Oral Hygiene: Knowledge and Practices of Students in Three Quranic Schools in Koutiala, Mali

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on oral hygiene (OH) of students of three Quranic schools of Koutiala, Mali. Material and Methods: It was carried out a descriptive prospective study with 300 students in three Quranic schools in the city of Koutiala, Mali. The data analyzed with the Epi Info 3.5.4 software. Results: The male sex was the most represented with 57.7% and the sex ratio = 0.73. The most represented age group was 8-12 with 52% with an average age of 17 years and minimum and maximum age of was 8 and 26 years. It was observed that 98.3% of students had a notion of knowledge about oral hygiene and this information was given by parents / elders in 60% of cases. They claimed that people who do not brush their teeth properly are the most likely to get tooth decay in 93.3% of cases. Regarding dental caries, 61.3% of students said that caries is transmitted by lack of oral hygiene; 33.3% of students said that using toothbrushes and having good oral hygiene are ways to avoid oral diseases. It was thought in 93.3% of cases that a good oral hygiene prevents oral diseases. The students brushed their teeth every day (98%) and they had a consultation with the dental surgeon in 8.7% of the cases. Conclusion: This study shows that students had knowledge of oral hygiene and preventive measures. Efforts should be made to promote, prevent, screen and manage oral diseases in Quranic schools while involving parents in the processes.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Doctors and Dental Surgeons in Bamako on the Relationship Between Periodontal Diseases and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of doctors and dentists in Bamako on the relationship between chronic non-communicable diseases and periodontal diseases. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 420 physicians and dental surgeons was conducted from March to August 2016. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequency distribution). All statistical analyses were performed using the Epi Info 3.5.4 Software. Results: The male sex was the most represented with 58% for a sex ratio of 1.3. The most represented age group was 30-40 years old (48.8%) with an average age of 33 ± 8.2 years. General practitioners were the most represented in 93.6% of cases. Physicians with no knowledge of periodontal disease accounted for 60% of all cases, and all dental surgeons reported knowledge of chronic noncommunicable conditions in 100% of cases. Physicians and dental surgeons rated their knowledge levels of periodontal disease and chronic disease as inadequate in 98% and 90% of cases, respectively. Examination of the oral cavity by the doctors was "sometimes" carried out in 66% of the cases and the non-demand of the clinical signs of the gingival bleeding (64%) and dental migration (80.5%). They did not make recommendations on oral hygiene in 61.7% of cases. Conclusion: This study shows shortcomings among doctors and dentists in Bamako on the relationship between periodontal diseases and chronic non-communicable diseases. Capacity building and multidisciplinary collaboration are needed to support people's health.

A positive correlation between atypical memory B cells and Plasmodium falciparum transmission intensity in cross-sectional studies in Peru and Mali.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies that protect against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria are only acquired after years of repeated infections. The B cell biology that underlies this observation is poorly understood. We previously reported that "atypical" memory B cells are increased in children and adults exposed to intense Pf transmission in Mali, similar to what has been observed in individuals infected with HIV. In this study we examined B cell subsets of Pf -infected adults in Peru and Mali to determine if Pf transmission intensity correlates with atypical memory B cell expansion. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this cross-sectional study venous blood was collected from adults in areas of zero (U.S., n = 10), low (Peru, n = 18) and high (Mali, n = 12) Pf transmission. Adults in Peru and Mali were infected with Pf at the time of blood collection. Thawed lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry to quantify B cell subsets, including atypical memory B cells, defined by the cell surface markers CD19(+) CD20(+) CD21(-) CD27(-) CD10(-). In Peru, the mean level of atypical memory B cells, as a percent of total B cells, was higher than U.S. adults (Peru mean: 5.4% [95% CI: 3.61-7.28]; U.S. mean: 1.4% [95% CI: 0.92-1.81]; p<0.0001) but lower than Malian adults (Mali mean 13.1% [95% CI: 10.68-15.57]; p = 0.0001). In Peru, individuals self-reporting ≥1 prior malaria episodes had a higher percentage of atypical memory B cells compared to those reporting no prior episodes (≥1 prior episodes mean: 6.6% [95% CI: 4.09-9.11]; no prior episodes mean: 3.1% [95% CI: 1.52-4.73]; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Compared to Pf-naive controls, atypical memory B cells were increased in Peruvian adults exposed to low Pf transmission, and further increased in Malian adults exposed to intense Pf transmission. Understanding the origin, function and antigen specificity of atypical memory B cells in the context of Pf infection could contribute to our understanding of naturally-acquired malaria immunity.