Research Article
Evaluation of Nutritional Management of Acutely Malnourished HIV-Infected Children Aged 0-59 Months at the Institute of Nutrition and Child Health in Guinea
Kolie Fassou*,
Diakite Djiba,
Sow Abdoulaye,
Sidibe Sidikiba,
Amadou Sadjo Diallo,
Delpeuch Francis,
Alexandre Delamou
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 6, December 2023
Pages:
161-166
Received:
26 October 2023
Accepted:
22 November 2023
Published:
6 December 2023
Abstract: Context: In the Republic of Guinea, undernutrition and inadequate health care are responsible for many child deaths every year, victims of the vicious circle between malnutrition and infectious diseases. Acute malnutrition in young HIV-infected children is a particular problem. Aims: Objective: To evaluate the nutritional management of children, and compare the evolution of malnourished children hospitalized according to their HIV status. Methods: A 6-month evaluative descriptive study study of 130 children aged 0-59 months. A case of moderate acute malnutrition was defined for a P-T index < -2 Z-score, and a severe case for a P-T index < -3 Z-score. HIV serology was confirmed by second-generation immune cum. Results and Discussion: 40 children (31%) were infected with HIV. All suffered from acute malnutrition, 97% of them severe. The occurrence of diarrhea (p<0.001) and malaria (p = 0.013) was statistically associated with HIV+ status, while the absence of weight gain (p<0.001) and stabilization (p<0.001) was also associated with the HIV+ status of malnourished children. Death in acutely malnourished children was statistically associated with HIV status (p<0.001), with a death rate of 60% versus 7% in HIV-negative children. Conclusion: The death rate among HIV+ children is alarming. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission remains essential.
Abstract: Context: In the Republic of Guinea, undernutrition and inadequate health care are responsible for many child deaths every year, victims of the vicious circle between malnutrition and infectious diseases. Acute malnutrition in young HIV-infected children is a particular problem. Aims: Objective: To evaluate the nutritional management of children, an...
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Research Article
Maternal-Fetal Prognosis of Pregnancy and Childbirth in Sickle-Cell Patients at the Bernard Kouchner Community Medical Centre of Coronthie in Conakry (Guinea)
Tolno Tamba Julien*,
Leno Daniel William Athanase,
Balde Maimouna,
Toure Souleymane,
Camara Moussa,
Tolno Pascal,
Bangoura Salematou,
Diallo Abdourahamane,
Sy Telly,
Hyjazi Yolande,
Keita Namory
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 6, December 2023
Pages:
167-171
Received:
3 October 2023
Accepted:
30 October 2023
Published:
11 December 2023
Abstract: Introduction: Sickle cell anaemia is an autosomal recessive inherited haemoglobin disorder caused by the presence of high concentrations of abnormal haemoglobin, haemoglobin S, in the red blood cell. Pregnancy is not contraindicated in women with sickle cell disease, but it is a high-risk situation for both mother and foetus. Observed maternal mortality varies from 0.5 to 5%. The aim of this study was to describe the management and maternal-fetal prognosis of sickle cell disease during pregnancy and childbirth. Patients and methods: This was a prospective longitudinal descriptive study conducted over 12 months (1 January to 31 December 2022) in the gynaecology-obstetrics department of the Bernard Kouchner community medical centre in Coronthie, Conakry (Guinea). Pregnant women were included following diagnostic confirmation of sickle cell disease by haemoglobin electrophoresis. Results: During the study period, 43 (8.1%) of the 533 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 27.83 years, with extremes of 16 and 40 years. Professional women were the most affected (41.8%). Primiparous women and women with no schooling represented 51.2% and 39.5% of our study population respectively. The medical and obstetric history was dominated by vaso-occlusive crises (46.5%), followed by anaemia (23.2%), miscarriage (11.6%), genital infections (6.9%) and foetal death in utero (4.7%). We noted three types of sickle cell phenotype with varying proportions: the AS phenotype (65%), the SC phenotype (23%) and the SS phenotype (12%). Complications were mainly anaemia (27.9%), vaso-occlusive crises (13.9%), retroplacental haematoma (6.9%), premature rupture of membranes (6.9%), urinary tract infection (4, 6%), hypertension (2.3%), acute foetal distress (11.6%), hypotrophy (4.7), intrapartum foetal death (4.7%), in-utero foetal death (2.3%) and intrauterine growth retardation (2.3%). Conclusion: Sickle cell disease in pregnant women is common in our context and often leads to maternal and perinatal complications. The Emmel test should be performed systematically at each first antenatal consultation, along with haemoglobin electrophoresis.
Abstract: Introduction: Sickle cell anaemia is an autosomal recessive inherited haemoglobin disorder caused by the presence of high concentrations of abnormal haemoglobin, haemoglobin S, in the red blood cell. Pregnancy is not contraindicated in women with sickle cell disease, but it is a high-risk situation for both mother and foetus. Observed maternal mort...
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Research Article
Maternal Employment and Child Nutritional Status in Cameroon: An Investigation Using the Heckman Selection Model
Yong Alfred Fang*,
Zamo Akono Christian,
Ndonou Tchoumdop Michèle Estelle,
Mongbet Ousseni
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 6, December 2023
Pages:
172-181
Received:
23 November 2023
Accepted:
11 December 2023
Published:
22 December 2023
Abstract: Nearly half of all deaths among children under five years of age across the globe results from under nutrition. This study examines the effect of maternal employment on child nutritional status in Cameroon using secondary data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). We used a weighted sample of 4497 children U5 years born to women age 15–49. The Chi-squared tests and The Heckman selection model were used to examine the effects while controlling for other explanatory factors. Our results show that maternal employment has a significant (p<0.1) negative effect on child nutritional status in Cameroon. Children of employed mothers are at a higher risk and more likely to be stunted (0.3%) wasted (1.7%) or underweight (3.1%) compared to children whose mothers are unemployed. Particularly, mother’s occupation in agriculture has negative effect on child nutritional status; this has a negative and significant effect of 4.5% on underweight and negative and significant effect of 8.8% on stunting. Full-time maternal work increases stunting by 1%; wasting by 0.2% and underweight by 1.1% even though not-significant (p>0.1). On the basis of these findings, we suggest that interventions aimed at improving children’s nutrition should promote breastfeeding in work places and flexible working conditions that can permit nursing mothers to maintain close contacts with their children even during working time.
Abstract: Nearly half of all deaths among children under five years of age across the globe results from under nutrition. This study examines the effect of maternal employment on child nutritional status in Cameroon using secondary data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). We used a weighted sample of 4497 children U5 years born to wo...
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Research Article
Serological Evidence of Hantavirus Infection in Suspected Cases of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever in Conakry, Guinea
Sékou Traoré,
Salifou Talassone Bangoura*,
Alimou Camara,
Yamoussa Youla,
Nourdine Ibrahim,
Maladho Diaby,
Kadio Jean-Jacques Olivier Kadio,
Saidouba Cherif Camara,
Tanou Valdez Bah,
Foromo Timothée Beavogui,
Sidikiba Sidibé,
Abdoulaye Touré,
Sanaba Boumbaly
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 6, December 2023
Pages:
182-186
Received:
27 November 2023
Accepted:
19 December 2023
Published:
28 December 2023
Abstract: Background: Hantaviruses are enzootic haemorrhagic fever viruses whose transmission to humans can cause serious illness with mortality rates ranging from 12% to 40%. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against hantaviruses in the Conakry region. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of suspected haemorrhagic fever cases. Blood samples were analysed at the Guinea Virology Research Center, Conakry, Republic of Guinea. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Euro-Immun, vector-best, Russia) was used to detect the presence of specific IgG antibodies to hantaviruses according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results: A total of 368 suspected cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported between 2021 and 2022 in public health facilities in Conakry. The seroprevalence of IgG in patients was 8.7% (95% CI: 6.1-12.0). Patients under 30 years of age were the group most affected (14.9%). The seroprevalence of hantaviruses was significantly higher in trades worker (16.0%) than in other socio-professional categories (p<0.001). Patients with fever associated with anorexia and cough had a hantavirus IgG seroprevalence of 45.5% and 28.9% respectively. Conclusion: This study provided serological evidence of hantavirus circulation in the Conakry region. Active surveillance of hantaviruses, including molecular biology and serotyping, would be necessary to improve our understanding of the ecology of circulating hantavirus strains.
Abstract: Background: Hantaviruses are enzootic haemorrhagic fever viruses whose transmission to humans can cause serious illness with mortality rates ranging from 12% to 40%. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against hantaviruses in the Conakry region. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of suspected haemorrh...
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