Post Episiotomy Morbidity among Parturient in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State

Background: Episiotomy is a very common obstetric surgery, and it could be associated with serious complications. However, these complications largely are not noticed due to the shift of attention from mother to baby, after a successful delivery. Objective: To identify the morbidities associated with episiotomies and factors associated with such morbidities. Method: This was a questionnaire based cross sectional descriptive study among women who attended the Obstetric Department of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State, between 1st July and 31st Nov, 2023. The study population consisted of parturients who had episiotomies in their previous confinements, attending either the antenatal clinic or the postnatal clinic at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State. Results: Macrosomia was the most common indication of episiotomy at a rate of 31.6%. The majority of episiotomies were performed on the parturients in their first confinement at a rate of 64.5% and the majority of repairs were performed by the Registrar at a rate of 65.0%. Informed consent was obtained from 45.79% of parturients while 54.21% were not informed before the episiotomy was administered. Only 55.3% of the parturient received analgesia before episiotomy was administered. The majority of the parturients had their episiotomy repaired between 10 - 15 minutes at a rate of 40.3%. Postoperative pain at the rate of 44.5% was the most common complication and dyspareunia as a form of sexual complication was the commonest at a rate of 31.3%. Conclusion: The parturient needs to be properly counselled before administration of episiotomy and adequate analgesia should be given, as episiotomy is a surgical procedure. Proper training of health workers on both the technique of administering and repairing episiotomy is important. Restrictive use of routine episiotomy in primigravidae is advised to reduce the rate of episiotomy.

The Effect of Uterine Artery Occlusion with Tourniquet on Ovarian Reserve during Open Myomectomy at a University Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: The most common surgical treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids, particularly in women with fertility concerns, is open myomectomy. Given the high vascularity of the uterus, haemorrhage during the procedure is a serious risk that is often mitigated with a uterine tourniquet. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the effect of uterine artery occlusion with a tourniquet during open myomectomy on ovarian reserve using serial anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) measurements. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study with a quasi-experimental design and a convenient sampling technique. The study enrolled 47 women who had abdominal myomectomy between September 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Blood samples were collected before anaesthesia was administered in theatre, on day two, and three months after open abdominal myomectomy for anti-Mullerian hormone assay. The data was collected using a semi-structured proforma, entered into an Excel spreadsheet, and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 with a 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The pre-surgery AMH mean value was 1.67 ± 1.44 ng/ml, while the values after using a uterine tourniquet at myomectomy on the second day and three months later were 1.22 ± 1.24 ng/ml and 1.59 ± 1.43 ng/ml, respectively. There was no statistically significant change in AMH levels, and there was no statistically significant relationship between blood loss and tourniquet time and AMH after open abdominal myomectomy. Conclusion: The use of a uterine tourniquet and blood loss during open myomectomy has no effect on ovarian reserve.

Cystic Degeneration of Uterine Myoma Simulating Ovarian Cancer in Postpartum: A Case Report at the Teaching Hospital of Angre

The transformation of uterine fibroids is common in relation to their development. Giant forms of cystic degeneration are rare. They raise diagnostic difficulties with other pelvic tumors, such as ovarian tumors and leiomyosarcomas. Magnetic resonance imaging specifies the original organ, the volume and the main relationships of fibromyoma with adjacent structures. The diagnosis of certainty is based on laparotomy coupled with histology. The authors illustrate these difficulties by observing a giant cystic degenerative fibroma in a 26-year-old G1P1 woman in the postpartum period.

Audits of Death in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents Followed up in the Pediatric Department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori from 2005 to 2020

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality among children. The objective of this work was to audit the deaths of children and adolescents with HIV infection followed up in the pediatric department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUDB/A) the from 2005 to 2020. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted in the pediatric department of CHUD/B-A in Parakou. All children with HIV infection who died from January 1, 2005 to August 31, 2020 were included. Data collection was carried out in three stages: a phase of medical records processing, a phase of community survey and a phase of death audits. The variables studied were sociodemographic, clinical, biological, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: Over the study period, the data of 464 infected children were recorded, including 92 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 19.83%. Severe acute malnutrition (69.23%), gastro-intestinal tract infections (43.58%) and serious opportunistic pulmonary infections (24.36% pulmonary tuberculosis and 19.23% pneumocystis) were the main causes of death. The main dysfunctions found were: the delayed diagnosis of HIV infection (79.35%), the absence or delay in consultation when the child’s clinical condition deteriorates (32.61% and 47.83%), delayed initiation of antiretroviral treatment (42.39%) and non-adherence to treatment (38.04%). Non-adherence to treatment was predominant in adolescents (90.49%). Conclusion: Specific interventions for early detection, adequate nutritional care, psychosocial support for adolescents and mothers of children are necessary to reduce mortality due to HIV among children and adolescents.

Surgical Site Infections in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Bouaké Teaching Hospital (Côte d’Ivoire)

Background: Surgical site infections are serious healthcare problems. The aim was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of surgical site infections in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Bouaké Teaching Hospital. Method: This retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted from January 2019 to December 31, 2021. The data studied included prevalence, initial lesions, type of surgical intervention, type of SSI, bacteria involved, treatment, and outcomes. Results: Forty-four (11%) of the 399 patients included in the study developed a surgical site infection. The mean age was 27 years, with 36 male and 8 female. Initial lesions were predominantly open fractures (n = 31;70%), with a mean delay of 48 hours for surgical management. Emergency interventions accounted for 70% (n = 31) of cases. The NNISS infection risk score was 1 in 80% (n = 35) of cases. Superficial infections (n = 34;77%) appeared early, on a mean 6 days postoperatively. Bacteriological analysis primarily identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 10;23%), sensitive to Imipenem and Chloramphenicol but resistant to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, and Ciprofloxacin. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were found in 89% (n = 8) of cases, with all bacteria resistant to Ceftriaxone. Surgical revision was performed in 10 patients (23%), primarily involving debridement with hardware retention (n = 7;70%). Chloramphenicol was the most commonly used antibiotic post-antibiogram (61%). Outcomes were favourable in 98% of cases. Identified risk factors included the type of lesion according to NRC classification, the delay in managing open fractures, and the NNISS score. Conclusion: The prevalence of surgical site infection was 11%, favoured by the delayed operation of open fractures.

Acceptability of Caesarean Section among Pregnant Women Seeking Antenatal Care at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka Zambia

Caesarean section remains one of the most common obstetric and major operations performed on women during pregnancy and has contributed to improving maternal and foetal health. Consequently, significant mortality and morbidity from pregnancy and labour-related causes can be eliminated by a timely caesarean section. The acceptance of the life-saving procedure remains unsatisfactory in most sub-Saharan nations. The study aimed to assess the acceptability of caesarean section and associated factors among pregnant women seeking antenatal care at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka Zambia. The study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional analytical study design involving 420 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals Lusaka Zambia. Data was obtained using an Interview schedule and analysed using R software version 4.3.2. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and binary logistic regression for statistical analysis at a 5% level of significance. The study found that the acceptability of Caesarean section as a mode of delivery was low (29%) among respondents at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals. This was influenced by marital status (P = 0.002), socioeconomic status (P = 0.050), parity (P = 0.004), gestation age (P = 0.008), previous history of caesarean section (P = 0.003), knowledge (P < 0.001), attitude (P < 0.001), and sociocultural beliefs (P = 0.045). Low acceptability of Caesarean section delivery is common among women at Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospitals, despite its potential benefits for maternal and neonatal health. Socio-demographic and maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, perception, and socio-cultural beliefs play a major role in determining acceptability. Therefore, efforts to enhance acceptability should focus on improving knowledge, enhancing positive perceptions and attitudes, and allaying negative socio-cultural beliefs towards caesarean section.

Evaluation of Antibiotic Prescribing in the Pediatric Department of Gabriel TouréTeaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali

Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate antibiotic prescribing in the Department of Pediatrics at Gabriel Touré teaching hospital. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study conducted from September 1 to November 31, 2018, in the Department of Pediatrics at Gabriel Touré teaching hospital. All children aged 0 to 15 years hospitalized for any pathology during the study period and having received at least one antibiotic had been included. Results: We collected 445 children’s records out of 1032 admissions during the study period, representing a hospital frequency of 43.1%. The sex ratio was 1.3%. The 2 - 5 age group accounted for 48.1%. Fever was the reason for consultation in 45.6% of cases. Patients’ general condition was altered in 60% of cases. The fathers were blue-collar workers in 65.4% and the mothers housewives in 85%, and had no education in 42.9% and 64.5% respectively. Hepatomegaly was present in 18.2%, splenomegaly in 9.6% and peripheral adenopathy in 3.1%. The site of infection was pulmonary in 37.6% and ENT in 9.2%. Bacterial infection was assumed on admission in 54% of cases, and meningitis in 57.7%. The discharge diagnosis was malaria in 54.6%, severe acute malnutrition in 18.6% and meningitis in 6.7%. The death rate was 3.8%. Neutrophilic leukocytosis was present in 47.3% of patients. CRP was positive in 85% of patients. Blood cultures taken in 27.6% of patients were positive in 5. CSF analysis in 30% of patients showed elevated leukocytes in 6.5%. No cultures were positive. Antibiotic prescription was justified by infectious hypotheses in 43.1% of patients. β-lactam antibiotics were prescribed in 98.6%. Antibiotic therapy was not adapted to national/international recommendations in 68.3% of cases, and was not justified in 16.3% of cases on D5 of hospitalization. Conclusion: Antibiotic use was justified in more than half of patients, but remained inadequate in almost two-thirds of cases, in line with national and international recommendations.

Unintended Pregnancy Determinants among Antenatal Clinic Attendees: A University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Experience

An unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is either mistimed or unplanned. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy as well as to document the determinant factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 215 women attending the antenatal clinic of UPTH from July to August 2022. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive history, desirability of the current pregnancy at the time of conception, knowledge and use of contraceptive methods were collected using a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Chi-square test was used for test of associations with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. The prevalence rate of unintended pregnancy from the study was 16.28% (≈16%). The contraceptive awareness was very high (209, 97.21%), however, 101 (46.98%) participants had never used any form of contraceptives. Univariate analysis using Chi-square test showed a statistically significant association between age and unintended pregnancy (P = 0.042), level of education and unwanted pregnancy (P = 0.033) as well as parity and unintended pregnancy (P = 0.019). The prevalence of unintended pregnancy among women attending antenatal clinics was high, possibly due to low contraceptive usage. More efforts should be geared towards ensuring access to comprehensive contraceptive care and contraceptive methods, this will enhance uptake and reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy.

Psychological Experience of Mothers of Children with Sickle Cell Disease Followed at the Pediatric Department of Bouaké University Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Sickle cell disease has physical and emotional repercussions on the child and his family. The aim of this study was to describe the psychosocial experiences of mothers of children with sickle cell disease in order to improve the overall care of the child. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the pediatrics department of Bouaké University Teaching Hospital from June to September 2023. It focused on mothers of major sickle-cell-affected children followed up in the pediatrics department of the Bouaké University Teaching Hospital. The variables studied were sociodemographic, psychological, social and economic. Results: Of the 40 mothers surveyed, 15% were not in school and 32.5% were unemployed. For them, sickle cell disease was of natural (genetic) origin in 90% and supernatural in 10%. They stated that the child had an average age of 36 months (extremes 7 and 108 months) when the disease was discovered. And 52% of them were satisfied with the way the disease was clearly and completely announced. Following the announcement, the questioned mothers said they had felt shock (35%), sadness (31.7%), guilt (23.3%) and discouragement (10%). Anxiety and depression were experienced by 77.5% and 22.5% respectively. In 60% of cases, they stated that the disease was incurable, and the outcome was fatal in 2.5% of cases. The child’s illness was a source of problems in the home in 25% of cases, represented by arguments in 92% and divorce in 8%. In 97.5% of cases, the mother told her family and friends about the child’s illness. In 90% of cases, the mother and child benefited from psychological support from family and friends. Conclusion: Sickle cell disease is a serious illness with a psychological and social impact on mothers. We recommend psychological support for mothers from the moment of diagnosis and throughout follow-up.

Quality of Life in Living Kidney Donors Grenoble Teaching Hospital (France)

Context: Kidney transplantation is today the standard treatment for patients suffering from chronic end-stage renal failure. Living kidney donation offers many advantages for the recipient, but requires a subject without comorbidities to undergo surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and psychosocial experience of living kidney donors after donation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim, involving living kidney donors during the period from January 2016 to April 2019 at CHUGA. (University Hospital Center of Grenoble Alpes in France). Results: Our study shows that out of 88 donors, 70 responded to our questionnaires, representing a prevalence of 80.5%. The average age of our donors was 55.6 years with a female predominance. Seven out of eight domains of the SF36 score had a good quality of life after donation and the donation did not alter their psychosocial experience. The majority of our donors expressed their pride and enthusiasm, did not regret having saved a life, and this experience was considered positive. Conclusion: Kidney donation does not have a negative impact on quality of life and psychosocial life. The majority of donors do not regret their donation. The dissemination of such results could make it possible to increase the number of kidney transplants from living donors in France, especially in our African countries where the management of ESRD remains a real public health problem.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Surgical Area at the Kara Teaching Hospital

Objective: To report the management of skin and soft tissue infections in the surgical area of Kara University Hospital in Togo. Material and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, in the general surgery and orthopedic trauma departments. The study focused on soft tissue infections of the pelvic and thoracic limbs and analyzed epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary data. Results: We registered 165 patients, comprising 109 men and 56 women.The sex ratio (F/H) were 0.51. The mean age was 45 years with extremes ranging from 23 to 90 years. Farmers (64.8%) followed by housewives (34.0%) were the social strata most affected. The consultation period varied between 1 and 90 days. The pathologies found were necrotizing fasciitis (53.3%), erysipelas (18.2%), infected limb wounds (12.1%), pyomyositis (9.7%), and necrotizing dermo-hypodermitis (1.8%). The main procedures performed were necrosectomy and grafting (62.9%), sample necrosectomy (18.8%), drainage (9.7%), and pelvic limb amputation (1.2%). Follow-up was favorable in 86.7% of cases. The study noted a death rate of 13.3% due to septic shock secondary to a delay in consultation. Conclusion: Skin and soft tissue infections were a common reason for surgical hospitalization at Kara University Hospital, with a high mortality rate due to delayed consultations.

Acute Metabolic Complications of Diabetes in the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital: Epidemiological, Clinical, Paraclinical and Evolutionary Aspects

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disease, is now an important public health problem across the world. Our aim was to study the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and evolutionary aspects of acute metabolic complications (AMC) of diabetes in the endocrinology department of the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with data collection based on the medical records of patients presenting with acute metabolic complications of diabetes in the endocrinology department of the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital during the 3 years study period (from January 2020 to December 2022). Results: Over 788 patients hospitalized during the study period, 157 had an acute metabolic complication of diabetes, which is a hospital prevalence of 19.9%. Among these 157 cases, 140 were suitable for analysis and therefore constituted our study sample. The mean age of the patients was 49.9 ± 14.7 years, with 19 as minimum and 90 years as maximum. Most of them were women (52.4%). Hypertensive diabetics accounted for 54.9% of cases. Ketoacidosis was the most common complication (62.1%), followed by hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (23.6%) and hypoglycemia (14.3%). Infection (69.3%) and therapeutic noncompliance (22.9%) were the most common triggers. The average length period of their hospital stay was 7.1 ± 5.1 days, and the outcome was satisfactory in 87.9% of the cases. Unfortunately, there were 3.6% deaths during hospitalization. Conclusion: Acute metabolic complications of diabetes were dominated by ketoacidosis. Infection was the dominant factor in decompensation. Therapeutic education of diabetic patients as well as clinical and biological monitoring must be more stringent and rigorous.

Endoscopic Internal Urethrotomy in the Treatment of Male Urethral Stenosis in the Urology-Andrology Department of KARA Teaching Hospital (Togo)

Introduction: Endoscopic internal urethrotomy (EIU) is a method for stricture opening using transurethral incision by direct visualisation of the urethral channel, resulting in a widening of the urinary canal with the aim of improving the quality of bladder emptying. The aim of the study was to evaluate the indication and results of EIU in the treatment of stenosis of the male urethra in the Urology-Andrology Department of Kara Teaching Hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with retrospective data collection in the Urology-Andrology department of Kara Teaching Hospital. It involved 21 records of patients with urethral stenosis treated by endoscopic internal urethrotomy (EIU) in the said department during the period from January 2021 to September 2023. The following variables were evaluated: age, circumstance of discovery, site, length, number, etiology of the urethral stenosis and evolution of the patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.2 ± 11.7 years. Infectious etiology of stenosis was predominant with 10 patients (47.6%) followed by trauma with 5 cases (23.8%). The bulbar urethra was the most frequently observed site, with 11 cases (52.4%). The length was mostly less than 2 cm in 12 patients (57.1%). Stenosis was unique in 14 patients (66.7%). The mean postoperative follow-up time was 3.2 months. The result was immediately better in 11 patients (52.4%) and it was poor in 8 patients (38.1%) who required maintenance dilation sessions.

Patients’ Perception and Satisfaction with Waiting Time, and Facilities Available in a State Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic, Southeast, Nigeria

Patients’ satisfaction with waiting time and the facilities in eye clinics is an important indication of the patients’ assessment of the quality of service in the eye clinic. In this study, waiting time was defined as time spent from arrival to time when the patient is seen by a doctor. Some factors that affect patients’ waiting time in health clinics include: healthcare setting, availability of adequate resources and personnel, efficient deployment of available resources and competence of healthcare workers, and punctuality of healthcare workers. The physical environment, comfort of patients, and level of infrastructure in the hospital also influence patients’ satisfaction. This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among patients that attended an eye care clinic, in a tertiary hospital, and 348 respondents were interviewed. Most of the respondents were aged 40 years and above (64.4%), females (63.5%), Igbos by tribe (94.8%), married (63.2%), Christians (96.6%), and had at least a secondary level of education (78.4%). Most perceived waiting time as being very long or long (60.1%), and only 48.8 were satisfied or very satisfied with the waiting time. Most also perceived the cleanliness of the eye clinic as being clean or very clean (85.0%), and 70.7% perceived the ventilation as being adequate or very adequate. The majority reported that a health talk was given (71.6%), and 62.7% were satisfied or very satisfied with the talk. More respondents (46.8%) perceived the waiting space as very inadequate or inadequate, as against 43.4% that perceived it as adequate or very adequate. More reported that prescribed drugs were completely unavailable or few available (48.0%), while 42.3% reported drugs as being reasonably or completely available. It is important that management of health facilities that offer eye care services, work towards improving patients’ perception and satisfaction with services provided in the eye clinics.

Etiology, Prevalence, and Management of Oral and Maxillofacial Soft Tissue Injuries in Children at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi-Ghana

Background: Maxillofacial injury may vary from simple soft tissue lacerations to complex fractures of the orofacial region. Soft tissue injuries, whether isolated or in combination with other injuries, form part of the frequent traumatic craniofacial injuries seen at the emergency department. The force of impact and the injury type is directly related to the severity of the injury sustained. This study aimed to analyze the etiological factors, prevalence, and management of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue injuries at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective study that involved children presenting with oral and maxillofacial injuries at the Accident and Emergency Department and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi between the period of April to October 2020 (6 months). Patient selection was by convenience sampling targeting all children with injuries who met the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were children below the age of 18 years whose parents or caregivers consent to participation. Children with maxillofacial injuries as a result of burns were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period a total of 134 children were reviewed with oral and maxillofacial injuries at KATH. Of these, 107 (78.9%) were recorded cases of orofacial soft tissue injuries. There were 63 (58.9%) males and 44 (41.1%) females and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The age range of patients studied was 8 months – 17 years, with mean age ± SD being 9.5 ± 5.3 years. Road Traffic Crash (50.5%) was the most common etiology of which Motor cycle crash constituted 24.3% and Pedestrian knockdown was 19.6%. Falls (42.1%) were the next most common etiology. The lips (19.8%) and the forehead (18.5%) were the most frequently injured sites on the face whiles the tongue (3.3%) had the most injuries intraorally. Laceration (45.7%) was the most frequent injury reviewed, followed by abrasions (35.8%). Most of the soft tissue injuries underwent primary closure (56.3%). A complication rate of 21.2% was recorded in this study and hypertrophic scarring (11.3%) was the most observed.

Type VI Aplasia Cutis Congenita: About a Case Report at University Teaching Hospital of Bouaké

Introduction: Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare congenital dermatosis of which type VI represents the Bart’s syndrome. The aim of this case is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of this condition in a country with limited resources, for the improvement of prognosis and professional practice. Observation: This is a eutrophic newborn, born at term by vaginal delivery, who presented at birth with a unilateral absence of skin on the anteromedial aspect of the right leg starting from the knee and extending to the medial aspect of the right foot, with a dystrophy of the nail of the right big toe without any other visible physical malformation. The evolution was marked at D3 of life by the appearance of bullae on the right hand and elbow as well as on the posterior aspect of the neck, making epidermolysis bullosa suspect. The mother was 38 years old, 8th gesture, 7th pare with history of consanguinity and collodion baby. The association of a localized congenital absence of skin on the lower limbs, epidermolysis bullosa and a nail anomaly led to the diagnosis of congenital cutaneous aplasia of type VI of Frieden’s classification or Bart’s syndrome. The evolution was satisfactory on the 7th day of life with the beginning of scarring. The management was medical. The outcome was unfavorable with the appearance of sepsis and hemorrhage leading to death. Conclusion: Although rare, the clinical diagnosis of Bart’s syndrome is simple. However, the management is complex and the prognosis is reserved. To improve this prognosis, the treatment must guarantee excellent control of the infectious and hemorrhagic risks, an adhesion and good therapeutic compliance by the parents and a rigorous monitoring.

Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Quality of Life among Females Attending the HIV Clinic of a Teaching Hospital in North Central, Nigeria

Background: Intimate partner violence is a serious public health concern worldwide and is linked with serious mental and physical health consequences. Despite its commonality and attendant consequences, proper public healthcare intervention is rudimentary. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between quality of life associated with intimate partner violence among females attending the HIV Clinic at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design and data was collected from 174 female patients attending the HIV Clinic who met the inclusion criteria with the aid of a 73-item semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. This captured socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards intimate partner violence and their experiences of violence and quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: Almost half of the respondents, 85 (48.9%) rated their quality of life as good. Respondents experiencing IPV reported poorer quality of life compared to those not experiencing partner violence in all the domains and it was statistically significant in the physical health (p Conclusion: IPV is common among females attending the HIV/AIDS Clinic and those affected reported significantly poorer quality of life.

Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Cervico-Facial Cellulitis at the Regional Teaching Hospital of Ouahigouya (Burkina Faso)

Context and Objective: Cervicofacial cellulitis is a lethal infection without treatment. The aim of this study is to establish the bacteriological and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of cervico-facial cellulitis at the Regional Teaching Hospital (RTH) of Ouahigouya, in order to guide practitioners in the development of effective probabilistic antibiotic therapy protocols. Subjects and Methods: This was a transversal descriptive study with prospective data collection from July 1 to December 31, 2021 at the RTH of Ouahigouya. All cases of suppurative cervicofacial cellulitis that had been the subject of pyoculture were retained. Results: A total of 63 patients were chosen including 41 men, with 40.91 years as the average age and the sex ratio was 1.86. In 90.48% of cases, the front door was dental. All patients took antibiotics before their admission. Pus culture was positive in 34/63 subjects (53.97%) and showed monomicrobial infection. The isolates were Gram-negative bacilli for 20.59% and Gram-positive cocci for 79.41%. These isolates were all resistant to certain beta-lactams (such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid). However, some isolates were susceptible to cefoxitin, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. All isolates were sensitive to amikacin for aminoglycosides. As for macrolides, erythromycin had excellent activity (100%) against Gram-positive cocci. Indeed, some isolates were susceptible and others resistant to ciprofloxacin for quinolones. Conclusion: Bacteriological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility knowledge of cervicofacial cellulitis may propose an effective probabilistic antibiotic therapy protocol.

Fournier’s Gangrene in a Child Hospitalised in the Paediatric Emergency Department of the Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital

Fournier’s gangrene is a form of necrotizing fasciitis that has multiple causes and is relatively uncommon in children. We report a case of Fournier’s gangrene of infectious origin in a 12-month-old infant following an insect bite. A rapid diagnosis and multidisciplinary care saved the patient.

Role of Plain Abdominal X-Ray in the Differential Diagnosis of Common Acute Abdominal Conditions in Children at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: The plain abdominal x-ray is one of the commonly requested investigations in the children emergency room, paediatric surgical ward and neonatal wards. The short interval required to carry out this investigative procedure and obtain results makes it the first imaging modality used to unravel the different causes of acute abdominal conditions in children. The safety of abdominal x-ray in children makes it attractive for use in paediatric surgical practice as part of routine work-up for undifferentiated acute abdominal conditions and also to diagnose specific causes of acute abdomen in children. Setting: Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State. Objectives: Evaluation of the role of plain abdominal x-ray in diagnosing common acute abdominal conditions in children. Materials and method: Patients admitted to the children emergency room, paediatric surgical wards, children’s ward and neonatal ward who had plain abdominal x-ray as part of their diagnostic work-up were included in the study. They were studied prospectively between March 2011 and April 2021. Results: Three Hundred and Ninety-nine patients who had plain abdominal x-rays as part of their diagnostic work-up were studied. Males were 240 while females were 159, a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The patients were aged between 1 day to 16 years. Differential diagnoses made with plain abdominal x-ray were intestinal obstruction in 298, perforated viscus 69 patients, intra-abdominal masses 13 patients and location of intra-abdominal foreign body 14. Intestinal obstruction cases in which plain abdominal x-ray played a role in their diagnosis and management included the following: intussusception 66, neonatal sepsis 60, malrotation 48, intestinal atresia 42, anorectal malformation 32, hirschsprung’s disease in 30 cases, pyloric stenosis 24, obstructed hernia 22, post-operative adhesions 16 and intestinal helminthiasis 12. Perforated viscus accounted for 69 indications. Out of these indications, perforated gut in intussusception 19, perforated typhoid ileitis was responsible in 13 cases, gut perforation in blunt abdominal trauma 8, perforation in strangulated hernia 11 cases, perforated gut in malrotation 7, ceacal perforation in hirschsprugs disease 6 and colonic perforation in necrotizing enterocolitis 5 cases. Conclusion: Plain abdominal x-ray remains a role to play in the differential diagnosis and management of common paediatric acute abdominal conditions.