Disease In Senegal Research Articles

An overview of Climate Change Impacts on the Health Sector for the Research Program of the National Adaptation Plan Support Project in Senegal

Senegal, a coastal country in the semi-arid Sahel region, faces significant risks associated with climate variability and climate change. Climate change is already affecting vulnerable people’s wellbeing and it’s expected to contribute to the (re)emergence of vector-borne, some water-borne and heat-related diseases, which will have disastrous consequences on the country’s fragile health system and socio-economically vulnerable population. Our contribution to the National Adaptation Plan support Project - Global Environment Fund (NAP-GEF) aims to support community- based epidemiological surveillance and the design/maintenance of health information systems in order to improve planning, decision-making, and public health response. Our methodological approach aims to build a detailed climate and health database to describe the spatio-temporal characteristics of the climate-health relationships at national scale. Considering various indices of targeted diseases, we assess the degree of transmission of those diseases in Senegal for different historical period (1950-2014 and projections (2015-2100) based on a combination of the Shared Socio-Economic Pathways (SSPs) produced within the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 6 (CMIP6). Selected diseases include malaria, meningitis, dengue and Chronic – non communicable to heat waves. The project will strengthen institutional capacity to mainstream climate related risks within the Ministry of Health’s strategies and governance model, enabling a public health system framework to support long-term and sustainable adaptation funding and programs. The project is being implemented jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) and the Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS). The findings in the project will guide and operationalize community-based early-warning systems and adaptation strategies specific to local climate-sensitive diseases in targeted regions in Senegal, which will feed into the national health prevention, response, and care strategies adapted to the needs of local communities. Development of scientific evidence and a knowledge management system get started in this study about the links between climate change and health through the launch of studies in collaboration with research institutions. However, barriers or limitations to integrating climate change data and information into health policies have also been identified

Description of the Cattle and Small Ruminants Trade Network in Senegal and Implication for the Surveillance of Animal Diseases

Livestock mobility, particularly that of small and large ruminants, is one of the main pillars of production and trade in West Africa: livestock is moved around in search of better grazing or sold in markets for domestic consumption and for festival-related activities. These movements cover several thousand kilometers and have the capability of connecting the whole West African region, thus facilitating the diffusion of many animal and zoonotic diseases. Several factors shape mobility patterns even in normal years and surveillance systems need to account for such changes. In this paper, we present an approach based on temporal network theory to identify possible sentinel locations, i.e., locations where pathogens circulation can be detected in the early phase of the epidemic (before the peak), using two indicators: vulnerability (i.e., the probability of being reached by the disease) and time of infection (i.e., the time of first arrival of the disease). Using these indicators in our structural analysis of the changing network enabled us to identify a set of nodes that could be used in an early warning system. As a case study, we simulated the introduction of transboundary animal diseases in Senegal and used data taken from 2020 Sanitary certificates (laissez-passer sanitaire (LPS)) issued by the Senegalese Veterinary Services to reconstruct the national mobility network. Our analysis showed that a static approach can significantly overestimate the speed and the extent of disease propagation, whereas temporal analysis revealed that the reachability and vulnerability of the different administrative departments (used as nodes of the mobility network) change over the course of the year. For this reason, several sets of sentinel nodes were identified in different periods of the year, underlining the role of temporality in shaping patterns of disease diffusion.

Atopic Dermatitis in Senegal: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Features

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is on the rise in industrialized countries. It is underestimated in Africa. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary profile of atopic dermatitis, and to identify its impact on patients' quality of life. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective multicenter descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in three dermatology referral departments in Dakar for over 3 years. We included all patients who consulted us for atopic dermatitis. Results: We identified 301 cases of atopic dermatitis, representing a hospital frequency of 0.6%. The mean age was 17 years. Pruritus was the main functional symptom. According to SCORAD, atopic dermatitis was mild in 50 cases (16.6%), moderate in 226 cases (75.10%), and severe in 25 cases (8.3%). AD was associated with seborrheic dermatitis in 1.9% and allergic contact dermatitis in 1.6%. Skin infections included staphylococcal in 8.97%, herpetic in 3.03% and scabies in 1.6%. Topical steroids and skin infections were the first-line treatment, in combining with therapeutic education. Methotrexate and azathioprine were used in 3 cases. Complete response was observed in 76.6% of patients. Conclusion: Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease in Senegal. Early management and therapeutic education can prevent complications and reduce the psychological and social impact.

Radiolabeling with Technetium 99m for the Diagnosis of Coronary Heart Disease in Senegal

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. In Africa, its prevalence is increasing in line with the westernization of lifestyles, the improvement of socio-economic conditions and the increase in life expectancy. Therefore, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy presents itself as an effective imaging technique allowing improved prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic management and monitoring of patients at risk. Our present work has exclusively focused on the early diagnosis of patients at risk in the nuclear medicine department of the Grand Yoff General Hospital (HOGIP). Our work consisted of administering a radiopharmaceutical to a patient and monitoring its fate in the body by external detection of gamma radiation using a Mediso Nucline TM gamma camera. We used vectors like sestamibi and tetrofosmin. These vectors have the particularity of having an affinity and a tropism for the myocardial tissue. These two vectors were labeled with technetium 99m (radiotracer). Indeed, these radioactive tracers attach themselves to the organ to be studied from where they emit gamma radiation captured by a gamma camera which detects the signal from this organ and reconstructs a computerized static or dynamic image. This made it possible to make a diagnosis of ischemia or myocardial necrosis in 57% of cases in women and 82.5% of cases in men in a sample of 45 patients. Thanks to the qualitative visual interpretation of the distribution of the tracer, a diagnostic aid was provided by the semi-quantitative analysis provided by the study of the polar maps (bull's eyes). This myocardial perfusion scintigraphy can be a valuable diagnostic aid, especially in our countries where income is limited.

Particularities of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease in Senegal

Introduction: Tuberculosis and sickle cell disease are one of the main global health priorities particularly in Africa. We aimed to determine the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of tuberculosis in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. Patients and methods: Patients aged 0 - 20 years with sickle cell anemia presented with tuberculosis at the Centre Hospitalier National d’Enfants Albert Royer (CHNEAR), Dakar, Senegal were included in the study. Medical history, risk factors, clinical, bacteriological, and outcome data was collected. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software, version 16. Results: A total of 25 cases of tuberculosis were documented from January 1st, 1991 to December 31st, 2019 (hospital prevalence: 0.97%). Mean age was 12.5 years. The sex ratio was 1.5 (15 girls and 10 boys). Pulmonary tuberculosis in 14 cases was the most frequent followed by lymph nodes in 7 cases involvement and Pott’s disease in 4 cases. In 5 patients Tb was multifocal. Mean duration of treatment was 8.27 months (6 to 12 months). Outcome was good on antituberculosis treatment. None patient died. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with sickle cell disease can be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis, lymph nodes and bone involvement are the most frequent localizations. Outcome is good on antituberculosis treatment.

COVID-19 in Senegal

While many academics and popular journalists have recently addressed historical epidemics in the context of COVID-19, much of this literature concerns the history of former colonial powers rather than the history of formerly colonized states. This review finds that the French colonial regime frequently used disease as a means to exert increased political power over the people of the Senegal. Primary sources, analyses of colonialism and disease in Senegal, and current popular media reveal that post-colonial successes in managing epidemic disease, when contrasted with colonial-era racialization of rampant disease, is likely shaping the Senegalese government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Short-term prediction model for daily COVID-19 reported positive cases in Senegal

In this work, we use an Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to study the evolution of COVID-19 disease in Senegal and then make short-term predictions about the number of people likely to be infected by the coronavirus. We are dealing with daily data provided by the Senegalese Ministry of Health during the period from March 2, 2020 to March 2, 2021.Our results show that the peak of the disease appearsduring the second wave seems to be reached on February 12 2021. But they also show that the number of COVID-19 infections will be around 200 cases per day during the next 30 days if the trend of the total number of tests performed is maintained.

Control of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Semi-Urban Population of Guéoul in Senegal

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a global public health problem. In Africa, they are increasingly common, however, data on the control of cardiovascular risk factors in the general Senegalese population are rare. The aim of this work was to assess the level of control of cardiovascular risk factors in semi-urban areas in the municipality of Guéoul in Senegal. Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and exhaustive survey carried out from 3 November to 3 December 2012 among the population aged at least 35 years and living for more than 6 months in the commune of Gueoul. It was conducted using the WHO STEPS approach to study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and assess their level of control. We looked at clinical history, lifestyle, and anthropometric data. Blood pressure was measured at both arms and fasting blood samples were taken for blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. Results: We examined 1.411 subjects (1052 women) averaging 48.5 ± 12.7 years of age. The main cardiovascular risk factors were dyslipidemia (61%), sedentary (56%), abdominal obesity (53.9%), high blood pressure (46.4%) and diabetes (7.2%). Dyslipidemia was known in 22 subjects, 6 of whom were on treatment with dyslipidemia control in 1 subject (16.7%). Hypertension was known in 266 subjects. Of these, 205 subjects were prescribed medical treatment, 26 of whom were well controlled (12.7%). The level of hypertension control was lower in subjects at high cardiovascular risk (p = 0.0001) and those with a family history of hypertension (p = 0.001). The male gender (p = 0.24), the short duration of progression of hypertension (p = 0.95) and the noncompliance of the diet (p = 0.176) were not significantly associated with poor control of hypertension. In diabetics, subjects on oral antidiabetic drugs had met fasting glucose targets in 65.5% of cases according to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association and in 58.6% according to those of the International Diabetes Federation (p = 0.0001). Age, regular physical activity and insulin treatment were not significantly related to fasting blood sugar control. Conclusion: Our study found inadequate control and high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the general Senegalese population. This situation could be a cause of aggravation of cardiovascular diseases in Senegal and should promote to improve their management.

Short-term prediction model for daily COVID-19 reported positive cases in Senegal

In this work, we use an Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to study the evolution of COVID-19 disease in Senegal and then make short-term predictions about the number of people likely to be infected by the coronavirus. We are dealing with daily data provided by the Senegalese Ministry of Health during the period from March 2, 2020 to March 2, 2021.Our results show that the peak of the disease appearsduring the second wave seems to be reached on February 12 2021. But they also show that the number of COVID-19 infections will be around 200 cases per day during the next 30 days if the trend of the total number of tests performed is maintained.

Role of Brown Adipose Tissues / Beige Adipose Tissue (BAT/bAT) relevant genes expression and polymorphism in regulating human body weight

Introduction: Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanogenic congenital heart disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, the incidence of the disease is unknown. Hospital studies show that it is the most common cyanogenic congenital heart disease. This heart disease, which varies in severity, has benefited from considerable medical progress over the last fifty years. The main objective of the work is to study management modalities of this heart disease in Senegal. Method: This retrospective study conducted from first January 2010 to thirty-one December 2015 in the pediatric cardiology department of the Albert Royer National Children Hospital of Dakar (CHNEAR), involves 125 children diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. Results: Tetralogy of Fallot accounted for 18.6% of congenital heart disease. Inbreeding and trisomy 21 were the main risk factors. Cyanosis was the main sign of disease discovery (33.2%) followed by anoxic malaise. Pulsed oxygen saturation averaged 70%. Severe acute malnutrition was detected in 21.8% of our patients. Ultrasound showed a regular pattern in 81 patients (64.8%) and an irregular pattern in 44 cases (35.2%). Modified Blalock surgery was performed in 16 patients (12.8%) and a surgical cure in 43 patients (34.4%). We reported 20 (16%) deaths in this series. Conclusion: The results of our series show an improvement in the management of Fallot tetralogy in Senegal, but the data is insufficient. Effort must be made in the context of disease screening and early surgical management.

A pain in the rear.

Tuberculosis is an endemic disease in Senegal. Cutaneous forms are rare and are characterized by their clinical polymorphism. They account for 2% of the extrapulmonary locations of tuberculosis [1,2]. We report an observation of a tuberculous gumma of the buttock that led to the discovery of an active pulmonary localization in an immunocompetent adult. A 47-year-old man was admitted for a painful swelling of the right buttock that had been developing for four years. The physical examination noted an indurated, multinodular, and polyfistulized plaque, with confluent yellowish pus emission, on the inferomedial face of the right buttock, associated with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy. Cutaneous tuberculosis was found in the histology, which showed TB granuloma, and the gastric tube fluid was positive for acid-fast bacilli. Thoracoabdominopelvic CT showed multiple basal acinar micronodules in both lungs. Serology was negative for both HIV and HBV. All signs of tuberculosis disappeared after six months of treatment. In endemic zones, cutaneous tuberculosis is characterized by its clinical polymorphism. It must also be looked for in any perineal abscess. Early management greatly improves the prognosis.

Epidemiological Approach to Understand Rheumatic Heart Valve Disease: Case of Thoracic Cardiovascular Clinic of Fann Hospital (Dakar)

Objective: Rheumatic heart disease is the major cause of heart valve disease in developing countries. In Senegal, cardiac pathology is dominated by rheumatic pathology whose hospital prevalence was estimated at 0.15% [1]. Epidemiological data on rheumatic heart valve disease (RHVD) are unfortunately imprecise due to the lack of good quality data collection in a large number of countries, especially in sub-Saharan areas and in Central Asia. The objective of this epidemiological study is to collect data about rheumatic heart valve disease in our clinic which is the only surgical center of Senegal. Patients and Methods: Our study conducted between 2014 and 2017 involved a population of one hundred and eighty-three patients with complete medical records, all followed at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic at Fann Hospital for rheumatic valve disease. This population was the subject of an epidemiological survey based on a questionnaire covering clinical parameters as consanguinity, clinical signs, diagnosis and surgical intervention. Results: Our work is an epidemiological study involving one hundred and eighty-three (183) patients with various types of rheumatic valve disease, followed at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic at Fann Hospital, and who responded to a questionnaire about clinical aspects of this disease. Our results showed 5.46% of family cases, of which 2.18% came from consanguineous marriages. Mean age at onset of clinical signs was 14 ± 9 years with 14.20% before 6 years of age, 65.91% between 6 and 21 years and 19.89% in adulthood. Average age of diagnosis was 21 ± 11 years with an average delay between diagnosis and intervention of 10 years ± 14. Mitral stricture (22.5%) was the most common diagnosis, followed by mitral disease (17.9%) and mitral regurgitation (6.9%). Surgical procedures involved 31.8% of mitral valve, 8.79% of aortic valve, 12.09% of mitral and aortic valves, 13.74% of mitral and tricuspid valves, 2.75% of 3 valves mitral, aortic and tricuspid. 27.49% of patients were awaiting surgery. Conclusion: It appears that a considerable effort should be made to prevent the pathology, to make population aware of the clinical signs and to improve the accessibility of patients to surgical procedure. These different actions would reduce the incidence and prevalence of the disease in Senegal.

Une histoire de fesse: cas d'une tuberculose gommeuse de la fesse chez un adulte immunocompétent

La tuberculose est une maladie endémique au Sénégal. Les formes cutanées sont rares et se caractérisent par leur polymorphisme clinique. Elles représentent 2% des localisations extra pulmonaires de la tuberculose. Nous rapportons l'observation d'une gomme tuberculeuse de la fesse révélant une localisation pulmonaire active chez un adulte immunocompétent. Un homme âgé de 47 ans fut admis pour une tuméfaction douloureuse de la fesse droite évoluant depuis quatre ans. L'examen physique notait un placard induré et polyfistulisé fait de nodules confluents avec une émission de pus jaunâtre, siégeant à la face inférointerne de la fesse droite, associé à des adénopathies inguinales bilatérales d'allure inflammatoire. Une tuberculose cutanée était retenue devant l'histologie qui montrait un granulome tuberculoïde et la recherche de BAAR dans le liquide de tubage gastrique qui était positif. La tomodensitométrie thoraco-abdominopelvienne avait montré de multiples micronodules pulmonaires acinaires basals bilatéraux. Les sérologies VIH et VHB étaient négatives. Une guérison était obtenue six mois après un traitement antituberculeux. La tuberculose cutanée se caractérise par son polymorphisme clinique en zone d'endémie. Elle doit aussi être cherchée devant tout placard d’abcès du périnée.

Current Status of Pearl Millet Downy Mildew Prevalence across Agroecological Zones of Senegal.

Pearl millet is a dominant staple cereal crop for smallholder farmers in Senegal. However, the crop is constrained by various nonbiotic and biotic stresses such as downy mildew disease. To assess the prevalence of this disease in Senegal, a field survey was conducted during the rainy season of 2017 across eight main pearl millet production regions following latitudinal gradient with different climatic conditions. Results showed that downy mildew prevalence was higher in Kaolack (incidence = 68.19%), Kaffrine (incidence = 77.19%), Tambacounda (incidence = 97.03%), Sedhiou (incidence = 82.78%), and Kolda (incidence = 98.01%) than Thies (incidence = 28.21%), Diourbel (incidence = 24.46%), and Fatick (incidence = 37.75%) regions. The field survey revealed an incidence as high as 98% and 28% of infected area in surveyed fields. Significant correlations between geographic coordinates, disease incidence, and infected areas were also observed. This study provided information that could help to understand the prevalence of downy mildew in pearl millet in Senegal.

Late-onset spondyloarthritis: a study of 133 patients in Dakar, Senegal.

Reports of late-onset spondyloarthritis in sub-Saharan Africa are sparse. This series allows us to describe the characteristics of this disease in Senegal. This is a retrospective study conducted in the Rheumatology Department of the Dantec University Hospital (Dakar) where we reviewed records of spondyloarthritis cases. Its diagnosis met the modified ASAS and New York criteria. Late-onset was defined as after the age of 55 years. During the study period, the department managed 133 late-onset patients, or 38% of all spondyloarthritis cases (350). Age ranged from 65 to 74 years, with a mean of 66. HLA B 27 phenotyping was performed in 89 patients; 39 patients were HLA B27 positive (29%). The treatments were based on DMARDs (salazopyrin and methotrexate).

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) of the genus Haemaphysalis Koch, 1844 in Senegal: a review of host associations, chorology, and identification

The Haemaphysalis genus (Acari, Ixodidae) in Senegal is reviewed. This embodies a summary of specimens collected from vertebrate hosts over three decades. 454 collections were performed over this period (408 from mammals and 46 from birds), representing a total of 5752 ticks in different developmental stages. Seven Haemaphysalis spp. were collected, identified, and inventoried including: H. (Kaiseriana) rugosa, H. (Ornithophysalis) hoodi, H. (Rhipistoma) houyi, as well as four other species belonging to the leachi group, namely H. (Rhipistoma) leachi, H. (Rh.) moreli, H. (Rh.) muhsamae and H. (Rh.) spinulosa. Vertebrate hosts of Haemaphysalis species were identified and listed in different ecological zones of Senegal. An identification key of the haemaphysalids of Senegal is proposed, which is also applicable to the haemaphysalid fauna of the Occidental sub-region of the Afrotropical zoogeographical region. The role of these species as potential vectors of zoonotic diseases in Senegal is also discussed.

Evaluation of transfusion practices in sickle cell disease in Senegal: cohort study of 1078 patients with sickle cell disease.

Blood transfusion is an essential therapeutic tool in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Its indications and modalities vary from one country to another as a function of the clinical severity of the disease and the availability of blood products. This study seeks to evaluate the frequency and modalities of blood transfusions as well as their indications in patients with sickle cell syndrome at the Dakar hematology department from 1995 through 2015. This retrospective study reviewed the records of a cohort of 1078 patients with SS, SC, Sβ0 and Sβ + thalassemia sickle cell syndromes and collected data about the type of blood products, indications, modalities, and acute transfusion complications. The frequency of transfusion was adjusted for age, sex, and sickle cell profile. The patients' mean age was 23 years (2-44 years) and the sex ratio 0.9. SS disease was predominant (87.4%); 28.5% had transfusions during the study period. Patients older than 20 years received more transfusions (P = 0.047). The frequency of transfusions did not differ significantly by gender (P = 0.12), but did by profile: a higher percentage of patients with SS disease required transfusion (P = 0.043). Acute anemia was the most common indication for transfusion (50.03%). Acute transfusion complications were rare (5.8%). This study shows that less than one third of sickle cell anemia patients in Senegal have transfusions, a finding that confirms that our patients have fewer transfusions than patients in other countries in Africa or in the West. This limited use of transfusion therapy may be related to a less severe level of disease among patients in Senegal, but also to the availability of blood products.

Contribution of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in the Management of Advanced Ischemic and Valvular Heart Diseases in Senegal

Contribution of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in the Management of Advanced Ischemic and Valvular Heart Diseases in Senegal

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Schistosomiasis Among Children in Northern Senegal

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a highly prevalent parasitic disease in Senegal. The early symptoms are hematuria and dysuria. Children's comprehension of the disease is fundamental to preventing the infection. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge attitudes, and practices related to schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in 2 rural villages in Northern Senegal and to evaluate their impact on the disease. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. Data about children's knowledge of schistosomiasis, behavior, and preventive measures were collected through a questionnaire. FindingsQuestionnaire responses from 575 schoolchildren were analyzed. Correct answers about risky behavior for schistosomiasis were associated with early symptoms (P = 0.010). Wearing shoes and washing hands with soap were associated with not having hematuria and dysuria (P = 0.007 and 0.049, respectively). Playing in rivers was associated with the aforementioned symptoms (P < 0.001). Children who had good knowledge of schistosomiasis reportedly did not have symptoms (P = 0.002). A logistic regression model showed that female sex (odds ratio = 0.35; P = 0.01) and attending a primary school (odds ratio = 0.13; P < 0.001) were significant predictors of a lower risk of the early symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis. ConclusionsThis study revealed that the level of knowledge among children in North Senegal about the causes, transmission, prevention, and treatment of schistosomiasis warrants implementing educational intervention.

Devic Disease in Senegal, a West African Country: About Five Cases

Devic Disease in Senegal, a West African Country: About Five Cases