Médecine et santé tropicales
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This study aimed to estimate the evolution of the maternal and neonatal tetanus in Senegal from the tetanus vaccination coverage among pregnant women, the proportion of deliveries attended by trained medical personnel and the number of cases of tetanus declared by respective districts, helping to identify districts at high risk of neonatal tetanus (NNT). ⋯ Assessing the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in Senegal shows that progress has been made from 2003 to 2009. This was made possible through the organization of vaccination campaigns for women of childbearing age and the improvements in the conditions of deliveries.
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We sought to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and the factors associated with it in Tourou in northern Benin. ⋯ This study, like others in Africa, suggests that epilepsy is not rare among young adults at Tourou in Northern Benin and that treatment of epilepsy in this area is inadequate.
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The incidence of tuberculosis is high in Africa. It is treated with medications that can trigger neuropathic pain and thus negatively affect patients' quality of life and treatment compliance. The aim of this study was to investigate neuropathic pain due to antituberculosis drugs in patients without HIV infection. ⋯ Neuropathic pain occurs independently of age, sex or the specific antituberculosis regimen, as long as it includes isoniazid. Stopping or modifying the treatment regimen is not necessary. In our context, in view of the difficulties in identifying slow acetylators, the routine addition of vitamin B6 to all treatment protocols should be discussed.
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Group A meningococci are primarily responsible for the epidemic meningococcal diseases in the countries of the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. In 1995-1996 major epidemics (>200 000 cases) impeded effective management and ultimately resulted in many improvements. ⋯ In 2010, preventive vaccination campaigns using the meningococcal conjugate vaccine MenAfriVac(®) began. Their use in all countries of the meningitis belt could eliminate serogroup A outbreaks in the region.
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To determine the frequency of admission and its reasons, severity and outcome among elderly patients in our intensive care unit (ICU) and compare them with those for younger subjects. ⋯ The management of elderly subjects remains a problem in intensive care. High mortality is generally not directly related to their age but rather to their overall condition.