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2022 ◽  
Vol 273 ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
Fatemeh P. Parvin-Nejad ◽  
Vennila Padmanaban ◽  
Samba Jalloh ◽  
Umaru Barrie ◽  
Ziad C. Sifri
Keyword(s):  

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quraish Sserwanja ◽  
Lilian Nuwabaine ◽  
Kassim Kamara ◽  
Milton W. Musaba

Abstract Background Within Sub-Saharan Africa, some countries still report unacceptably high rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, despite improvements in the utilisation of maternity care services. Postnatal care (PNC) is one of the recommended packages in the continuum of maternity care aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with PNC utilisation in Sierra Leone. Methods We used Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2019 data of 7326 women aged 15 to 49 years. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with PNC utilisation, using SPSS version 25. Results Out of 7326 women, 6625 (90.4, 95% CI: 89.9–91.2) had at least one PNC contact for their newborn, 6646 (90.7, 95% CI: 90.2–91.5) had a postnatal check after childbirth and 6274 (85.6, 95% CI: 85.0–86.6) had PNC for both their babies and themselves. Delivery by caesarean section (aOR 8.01, 95% CI: 3.37–19.07), having a visit by a health field worker (aOR 1.80, 95% CI: 1.46–2.20), having had eight or more ANC contacts (aOR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08–1.73), having tertiary education (aOR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.32–5.56) and having no big problems seeking permission to access healthcare (aOR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.19–1.90) were associated with higher odds of PNC utilisation. On the other hand, being resident in the Northern (aOR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29–0.78) and Northwestern regions (aOR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36–0.80), belonging to a female headed household (aOR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.85) and being a working woman (aOR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52–0.84) were associated with lower odds of utilizing PNC. Conclusion Factors associated with utilisation of PNC services operate at individual, household, community and health system/policy levels. Some of them can be ameliorated by targeted government interventions to improve utilisation of PNC services.


2022 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Tu ◽  
Sulaiman Lakoh ◽  
Biao Xu ◽  
Marta Lado ◽  
Reginald Cole ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Stefania Galli

Abstract This study provides a novel analysis of occupational stratification in Sierra Leone from a historical perspective. By employing census data for early-nineteenth-century colonial Sierra Leone, the present study offers a valuable snapshot of a colony characterized by a heterogenous population of indigenous and migratory origin. The study shows that an association between colonial group categorization and socioeconomic status existed despite the colony being of very recent foundation implying a hierarchical structure of the society. Although Europeans and “mulattoes” occupied most high-status positions, as common in the colonies, indigenous immigrants were also represented in high socioeconomic strata thanks to the opportunities stemming from long- and short-distance trading. However, later arrivals, especially liberated slaves, belonged within the lowest socioeconomic strata of the society and worked as farmers or unskilled labor, suggesting that the time component may also have influence socioeconomic opportunities.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenai Kitchen ◽  
John Alimamy Kabba ◽  
Tonny Ssekamatte ◽  
Ediomo-Ubong Nelson ◽  
Samuel Adu-Gyamfi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recently, legislative shifts in cannabis regulation away from exclusively prohibitionist controls have been seen in sub-Saharan African countries. However, the extent to which public perceptions are aligned with policy trends is unclear. Given that views concerning cannabis may be influenced by associated legislation we aimed to compare public opinion towards cannabis amongst countries with legislatively different cannabis policies. Methods We conducted an online survey of the general adult population in six purposively selected countries representative of maximum policy variation across sub-Saharan Africa i.e., Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Survey questions covered perceptions towards users, risks and benefits, regulations and public health impacts as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Chi square tests were used to analyse the association between categorical variables and explore country level differences. Results Totally 1216 responses were received. Large variations were noted in responses towards user stereotypes, risks and preferred legislation. In relation to users being honest (X2=43.316, P<0.0001), most in Sierra Leone(52.9%), Nigeria (45.6%) and Uganda(48.6%) disagreed whereas in Ghana(39.4%), South Africa(43.3%) and Zimbabwe(40.1%) most agreed. Differences in smoking cannabis and smoking tobacco products(X2= 27.712, P=0.002) saw respondents from Ghana(51.4%), Nigeria(58.8%), Uganda(50.9%) and Zimbabwe(46.8%) agreeing that smoking cannabis is more harmful to health, whereas majorities in Sierra Leone(45.7%) and South Africa(49.8%) disagreed. Apart from South Africa were the greater proportion opted to allow cannabis for all purposes(28.8%), majorities in other countries supported only medicinal legalisation(X2= 96.631, P<0.0001). Conclusion Dependent upon the question of focus, at the liberal end of the policy spectrum are Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe whilst Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda were more conservative. Responses tended to reflect the policy position of respective countries, however our findings suggest overall increasing medicinal cannabis support. Greater understanding of policy dynamics may help create frameworks for countries contemplating reforms.


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Samuel Bonzu

This paper empirically investigate whether the budget imbalances in Sierra Leone over the review period is consistent with optimal tax policy. The procedure involves testing if tax smoothing hypothesis hold for Sierra Leone. In this regard, three different empirical approaches were performed. Firstly, I examine the random walk property of the tax rate. The null hypothesis of non-stationarity of tax rate could not be rejected, which implies the tax rate follows random walk. Second, I examined whether changes in tax rate is predictable by regressing changes in tax rate by its own lagged values. The result shows that tax rate is unpredictable, as changes in tax cannot be determined by its lagged values. Finally, a VAR model was employed to examine whether tax rate can be predicted by its own lagged values together with changes in the government spending rate and the growth rate of real GDP. The results indicate that all the variables employed were found not be significant is predicating the tax rate. Overall, all the empirical estimations support the existence of tax smoothing over the sample period and that the budget inbalances over the review period is consistent with optimal tax policy.


With the general closure of universities and schools in Sierra Leone due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital learning has become a credible alternative to maintain students in educational, training, and research links. The study responds to three primary questions: 1) What digital learning modalities have shown to be most effective for providing continuity in learning amid temporary or permanent school closures? 2) What digital learning modalities are promising for their use but evidence for their use evidence about them is still lacking? 3) What are the challenges and considerations when planning for and implementing digital learning? The study utilised qualitative research methods: interviews; focus group discussions; qualitative survey; and document reviewing. A stratified sample of 260 participants (161 male and 99 female) was randomly drawn from teachers, education officials and information technology experts. This paper provides snapshots of the different distance learning initiatives and program that have been implemented, including both the promises they offer.


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