Marburg virus (MARV) causes sporadic outbreaks of severe Marburg virus disease (MVD). Most MVD outbreaks originated in East Africa and field studies in East Africa, South Africa, Zambia, and Gabon identified the Egyptian rousette bat (ERB; Rousettus aegyptiacus) as a natural reservoir. However, the largest recorded MVD outbreak with the highest case-fatality ratio happened in 2005 in Angola, where direct spillover from bats was not shown. Here, collaborative studies by the

We report on the first survey of hypertension in undergraduates in Sierra Leone. Levels of hypertension (12%) and obesity (4%) appear low compared to the general population but given the rapid increase of both and the expectation that many graduates will enter the formal employment sector and a sedentary lifestyle, there is still cause for concern. We measured their BMI (body mass index) and used a questionnaire to investigate demographic and lifestyle choices. In agreement with most authorities, we found that BMI and age were statistically significant predictors of systolic and diastolic blood pressure but that the explanatory power was low ( = 0.21 to 0.27). Men may be more sensitive than women to an increase in BMI on blood pressure ( < 0.1). We failed to find statistically significant relationships with ethnicity, religion, stress, course of study, levels of physical activity, diet, smoking, or consumption of caffeine and alcohol. Family history of hypertension, consumption of red palm oil, and self-diagnosed attacks of typhoid fever were close to conventional levels of significance ( < 0.1). We intend to use this as a baseline for longitudinal studies to assess risks and suggest appropriate public health action.

Aim and Scope: The importance of students' social environments in their day-to-day lives cannot be overstated. The extent to which students are happy in their hostel depends on its facilities' availability, adequacy, and functionality. A case study of Njala University, Njala campus, was used to determine the amenities provided and the level of satisfaction the students derived from those amenities. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to conduct the research through in-field observations and a standardized questionnaire. The study's sample size was estimated at 482 total students. SPSS version 26.0 was used for the data analysis. Result: The study revealed that 82.0% of the respondents were within the age group 20-29 years, and more than two-thirds (70.7%) of the respondents were living in overcrowded rooms with a population of more than the required number of persons per room; this is attributed to the squatting phenomenon among the hostel occupants with the attendant implications of increasing pressure on the available facilities. Equally, students were reasonably satisfied with hostel facilities such as recreational grounds, security status, Library/ICT, waste management and electricity. Results showed respondents were unhappy with the adequacy and performance of certain facilities such as the drainage system, foam, toilet, water supply, kitchen, room size, laundry, and firefighting device. Conclusion: For student convenience, as enrollment continues to rise, the paper suggests that public-private partnerships be established to fund the construction of other hostels with updated designs and amenities.

Menstrual hygiene is essential as it promotes the health of women. Unhygienic menstrual practices can affect the health of girls and can lead to urinary tract infections. Many girls deficient of appropriate knowledge in menstruation and menstrual hygiene. It is therefore necessary to assess their perceptions, problems, and practices on menstruation. This Cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 103 secondary school girls from five schools in the southern part of Sierra Leone via structured questionnaire. Majority of the students, were aged 15-18 years. 29.1% of the girl’s attained menstruation at age 14 years. 57.3% of the girls believed that the normal monthly interval of menstruation is 28 days. 33% of the girls said Menstruation upsets them. Staining of dress and bad odor 30.1% were the most embarrassment faced by girls during menstruation. 64.1% of the girls said Scared was their reaction to Menstruation. 78.6% of the girls said Worried is how they feel when they don’t get their period on time. Menstrual problems were most commonly discussed with their mothers, (68%), and least commonly discussed with the fathers, 1.9%. Majority of the respondents had poor knowledge on menstruation, menstrual hygiene and practices. Menstruation perceptions are poor, and practices often incorrect. A multi-dimensional approach focusing on capacity building of mothers, and teachers on sexuality education skills; using religious organizations as avenues for sexuality education; and effectively using the Mass Media as reproductive health education channels are recommended towards improving adolescents’ perceptions and practices on menstruation. (Afr Reprod Health 2008; 12[1]:74-83).

Aim and Scope: The importance of students' social environments intheir day-to-day lives cannot be overstated. The extent to which students arehappy in their hostel depends on its facilities' availability, adequacy, andfunctionality. A case study of Njala University, Njala campus, was used todetermine the amenities provided and the level of satisfaction the students derived from those amenities. Methods: A cross-sectional research designwas used to conduct the research through a close-ended questionnaire. Thestudy's sample size was 482 students. SPSS version 26.0 was used for the dataanalysis. Result: Most (82.0%) of the respondents were within the age group20-29 years, and more than two-thirds (70.7%) were living in overcrowdedrooms with double the number than the room was designed for.; this isattributed to the common phenomenon of students who get a place sub-lettingto their less fortunate colleagues on a cost-sharing basis. Overcrowding hasimplications of increasing pressure on the available facilities. Students werereasonably satisfied with hostel facilities such as recreational grounds, securitystatus, Library/ICT, waste management, and electricity, but very dissatisfiedwith the drainage system, state of mattresses, toilet facilities, water supply,kitchen, room size, laundry, and lack of firefighting devices. Conclusion :Students are dissatisfied with current facilities as enrollment continues to risefaster than Government intervention the paper suggests that a public-privatepartnership be established to fund the construction of other hostels withupdated designs and amenities.

Menstruation can place significant impacts on girl’s health and education if they are not properly informed about effective menstrual hygiene management. The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in five schools in Bo district, Sierra Leone and to assess the restrictions practiced by them during menstruation. A cross sectional study design was carried out among 103 in November 2019. A self-administered structured questionnaire at schools was used for data collection. Data was collected regarding their knowledge about menstruation, from where they get information and practices followed to maintain menstrual hygiene, problems faced while attending school during menstruation and facilities available in school, etc. The analysis part was done with the help of SPSS version 25. Age of respondents varied between 12-21 years with the mean age of 16.5. 69.9% of the girls don’t know from were menstrual bleeding occurs. Majority of the girls are using sanitary pads as absorbent during menstruation. 42.7% of the girls said they have been restricted from praying when seeing their menses and 49.5% of the girls said they feel their school is uncomfortable to keep hygiene during menstruation. The findings led to the conclusion that the girls have deficient knowledge and inadequate practices regarding menstruation and its management.