The attrition rate of patients in the antiretroviral therapy program in two outpatient treatment centers in Bangui.

To determine the rate of attrition of patients in the antiretroviral treatment program in Bangui and factors associated with this loss to follow-up. This was a retrospective descriptive, analytical cohort study from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017 in two large outpatient treatment centers in Bangui. Data were entered in and analyzed with Epi info version 3.5.4 software. Survival probability was calculated by a Kaplan Meier curve. The Cox model and logistic regression were used to determine the association between attrition and risk factors. A total of 292 patients were registered. Attrition rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 14%, 20% and 31%, respectively. Factors associated with attrition were patients' age (young), living alone (compared to living with a partner), distance between place of residence and treatment center, presence of opportunistic infections, low hemoglobin levels, and lack of therapeutic education. This study identified the main risk factors for patients leaving the care system. Innovative strategies including differentiated approaches must be implemented to improve quality of screening, early start of treatment, and geographical access to care. Particular emphasis should be placed on therapeutic education to train and educate patients about their illness and how to manage it.

Epidemiological and clinical profile of intestinal parasitosis of children in rural areas in Central African Republic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of intestinal parasites in children in rural Central African Republic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in Central African Republic rural areas. Children seen as outpatients regardless of the reason for consultation were included in the study after parental consent. Each stool sample sent to the laboratory in a plastic pot was subjected to a direct co-examination with physiological water. RESULTS: A total of 102 children were included in the study, of whom 53 were boys (51.96%), the median age was 4 years (3 months; 15 years old). They had a primary level of education in 31.37% of cases, 76.47% came from Health Region 1. Drilling was the source of drinking water in 61.76% of cases and the backwater was used for bathing by 26.47% of children. Abdominal pain was observed in 55 children (53.92%). The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 88.23%. Of 122 identified parasites, 96 were helminths (78.69%) and 26 were protozoa (21.31%). Of the three protozoan species isolated, Entamoeba histolytica was found in 15 cases (14.70%). The most common helminthiasis was Ascaris lumbricoides (40.19%). The frequency of parasitic infection was 92% in children aged from 5 to 9 years. Mono-parasitism was observed in 52.94% versus 33.33% for poly-parasitism. CONCLUSION: Intestinal parasitosis is a public health problem in Central African Republic rural areas. Improving access to drinking water for populations could reduce the magnitude of these diseases.

Epidémie de rougeole en période post-conflit dans une zone rurale centrafricaine

Introduction : La rougeole est une maladie infectieuse très contagieuse. Les situations de conflit telles que le cas de la République centrafricaine (RCA), peuvent favoriser la survenue des épidémies. L'objectif de ce travail était de décrire l'épidémie de rougeole survenue dans la préfecture sanitaire de Sangha-Mbaéré en termes de temps, lieu et personnes. Patients et méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective réalisée lors de l'investigation des cas de rougeole survenus à Nola, dans le sud-ouest de la RCA qui a couvert la période du 30 décembre 2015 au 20 avril 2016. La population cible était constituée d'enfants de moins de 15 ans. Nous avons inclus dans l'étude, après consentement éclairé des parents, tout enfant chez qui un agent de santé a suspecté la rougeole avec une fièvre supérieure ou égale à 38°C, une éruption maculo-papulaire généralisée (non vésiculaire) et un des signes suivants : toux, rhinorrhée ou conjonctivite. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et cliniques ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un questionnaire anonyme. La saisie et l'analyse des données ont été faites au logiciel Epi Info 7. Résultats : Au total, 31 malades ont été inclus dont 58% de sexe féminin soit un sex-ratio (F/H) de 1,38. L'âge moyen était de 1,9 ± 1,2 ans. Les enfants âgés entre 1 et 4 ans représentaient 74,19% des cas. Tous les enfants (100%) n'étaient pas vaccinés contre la rougeole. Ils provenaient de la commune de Salo dans 51,61% des cas et de Nola dans 48,39%. Le taux d'attaque était de 0,82‰. Dans la commune de Salo, le taux d'attaque était de 2,97‰ (16/5392) et de 0,46‰ (15/32401) à Nola. Le taux de létalité était de 9,68% (3/31). Ce taux était de 33,33% (1/3) avant l'âge d'un an, de 8,70% chez les enfants de 1 à 5 ans. Conclusion : L'épidémie de rougeole survenue à Nola serait liée à une faible couverture vaccinale. Le renforcement de la vaccination et de la surveillance épidémiologique pourrait contribuer au contrôle et à une prévention efficace de la rougeole ainsi que d'autres maladies à potentiel épidémique

[Cryptococcal neuromeningitidis in HIV-infected patients in Bangui, in the era of antiretroviral treatment]. / La cryptococcose neuroméningée au cours de l'infection à VIH à Bangui, à l'ère du traitement antirétroviral.

The cryptococcal neuromeningitis is the most common fungal meningitis infections in the course of HIV/AIDS. This is the number two of opportunist infection of the central nervous system. The authors post the outcomes of a retrospective study conducted related to 122 cases of cryptococcal neuromeningitis observed over for four years ago, in Bangui in the Central African Republic, this at time when antiretroviral treatment has been avaible, corresponding to a prevalence of 6.5%. These infections very aften occur more in female folk, and to patients whose average age is 35 years old, ranging from 18 to 69 years old. The clinical symptoms often found had been headache (98,3.%), fever (95.0%), the impairing of the overall condition of the patient (86.7%) and neck stiffness (85.9%). It makes sense to notice that comorbidity case alowgwith tuberculosis, intestinal candidiasis, bacterial pneumonia and Kaposi's diseases were found out. The screening of the cerebrospinal fluid showed a sound cell count and even low count in 12.2% of cases. Direct examination of cerebrospinal fluid with India ink helps in diagnosis of 97.5% of cases, and the culture carried out from 74 patients was in any case positive. This culture allowed the diagnosis of three patients whose examination along side with India ink has been negative. The CD4 cell count was less than 100/mm(3) in 97.7% of cases. The rate of the fatality cases has been 66.4%, it has been badly impacted by a CD4 count <50/mm(3) and the lack of antiretroviral therapy. Despite the establishment of a national antiretroviral treatment program to do influence the frequency of opportunistic infections whose cryptococcal neuromeningitis, this condition is still present although it is declining. The clinical variability of this disease requires early diagnosis to avoid delayed treatment corollary of a very high mortality as we have observed.

Les abcès amibiens du foie dans le service de gastroentérologie à l'hôpital de l'Amitié de Bangui : aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs

Objectif : Décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs desabcès amibiens du foie.Patients et Méthodes : ll s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective des patients hospitalisés du 1er Janvier 2001 au 31 Décembre 2010, pour abcès amibien du foie, dans le service de Gastroentérologie et de Médecine Interne à l'Hôpital de l'Amitié de Bangui.Résultats : 47 cas d'abcès amibiens du foie avaient été colligés, composés de 35 hommes et 12femmes. L'âge moyen était de 31 ans (extrêmes 21 et 65 ans). 34 patients (72,3%) avaient unniveau socioéconomique bas. 45 cas (95,8%) avaient une hépatomégalie douloureuse et une fièvrefaisant évoquer la classique triade de Fontan. L'hémogramme avait mis en évidence une leucocytosesupérieure à 10000/mm3 dans 19 cas (52%). La sérologie amibienne était positive chez la quasi totalité des patients (45 soit 95,7%). L'échographie abdominale avait montrée des abcès unifocauxdans 21 cas (44,6%) et multifocaux dans 6cas (12,7%) dont la dimension variait de 20 mm à 130mm.Le traitement était médical dans 44 cas (93,62%) et médico-chirurgical : 3 cas (6,38%).Tous lespatients avaient eu le métronidazole et de la Ciprofloxacine ou de l'amoxicilline plus l'acideclavulanique). La guérison a été effective chez 43 malades (89,3% des cas). Les critères en sont la normalisation de la température dans les 72 heures suivant le début du traitement, l'amendement sensible des douleurs dans le même délai, la disparition des signes digestifs

[Tolerance study of a triple first-line antiretroviral combination zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz in Dakar, Senegal]. / Etude de la tolérance d'une trithérapie antirétro- virale de première intention associant zidovudine, lamivudine et efavirenz à Dakar, Sénégal.

This study aimed at describing the side-effects reported in patients infected with HIV-1 treated initially by the association zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz between 2002 and 2007 in the Regional Centre of Clinical Research and Training in Dakar as part of the cohort of the Senegalese Initiative Access to Antiretroviral. Adverse effects were entered and analysed using the software Epi Info version 6.04. The average age of the patients was 38 years old. During the follow-up (average = 741 days), adverse effects were reported 75 times and 39 patients were concerned. The most frequent type of side-effects was neuropsychiatric (47%), digestive (20%) and dermatological (16%). They were severe in 13% of cases and severe anaemia was noted in eight cases. These required a change of therapy in 19%, mainly for severe anaemia (15%). The association zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz doesn't seem to induce severe side-effects. Nevertheless, considering the frequency of neuropsychiatric side-effects and severity of hematological side-effects, attention should be paid to neuropsychiatric and blood examination of patients undergoing this combination antiretroviral therapy.

[How is breast-feeding valued in the urban and semi-urban Central African milieu?]. / Quelle valueur l'allaitement maternel a-t-il en milieu urbain et semi-urbain centrafricain?

Efforts have been made for several years to promote the use of breast milk by mothers. This is important for mothers in developing countries faced with economic problems, especially for those tempted by milk substitutes. Fortunately, BF (breast feeding) is used by a majority of women in these developing countries, its practice is often influenced by an early introduction of supplements. Why this early supplementation? In order to answer this question we performed this study, a transversal survey of mothers in neonatal period in a regional town and the capital of Central Africa. The compilation of data of this seven month study, carried out in four maternities and nine SMI centers, was carried out from a pre-established questionnaire. This allowed us to obtain the following results. We interrogated 734 mothers of newborn babies aged between 14 and 45 years, including 534 in Bangui and 200 in Bossangoa. Breast feeding was chosen by 96.5% of mothers, however exclusive breast feeding was only carried out by 17% of mothers. Feeding on demand was widely spread both in Bangui (92.7%) and in Bossangoa (92%). Breast milk was the first food received at birth by 84.5% of newborn babies. At the neonatal period, water supplementation was more frequent (78.1%, including 23% at birth) than that of solid or semi-liquid food (6.2%). The value given to breast milk was just nutritional, its other virtues were not well known. Conclusion, In breast mil remains the food of choice in our country. However, its practice suffers from much ignorance. An effort should be made to heighten awareness and give milk its due worth.