[Preparation of healthcare workers against the threat of Ebola virus disease in Ivory Coast]. / Préparation du personnel de santé d’une région sanitaire de Côte d’Ivoire face à la menace du virus Ebola.

INTRODUCTION: Since the declaration of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, the government of Ivory Coast has organized the training of medical staff in all health regions of the country. This study was conducted one month after this training in order to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health workers concerning Ebola virus disease in an Ivory Coast health region their preparation in relation to this disease. METHODS: In May-June 2014, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 176 health workers from private and public health facilities in 5 health districts. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 15.5% attended the training on Ebola disease organized by the Ministry of Health. They knew that the disease is transmitted from animals to humans by body fluids (85.6%), and from human to human by body fluids of a sick person or a cadavre (82.8%). 96% said they were at risk of contracting the disease. DISCUSSION: In view of the persistent threat of the disease, ignorance of certain aspects of the disease could be a weakness in the prevention of nosocomial transmission of the disease. Knowledge of the disease should lead to adoption of prevention measures. However, routine use of protection equipment, including gloves, depends on its availability. CONCLUSION: The lack of infection prevention and control equipment could be a weak point in preparation of the response to an Ebola disease outbreak.

[Pornography and sexual behaviour of schoolchildren in the Cocodydistrict of Abidjan]. / Images pornographiques et comportements sexuels des élèves dans l’arrondissement de Cocody à Abidjan.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document the influence of pornography on the sexual behaviour of school children in the Cocody district of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. METHOD: This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted from October to November 2013 with pupils from four schools in Cocody, Abidjan. RESULTS: A total of 398 pupils (224 boys and 174 girls) were interviewed: 14.3% of them had access to pornography on internet or television. 52.8% (210) of the 398 pupils interviewed were sexually active at the time of the survey, 41.9% (88/210) of whom had at least two sexual partners. On bivariate analysis,access to pornography was statistically associated with being sexually active (OR= 2.61; 95%CI [1.41; 4.83]), early onset of sexual intercourse (OR= 2.38; 95%CI = [1.19; 4.76]) and multiples exual partners (OR== 6.09; 95%CI= [2.79; 13.3])Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that access to pornography had a negative influence on the sexual behaviour of school children in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire].

[Urban alcohol consumption among secondary school students in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Consommation d'alcool en milieu urbain chez les élèves du secondaire en Côte d'Ivoire.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol consumption is both a health and social risk factor. Few studies have been conducted on alcohol use among students in Côte d'Ivoire. This study was designed to determine factors associated with alcohol consumption among secondary school students in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2011 among public secondary school students in Abidjan. One class for each year of study was randomly selected. Multivariate analysis was conducted between alcohol consumption and independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 316 students participated in the survey. The mean age (SD) of the study population was 16.1 (2.7) years. One hundred and fourteen respondents (36.1%) reported having already drunk alcohol. Age of first alcohol consumption was 10-14 years among girls (48.8%) and 15-19 years among boys (49.3%). Multivariate logistic regression identified the following factors associated with alcohol use among students: Christian religion, more pocket money, living with parents who drink alcohol and the student's perception of alcohol as a refreshing drink or having an antidepressant effect. CONCLUSION: In the light of the determinants of alcohol consumption and the students'suggestions in our study, it appears essential to involve students in actions concerning alcohol abuse.

[Determinants of street drug use in urban areas]. / Facteurs déterminant la consommation des médicaments de la rue en milieu urbain.

A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted to assess street drug use in an urban setting. The study was conducted in Abidjan city center (Adjamé). The general aim of the study was to contribute to the fight against street drug consumption by identifying the determinants of drug use. The objectives of this paper are to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of street drug users, to determine the type of drugs purchased, and to identify the factors influencing drug purchase. Based on a sample of 300 individuals, the study found that the use of street drugs is a widespread phenomenon, as shown by its prevalence in the surveyed population (216 individuals out of a total of 300, i.e. 72% of the surveyed population). The study found that most drug users were young, male (32%) and worked in the informal sector. More than half of the drug users (58%) had a monthly income below 50,000 CFA and had no health insurance. The low cost of drugs was found to be the main reason for drug use (69%). The most commonly used drugs were analgesics (75%), antimalarial drugs (72%) and antibiotics (48%). Because of the lack of medical knowledge of drug sellers, drug users are exposed to serious health risks. The results of this study suggest the need for greater public awareness of the dangers of street drugs and emphasize the importance of promoting access to essential generic drugs.