Prevalence and Associated Factors of Postpartum Depression: A Study Conducted in Health Centres in Dakar (Senegal)

Introduction: Postpartum depression is the most common psychiatric disorder affecting women in the perinatal period. According to the WHO, it affects 10% - 15% of women who have just given birth. In Africa, and particularly in Senegal, epidemiological studies focusing exclusively on postpartum depression are rare or non-existent. For this reason, we conducted this screening study on postpartum depression to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and associated factors. Methods: This was a prospective cross- sectional study with descriptive and analytical aims. It was carried out in the twelve Dakar referral health centres during the period August 2021 to June 2022. Results: At the end of our survey we had recruited one hundred and twenty-two (122) participants with a PPD prevalence rate of 25.41%. The most common age group was 24 - 29 years. 40% of the participants were of Fulani ethnicity, followed by Wolof. Married women made up 93% of the sample. The school enrolment rate was 89%. Most participants were not in paid employment. Domestic violence was present in 14% of couples. 28% of mothers reported experiencing a stressful life event during their pregnancy. 22% of the women had a chronic medical condition, of which 55% had high blood pressure. 1% of the women reported a personal psychiatric history and 5% a family psychiatric history. Most women had between two and four healthy living children. The pregnancy was unwanted in 17% of cases and 12% of participants had a complication. 6% were dissatisfied with the quality of their antenatal care. The caesarean section rate was 18%. In terms of associated factors, eight factors were identified in a bivariate analysis: single marital status, lack of support from partner, domestic violence, conflict with in-laws, and the occurrence of a stressful life event during pregnancy, the presence of a personal medical history, lack of satisfaction with pregnancy follow-up, and mode of delivery by caesarean section. Conclusion: Our study showed the high prevalence of PPD (25.41%) and identified associated risk factors. Among these factors, two were strongly associated with postpartum depression: lack of satisfaction with pregnancy care and experiencing a stressful life event during pregnancy. Systematic screening or identification of risk factors during pregnancy is necessary for comprehensive treatment based on a biopsychosocial approach.

Rib Osteosynthesis for Sub-Acute Management of a Flail Chest in a Tertiary Centre in a Low-Middle Income Country of Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Report at Douala Laquintinie Hospital

Background: Costal fracture surgical is still a debate, therefore we shall select between early and delay surgical management. Case Report: We are reporting two cases of post road traffic clash delay ribs fractures osteosynthesis involving a 63-year-old man with multistage fractures on the left and pulmonary pinning of one of the costal arches, complicated by a homolateral haemothorax and a 41-year-old man with a bilateral flail chest. Conclusion: The simple postoperative course and the immediate postoperative improvement in the patient’s clinical respiratory condition enabled us to discuss the time frame for management, in this case the indication for early or later surgery.

The Use of Atypical Neuroleptics in Drugs Management in Fann’s Psychiatry Department

Background and Objectives: Neuroleptics have revolutionized pharmacological management in psychiatry. The advent of atypical neuroleptics constitutes a major turning point in this therapeutic challenge. The objective of our study was to determine the prescription of these atypical neuroleptics in Fann’s psychiatry department. Methodology: It was a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study that involved 223 patients hospitalized in the psychiatry department of Fann Hospital during the period from January 2015 to December 2017. Results: Our study shows a majority prescription of classic neuroleptics in combination Haloperidol-Chlorpromazine 53% and 14% in monotherapy and a prescription of atypical neuroleptics at 4%. They are prescribed in combination with the classics at 4%. Conclusion: These results show a still low prescription of atypical neuroleptics which raises questions about the availability and affordability of such drugs, but also about prescription habits in the context of developing country.

Management of Penetrating Cranioencephalic Trauma Caused by Sharp Metal Objects—Therapeutic and Evolutionary Aspects: 12 Cases at the Renaissance University Hospital in N’Djamena

Introduction: Cranioencephalic trauma caused by bladed weapons is rare, and that caused by sharp objects is exceptional. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects. Materials and method: This was a descriptive and analytical study over a 48-month period at CHU la Renaissance from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, concerning patients admitted for penetrating cranioencephalic trauma by pointed object. Results: Twelve cases, all male, of penetrating cranioencephalic sharp-force trauma were identified. The mean age was 34 ± 7 years, with extremes of 11 and 60 years. Farmers and herders accounted for 31% and 25% of cases respectively. The average admission time was 47 hours. Brawls were the circumstances of occurrence in 81.2% of cases. Knives (33%), arrows (25%) and iron bars (16.6%) were the objects used. Altered consciousness was present in 43.8% of cases, and focal deficit in 50%. Scannographic lesions were fracture and/or embarrhment (12 cases), intra-parenchymal haematomas (6 cases) and presence of object in place (4 cases). Surgery was performed in 11 patients. Postoperative outcome was favorable in 9 patients. After 12 months, 2 patients were declared unfit. Conclusion: Penetrating head injuries caused by sharp objects are common in Chad. Urgent surgery can prevent disabling after-effects.

Demons-Meigs Syndrome: A Case Report at the Fatick Regional Hospital

Demons-Meigs syndrome combines a benign tumor of the ovary with thoracic and abdominal effusion, it is a rare disease whose pathophysiological mechanism is not yet well understood. This rare syndrome often gives rise to fear of ovarian neoplasia due to the existence of ascites and the significant elevation of CA 125. In this observation, we report the case of Demons-Meigs syndrome diagnosed in a 36-year-old young woman who presented with pleural and peritoneal effusion syndrome with an ovarian mass and a CA 125 level = 406.6 IU/ml. Laparotomy performed revealed very abundant ascites, the uterus and tubes were healthy, no suspicious peritoneal lesions, the left ovary is healthy, a right ovarian mass of 300 × 150 mm. A right annexectomy was performed. The operative suites were simple with drying of the effusions. The control CA 125 returned to normal after 6 months of follow-up. A pathological anatomy result is a fibrothecoma. Demons-Meigs syndrome has a good prognosis;treatment is based on removal of the ovarian tumor.

The Practice of Neurosurgery in Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital of Banjul, the Gambia

The management of neurosurgical pathologies has become a priority in our regions. Over the years the number of patients consulting in neurosurgical clinics continues to rise. Publications and studies of neurosurgical activities are rare in sub-Saharan Africa and almost inexistent in the Gambia in particular hence the impetus for this study： The Practice of Neurosurgery in EFSTH （Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital） of Banjul, the Gambia. The objective of this study was to report on all the neurosurgical activities of the Neurosurgery unit of EFSTH of Banjul over an 18-month period. A retrospective study of all the neurosurgical activities of the EFSTH over a period of 18-month was carried out. Data were obtained from the medical records of the hospital categorized according to age groups. Consultation, admission, surgery, morbidity and mortality were evaluated. We included all patients managed in the Neurosurgery unit and excluded patients with insufficient data or missing folders. The Neurosurgery unit had a total of 2,038 patients giving an average of 113 patients seen per month of whom 399 （19.57%） were hospitalized and 127 （6.23%） benefitted from neurosurgical intervention. Morbidities and mortalities of 19 and 47 are respectively. Pediatric population with ages ranging from 0-9 years dominated in our admissions. Male： Female ratio was 2：1. The clinical features in our studies varied according to the diverse pathologies encountered in the study. Imaging was dominated by CT scan 168 cases （61%）, X-Rays 102 cases （37%）. Pathologies seen in the Outpatient consultations were mainly degenerative pathology 938 （46%）, Trauma 391 （21%）, Hydrocephalus and other CNS （Central nervous system） Malformations 325 （16%）. Hospitalizations were mostly dominated by Trauma 300 （75.18%）, Hydrocephalus and other CNS Malformations 41 （9.77%）, degenerative disease 26 （6.52%）. Neurosurgical interventions were mainly trauma 47 （37%）, Hydrocephalus and other CNS Malformations 39 （31%）, Degenerative 15 （12%）. Neurosurgical procedures mainly comprised of Burr hole 18 （14%）, Spina bifida repair 17 （13 %）, Craniotomy 13 （10%）, Ventriculoperitoneal shunt 13 （10%）, Spinal internal fixation 12 （9%） and elevation of depressed skull fracture 11 （8%）. Morbidities encountered included surgical site infection 6 （4.51%）, CSF （cerebrospinal fluid） leak 6 （4.51%） shunt infection 3 （2.26%）. Mortality was mostly from Trauma 33 （8%）, Infection 5 （1.25%） and Hydrocephalus and Other CNS Malformations 4 （1.5%） of the total admissions. Conclusions： Lack of materials （bipolar cautery, operating microscope, （C-arm fluoroscopy in the first 7 months of the study））, consumables （surgical, surgical cotton, gel foam, bone wax etc.） had been an enormous challenge the neurosurgical unit of EFSTH had faced. This study therefore demonstrates the great need of a permanent Neurosurgeon and neurosurgical team in the Gambia.

Recurrent Ischemic Stroke Revealing Polycythemia Vera

Background: Polycythemia vera is a possible cause of recurrent ischemic stroke which can be prevented. Aim: Describe a junctional ischemic stroke without large arterial trunks stenosis associated with an acute coronary syndrome. Case Presentation: A 66-years-old man was admitted for abrupt recurrent right hemiparesis related to bilateral and junctional ischemic stroke lesions. He had a medical history of a vertebrobasilar ischemic stroke concurrent with an acute coronary syndrome with normal coronary arteries. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed small apical akinesia. Hemoglobin level was 18.9 g/dl with a hematocrit of 57.6%. The endogenous erythropoietin was 1.3 mIU/ml with JAK2 V617F mutation positivity (37%). After eight months of treatment (hydroxycarbamide + aspirin + allopurinol) hemoglobin was 12.5 g/dL. Conclusion: This case illustrates the most suggestive features of PV particularly the ischemic stroke junctional topography.