Professor Mohamed Soussi Soltani: Leader, Innovator and Researcher in Public Health.

Mohamed Soussi SOLTANI (June 27, 1953 - March 2, 2016) is Professor of Preventive and Community Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of Monastir (Tunisia). The objective of this paper is to present, to new generations of the specialty in the Greater Maghreb, this leading teacher from the Center-East of Tunisia (Monastir), through the testimonies of his companions, and his indexed publications. All the colleagues of the late SOLTANI testified to his high human and professional qualities, particularly perseverance, commitment, forward thinking, integrity and professionalism. The scientific life of the late Professor Soltani was oriented towards two major themes: Public Health and Family Medicine. Indeed, the deceased has developed several new preventive activities in first-line structures such as anonymous and free HIV screening, family planning, rational use of drugs, breast cancer screening, smoking cessation, prevention of rheumatic heart disease. Pr SOLTANI welcomed general practitioners from the Monastir region to the Faculty's Community Medicine Department, creating with them a movement to advocate for the academic and professional development of general medicine into an authentic specialty of family medicine. Out of the 34 publications of Professor SOLTANI, indexed on PubMed, 11 were signed by himself in first position, mainly relating to maternal health (prenatal surveillance, education for maternal health, pregnancy referral system) and infant (low birth weight, vaccination, mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae). Thus, with a life prospering by innovations and research in public health, Professor SOLTANI will always remain a model for young people in the specialty of Preventive and Community Medicine. His followers have an obligation to write his complete biography, to safeguard it and pass it on to new generations of public health.

[Adverse events in a Tunisian university hospital: incidence and risk factor] / Évènements indésirables dans un hôpital universitaire tunisien : incidence et facteurs de risque.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital. METHOD: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 – 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 – 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10–3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

[Adverse events in a Tunisian university hospital: incidence and risk factors]. / Évènements indésirables dans un hôpital universitaire tunisien : incidence et facteurs de risque.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital. METHOD: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 – 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 – 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10–3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

Multimodal intervention program to improve hand hygiene compliance: effectiveness and challenges.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is considered the most important measure to tackle the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. However, compliance with recommendations is usually low and effective improvement strategies are needed. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of an intervention targeting hand hygiene promotion among healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: We conducted a pre-post interventional study design in the university hospital Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia, from January 2015 to December 2016. The intervention program consisted of training sessions and distribution of posters of hand hygiene guidelines. To assess the evolution of HH observance at pre- and post-intervention, the same observation form was distributed and collected at healthcare workers' workplace. RESULTS: Of the 1201 and 1057 opportunities for hand hygiene observed among all categories of HCWs, overall compliance enhanced significantly from 32.1 to 39.4% (p < 0.001) respectively at pre- and post-intervention. Nurses were the most compliant with a significant improvement from 34.1 to 45.7% (p < 0.001) respectively at pre- and post-intervention. Furthermore, analysis by department showed significant improvement of compliance in orthopedic department (p < 0.001), maxillofacial-surgery department (p < 0.001), pediatrics department (p = 0.013), and emergencies (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: This study showed the feasibility and effectiveness of a health-setting-based intervention to enhance hand hygiene observance in the context of a developing country.

Évènements indésirables dans un hôpital universitaire tunisien : incidence et facteurs de risque.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital. METHOD: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 - 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 - 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10-3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

Disinfection booths in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Industries have made claims on the effectiveness of a disinfection procedure in reducing COVID-19 transmission. This procedure is usually performed by automated dispersion of disinfectant on individuals when they go through a booth. This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report is a systematic review that synthesizes the evidence on the efficacy and safety of using these booths and provides recommendations to the Ministry of Health to facilitate decision-making regarding the relevance of using this technology. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using Pubmed, Web of Science, INAHTA and GIN databases, from inception to June 4, 2020. Three independent reviewers selected eligible studies then extracted and synthesized the evidence. The synthesis was submitted to a multidisciplinary group of experts to provide recommendations. RESULTS: Two scientific papers and a Malaysian HTA report were included in data synthesis. In light of the resources consulted, spraying disinfectants on humans in booths is not effective and can be toxic. Disinfectants are intended for use on surfaces, not on living tissue and spraying disinfectants on the outside of the body does not kill the virus inside an infected person's body. Furthermore, this procedure may increase the risk of neglecting other effective measures. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to prohibit the use of disinfection booths in all structures.

Smoking dependence and anxio-depressive disorders in Tunisian smokers attending the smoking cessation clinic in a university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Smokers with comorbid anxio-depressive disorders are more prone to progress to a more severe level of dependence and to experience more severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms than smokers without anxio-depressive disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the relationship between tobacco dependence and anxio-depressive disorders as well as assessing their impact on the withdrawal. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among attendees of the smoking cessation clinic of Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia, from December 2009 to May 2015. The monitoring of the attendees was performed through retrieving the records until May 2016 in order to verify their smoking cessation status at 1 year. RESULTS: Overall, 534 smokers were included. We identified 315 smokers (59%) presenting an anxio-depressive disorder. Based on the HAD scale, we found 231 patients (43.4%) with anxiety disorders, 200 (37.6%) patients with depressive disorders, and 116 (21.8%) patients with anxio-depressive disorder. In multivariate analysis, only a high number of consultation was associated with a better rate of tobacco cessation at 6 months. However, no factor was found linked to the relapse at 1 year. CONCLUSION: According to our results, only a high number of consultation was revealed as an independent factor of withdrawal for anxio-depressed smokers. It is necessary to simultaneously use the nicotinic substitutions and anxio-depressive treatment to ensure the tobacco cessation.

Medical practice assessment during the phlebotomy: clinical audit of blood sampling.

INTRODUCTION: Phlebotomy is taking a venous blood sample for a medical biology analysis .If the taking of a sample is poorly executed, the results for this sample may be inaccurate and mislead the clinician, or the inconvenience of the patient having to undergo a new levy. The three main problems associated with errors in the collection are: hemolysis, contamination and mislabelling. We conduct clinical audit to evaluate compliance of activities in relation to the recommendations. Our objective was to determine the compliance rate of the different steps of the phlebotomy procedure and propose corrective actions. METHODS: it is an observational study which follows a forward-looking approach based on direct observation of blood collection procedures in 2015. RESULTS: 330 acts of phlebotomy were audited in 11 services. The overall compliance rate phlebotomy was 57.7%. The overall compliance rate ''patient prescribing and preparation "was 94.4%; "equipment preparation" was 85.3%. There was a lack of tourniquets, holders and hydro-alcoholic solutions. The overall compliance rate "collection procedure" was 45.1%, the overall compliance rate for hand hygiene is low (28%), wearing gloves (20%) and the use of antiseptics (44.4%). The overall compliance rate "sample identification"quot; was 61.3% (tube labeling (45.7%) and compliance of the laboratory worksheet (76.9%). the overall compliance rate "Transport" was 49.4%. There was a lack of bag or holders for transport. CONCLUSION: The results obtained allowed to propose an improvement plan to improve this practice. In fact, the ultimate purpuse of medical practice assessment is to improve the quality of care.

Mortality among Patients with Nosocomial Infections in Tertiary Intensive Care Units of Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections are public health issues that are associated with high mortality in intensive care units. This study aimed to determine nosocomial infection-associated mortality in Tunisian intensive care units and identify its risk factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out in intensive care units of a Tunisian University Hospital. The ICUs-wide active surveillance of nosocomial infections has been performed between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011. Data collection was based on Rea-Raisin protocol 2009 of "Institut National de Veille Sanitaire" (InVS, Saint Maurice - France). We used Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Cox Proportional Hazard regression to identify independent risk factors of nosocomial infection-associated mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients presented nosocomial infection in the end of the surveillance. The mean age of patients was 44.71 ± 21.2 years. Of them, 67.2% were male and 32.8% female. Nosocomial bacteremia was the most frequent infection (68.6%). Nosocomial infection-associated mortality rate was 35.8% (24/67). Bacteremia (Hazard Ratio (HR)) = 3.03, 95% Confidential Interval (95% CI): [1.23 - 7.45], P = 0.016) and trauma (HR = 3.6, 95% CI: [1.16 - 11.2], P = 0.026) were identified by Cox regression as independent risk factors for NI-associated mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our rate was relatively high. We need to improve the care of trauma patients and intensify the fight against nosocomial infections especially bacteremia.