Oncology Training in Rwanda: Challenges and Opportunities for Undergraduate Medical Students (The EDUCAN Project).

A critical shortage of trained cancer specialists is one of the major challenges in addressing the increasing cancer burden in low- and middle-income countries. Inadequate undergraduate cancer education in oncology remains a major obstacle for both task shifting to general practitioners and for training of specialists. We provide the first report of cancer education in Rwanda's undergraduate program to survey how new graduates are prepared to provide care for cancer patients. Anonymous online survey was sent January to June 2017 to medical students in their senior clinical years (years 5 and 6). Questions related to the demographics, medical curriculum, and general oncology exposure were included in the survey. Of 192 eligible students, 42% (n = 80) completed the survey and were analyzed. The majority were 25 to 29 years of age and 41% were female. Internal medicine was cited to provide the most exposure to cancer patients (50%) and cancer bedside teaching (55%). Close to a half (46%) have been taught oncology formally in addition to bedside teaching. A tenth (11%) of the participants felt comfortable in attending a cancer patient, and a fifth (21%) of the students felt comfortable while addressing multimodality treatment approach. The majority (99%) of the participants preferred having a formal oncology rotation. Of particular interest, 61% of the students are interested in pursuing an oncology career path. There is a need to modify the current oncology undergraduate curriculum to prepare future physicians for delivering cancer care in Rwanda. Raising the profile of oncology in undergraduate medical education will complement the on-going efforts to increase the country's capacity in task shifting and in training of cancer specialists.

The current status of National Cancer Control Plans in Africa: Data from 32 countries.

BACKGROUND: Cancer incidence and mortality are rapidly rising in Africa. National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs have contributed to a reduction in the burden of some preventable cancers, availing early diagnosis and adequate treatment modalities and palliative care, while sustaining them with sufficient monitoring systems. knowledge we undertook a cross-sectional survey across continental Africa to understand the presence of NCCPs, availability of early detection and screening policies and the status of health financing pertaining to cancer. METHODS: Through an online survey, we approached key cancer care staff in 54 countries. Questions were themed in 3 main areas - Cancer registries and national cancer control plans (NCCPs) availability in countries, Cancer screening, diagnosis and management capacity, Financing in cancer care. RESULTS: On 54 approached respondents, we received 32 responses. 88 % of responding countries have active national cancer registries, 75 % with NCCPs and 47 % with cancer screening policies and practices. Universal Health Coverage is available in 40 % of countries. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that there is a scarcity of NCCPs in Africa. Deliberate investment in cancer registry and clinical services is key to improving access to care and ultimately reduce cancer mortality in Africa.

[Comparison of the effectiveness of artemether and quinine for treatment of severe malaria in children, Bangui, Central African Republic]. / Comparaison de l'efficacité de l'artémether et de la quinine dans le traitement du paludisme grave chez les enfants à Bangui, République centrafricaine.

The management of severe malaria is a major challenge in the health care services in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of artemether and quinine in severe malaria at Complexe pédiatrique of Bangui, Central African Republic. A total of 212 children among 1125 hospital admissions (18.8%), and aged 6 to 59 months were randomly treated with artemether and quinine. Anemia (58.5%) and seizures (33.5%) were the major syndromes observed. On the third day of follow up, a regression of clinical signs and parasite clearance were observed in 98.1% of children treated with artemether and 97.1% of children treated with quinine. The death rate was 2.3% due to anemic and neurological forms. These findings show that the artemether and quinine have similar efficacy. Hence, associated with adequate intensive health care, the use of these antimalarial drugs can significantly reduce mortality from severe malaria in the Central African Republic.

Relatively low primary resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs in Bangui and Bimbo, Central African Republic.

SETTING: The Central African Republic (CAR) is a country with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB). Although its national tuberculosis programme is effective, there is no continuous surveillance system for anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in place. OBJECTIVE: To establish base-line anti-tuberculosis drug resistance data to allow for future monitoring of trends and evolutions. More specifically, we aimed at investigating primary anti-tuberculosis drugs in Bangui and Bimbo, two cities of CAR. METHOD: A total of 225 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were tested for susceptibility to the anti-tuberculosis drugs commonly used in the country (isoniazid [INH, H], rifampicin [R], streptomycin [SM, S] and ethambutol [EMB, E]). Human immunodeficiency virus co-infection was recorded. RESULTS: Overall primary drug resistance was found to be 14.7% (33/225). The highest rate of primary resistance was for INH (9.3%), followed by SM (8.4%), and EMB (2.2%). The multidrug resistance rate was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that primary drug resistance levels in urban settings of CAR are similar to or lower than in other African cities, and that the spread of multidrug-resistant TB in this population is limited. Extended nationwide monitoring of drug resistance remains important, especially in view of the planned introduction of a new treatment regimen (2HRZE/4HR [Z = pyrazinamide]).

Les accidents d'exposition au sang dans les maternités de Bangui

Introduction : Les accidents d'exposition au sang constituent une hantise pour les agents de santé travaillant en contact du sang et de ses dérivés. Leur prise en charge constitue un défi pour la réduction de l'infection à VIH parmi le personnel de santé. L'objectif de notre étude est de déterminer la prévalence des accidents d'exposition au sang dans les maternités de Bangui, d'identifier les circonstances de survenue, les attitudes et les pratiques des agents de santé après ces accidents. Patients et méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude transversale à visée descriptive et analytique allant du 1er novembre au 31 décembre 2013. La population d'étude était représentée par le personnel de santé et techniciens de surface exerçant dans toutes les maternités publiques de Bangui. Résultats : Nous avions interrogé 260 personnes. La prévalence des accidents d'exposition au sang était de 60%. Les victimes étaient majoritairement des femmes (71,2%) avec un âge moyen de 37 ans. La plupart du personnel (91,2%) n'était pas immunisée contre l'hépatite B et 58,5% ont déclaré avoir été sensibilisés sur les accidents d'exposition au sang. Les accidents par projection de liquide biologique (63,5%) étaient les plus représentés suivis de piqures par une aiguille (53,2%). La principale réaction des victimes après l'accident était le lavage de la lésion (87,8%), suivi d'une application d'antiseptique (35,2%). Conclusion : Les accidents d'exposition au sang par leur ampleur demeurent encore un problème de santé publique dans nos milieux de soins. L'insuffisance en matériels de protection, la sous- déclaration des cas et la faible couverture vaccinale contre l'hépatite B du personnel de santé sont autant de facteurs de risque. La prise en compte des problèmes identifiés contribuerait à la réduction de la propagation de l'infection à VIH et des hépatites dans nos milieux de soins

Increasing Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance among Enterobacteriaceae Uropathogens in Bangui; Central African Republic

Background: Because of the previous high prevalence of resistance to usual antibiotics among uropathogens in Bangui; Central African Republic (CAR); a survey focused on Enterobacteriaceae; the most prevalent group responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs); was conducted. The aim was to help health authorities revise antibiotic policies.Methodology: We performed a retrospective analysis of all cases of confirmed UTIs due to Enterobacteriaceae in outpatients attending the Institut Pasteur de Bangui (IPB); CAR; between 2004 and 2006. Results: During the study period; 560 (10.9of urine submissions) UTIs were confirmed and 443 Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated; representing 79of the causative agents for UTIs. Among these 560 strains; E. coli was the most common; representing 64of the isolates; followed by K. pneumoniae (10) and other Enterobacteriaceae (5). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae significantly increased from five (3.7) to thirty-three (19.3) between 2004 and 2006. A significantly increased resistance rate to nalidixic acid; ciprofloxacin and gentamicin was observed in ESBL-nonproducing Enterobacteriaceae over the study period. Conclusions: Empiric treatment for UTIs in Bangui should be reconsidered and prudent use of antibiotics; particularly ciprofloxacin; is highly recommended. The recent spread of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in central African outpatients is striking and underlines the need for further studies