ABSTRACT
Background: Intensive care unit -acquired infections constitute an important worldwide health problem
Aim: Our aim was to determine the incidence and risk factors of device-associated infection and those of mortality in a Tunisia ICU.
Methods:We conducted a prospective observational cohort study over a six months period in the adult medical intensive care unit of University Hospital-Farhat Hached [Sousse-Tunisia]. Patients admitted to the unit were included in the study if they stayed in the ICU for more than 48 hours
Results: During the study period, 105 patients were surveyed; 16 of them [15.2%] developed 17 episodes of device associated infections [16.9 DAI/1000 days of hospitalization]. The most frequently identified infections were central and peripheral venous catheter -associated infection [respectively, 21.4 CVC-AI/ 1000 CVC-days and 10.2 PVCAI / 1000 PVC-days]. At ICU discharge, overall mortality was 40%. Independent risk factors for acquiring infection in ICU were the use of central venous catheter [p=0.031] and length stay [0.002], those of mortality in ICU were immunosuppression [p=0.013], DAI [p=0.002] and the use of central venous catheter [p = 0.001]
Conclusion: Even if DAI rates in Tunisian ICU were lower than those published in some reports from other North African countries, DAI data and mortality rate, dominated by the use of catheter associated infections show the need for more-effective infection control interventions in our hospital
ABSTRACT
Background: Smoking is a public health problem because of its high prevalence and its serious consequences at all levels
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among workers in a private company and describe the characteristics of smokers to guide prevention efforts
Methods: It is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 among all employees of a private company. Data collection was done by a questionnaire administered by interview
Results: The participation rate was 90.4%. All smokers were men, with a prevalence of active smoking among men of 57.9%. The mean age of smokers was 33.2 +/- 8 years, significantly lower than nonsmokers. The comparison between smokers and nonsmokers according to occupational category showed a statistically significant difference. Among smokers, 43.6% were in the contemplation stage and 46.3% at the stage of preparation for smoking cessation
Conclusion: An intervention for prevention and fight against smoking in the workplace should be established for the promotion of employee health