Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade

Ishata Nannie Conteh; Francis Chisaka Kasolo; Paul Olaiya Abiodun; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; Alhassan Fouard Kanu; Rashidatu Fouard Kamara; Aziza Amina Sahid; Olaniyi Felix Sanni; Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma; Josephine Amie Koroma; Lynda Foray-Rhall; Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh; Charles Keimbe; Joseph Sam Kanu; Mohamed Vandy; Daniel Ganu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Research Article |

Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade

Ishata Nannie Conteh^*, Francis Chisaka Kasolo, Paul Olaiya Abiodun, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Alhassan Fouard Kanu, Rashidatu Fouard Kamara, Aziza Amina Sahid, Olaniyi Felix Sanni, Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma, Josephine Amie Koroma, Lynda Foray-Rhall, Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh, Charles Keimbe, Joseph Sam Kanu, Mohamed Vandy, Daniel Ganu

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 4)

Received: 11 October 2023 Accepted: 28 October 2023 Published: 17 November 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Introduction: The African region is constantly contending with more than one hundred public health emergencies annually with infectious disease outbreaks being considerably rampant. The outbreaks of infectious diseases in Sierra Leone in the last decade with the associated impacts on the health system were very palpable. There is scarce knowledge as regards the evolutionary status of Sierra Leone in responding to the outbreak of infectious disease which necessitates the need for this study. Objective: The main objective of this study is to unknot the evolutionary trend of infectious disease outbreak emergency management in Sierra Leone between 2010 and 2020, and find an updated knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses in its health system for informed decision-making. Method: This is a descriptive survey study involving a quantitative and qualitative approach with data collection from the desk review of secondary sources and key informants’ interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary qualitative data from 77 key informants from multi-sectoral agencies. Data collected were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings were presented in tables, pie and bar charts, and in narrations as appropriate. Results: The outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics ranked the most prominent among the infectious diseases needing emergency response with affirmative feedback from 97.4% and 90.8% of the respondents respectively. Respondents identified nine crucial elements of preparation for infectious disease management. Policy and decision-making, community participation, resource mobilization, and advocacy with the internal community and partners were visibly reported by the respondents to be the roles of the key stakeholders in the emergency preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the country. Generally, the respondents gave an appreciable positive view about the evolutionary trend of infectious disease management while some reservations hinged on the existing gaps in the public health system were stressed for improvement as necessary. Conclusion: Respondents’ perceptions about the status of Sierra Leone’s health system on the management of infectious disease outbreaks may serve as a pivot for thoughtful deliberation among public health actors to initiate the necessary actions. Findings in this regard can propel holistic decision-making toward building a more resilient emergency health system towards mitigating the enormity of the impacts of disease outbreaks in the country.

Published in	World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
Page(s)	291-299
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Infectious Disease, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Sierra Leone, Health System, Public Health Stakeholders

References

[1]	Kluge, H., Martín-Moreno, J. M., Emiroglu, N., Rodier, G., Kelley, E., Vujnovic, M., Permanand, G. (2018). Strengthening global health security by embedding the International Health Regulations requirements into national health systems. BMJ Global Health 3, e000656.. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000656
[2]	Bousso, A. (2019). Health emergency operation centers implementation challenges in Africa. Pan African Medical Journal, 33, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2019.33.171.17890]
[3]	Calonge, N., Brown, L., & Downey, A. (2020). Evidence-Based Practice for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Recommendations from a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report. JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association, 324 (7), 629–630. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.12901
[4]	IOM. (2004). The Future of public health in the 21st century. Choice Reviews Online, 41 (10), 41-5935-41–5935. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.41-5935
[5]	Impouma, Benido & Roelens, Maroussia & Williams, George Sie & Flahault, Antoine & Codeço, Claudia & Moussana, Fleury & Farham, Bridget & Hamblion, Esther & Mboussou, Franck & Keiser, Olivia. (2020). Measuring Timeliness of Outbreak Response in the World Health Organization African Region, 2017–2019. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 26. 2555-2564. 10.3201/eid2611.191766.
[6]	Olumade TJ, Adesanya OA, Fred-Akintunwa IJ, Babalola DO, Oguzie JU, Ogunsanya OA, George UE, Akin-Ajani OD, Osasona DG (2020) Infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response in Nigeria: history, limitations and recommendations for global health policy and practice. AIMS Public Health. 22; 7 (4): 736-757.
[7]	World Health Organization. Emergency Response Framework. Available from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241512299 [Accessed 9 October 2023].
[8]	World Health Organization. Strengthening the global Architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness, response, and resilience: Ten proposals to build a safer world together. Available from https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB152/B152_12-en.pdf [Accessed 9 October, 2023].
[9]	Raven, J., Wurie, H., Witter, S., (2018). Health workers’ experiences of coping with the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone’s health system: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3072-3
[10]	Kawuki, J., Musa, T. H., Yu, X., (2021). Impact of recurrent outbreaks of Ebola virus disease in Africa: a meta-analysis of case fatality rates. Public Health 195, 89–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.03.027
[11]	Ho, L. S.-Y., Ratnayake, R., Ansumana, R., Brown, H., (2021). A mixed-methods investigation to understand and improve the scaled-up infection prevention and control in primary care health facilities during the Ebola virus disease epidemic in Sierra Leone. BMC Public Health 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11634-7
[12]	Lakoh, S., Jiba, D. F., Baldeh, M., Adekanmbi, O., Barrie, U., Seisay, A. L., Deen, G. F., Salata, R. A., Yendewa, G. A., (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Case Detection and Treatment Outcomes in Sierra Leone. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 6, 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed6030154
[13]	Barrie, M. B., Lakoh, S., Kelly, J. D., Kanu, J. S., Squire, J. S., Koroma, Z., Bah, S., Sankoh, O., Brima, A., Ansumana, R., Goldberg, S. A., Chitre, S., Osuagwu, C., Frankfurter, R., Maeda, J., Barekye, B., Numbere, T.-W., Abdulaziz, M., Mounts, A., Blanton, C., Singh, T., Samai, M., Vandi, M., Richardson, E. T., (2021). SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in Sierra Leone, March 2021: a cross-sectional, nationally representative, age-stratified serosurvey. BMJ Global Health 6, e007271. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007271
[14]	Ajelli, M., Parlamento, S., Bome, D., Kebbi, A., Atzori, A., Frasson, C., Putoto, G., Carraro, D., Merler, S., (2015). The 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Pujehun, Sierra Leone: epidemiology and impact of interventions. BMC Medicine 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0524-z
[15]	Ammar, A., Mueller, P., Trabelsi, K., Chtourou, H., Boukhris, O., Masmoudi, L., Bouaziz, B., Brach, M., Schmicker, M., Bentlage, E., et al., (2020). Psychological consequences of COVID-19 home confinement: The ECLB-COVID19 multicenter study. PLOS ONE 15, e0240204. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240204
[16]	Al Dhaheri, A. S., Bataineh, M. F., Mohamad, M. N., Ajab, A., Al Marzouqi, A., Jarrar, A. H., Habib-Mourad, C., Abu Jamous, D. O., Ali, H. I., Al Sabbah, H., et al., (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life: Is there any effect? A cross-sectional study of the MENA region. PLOS ONE 16, e0249107. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249107
[17]	Fisher, D. A., Carson, G., (2020). Back to basics: the outbreak response pillars. The Lancet 396, 598. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(20)31760-8
[18]	Cancedda (2016). Strengthening Health Systems While Responding to a Health Crisis: Lessons Learned by a Nongovernmental Organization During the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic in Sierra Leone, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 214 (3) October 2016, p. 153–S163, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiw345
[19]	World Health Organization. From Ebola to Health. Available from https://www.afro.who.int/sites/default/files/2017-05/who-2016-2017----final--16-may-2016.pdf [Accessed 10 October 2023].
[20]	Tessema, G. A., Kinfu, Y., Dachew, B. A., Tesema, A. G., Assefa, Y., Alene, K. A., Aregay, A. F., Ayalew, M. B., Bezabhe, W. M., Bali, A. G., et al., (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare systems in Africa: a scoping review of preparedness, impact and response. BMJ Global Health 6, e007179. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007179
[21]	Palagyi A, Marais, BJ., Abimbola S, S., Topp SM., McBryde ES & Negin J (2019) Health system preparedness for emerging infectious diseases: A synthesis of the literature, Global Public Health, 14: 12, 1847-1868, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2019.1614645.
[22]	Shoman, H., Karafillakis, E., Rawaf, S., (2017). The link between the West African Ebola outbreak and health systems in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone: a systematic review. Globalization and Health 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-016-0224-2
[23]	Huber C., Finelli L., Stevens W (2018). The Economic and Social Burden of the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 218 (5) 15. p 698 704, https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy213
[24]	Rose, D. A., Murthy, S., Brooks, J., Bryant, J., (2017). The Evolution of Public Health Emergency Management as a Field of Practice. American Journal of Public Health 107, S126–S133. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2017.303947
[25]	Gillespie, A. M., Obregon, R., El Asawi, R., Richey, C., Manoncourt, E., Joshi, K., Naqvi, S., Pouye, A., Safi, N., Chitnis, K., et al., (2016). Social Mobilization and Community Engagement Central to the Ebola Response in West Africa: Lessons for Future Public Health Emergencies. Global Health: Science and Practice 4, 626–646. https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-16-00226
[26]	United Nations. An analysis of the resource mobilization function within the United Nations system. Available from https://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/qcpr/pdf/jiu_report-analysis_of_resource_mobilization.pdf. [Accessed 30 August 2023].
[27]	World Health Organization. Global Strategy on Human Resource for Health: Workforce 20230. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/250368/9789241511131-eng.pdf. [Accessed 30 August 2023].
[28]	Vogus, A., Graff, K., (2015). PEPFAR Transitions to Country Ownership: Review of Past Donor Transitions and Application of Lessons Learned to the Eastern Caribbean. Global Health: Science and Practice 3, 274–286. https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-14-00227

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Nannie Conteh, I., Chisaka Kasolo, F., Olaiya Abiodun, P., Obi Daniel, E., Fouard Kanu, A., et al. (2023). Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade. World Journal of Public Health, 8(4), 291-299. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Nannie Conteh, I.; Chisaka Kasolo, F.; Olaiya Abiodun, P.; Obi Daniel, E.; Fouard Kanu, A., et al. Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade. World J. Public Health 2023, 8(4), 291-299. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Nannie Conteh I, Chisaka Kasolo F, Olaiya Abiodun P, Obi Daniel E, Fouard Kanu A, et al. Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade. World J Public Health. 2023;8(4):291-299. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16,
  author = {Ishata Nannie Conteh and Francis Chisaka Kasolo and Paul Olaiya Abiodun and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Alhassan Fouard Kanu and Rashidatu Fouard Kamara and Aziza Amina Sahid and Olaniyi Felix Sanni and Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma and Josephine Amie Koroma and Lynda Foray-Rhall and Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh and Charles Keimbe and Joseph Sam Kanu and Mohamed Vandy and Daniel Ganu},
  title = {Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {291-299},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20230804.16},
  abstract = {Introduction: The African region is constantly contending with more than one hundred public health emergencies annually with infectious disease outbreaks being considerably rampant. The outbreaks of infectious diseases in Sierra Leone in the last decade with the associated impacts on the health system were very palpable. There is scarce knowledge as regards the evolutionary status of Sierra Leone in responding to the outbreak of infectious disease which necessitates the need for this study. Objective: The main objective of this study is to unknot the evolutionary trend of infectious disease outbreak emergency management in Sierra Leone between 2010 and 2020, and find an updated knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses in its health system for informed decision-making. Method: This is a descriptive survey study involving a quantitative and qualitative approach with data collection from the desk review of secondary sources and key informants’ interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary qualitative data from 77 key informants from multi-sectoral agencies. Data collected were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings were presented in tables, pie and bar charts, and in narrations as appropriate. Results: The outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics ranked the most prominent among the infectious diseases needing emergency response with affirmative feedback from 97.4% and 90.8% of the respondents respectively. Respondents identified nine crucial elements of preparation for infectious disease management. Policy and decision-making, community participation, resource mobilization, and advocacy with the internal community and partners were visibly reported by the respondents to be the roles of the key stakeholders in the emergency preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the country. Generally, the respondents gave an appreciable positive view about the evolutionary trend of infectious disease management while some reservations hinged on the existing gaps in the public health system were stressed for improvement as necessary. Conclusion: Respondents’ perceptions about the status of Sierra Leone’s health system on the management of infectious disease outbreaks may serve as a pivot for thoughtful deliberation among public health actors to initiate the necessary actions. Findings in this regard can propel holistic decision-making toward building a more resilient emergency health system towards mitigating the enormity of the impacts of disease outbreaks in the country.
},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade
AU  - Ishata Nannie Conteh
AU  - Francis Chisaka Kasolo
AU  - Paul Olaiya Abiodun
AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
AU  - Alhassan Fouard Kanu
AU  - Rashidatu Fouard Kamara
AU  - Aziza Amina Sahid
AU  - Olaniyi Felix Sanni
AU  - Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma
AU  - Josephine Amie Koroma
AU  - Lynda Foray-Rhall
AU  - Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh
AU  - Charles Keimbe
AU  - Joseph Sam Kanu
AU  - Mohamed Vandy
AU  - Daniel Ganu
Y1  - 2023/11/17
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 291
EP  - 299
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
AB  - Introduction: The African region is constantly contending with more than one hundred public health emergencies annually with infectious disease outbreaks being considerably rampant. The outbreaks of infectious diseases in Sierra Leone in the last decade with the associated impacts on the health system were very palpable. There is scarce knowledge as regards the evolutionary status of Sierra Leone in responding to the outbreak of infectious disease which necessitates the need for this study. Objective: The main objective of this study is to unknot the evolutionary trend of infectious disease outbreak emergency management in Sierra Leone between 2010 and 2020, and find an updated knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses in its health system for informed decision-making. Method: This is a descriptive survey study involving a quantitative and qualitative approach with data collection from the desk review of secondary sources and key informants’ interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary qualitative data from 77 key informants from multi-sectoral agencies. Data collected were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings were presented in tables, pie and bar charts, and in narrations as appropriate. Results: The outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics ranked the most prominent among the infectious diseases needing emergency response with affirmative feedback from 97.4% and 90.8% of the respondents respectively. Respondents identified nine crucial elements of preparation for infectious disease management. Policy and decision-making, community participation, resource mobilization, and advocacy with the internal community and partners were visibly reported by the respondents to be the roles of the key stakeholders in the emergency preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the country. Generally, the respondents gave an appreciable positive view about the evolutionary trend of infectious disease management while some reservations hinged on the existing gaps in the public health system were stressed for improvement as necessary. Conclusion: Respondents’ perceptions about the status of Sierra Leone’s health system on the management of infectious disease outbreaks may serve as a pivot for thoughtful deliberation among public health actors to initiate the necessary actions. Findings in this regard can propel holistic decision-making toward building a more resilient emergency health system towards mitigating the enormity of the impacts of disease outbreaks in the country.

VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Ishata Nannie Conteh

World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Emergency Preparedness and Response Cluster, Brazzaville, Congo

Contact Email
Francis Chisaka Kasolo

World Health Organization, Country Office, Ghana, Accra
Paul Olaiya Abiodun

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Ebenezer Obi Daniel

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Alhassan Fouard Kanu

World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Emergency Preparedness and Response Cluster, Brazzaville, Congo
Rashidatu Fouard Kamara

World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Emergency Preparedness and Response Cluster, Brazzaville, Congo
Aziza Amina Sahid

World Health Organization, Country Office, Banjul, The Gambia
Olaniyi Felix Sanni

World Health Organization, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIR), Nairobi Hub, Nairobi, Kenya
Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma

Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Josephine Amie Koroma

National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Lynda Foray-Rhall

Independent Consultant CDC Foundation, Maryland, USA
Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh

Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Charles Keimbe

Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Joseph Sam Kanu

Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Mohamed Vandy

Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies, Ministry of Health, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Daniel Ganu

Department of Applied Sciences, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Nannie Conteh, I., Chisaka Kasolo, F., Olaiya Abiodun, P., Obi Daniel, E., Fouard Kanu, A., et al. (2023). Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade. World Journal of Public Health, 8(4), 291-299. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Nannie Conteh, I.; Chisaka Kasolo, F.; Olaiya Abiodun, P.; Obi Daniel, E.; Fouard Kanu, A., et al. Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade. World J. Public Health 2023, 8(4), 291-299. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Nannie Conteh I, Chisaka Kasolo F, Olaiya Abiodun P, Obi Daniel E, Fouard Kanu A, et al. Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade. World J Public Health. 2023;8(4):291-299. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16,
  author = {Ishata Nannie Conteh and Francis Chisaka Kasolo and Paul Olaiya Abiodun and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Alhassan Fouard Kanu and Rashidatu Fouard Kamara and Aziza Amina Sahid and Olaniyi Felix Sanni and Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma and Josephine Amie Koroma and Lynda Foray-Rhall and Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh and Charles Keimbe and Joseph Sam Kanu and Mohamed Vandy and Daniel Ganu},
  title = {Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade},
  journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {291-299},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20230804.16},
  abstract = {Introduction: The African region is constantly contending with more than one hundred public health emergencies annually with infectious disease outbreaks being considerably rampant. The outbreaks of infectious diseases in Sierra Leone in the last decade with the associated impacts on the health system were very palpable. There is scarce knowledge as regards the evolutionary status of Sierra Leone in responding to the outbreak of infectious disease which necessitates the need for this study. Objective: The main objective of this study is to unknot the evolutionary trend of infectious disease outbreak emergency management in Sierra Leone between 2010 and 2020, and find an updated knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses in its health system for informed decision-making. Method: This is a descriptive survey study involving a quantitative and qualitative approach with data collection from the desk review of secondary sources and key informants’ interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary qualitative data from 77 key informants from multi-sectoral agencies. Data collected were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings were presented in tables, pie and bar charts, and in narrations as appropriate. Results: The outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics ranked the most prominent among the infectious diseases needing emergency response with affirmative feedback from 97.4% and 90.8% of the respondents respectively. Respondents identified nine crucial elements of preparation for infectious disease management. Policy and decision-making, community participation, resource mobilization, and advocacy with the internal community and partners were visibly reported by the respondents to be the roles of the key stakeholders in the emergency preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the country. Generally, the respondents gave an appreciable positive view about the evolutionary trend of infectious disease management while some reservations hinged on the existing gaps in the public health system were stressed for improvement as necessary. Conclusion: Respondents’ perceptions about the status of Sierra Leone’s health system on the management of infectious disease outbreaks may serve as a pivot for thoughtful deliberation among public health actors to initiate the necessary actions. Findings in this regard can propel holistic decision-making toward building a more resilient emergency health system towards mitigating the enormity of the impacts of disease outbreaks in the country.
},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Sierra Leone: Exploration of the Emergency Preparedness and Response in a Decade
AU  - Ishata Nannie Conteh
AU  - Francis Chisaka Kasolo
AU  - Paul Olaiya Abiodun
AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
AU  - Alhassan Fouard Kanu
AU  - Rashidatu Fouard Kamara
AU  - Aziza Amina Sahid
AU  - Olaniyi Felix Sanni
AU  - Aminata Tigiedankay Koroma
AU  - Josephine Amie Koroma
AU  - Lynda Foray-Rhall
AU  - Mukeh Kenneth Fahnbulleh
AU  - Charles Keimbe
AU  - Joseph Sam Kanu
AU  - Mohamed Vandy
AU  - Daniel Ganu
Y1  - 2023/11/17
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
T2  - World Journal of Public Health
JF  - World Journal of Public Health
JO  - World Journal of Public Health
SP  - 291
EP  - 299
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-6059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230804.16
AB  - Introduction: The African region is constantly contending with more than one hundred public health emergencies annually with infectious disease outbreaks being considerably rampant. The outbreaks of infectious diseases in Sierra Leone in the last decade with the associated impacts on the health system were very palpable. There is scarce knowledge as regards the evolutionary status of Sierra Leone in responding to the outbreak of infectious disease which necessitates the need for this study. Objective: The main objective of this study is to unknot the evolutionary trend of infectious disease outbreak emergency management in Sierra Leone between 2010 and 2020, and find an updated knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses in its health system for informed decision-making. Method: This is a descriptive survey study involving a quantitative and qualitative approach with data collection from the desk review of secondary sources and key informants’ interviews. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary qualitative data from 77 key informants from multi-sectoral agencies. Data collected were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Findings were presented in tables, pie and bar charts, and in narrations as appropriate. Results: The outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics ranked the most prominent among the infectious diseases needing emergency response with affirmative feedback from 97.4% and 90.8% of the respondents respectively. Respondents identified nine crucial elements of preparation for infectious disease management. Policy and decision-making, community participation, resource mobilization, and advocacy with the internal community and partners were visibly reported by the respondents to be the roles of the key stakeholders in the emergency preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the country. Generally, the respondents gave an appreciable positive view about the evolutionary trend of infectious disease management while some reservations hinged on the existing gaps in the public health system were stressed for improvement as necessary. Conclusion: Respondents’ perceptions about the status of Sierra Leone’s health system on the management of infectious disease outbreaks may serve as a pivot for thoughtful deliberation among public health actors to initiate the necessary actions. Findings in this regard can propel holistic decision-making toward building a more resilient emergency health system towards mitigating the enormity of the impacts of disease outbreaks in the country.

VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download