Assessments of Ebola knowledge, attitudes and practices in Forécariah, Guinea and Kambia, Sierra Leone, July-August 2015.

The border region of Forécariah (Guinea) and Kambia (Sierra Leone) was of immense interest to the West Africa Ebola response. Cross-sectional household surveys with multi-stage cluster sampling procedure were used to collect random samples from Kambia (n = 635) in July 2015 and Forécariah (n = 502) in August 2015 to assess public knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Ebola. Knowledge of the disease was high in both places, and handwashing with soap and water was the most widespread prevention practice. Acceptance of safe alternatives to traditional burials was significantly lower in Forécariah compared with Kambia. In both locations, there was a minority who held discriminatory attitudes towards survivors. Radio was the predominant source of information in both locations, but those from Kambia were more likely to have received Ebola information from community sources (mosques/churches, community meetings or health workers) compared with those in Forécariah. These findings contextualize the utility of Ebola health messaging during the epidemic and suggest the importance of continued partnership with community leaders, including religious leaders, as a prominent part of future public health protection.This article is part of the themed issue 'The 2013-2016 West African Ebola epidemic: data, decision-making and disease control'.

[Smoking and related factors among college students in Dixinn, Guinea]. / Tabagisme et facteurs associés chez les collégiens de Dixinn en Guinée.

INTRODUCTION: Very few published studies are available on smoking in schools In Guinea. This investigation was designed to determine the extent of smoking in Guinean urban schools. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to june 2012. Students from four public schools in the municipality of Dixinn were anonymously interviewed by self-administered questionnaire concerning their smoking habits. The questionnaires were then analysed by SPSS 20 software RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking, always in the form of cigarettes, was 13.4% (C/95%: 10.6-16.1) among college students. Early initiation of smoking was observed (13.9 years) and smokers frequently expressed the prospect of withdrawal. The most common predisposing factor was the imitation of the environment (32.9%). The influence of fashion and advertising (45.6%) and imitation of the per group (32.9%) were the factors most frequently cited to promote smoking. Male gender [odd ratio= 7.9 (95% confidence interval3.8 to 16.9)], having a close friend who smoked [1.7 (1.1-2.8)], and frequently seeing other students smoking {3 8 (2.3 to 6.2)] were associated with smoking. CONCLUSION: Smoking is common among college students in Conakry, Guinea. The authorities, including educational authorities, should be more actively involved in the fight against this growing scourge in developing countries.