[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in urban and rural communities in the Wilaya of Tlemcen (Algeria): A comparative study]. / Prévalence des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire au sein des communautés urbaine et rurale dans la Wilaya de Tlemcen (Algérie) : l'étude de deux communes.

BACKGROUND: In Algeria, few studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of genetic and environmental risk factors of cardiovascular diseases as a function of residence. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors according to sex and age in urban and rural communities in the Wilaya of Tlemcen (Algeria). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population survey was conducted on a representative sample of 864 individuals aged 20years and over, among inhabitants in urban and rural communes in the Wilaya of Tlemcen. Each subject answered the questionnaire on cardiovascular risk factors, underwent a physical examination and had a blood sample drawn. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 6.6%, it was found to be higher in urban areas (8.4%) than in rural areas (4.6%). The prevalence of low HDL cholesterol levels was higher in urban (28.8%) than rural (23.9%) areas. The prevalence of family history of cardiovascular disease did not differ between the two sexes and between urban (15.7%) and rural (14.0%) areas. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in urban (28.0%) than in rural (16.8%) areas, and was highest among women aged 65 years or older in urban areas (67.3%) and in rural areas (66.6%). The prevalence of diabetes was higher among women living in urban areas (21.4%) compared with rural areas (15.4%). Obesity was much more frequent among women than among men in urban areas (24.7% in women and 9.5% in men) and in rural areas (28.3% in women and 8.3% in men). The prevalence of smoking was 45.8% for men and with no significant variations between urban areas and rural areas. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors according to sex and age in the two communes are high in two communes in the Wilaya of Tlemcen. However, the prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes were higher in women in urban than in rural areas. This finding focuses attention on the need for measures to reduce the prevalence of these cardiovascular risk factors in these communities. Factors such as sex age and area of residence are indicators to consider when targeting interventions.

Algerian medical teachers' research output and its determinants during the 2000-2009 decade.

BACKGROUND: Publications are the primary output of scientific research. We conducted a national study to quantify Algerian medical teachers' research output and identify its determinants during the 2000-2009 decade. METHODS: The American Medline database and the French Pascal database were used. A publication was eligible only if the lead author was an Algerian medical teacher (in medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry) working in Algeria. The same questionnaire was completed by cases (teachers who were first authors of an original article during the study period) and randomly selected controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to research output. RESULTS: A total of 79 original articles (42.2% of publications) were retrieved, a quarter of which were listed in Pascal alone. The publication rate was 2.6 original articles per 1000 teachers per year. The journals that published these original articles had a median impact factor of 0.83. The ability to publish an original article was 4.3 times higher if the teacher had undergone training in biostatistics and/or epidemiology (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=4.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79-10.38). A promotion evaluation grid that did not encourage writing (aOR=3.44, 95% CI: 1.42-8.33), a doctoral thesis, seniority, foreign collaboration, and English language proficiency were found to be associated with publication output. CONCLUSIONS: Algerian medical teachers' research output was particularly low. Replacing the current promotion grid with a grid that promotes writing, developing abilities to read and write articles and developing English language proficiency are likely to improve this situation.

Impact of patient knowledge of hypertension complications on adherence to antihypertensive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence is thought to be one of the major common causes of uncontrolled high blood pressure over the world leading to useless drug dose or class changes which may lead to increased adverse effects and medical costs. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between knowledge about complications related to hypertension and adherence to antihypertensive treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between May and November 2013 on a representative sample of 453 hypertensive patients at public primary care outpatients in the department of Tlemcen in Algeria. The adherence was assessed with the adherence evaluation scale of Girerd which contains six items with closed dichotomous responses (yes/no). The degree of adherence was calculated according to the score resulting from the sum of all "yes" answers. A cut-off value of 80% was used to categorize patients as "adherent" or "non-adherent". To do so, a structured questionnaire has been performed including patients' knowledge about hypertension complications and the other factors which may affect adherence therapy. RESULTS: Among the 453 patients included in the study, only 35.5% were adherents. Univariate analysis has shown a positive relationship between knowledge about hypertension complications and adherence. However, comorbidities, and number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed, were associated with poor adherence. In a multivariate analysis, a significant difference was shown between adherents and non-adherents according to the factors mentioned above and the insurance status. CONCLUSION: This study has shown a positive relationship between patients' knowledge about the hypertensive complications and adherence. In contrast, increased number of antihypertensive drugs taken May affect negatively the adherence to therapy.

[Epidemiology of cervical cancer in a region of western Algeria, 2006-2010]. / Épidémiologie du cancer du col de l'utérus dans une région de l'Ouest algérien entre 2006 et 2010.

The authors present a retrospective analysis of data about cervical cancer from 2006 through 2010 in the province (wilaya) of Tlemcen (Algeria). During this five-year study period, 196 cases of cervical cancer were recorded, with a mean age at onset of 48.5 years. These cervical cancers accounted for 13% of all gynecologic cancers. It is the second leading cancer among women in this province, with an incidence of 13.3 per 100 000 women. The health authorities in Algeria must set up an organized screening policy and appropriate treatment to reduce the mortality rate from this cancer.