[A plea for introduction of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Plaidoyer pour l?introduction du vaccin contre l?hépatite virale B à la naissance en Côte d?Ivoire.

The Côte d'Ivoire National Immunization Technical Advisory Group 2015 work plan included elaboration of an opinion on inclusion of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Côte d'Ivoire. A task force was set up to conduct this assessment according to a systematized method. The task force analysed scientific articles on the burden of hepatitis B in Côte d'Ivoire, the burden of mother-child transmission, the impact of hepatitis B vaccination at birth in countries which have adopted this strategy, the efficacy and safety of hepatitis B vaccine in newborns, the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination at birth, and the best strategy to introduce hepatitis B vaccination at birth in the EPI. The National Immunization Technical Advisory Group of Côte d'Ivoire finally recommended introduction of a dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth in the context of the Expanded Program on Immunization with maintenance of three doses of pentavalent vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib) at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age.

[Preparation of healthcare workers against the threat of Ebola virus disease in Ivory Coast]. / Préparation du personnel de santé d’une région sanitaire de Côte d’Ivoire face à la menace du virus Ebola.

INTRODUCTION: Since the declaration of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, the government of Ivory Coast has organized the training of medical staff in all health regions of the country. This study was conducted one month after this training in order to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health workers concerning Ebola virus disease in an Ivory Coast health region their preparation in relation to this disease. METHODS: In May-June 2014, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 176 health workers from private and public health facilities in 5 health districts. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 15.5% attended the training on Ebola disease organized by the Ministry of Health. They knew that the disease is transmitted from animals to humans by body fluids (85.6%), and from human to human by body fluids of a sick person or a cadavre (82.8%). 96% said they were at risk of contracting the disease. DISCUSSION: In view of the persistent threat of the disease, ignorance of certain aspects of the disease could be a weakness in the prevention of nosocomial transmission of the disease. Knowledge of the disease should lead to adoption of prevention measures. However, routine use of protection equipment, including gloves, depends on its availability. CONCLUSION: The lack of infection prevention and control equipment could be a weak point in preparation of the response to an Ebola disease outbreak.

[Effect of reproductive health services restructuring on antenatal care at Marcory General Hospital, Ivory Coast]. / Effet de la réorganisation des services sur les consultations prénatales à l’Hôpital Général de Marcory, Côte d’Ivoire.

INTRODUCTION: Improvement of the work environment and staff training are health promotion strategies that can contribute to improving the supply of health care. This study evaluated the effects of reorganization of health services on antenatal care (ANC) activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 4 months in the ANC unit of Marcory General Hospital in Abidjan. The study population was health workers in charge of ANC and pregnant women attending the health facility. Self-administered questionnaires and observation sheets were used to collect data that were analysed with Epi Info 3.5.1 software. results: After reorganization, health workers said they were satisfied with the work environment and the care provided in 91% and 96.9% of cases, respectively. These results were confirmed by all pregnant respondents (100%) attending the centre, who said they were satisfied with the quality of care received. This could explain the ANC 4 coverage rate, which increased from 39.4% in 2010 to 56.7% in 2012 and tetanus vaccination coverage which increased from 59.4% to 87.5%, although the waiting time was still too long. CONCLUSION: This study showed an increase of ANC activity indicators, such as ANC 4 and tetanus vaccination coverage rate, after reorganization of health care services. This strategy could be an opportunity to strengthen ANC services.