RESUMEN
The use of drugs is not solely determined by its therapeutic properties but refers to diversions of these properties. OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge of the diversion of drugs for abortifacient purposes among hairdressers and seamstresses of the suburb of Togblékopé. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study among hairdressers and seamstresses living in Togblékopé, a suburb on the outskirts of the city of Lomé. RESULTS: Of the 114 respondents, 74.6% knew that drugs were diverted for abortion, mostly among older young people, singles and apprentices. In addition, 70.6% reported having at least once attended a drug abortion by someone. Thus, drugs such as paracetamol, chloroquine and acetylsalicylic acid have been reported for abortifacient purposes' diversion, most often purchased on the street and responsible for serious side effects. CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted the knowledge of drugs' use for abortifacient purposes among hairdressers and seamstresses. It is necessary to carry out actions that will aim at teaching the risks of drug intoxication and reduce the risk of pregnancy through family planning.
L'usage des médicaments n'est pas uniquement déterminé par ces propriétés thérapeutiques mais renvoie en effet à des détournements de ces propriétés. OBJECTIF: Evaluer le niveau de connaissance du détournement des médicaments à des fins abortives auprès des coiffeuses et couturières de la banlieue de Togblékopé. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude transversale auprès des coiffeuses et couturières résidant à Togblékopé, une banlieue située à la périphérie de la ville de Lomé. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les 114 enquêtées, 74,6% savaient que les médicaments étaient détournés à des fins abortives, majoritairement chez les jeunes âgés, les célibataires et les apprenties. Par ailleurs, 70,6% ont déclaré avoir au moins une fois assistée à un avortement médicamenteux par un tiers. Ainsi, les médicaments tels que, le paracétamol, la chloroquine et l'acide acétylsalicylique ont été rapportés pour leur détournement à des fins abortives, le plus souvent achetés dans la rue et responsables des effets indésirables graves. CONCLUSION: Cette étude a mis en évidence la connaissance d'usage des médicaments à des fins abortives chez les coiffeuses et couturières. Il est nécessaire de mener des actions qui auront pour but d'enseigner les risques d'intoxications médicamenteux et de réduire par le planning familial les risques de grossesses.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the major microorganisms causing vaginal infections in pregnant women consulting at the Regional Hospital of Sokodé and to assess their sensitivity to antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study took place from June 2010 through August 2011 and included 302 pregnant women from whom a sample was taken by a vaginal swab. Samples were processed for parasitic, bacterial, and fungal agents, by microscopic examination and culture. RESULTS: We isolated 273 germs, alone or in association in 221 women. These germs were distributed as follows: Gardnerella vaginalis (55.31%), Candida spp (30.77%), Staphylococcus aureus (5.49%), Enterobacteriaceae (4.40%), Trichomonas vaginalis (3.66%) and Mobiluncus spp (0.37%). No Streptococcus strain was isolated during the study. Over 40% of women had bacterial vaginosis and 23.08% of them were coinfected. The occurrence of coinfection was statistically influenced by the stage of pregnancy (P = 0.05). The susceptibility tests revealed that S. aureus developed a strong resistance to aminopenicillins (66.67%) and cephalosporins (>44.44%), while Enterobacteriaceae was resistant to cephalosporins and quinolones. (16.67%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that pregnant women in Sokode are still exposed to vaginal infection, caused mostly by G. vaginalis and Candida species. These results underline the need for at least one vaginal swab culture for each woman during pregnancy.