Use of contraceptive methods in rural areas in Cote d'Ivoire: a cross-sectional study

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional survey took place in May, 2018 in Kodjokro, a village in the south-east of Côte d'Ivoire. The study population consisted of women of reproductive age, from 15 to 49 years old. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, gyneco-obstetrical characteristics, knowledge and attitudes and he use of contraceptive methods. The chi-square test was used to measure the associations between the use of contraceptive methods and each of the characteristics studied

Malnutrition: prevalence and risk factors among the children younger than five years in a semi-urban area of Abidjan.

INTRODUCTION: In Côte d'Ivoire, the prevalence of malnutrition among children younger than 5 years exceeded 5% in 2011 and was thus considered serious. This overall prevalence may nonetheless mask differences and specificities between regions and municipalities. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition among children in this age group in a semi-urban area of Abidjan. METHODS: This exhaustive, descriptive, cross-sectional survey took place from May 6 to July 31, 2010. The children's nutritional status was determined according to the WHO criteria. Univariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with malnutrition (social and demographic characteristics, immunization status, children's eating practices, and household characteristics) were studied. RESULTS: We visited 668 households and recruited 809 children. The prevalence of malnutrition was 22.5%. Multivariate analysis showed that the introduction of porridge after 6 months halved the risk of malnutrition. Risk tripled for children whose father's occupation did not guarantee a regular income. CONCLUSION: Among the factors highlighted by this study, dietary practices seem the most amenable to corrective action. For example, the adoption of outreach programs by the Maternal and Child Protection services could improve nutritional practices in households.

[Description of sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV / AIDS in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)]. / Description des pratiques sexuelles des femmes ayant des rapports sexuels avec d'autres femmes face au VIH/sida à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

The response to HIV must be based on all situations of risk and vulnerability related to sexual behavior. Sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV described in his study come within this framework. This transversal and descriptive study on the sexual practices of 150 women who have sex with other women to HIV was conducted from July to September 2010 in Abidjan. Mean age of the respondents was 26.6 years. Among them, 21.3% was illiterate, 41.4% had no earned income and 57.3% was Christians. At the time of data collection, the majority (70.7%) did not know their HIV status. The analysis of sexual practices has found 13.3% of lesbians, bisexual, 36% and 50.7% of women who say they are lesbian even if they have had sex with men. Women who have sex with other women had sexual risk behavior. It was mostly the non-systematic use of the condom during sexual relation (60%). Among the 26.7% of respondents who had lesbian practices with penetration, 40% took no precaution to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Taking into account these results could help to develop specific strategies to promote responsible sexual practices among women who have sex with other women.

[Yaws in Côte d'lvoire: health problem forgotten and neglected]. / Le pian en Côte d'Ivoire: problème de santé oublié et négligé.

Yaws is endemic in Côte d'Ivoire, with an hospital incidence estimated by the medical statistics at 0.58 per thousand in 2000; cases of yaws were notified in all medical districts. This study describes the yaws situation in Côte d'Ivoire based on available hospital statistics and a cross section investigation. The yaws diagnoses during the investigation were based on clinic lesions. The yaws prevalence found at the end of the investigation was 5 per thousand: the majority of the patients were children under 15 years old (82%) and male (91%). Only 27% of diagnosed patients had a medical treatment at the time of the study. Yaws is still endemic in Côte d'Ivoire which underlines the need for an implementation of a national control strategy.

[Acceptability of HIV screening in patients suffering from sexually transmitted infections at the antiveneral center of Abidjan, Côte-d'Ivoire]. / Acceptabilité du dépistage du VIH chez les patients atteints d'infections sexuellement transmissibles au dispensaire antivénérien d'Adjamé, Côte-d'Ivoire.

The systematic screening in high risk groups can be an efficient way to struggle against HIV/AIDS. We have conducted a transversal descriptive study in patients suffering from STI and who had consulted the antiveneral dispensary of the Institut National de Santé Publique (Abidjan) from 1st September 2002 to 31st October 2002. The aim was to identify the acceptability of the HIV screening test. During this inquiry, 167 patients were recruited. This study permits to confirm the young age of the population with a male predominance in patients having sexual transmitted infections. So, 70.1% have accepted to do this test. However, 23.4% of patients recruited had really done the HIV test. Among those who have accepted to do the test, 28.2% were infected.

[Management strategies for endemic goiter in developing countries]. / Stratégies de prise en charge d'une endémie goitreuse en situation de développement.

Despite significant progress in the last decades, endemic goiter remains a serious public health problem in the developing world, especially in Africa. Even in countries that have successfully reduced overall incidence to acceptable levels, endemic areas often remain. This persistence is due to the inadequacy of preventive measures and poor follow-up of control programs. The main etiologic factor in endemic goiter is inadequate dietary intake of iodine. This commonly occurs in communities depending exclusively on local produce grown on iodine-poor land, especially in mountain areas. Endemic goiter is epidemiologically associated with cretinism, deaf-mutism, and mental retardation. Even mild iodine deficiency leads to clinical hypothyroidism and moderate myxoedema with significantly reduced intellectual performance. Prevention of endemic goiter depends mainly on increasing the iodine intake of people in endemic areas. When iodine intake reaches the estimated adult minimum requirement (100 to 150 micrograms per day), the prevalence of goiter decreases. Two approaches have been used to increase iodine intake. The first consists of adding iodine to food staples such as table salt. The second consists of medical treatment using agents such as iodized oil. Iodization or iodination of salt is the most widespread and cost-effective method of prevention. Administration of iodized oil has been used only in severely endemic areas and in regions where reliable provision of iodinized salt is prevented by geographical barriers or political factors. However, iodized oil has been helpful in the start-up phase of prevention programs using iodized salt, either as an emergency measure or as a mean of convincing officials of the efficacy of iodine prophylaxis.