City Of Conakry Research Articles

Use of strips of rapid diagnostic tests as a source of ribonucleic acid for genomic surveillance of viruses: an example of SARS-CoV-2

BackgroundThis study aimed to demonstrate that the genomic material of SARS-CoV-2 can be isolated from strips of COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test cassettes.MethodIt was a prospective cross-sectional study involving patients admitted to treatment centers and sampling sites in the city of Conakry, Guinea. A total of 121 patients were double sampled, and 9 more patients were tested only for RDT. PCR was conducted according to the protocol of the RunMei kit. Sequencing was performed by using the illumina COVIDSeq protocol. Nine COVID-19 RDTs without nasopharyngeal swabs were in addition tested.ResultAmong the 130 COVID-19 RDTs, forty-seven were macroscopically positive, whereas seventy-two were positive according to PCR using RDT strip, while among the 121 VTM swabs, sixty-four were positive. Among eighty-three negative COVID-19 RDTs, twenty-seven were positive by PCR using RDT strip with a geometric mean Ct value of 32.49 cycles. Compared to those of PCR using VTM, the sensitivity and specificity of PCR using RDT strip were estimated to be 100% and 85.96%, respectively, with 93.39% test accuracy. Among the fifteen COVID-19 RDT extracts eligible for sequencing, eleven had sequences identical to those obtained via the standard method, with coverage between 75 and 99.6%.ConclusionThese results show that COVID-19 RDTs can be used as biological material for the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

Epilepsy Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Front-Line Healthcare Workers in the City of Conakry

Epilepsy is a serious brain disease that affects people of all ages. Evaluating healthcare staff is a key factor in improving the care of people with epilepsy. We studied the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare personnel.

Impacts of Stress and Coping Stratégies Among Firefighters in the City of Conakry in 2021

Impacts of Stress and Coping Stratégies Among Firefighters in the City of Conakry in 2021

Study on the Treatment of Reusable Care Equipment in Public and Private Dental Practices in the City of Conakry

Study on the Treatment of Reusable Care Equipment in Public and Private Dental Practices in the City of Conakry

Epidemiology and impact of HIV-HBV co-infection on haemato-biochemical parameters in patients at the Matam Community Medical Centre (City of Conakry)

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is a major public health problem wordlwide. The aim was to determine the impact of HIV/HBV co-infection on haemato-biochemical parameters in 400 patients, from July 1st to October 30th, 2022 at the Matam Medical communical center (MMC), in Conakry. The results showed that positivity was 12.5% for HIV, 12% for HBV and 4% for HIV/HBV coinfection. For hematological parameters, 81% (13/16) of HIV/HBV coinfected patients had low hemoglobin levels, with frustrated anaemia (54%), moderate anaemia (15%), severe anaemia (31%), microcytic anaemia (23%), normocytic anaemia (77%), hypochromic anaemia ‘8%), normochromic anaemia (92%), hyponeutrophilia (31%), red blood cell (19%). With monocyte values, 31% had hyperlymphocytosis, 19% had hypermonocytosis and 12% had hypereosinophilia. For biochemical parameters, 69% and 56% of coinfected patients had abnormal increased values of Alanine Aminotransferse (ALT) levels, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) levels. In relation to the epidemiological variables, Female was the most represented with 56%, all age groups are almost affected with the majority between 21-40 years, 56% followed by 41-60 years with 25% and ≤ 20 years with 19%. Married people are more represented by infections with 56% followed by Singles with 31% and Widows 13%. Almost all socio-professional categories are affected by infections with a high seroprevalence among Housewives, Commercial Agents and Workers with 25%, followed by Pupils/Students with 19% and Administrative Agents with 6%. These results showed that HIV/HBV co-infection had negative impact on hemato-biomedical parameters of the majority of patients in the present studies.

Introduction of DMPA-SC and Self-injection (AI) in the City of Conakry (Guinea) in Time of COVID-19 in 2021

<i>Context:</i> The maternal mortality rate in Guinea remains high at 550/100,000 live births. Contraceptive prevalence is still low with 11% for women in union, unmet need was 22% with a fertility rate of 4.8. With this in mind, the DMPA-SC was introduced in Guinea in 2018 and then scaled up to 2020. The objective was to study the supply of DMPA- SC and AI services in the health districts of Conakry in the time of COVID-19. <i>Methods:</i> This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective recruitment study, from March 1 to November 30, 2021 in public health facilities and from June 1 to November 30, 2021 in private health facilities; it involved new users of DMPA SC and AI in these facilities, the review and validation of FP data from the facilities, and post-training follow-up was carried out by telephone or in person. The data were collected in a whatsAPP platform and processed using Excel software. <i>Results: </i>We counted 2279 new users, including 1474 for DMPA-SC and 271 DMPA-SC AI in 28 public health facilities and 383 DMPA-SC and 151DPMA-SC AI in 30 private clinics. The practice of self-injection was more dominant in private clinics (70%) than in public facilities (36%). <i>Conclusion:</i> Private clinics appear to be an opportunity to increase contraceptive prevalence in Guinea.

Evaluation of the Impact of Noise Pollution on the Workers of the Bottling Line of the Limited Company of Breweries of Guinea (SOBRAGUI).

IntroductionNoise or noise pollution is a phenomenon that causes an auditory sensation considered unpleasant, undesirable, and annoying, which may present a danger to health in general and the auditory system in particular. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of noise pollution among workers in a brewery in the city of Conakry.Patient and methodsThis is a prospective descriptive study, of two months' duration (November 11, 2019, to January 10, 2020) carried out in the industrial unit of the Limited Company of Breweries of Guinea (SOBRAGUI). We included all the workers of the company exposed to noise pollution in their workplaces, after their informed consent.ResultsThe age of the workers varied between 22 and 70 years, with a mean age of 44.14 ± 8.07 years. We noted a male predominance of 99.22% (n=128) cases. The average duration of exposure was 14.28 ± 6.78 years, with variations ranging from one year to 35 years. Among the auditory disorders, we noted tinnitus in 63.8% (n=74), hypoacusis in 56.9% (n=66), and auditory fatigue in 52.6% (n=61) of cases. These signs were often associated with each other and with other extra-auditory symptoms in the same worker. Audiometry revealed a moderate to severe hearing loss in 13.8% (n=16) and profound deafness in 0.9% (n=1) of cases. The impact of noise pollution on workers' performance was reflected in concentration difficulties in 57.7% (n=67) of cases.ConclusionNoise pollution is present in the SOBRAGUI bottling line. It has a negative impact on the health of workers and alters their work performance.

Mental Retardation in Children and Teenagers in the Psychiatric Department of Conakry

Introduction Mental retardation is defined by the American Psychiatric Classification as a significant below-average general intellectual functioning occurring before the age of 18 and with limitations of adaptive functioning in many areas of ability such as communication, autonomy, school learning, social life, individual responsibility, work, leisure, health and safety.” In this work, we sought to determine the prevalence, describe the socio-demographic profile and identify the clinical forms of mental delay in children and teenagers. Materials and methods: This descriptive transverse retrospective study of a duration of ten (10 years) from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017 involved 62 cases of patients suffering from mental retardation. Included in our study were records of patients of any sex and age admitted to the department who were diagnosed with mental delay regardless of their origin and who had a correctly completed record. Results: The prevalence of mental delay was 0.8%. The age group from 15 – 19 was the most represented equivalent to 56.5% and the average age of our patients was 9.5 years Both sexes were affected with a male predominance of 66% versus 34% of females with a sex ratio of 1.9. The majority of our patients came from the city of Conakry (84% versus 16% from outside Conakry). The reasons for consultations were dominated by academic difficulties, i.e. 72.5%. Severe form was the most represented equivalent to 66.1% Conclusion: An extended study in the general population would be necessary for better care.

Prevalence and Clinical Anatomic Characteristics of Cryptorchidism in Schools in the City of Conakry

Objective: To report the prevalence, anatomic and clinical characteristics of cryptorchidism in schools in the city of Conakry. Material and Methods: We carried out a 6-month cross-sectional study which took place in 32 public and private general education establishments in the city of Conakry. Each student boy was interviewed and examined; some information was collected from parents over the phone. Results: The prevalence of cryptorchidism was 3.6%. It was higher among children of mothers who were not in school, and among those who attended public institutions. The average age of students with cryptorchidism was 9.84 ± 2.33 years, with extremes of 4 and 17 years. 85% of these pupils were born in a care structure (CHU, municipal hospital, health center). Cryptorchidism sat on the right in 64 cases (37.4%), on the left in 44 cases (25.7%), it was bilateral in 63 cases (36.9%). The testicle was palpable at the inguinal level in 77 cases or 45% of the cases. Conclusion: Many school children have cryptorchidism at advanced ages, thus exposing them to the risk of complications (infertility and malignant degeneration of the testicle). Raising awareness among the various players could reverse this trend.

Prevalence of community deaths positive for the Ebola virus that occurred in the city of Conakry

Context and objective: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a contagious, serious, often fatal disease if left untreated, reaching a lethality rate of 90% during epidemics. The objective of this study was to describe the Ebola positive community deaths that occurred in the city of Conakry during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic. Patients and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 1 March to 31 August 2015, covering all positive community Ebola deaths in the city of Conakry that were recorded in the database of the National Ebola Control Coordination. Results: During the study period, out of a total of 6589 community deaths recorded in Conakry city by National Ebola Control Coordination, the proportion of Ebola positive death was 0.41%. The average age was 38.77 years (extremes were 1 and 78 years). All age groups were affected, but the most affected was 31 to 40 years of age (29.6%). The sex ratio was 0.58. The municipality of Matoto recorded the highest rate of community Ebola virus positive deaths for during this period, 48% (13/27). The type of epidemiological link was mainly that related to health workers 303 (36.5%). Conclusion: This study shows a strong involvement of community deaths in the persistence of Ebola transmission chains. This is despite the efforts of the national and international community. Improving the control of an Ebola epidemic in Guinea would require collaboration between communities and the epidemiological surveillance department.

Estimating undetected Ebola spillovers

The preparedness of health systems to detect, treat, and prevent onward transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD) is central to mitigating future outbreaks. Early detection of outbreaks is critical to timely response, but estimating detection rates is difficult because unreported spillover events and outbreaks do not generate data. Using three independent datasets available on the distributions of secondary infections during EVD outbreaks across West Africa, in a single district (Western Area) of Sierra Leone, and in the city of Conakry, Guinea, we simulated realistic outbreak size distributions and compared them to reported outbreak sizes. These three empirical distributions lead to estimates for the proportion of detected spillover events and small outbreaks of 26% (range 8–40%, based on the full outbreak data), 48% (range 39–62%, based on the Sierra Leone data), and 17% (range 11–24%, based on the Guinea data). We conclude that at least half of all spillover events have failed to be reported since EVD was first recognized. We also estimate the probability of detecting outbreaks of different sizes, which is likely less than 10% for single-case spillover events. Comparing models of the observation process also suggests the probability of detecting an outbreak is not simply the cumulative probability of independently detecting any one individual. Rather, we find that any individual’s probability of detection is highly dependent upon the size of the cluster of cases. These findings highlight the importance of primary health care and local case management to detect and contain undetected early stage outbreaks at source.

The Problematics of Transferred Parturient Women in Guinean Urban Areas: The Case of the Donka Maternity Ward at the University Hospital Centre (Chu) Conakry

Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic aspects of transferred parturient women; To identify the means of transport used by the evacuated parturient women to the Donka maternity ward at the University Hospital of Conakry; To describe the difficulties met; And to assess maternal and fetal prognosis. Methodology: It consisted of a prospective study over a period of 6 months from 01/02 to 31/07/2018. All patients transferred to the maternity ward of the Donka National Hospital of Conakry University Hospital. Results: The frequency of obstetric transfers was 13.79%. The epidemiological profile was that of a parturient woman of an average age of 25.7 years, married, and housewife, unschooled, who was on her first pregnancy and from the city of Conakry. The average distance covered was 16 km with extremes of 3 and 50 km. The transfer to the referral maternity clinic was not medicalized in 94% of cases. The venous route was not taken in 96% of cases. The parturient was not escorted by a health worker in 98% of cases. Bleeding was the most frequent reason for evacuation, followed by acute fetal sufferings. The average number of prenatal consultation was 2 with extremes of 0 and 9. The average length of stay was 3.6 days with extremes of 1 and 28 days. The majority of transferred women had a full-term pregnancy. The Cesarean section was 79.4%. The Retro placental hematoma was the most common complication found and was 29.4%. The counter-reference was not made in 97.79%. We recorded 8 maternal deaths, for a lethality rate of 1.77%. Possible interventions to reduce the dramatic situation of obstetric evacuations require first of all the decentralization of health care structures capable of performing a cesarean section. This approach should aim to create medical centers with a surgical antenna in all municipalities. These decentralized units would reduce the delay in case management and thus, limit the number of complications.

Clinically Relevant ESBL-Producing K. pneumoniae ST307 and E. coli ST38 in an Urban West African Rat Population.

High-risk ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) have been described in wild birds and rodents worldwide. Rats are of special interest not only due to their indicator role for environmental pollution with multi-resistant bacteria but also as possible infection source. Data on the presence of high-risk ESBL-E in urban wildlife from Africa remain scarce, however. Twenty-nine animals from three different rat (Rattus) species were captured in the city of Conakry (Guinea, West Africa) in 2015. Rectal swabs were analyzed for ESBL-E using selective media. Species typing and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance analysis to broad-spectrum beta-lactams and other classes of antimicrobials was performed for Enterobacteriaceae-like isolates using the VITEK®2 system (BioMérieux, Germany). Confirmed ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae were whole-genome sequenced and resistance genes, phylogenetic background and genes related to bacterial fitness and virulence were analyzed. In total, six of twenty-nine rats (20%) carried ESBL-E (K. pneumoniae and E. coli). All ESBL-producers were multi-drug resistant with blaCTX−M−15 as the dominating ESBL-type. Interestingly, ESBL-associated clonal lineages E. coli ST38 and K. pneumoniae ST307 were found. The ESBL-plasmid in K. pneumoniae ST307 revealed high sequence similarities to pKPN3-307_TypeC, a >200 kbp IncFII plasmid originating from a human clinical ST307 isolate. This was in contrast to the core genome: the rat isolate was distantly related to the human clinical ST307 isolate (27 SNPs/Mbp). In addition, we identified π-fimbrial, capsule 2, and glycogen synthesis clusters in the rodent ST307 isolate, whose involvement in the adaptation to survival outside the host and in human urinary tracts has been suggested. Our results demonstrate the presence of clinically relevant, ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae ST307 and E. coli ST38 clonal lineages in an urban West African rat population. The human community is likely the initial source of ESBL-E however, rats might function as infection source and transmission hub, accelerated by frequent interactions at a human-wildlife interface.

Low prevalence of Plasmodium and absence of malaria transmission in Conakry, Guinea: prospects for elimination.

BackgroundOver the past 15 years, mortality and morbidity due to malaria have been reduced substantially in sub-Saharan Africa and local elimination has been achieved in some settings. This study addresses the bio-ecology of larval and adult stages of malaria vectors, Plasmodium infection in Anopheles gambiae s.l. in the city of Conakry, Guinea, and discusses the prospect for malaria elimination.MethodsWater bodies were prospected to identify potential mosquito breeding sites for 6 days each in the dry season (January 2013) and in the rainy season (August 2013), using the dipping method. Adult mosquitoes were collected in 15 communities in the five districts of Conakry using exit traps and indoor spraying catches over a 1-year period (November 2012 to October 2013). Molecular approaches were employed for identification of Anopheles species, including An. coluzzii and An.gambiae s.s. Individual An.gambiae mosquitoes were tested for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax sporozoites using the VecTest™ malaria panel assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A systematic research of Ministry of Health statistical yearbooks was performed to determine malaria prevalence in children below the age of 5 years.ResultsCulex larval breeding sites were observed in large numbers throughout Conakry in both seasons. While Anopheles larval breeding sites were less frequent than Culex breeding sites, there was a high odds of finding An.gambiae mosquito larvae in agricultural sites during the rainy season. Over the 1-year study period, a total of 14,334 adult mosquitoes were collected; 14,135 Culex (98.6 %) and 161 (1.1 %) from the An.gambiae complex. One-hundred and twelve Anopheles mosquitoes, mainly collected from rice fields and gardens, were subjected to molecular analysis. Most of the mosquitoes were An. gambiae s.s. (n = 102; 91.1 %) while the remaining 10 (8.9 %) were An.melas. The molecular M form of An. gambiae s.s. was predominant (n = 89; 79.5 %). The proportions of kdr genotype in the An. gambiae s.s. M and S form were 65.2 and 81.8 % (n = 9), respectively. No sporozoite infection were detected in any of the mosquitoes tested. The prevalence of Plasmodium recorded in children aged below 5 years was relatively low and varied between 2.2 and 7.6 % from 2009 to 2012.ConclusionsThe low density of larval and adult stages of Anopheles mosquitoes, the absence of infected An.gambiae species and the low prevalence of Plasmodium in under 5-year-old children are important features that might facilitate malaria elimination in Conakry. The heterogeneity in species composition and resistance profiles call for vector control interventions that are tailored to the local bio-ecological setting.

Soldiers’ Hypertension Prevalence in Military Garrisons in the City of Conakry

High blood pressure (HBP) is a public health problem worldwide. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension in military garrisons in Conakry, the capital. Material and Methods: The study was done in military garrisons. The data concern 1025 soldiers. This prospective and cross-sectional study took place from 13 November 2014 to 13 February 2015. Only the military who had agreed to participate in the study were included. Sociodemographic, clinical data and urine dipsticks were collected. Results: Among 1025 soldiers, 222 cases of HPB were observed, that was 21.66%. They were 193 men (86.94%) and 29 women (13.06%). The mean age was 46.05 years (range: 18 - 77 years). HPB cases were discovered in 155 soldiers (69.82%) in random observations. Following the grade of hypertension: 124 were of grade I, 62 of grade II, 35 of grade III and 1 case of isolated systolic hypertension was identified. Urinary dipstick tests showed that, 3 patients had proteinuria, 26 patients suffered from leucocyturia, 11 patients suffered from glycosuria and 1 case of hematuria was also identified. More than half of the soldiers (41%) were in the army. Officers were strongly affected (80.18%), followed by non-commissioned officers (17.12%) and finally enlisted men (2.70%). Risk factors were multiple: 78.82% ate very salty food; emotional stress; physical inactivity was observed in over half of the cases. Conclusion: This study gives an overall picture of the prevalence of hypertension in the military in Guinea. The discovery of the symptom lies on the systematic measurement of blood pressure.

Baseline evaluation of infection prevention and control (IPC) in the context of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in nine healthcare facilities in the city of Conakry, Guinea

As a means to contribute to the response to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic and support health system strengthening, Jhpiego, with funding from USAID, committed to strengthening health service capacity in IPC.

La rage canine et humaine à Conakry : aspects épidémiologique et prophylactique

In Guinea, stray dogs are present in large numbers in public places and around landfills. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of human exposure to rabies risk, the cases of human and canine rabies and to describe the epidemiological profile of the cases. This retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in health and veterinarian facilities within the city of Conakry. All records of patients admitted in these facilities because of animal bites and veterinary records for aggression by domestic animals from 2002 to 2012, so, during an 11-year period, were collected. During the study period, 7 994 people were concerned by domestic animal bites. Males were the most affected with 60.4% of all cases. Students represented the higher class with 36.0%, followed by workers (18%). The majority of injuries were to the lower limbs (54.4%). The dog has been implicated in the attacks in 98.8% of cases. Among the 2 916 biting dogs which were placed under observation, 14 developed clinical rabies. Among those assaulted, 11 cases of rabies were reported. From 7 994 victims of domestic animal bites, 2 634 received post-exposure prophylaxis and the dropout rate was 51%. Rabies is a real risk in Conakry. Provisions in terms of public health strategy must be taken to minimize it.

National Vitamin A Supplementation Coverage Survey among 6-59 Months Old Children in Guinea (West Africa)

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major contributor to child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustained control of VAD is essential to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for reduction of child mortality in Guinea. Since, twice yearly vitamin A supplementation (VAS), either coupled with National Immunization Days or stand-alone has been adopted as a key strategy to combat VAD in 6-59 months old children. The objectives of this survey were to describe national VAS coverage rates and related factors affecting VAS coverage among 6-59 months old Guinean children. In July 2003, a VAS coverage survey was implemented in Guinea. A cross-sectional random cluster survey was conducted to select Guinean children (n = 1950, 390 mother-child pairs per zone) aged 6-59 months. The country was divided into four agro-ecological zones with 30 clusters chosen per zone. Within each cluster, a random selection of 13 households with at least one child was carried out with random selection of one child per household. Data on characteristics of children, receipt of VAS, caregivers' socio-economic characteristics, vitamin A knowledge and practices of caregivers were collected by questionnaire. The national coverage rate of 68% is much lower than the official coverage rate of 93%. Middle Guinea, the region most affected by VAD, had the lowest coverage rate (58%). In order to increase overall VAS coverage and reduce regional disparities, it is suggested that mass VAS be organized on a regional level, prioritizing rural regions (Middle and Upper Guinea) and the city of Conakry.

Art of the Baga: A Drama of Cultural Reinvention

This is a study of the art and cultural history of the Baga people. The Baga villages are situated on islands in the mangrove swamps along the coast of Guinea between the northern border and the city of Conakry, just under the western-most tip of the African continent. Throughout their history, they have suffered the incursions of foreign peoples and their ideas, and decades of religious and political oppression. Much of their cultural heritage has been lost or confiscated, yet they have preserved their cohesion by reconstituting a spiritual culture based on ritual, ceremony and secrecy and centred upon the role of their youth. The book explains and analyzes the ceremonies, initiations and dramas now enacted by the Baga as a reflection of their history, in a re-examination of a people who have come to terms with their turbulent past.

Low sensitivity to chloroquine and quinine of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Guinea in March 1986.

An in vitro study performed using an isotopic method showed a decrease in susceptibility to chloroquine, quinine, and possibly mefloquine of 44 Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in and around the city of Conakry in Guinea. Resistance to chloroquine was demonstrated by a mean EC99 at 149 nmol/l, above the cut-off value of 114 nmol/l. The mean EC99 for quinine reached 4,999 nmol/l; that is 5 times higher than that recorded in Gabon. Data collected in Guinea, where for many years drugs have been less readily available than in neighboring countries, do not suggest that drug pressure was essential for selecting resistant parasites.