The commodity systems of four indigenous leafy vegetables in Senegal

Increasing the production of traditional leafy vegetables that are well adapted to the agro-ecology of Senegal, easy to grow and requiring low inputs, could greatly help to solve the poverty and malnutrition problems in Senegal. However, leafy vegetables are often overlooked by the scientific community. The species of leafy vegetables dealt with in this paper are roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), amaranths (Amaranthus L. spp.) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam). To increase production of traditional leafy vegetables, access to good quality seeds is necessary. Two plantcollecting missions were undertaken throughout Senegal by a multidisciplinary research team. Experimentation on Hibiscus regeneration and characterisation was conducted at ISRA-CDH research station. Sixty-four accessions were collected among the four species. Forty-eight accessions of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were characterised. The level of dissimilarity (63%) within the accessions of roselle confirmed the high degree of intra-species variability. The Richness Index determined for the Diaobe and Matam markets indicated a high degree of genetic diversity of roselle. These are used to select three new lines according to farmers’ preference criteria.In addition, socio-economic surveys were conducted in two pilot villages. It was found that planting dates for leafy vegetables varied greatly, depending on species, locality and season. Sowing was mainly done broadcast. Organic fertilisers were commonly applied. Eighty per cent (80%) of the farmers applied an NPK formulation and small quantities of urea. Traditional irrigation methods are often used in the growing of traditional leafy vegetables. The seeds used by farmers were a mixture of varieties. Farmers identified four types of each of roselle, amaranth and cowpea, but could not differentiate any variety for Moringa. Local markets constitute the main roselle seed supply source. Few farmers have developed traditional methods of seed conservation. Selling of seed is not a common activity in rural areas. Generally, farmers exchange gratuitously theirs seeds. Leaves are commonly sold at the field, in the village, in the nearest city and weekly at local markets called ’Louma‘. Average annual income generated by leaves varies from 41 to 500 USD. Leafy vegetables are used as food and for medicinal purposes. Leafy vegetable consumption in Senegal is around 23 g/person·d.Keywords: leafy vegetables, production, species, seed and genetic diversit

Practice of diagnostic hysteroscopy after myomectomy in the prevention of intrauterine adhesions: experience of Ouakam military hospital (Dakar, Senegal)

Background: Surgical treatment of myomas may be the cause of some complications, including intrauterine adhesions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of intrauterine adhesions in patients who underwent myomectomy by laparotomy or hysteroscopic resection.Methods: We carried out a prospective single center study from August 1st 2016 to May 31st 2017 in the gynaecological and obstetrical department of Ouakam the Military Hospital (Senegal). We included patients who underwent myomectomy by laparotomy with opening of the uterine cavity or myomectomy by hysteroscopy. A diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed to search post-operative intrauterine adhesions. For each patient, we studied the socio-demographic aspects, the surgical approach, the delay of diagnostic hysteroscopy, the appearance of uterine cavity and the tolerance of hysteroscopy.Results: 54 patients underwent the diagnostic hysteroscopy. The mean age was 36 years old. The main indication of myomectomy was menorrhagia. 37 patients underwent myomectomy by laparotomy and 17 by hysteroscopy. Each case was followed by a post-operative diagnostic hysteroscopy with a mean delay time of 58 days. We found post-operative intrauterine adhesions in 7 patients (5 in the laparotomy group and 2 in hysteroscopy group).Conclusions: Early diagnostic hysteroscopy after myomectomy should be done in our context to reduce post-operative intrauterine adhesions and preserve the patient’s fertility

Epidemiological, clinical, prognostic and therapeutic aspects of twin delivery in two referral maternity units in Dakar (Senegal)

Background: Twin pregnancy is the simultaneous development of two embryos and then two fetuses in the uterine cavity. Objective of present study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical, prognostic and therapeutic aspects of twin delivery in two referral maternity units in Dakar.Methods: A descriptive and analytical retrospective bi-centric study of all cases of twin deliveries recorded in two referral center in Dakar was conducted during the period January 1st, 2005-December 31st, 2015, i.e. an 11-year period. It concerned 619 pregnant women who gave birth to twins in these two referral medical structures. The epidemiological parameters, clinical, prognostic and therapeutic aspects of twin childbirth were studied. The data were entered and analysed using Epi info version 3.5.3.Results: The twinning prevalence was 1.11%. The majority of our parturient women (506 or 81.7% of the cases) came from the Dakar suburbs. The average age of the parturient women was 28 years and the gestity age 3.1. Pregnancy was well monitored for 98.5% of the parturient women with an average number of prenatal consultations of 3.6. The first prenatal consultation was performed in 52% of cases in the first quarter. In more than one third of cases (234 or 37.8%), the diagnosis was made in the third quarter of pregnancy. 113 cases (18.2%) of premature rupture of membranes, 10 cases (1.61%) of threat of premature delivery and 7 cases (11.13%) of placenta previa were registered. During labour, the diagnosis was made by clinical examination in 32.2% of cases. Bichorial biamniotic twin pregnancy was the most frequent anatomical type (62.6%). On admission, the first twin (T1) was in cephalic presentation in 56.7%, in breech presentation in 15.2%; The second twin (T2) was in breech presentation in 21.1% of the cases. Caesarean section was related to the first twin in 50.6% and the second twin in 53.8% of the cases. Caesarean section was performed in 50.6% for the first twin and in 53.8% for the second twin. The mean time interval between the delivery of T1 and that of T2 was 17.4 min. Low birth weight was more frequent for the second twin (54.3%). The stillbirth rate was 48.26 per thousand. Maternal complications were dominated by renal-vascular syndromes (4.2%), haemorrhagic causes (1.86%), perineal lesions (1.6%) and uterine rupture (0.97%). Postpartum haemorrhage was observed in 8 cases (1.29%). Maternal mortality was nilConclusions: Twin delivery poses varying difficulties due to the complexity of obstetrical mechanics and the frequency of dystocic presentations. Despite improved maternal prognosis, in recent years, perinatal mortality and morbidity, still high, remain a constant concern

Foetal instrumental extractions (IE) at the maternity at Nabil Choucair Health Center (Senegal) from 2005 to 2016: epidemio-clinical and prognostic aspects

Background: The main objective was to take stock of practices on instrumental extractions at the maternity of Nabil Choucair Health Center.Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study from 1 January 2005 to 31 April 2016. The collection was carried out through the data sheet completed on the basis of an analysis of files, the delivery register and the anaesthesia register of the operating room. The data was entered using the Sphinx software version 5 and the data analysis performed by Epi info version 3.5.Results: 240 instrumental extraction cases were compiled, and their frequency was 0.4%. The mean age of patients was 24.8 years. Obstetric vacuum was the most commonly used instrument (66.4%) and an episiotomy was performed in 73.6%. Maternal complications were dominated by simple perineal tears (6.2%).Conclusions: Instrumental extractions should be rehabilitated in our maternity facilities to combat the outbreak of the caesarean section. Instrumental extractions indications and techniques should be controlled to avoid complication

Pseudo tumor tuberculosis of the uterine cervix: about a case at the colposcopy and cervico vaginal pathologies unit of the University hospital Le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal

Tuberculosis is still common in developing countries and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa since the advent of the HIV/AIDS. Genital tuberculosis usually affects young women in genital activity period. The most frequent locations are tubal, endometrial and ovarian. The cervical location is rare. We report on the case of a 36 years old patient with eight pregnancies and eight deliveries who lives in a rural area and has got in her history 8 vaginal deliveries with four living children and 4 dead children and who was referred by a colleague for a "tumor of the uterine cervix". In her medical history, there was a BCG vaccination during childhood and she had never received Pap smear. The colposcopy revealed an ulcerating budding tumor of the cervix with necrotic areas. The colposcopy biopsy revealed fibrocaseous tuberculosis of the uterine cervix. Tuberculosis is still a common disease in developing countries. The cervical localization is rare but should be considered in case of an ulcerating tumor budding of the cervix

Uterine ruptures during labor: a study of 26 cases at Nabil Choucair Medical Center, in the suburbs of Dakar

Background: This study aims to clarify the epidemiological profile of patients and describe the diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of uterine ruptures at Nabil Choucair Health Center, in the suburbs of Dakar.Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted over a period of 112 months, from July 31, 2005 and March 31, 2015; it concerned all diagnosed cases with uterine rupture, managed at Nabil Health Center Choucair Dakar. Data were collected from antenatal notebooks, delivery records, surgical reports and anesthetic records. The following parameters were studied: socio-demographic characteristics (frequency, chracteristics of patient), the course of pregnancy, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 11.0).Results: During the study period, we recorded 26 uterine ruptures from a total of 34,097 deliveries, that is a frequency of 8 out of 10,000 births. The epidemiological profile of the patients was that of a 30-year old woman, on average, few previous deliveries with an average parity of 3, who received on average 3 antenatal and evacuated in 50% of cases. Uterine rupture occurred in 17 patients on a new uterus (65, 4%) and in 9 patients on a scarred uterus (34.6%). Two patients (7%) were in hemorrhagic shock. A laparotomy aimed at specifying the place of rupture and making the treatment was performed in all patients. It was 18 uterine segmento-corporeal ruptures (69.2%), 5 segmental ruptures (19.2%) and 2 corporeal ruptures (7.6%). We recorded 9 uterine ruptures with living fetus (38.5%). Twenty-three patients (88.5%) underwent conservative suture against only 3 hemostasis hysterectomy (11.5%). The postoperative courses were uneventful in 57.7% of cases. Eleven patients (42.3%) had anemia and we recorded maternal deaths, which is a maternal mortality of 3.84%.Conclusions: Uterine rupture is a serious complication that is still responsible for significant maternal and fetal mortality. Prevention is based on careful monitoring of pregnancy and delivery

Assessment of the quality of the management of childbirth by vaginal delivery in 5 reference maternity clinics in Dakar, Senegal

Background: The current strategy to fight maternal and perinatal mortalities is mainly based on three pillars: family planning, skilled delivery and emergency obstetric and neonatal cares. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of the management of low-risk deliveries in 5 reference maternity clinics in the region of Dakar.             Methods: This is an observation-based multicentric, prospective and descriptive study, carried out over a four-month period, from September 1st to December 31st, 2012, in 5 reference maternity hospitals in the region of Dakar. For each delivery, the focus was put on parturient socio-demographic features, the surveillance techniques of the labour, the handling of the exit and delivery phases, materno-fetal complications but also on the new-born care. To assess the quality of childbirth management, a comparison between the practices was made and observed on the field and the World Health Organization's recommendations which fall into 4 categories (A, B, C and D) depending on the appropriateness or not of their use. For data input and analysis, we used the 13.0 version of the SPSS software. Results: During the study period, 200 childbirths were observed. The epidemiologic profile used for this study was that of a literate woman with a low record of childbirth who was 27 on average with a mean parity of 3. Forty seven percent of childbirth deliveries were observed in Roi Baudouin hospital centre. The A-category recommendations of the World Health Organization, such as the consumption of drinks, mobility during labour, the use of a partograph, the active management of the third stage of labour (AMTSL) and the examination of the placenta were applied in 22.5%, 86.2%, 23.4%, 100% and 23.4% of cases respectively. As for the B-category recommendations, which recommend the removal of those practices deemed harmful such as the back position during labour, the placement of an intravenous line and the oxytocin infusion, they were carried out in 91.84%, 98.08% and 7.28% of cases respectively. C and D categories which deal with non-recommended practices such as the use of abdominal expressions during labour and episiotomy were used in 47.6% and 39.7% of cases respectively.Conclusions: In our study, the most followed A-category recommendations from the WHO are: encouraged mobility, the use of single-use equipment, AMTSL and skin-on-skin contact. However, some B, C and D-category practices are still widely used in our maternity hospitals. The health authorities should make sure that the WHO recommendations are followed

Active management of third stage of labour with low doses of oral misoprostol and oxytocin on low: risk parturient in a Sub-Saharan hospital, Dakar, Sénégal

Background: Assess the effectiveness of oral misoprostol as an alternative to oxytocin in the active management of the third stage of labour in Dakar/Senegal.Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the maternity ward of a university hospital on 304 women who had vaginal delivery. These women were randomly assigned into 2 groups based on active delivery conditions: the first group received an oral administration of misoprostol (400 mcg) and the second group 5 IU oxytocin through intravenous route.Results: The average volume of blood loss was 196.55 ml in the misoprostol group and 208.39 ml in the oxytocin group (p=0.63). The incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (>500 cc) was 6.49% in the misoprostol group and 9.33% in the oxytocin group (p=0.358). The average rate of haemo globin decline was 0.38 g/dl in the misoprostol group and 0.29 g/dl in the oxytocin group (p=0.99). The proportion of hyperthermia, shivering, and nausea in the misoprostol and oxytocin groups were respectively: 2.59% against 0.6% (p=0.123), 7.14% against 2% (p=0.001) and 2.59% against 0.6% (p=0.498).Conclusions: In Senegal, Misoprostol despite its side effects, is an effective alternative to oxytocin in the active management of the third stage of labour for low-risk parturient women to reduce the risk of maternal deaths due to post-partum hemorrhage

Cervical cancer screening in pregnancy at the maternity clinics of Nabil Choucair health center and the Institute of Social Hygiene of Dakar, Senegal: a study on 67 cases

Background: This study aims were to develop the epidemiological profile of patients who received Pap smears during pregnancy, to describe aspects of cytological smears performed in pregnant women and to describe the therapeutic management in case of anomalies in the cervical smear during pregnancy.Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted from January 15, 2015 to June 31, 2015 at maternity of Nabil Choucair Health Centre and the Institute of Social Hygiene in Dakar. The Pap smear was performed in all patients who had given their consent to the experience. The parameters studied concerned socio-demographic aspects, gynecological and obstetric background, gestational age at the time of collection, cervico-vaginal smear results, diagnostic and therapeutic management of cytological and histological abnormalities. The data collected on a survey sheet prepared for this purpose were entered and analyzed through the version 3.5.3 of Epi info software.Results: During the study period, 67 pregnant women had received a Pap smear. The epidemiological profile of our patient was a paucipare gestity with an average of 3 with extremes ranging from 1 to 7, an average parity of 2.4 with extremes ranging from 1 to 7. The mean age of pregnancy was 15.4 weeks of amenorrhea (range of 6 and 32 weeks). Only 5 patients (7.4%) had already received a cervical-vaginal swab before the study. The smear was normal in 88.7% of the cases but got abnormalities in 11.3% of the cases. The abnormalities were mainly found in squamous cells and were divided into low-grade lesions (57.1%) and skew-cell abnormalities whose meaning was undetermined (42.1%). Colposcopy was performed in 8 patients. Colposcopy was normal and satisfactory in 4 patients (50%) and identified as atypical grade 1 transformation in 2 patients (25%) and an atypical grade 2 transformation in 2 patients (25%). From a therapeutic point of view, diathermic loop conduction associated with strapping was performed in one patient (12.5%) for severe dysplasia. In postpartum, all dysplastic cervical lesions diagnosed during pregnancy had declined.Conclusions: In the context of our study, where there is no organized screening policy for cervical cancer, antenatal clinics are an excellent screening opportunity to seize

Improving fetal dystocia management using simulation in Senegal: midterm results

Background: Maternal mortality, which constitutes the extreme point of the existing inequality between women in poor and rich countries, remains very high in Africa south of the Sahara. The objective of this study was to introduce a new training approach in Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) entered in Senegal to strengthen the skills of healthcare providers.Methods: The approach was based on the skills training using the so-called "humanist" method and "lifesaving skills". Simulated practice took place in the classroom through thirteen clinical stations summarizing the clinical skills on EmONC. The evaluation was done in all phases and the results were recorded in a database to document the progress of each learner.Results: With this approach, 432 providers were trained in 10 months. The increase in technical achievements of each participant was documented through the database. The combination of training based on the model “learning by doing” has ensured learning and mastering all EmONC skills and reduced missed learning opportunities as observed in former EmONC trainings.Conclusions: The impact of training on EmONC indicators and the introduction of this learning modality in basic training are the two major challenges in terms of prospects