.); (S.S.T.K.K.)
| | - Hannock M. Tweya
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
- International Training and Education for Health, Lilongwe P.O. Box 30369, Malawi
| | - Ajay M. V. Kumar
- International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2 Rue Jean Lantier, 75001 Paris, France;
- International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, South-East Asia Office, C-6, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016, India
- Department of Community Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), University Road, Deralakatte 75018, India
| | - Robert F. Terry
- The Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
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8
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Lakoh S, John-Cole V, Luke RD, Bell N, Russell JB, Mustapha A, Barrie U, Abiri OT, Coker JM, Kamara MN, Coker FJ, Adekanmbi O, Kamara IF, Fofanah BD, Jiba DF, Adeniji AO, Kenneh S, Deen GF, Moon TD, Yendewa GA, Firima E. Antibiotic use and consumption in Freetown, Sierra Leone: A baseline report of prescription stewardship in outpatient clinics of three tertiary hospitals. IJID Reg 2023; 7:43-51. [PMID: 37038468 PMCID: PMC10082370 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Objective As there are no country-representative data on bacterial sensitivities to guide antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions, an AMS programme was established in the outpatient clinics of three tertiary hospitals in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Methods The study employed a cross-sectional design to collect antibiotic prescribing data from 370 pregnant women and lactating mothers, 314 children and 229 regular patients in the outpatient clinics of the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), Ola During Children's Hospital and Connaught Hospital (CH), respectively, in April 2022. All data were analysed using Stata Version 16. Results Of 913 patients, most were female (n=635, 69.5%), treated at PCMH (n=370, 40.5%) and had a bacterial infection (n=661, 72.4%). The indication for prescribing antibiotics was inappropriate in 252 (27.6%) patients. Of the 1236 prescriptions, 393 (31.8%) were made at CH. The duration of antibiotic use was not stated in 230 (18.6%) prescriptions. Overall antibiotic consumption was 55.3 defined daily doses per 1000 outpatient-days. Conclusion Gaps in antibiotic prescriptions were identified in the outpatient clinics of three national referral hospitals in Sierra Leone. In order to combat antimicrobial resistance, AMS interventions are needed to reduce the prescription of antibiotics for inappropriate indications or without specified duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Valerie John-Cole
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Ronita D.C. Luke
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Nellie Bell
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - James B.W. Russell
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Ayeshatu Mustapha
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Onome T. Abiri
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Joshua M. Coker
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N. Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Freddie J. Coker
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Darlinda F. Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Adetunji O. Adeniji
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
| | - Sartie Kenneh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Gibrilla F. Deen
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Troy D. Moon
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - George A. Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Division Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SolidarMed, Maseru, Lesotho
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria
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9
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Lakoh S, Yi L, Russell JB, Zhang J, Sevalie S, Zhao Y, Kanu JS, Liu P, Conteh SK, Williams CEE, Barrie U, Sheku MG, Jalloh MB, Adekanmbi O, Jiba DF, Kamara MN, Deen GF, Okeibunor JC, Yendewa GA, Guo X, Firima E. The burden of surgical site infections and related antibiotic resistance in two geographic regions of Sierra Leone: a prospective study. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221135128. [PMID: 36518726 PMCID: PMC9742716 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221135128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the prolongation of hospitalization, increase in morbidity, mortality and cost of care associated with both surgical site infections (SSIs) and antibiotic resistance, there are limited data on SSIs and antibiotic resistance to guide prevention strategies in Sierra Leone. This study assessed the burden of SSIs and related antibiotic resistance in the 34 Military Hospital (MH) and Makeni Government Hospital (MGH) located in two geographic regions of Sierra Leone using a prospective study design to collect data from adults aged 18 years or older. Of the 417 patients, 233 (55.9%) were enrolled in MGH. Most were women 294 (70.5%). The incidence rate of SSI was 5.5 per 1000 patient-days, and the cumulative incidence of SSI was 8.2%. Common bacteria isolated in MH were Escherichia coli (6,33.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3,16.7%) and in MGH were P. aeruginosa (3,42.9%) and Proteus mirabilis (2,28.9%). Of the gram-negative bacteria, 40% were Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, 33% were Carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and 10% were carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Although the incidence of SSIs in our study is lower than previously reported, the rate of antibiotic resistance reported in this study is high. Urgent action is needed to invest in the microbiology infrastructure to support SSI surveillance and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James B.W. Russell
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Juling Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Stephen Sevalie
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone,Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone,34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Yongkun Zhao
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Sarah K. Conteh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Christine Ellen Elleanor Williams
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Mohamed Gbessay Sheku
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Mohamed Boie Jalloh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone,34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria,Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Darlinda F. Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Matilda N. Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Gibrilla F. Deen
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - George A. Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA,Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xuejun Guo
- Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Center, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,SolidarMed, Old Europa, Lesotho,Centre for Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria
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10
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Lakoh S, Yi L, Sevalie S, Guo X, Adekanmbi O, Smalle IO, Williams N, Barrie U, Koroma C, Zhao Y, Kamara MN, Cummings-John C, Jiba DF, Namanaga ES, Deen B, Zhang J, Maruta A, Kallon C, Liu P, Wurie HR, Kanu JS, Deen GF, Samai M, Sahr F, Firima E. Incidence and risk factors of surgical site infections and related antibiotic resistance in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a prospective cohort study. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2022; 11:39. [PMID: 35189952 PMCID: PMC8862228 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-022-01078-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited information on surgical site infections (SSI) and the related antibiotic resistance needed to guide their management and prevention in Sierra Leone. In this study, we aimed to establish the incidence and risk factors of SSI and the related antibiotic resistance among adults attending a tertiary hospital, and a secondary health facility in Freetown, Sierra Leone. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study designed to collect data from adult (18 years or older) patients who attended elective and emergency surgeries at two hospitals in Freetown between February and July, 2021. Data analysis was done using STATA version 16. RESULTS Of 338 patients, 245 (72.5%) and 93 (27.5%) had their surgeries at the tertiary and secondary hospitals, respectively. Many were males 192 (56.8%), less than 35 years 164 (48.5%), and 39 (11.5%) developed an SSI. Of the 39 patients who acquired an SSI, 7 (17.9%) and 32 (82.1%) had their surgeries at the secondary and tertiary hospitals, respectively. The incidence of SSI is higher in contaminated 17 (43.6%) than in clean-contaminated 12 (30.8%) and clean 10 (25.6%) wounds. Wound swabs were collected in 29 (74.4%) patients, of which 18 (62.1%) had bacterial growth. In total, 49 isolates of 14 different bacteria including gram-negative 41 (83.7%) and gram-positive 8 (16.3%) isolates were identified. Of these, 32 (65.3%) were Enterobacteriaceae, 9 (18.4%) were Non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli and 10 (12.2%) were Enterococci. The most common isolates were Escherichia coli (12, 24.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10, 20.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (5, 10.2%), Klebsiella oxytoca (4, 8.2%) and Enterococcus faecalis (4, 8.2%). The Enterobacteriaceae were either resistance to carbapenems (4, 8.2%) or were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms (29, 59.2%). Male sex [p = 0.031], an ASA score ≥ 2 [p = 0.020), administration of general anaesthesia [p = 0.018] and elevated fasting glucose [p = 0.033] were predictive of SSI. CONCLUSION The incidence of SSI in this study is comparable to other low- and middle-income countries, but a substantial proportion of these postoperative wounds have an ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Therefore, routine surveillance of SSI and related antibiotic resistance is required in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone. .,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone. .,Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
| | - Le Yi
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Stephen Sevalie
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Xuejun Guo
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, China.
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Isaac O Smalle
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Nathaniel Williams
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Yongkun Zhao
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Constance Cummings-John
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Darlinda F Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Enanga Sonia Namanaga
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Betsy Deen
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Juling Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Anna Maruta
- World Health Organization Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Christiana Kallon
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Haja Ramatulai Wurie
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Gibrilla F Deen
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Mohamed Samai
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Foday Sahr
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.,34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,SolidarMed, Butha-Buthe, Lesotho.,Centre for Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria
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11
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Lakoh S, Firima E, Williams CEE, Conteh SK, Jalloh MB, Sheku MG, Adekanmbi O, Sevalie S, Kamara SA, Kamara MAS, Barrie U, Kamara GN, Yi L, Guo X, Haffner C, Kamara MN, Jiba DF, Namanaga ES, Maruta A, Kallon C, Kanu JS, Deen GF, Samai M, Okeibunor JC, Russell JBW. An Intra-COVID-19 Assessment of Hand Hygiene Facility, Policy and Staff Compliance in Two Hospitals in Sierra Leone: Is There a Difference between Regional and Capital City Hospitals? Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6040204. [PMID: 34941660 PMCID: PMC8705290 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6040204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although hand hygiene (HH) is the most effective intervention to reduce the spread of infections, there are limited data on HH facilities, policy, and compliance in sub-Saharan Africa. This cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing HH using the WHO HH self-assessment framework, HH technical reference manual, and a modified infection control self-assessment tool in two hospitals in Sierra Leone. Only 10% and 9% of regional and capital city hospitals had running tap water, respectively. Veronica buckets were the resources for HH in 89% of units in the regional hospital and 92% of units in capital city hospital. Constant supply of soap and alcohol-based hand rub was available in 82% and 68%; and 74% and 79% of units in the capital city and regional hospitals, respectively. Only 10% of the units in both hospitals had hand-drying facilities and functional sinks. Overall HH compliance for the two hospitals was 18.6% and was higher in the regional (20.8%) than the capital city (17.0%) hospitals. The HH levels for the capital city and regional hospitals were 277.5 and 262.5 respectively. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still challenges with HH compliance in Sierra Leone. It is, therefore, necessary to strengthen the HH multi-modal strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (E.F.)
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
- SolidarMed, Christie House 3rd Floor, Orpen Road, Old Europa, P.O. Box 0254, Maseru West 105, Lesotho
- Correspondence: (S.L.); (E.F.)
| | - Christine Ellen Elleanor Williams
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Sarah K. Conteh
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Mohamed Boie Jalloh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- 34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (S.A.K.); (M.A.S.K.); (G.N.K.)
| | - Mohamed Gbeshay Sheku
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria;
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Stephen Sevalie
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- 34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (S.A.K.); (M.A.S.K.); (G.N.K.)
| | - Sylvia Adama Kamara
- 34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (S.A.K.); (M.A.S.K.); (G.N.K.)
| | | | - Umu Barrie
- Infectious Disease Research Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone;
| | | | - Le Yi
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (L.Y.); (X.G.)
| | - Xuejun Guo
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (L.Y.); (X.G.)
| | - Chukwuemeka Haffner
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Matilda N. Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
| | - Darlinda F. Jiba
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Enanga Sonia Namanaga
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Anna Maruta
- World Health Organization Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone;
| | - Christiana Kallon
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Gibrilla F. Deen
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | - Mohamed Samai
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
| | | | - James B. W. Russell
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (M.B.J.); (S.S.); (M.N.K.); (J.S.K.); (G.F.D.); (M.S.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.E.E.W.); (S.K.C.); (M.G.S.); (C.H.); (D.F.J.); (E.S.N.); (C.K.)
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12
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Lakoh S, Firima E, Jiba DF, Kamara MN, Gashau W, Deen GF, Adekanmbi O, Yendewa GA. Prevalence of sero-markers and non-invasive assessment of liver cirrhosis in patients with Hepatitis B virus infection in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study. BMC Gastroenterol 2021; 21:320. [PMID: 34372775 PMCID: PMC8353767 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01892-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health problem. Although sub-Saharan Africa has a high proportion of the global burden of HBV, the epidemiology and clinical features of HBV in this region are poorly characterized, and access to diagnostic and treatment services remain limited. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of HBV-infected children and adults of all age groups who were evaluated at public and private health facilities in Freetown, Sierra Leone between January 2017 and January 2019. We assessed their clinical presentation, HBV sero-markers, stages of liver disease, prevalence of cirrhosis by non-invasive tools, and the proportion of treatment eligible patients using the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization’s 2015 treatment guidelines for HBV. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of liver cirrhosis. Results 163 HBV patients included in the study, with mean age 32.6 years and 65.0% (106) being males. Most (84.0%) were asymptomatic at presentation. The majority (69.9%) were classified as having HBeAg-negative chronic infection (or inactive HBsAg carrier phase), 24.5% were in the HBeAg-negative immune active phase, 3.1% had HBeAg positive hepatitis, and 2.5% were HBsAg negative. The median Aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores were 0.37 and 0.80, respectively. The prevalence of cirrhosis was 7.6% and 6.2%, estimated by the APRI and FIB-4 scores, respectively. About 20.0% of patients were eligible for treatment with antiviral agents. Based on APRI scores, the presence of any symptom [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 20.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) (4.1–85.9); p < 0.001], elevated direct bilirubin [aOR 12.1, 95% CI (1.9–63.0); p = 0.003], and elevated total bilirubin [aOR 16.1, 95% CI (3.2–80.8); p = 0.001] were independent predictors of cirrhosis. Conclusion Although most patients with HBV infection were asymptomatic, the prevalence of liver cirrhosis and proportion of patients requiring antiviral treatment were substantial. This small study from a hyperendemic setting in Sierra Leone suggests that routine population-based screening may increase early detection and linkage of HBV patients to care before development of complications. Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Switzerland. .,Department of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, Switzerland.
| | - Emmanuel Firima
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Darlinda F Jiba
- Department of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, Switzerland
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Switzerland
| | - Wadzani Gashau
- Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria
| | - Gibrilla F Deen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Switzerland.,Department of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, Switzerland
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - George A Yendewa
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, MD, USA.,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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13
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Lakoh S, Orefuwa E, Kamara MN, Jiba DF, Kamara JB, Kpaka S, Denning DW. The burden of serious fungal infections in Sierra Leone: a national estimate. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2021; 8:20499361211027996. [PMID: 34262759 PMCID: PMC8252340 DOI: 10.1177/20499361211027996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sierra Leone is a small, resource-limited country that has a low national prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and a very high burden of tuberculosis (TB). Fungal diseases are probably common, but poorly documented. In this article, we reviewed the existing literature on fungal epidemiology in Sierra Leone using national, regional, and international data, identified knowledge gaps, and propose solutions to address the challenges on the prevention and control of fungal diseases in Sierra Leone and similar countries. In advanced HIV disease, we estimate 300 cryptococcal meningitis, 640 Pneumocystis pneumonia, and over 4000 esophageal candidiasis cases annually. Chronic lung disease is common, with an estimated 6000 cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, many mistaken for TB, 5000 adults with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis complicating asthma, and probably over 6600 cases of severe asthma with fungal sensitization. Invasive aspergillosis is estimated at 478 cases. None of these diagnoses are made in Sierra Leone at present. Major burdens are recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (85,400) and tinea capitis in children (266,450). Improvement in fungal disease diagnosis in Sierra Leone will enable better estimates to be made and reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, New England, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Emma Orefuwa
- Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matilda N Kamara
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Darlinda F Jiba
- University of Sierra Leone Teaching Complex, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Joseph B Kamara
- University of Sierra Leone Teaching Complex, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Sylaju Kpaka
- School of Health Sciences, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone
| | - David W Denning
- Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections, Geneva, Switzerland
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