Study of the Management and Disposal Practices of Unused or Out-of-Date Medicines by Households in the Municipality of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Not all medicines that pass-through consumers’ hands are used, and some often expire in households. These health products can be sources of accidental risks and pollution when they are not properly disposed of. In Burkina Faso, there are as yet no guidelines for the disposal of unused medicines in households. The aim of this study was to estimate the extent of household possession of unused or expired medicines, and to describe attitudes and disposal practices. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study covering households in the Ouagadougou commune conducted from June to August 2021. Two-stage stratified sampling was used: selection of Enumeration Zones (EZs) and selection of households, with each EZ comprising several households. Data collection was based on direct interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data were processed using Epi Info software version 7.2.4.0. Results: In total, 417 household residents were surveyed out of the planned 423 households, corresponding to a completion rate of 98.58% compared with the initial sample. Among the respondents, 79.62% had unused and/or expired medicines in their household. A total of 2562 drug packaging units were counted, for a total weight of 121.90 kg. Nearly 75% were aware that improper disposal was a danger to the environment. Some respondents kept their unused medicines at home until they expired (43.41%), and disposed of them mainly by throwing them in the household garbage (75.58%). The majority (79%) were in favor of the government setting up a take-back program for these medicines. Conclusion: The introduction of a take-back program for unused or out-of-date medicines will ensure safer disposal of medicines, and better protection for households and the environment.

Unusual Foreign Body of Oropharynx

Introduction: The foreign bodies of the oropharynx are mainly encountered in children. They rarely raise diagnostic problem, but remain a haunting of the CCF and ENT surgeon. Objective: We report a special case of foreign body entering the oropharynx and measuring 15 cm of long in a boy of 7 years, in order to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Observation: A 7 year old male student has been received in emergency for accidental trauma of the oropharynx by a particular object, a pencil. The diagnosis has been essentially clinical. The exhibition of the oropharynx using the open mouth of Boyles Davis has obviously shown the foreign body penetrating the right anterior pillar crossing the parapharyngeal spaces till the right posterolateral prevertebral space. The extraction of the foreign body was done by endoscopic route under general anesthesia. As a remarkable fact, it was the gumming end that was penetrating. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: This type of foreign body of oropharynx constitutes a medical and surgical emergency. From an easy and positive diagnosis, these foreign bodies especially raise a problem of lesion diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Prevention through education and awareness of all the actors (students, children, parents) remain the pledge of their control.

Complications of Cervicofacial Cellulitis Supported in University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo

Introduction: The complications of cervicofacial cellulitis are one of the most serious emergencies Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (ORL). These complications are still observed in our context despite the advent of antibiotics. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical presentation and management of patients admitted to our institution for complications of cervicofacial cellulitis. Patients and Methods: It came from a retrospective study in the ORL service, a department of Yalgado Ouédraogo Hospital of Ouagadougou, between January 2005 and December 2014, during which all patients with cervicofacial cellulitis complications were identified. Results: We collected over 10 years, 69 cases of complicated cellulitis, a frequency of 54.3% of cervicofacial cellulitis and 2.3% of all hospitalizations. The group included 33% women and 67% men to 29 years of average age. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory isolated was the main factor contributing 59.4%. The front door was mainly dental 43.5% and pharyngeal 36.2%. The most frequent complications were mediastinitis thoracic dissemination 24.6%, sepsis 21.7% and spontaneous fistula 20.3% with orostome or pharyngostome. Medico-surgical treatment was associated with a reanimation in most cases. The outcome was favorable in 79.7% of cases. Mortality was 17.4%. Conclusion: The complications of cervicofacial cellulitis are frequent and often life-threatening. Their management is done in a multidisciplinary framework. The prevention and early treatment remain the pledge of their control.

Foreign Body Larynx in ORL Department of University Hospital-Yalgado Ouedraogo

Introduction: Foreign bodies of the larynx are serious. They can be immediately life-threatening. The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological and clinical features that characterize this affection. Material and method: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients admitted to foreign bodies of the lower airways in the Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) department of the University Hospital-Yalgado Ouedraogo (UH-YO) from 2008 to 2012. Results: Seventeen (17) foreign body records were compiled on a group of 76 foreign bodies of the lower airways. The average age was 5 years. Patients ranged in age from 6 months to 35 years with a sex ratio of 1.4. The call signs were the penetration syndrome that was found in 4 cases (23.5%), laryngeal dyspnea was found in 8 cases (47.05%) with stage II to III and dysphonia 10 cases (58.8%). The extraction was done endoscopically in all patients, and a tracheostomy was made in 2 cases (11.7%). A death was noted in 1 case (5.9%). Conclusion: The laryngeal foreign bodies are common and maintain their classical gravity. It should be thought about in front of any dyspnea associated with dysphonia in children previously healthy. The prevention is the key weapon in our context.