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Samuel Maxwell Tom Williams,1 Rashid Ansumana,2 Jonathan Johnny,3 Ibrahim A Bakarr,3 Augustus Osborne1 1Department of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone; 2Department of Public Health, School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra Leone; 3Department of Wildlife Management and Conservation, School of Natural Resources Management, Njala University, Freetown, Sierra LeoneCorrespondence: Samuel Maxwell Tom Williams, Tel +23278462858, Email maxwell.williams@njala.edu.slBackground: Bats are considered wildlife species of public health concern, as they are known to host various pathogenic agents, and their interactions with humans are potential routes of pathogen spillover. A high level of knowledge on Bat-borne Zoonotic Diseases (BZD), their causative agents, signs, symptoms, mode and pattern of transmission, health attitudes, and practices towards the disorders are vital parameters in handling them. This study aimed to look into BZD knowledge, public attitudes, and behaviour.Methods: We surveyed the 14 chiefdoms of Moyamba district. A total of 421 participants were randomly sampled using closed-ended questionnaire. Simple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effects of gender, age, education, and livelihood opportunities on BZD knowledge (at 95% confidence interval and alpha value = 0.05). The findings were analysed and correlated with a scientific and public health perspective to assess the breadth of knowledge and awareness of BZD among the people of Moyamba district.Results: The findings from the study show a low level of knowledge on BZD among the people of the Moyamba district, with only 119 (28.3%) individuals that had some knowledge about BZD. Of those that knew about BZD, 94 (79.0%) had very little knowledge, 24 (20.2%) had a fair amount, and 1 (0.8%) had a great deal of knowledge about BZD. The primary mode of knowledge dissemination was through social media platforms.Conclusion: The level of knowledge about BZD is also very low. As a result of these findings, policymakers, health professionals, and environmental educators will be compelled to develop strategies to reduce the risk of BZD transmission in Sierra Leone’s population.Keywords: bat-borne zoonotic diseases, public health, transmission, Moyamba District, knowledge assessment, policymakers

Sosuga virus (SOSV), a rare human pathogenic paramyxovirus, was first discovered in 2012 when a person became ill after working in South Sudan and Uganda. During an ecological investigation, several species of bats were sampled and tested for SOSV RNA and only one species, the Egyptian rousette bat (ERBs; Rousettus aegyptiacus ), tested positive. Since that time, multiple other species have been sampled and ERBs in Uganda have continued to be the only species of bat positive for SOSV infection. Subsequent studies of ERBs with SOSV demonstrated that ERBs are a competent host for SOSV and shed this infectious virus while exhibiting only minor infection-associated pathology. Following the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, surveillance efforts focused on discovering reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens resulted in the capture and testing of many bat species. Here, SOSV RNA was detected by qRT-PCR only in ERBs captured in the Moyamba District of Sierra Leone in the central region of the country. These findings represent a substantial range extension from East Africa to West Africa for SOSV, suggesting that this paramyxovirus may occur in ERB populations throughout its sub-Saharan African range.

Informed decisions about one's sexual and reproductive health can be made through family planning. Women of reproductive age in rural Sierra Leone's Western area were asked to participate in a survey to determine their attitudes and knowledge toward family planning and the use of contraceptives. A descriptive cross-sectional study survey was conducted in the Western Area Rural of Sierra Leone. Females in the range of 15 to 49 years old were included in the study. The research was conducted from November 2021 to December 2021. Using a pre-designed and pretested questionnaire, 180 women were assessed for their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding family planning. According to the study, all participants knew about family planning, but only 68.3% had used contraceptives. There were more than half who learned about it from the media. The study found that 95% of participants had a positive attitude towards contraceptives. Most commonly, contraceptives used were oral pills (31.6), injections (21.1%), implants (19.1%), lactational amenorrhea (13.8%), condoms (8.8%), and intrauterine devices (5%). In our study, the most common reasons given by participants for not using contraceptives were; not willing to disclose 52.6%, a desire for a child 19.2%, fear of side effects 15.7%, currently pregnant 8.7%, and against religious beliefs 3.5%. The study shows that even if people are aware and educated about contraceptives, they may not use them. Educating and motivating people and improving access to family planning services are still necessary to improve the effectiveness and appropriateness of contraceptive use and halt the population growth trend.

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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Njala University, University of California, Davis USAID-PREDICT, and the University of Makeni identify MARV circulating in ERBs in Sierra Leone. PCR, antibody and virus isolation data from 1755 bats of 42 species shows active MARV infection in approximately 2.5% of ERBs. Phylogenetic analysis identifies MARVs that are similar to the Angola strain. These results provide evidence of MARV circulation in West Africa and demonstrate the value of pathogen surveillance to identify previously undetected threats.