Déterminants du carcinome photo-induit chez les sujets de phototype albinos aux Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa / Determinants of photo-induced carcinoma in albino phototype people at the Kinshasa University hospital

Contexte et objectif. Les rayonnements ultra-violets constituent un facteur connu de risque de carcinome photo-induit chez l'albinos en milieu à fort ensoleillement. La présente étude a évalué l'ampleur du carcinome photo induit et a recherché les principaux déterminants chez les sujets de phototype albinos à Kinshasa. Méthodes. Dans une étude transversale, des sujets de phototype albinos recrutés de manière consécutive, ont été examinés du 1er janvier 2020 au 30 septembre 2020 au Service de dermatologie des Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa. La fréquence du carcinome a été estimée et ses déterminants recherchés à l'aide d'une analyse de régression logistique. Résultats. Au total 100 albinos ont été inclus. Près d'un albinos sur deux (44 %) a développé un carcinome. En analyse multivariée, l'âge >30 ans (OR : 2,68 ; IC 95% :1,65-11,10 ; p=0,017), la présence des kératoses actiniques (OR: 3.80; IC 95%: 1.43-7.23; p=0.023), un antécédent familial de cancer non cutané (OR : 2,40 ; IC95% : 1,47-12,35 ; p=0,29), un antécédent familial de carcinome (OR : 4,99 ; IC95% :3,0-9,29 ;p=0,000) et un antécédent personnel de polytransfusion (OR :2,30 ; IC 95% :1,26-6,20 ;p=0,045) ont été identifiés comme les principaux déterminants du carcinome photo-induit. Conclusion. Près d'un albinos sur deux présente un carcinome photo-induit. Ceci justifie l'intensification des mesures comportementales et préventives contre le développement des cancers cutanés ciblant particulièrement les albinos âgés de moins de 30 ans, présentant des kératoses actiniques et ceux avec antécédents familiaux de cancer (carcinome et autres).

Determinants of Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients Attending a Rural Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Hypertension (HTN) is the commonest cardiovascular risk factor in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a global public health threat, often associated with significant morbidities and mortality with rising prevalence both in rural and semi-urban areas of economically disadvantaged countries. Aim: This study aimed to assess the determinants of blood pressure control among patients with hypertension receiving care at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 502 consenting hypertensive adults receiving care at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua in Edo State, South-south Nigeria. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Five hundred and two participants (226 males, 276 females) completed the study with a mean age of 52.98 ± 12.82 years. Optimal blood pressure control was found in 15.5% of the study participants. Blood pressure control was significantly associated with being married (OR 1.549, CI: 1.040­2.309), having a monthly household income of over N50,000 (OR 1.691, CI: 0.999-2.863), engaging in physical activity (OR = 1.537, CI: 0.989-2.388), and not being obese evidenced by a normal Waist Hip Ratio (OR = 2.276, CI: 1.555-3.332). Conclusion: Blood pressure control to target goal was low in the study population and achieved only in less than one­fifth of respondents on antihypertensive therapy. Numerous socio-demographic and lifestyle variables were shown to be associated with blood pressure control. Physicians should emphasize medication adherence and lifestyle modification approaches in hypertensive adults.

Determinants of contraceptive use in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

In Côte d'Ivoire, contraceptive prevalence is low (21%). The search for determinants of contraceptive use could make it possible to redirect existing strategies. The objective is to identify the determinants of the use of contraception among women in Abidjan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2018 in the Dallas neighborhood of Adjamé municipal (Abidjan). Women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years old) were selected there. Sociodemographic, gyneco-obstetrical characteristics, educational level, attitudes and practices of women on contraception were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed. A total of 301 women aged 29.34±8.98 years were selected. The proportion of women using modern contraception was 27.24%. In univariate analysis, the factors associated with use were: level of education (p=0.005), unwanted pregnancies (p=0.017), abortions (p<0.001), consultation of the gynecologist (p=0.003) or a family planning service (p=0.001). Hearing about contraception (p=0.043), knowing (p<0.001) and talking about it with their partner (p=0.027) was significantly associated with its use. In the multivariate analyses, the women who consulted a gynecologist and those who knew the contraceptive methods used them respectively 2 times more (OR= 2.16 [1.14-4.15], p=0.019) and 22 times more (OR= 22.38 [8.42-78.56], p<0.001). Women with primary school education used them significantly less (OR=0.15 [0.05-0.41], p<0.001). Awareness, the gynecologist's consultation, and the level of education were the main determinants of contraceptive use. Also, it is necessary to adapt awareness messages to the characteristics of women.

Independent divergences in the CD4 binding site and V3 loop encoded in two seroprevalent Ugandan HIV-1 clinical isolates

"Two major epitopes expressed in HIV-1 have been recently shown to play a central role in virus neutralization. One of these important specificities is a type-specific or group-specific; principal neutralizing determinant (PND) located in the V3 loop of gp120. The other is a more broadly neutralizing determinant associated with the CD4 binding site. Structural and serological studies of the variation in these epitopes have become important in vaccine research. This report describes the analysis of the DNA clones encoding a region of gp120 that overlaps the V3 loop and the putative CD4 recognition site in two new African isolates; UG06c and UG23c. Phylogenetic analyses of the DNA sequences showed that the new African isolates clustered with two very distinct subtypes of HIV-1. UG06c was grouped with U455; D687; and Z321; previously classified as ""HIV-1 subtype A"" in the AIDS and human retroviruses database; and UG23c was grouped with MAL; JY1; NDK; ELI; and Z2Z6 classified as ""HIV-1 subtype D."" Considerable variation was apparent in the V3 loop. The divergence included the presence of the hexapeptides GP-GRSF and GLGQAL at the cap of the loop in UG06c and UG23c; respectively. The GPGR tetrapeptide in UG06c formed a beta-turn configuration similar to that of MN or IIIB. The beta-turn was not found to be a likely conformation for GLGQ. The amino acids previously implicated in CD4 binding and the associated neutralizing activity were relatively conserved. To assess a possible impact of the sequence and conformational variations on serological reactivity; UG06c and UG23c were subjected to neutralization assay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)"