[Epidemiology of induced abortion in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Épidémiologie des avortements provoqués en Côte d'Ivoire.

The objective of this study was to examine induced abortion in Côte d'Ivoire. A nationwide cross-sectional descriptive study of induced abortion was carried out in 2007 among 3,057 women aged 15-49 years. The study showed that induced abortion is a widespread practice in Côte d'Ivoire, with a prevalence estimated at 42.5%. The women who had undergone an abortion were generally under 25, unmarried, and illiterate, and had used contraception. More than half (52.1%) of all induced abortions were performed at home by traditional abortionists or were self-induced with plants or decoctions. The main reasons for induced abortion were concern about the reaction of parents (27.7%), age (22.2%), a lack of financial resources (21.3%) and the desire of women to continue their education. More than half of the participants (55.8%) stated that they had suffered complications, which were more common after a home abortion than after a hospital abortion. Political and legal measures or reforms aimed at changing abortion laws in Côte d'Ivoire and better access to family planning are required in order to prevent or treat the social issue of induced abortion.

[Adherence to rabies vaccine treatment for people exposed to rabies in Abidjan (Côte d' Ivoire)]. / Observance du traitement vaccinal antirabique chez les sujets exposés à la rage à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

This descriptive retrospective study ran from August 2003 to December 2003 at the Rabies Center of the National Institute of Public Health in Abidjan. It covers subjects at risk of rabies transmission during 2004. Identification of participants in the study was made via a census of patients consulting the rabies clinic: a total of 533 subjects were included, predominantly male (54.6%), without gainful employment (57%), with an average age of 26.7 years. Those who lived outside the city of Abidjan accounted for 21.6%. In 88.2% of cases, they were exposed due to a bite. Dogs (90.8%) represented the main species responsible for this kind of exposure. Only 3.2% of these animals had a current valid rabies vaccine. The owner of the animal was not known in 71% of cases. The observance of the recommended immunization schedule for 4 doses was 53.1%. Of the 533 patients registered in the study, 46.9% had stopped treatment vaccine. Some factors have been identified as adversely affecting adherence, such as the vaccination treatment plan of 5 doses, exposure outside the city of Abidjan, unemployment, incurrence of superficial injuries, exposure from an animal bite and lack of immunization of the animal. The results show that the strategies against rabies must focus increasingly on the importance of adherence to treatment and education of the population vis-à-vis the risk of rabies.

Safety of the yellow fever vaccine during the September 2001 mass vaccination campaign in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

In 2001, a vaccination campaign against yellow fever was carried out in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. During the campaign and 4 weeks after an active surveillance system for adverse events following immunization (AEFI) was set up. More then 2.6 million doses were administered and 87 AEFI were notified. Eight suspected YF cases were reported after vaccination and considered as AEFI. However, none had IgM for YF and all recovered without sequels. This surveillance system provided reassuring data about the safety of the YF vaccine and proved that it is feasible to set up an active surveillance system during a mass campaign.