ABSTRACT
La pandémie à Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) touche les pays d´Afrique sub-Saharienne depuis le mois de mars 2020. Au-delà des désastres sanitaire et économique causés, se pose un problème psycho-socio-culturel en rapport avec la gestion des corps de personnes décédées de cette maladie; ce problème est susceptible d´entraver la bonne marche de la stratégie de riposte. Au Cameroun par exemple, la gestion actuelle de ces dépouilles ne fait pas l´unanimité. En effet, les restrictions appliquées à l´inhumation, bien que récemment assouplies proscrivent entre autres tout transfert interurbain des dépouilles. A la lumière des considérations culturelles africaines de la personne décédée, des dissensions créées entre les familles et le corps médical, de la législation et des données scientifiques disponibles, cet article analyse les risques et les bénéfices de l´inhumation des dépouilles par les familles. Il propose ensuite des solutions qui concilient la dignité (en laissant les familles enterrer leurs morts dans les domiciles), et la sécurité (en assurant une conservation hermétique et la surveillance d´un officier de police judiciaire). L´application de ces solutions pourraient améliorer la confiance de la population envers le système de santé et contribuer positivement aux stratégies de prévention, d´identification et de prise en charge des cas de COVID-19
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Africa South of the Sahara , Burial , Cameroon , Coronavirus Infections , Death , Mortuary PracticeABSTRACT
Background: Mortuary workers like other health workers are exposed to blood borne pathogens at work. A baseline assessment is important to plan for programmes to safeguard the health of workers. The aim of this study is to determine exposure rates to blood among mortuary workers in teaching hospitals in South West Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out between March and May 2008. All mortuary workers working in six (6) teaching hospitals; 80 in total were included in the study. Data was collected with the aid of a 15- item self administered questionnaire. Data was analysed with the aid of EPI-INFO 2002. Statistical associations were explored using odds ratio and confidence intervals. Results: A total of 76 respondents completed questionnaire giving a response rate of 95; 3 males and 1 female declined to participate; the mean age of respondents was 38.2 years; 48(72.6); 53(85.5) and 50(73.5) of the workers had been exposed to blood through cuts; blood splash and needle stick injury. Duration at work was significantly associated with blood splash. Workers who had worked 5years and above were 0.10 times (95confidence interval 0.00-.0.78) as likely to experience blood splash compared to those who had worked under 5 years. Only 5(10.4) of workers with needle stick injury had completed three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine. The specific confirmation by antibody titre was however not done in this study. Conclusion: Exposure to blood was very common with blood splash emerging as the most common route of exposure. There is a need for vaccination of all mortuary workers with three doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine to protect their health. In addition; education of workers on risks and institution of standard operating procedure are crucial to safeguard the health of mortuary workers