Factors Contributing to Contamination of Street Foods in Bamako, Mali

The World Health Organization states that foodborne diseases are a worldwide public health issue. Although street foods can provide nutritious and affordable ready-to-eat meals for city dwellers, their health risks can outweigh the benefits. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bamako district, focusing on street food vendors near schools, universities, extensive markets, administrative centers, and major roads. We aimed to sample fifty (50) sellers per municipality, making 300 sellers for the Bamako district. We developed a survey sheet to collect data, and six teams rotated between the municipalities each month. Before starting the collection, the teams were provided administrative papers approved by the municipal authority. The survey revealed three types of sales sites: fixed (65%), semi-fixed (30%), and mobile (4.40%). The proportion of sellers was 26.8%, 23.2%, 19.7%, and 4.2% in municipalities III, IV, and I. In municipalities I, II, III, IV, and VI, respectively, 92%, 95.70%, 93%, 87.2%, and 100% of the sellers were female. The age distribution of sellers was 65.63%, 46.81%, 40.82%, 38.30%, 36.17%, 36%, and 32% in the 25-34 and 35 - 44 age groups. Illiteracy rates were 59.20%, 61.70%, 55.30%, 75%, and 56% in municipalities I, II, III, IV, and VI, respectively. The study identified two categories of sellers: 48.3% in type 1 and 51.7% in type 2. The first category comprised 154 sellers, and the second 165 sellers. The survey found that 66.00%, 56.00%, 48.90%, 44.90%, 38.30%, and 34.40% of municipal V, VI, III, I, II, and IV sales sites were open-air. In municipality I, 63.30% of the sites were under hangars, while in municipalities II and IV, the corresponding percentages were 51.10% and 59.40%, respectively. Moreover, 46.00%, 31.90%, 31.30%, 30.60%, and 27.70% of the sites in municipalities VI, II, IV, I, and III were located next to gutters. In conclusion, this study identified several factors that could compromise the quality of street foods sold in the six municipalities of Bamako.

Acute Coronary Syndrome of Young Subjects at the Luxembourg Mother-Child University Hospital in Bamako

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome is often the first event of coronary disease of young subjects. Objective: To study sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of acute coronary syndrome of young subjects. Patients and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective recruitment from October 01, 2020 to March 31, 2022. Were included all patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome whose age was less or equal to 45 years and who had undergone coronary angiography at the Mother-Child University Hospital on Luxembourg from Bamako. Results: During the study period, we collected 60 patient files out of 198. These 60 patient files met our inclusion criteria. Hospital frequency was 30.30%. Average age of patients was 40.43 ± 3.9 years. Sex ratio M/F was 5.3. Main cardiovascular risk factor was smoking tobacco (23.42%), followed by dyslipidemia (13.92%). Functional signs were dominated by angina 62% followed by dyspnea 25.3%. Persistent ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram was present in 76.4%. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in 26.5%. Time to first medical contact was more than 12 hours in 62.7% of cases. Radial approach was adopted in 94% of cases. Coronary angiography was pathological in 85% (n = 51) of cases. Lesions were single-vessel disease in 47.1% and culprit artery was anterior interventricular in 51% of cases. Dual anti-platelet aggregation was aspirin and ticagrelor in 91.8% of cases. Angioplasty was performed in all patients who had significant abnormalities at coronary angiography. In-hospital mortality was 3.9%. Conclusion: Acute coronary syndromes exist in young Africans with a male predominance. Main cardiovascular risk factor is smoking tobacco. Coronary lesions are single vessel disease in the majority of case. Most of patients meet medical team after 12 hours. Time to first medical contact is a main challenge in our country.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndromes at the Mother-Child University Hospital Luxembourg in Bamako

Introduction: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Objective: Studying the feasibility, difficulties and results of coronary angioplasty in acute coronary syndromes at the Luxembourg Mother-Child University Hospital in Bamako. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study with prospective recruitment over 18 months from September 2020 to February 2022. All patients aged at least 18 years old admitted for SCA and having undergone PCI during the study period were included. Result: We collected 249 patients for SCA, of whom 160 underwent angioplasty, either an angioplasty/SCA ratio of 0.64. The average age of the patients was 59.54 ± 11.62 with extremes of 32 and 92 years. The age group of 45 to 65 years was the most representative. The predominance was male, sex ratio of 2.4. The main cardiovascular risk factors were high blood pressure (58.23%) and diabetes (45.78%). Persistent ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram was present in 71.48%. The treatment time was more than 12 hours after the first medical contact in 95.5%. The approach was radial in 96.5% of cases. Coronarography was pathological in 91.16% of our patients. The lesions were tri-truncular in 34.13% with the anterior inter ventricular as culprit artery in 72% of cases. The majority of patients (64%) had undergone angioplasty with implantation of an active stent. Angioplasty was performed successfully in 98% and per procedural mortality was 1.87%. Only 6.45% of ACS with ST elevation benefited from primary angioplasty. Conclusion: Percutaneous coronary intervention is performed routinely in our center with satisfactory results. Difficulties exist, related to the diagnostic delay of ACS and the high cost of angioplasty.

Study of Hemorrhoid Disease in the Department of General Surgery of the Cs Ref of the Commune I Bamako

This work was a retrospective prospective study carried out in the general surgery department of the Cs ref of commune I from January 2009 to December 2012. Our study aimed to determine the hospital frequency of hemorrhoidal disease, to identify the contributing factors, describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects and analyze the surgical consequences. We collected 73 patients with an average age of 37.8 years (range: 19 years and 77 years) with a sex ratio of 2.5 in favor of men. We operated on 49 patients or 67.1% of cases. 71.2% of our patients were married and lived in Bamako. Schoolchildren and middle managers made up 39.8% of cases. 82.2% of patients were seen in ordinary consultation and 69.9% complained of progressive anal pain in 66.7% of cases. This pain was triggered by defecation in 88.2% of our patients. The contributing factors were dominated by constipation (53.4%), working in a seated position (41.1%) and a sedentary lifestyle (16.4%) of cases. Stage IV external hemorrhoids and hemorrhoidal thrombosis represented 53.8% of surgical indications. The most used surgical technique was that of Milligan-Morgan, i.e. 51.9% of cases and 45.2% of patients treated medically received a combination of transit regulator, venotonics and analgesics. The surgical aftermath was marked by hemorrhage (3 cases), delayed healing (5 cases), urinary retention (1 case) and scarring anal stenosis (1 case). The morbidity rate was 5.48% of cases and a zero mortality rate. The average length of hospitalization was 2 days with extremes of 1 and 5 days.

Migration of a Progestin Implant into a Pulmonary Artery: Observation of a Case at the Reference Health Center of Commune III of the District of Bamako in Mali

It was a 36-year-old patient, 5th Pregnancy, 5th Delivery, 4 live children, and I deceased, had a consultation in the department for the removal of implants. Questioning revealed that she had had the implant three years ago without medical follow-up. It was in view of the difficulties in extracting the capsule that the chest X-ray and CT scan carried out concluded that the implant had migrated into a branch of the left pulmonary artery. Therapeutic abstention has been the attitude of cardiovascular surgeons.

Postoperative Complications in the General Surgery Department of the Cs Ref of Commune I of the District of Bamako Mali

Postoperative complications represent important indicators for the quality of surgical care. The objectives of this work were to study post-operative complications in the general surgery department of the Cs ref of commune I in Mali, to determine the frequency of post-operative complications, to identify the factors of occurrence, to describe the clinical aspects, diagnostic and therapeutic in order to assess the additional cost linked to post-operative complications. This study was prospective, carried out in the general surgery department on 300 cases of surgical interventions. It covered all patients aged at least 15 years, operated on and hospitalized or not, and who presented complications during the 30 days postoperatively. Patients under the age of 15 were not included (our general surgery department is not a pediatric surgery department). We collected 300 patients among whom 199 (66.33%) were men and 101 (33.66%) women, i.e. a sex ratio = 1.9. The average age was 38 years with extremes of 15 and 87 years. The main initial diagnoses were: acute appendicitis, peritonitis, occlusions, wall hernias, hemorrhoids, uterine prolapse, uterine myomas, ovarian cysts and acute cholecystitis. Emergencies represented 43% (N = 129) of interventions with 6.98% post-operative complications (POC). Postoperative complications were dominated by surgical site infections, 75% of cases (N = 20), wall hemorrhage 5% (N = 1), testicular necrosis 5% (N = 1) and testicular calcification 5% (N = 1), wire rejection 5% (N = 1) and death 5% (N = 1). The management of postoperative complications was surgical in 95% and medical in 100%. Their occurrence extended the hospital stay by 3.65 days and increased the average cost of care by 60541.85 CFA francs. The mortality index lowered by efficient management of complications (IMAGE) calculated in relation to deaths was 95% of cases. Anemia, ASA score ≥ III, Alteimeir II and IV classes, duration of surgery and post-operative hospitalization were factors contributing to post-operative complications.

Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Inguinal Hernia in Children in the General Surgery Department of Reference Health Center in Commune I of Bamako Mali

Inguinal hernia in children is a congenital pathology in children linked to the persistence of the peritoneo-vaginal canal in children and the NüCK canal in girls;persisting into adulthood. This work aimed to study inguinal hernia in children in the general surgery department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of the Bamako District;to determine the frequency of inguinal hernia;describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of inguinal hernias and in order to evaluate the cost of treatment. This was a prospective study from April 2017 to March 2018 during which 60 children with an inguinal hernia were collected. Inguinal hernias in children represented 9.23% of patients operated on in the department. The average age was 59.23 months with extremes of one month and 180 months and a standard deviation of 49.23 years. The male sex was dominant with a sex ratio equal to 9:1. The notion of prematurity was found in 11.7% and was associated with a testicle not in place in 1.7% of cases. 41.7% of our patients were referred by a doctor and 66.7% of patients presented with painless, intermittent inguino-scrotal swelling (83.3% of cases). The hernia was discovered before one week of life in 50% of cases. Inguinal swelling was absent in 11.7% but observed intraoperatively. The inguinal hernia was unilateral in 91.7% of cases and 70% of hernias were discovered by the parents during pushing efforts. The inguinal hernia was located on the right in 61.7% of cases. The hernia swelling was soft, painless, impulsive and reducible in 78.3% of cases. The swelling was inguino-scrotal in 58.3% of cases. The hernia was simple in 95% of patients and hernial strangulation was observed in 3 cases or 5% of cases. 98.3% of patients were ASA I. The treatment was carried out openly in all our patients including closure of the vaginal peritoneal canal in 95% of cases under general anesthesia in 98.3% of cases. The morbidity rate was 8.4% (surgical site infection: 6.7% of cases and hematoma: 1.7%). The immediate consequences were simple in 96.6% of cases. No cases of recurrence occurred during the 6 months after the intervention. The average cost of care was estimated at 69,743 FCFA.

Review of Two Years of Surgical Activities of the General Surgery Department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako Mali

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the surgical activities carried out in the general surgery department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako, to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the operated patients, to determine the main pathologies encountered and to evaluate qualitatively the result of the treatment. In order to improve performance, and the quality of care, and to identify common pathologies in the surgical department, we undertook a retrospective study on surgical activities from January 2009 to December 2010. At the end of this study, out of 474 men and 187 women (equal sex ratio 2.53);we were able to determine the frequency of surgical pathologies. Farmers, housewives and pupils/students were the most represented with 25.9% respectively;20% and 13.3%. The most frequently observed pathologies were wall hernia (44.8%), prostate adenoma (12%) and acute appendicitis (10.5%). The average length of hospitalization was 3.43 days. Infectious complications affected 25 patients (3.8% of cases) and a death rate of 0.45% (i.e. 3 patients). The average cost of care was 53,500 FCFA. Indeed, the reality of surgical practice in health centers was not the same because of the level of skills of practicing surgeons.

Ultrasound Biometry of the Liver at the Point “G” University Hospital Center in Bamako

Introduction: Biometrics therefore corresponds to the measurement of the morphological elements of humans. One of the most common ultrasound requests by clinicians is the assessment of liver size. The aim of our study was to study liver biometry using ultrasound in healthy adult subjects. Material and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study, carried out at CHU Point-G over a period of 7 months. A liver ultrasound was performed on 100 individuals without lesions, by a doctor in his final year of specialization in radiology and medical imaging. For each subject, we determined the height and anteroposterior diameter of the right liver and the left liver. Results: The mean age was 39.05 ± 16.86 years. The body mass index (BMI) 18.5 - 24.9 group was the most represented with 58%. The mean height of the right liver was 138.40 ± 14.85 mm. It was 136.81 ± 14.70 mm in men and 139.92 ± 14.99 mm in women (P = 0.306). That of the left liver was 95.55 ± 14.34 mm, in men, it was 91.79 ± 13.51 mm and 99.16 ± 14.31 mm in women (P = 0.019). We found a significant correlation between right liver height and BMI (P = 0.013). Conclusion: The mean values of liver biometry were established in our series. There was a significant correlation between right liver height and BMI. Liver ultrasound remains a reliable technique for liver biometry.

Hemangioblastoma Incidentally Discovered at CT Scan in Bamako: About a Case

Hemangioblastomas are benign vascular tumors of the brain. These are rare tumors, usually located in the cerebellum and most often affecting young adults. The aim was to study the value of CT in the management of hemangioblastoma through observation. We report the case of a 38-year-old patient referred to the radiology and Medical Imaging Department of the Marie Curie Medical Clinic in Bamako, Mali, for an orbito-cerebral CT scan in a context of bilateral eyelid edema. The examination was performed using multi-slice computed tomography (16 slices) with reconstruction in the 3 planes of space without and with the injection of an iodinated contrast agent. The CT scan was crucial in making the diagnosis of hemangioblastoma incidentally, which allowed for adequate management. The patient was operated on, and the radiological outcome was favorable, without significant cystic formation, after postoperative control and clinical signs were resolved. CT can be an interesting alternative in countries like ours despite MRI being the examination of choice in hemangioblastomas.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated by Pericarditis: A Case Report from the Guindo Clinic in Bamako, Mali

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus is a rare entity, affecting children under 16 years of age. Girls are more often affected than boys and the female predominance increases significantly with age. The initial manifestations are highly variable with an insidious and progressive onset. Non-specific symptoms include fever, anorexia, weight loss and asthenia. Pericarditis is the most common cardiac manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occurring in 10% to 40% of cases. The biological elements of the diagnosis and follow-up of pediatric SLE are identical to those of adults and are based on regular measurement of complement, native anti-DNA antibodies, and inflammatory findings. Treatment is essentially based on corticosteroid therapy.

Eating Habits of High School Students in the District of Bamako in the Context of Nutritional Transition

Introduction: Eating habits are consolidated in early childhood and continue throughout life. Adolescence is a stage of rapid growth linked to puberty affected by the nutritional transition. This study aimed to evaluate the eating habits of high school students in the district of Bamako. Methodology: The cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from June 15 to July 4, 2023. The sample size was calculated with the StatCalc program of the Epi 7.2 software. Data was collected using a questionnaire on KoboCollect. Analyses were performed using SPSS 26 software. Results: A total of 2400 high school students were surveyed. The average age of high school students was 16.9 years ± 1.4. The median age was 17, with extremes of 14 and 19. Of the high school students, 53.3% were boys. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.14. About 89.4% of high school students had a Smartphone. Among high school students, 51.1% did not engage in physical activity outside of high school. Rice was the cereal most consumed by high school students (99.2%). Consumption of fish and seafood was very low (25.5%). Soft drinks were consumed on average 4.2 days/week. In addition, 60.8% of high school students consumed energy drinks. Certain eating behaviors were found in this study, such as nibbling (38.5%), eating in front of screens (79.0%), and skipping meals (46.1%). Conclusion: The most consumed cereal by high school students was rice. The consumption of ultra-processed products and sedentary leisure are habits to be monitored in the context of the prevention of food-related non-communicable diseases among high school students in the district of Bamako.

Epidemioclinical Profile and Immediate Outcome of Low Birth Weight at the Reference Health Center in Commune VI of the District of Bamako, Mali

Introduction: Low birth weight is responsible for 9.1 million child deaths each year worldwide. It is the leading cause of perinatal and infant mortality. The objective of this work was to determine the epidemio-clinical profile as well as the future of low birth weight at the Reference Health Center of commune VI in the district of Bamako, Mali. Methods: Our study was descriptive and prospective over a year from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Data were taken from hospital records and newborn referral/evacuation forms. Data processing was performed using Epi Info software version 3.5.4 and Word. Results: The frequency of low birth weight was 34.94%. Multiparity accounted for 47.84%, sex ratio was 0.93, maternal arterial hypertension was present in 41.66%, genitourinary infection was in 58.37% and delivery was by low way in 86.12%. The majority of newborns had a gestational age between 28SA-33SA (56.52%) and a weight between 1501-1999 grams (47.36%). Mortality accounted for 18.66%. Conclusion: Low birth weight is common in our settings with modifiable risk factors. Practitioners must play on them to minimize its importance.

Inguinal Hernia in Adults: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects at Cs Ref CI Bamako Mali

The inguinal hernia is a very frequent surgical pathology in the world and it represents 95% of the hernias of the groin. This work aimed to determine the frequency of inguinal hernias, describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of inguinal hernias, describe the morbidity and mortality related to inguinal hernias and evaluate the cost of treatment. Our study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2010 in the general surgery department of the Reference Health Center of Commune I in the district of Bamako. We collected 130 cases of inguinal hernias with a sex ratio of 15.25 in favor of the male sex. The mean age was 48.02 years (standard deviation: 17.53 years). Strangulated inguinal hernias accounted for 4.9% of abdominal surgical emergencies and 14.6% of all operated inguinal hernias. More than half of the patients (82%) were operated under local anesthesia. Clinical signs were marked by painless or irreducibly painful inguinal swelling. The diagnosis was clinical in all patients. Some patients benefited from a minimum blood assessment (rhesus grouping, glycaemia, hemoglobin level and hematocrit). The Shouldice technique was performed in 68% of patients. One case of organ resection was performed, i.e. 0.8% of cases. Morbidity was 4.6% due to wall abscess;0.8% scrotal hematoma type. We have not recorded any recurrence or death.

Liver Abscesses in General Surgery at CsRef CI in Bamako Mali

Liver abscesses correspond to a newly formed cavity created by necrosis of the liver parenchyma induced by the pathogen. The aim of the present work was to study liver abscesses;determine the frequency;describe the clinical and paraclinical aspects, therapeutic and evolutionary modalities;determine the follow-up of treatment in order to assess the cost of treatment in the Reference Health Center of Commune I of Bamako in Mali. This prospective study, involving 30 cases of liver abscess, took place over a period of 24 months from January 2015 to December 2016 in the general surgery department of the Cs Ref of commune I. The liver abscess is very often the consequence of amoebiasis which is rampant in the underprivileged population and it remains topical in surgical practice in Mali. Our hospital frequency was 0.081% with an average age of 34.40 years and extremes of 16 and 61 years;a sex ratio of 2.3 in favor of men. The main clinical signs were fever (56.7%), hepatalgia (73.3%) and hepatomegaly (26.7%). Hepatic collections objectified on abdominal ultrasound were located in the right lobe in 70% of cases and unique in 62%. Amebic serology carried out in 100% was negative in 20%;10% of cases had undergone surgical treatment. The consequences were simple for all our patients. The average cost of care, approximately 100,000 FCFA, was significantly higher than the minimum wage (28,460 FCFA) in Mali.

Acute Peritonitis at the Reference Health Center of Commune I of the District of Bamako: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Acute peritonitis is most often secondary to perforation of the digestive organ and/or the spread of an intra-abdominal septic focus. The objectives of this work were to study acute peritonitis in the general surgery department of the Cs ref of commune I in Mali, to determine the frequency of peritonitis, to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects in order to analyze the surgical consequences and to assess the additional cost of treating acute peritonitis. This study was prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional involving 40 patients received in the surgery department of the Cs ref of commune I for acute peritonitis from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. There were 40 patients among whom 28 (70%) were men and 12 were women (30%), i.e. a sex ratio = 2.3. The average age was 25 years with extremes varying between 16 and 54 years and a standard deviation of 11.78. Abdominal pain was the main reason for consultation. Clinical examination alone made it possible to make the diagnosis in 75% of cases. Surgical treatment depended on the intraoperative etiology. The clinical diagnosis was supported by ASP and abdominal ultrasound;performed respectively in 10% and 90% of patients. Appendiceal peritonitis was the intraoperative diagnosis observed in 50% of cases. All our patients benefited from a peritoneal toilet with drainage. We noted a morbidity rate of 5% dominated by parietal suppuration. The average cost of care was 175,000 FCFA.

Community-Based Diagnosis for the Improvement of Maternal and Child Protection in the ASACOSEKASI Health Area in the Urban Area of Bamako (Mali)

The community diagnosis is an essential approach to the resolution of health problems with the involvement of the communities concerned who become object and subject. Improvingmaternal and child health is a health priority for many developing countries, including Mali. The objective was to study the role of community-based diagnosis in improving maternal and child protection in a vulnerable urban community in a developing country. Methodology: This was a research-action integrating a community diagnosis conducted in March 2023. The involvement of several stakeholders, including social actors including ASACO, membership card holders, district chiefs, neighborhood delegates, local authorities, and health professionals, made it possible to provide curative, preventive and promotional care. The ASACOSEKA Health Area was used as a setting for the study. The methodology was the indicator approach, contact, document review, interview of CSCOM patients, observation of the structure, prioritization of problems, development of an action plan and restitution of the report. Results: The monograph consisted of describing the characteristics of the study setting. Indeed, the ASACOSEKASI area is located on the left bank of the Niger River, with a population of 34,497 inhabitants. The CSCOM presented to describe a medical unit, a maternity unit, a laboratory unit, an ultrasound room and a medication storage room. The main pathologies found were confirmed simple malaria (45.08%), high AKI: 20.43%, confirmed severe malaria: 19.85%, suspected diarrhoea: 3.43%, trauma related to road accidents: 3.36%, pregnancy-related disorders (1%). BCG, Penta3, VAR, and yellow fever vaccination rates were above 100%. It reflects the fact that the doses administered were higher than the target population. This was related to out-of-area vaccination and lost doses. CPN1, CPN4, tetanus vaccination (VAT2) and family planning (FP) consultations all have a proportion above 100%. Maternal care is increased by out-of-area patients, particularly from Guinea. NPC3 and CPON have a proportion of less than 100%. The target population did not follow policies, standards and procedures. Postpartum, women rarely came to the CPON. Local actions to combat malaria included cleaning up plots and neighbourhoods, weeding families and streets, cleaning gutters, spraying the roosts of the female Anopheles Beetle, sleeping in LLINs, organising chemoprophylaxis days, promoting the use of MS, and using curtains against vectors. Conclusion: The community was involved at all stages of this diagnosis, from design to implementation, as well as to the restitution of local solutions. Indeed, the community diagnosis has led to a resolution plan related to reproductive health.

Acute Intestinal Occlusions at the Cs Ref of Commune I of Bamako

Acute intestinal obstructions are defined as a complete and persistent cessation of materials and gases in a segment of the digestive tract. They constitute a medical-surgical emergency. Our work aimed to study acute intestinal obstructions, to determine the hospital frequency, to describe the aspects (epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic), to analyze the surgical consequences and to evaluate the cost of the management of obstructions. acute intestinal infections in the general surgery department of the reference health center of commune I of Bamako in Mali. Our retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study took place from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 in the general surgery department of the reference health center in commune I of Bamako. The average age was 47.72 years with extremes of 15 and 78 years and a standard deviation of 16.07. Our sex ratio (56 men/15 women) was 3.38. The clinical signs were dominated by abdominal pain (100%), vomiting (52.9%), cessation of materials and gases (25.4%) and meteorism (35.3%). The main etiologies found intraoperatively were strangulated hernia (54.9%), bands and/or adhesions (21.1%), sigmoid volvulus (12.7%), colorectal tumor (7%), small bowel volvulus (2.8%) and acute intestinal intussusception (1.4%). Hernia repair was the most performed surgical procedure, i.e. 54.9%. The overall mortality rate was 1.4%.

Quality of Antenatal Care at the Referral Health Center of the Fourth Commune of Bamako District

Purpose: To contribute to the improvement of the quality of prenatal consultation at the reference health center of the commune IV of the district of Bamako. Patients Methods: This was a qualitative cross-sectional study to assess the quality of prenatal consultation that took place from December 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018. It included 139 pregnant women whose consultations were monitored by the investigator and then the women were interviewed upon discharge from the facility to collect their opinions on the services they received. Results: The age group of 20 to 29 years was the most represented with 60.44%. In our study, 50% of our patients were managed by midwives. Among the antecedents constituting the risk factors sought in pregnant women, scar uterus was more frequent with 33.93% followed by arterial hypertension with 14.28% and multiparity with 7.14%. Conclusion: This study shows that the evaluation of the quality of services is an absolute necessity for the improvement of services in integrated reproductive health care centers.

Investigation into Recent Temperature and Rainfall Trends in Mali Using Mann-Kendall Trend Test: Case Study of Bamako

Rainfall and temperature variability analysis is important for researchers and policy formulators in making critical decisions on water availability and use in communities. The Western Sahel, which comprises Mali is considered as one of the vulnerable regions to climate change, and also encountered the challenges of climatic shocks such as flood and drought. This research therefore sought to investigate climate change effects on hydrological events and trends in Sahelian rainfall intensity using Bamako (Mali) as a case study from 1991 to 2020, as limited data availability did not allow an extended period of study. Monthly observed data provided by MALI-METEO was used to validate daily rainfalls data from African Rainfall Climatology Version 2 (ARC2) satellite-based rainfall product on monthly basis. The validated model performance used Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and Percent Bias (PBAIS) and gave results of 0.904 and 1.0506 respectively. Trends in annual maximum temperatures and rainfalls were analyzed using Mann-Kendall trend test. The result indicated that the trend in annual maximum rainfalls was decreasing, while annual total rainfall was increasing but not significant at 5% significance level. The rate of increase in annual total rainfalls was 0.475 mm/year according to the observed annual rainfall series and decreased to 0.68 mm/year in annual maximum. The analysis further found that annual maximum temperatures were increasing at the rate of 0.03°C/year at 5% significance level. To provide more accurate climate predictions, it is recommended that further studies on rainfall and temperature with data sets spanning 60 - 90 years be carried out.