Prevalence of lung function impairment in cured pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: National teaching hospital for the management of respiratory diseases, Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: 1) To estimate the prevalence of lung function impairment (LFI) and associated factors in patients cured of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); and 2) to determine the link between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and LFI occurrence. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study in cured patients with smear-positive TB (PTB+) treated between 2012 and 2015. We recruited two control groups of 70 HIV-infected (HIV+/TB-) and 70 HIV-negative participants without TB (HIV-/TB-). We performed spirometry in all participants to identify LFI (obstructive, restrictive or mixed) and the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) in PTB+ participants. We assessed the factors associated with LFI using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 4711 subjects with PTB, 241 were contacted and 189 were included. The median age was 37 years; 128 (68.0%) were male. Overall, 85 cured PTB+ patients had LFI (45.0%). Extent of initial radiological lesions, time between symptom onset and treatment, and female sex were independently associated with LFI. Fifty-five (29.1%) cured PTB+ patients had an abnormal 6-MWT; those with LFI had a higher risk of poor exercise tolerance (OR 2.23; interquartile range 1.16-4.30). We did not find any association between HIV infection and LFI. CONCLUSION: LFI is very common in cured PTB+ patients from Benin and significantly impacts exercise tolerance.

Low prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with tuberculosis in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: The three Basic Management Units (BMUs) of the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) in Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in Cotonou. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of consecutively registered TB patients treated for a minimum of 2 weeks between June and July 2014 in the three BMUs, with measurement of their fasting blood glucose (FBG). A patient was considered as having DM if venous FBG was ⩾7 mmol/l or if they reported a known history of DM. RESULT: There were 159 patients assessed: 114 with new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), 5 with new smear-negative PTB, 8 with extra-pulmonary TB, 21 retreatment patients with fully susceptible bacilli and 11 with multidrug-resistant TB. Of these, respectively 31 (19%), 18 (11%) and 10 (6%) were human immunodeficiency virus co-infected, smokers and hypertensive. Eight patients (5%) had impaired fasting glucose and three (1.9%) had DM (FBG ⩾ 7 mmol/l), of whom two were already known to have the disease and one was newly diagnosed. CONCLUSION: DM may not be an important risk factor for TB in Cotonou. A larger study on TB and DM in the whole country is needed.

Cadre : Les trois Centres de Dépistage et de Traitement de la Tuberculose (TB) de Cotonou, Bénin.Objectif : Déterminer la prévalence du diabète sucré (DM) parmi les patients tuberculeux à Cotonou.Méthode : Etude transversale avec enrôlement successif de tous les patients tuberculeux traités depuis au moins 2 semaines entre juin et juillet 2014, et mesure de leur glycémie à jeun. Le diagnostic de DM était retenu sur la base d'une glycémie veineuse à jeun ⩾ 7 mmol/l ou d'un antécédent de DM rapporté par le patient.Résultat : Au total, 159 patients étaient inclus : 114 nouveaux cas de TB pulmonaire à microscopie positive, 5 nouveaux cas de TB pulmonaire à microscopie négative, 8 cas de TB extrapulmonaire, 21 cas de retraitement à germes sensibles et 11 cas de TB multirésistante. D'eux, respectivement 31 (19%), 18 (11%) et 10 (6%) étaient co-infectés, fumeurs et hypertendus. Il y avait huit patients (5%) intolérants au glucose et trois (1.9%) diabétiques, dont un nouvellement diagnostiqué.Conclusion : A Cotonou, le DM ne semble pas être un facteur de risque majeur de développement d'une TB-maladie. Une étude à l'échelle nationale s'avère nécessaire pour cerner l'ampleur de cette affection parmi les tuberculeux dans tout le pays.

Marco de referencia: Las tres Unidades Básicas de Tratamiento en el Programa Nacional contra la Tuberculosis de Beni, en Cotonou.Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de diabetes (DM) en los pacientes con diagnóstico de tuberculosis (TB) en Cotonou.Método: Fue este un estudio transversal de los pacientes registrados de manera consecutiva y que recibieron tratamiento como mínimo durante 2 semanas, de junio a julio del 2014, en las Unidades Básicas de Tratamiento, a quienes se practicó una glucemia plasmática en ayunas. Se definió el diagnóstico de DM como una glucemia en ayunas ⩾ 126 mg/dl (o 7 mmol/l) o la referencia por el paciente de un diagnóstico conocido de DM.Resultados: Se evaluaron 159 pacientes, de los cuales 114 casos nuevos de TB pulmonar con baciloscopia positiva, 5 casos con baciloscopia negativa, 8 casos de TB extrapulmonar, 21 casos en retratamiento antituberculoso con bacilos normosensibles y 11 casos de TB multidrogorresistente. De estos pacientes, 31 presentaron coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (19%), 18 eran fumadores (11%) y 10 eran hipertensos (6%). Se detectaron ocho pacientes con una glucemia basal alterada (5%) y tres con DM (1,9%), de los cuales dos ya conocían el diagnóstico.Conclusión: Al parecer la DM no constituye un factor mayor de riesgo de contraer la TB en Cotonou. Es necesario llevar a cabo un estudio más amplio a escala nacional sobre ambas enfermedades.

[Sensitisation profile to airborne allergens of patients followed for asthma in Cotonou, Benin. A cross-sectional study using prick-tests]. / Profil de sensibilisation aux pneumallergènes des patients suivis pour asthme à Cotonou, Bénin : étude transversale par prick-tests.

RATIONALE: The sensitisation profile to airborne allergens of asthma patients followed in Benin is not known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2013 at the hospital reference centre. A prick-test was performed in all adults with asthma consulting during this period. The standardized allergenic extracts tested were: mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [DP], Dermatophagoides farinae [DF] and Blomia tropicalis [BT]), cockroaches, 5 different grasses, Alternaria, dogs and cats. The test was positive when the diameter of the wheal was more than half that of the positive control and/or when the diameter of the wheal was ≥3mm than the negative control. RESULTS: Of the 253 asthmatics tested, 247 (97.6%) had at least one positive skin reaction. The average age was 44 years, the sex ratio was 0.81. Sensitization to mites was the most frequent (99.6%), followed by cockroaches (71.3%), 5 grasses (71.3%), Alternaria (71%), dog (68%) and cat (63.6%). The average number of sensitivities was 5±2. CONCLUSION: Asthmatics monitored in Cotonou have multiple sensitisations dominated by mites.

[Evaluation of tuberculous patients' management when re-treated in Cotonou, Benin]. / Évaluation de la prise en charge des patients admis au régime de retraitement à Cotonou, Bénin.

Retreatment of tuberculosis is the leading risk factor for drug resistance if the management is not adequate and complete. The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of cases of retreatment in Cotonou. This was a retrospective, descriptive cross type which covered a period of 5 years. Outcomes of retreatment cases were compared against those for new cases that were registered during the same period. We analyzed the cases of 389 retreatment patients and 4542 new cases. The success rates of treatment were generally satisfactory (80% vs. 86%, P=0.0001). Of adverse outcomes, the rate of loss of sight of was 12% versus 7%, P=0.26, the rate was 23% for cases of occasions. The failure rate was low and similar in both populations (2%). The retreatment regimen for patients with TB in Cotonou appears to give generally satisfactory results. The high loss to follow-up in case of retreatment means that a personalized therapeutic approach for such patients is needed in general and in particular in the case of defaulters.

The burden and outcomes of childhood tuberculosis in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: The National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) and the paediatric ward of the General Hospital (GH), Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To describe the burden of tuberculosis (TB), characteristics and outcomes among children treated in Cotonou from 2009 to 2011. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study consisting of a retrospective record review of all children with TB aged <15 years. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2011, 182 children with TB were diagnosed and treated (4.5% of total cases), 153 (84%) by the NTP and 29 (16%) by the GH; the latter were not notified to the NTP. The incidence rate of notified TB cases was between 8 and 13 per 100 000 population, and was higher in children aged >5 years. Of 167 children tested, 29% were HIV-positive. Treatment success was 72% overall, with success rates of 86%, 62% and 74%, respectively, among sputum smear-positive, sputum smear-negative and extra-pulmonary patients. Treatment success rates were lower in children with sputum smear-negative TB (62%) and those with HIV infection (58%). CONCLUSION: The number of children being treated for TB is low, and younger children in particular are underdiagnosed. There is a need to improve the diagnosis of childhood TB, especially among younger children, and to improve treatment outcomes among HIV-TB infected children, with better follow-up and monitoring.

Management of asthma in Benin: the challenge of loss to follow-up.

SETTING: An asthma pilot project in Benin. OBJECTIVE: To assess the implementation of standard case management of asthma at three referral centres and three primary care centres. METHODS: The project began with local adaptation of international asthma guidelines, followed by situation analysis, pre-intervention, training and intervention. The initial dosage of inhaled beclometasone was determined by asthma severity. Outcome of treatment was assessed annually, starting from one year after enrolment. RESULTS: Of 103 asthma patients identified during situation analysis, only 11 (11%) were prescribed inhaled corticosteroids. After health worker training, a total of 430 asthma patients were identified in 2008, of whom 273 (63.5%) returned after initial management with 7-day oral prednisolone. Of the 273 patients, 261 (95.6%) had persistent asthma, 231 (86.2%) had peak flow measurement variability of ≥20%, and 155 (56.8%) had had one or more unplanned visits to health facilities in the previous year. Outcome at one year evaluation was as follows: 63 (24.1%) had improved, 48 (18.4%) remained stable, 14 (5.4%) were worse and 136 (52.4%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to train health workers to manage asthma patients in a standardised manner. However, a high proportion of patients were lost to follow-up during treatment.

MDR-TB treatment needs in patients previously treated for TB in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: Centre National Hospitalier de Pneumo-Phtisi-ologie, Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of individuals needing treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among patients previously treated for TB. DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients previously treated for TB in Cotonou from 2003 to 2011. RESULTS: Of 956 patients on retreatment, 897 (94%) underwent culture and/or a line-probe assay. For different reasons, 594 (66%) underwent drug susceptibility testing for rifampicin (RMP), of whom 95 (16%) had RMP resistance (68 multidrug-resistance [MDR] and 27 other RMP resistance) and therefore needed treatment for MDR-TB. These represent 39% of patients who failed/relapsed after standardised retreatment, and 20% of those who failed, 19% of defaulters and 11% of relapses after first-line treatment. Residence outside of Benin was associated with a higher risk of RMP resistance (RR 3.13, 95%CI 2.19-4.48, P < 0.01). From 2003 to 2011, the prevalence of RMP resistance decreased from 25% to 5% among patients living in Benin. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence was 25%; no association was found between HIV and RMP resistance. Of patients failing treatment, 48% were fully susceptible, 22% were monoresistant and 8% polyresistant. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients who fail retreatment or first-line treatment in Cotonou do not require empirical treatment for MDR-TB.

Management of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Cotonou, Benin.

OBJECTIVES: The authors had for aim to assess the management of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Cotonou, Benin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study comparing the clinical presentation and outcome of patients with tuberculosis and HIV co-infection versus patients with tuberculosis alone, all managed at the National Pneumophtisiology Center in Cotonou, Benin, in 2009. RESULTS: The rate of HIV screening in TB patients was 99%. One thousand and eighty-six TB patients were included and 259 were HIV positive. The mean age of co-infected patients was 36 years, versus 34 for TB mono-infected patients. The sex ratio among co-infected was 1.15 versus 2.25 among TB patients. Positive pulmonary sputum was less frequent with co-infection. Two hundred and fifty-seven over 259 patients were treated with cotrimoxazole. One hundred and eighty-five over 234 (79.05%) had CD4 counts<350. Eighty-five (46%) of the 185 patients with CD4<350, were given antiretroviral therapy. Treatment success rate was lower for co-infected (75%) than for patients with TB alone (86%), and death rates were higher in co-infected patients (10% vs. 3%). CONCLUSION: High death rate and high rate of lost to follow-up are arguments for systematic antiretroviral treatment of co-infected patients. Early screening for TB and HIV, and reviewing the current national recommendations, as well as an increased governmental effort to provide medicines to all patients in need of ARV are mandatory.

[Bronchoconstriction induced by exercise in the black African athlete]. / L'Asthme Induit Par L'Exercice De L'Athlete En Climat Chaud Et Humide.

INTRODUCTION: The bronchoconstriction induced by exercise (BIE) in urban black Africans is poorly known. The warm moist air would be a mitigating factor for its occurrence. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence and determine the associated factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive and analytical involving 40 student-athletes was conducted from September 12 to 24, 2010. The test was considered positive when the percentage fall in FEV from baseline in pre-test and the smallest value in post-test exceeded 10%. RESULTS: The prevalence of bronchoconstriction induced by exercise was 40% CI (26.3-55.4). The presence of symptoms of atopy was higher in athletes with an BIE than in those without (66% vs. 33.33% p NS). CONCLUSION: The proportion of the BIE in the middle of the black African athlete is as important as that observed in other countries, highlighting the weak influence of climate on its occurrence.

Exposure to combustion of solid fuel and tuberculosis: a matched case-control study.

The present study was conducted in Benin to ascertain the association between exposure to combustion of solid fuel (coal and biomass) and tuberculosis. Cases were consecutive, sputum smear-positive tuberculosis patients never previously treated for tuberculosis for as long as 1 month. Two controls were selected from the neighbourhood of each case, matched by age and sex by a predefined procedure. A total of 200 new smear-positive cases and 400 neighbourhood controls were enrolled. In univariate analysis, using solid fuel for cooking (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.8), ever smoking (OR 5.5, 95% CI 3.1-9.8), male sex (OR 10.5, 95% CI 1.6-71.1), daily use of alcoholic beverages (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2-4.2) and having a family member with tuberculosis in the previous 5 yrs (OR 30.5, 95% CI 10.8-85.8) were all significantly associated with tuberculosis cases. When all significant variables were entered into a multivariate conditional logistic regression model, the association between using solid fuel for cooking and tuberculosis cases was no longer statistically significant (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7-2.7). In conclusion, the association between exposure to combustion of solid fuel and tuberculosis was relatively weak and not statistically significant.

[Prevalence of respiratory disorders in women exposed to the smoke from smoking fish in the municipality of Cotonou, Benin]. / Prevalence Des Troubles Respiratoires Chez Les Femmes Exercant Sur Un Site Artisanal De Fumage De Poisson A Cotonou Au Benin.

INTRODUCTION: Women are constantly exposed to fumes and gases produced by burning wood, however they are poorly studied. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory disorders among women most at risk. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, transversal and prospective women engaged with the site of artisanal smoked fish Hwlacodji in Cotonou. The survey included a questionnaire exploring the medical history and pathological respiratory events occurred during the last 12 months. All had received spirometry testing. RESULTS: 84 women were included. The average age was 37 ± 12 years, with extremes of 18 and 70 years. More than half of respondents had a tenure of more than 20 years and 61/84 (73%) practiced this profession full time. 70 (83%) had at least one respiratory symptom. The reported symptoms were: rhinitis 77%, 70% cough, dyspnea 65% and 19% have gone out of business last year due to lung disease. Ventilatory abnormalities are found in 49% of respondents. Abnormalities relate to FEV / FVC <0.8: 3 (3.5%), PEF <0, 8: 10 (11.90%), FEV <0.8: 10 (11.90%). CONCLUSION: The respiratory symptoms is quite expressive contrasts with spirometric results. Monitoring over a long period of mostly young women will help lead to meaningful conclusions.

[Mitochondrial toxicity: a case of palpebral ptosis in a woman infected by HIV and treated with HAART including zidovudine]. / Toxicit mitochondriale: cas d'un ptosis palpebral de l'oeil gauche chez une patiente infectée par le VIH sous trithérapie antirétrovirale comportant de l'AZT.

The usual clinical feature of mitochondrial toxicity is proximal myopathy. We present the report case of palpebral ptosis which occurred under zidovudine therapy The symptom remission was obtained by stopping the antiretroviral therapy. This involves an important vigilance from both doctor and patient.

[Undesirable effect of antiretroviral drugs in patients infected with HIV at Cotonou Benin]. / Effets indésirables des thérapies antirétrovirales observés chez les patients infectés par le VIH à Cotonou, Bénin.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the tolerance of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on PLWHA treated in Cotonou to improve the quality of their follow up. METHODS: Retrospective study among PLWHA aged > or = 15 years, treated by HAART during the period February 2002 - January 2004 and who respond to one or more consultation of follow up. Adverse effects (AE) revealed by patients or noticed by the physician are analyzed. RESULTS: The study on 130 PLWHA, revealed 62,3% receiving HAART with nonnucleoside reverse transcription inhibitor and 37,7% with protease inhibitor. 75,4% presented one or more AE. Those AE were severe for 4,6% (6 patients). The frequency of AE was significantly different by drugs used. The most common events were neurosensorial (64,6%), digestive (34,6%) and dermatologic (14,6%). 2/3 of PLWHA presented AE within the first fifteen days of treatment. The patients were compliant. Only one patient stopped voluntary the treatment. CONCLUSION: The frequency and the type of AE occurred predispose patients to the non observance. Their follow up must therefore include education and surveillance guided by the profile of AE identified.

Effets indésirables des thérapies antirétrovirales observés chez les patients infectés par le VIH à Cotonou, Bénin

Objectif : évaluer la tolérance du traitement antirétroviral (ARV) chez les patients traités à Cotonou pour l'amélioration de la qualité de leur suivi. Méthodes : étude rétrospective concernant les patients VIH+ d'âge ≥ 15 ans, traités par les ARV entre février 2002 et janvier 2004 qui ont répondu à au moins un rendez-vous de suivi. Les effets indésirables (EI) signalés par le malade ou constatés par le médecin ont été analysés. Résultats : Sur 130 patients sélectionnés, 62,3% recevaient une trithérapie ARV avec inhibiteur non nucléosidique de la transcriptase inverse et 37,7% une trithérapie avec inhibiteur de protéase. 75,4% ont présenté au moins un EI. L'EI a été grave dans 6 cas (4,6%). La fréquence des EI était significativement différente selon les médicaments utilisés. Les troubles fréquents étaient neurosensoriels (64,6%), digestifs (34,6%) et dermatologiques (14,6%). 2/3 des patients ont présenté les EI dans les 15 premiers jours du traitement. Les patients ont été compliants. Un seul a arrêté le traitement de son propre chef. Conclusion : la fréquence et la nature des EI observés prédisposent les patients à une rupture d'observance. Leur suivi doit donc comporter une éducation et une surveillance orientées par le profil des EI identifiés

[Morbidity of diabetic foot in Internal Medicine CNHU HKM, Cotonou]. / Morbidite du pied diabetique en medecine interne au CNHU HKM de Cotonou.

The diabetes and its complications appear increasingly frequent in our medical practice. We fixed ourselves for objectives to determine the frequency of the foot diabetic in Internal Medicine at Cotonou, to count the factors etiopathogenic responsible for the lesions and to describe the clinical aspects of the lesions. We carried out a retrospective study on the 420 diabetics hospitalized of January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1999. The frequency of the foot diabetic was 16.66%, the average age of the patients 60 years and the sex ratio 2.04. The diabetes of the type 2 was most frequent (71.4%). The traumatisms were the supporting factors most often found (32.86%). The lesions were in majority (38.57%) at the stage V of the classification of Wagner. On the therapeutic level, the amputations were frequent (20%) especially the amputations of legs. The installation of medical team of education for the assumption of responsibility of the diabetes and the prevention of the complications appears essential.

Suppression of nonradiative recombination by V-shaped pits in GaInN/GaN quantum wells produces a large increase in the light emission efficiency.

Despite the high density of threading dislocations generally found in (AlGaIn)N heterostructures, the light emission efficiency of such structures is exceptionally high. It has become common to attribute the high efficiency to compositional fluctuations or even phase separation in the active GaInN quantum well region. The resulting localization of charge carriers is thought to keep them from recombining nonradiatively at the defects. Here, we show that random disorder is not the key but that under suitable growth conditions hexagonal V-shaped pits decorating the defects exhibit narrow sidewall quantum wells with an effective band gap significantly larger than that of the regular c-plane quantum wells. Thereby nature provides a unique, hitherto unrecognized mechanism generating a potential landscape which effectively screens the defects themselves by providing an energy barrier around every defect.

[Epidemiological aspects of snakebites in Benin]. / Aspects épidémiologiques des morsures de serpent au Bénin.

Among rural environmental health emergencies, snakebite was common in villages community and agriculture activities. Their frequency and fatal complication depend on the venomous character of the species and the lack of early treatment. The aim of this work was to describe some epidemiological aspects of the snakebites and to suggest preventive strategies to avoid complication. So, we conducted a retrospective survey using health centre data of the statistic office of MOH from 2000 to 2002. During the three years, 10,954 cases were notified with an annual total average of 3,651 bites with 158 for kid's average. The wounded distribution indicated more wounded male than female (sex-ratio = 2:1), with a yearly rising trend in adults. Fatality rate was 0.94% in 2001 and rose to 1.57% in 2002. Fatality rate was higher in kids (1.67%) than in adults (1.08%). According to the ecological environment northern provinces were more exposed (71.6%) than central and south areas. But in central area, fatality rate was higher (1.05%) than in others (0.80%). Based on these findings, authors suggested the training of caregivers in rural health centre on earlier treatment, community training on snakebite primary health care and implementation of snakebite register

[Clinical and immunological profile of HIV infected patients in Cotonou, Benin]. / Profil clinique et immunologique des patients infectés par le VIH dépistés à Cotonou, Bénin.

OBJECTIVES: This study had for aim to identify the clinical status and the level of immuno-deficiency of HIV-infected patients on their first visit. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six HIV+ patients were prospectively evaluated from November 1, 2001 to May 31, 2002. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four were infected with HIV1 and two with HIV2. The mean age on the first consultation was 37 +/- 2 years. The m/w sex ratio was 0.9. 46.3% were stage C. The main clinical symptoms were: weight loss (88%), fever (80%), cough (71%), diarrhea (51%). BMI was normal in 70% and KI > or =80% in 57% of the cases but immuno-deficiency was severe with CD4 cells count <200 per mm3 in 69%. The main diseases were digestive candidiasis (53%), pneumonia (18%), tuberculosis (12%), non-determined pneumonia (29%), prurigo (20%), zona (16%), cryptosporidiosis (4%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (3%), and Kaposi's sarcoma (1%).

Child malaria treatment practices among mothers in the district of Yanfolila, Sikasso region, Mali.

We studied child malaria treatment practices among mothers living in the District of Yanfolila in southern Mali. For sampling, we first chose five of 13 health areas with probability proportional to size. Then villages, compounds and mothers with at least one child aged 1-5 years were randomly chosen. We assessed the spleen size of one 1-5 year-old child of each mother, collected a thick blood film and recorded the body temperature of every child whose mother thought he/she was sick. 399 mothers in 28 villages were interviewed with a structured questionnaire divided into two parts. If the child had had soumaya (a term previously associated with uncomplicated malaria) during the past rainy season, we asked about signs and symptoms, health-seeking behaviour (who the mother consulted first) and treatment. If not, information about knowledge of the disease and treatment to be given was collected. 86% of the mothers interviewed stated that their child had been sick and almost half of them had had soumaya. All mothers named at least one sign by which they recognized the disease. Vomiting, fever and dark urine/yellow eyes/jaundice were the three most common signs mentioned. 75.8% managed their child's disease at home and used both traditional and modern treatment. The most common anti-malarial drug was chloroquine, often given at inappropriate dosage. The sensitivity and specificity of the mothers' diagnosis was poor, although this might be explained by the large percentage of children who had already been treated at the time of the interview. The results of our survey call for prompt educational action for the correct treatment of uncomplicated malaria/soumaya, particularly for mothers and possibly for shopkeepers. The high spleen rate (58.1%) among randomly selected children confirms that malaria is a common disease in this area. Improved case-management at home could only be beneficial.