Pub Date : 2024-02-01DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.41.42262
Fahd Bennani Smires, Zakaria Iloughmane, M. Elghazi, Meryem Zerrik, H. Echchachoui, M. Chemsi
High blood pressure is a major cardiovascular risk factor closely linked to serious cardiovascular events. A real public health problem affecting more than one in three adults. Aircrew does not escape this pathology, despite very strict medical selection and rigorous and regular medical monitoring by the aircrew doctor during revision visits. We conducted a retrospective study at the medical expertise center for aircrew in Rabat which made it possible to collect 34 hypertensive civilian aircrew for 10 years, from January 2012 to December 2022. The median age at the time of the study was 56.5. The aeronautical specialties practiced by our aircrew population were dominated by class 1. The prevalence of hypertension in Moroccan civilian aircrew: out of 2000 monitored annually at the Aeromedical Expertise Center for 10 years, 34 cases were collected, i.e.: 1.7%. The average age of discovery was 49 years and in 23 cases the diagnosis was established by systematic screening during periodic fitness visits. More than 24 aircrews had no family history of hypertension. On the therapeutic level, lifestyle and dietary measures were systematically prescribed in all our aircrew, 18 patients were put on monotherapy, 11 on dual therapy, and 2 on triple therapy. Compared to fitness decisions, they were variable according to the grade of hypertension, the control of complications, and the aeronautical function. The discovery of hypertension in aircrew can jeopardize aviation safety with the risk of subtle or sudden incapacity in flight through neurological or cardiovascular complications, which could impact the fitness decision. However, advances in medicine and the management of hypertension made in recent years have prompted the medical and aeronautical authorities to revise the standards of aptitude.
{"title":"High blood pressure and aeronautical fitness: experience at the aeromedical expertise center of Rabat","authors":"Fahd Bennani Smires, Zakaria Iloughmane, M. Elghazi, Meryem Zerrik, H. Echchachoui, M. Chemsi","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2024.47.41.42262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2024.47.41.42262","url":null,"abstract":"High blood pressure is a major cardiovascular risk factor closely linked to serious cardiovascular events. A real public health problem affecting more than one in three adults. Aircrew does not escape this pathology, despite very strict medical selection and rigorous and regular medical monitoring by the aircrew doctor during revision visits. We conducted a retrospective study at the medical expertise center for aircrew in Rabat which made it possible to collect 34 hypertensive civilian aircrew for 10 years, from January 2012 to December 2022. The median age at the time of the study was 56.5. The aeronautical specialties practiced by our aircrew population were dominated by class 1. The prevalence of hypertension in Moroccan civilian aircrew: out of 2000 monitored annually at the Aeromedical Expertise Center for 10 years, 34 cases were collected, i.e.: 1.7%. The average age of discovery was 49 years and in 23 cases the diagnosis was established by systematic screening during periodic fitness visits. More than 24 aircrews had no family history of hypertension. On the therapeutic level, lifestyle and dietary measures were systematically prescribed in all our aircrew, 18 patients were put on monotherapy, 11 on dual therapy, and 2 on triple therapy. Compared to fitness decisions, they were variable according to the grade of hypertension, the control of complications, and the aeronautical function. The discovery of hypertension in aircrew can jeopardize aviation safety with the risk of subtle or sudden incapacity in flight through neurological or cardiovascular complications, which could impact the fitness decision. However, advances in medicine and the management of hypertension made in recent years have prompted the medical and aeronautical authorities to revise the standards of aptitude.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139889828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Female genital mutilation (FGM) was seen in 30 countries, especially in Africa and also in Asia and the Middle East. According to WHO data, Somalia is where FGM is performed most frequently. Our study aimed to evaluate the recordings of patients with FGM who were diagnosed with a traumatic clitoral cyst. We identified the clitoral cysts cases between February 2015 and August 2020. We collected clinical, surgical, sociodemographic, and histopathological details such as age, marital status, patient resume, age at which FGM was performed, complaints, size of the cyst consultation reasons, FGM procedural long-term complications, sexual function, husband polygamic relationship status, and histological findings. A total of 21 patients diagnosed with clitoral cysts were included in the study. The technique was easily applied in every patient, and the cysts were removed intact, except in 2 patients. There were no intraoperative complications; only minimal bleeding was seen. Except for one patient, all had unilocular cysts, and the final pathological examination revealed an epidermal inclusion cyst. We observed a neuroma developed due to genital trauma due to FGM in one of our patients. Female circumcision and its consequences are not familiar to many healthcare professionals in the developed world. We want to increase awareness of female circumcision and its long-term complication of clitoral cysts among healthcare professionals worldwide.
{"title":"A long term complication clitoral cyst: after female genital mutilation","authors":"Özgür Şahin, Erol Nadi Varlı, Abdirahman Omar Moallim, Harun Egemen Tolunay","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.23.31939","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.23.31939","url":null,"abstract":"Female genital mutilation (FGM) was seen in 30 countries, especially in Africa and also in Asia and the Middle East. According to WHO data, Somalia is where FGM is performed most frequently. Our study aimed to evaluate the recordings of patients with FGM who were diagnosed with a traumatic clitoral cyst. We identified the clitoral cysts cases between February 2015 and August 2020. We collected clinical, surgical, sociodemographic, and histopathological details such as age, marital status, patient resume, age at which FGM was performed, complaints, size of the cyst consultation reasons, FGM procedural long-term complications, sexual function, husband polygamic relationship status, and histological findings. A total of 21 patients diagnosed with clitoral cysts were included in the study. The technique was easily applied in every patient, and the cysts were removed intact, except in 2 patients. There were no intraoperative complications; only minimal bleeding was seen. Except for one patient, all had unilocular cysts, and the final pathological examination revealed an epidermal inclusion cyst. We observed a neuroma developed due to genital trauma due to FGM in one of our patients. Female circumcision and its consequences are not familiar to many healthcare professionals in the developed world. We want to increase awareness of female circumcision and its long-term complication of clitoral cysts among healthcare professionals worldwide.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135445991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.46.28.37572
Marcus Ilesanmi, Babatunde Olujobi, Oluwapelumi Ilesanmi, Valerie Umaefulam
Introduction: measles outbreak remains a recurring episode and continues to be responsible for millions of deaths globally every year. This study examines measles immunization coverage and uncovers barriers and enablers to effective provision and uptake of measles immunization services from the supply end and provider´s perspective in a developing nation´s context.
{"title":"Exploring data trends and providers' insights on measles immunization uptake in south-west Nigeria","authors":"Marcus Ilesanmi, Babatunde Olujobi, Oluwapelumi Ilesanmi, Valerie Umaefulam","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.28.37572","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.28.37572","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: measles outbreak remains a recurring episode and continues to be responsible for millions of deaths globally every year. This study examines measles immunization coverage and uncovers barriers and enablers to effective provision and uptake of measles immunization services from the supply end and provider´s perspective in a developing nation´s context.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135595966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.46.15.36320
Godwin Ogbole, Richard Efidi, Joseph Odo, Chinonye Okorie, Tomiwa Makanjuola, Abiodun Adeyinka, Christina Sammet, Baiba Berzins, Akpa Onoja, Adesola Ogunniyi, Ann Ragin, Babafemi Taiwo
Introduction the significance of cerebrovascular disease in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in a homogeneous black population has not yet been determined. This incident case-control study used CT perfusion imaging to quantify and compare regional cerebral blood flow parameters in neuro-cognitively impaired and unimpaired HIV+ participants of the Ibadan Cohort on Neuro AIDS (ICON) in Nigeria. Methods this was an incident case-control study consisting of twenty-seven HIV+ adults, classified based on Frascati criteria into neurocognitive impaired (n=18) and unimpaired (n=9) groups, who had brain computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) with a 64-slice Toshiba T scanner. The standard deviation (SD) of regional mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral blood volume (CBV) values were calculated for bilateral basal ganglia (BG), frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions from CT perfusion maps. The regional mean values and variability (SD) in the CTP measures were compared in the groups using an independent student t-test. Results differentially higher variability in the bilateral CBF measures in the parietal (right; OR = 1.14, x̄ =5.61, p=0.041, CI=0.27-11.35/left; OR = 1.16, x̄=7.01, p=0.03, CI=5.6-13.47) and time to peak (TTP) measures in the basal ganglia (right; OR = 3.78, x̄=0.88, p=0.032, CI=0.081-1.67/left; OR = 2.44, x̄=1.48, p=0.020, CI=0.26-2.71) and occipital (right; OR = 2.18, x̄=1.32, p=0.018, CI=0.25-2.38/left; OR = 1.93, x̄=1.08, p=0.034, CI=0.086-2.06) regions were observed in the cognitively impaired group compared to the unimpaired group. Conclusion the study evidence suggests that alterations in cerebral perfusion implicated in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder may be possibly demonstrated using CTP, a readily available resource in most African countries saddled with the highest burden of HIV.
{"title":"Brain computed tomography perfusion analysis in HIV-seropositive adults with and without neurocognitive impairment in Nigeria: outcomes and challenges of a pilot study","authors":"Godwin Ogbole, Richard Efidi, Joseph Odo, Chinonye Okorie, Tomiwa Makanjuola, Abiodun Adeyinka, Christina Sammet, Baiba Berzins, Akpa Onoja, Adesola Ogunniyi, Ann Ragin, Babafemi Taiwo","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.15.36320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.15.36320","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction the significance of cerebrovascular disease in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in a homogeneous black population has not yet been determined. This incident case-control study used CT perfusion imaging to quantify and compare regional cerebral blood flow parameters in neuro-cognitively impaired and unimpaired HIV+ participants of the Ibadan Cohort on Neuro AIDS (ICON) in Nigeria. Methods this was an incident case-control study consisting of twenty-seven HIV+ adults, classified based on Frascati criteria into neurocognitive impaired (n=18) and unimpaired (n=9) groups, who had brain computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) with a 64-slice Toshiba T scanner. The standard deviation (SD) of regional mean transit time (MTT), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral blood volume (CBV) values were calculated for bilateral basal ganglia (BG), frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions from CT perfusion maps. The regional mean values and variability (SD) in the CTP measures were compared in the groups using an independent student t-test. Results differentially higher variability in the bilateral CBF measures in the parietal (right; OR = 1.14, x̄ =5.61, p=0.041, CI=0.27-11.35/left; OR = 1.16, x̄=7.01, p=0.03, CI=5.6-13.47) and time to peak (TTP) measures in the basal ganglia (right; OR = 3.78, x̄=0.88, p=0.032, CI=0.081-1.67/left; OR = 2.44, x̄=1.48, p=0.020, CI=0.26-2.71) and occipital (right; OR = 2.18, x̄=1.32, p=0.018, CI=0.25-2.38/left; OR = 1.93, x̄=1.08, p=0.034, CI=0.086-2.06) regions were observed in the cognitively impaired group compared to the unimpaired group. Conclusion the study evidence suggests that alterations in cerebral perfusion implicated in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder may be possibly demonstrated using CTP, a readily available resource in most African countries saddled with the highest burden of HIV.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"171 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135400688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare disease. It is a non-microbial inflammatory bone affection that occurs more often in children with insidious onset and non specific presentation making diagnosis challenging. The aim of this study was to report a case of CRMO with unusual location. A 9-year-old child had a painful swelling over the medial side of clavicle with fixed mass. Radiographs showed osteolytic lesion on the medial part of clavicle extending to the acromioclavicular joint with soft tissue edema in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). No inflammatory markers in biological exam. Needle biopsy, initially performed, suspected bone infection but children didn´t recover after 2 weeks of antibiotics. Surgical biopsy, histology sections was compatible with CRMO diagnosis. Children received a non steroid inflammatory drug with positive response, pain relief and decreasing of the clavicle swelling. CRMO should be suspected and biopsy is some time helpful in such unusual location.
{"title":"Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of clavicle: a rare isolated location: a case report","authors":"Khaled Kamoun, Wajdi Arfa, Malek Ben Chaalia, Wajih Oueslati, Leila Abid, Mourad Jenzri","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.53.39452","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.53.39452","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare disease. It is a non-microbial inflammatory bone affection that occurs more often in children with insidious onset and non specific presentation making diagnosis challenging. The aim of this study was to report a case of CRMO with unusual location. A 9-year-old child had a painful swelling over the medial side of clavicle with fixed mass. Radiographs showed osteolytic lesion on the medial part of clavicle extending to the acromioclavicular joint with soft tissue edema in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). No inflammatory markers in biological exam. Needle biopsy, initially performed, suspected bone infection but children didn´t recover after 2 weeks of antibiotics. Surgical biopsy, histology sections was compatible with CRMO diagnosis. Children received a non steroid inflammatory drug with positive response, pain relief and decreasing of the clavicle swelling. CRMO should be suspected and biopsy is some time helpful in such unusual location.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"390 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136257774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.46.51.41246
Salim Lachkar, Ahmed Ibrahimi, Imad Boualaoui, Hachem El Sayegh, Yassine Nouini
Nous rapportons l´analyse rétrospective de 30 années d´expérience concernant 39 femmes atteintes de diverticule sous-urétral. L´âge moyen est de 37 ans (24-56 ans). La parité moyenne est de 2 (1-7). Soixante-cinq pourcent (65%) des accouchements sont dystocique, avec utilisation de forceps dans 43% des cas. Des antécédents infectieux urologiques ou gynécologiques sont présents chez toutes les patientes. Les symptômes révélateurs sont hétérogènes et sont principalement les infections urinaires récidivantes (26 cas), la pollakiurie (23 cas), l´écoulement urétral post-mictionnel (21 cas), la douleur vaginale (17 cas) et une sensation de boule vaginale (15 cas). Le bilan radiologique est varibale: urographie intra-veineuse, urétrocystographie rétrograde et mictionnelle, échographie ou IRM. La diverticulectomie par voie transvaginale est le traitement pour toutes les patientes, sans complication per-opératoire rapportée. A 4 ans les résultats sont satisfaisants. Nous déplorons 4 récidives diverticulaires. Ces données fournissent des informations importantes sur les caractéristiques cliniques, les résultats diagnostiques et les résultats à long terme de la diverticulectomie transvaginale, permettant ainsi une meilleure prise en charge de cette affection rare.
{"title":"A propos de 39 cas de diverticules sous-uretraux de la femme: experience monocentrique sur 30 ans","authors":"Salim Lachkar, Ahmed Ibrahimi, Imad Boualaoui, Hachem El Sayegh, Yassine Nouini","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.51.41246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.51.41246","url":null,"abstract":"Nous rapportons l´analyse rétrospective de 30 années d´expérience concernant 39 femmes atteintes de diverticule sous-urétral. L´âge moyen est de 37 ans (24-56 ans). La parité moyenne est de 2 (1-7). Soixante-cinq pourcent (65%) des accouchements sont dystocique, avec utilisation de forceps dans 43% des cas. Des antécédents infectieux urologiques ou gynécologiques sont présents chez toutes les patientes. Les symptômes révélateurs sont hétérogènes et sont principalement les infections urinaires récidivantes (26 cas), la pollakiurie (23 cas), l´écoulement urétral post-mictionnel (21 cas), la douleur vaginale (17 cas) et une sensation de boule vaginale (15 cas). Le bilan radiologique est varibale: urographie intra-veineuse, urétrocystographie rétrograde et mictionnelle, échographie ou IRM. La diverticulectomie par voie transvaginale est le traitement pour toutes les patientes, sans complication per-opératoire rapportée. A 4 ans les résultats sont satisfaisants. Nous déplorons 4 récidives diverticulaires. Ces données fournissent des informations importantes sur les caractéristiques cliniques, les résultats diagnostiques et les résultats à long terme de la diverticulectomie transvaginale, permettant ainsi une meilleure prise en charge de cette affection rare.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"85 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136008767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sickle cell has predominantly been a disease of the Sub Saharan Africa. There is scanty data in Africa and none in Tanzania regarding patients with sickle cell disease infected with COVID-19 especially in the paediatric group. This is concerning because a large population of children living with sickle cell disease are found in this part of the world where scarcity of resources also prevail. This is the first paediatric case of sickle cell disease and COVID-19 reported in Tanzania; highlighting the presentation and challenges faced in management. It is also the first case in literature describing secondary infection in a child with COVID-19 and underlying sickle cell disease. Our patient was a female child of African origin with underlying sickle cell disease who had recurrent admissions. She presented with cough, fever, chest and abdominal pain and was managed for acute chest syndrome and vaso-occlusive crisis. During the second admission, she developed respiratory distress, infection with COVID-19 was confirmed and managed accordingly. However, she was re-admitted due to bilateral arm pain and physical findings were suggestive of secondary respiratory bacterial infection. She was then started on a different treatment plan. Despite challenges faced in the management of the patient, the outcome was favourable. It is important to recognize the presentation of COVID-19 in children with sickle cell disease and challenges faced in management so that the epidemiologic characteristics, spectrum of the disease and its outcomes can be understood better in the context of Sub Saharan Africa.
{"title":"Presentation and challenges in management of COVID-19 in sickle cell disease: case report","authors":"Sheliza Parvez Thaver, Saliha Shafik Dawood, Nahida Zahir Walli","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.25.32057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.25.32057","url":null,"abstract":"Sickle cell has predominantly been a disease of the Sub Saharan Africa. There is scanty data in Africa and none in Tanzania regarding patients with sickle cell disease infected with COVID-19 especially in the paediatric group. This is concerning because a large population of children living with sickle cell disease are found in this part of the world where scarcity of resources also prevail. This is the first paediatric case of sickle cell disease and COVID-19 reported in Tanzania; highlighting the presentation and challenges faced in management. It is also the first case in literature describing secondary infection in a child with COVID-19 and underlying sickle cell disease. Our patient was a female child of African origin with underlying sickle cell disease who had recurrent admissions. She presented with cough, fever, chest and abdominal pain and was managed for acute chest syndrome and vaso-occlusive crisis. During the second admission, she developed respiratory distress, infection with COVID-19 was confirmed and managed accordingly. However, she was re-admitted due to bilateral arm pain and physical findings were suggestive of secondary respiratory bacterial infection. She was then started on a different treatment plan. Despite challenges faced in the management of the patient, the outcome was favourable. It is important to recognize the presentation of COVID-19 in children with sickle cell disease and challenges faced in management so that the epidemiologic characteristics, spectrum of the disease and its outcomes can be understood better in the context of Sub Saharan Africa.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"23 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135495256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.46.32.37485
Vinie Kouamou, Seth Inzaule
Whilst the largely limited health system and funds are already overstretched while responding to multiple epidemics, ongoing vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) including polio and measles continue to be a public health threat and expose the weaknesses of the public health system in many African countries. The surge in VPD outbreaks during epidemics appears to be a common trend in Africa, often due to reduced vaccination coverage. The World Health Organization reported that, in 2021, nearly 25 million children missed their first measles dose, 5 million more than in 2019. The drop in childhood immunizations was partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused significant interruption in public health services delivery and reduced vaccination coverage. Vaccines help reduce the incidence of VPD. Therefore, effective VPD outbreak response mechanisms and strategies that include ramping up catch-up campaigns for immunization during epidemic troughs including the provision of vaccines outside clinics as well as assessing newer vaccine delivery models during pandemics are essential to minimize the impact of VPD outbreaks during emerging epidemics. Ensuring access to vaccines to address outbreaks and provide supplemental vaccination is essential if we are to be a VPD-free region.
{"title":"Entangled epidemics: tackling vaccine-preventable diseases in the era of frequent epidemics in Africa","authors":"Vinie Kouamou, Seth Inzaule","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.32.37485","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.32.37485","url":null,"abstract":"Whilst the largely limited health system and funds are already overstretched while responding to multiple epidemics, ongoing vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) including polio and measles continue to be a public health threat and expose the weaknesses of the public health system in many African countries. The surge in VPD outbreaks during epidemics appears to be a common trend in Africa, often due to reduced vaccination coverage. The World Health Organization reported that, in 2021, nearly 25 million children missed their first measles dose, 5 million more than in 2019. The drop in childhood immunizations was partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused significant interruption in public health services delivery and reduced vaccination coverage. Vaccines help reduce the incidence of VPD. Therefore, effective VPD outbreak response mechanisms and strategies that include ramping up catch-up campaigns for immunization during epidemic troughs including the provision of vaccines outside clinics as well as assessing newer vaccine delivery models during pandemics are essential to minimize the impact of VPD outbreaks during emerging epidemics. Ensuring access to vaccines to address outbreaks and provide supplemental vaccination is essential if we are to be a VPD-free region.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"82 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135601388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing concern globally, mostly being contributed by a limited understanding of antibiotic utilization as a result of inappropriate acquisition and prescription. Parental awareness is essential in optimizing their usage and preserving the effectiveness of these crucial medications. The current study investigates the usage and parental knowledge of antibiotics in children undergoing (adeno) tonsillectomy ((A)TE) in Northern Tanzania.
{"title":"Usage and parental knowledge of antibiotics in children undergoing (adeno) tonsillectomy in northern Tanzania","authors":"Denis Robert, Gerjon Hannink, Jesca Godlisten Lyimo, Maroeska Rovers, Niels van Heerbeek","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2023.46.59.41190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2023.46.59.41190","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing concern globally, mostly being contributed by a limited understanding of antibiotic utilization as a result of inappropriate acquisition and prescription. Parental awareness is essential in optimizing their usage and preserving the effectiveness of these crucial medications. The current study investigates the usage and parental knowledge of antibiotics in children undergoing (adeno) tonsillectomy ((A)TE) in Northern Tanzania.","PeriodicalId":131455,"journal":{"name":"The Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135007744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}