Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B in Blood Donors at the N’Zérékoré Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Guinea

Blood transfusion saves lives and reduces morbidity and mortality for a large number of diseases and clinical conditions, but it is not without danger. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV and hepatitis B in blood donors received at the regional Blood Transfusion Centre of N’Zérékoré (Guinea). This was a 5-year retrospective analytical study. We included records of blood donors aged 18 to 60 years admitted to the N’Zérékoré Regional Blood Transfusion Centre for blood donation from January 2016 to December 2020. We performed a descriptive analysis followed by Chi-2 or Fish-er-exact tests and the Student or Wilcoxon test, followed by multivariate logistic regression. In this study, donor age ranged from 18 - 60 years, with a pre-dominance of donors aged 25 - 34 (44.2%). Male donors were the most represented in our study (79.0% versus 21.0% female). More than half of the donors were blood group O (55.6%). We observed a seroprevalence of 3.6% for HIV, 13.4% for HBsAg and 0.2% for co-infection. In our series, age 25 - 34 (OR = 1.89 and P = 0.001) and 35 - 44 for HIV (OR = 2.01 and P = 0.001), HBsAgserostatus (OR = 3.04 and P = 0.001) and blood donation history (OR of 3.04 and P = 0.001) were factors associated with HIV positivity (P < 0.05). In our study, HIV serostatus (OR = 3.04 and P = 0.001) and blood donation history (OR = 0.01 and P = 0.001) were factors associated with HBsAgseropositivity. We reported a high prevalence of HIV and HBsAg. Sex, serological status and blood donation history were associated factors.

Nutritional Profile of Children with Major Sickle Cell Syndrome at the Centre of Medical and Health Advice of Kipé, Conakry, 2018

Introduction: Growth is a reflection of a child’s health and nutritional status. Children with sickle cell disease often have slower statural and weight development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) registered in the CEMECO centre database. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study with simple random sampling of children aged 1 to 16 years registered in the clinic database. Results: We collected information on 208 children, 121 of whom had sickle cell disease and 87 of whom were normal, with a sex ratio of 1.02. The mean age of the sickle cell patients was 8.7 ± 4.4 years, while that of the non-sickle cell patients was 9.5 ± 4 years. Haemoglobin electrophoresis revealed 103 homozygous (SS), 18 double heterozygous (SC, SBetaThal, SE) and 87 normal (AA) and/or sickle cell trait (AS) sickle cell cases. We observed a significant difference in the height/age ratio (P ¥). Conclusion: The results of our study revealed stunted growth in children with sickle cell disease.

Child Victims of Road Traffic Accidents: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects in the Medical and Surgical Emergency Department of the Donka National Hospital

Introduction: Children involved in road accidents most often suffer head or limb injuries. The severity of these injuries varies according to the age of the child, the type of road user and whether or not protective devices are used. The aim of this study was to carry out a census of admissions and to identify the epidemiological and clinical profile of children involved in road traffic accidents at Donka National Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of children involved in traffic accidents over a 3-month period from September 1 to November 30, 2021. All children admitted to the emergency department for a traffic accident were included in the study. Results: During the study period, 435/530 children (82.1%) were victims of road accidents. Boys accounted for 54.94% of cases, compared with 45.06% for girls. The age group most affected was 12-17 years old (48.97%). October had the highest accident rate (36.4%). Pedestrians are most affected (52.87%). Bicycles and mopeds were involved in 59.77% of accidents. Head injury was the most frequent pathology (33.33%). The study showed that 12.64% of victims were referred to intensive care, pediatric surgery, etc. We recorded 8 cases of death (1.84%). Conclusion: This study highlighted the characteristics, incidence and risk factors for accidents in children admitted to emergency departments. Accident prevention, particularly serious accidents in children, requires more precise knowledge of the factors and circumstances leading to their occurrence.

Macroscopic Congenital Malformations at the Institute of Nutrition and Child Health (INSE)

Introduction: A congenital malformation is defined as a morphological abnormality of an organ or body region resulting from an abnormal developmental process during the formation of the embryo or fetus. Depending on their type, location and size, malformations can cause functional, psychological and aesthetic defects. The aim of this study is to document the frequency of congenital malformations, describe the characteristics of malformed newborns and their biological mothers, and identify the different types of malformations presented by newborns at the INSE. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of clinically visible malformed newborns. It was carried out from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022 at the INSE neonatology unit. Epi info version 3.1 software was used for data entry and analysis. Results: Of a total of 2332 neonates hospitalized during the study period, 81 (3.5%) cases had at least one clinically visible congenital malformation. Nearly 84% had an age ≤ 7 days at the time of admission. The male sex was most concerned (60.5%). Newborns referred by a health facility accounted for 84%. Malformations of the digestive system accounted for 30.9% of cases, followed by those of the limbs (19.8%) and poly malformative syndrome (19.8%). Conclusion: This study shows that congenital malformations exist and are frequent in Guinea. Our results could therefore be the starting point for the future establishment of a national register of congenital malformations.

Transection Type, Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Surgery

The objective of the study was to report the results of the surgery of the Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) transection types at CHU Conakry. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study that focused on 64 patients operated for VVF transection type at the Urology department of CHU Conakry between January 2013 and December 2015. Four types of transection were defined according to the state of the urethra and vagina, the size of the fistula, the peri-fistulous tissue and associated lesions. The variables studied were the proportion of transection, age, the type of transection, the number of previous cures, the operative technique, the complications and the results after a follow-up of 3 months. Results: Transection accounted for 47.05% of the obstetric fistulas. The average age was 25.18 years old (14-43 years old). This was a Type I transection (11 cases), type II (27 cases), type III (19 cases) and type IV (7 cases). The surgical approach was vaginal in 64 cases. Fistulorraphy with a confection of a new cervix and cervico-urethral anastomosis was conducted in 19 patients, combined with bladder flap urethroplasty (30 patients) or vaginal flap (15 others). We recorded healing in 37 cases. Conclusion: Transection type VVF is a severe VVF. The preferential surgical approach was vaginal. Technical difficulties were related to associate lesions and the continence system affected.

Factors of Low Birth Weight Risk in the Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics of the Ignace Deen National University Teaching Hospital in Conakry, Guinea

Introduction: The underweight at birth is recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. Objective: To identify maternal and obstetric sociodemographic factors associated with low birth weight. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of analytical type that examined the records of women who gave birth in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Ignace Deen National University Teaching Hospital from 1st December 2016 to 30th April 2017. The analysis was made with the R version 3.3.1 software. We did a univariate and multivariate analysis. Outcomes: Out of the 1633 live births of single pregnancies that occurred during the study period, 109 children were born with a low weight (<2500 g) corresponding to a rate of 6.7%. In univariate analysis, we found a significant association between low birth weight and maternal single status (p = 0.019), maternal weight less than 60 kg (p = 0.038), primary parity (p = 0.018), maternal history of abortion (p = 0.001), history of preterm birth (p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), anemia (p < 0.001) and malaria (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the variables associated with low birth weight were: history of preterm delivery with OR of 8.5 [1.8 - 40.1], history of abortion (OR = 4.4 [1.4 - 13.9]), malaria (OR = 23.8 [6.1 - 92.5]), anemia (OR = 11.8 [3.7 - 38.2]) and high blood pressure (OR = 5.4 [1.6 - 17.9]). Conclusion: The decrease in frequency of low birth weight in Guinea will be done by improving the quality of prenatal care with an emphasis on screening, prevention and treatment of malaria, anemia and high blood pressure during pregnancy, prevention of abortion and premature birth.