ABSTRACT
The purpose of the report is to describe the results of a survey conducted among schoolchildren in Mali and Mauritania to evaluate the efficacy of an awareness campaign (essentially poster-based) on illegal street medicines. Under teacher supervision, a total of 3,182 schoolchildren (n=) completed a written questionnaire. Analysis of responses demonstrated that campaign was effective since 61% of the pupils had seen the posters in pharmacies and 61% had spoken about them with their parents. More than 84% of the pupils had already heard about the dangers associated with illegal medicine. Despite a number of disparities especially with regard to the price and dangers of illegal street medicine, the schoolchildren were knowledgeable about rules of conservation and outlets for purchase of legal medicine. The responses obtained from schoolchildren from Nouakchott and those attending private schools were generally better than those obtained from schoolchildren from Bamako and those attending the public schools.
Subject(s)
Counterfeit Drugs , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Students/statistics & numerical data , Commerce , Counterfeit Drugs/economics , Health Surveys , Humans , Information Dissemination , Mali/epidemiology , Mauritania/epidemiology , Schools , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Treatment of HIV-infected persons including nutritional management is a major concern in Africa and in particular in the Central African Republic (CAR). This six-month randomized prospective longitudinal study was carried out at the Friends of Africa Center that was a facility for comprehensive management of persons infected and affected by HIV in Banqui, CAR. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of spirulina supplement on clinical and laboratory findings in HIV-infected patients who were not indications for ARV treatment. A total of 160 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in group 1 (n=79) received 10 grams of spirulina per day on a regular basis while patients in group 2 (n = 81) received a placebo. In addition patients in both groups received dietary products supplied by the World Food Program (WFP). Follow-up of the 160 patients at three and six months showed that 16 patients had been lost from follow-up and 16 had died, with no difference in distribution between the two groups. A significant improvement in the main follow-up criteria, i.e., weight, arm girth, number of infectious episodes, CD4 count, and protidemia, was observed in both groups. No difference was found between the two groups except with regard to protidemia and creatinemia that were higher in the group receiving spirulina supplement. From a clinical standpoint results were less clear-cut since the Karnofsky score was better in the group receiving spirulina than in the group receiving the placebo at 3 months but not at 6 months and fewer patients presented pneumonia at six months. Further study over a longer period will be needed to determine if spirulina is useful and to evaluate if higher doses can have beneficial nutritional and immunitary effects without adverse effects, in particular renal problems.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/administration & dosage , Dietary Supplements , HIV Infections/diet therapy , Spirulina , Aged , Blood Proteins/analysis , Central African Republic , Creatinine , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Une évaluation de la campagne de lutte contre le circuit illicite des médicaments de rue (essentiellement basée sur une campagne d'affichage) a été réalisée au Mali et en Mauritanie en milieu scolaire. Les élèves (n=3 182) ont répondu à un questionnaire sous la supervision de leur maître. Les réponses montrent une bonne efficience et efficacité de la campagne puisque 61% des enfants ont vu les affiches dans les pharmacies et 61% en ont parlé avec leurs parents; par ailleurs, plus de 84 % des enfants ont entendu parler du danger des médicaments de rue. Néanmoins au niveau des connaissances, il est noté des disparités en particulier concernant le prix et la dangerosité des médicaments de la rue alors que lesrègles de conservation et leslieux légaux d'achat du médicament sont généralement connus. Les élèves de Nouakchott et ceux du secteur privé donnent globalement de meilleures réponses que les élèves de Bamako et ceux du secteur public
