Habib Kamara | Samsun Ondokuz Mayis University (original) (raw)

Papers by Habib Kamara

Abstract: Large private sector investments in low- and middle-income countries are often critical... more Abstract: Large private sector investments in low- and middle-income countries are often critically evaluated with regards to their environmental, social, human rights, and health impacts. A health impact assessment, including a baseline health survey, was commissioned by the Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone project in 2010. As part of the monitoring, a follow-up survey was conducted three years later. A set of health indicators was assessed at six impacted and two control sites. Most of these indices improved, particularly at the impacted sites. The prevalences of stunting, wasting, and Plasmodium falciparum in children under five years of age decreased significantly at impacted sites (all p < 0.05) and non-significantly at control sites. Anemia in children and in OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11 12998

In 2018, the transition to routine vitamin A supplementation (VAS) was integrated with caregivers... more In 2018, the transition to routine vitamin A supplementation (VAS) was integrated with caregivers' preparation of nutritious complementary food from local produce and confidential counseling and provision of modern contraceptives. In 2019, funding for complementary food ceased and Community Health Workers (CHWs) were trained to track defaulters, while national efforts to improve Health Management Information Systems, supply chains and reduce teenage pregnancies were intensified. We report on key indicators after these changes and in comparison, to those previously published.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Sierra Leone has reduced child mortality from 267/1000 in 2005 to 118/1000 i... more ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Sierra Leone has reduced child mortality from 267/1000 in 2005 to 118/1000 in 2010. An estimated 23% of this reduction can be attributed to Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) as coverage of at least 80% was achieved and maintained since 2004. METHODOLOGY: Multi-staged cluster sampling was used to select 30 Enumeration Areas (EAs) country-wide and 30 households within each EA. One caretaker per household whose child was 6-59 months old was randomly selected and interviewed. Data were collected by trained surveyors using mobile phones via Episurveyor. RESULTS: In all, 92.5% of caretakers recalled their children received VAS (697/753), 4.5% of children were missed and 3% of caretakers did not remember if their child received VAS. Of the missed children, 47% (n=16) had been out of the area, 29% (n=10) of caretakers' homes were not reached by VAS teams, and 15% (n=5) did not know about the campaign. Of those who received VAS, 93% (647/697) received VAS via door to door and 7% (n=50) at health centers. VAS coverage reported by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation based upon tallies of capsules utilized (1,266,861) and a target population projection from the 2004 census (1,205,077) was 105%. CONCLUSION: The results show that mass VAS in Sierra Leone reaches over 90% of children age 6-59 months. These efforts need to be sustained to support continued reduction in child mortality in Sierra Leone.Because the projected census figures underestimate the actual population, post event coverage surveys should be regularly conducted to validate VAS coverage.

Maternal & Child Nutrition

Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) has been integrated in twice yearly Maternal and Child Health wee... more Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) has been integrated in twice yearly Maternal and Child Health weeks in Sierra Leone since 2008 to support child survival. Vitamin A is a cost effective child survival intervention that is associated with 24% reduction in under five mortality. High VAS coverage >80% has been maintained since 2004. Post event coverage surveys (PECS) have been conducted for VAS intermittently to validate coverage and to inform program strategy and in 2013 included de-worming with albendazole (ALB) distribution.

European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 2015

Objectives: Evidence-based programs to reduce child mortality and morbidity such as twice-yearly ... more Objectives: Evidence-based programs to reduce child mortality and morbidity such as twice-yearly vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and mass drug administration (MDA) for neglected tropical diseases require real-time coverage data to ensure that all populations are reached with equitable coverage. Methods: The EpiSurveyor platform was introduced in 2011 for 'in' and 'end' process monitoring of VAS distribution and MDA for lymphatic filariasis (LF), and was later used in 2012 for a LQAS of the supplementary measles immunization program. In 2013, the Magpi platform was piloted for VAS distribution and MDA-LF, and the CommCare platform was piloted for routine reporting of MDA. Results: Twelve nation-wide surveys were conducted with a total of 266 enumerators and 59,465 respondents. Data compilation was available to the account administrator within 48 hours of fieldwork completion with all three applications. The CommCare platform had several benefits over EpiSurveyor/Magpi: (1) faster programming of skip logic with a friendlier interface (2) ability of the administrator to respond to an enumerator via SMS from the server (3) a prompt for photo evidence and/or Global Positioning System (4) automatic server-input synchronization during network availability (5) ability to program an 'other' category for questions allowing multiple responses. Hodges et al.; EJNFS, 5(5): 348-349, 2015; Article no.EJNFS.2015.051 349 Conclusions: Monitoring and evaluation was enhanced in timeliness and data quality by all three applications. CommCare was found to be more comprehensive and user-friendly compared with EpiSurveyor and Magpi.

Global Health: Science and Practice, 2013

In Sierra Leone, an intensive mass vitamin A supplementation (VAS) campaign to reduce under-5 mor... more In Sierra Leone, an intensive mass vitamin A supplementation (VAS) campaign to reduce under-5 mortality reached over 90% of children ages 6-59 months, eliminating coverage disparities among districts and between age groups. Delivering VAS with other essential maternal and child health interventions was key to the success. ABSTRACT Background: In Sierra Leone, children ages 6-59 months receive twice-yearly vitamin A supplementation (VAS) through Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) events. VAS coverage in 2011 was calculated using government tally sheets of vitamin A capsule distribution and outdated population projections from the 2004 census. We conducted a national post-event coverage (PEC) survey to validate coverage and inform strategies to reach universal coverage of VAS in Sierra Leone.

Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2015

Since 2004, twice-yearly mass vitamin A supplementation (VAS) has equitably reached over 85 % of ... more Since 2004, twice-yearly mass vitamin A supplementation (VAS) has equitably reached over 85 % of children 6-59 months old in Sierra Leone. However infants who turn 6 months after the event may wait until they are 11 months old to receive their first dose. The effectiveness of integrating VAS at 6 months into the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) in a revised child health card was studied. Health facilities matched according to staff cadre and work load were assigned to provide either a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;mini package&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; of VAS and infant and young child feeding (IYCF), a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;full package&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; of VAS, IYCF and family planning (FP), or &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;child health card&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; only. 400 neonates were enrolled into each group, caregivers given the new child health card and followed until they were 12 months old. More infants in the full: 74.5 % and mini: 71.7 % group received VAS between 6 and 7 months of age compared with the new CH card only group: 60.2 % (p = 0.002, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001 respectively). FP commodities were provided to 44.5 % of caregivers in the full compared with &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;2.5 % in the mini and new child health card only groups (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.0001). Integration of VAS within the EPI schedule achieved &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;60 % coverage for infants between 6 and 7 months of age. Provision of FP and/or IYCF further improved coverage. Funding was provided by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development who had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.

International Health

In May 2012, the twice-yearly Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) integrated vitamin A suppleme... more In May 2012, the twice-yearly Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) integrated vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and supplementary measles vaccination to reach all children 6-59 months in Sierra Leone. Following the MCHW, a post event coverage survey was conducted to validate VAS coverage and assess adverse events following immunization.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Large private sector investments in low-and middle-income countries are often critically evaluate... more Large private sector investments in low-and middle-income countries are often critically evaluated with regards to their environmental, social, human rights, and health impacts. A health impact assessment, including a baseline health survey, was commissioned by the Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone project in 2010. As part of the monitoring, a follow-up survey was conducted three years later. A set of health indicators was assessed at six impacted and two control sites. Most of these indices improved, particularly at the impacted sites. The prevalences of stunting, wasting, and Plasmodium falciparum in children under five years of age decreased significantly at impacted sites (all p < 0.05) and non-significantly at control sites. Anemia in children and in OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11 12998 women of reproductive age (15–49 years) decreased significantly at impacted and control sites (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Health facility-based deliveri...

Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2015

Global Health: Science and Practice, 2013

International Health, 2014

Background: In May 2012, the twice-yearly Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) integrated vitami... more Background: In May 2012, the twice-yearly Maternal and Child Health Week (MCHW) integrated vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and supplementary measles vaccination to reach all children 6-59 months in Sierra Leone. Following the MCHW, a post event coverage survey was conducted to validate VAS coverage and assess adverse events following immunization.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2014

Large private sector investments in low-and middle-income countries are often critically evaluate... more Large private sector investments in low-and middle-income countries are often critically evaluated with regards to their environmental, social, human rights, and health impacts. A health impact assessment, including a baseline health survey, was commissioned by the Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone project in 2010. As part of the monitoring, a follow-up survey was conducted three years later. A set of health indicators was assessed at six impacted and two control sites. Most of these indices improved, particularly at the impacted sites. The prevalences of stunting, wasting, and Plasmodium falciparum in children under five years of age decreased significantly at impacted sites (all p < 0.05) and non-significantly at control sites. Anemia in children and in OPEN ACCESS women of reproductive age (15-49 years) decreased significantly at impacted and control sites (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Health facility-based deliveries increased significantly at the impacted sites (p < 0.05). The prevalences of helminth infections in children aged 10-15 years remained approximately at the same levels, although focal increases at the impacted sites were noted. Access to improved sanitation decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at control and non-significantly at impacted sites. Water quality remained poor without significant changes. The epidemiologic monitoring of a bioenergy project provides a useful contribution for evidence-based decision-making.

Maternal & Child Nutrition

European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 2015

Global Health: Science and Practice, 2013

Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2015

International Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2015

Global Health: Science and Practice, 2013

International Health, 2014

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2014

Large private sector investments in low-and middle-income countries are often critically evaluate... more Large private sector investments in low-and middle-income countries are often critically evaluated with regards to their environmental, social, human rights, and health impacts. A health impact assessment, including a baseline health survey, was commissioned by the Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone project in 2010. As part of the monitoring, a follow-up survey was conducted three years later. A set of health indicators was assessed at six impacted and two control sites. Most of these indices improved, particularly at the impacted sites. The prevalences of stunting, wasting, and Plasmodium falciparum in children under five years of age decreased significantly at impacted sites (all p < 0.05) and non-significantly at control sites. Anemia in children and in OPEN ACCESS women of reproductive age (15-49 years) decreased significantly at impacted and control sites (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Health facility-based deliveries increased significantly at the impacted sites (p < 0.05). The prevalences of helminth infections in children aged 10-15 years remained approximately at the same levels, although focal increases at the impacted sites were noted. Access to improved sanitation decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at control and non-significantly at impacted sites. Water quality remained poor without significant changes. The epidemiologic monitoring of a bioenergy project provides a useful contribution for evidence-based decision-making.