Utilisation of and Attitude towards Traditional and Complementary Medicine among Ebola Survivors in Sierra Leone

Mpox and oral health among children in Africa

Much like it has historically, recent mpox outbreaks in Africa have significantly affected children and highlight major public health challenges, including oral healthcare in pandemic responses. The global 2022 outbreak saw an unprecedented number of mpox cases outside Africa, however children were a minority, constituting less than 2%, with the vast majority of cases reported among adult men who have sex with men. However, African countries continue to report high proportions of pediatric mpox cases, particularly Clade 1 in Burundi, the DRC, and the Congo, and Clade 2 in Nigeria. Oral manifestations of mpox such as ulcers and lesions on the lips and tongue are common and can precede skin rash, making early diagnosis challenging, especially in low-resource settings. Misdiagnosis is also a risk due to the similarity of mpox oral lesions to common pediatric exanthems and enanthems. Oral and other manifestations so mpox among affected children in Africa may be worsened due to delayed treatment and increased morbidity from high rates of malnutrition and immunosuppression, including due to HIV. This paper explores the implications of mpox on the oral health of children in Africa, emphasizing the need for improved surveillance, early detection, and the integration of the mpox response into existing child health programs. Child-focused clinical and public health research, healthcare worker training, and accessible, child-friendly diagnostic tools will be crucial for mitigating the impact of mpox on this vulnerable population.

Incidence and prevalence of traumatic and non-traumatic wounds and burns and access to wound care in Sierra Leone; data from a nationwide household survey (PRESSCO) 2020

Objectives

This wound section of the PREvalence Study on Surgical COnditions (PRESSCO) determines the incidence and prevalence of wounds and burns in Sierra Leone. It further describes access to wound care and wound-related healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Methods

Between October 2019 and March 2020, a nationwide cross-sectional household survey was performed. The survey was based on Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS). Additional questions relating to wounds and burns were added. Following randomization, 25 households in 75 clusters were sampled. Severe wounds were clinically examined.

Results

Of the 3600 individuals included, 143 had developed 151 wounds, including burns (15.2 %) during the year preceding the interview (incidence 4.2 %). A total of 77 people had 83 wounds and burns at the time of the survey (prevalence 2.3 %), of which 23 were severe (prevalence 0.6 %). Burn incidence and prevalence were 0.6 % and 0.1 %, respectively. Most wounds were on extremities (73.5 %), often resulting from cuts (32.8 %), falls (22.4 %), or road traffic accidents (RTA; 16.4 %). Risk factors for developing a wound were male sex (p = 0.004), older age (p = 0.037) and smoking (p = 0.001). Severe wounds had a median duration of 18 months. For 70.2 % of wounds, care at a health facility was sought. Only 49.9 % of households reported financial capacity to visit a secondary health facility. For 56 (37.1 %) of wounds, the desired care was not obtainable. An estimated 44,000 (95 % CI 29,760-67,410) people in Sierra Leone suffer from a severe wound. An estimated 11,000 (95 % CI 6,416-18,268) annual deaths occur due to wounds, predominantly due to RTA's (66.7 %) and accidental injuries (20.0 %).

Conclusions

Wounds and burns account for an extensive burden on the health and economics of the individual, the household, and the Sierra Leonean society. For over one-third of wounds, the desired surgical care was not obtainable.

Traditional and complementary medicine use among Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone: a qualitative exploratory study of the perspectives of healthcare workers providing care to Ebola survivors

BACKGROUND

Considerable number of patients, including Ebola survivors, in Sierra Leone, are using traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM). Healthcare providers' (HCPs) views about T&CM is crucial in addressing the increased need for T&CM among patients. However, healthcare providers' views about T&CM in Sierra Leone is unknown. Our study explores healthcare providers' knowledge of and perception towards T&CM and how that influence their personal and professional T&CM use, communication with Ebola survivors about T&CM as well as its integration into the healthcare system in Sierra Leone.

METHODS

We employed a qualitative exploratory study design using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 15 conveniently sampled HCPs in all four geographical regions of Sierra Leone. We analysed our data using thematic network analysis framework.

RESULTS

Healthcare providers perceived their knowledge about T&CM to be low and considered T&CM to be less effective and less safe than conventional medicine as well as not evidence-based. HCPs perception of T&CM as non-scientific and their lack of knowledge of T&CM were the key barriers to HCPs' self-use and recommendation as well as their lack of detailed discussion about T&CM with Ebola survivors. HCPs are open to T&CM integration into mainstream healthcare in Sierra Leone although at their terms. However, they believe that T&CM integration could be enhanced by effective professional regulation of T&CM practice, and by improving T&CM evidenced-based knowledge through education, training and research.

CONCLUSION

Changing HCPs' negative perception of and increasing their knowledge about T&CM is critical to promoting effective communication with Ebola survivors regarding T&CM and its integration into the healthcare system in Sierra Leone. Strategies such as educational interventions for HCPs, conducting rigorous T&CM research, proper education and training of T&CM practitioners and effective professional regulation of T&CM practice could help in that direction.

An assessment of Ebola-related stigma and its association with informal healthcare utilisation among Ebola survivors in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

We examined the magnitude and correlates of Ebola virus disease (EVD)-related stigma among EVD survivors in Sierra Leone since their return to their communities. In addition, we determined whether EVD-related stigma is a predictor of informal health care use among EVD survivors.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 358 EVD survivors in five districts across all four geographic regions (Western Area, Northern Province, Eastern Province and Southern Province) of Sierra Leone. Ebola-related stigma was measured by adapting the validated HIV related stigma for people living with HIV/AIDS instrument. We also measured traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) use (as a measure of informal healthcare use). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

RESULTS

EVD survivors report higher levels of internalised stigma (0.92 ± 0.77) compared to total enacted stigma (0.71 ± 0.61). Social isolation (0.96 ± 0.88) was the highest reported enacted stigma subscale. Ebola survivors who identified as Christians [AOR = 2.51, 95%CI: 1.15-5.49, p = 0.021], who perceived their health to be fair/poor [AOR = 2.58, 95%CI: 1.39-4.77. p = 0.003] and who reside in the northern region of Sierra Leone [AOR = 2.80, 95%CI: 1.29-6.07, p = 0.009] were more likely to experience internalised stigma. Verbal abuse [AOR = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.09-3.49, p = 0.025] and healthcare neglect [AOR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.37-4.02, p = 0.002] were independent predictors of T&CM use among EVD survivors.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest EVD-related stigma (internalised and enacted) is prevalent among EVD survivors since their return to their communities. Religiosity, perceived health status and region were identified as independent predictors of internalised stigma. Verbal abuse and healthcare neglect predict informal healthcare use. EVD survivor-centred and community-driven anti-stigma programs are needed to promote EVD survivors' recovery and community re-integration.