A large population of straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) colonizes a prime area in the city of Accra where several public amenities are located. Although the colony is positive to several zoonotic viruses including the Ebola virus, there is limited information on the social dimensions of the existence of the bats. As a step towards effective response to health risk and conservation of the bats, this study assessed the knowledge and attitude of the community living around the bats and determined their level of environmental and public health consciousness. The community generally lacks interest in bat bushmeat consumption but had low knowledge and disease risk perception of the bats. Despite major campaigns during the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, elements of risky behaviour including disbelief and disregard for some preventive measures and lack of interest in post-bat exposure prophylaxis were recorded among a limited proportion of the community. There was the need to focus public health education on the community and possibly others that may have E. helvum colonies in West Africa.

Background: Bilateral inguinal hernias are relatively rare in females compared to men. The management outcome of bilateral nylon darn, a method predominantly used in sub-Saharan Africa for same time repairs in complicated or elective hernia surgeries is largely unknown. Aims and Objectives: Our aim is to report a rare case of same time bilateral inguinal hernia obstruction and review the outcome of bilateral nylon darn posterior wall repairs after herniotomy. Design of the Study: This was a retrospective analysis of bilaterally operated inguinal hernia female patients data that was retrieved for the past 6-year period. Settings: All complete records of female patients who had same time bilateral inguinal hernia repairs at the Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital (district hospital), for the period January 2015 to December 2020 were included in the study. Materials and Methods: Patient biodata, clinical notes on diagnosis, surgical management, postoperative care, and complications were extracted from hospital records and analysed. Results: A total of 14 patients aged between 40 and 87 years which represented 1.85% of the total hernia repairs were female with same time bilateral inguinal hernia repairs. Seven (50%) patients presented at the emergency with hernias detected over a year. Surgical site infection and pains after surgery were the predominant complications and occurred more common after emergency repairs. Conclusion: Emergency bilateral inguinal hernia repairs were three times associated with surgical site infection compared to elective repairs.