Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
Pan Afr Med J. 2017 January 18; Volume 26; DOI:10.11604/pamj.2017.26.27.11111
Asfaw Y, Boateng I, Calderon M, Caleo GNC, Conteh LA, et al.
Pan Afr Med J. 2017 January 18; Volume 26; DOI:10.11604/pamj.2017.26.27.11111
Conference Material > Slide Presentation
Lavilla KM, Teal J, Schausberger B, Sankoh M, Conteh AB, et al.
MSF Scientific Days International 2022. 2022 May 11; DOI:10.57740/pyhg-f359
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
J Infect Dis. 2016 June 30; Volume 214 (Issue suppl 3); S145-S152.; DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiw198
Poliquin PG, Vogt F, Kasztura M, Leung A, Deschambault Y, et al.
J Infect Dis. 2016 June 30; Volume 214 (Issue suppl 3); S145-S152.; DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiw198
BACKGROUND
Ebola viruses (EBOVs) are primarily transmitted by contact with infected body fluids. Ebola treatment centers (ETCs) contain areas that are exposed to body fluids through the care of patients suspected or confirmed to have EBOV disease. There are limited data documenting which areas/fomites within ETCs pose a risk for potential transmission. This study conducted environmental surveillance in 2 ETCs in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the 2014–2016 West African Ebola outbreak.
METHODS
ETCs were surveyed over a 3-week period. Sites to be swabbed were identified with input from field personnel. Swab samples were collected and tested for the presence of EBOV RNA. Ebola-positive body fluid-impregnated cotton pads were serially sampled.
RESULTS
General areas of both ETCs were negative for EBOV RNA. The immediate vicinity of patients was the area most likely to be positive for EBOV RNA. Personal protective equipment became positive during patient care, but chlorine solution washes rendered them negative.
CONCLUSIONS
Personal protective equipment and patient environs do become positive for EBOV RNA, but careful attention to decontamination seems to remove it. EBOV RNA was not detected in general ward spaces. Careful attention to decontamination protocols seems to be important in minimizing the presence of EBOV RNA within ETC wards.
Ebola viruses (EBOVs) are primarily transmitted by contact with infected body fluids. Ebola treatment centers (ETCs) contain areas that are exposed to body fluids through the care of patients suspected or confirmed to have EBOV disease. There are limited data documenting which areas/fomites within ETCs pose a risk for potential transmission. This study conducted environmental surveillance in 2 ETCs in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the 2014–2016 West African Ebola outbreak.
METHODS
ETCs were surveyed over a 3-week period. Sites to be swabbed were identified with input from field personnel. Swab samples were collected and tested for the presence of EBOV RNA. Ebola-positive body fluid-impregnated cotton pads were serially sampled.
RESULTS
General areas of both ETCs were negative for EBOV RNA. The immediate vicinity of patients was the area most likely to be positive for EBOV RNA. Personal protective equipment became positive during patient care, but chlorine solution washes rendered them negative.
CONCLUSIONS
Personal protective equipment and patient environs do become positive for EBOV RNA, but careful attention to decontamination seems to remove it. EBOV RNA was not detected in general ward spaces. Careful attention to decontamination protocols seems to be important in minimizing the presence of EBOV RNA within ETC wards.
Conference Material > Abstract
Lavilla KM, Teal J, Schausberger B, Sankoh M, Conteh AB, et al.
MSF Scientific Days International 2022. 2022 May 11; DOI:10.57740/8sd6-2h56
INTRODUCTION
MSF and the MoHS implemented a partnership model of free and accessible maternal and child healthcare at primary and hospital-level health facilities in Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone, in order to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes. We conducted a health-seeking behaviour (HSB) study in 2021 to evaluate impact and change since a previous HSB study conducted in 2016/17. We also compared MSF-supported primary health unit (PHU) catchment areas with MSF-unsupported PHU’s. In addition, we explored adolescent reproductive health, family planning, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
METHODS
Study design was mixed-methods, similar to that used in 2016/17, including a quantitative household survey, structured interviews with key informants, and qualitative in-depth interviews (IDI’s). We randomly selected 60 clusters; 30 in MSF-supported areas, and 30 in unsupported areas. IDI’s explored topics identified through the survey, and were conducted with purposively-sampled participants, and analyzed thematically.
ETHICS
This study was approved by the Sierra Leone Ethical and Scientific Review Committee and by the MSF Ethics Review Board
RESULTS
Between February and August 2021, 1,164 women and 1,177 carers (of 1,559 children aged under 5) participated in the survey; 59 structured interviews and 42 IDI’s were conducted. Compared to the 2016/17 study, access to healthcare improved, with the proportion of women delivering in a health facility increasing from 52.0% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 42-64) to 90.9% (95% CI 89.2-92.5), and the proportion of mothers reporting at least one barrier to accessing care decreasing from 90.0% (95% CI 80-95) to 45.9% (95% CI 43.0-48.8). Outcomes of care also improved over this period, with under-5 mortality decreasing from 1.55 per 10,0000/day (95% CI 1.30-1.86) to 0.25 per 10,000/day (95% CI 0.17-0.36).When comparing unsupported PHU’s versus supported areas in 2021, complications during labour or delivery were higher in unsupported areas (10.9%; 95% CI 8.6-13.6) vs 7.2% (95% CI 5.3-9.7), as was stillbirth (4.5%; 95% CI 3.1-6.5) vs 1.4% (95% CI 0.6-2.8). Under-5 mortality was 0.44 per 10,000/day (95% CI 2.4-7.2) in unsupported areas and 0.17 per 10,000/day (95% CI 0.8-2.9) in supported areas. 42.9% (95% CI 34.7-51.4) of adolescents in unsupported areas and 39.7% (95% CI 31.3- 48.7) in supported areas reported unmet need for contraception. More than 90% (96.6%, 95% CI 95.3-97.5) of women reported FGM. Qualitative data suggests that communities recognized the importance of delivering in a health facility with trained assistance. Nevertheless, health staff and community members felt the current fine system for home births was applied inflexibly in circumstances when distance, transport, or cost restricted or delayed access.
CONCLUSION
Since 2016/17, access to healthcare and outcomes have improved in all areas, but improvement has been greatest in areas where, in addition to hospital care, MSF supported MoHS PHU’s. This provides evidence for ongoing implementation and scale-up of comprehensive models of care. Progress made must not overshadow areas requiring further attention, such as care for adolescents, access to contraception, and the need to reduce stillbirths.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None declared.
MSF and the MoHS implemented a partnership model of free and accessible maternal and child healthcare at primary and hospital-level health facilities in Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone, in order to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes. We conducted a health-seeking behaviour (HSB) study in 2021 to evaluate impact and change since a previous HSB study conducted in 2016/17. We also compared MSF-supported primary health unit (PHU) catchment areas with MSF-unsupported PHU’s. In addition, we explored adolescent reproductive health, family planning, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
METHODS
Study design was mixed-methods, similar to that used in 2016/17, including a quantitative household survey, structured interviews with key informants, and qualitative in-depth interviews (IDI’s). We randomly selected 60 clusters; 30 in MSF-supported areas, and 30 in unsupported areas. IDI’s explored topics identified through the survey, and were conducted with purposively-sampled participants, and analyzed thematically.
ETHICS
This study was approved by the Sierra Leone Ethical and Scientific Review Committee and by the MSF Ethics Review Board
RESULTS
Between February and August 2021, 1,164 women and 1,177 carers (of 1,559 children aged under 5) participated in the survey; 59 structured interviews and 42 IDI’s were conducted. Compared to the 2016/17 study, access to healthcare improved, with the proportion of women delivering in a health facility increasing from 52.0% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 42-64) to 90.9% (95% CI 89.2-92.5), and the proportion of mothers reporting at least one barrier to accessing care decreasing from 90.0% (95% CI 80-95) to 45.9% (95% CI 43.0-48.8). Outcomes of care also improved over this period, with under-5 mortality decreasing from 1.55 per 10,0000/day (95% CI 1.30-1.86) to 0.25 per 10,000/day (95% CI 0.17-0.36).When comparing unsupported PHU’s versus supported areas in 2021, complications during labour or delivery were higher in unsupported areas (10.9%; 95% CI 8.6-13.6) vs 7.2% (95% CI 5.3-9.7), as was stillbirth (4.5%; 95% CI 3.1-6.5) vs 1.4% (95% CI 0.6-2.8). Under-5 mortality was 0.44 per 10,000/day (95% CI 2.4-7.2) in unsupported areas and 0.17 per 10,000/day (95% CI 0.8-2.9) in supported areas. 42.9% (95% CI 34.7-51.4) of adolescents in unsupported areas and 39.7% (95% CI 31.3- 48.7) in supported areas reported unmet need for contraception. More than 90% (96.6%, 95% CI 95.3-97.5) of women reported FGM. Qualitative data suggests that communities recognized the importance of delivering in a health facility with trained assistance. Nevertheless, health staff and community members felt the current fine system for home births was applied inflexibly in circumstances when distance, transport, or cost restricted or delayed access.
CONCLUSION
Since 2016/17, access to healthcare and outcomes have improved in all areas, but improvement has been greatest in areas where, in addition to hospital care, MSF supported MoHS PHU’s. This provides evidence for ongoing implementation and scale-up of comprehensive models of care. Progress made must not overshadow areas requiring further attention, such as care for adolescents, access to contraception, and the need to reduce stillbirths.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None declared.