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Objectivesto evaluate the association of sex-and-gender-specific cardiovascular disease risk factors, their prevalence, and correlates among adults in Sierra Leone.Study designThis community-based cross-sectional study used a stratified multistage random sampling.Methodsthe survey was conducted in eight (8) selected randomized sub-zonal communities across the western urban area in Sierra Leone, with an included sampling of 2394 adults. The WHO stepwise approach for non-communicable diseases was utilized. Multivariable logistic regression was done to determine associations between demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension (33.4% vs 37.4%, p=0.068), diabetes mellitus (7.4% vs 9.2%, p=0.101), overweight (32.3% vs 34.2%, p=0.323) and obesity (9.9% vs 10.2%, p=0.818) were higher among males in comparison to females. Body Mass Index (BMI) (25.0 ± 5.0 vs 24.6 ± 4.4, p = 0.029), waist circumference (WC) (93.6 ± 4.5 vs 80.0 ± 5.0, p < 0.001), triglyceride (1.7±0.35 vs 1.6±0.32, p=0.013), total cholesterol (5.1±0.77 vs 4.9±0.66, p < 0.001) and low HDL-C (1.28 ± 0.29 vs 1.3±0.24, p = 0.016) were significantly higher among females as compared to males. The odds of having dyslipidemia [OR = 1.339; 95% C.I: (1.101-1.629), p=0.003] and consuming alcohol [OR = 1.229; 95% C.I: (1.026-1.472),p=0.025] were higher among females. Women had 1.8 times greater odds [AOR=1.849; 95% C.I: (0.713 - 1.010),p=0.030] of being hypertensive, 1.4 times greater odds [AOR=1.441; 95% C.I: (1.176 - 1.765),p=p=0.037] of consuming alcohol compared to men. BMI, WC, and raised blood sugar had a strong correlation among women than men.ConclusionBeing female was associated with a high prevalence of cardiovascular health risks in Sierra Leone. This study emphasizes the importance of reducing the CVD burden among females through policies related to public health education and screening strategies.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs), target organ damage and its associated factors among adults in Freetown, Sierra Leone.DesignThis community-based cross-sectional study used a stratified multistage random sampling method to recruit adult participants.SettingThe health screening study was conducted between October 2019 and October 2021 in Western Area Urban, Freetown, Sierra Leone.ParticipantsA total of 2394 adults Sierra Leoneans aged 20 years, or more were enrolled.Outcome measureAnthropometric data, fasting lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose, target organ damage, clinical profiles and demographic characteristic of participants were described. The cardiometabolic risks were further related to target organ damage.ResultsThe prevalence of known CMRFs was 35.3% for hypertension, 8.3% for diabetes mellitus, 21.1% for dyslipidemia, 10.0% for obesity, 13.4% for smoking and 37.9% for alcohol. Additionally, 16.1% had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by electrocardiogram (ECG), 14.2% had LVH by 2D-Echo, and 11.4% had chronic kidney disease. The odds of developing ECG-LVH were higher with diabetes [OR = 1.255, 95% C.I. (0.822 - 1.916) and dyslipidaemia [OR = 1.449, 95% C.I. (0.834 - 2.518). The association factors for higher odds of LVMI by echo were dyslipidemia [OR = 1.844, 95% C.I (1.006-3.380)] and diabetes mellitus [OR =1.176, 95% C.I. (0.759-1.823)]. The odds of having CKD were associated with diabetes mellitus [OR =1.212, 95% CI (0.741-1.983)] and hypertension [OR =1.163, 95% CI (0.887-1.525)]. A low optimal cut-off point for ECG-LVH (male 24.5mm vs female 27.5mm) as a target organ damage was required to maximize sensitivity and specificity by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve since the odds for LVH by ECG was low.ConclusionsThis study provides novel data-driven information on the burden of cardiometabolic risks and its association with preclinical target organ damage in a resource limited setting. It illustrates the need for interventions in improve cardiometabolic health screening and management among adults in Sierra Leoneans.Strengths and Limitations of the studyStrengthsA major strength of this study is its community-based design and the first study of its kind on a larger population in Sierra Leone.The study was statistically powered to produce results that are representative of adults in Sierra Leone.LimitationsThe study is limited as it could not conclude direct causality inference of risk factors and effect outcomes.Since some of the outcomes (fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and fasting lipid profile) are limited by the reliance on single time point measurements, it may result in measurement errors and the potential of underestimating cardiometabolic risk factors.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) assessment by single serum creatinine without assessing for proteinuria, which also indicates the presence of CKD, will lead to underestimation of CKD.

Background Stroke data from Sierra Leone is limited, despite the increase in global burden of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors, clinical outcomes and predictors of stroke mortality at a tertiary hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted on stroke patients admitted at the Connaught Teaching Hospital between 1st January to December 31, 2018. Clinical data related to stroke, with variables including patients’ demographics, stroke subtype, vascular risk factors, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and outcomes were documented. In-hospital mortality, associated risk factors and predictors of stroke were determined. The study was approved by the Sierra Leone Ethics and Scientific Review Committee. It was registered under Research Registry https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#home/with the unique identifying number researchregistry6009. Result We studied 178 (95 male and 83 female) patients. The mean age was 59.8 ± 14.0 years, median was 58.1years (ranging: 29–88 years). The commonest risk factors were hypertension (84.3%), tobacco smoking (35.9%) and alcohol (31.4%). Ischemic stroke confirmed by CT scan was 76.3%. In-hospital mortality was 34.8% and at discharge, mean modified Rankin Score (mRS) was 3.89 ± 1.62. The independent predictors for stroke mortality were: hypertension [AOR = 2.2; C.I 95%: (1.32–3.80), p = 0.001], previous stroke [AOR = 2.31; C.I 95%: (1.43–5.74), p = 0.001], GCS, Highlights • Globally, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest incidence and case-fatality from stroke. • In Sierra Leone, the dearth of stroke data limits the access to evidence-based standards of stroke care. • We reported a high in-hospital stroke mortality, with majority of the deaths occurring in the first week, and this is comparable to some reported studies from SSA. • The poor control of hypertension and aspiration pneumonia are major but avoidable contributors to poor stroke outcomes in SSA.

Introduction:chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is not uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa and has a striking morbidity and mortality if not managed adequately. With the limited number of neurosurgeons in resource poor countries, general surgeons should be trained in the skills of craniotomy and burr-hole craniostomy. Methods:we conducted a retrospective review of all medical records of patients with cSDH, who underwent flap craniotomy at the Choithrams Memorial Hospital, Sierra Leone, between January 2016 and March 2018. The case notes, operative records and computerized axial tomography (CT) scans were reviewed and all pertinent data extracted. All patients were jointly managed post operatively by medical (neurological) and surgical teams in an intensive care unit. Results:a total of 23 patients had surgical drainage of the chronic subdural hematoma. The mean age of the patients was 65.8 years (ranging from 54-78) with a male: female ratio of 3:2:1. The main predisposing risk factors were head trauma (60.9%) and antiplatelet medications (21.7%). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity, followed by diabetes mellitus. Ten (62.5%) out of sixteen patients referred for Head CT-scan by the primary physicians, had an initial missed clinical diagnosis until computerized tomography (CT) scan confirmation report of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) was obtained. Flap craniotomy under general anesthesia with a subdural drainage left in situ (100%) was done for all patients. Mean duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission was 10.6 days (range 6-16 days). Twenty-one (91.3%) patients made a full recovery. There was no mortality. Conclusion:flap craniotomy for cSDH was safely performed by a traumatologist/general surgeon in a developing country where there is no neuro-surgical service. The outcome of the patients was favorable as there was co-management with the surgical and medical team.