Determinants of low birth weight in the health district of Bounkiling in Senegal

Aim: Low birth weight (LBW), 9.1 million deaths per year, is a global health issue. The proportion of LBW in Senegal is estimated at 12% (in 2017) and is at 11.7% (in 2017) in the region of Sedhiou. In this regard, rigorous management is required to address this issue, especially in rural areas. The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of LBW.Methodology: This is a case-control study which has been conducted in the district of Bounkiling. Socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers, their obstetrical and medical history, and information on the health status of the newborn in the case group were compared with that of the controls. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are performed using Epi info 7 software to identify the determinants.Results: Low-weights accounted for 97.05% of LBW. The sex ratio was 0.87 in favor of girls. The Apgar score at birth was not good for 31.4% of newborns. Teenage mothers accounted for 17.08%. The multivariate analysis showed that the determinants of LBW (p < 0.05) were the female sex of the newborn, the Apgar score at birth, the maternal age <=19 years, the household income < 83.96 USD, maternal history of low birth weight and physical labor during pregnancy. Conclusion: Strengthening communication on early marriages and pregnancies, empowering women and improving pregnancy monitoring would be levers to counter the determinants of low birth weight

Determinants of low birth weight in the health district of Bounkiling in Senegal

Aim: Low birth weight (LBW), 9.1 million deaths per year, is a global health issue. The proportion of  LBW in Senegal is estimated at 12% (in 2017) and is at 11.7% (in 2017) in the region of Sedhiou. In this regard, rigorous management is required to address this issue, especially in rural areas. The objective of the study was to identify the determinants of LBW.   Methodology: This is a case-control study which has been conducted in the district of Bounkiling. Socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers, their obstetrical and medical history, and information on the health status of the newborn in the case group were compared with that of the controls. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are performed using Epi info 7 software to identify the determinants.   Results: Low-weights accounted for 97.05% of LBW. The sex ratio was 0.87 in favor of girls. The Apgar score at birth was not good for 31.4% of newborns. Teenage mothers accounted for 17.08%. The multivariate analysis showed that the determinants of LBW (p < 0.05) were the female sex of the newborn, the Apgar score at birth, the maternal age <=19 years, the household income < 83.96 USD, maternal history of low birth weight and physical labor during pregnancy.   Conclusion: Strengthening communication on early marriages and pregnancies, empowering women and improving pregnancy monitoring would be levers to counter the determinants of low birth weight.   Coflicts of interests: None declared

Les maladies chroniques non transmissibles chez les militaires sénégalais: étude transversale en 2013

Introduction: Les maladies chroniques non transmissibles (MCNT) constituent un problème de santé publique. La transition épidémiologique coexiste avec les maladies infectieuses. En Afrique  subsaharienne, leur ampleur est peu connue et l'OMS recommande aux pays à faible et moyen revenu de réaliser des enquêtes STEPS portant sur les comportements, des mesures physiques et biochimiques.  L'absence de données au niveau national justifie cette étude auprès d'un groupe spécifique. L'objectif de l'étude était de déterminer la prévalence des MCNT et de leurs facteurs de risque chez les militaires  Sénégalais.Méthodes: Une enquête transversale a été réalisée incluant les militaires âgés de 25 à 60 ans. La participation était volontaire et l'accord des autorités hiérarchiques a préalablement été obtenu. Un sondage stratifié à deux niveaux a été utilisé permettant d'avoir un échantillon ajusté de 1513 individus. Les données ont été saisies avec le logiciel EPI Info 6 et analysées à l'aide de R. Un score de risque a été déterminé sur la base de cinq facteurs. Résultats: Les résultats préliminaires concernent 1125 personnes. L'âge moyen était de 39,7 ±9,1 ans et le sex-ratio de 28,6. La prévalence du tabagisme actif était de 17,3% et ne variait pas significativement entre les différentes catégories d'âge. L'âge moyen auquel ils ont commencé à fumer était de 20,8 ±4,05 ans. La consommation médiane de fruits et légumes était de l'ordre de 4 par jour et seulement 5,7% des enquêtés prenaient au moins 5 portions par jour. Environs 72% des enquêtés avaient une activité physique intense ou modérée. Les prévalences de la surcharge pondérale, de l'HTA et du diabète étaient de 30,5%, 28,4% et 3,0% respectivement alors que la maladie rénale chronique était retrouvée chez un seul cas. Le calcul du score de risque cardiovasculaire a montré que 39,1% des militaires étaient à risque élevé (≥3 facteurs de risque) et que ce dernier  augmentait avec l'âge. Conclusion: La prévalence élevée des MCNT dans ce groupe particulier laisse présager de l'ampleur dans la population générale. De ce point de vue, il est urgent de mettre en place un programme de prévention primaire et de dépistage pour anticiper les lourdes conséquences liées à ces maladies.Key words: Epidémiologie, maladies non-transmissibles, militaires, Sénéga

Evaluation of determinants of the use of health mutuals by the population of the Ziguinchor region in Senegal

Access to health services is a concern around the world. Different strategies were developed, but Africa’s rate remains the lowest. This article aims to contribute to the population's access to healthcare, and to assess the determinants of the use of mutual health insurance by the population of the Ziguinchor region in Senegal.    Methods: The study is transversal and descriptive, carried out from July to August 2018. Through the quota method we defined the number of patients to be interviewed. Thus, by a geographic stratification according to the departments and a second-degree stratification taking into account the staff of the different hospital departments, 392 patients were selected.   Results: 73% at the Regional Hospital Center and 27% at the Regional Peace Hospital. Response rate: 97%, women 60% and men 40%. The enrollment for women (24%) is slightly higher than that for men (21%). Socio-economic factors. The rate of adherence is the highest of for patients with university level, followed by high school; income:  the highest rate for patients with a monthly income between 200,000 and 500,000 FCFA, followed by patients with an income monthly between 100,000 and 200,000 FCFA. Factors linked to the provision of care: the rate of Mutual Health Insurance adherence follows distances from patients' homes. Concerning the relation to satisfaction, education, distance and information are more determining than adherence rate.    Recommendations: 1) State: actions on education and distance; 2) Sensitizing the population on mutual health insurance; 3) Urging healthcare providers to reduce waiting times and respect schedules as well as appointments.&nbsp

Recommendations for the COVID-19 Response at the National Level Based on Lessons Learned from the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The tenth outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in North Kivu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was declared 8 days after the end of the ninth EVD outbreak, in the Equateur Province on August 1, 2018. With a total of 3,461 confirmed and probable cases, the North Kivu outbreak was the second largest outbreak after that in West Africa in 2014-2016, and the largest observed in the DRC. This outbreak was difficult to control because of multiple challenges, including armed conflict, population displacement, movement of contacts, community mistrust, and high population density. It took more than 21 months to control the outbreak, with critical innovations and systems put into place. We describe systems that were put into place during the EVD response in the DRC that can be leveraged for the response to the current COVID-19 global pandemic

Feasibility and safety of integrating mass drug administration for helminth control with seasonal malaria chemoprevention among Senegalese children: a randomized controlled, observer-blind trial

BACKGROUND: The overlap in the epidemiology of malaria and helminths has been identified as a potential area to exploit for the development of an integrated control strategy that may help to achieve elimination of malaria and helminths. A randomized, controlled, observer-blind trial was conducted to assess the feasibility and safety of combining mass drug administration (MDA) for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) with seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) among children living in Senegal. METHODS: Female and male children aged 1-14 years were randomized 1:1:1, to receive Vitamin A and Zinc on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine) on Days 1-3 (control group); or praziquantel and Vitamin A on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs on Days 1-3 (treatment group 1); or albendazole and praziquantel on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs on Days 1-3 (treatment group 2). Safety assessment was performed by collecting adverse events from all children for six subsequent days following administration of the study drugs. Pre- and post-intervention, blood samples were collected for determination of haemoglobin concentration, malaria microscopy, and PCR assays. Stool samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz, Merthiolate-iodine-formalin and PCR methods. Urine filtration, PCR and circulating cathodic antigen tests were also performed. RESULTS: From 9 to 22 June 2022, 627 children aged 1-14 years were randomized into the three groups described above. Mild, transient vomiting was observed in 12.6% (26/206) of children in treatment group 2, in 10.6% (22/207) in group 1, and in 4.2% (9/214) in the control group (p = 0.005). Pre-intervention, the geometric mean value of Plasmodium falciparum parasite density was highest among children who received albendazole, praziquantel with SMC drugs. Post-intervention, the parasite density was highest among children who received SMC drugs only. Children who received praziquantel and SMC drugs had a lower risk of developing severe anaemia than their counterparts who received SMC drugs alone (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.13-5.00, p = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Integration of MDA for helminths with SMC drugs was safe and feasible among Senegalese children. These findings support further evaluation of the integrated control model. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at Clinical Trial.gov NCT05354258

Unusual Presentation of Priapism Associated with Acute and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Two Patients: Emergency Management

Priapism is a rare urological emergency. It is rarely a telltale sign of myeloid leukemia. We report two cases of acute myeloid leukemia in a child and chronic myeloid leukemia in a young adult presenting with priapism. Puncture irrigation of the corpora cavernosa followed by systemic treatment to lower the hyperviscosity of the blood due to leukemia provided optimal outcome. Prompt emergency management is required to lower the complication of erectile dysfunction