Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): IARMS
Published:
2025-03-07
Articles
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Epidemiology and impact of hepatitis B virus on haemato-biochemical parameters in patients in Conakry (Republic of Guinea).
Abstract
Introduction: Infection with the hepatitis B virus is a major public health problem worldwide. There are an estimated 350 million chronic HBsAg carriers worldwide. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HBV and hepatic and blood disorders by testing for HBsAg and measuring transaminases in patients at health facilities in Conakry. Method : This is a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study covering a six-month period from 1 July to 1 December 2022. Results : Serodiagnosis of the hepatitis B virus in 746 patients in Conakry revealed 101 positive cases, i.e. a prevalence of 14%, compared with 645 negative cases, i.e. 86%. 78% of patients had haemoglobin levels <12 g/dl, with the following anaemic typology: 61% had a haemoglobin level between 10 and 11 g/dl (a sign of frustrated anaemia), 34% had a haemoglobin level between 8 and 9 g/dl (a sign of moderate anaemia) and 5% had a haemoglobin level ≤ 7 g/dl (a sign of severe anaemia); 42% of patients had low lymphocytes, 26% low monocytes, 19% low neutrophils and 14% low leukocytes. While 30% of patients had hyperleukocytosis and 31% hyperlymphocytosis. The transaminase assay showed that 75% of patients had increased ALT levels and 66% had increased ASAT levels.. Married people were the most represented with a prevalence of 68% against 32% of single people. The female sex was the most affected with 80% against 20% for the male sex. Almost all socio-professional categories were affected by hepatitis B with a predominance of Housewives with 26/101, i.e. 26%, followed by Workers with 19/101, i.e. 19%, Commercial and Administrative workers with 18%, Pupils/Students with 17%. The age group between 31-40 years with 36% followed by 21-30 years with 35% were the most represented in this study. The commune of Ratoma is the most represented with 60%, followed by Dixinn with 17% and the commune of Matoto with 12%. Conclusion : Hepatitis B is a major public health problem and in order to improve the management of patients, the determination of haematological parameters is necessary.
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Prevalence and factors associated with smoking among patients with tuberculosis in Conakry (Guinea)
Abstract
Introduction: Smoking increases the risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and the risk of tuberculosis disease progression in infected individuals. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with tobacco use among tuberculosis patients.
Methodology: We conducted a 3-month cross-sectional study with analytical aims in tuberculosis treatment centers in Conakry. 646 patients were included in this study, in whom smoking status and tobacco consumption in the last 12 months were assessed. We used the Fargerstrom test to measure nicotine dependence. The backward stepwise multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify potential factors associated with smoking in tuberculosis patients. The significance threshold was set at 5%.
Result: The prevalence of smoking was 37%, the mean age was 37.84±43.24, the male sex was predominant M/F=1.74; In 44.89%, these patients were illiterate; more than 14% were co-infected TB/HIV and 23.10% were alcoholics. Only 35.4% had knowledge of the health risks associated with smoking. The factors potentially associated with smoking were: age (p<0.001); male sex predominantly0.03 [0.01;0.06]; low level of education5.53 [2.62;12.6]. Low-income patients 2.06 [1.16;3.65]. Tuberculosis smokers were statistically associated with alcoholism 0.05 [0.03;0.08].
Conclusion: the prevalence of tobacco-dependent tuberculosis patients remains high and iThere appears to be sufficient evidence to conclude that factors such as alcohol consumption, gender, age, and standard of living were significantly associated with smoking.
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Equalization in the light of local development in Guinea: an impact analysis on local authorities.
Abstract
This related article on the analysis of the effects of participatory targeting and prioritization of needs on local development in Guinea. The research focused on forty-two (42) municipalities, including seven (07) urban municipalities.
At the end of the research, it has been proven that the mechanisms that aim to target and prioritize community needs are implemented in a participatory approach that deserves improvement, in particular Participatory Budgeting under the coordination of the National Agency for the Financing of Communities (ANAFIC). The projects financed by ANAFIC in the IAPs are much more subject to community participation than other projects. CSO projects are less participatory than those funded by ANAFIC and local authorities.
At the end of the analysis, it was proven that participatory approaches in the targeting and prioritization of needs have a significant but negative impact on local development, as represented by subnational transfers invested in local development infrastructure. In addition, changing the equalization formula to take into account the isolation factor improves the level of development in isolated areas without compromising the initial order of investment volume per municipality.
Recommendations are therefore made to public authorities and stakeholders to improve the quality of the targeting framework and the equalization function of the trust budget.
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Bacteriological and antibiotic resistance profile of germs isolated from pyocultures at the Biomedical Laboratory of the China-Guinea Friendship Hospital of Kipé in Conakry (Guinea)
Abstract
Introduction: The rapid evolution of bacterial multi-resistance to antibiotics is a worrying phenomenon in the world and particularly in Africa. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the bacteriological and antibiotic resistance profile of germs isolated from pyocultures at the China-Guinea Friendship Hospital in Conakry (HASIGUI). Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out at the HASIGUI Biomedical Laboratory from June 15th, 2017 to December 22th, 2021). Thus, 432 pus samples were analyzed. Bacterial identification and antibiograms were carried out using the Vitek2 Compact machine, and by the API and microdilution system (bioMérieux, France). Results: Male were predominant with a sex ratio (Male/Female) = 2.04, and the age group from 0 to 20 years was in the majority. The distribution according to professions showed that students were predominant. Of 432 pyocultures performed, 291 (67%) were positive. Bacterial identification showed that the species identified were Staphylococcus aureus (15.81%), Staphylococcus xylosus (6.53%), Staphylococcus lentus (4.81%) and Escherichia coli (4.47%). The majority of strains were susceptible to linezolid (82.47%), imipenem (71.51%), clindamycin (67.27%), fosfomycin (62.99%), levofloxacin (59. 62%), ciprofloxacin (52.66%). On the other hand, the majority of strains were resistant to benzylpenicillin (94.11%), cephalin (90.47%), cefixime (86.29%), cefuroxime (83.67%), ampicillin (77.17%), cefotaxime (73.94%), nalidixic acid (72.8%), cotrimoxazole (60.81%). Conclusion: All of these results show multi-resistance to antibiotics in bacteria isolated from pyocultures requiring treatment based on the results of antibiograms.
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Empowering women through education in Conakry (Republic of Guinea)
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to understand the impact of education and programs on the development of women in Guinea. It is based on a qualitative approach. To achieve this objective, a first reading of the relevant documents (programme brochures, preparation booklets, progress plan, distribution of programmes, manuals). Our study then focused on the impact of literacy programs on the improvement of the intellectual and professional capacities of Guinean women and Conakry.
Another, richer reading, of an analytical type, invites an overall appreciation of the theories in order to define the significant aspects related to the theme and to make an interpretation of them. From the perspective of this approach, we felt that a more reasonable way to see how literacy can increase women's participation in socio-economic and environmental life.
The results made it possible to understand that education is a channel for conveying the knowledge necessary for the development of Guinean women and the increase of their intellectual and professional capacities.
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The social representation of the environment of actors in the Guinean school system: the case of the city of Conakry.
Abstract
Introduction : Representation is a form of knowledge, because it is a relationship between the subject and the object of knowledge, but a relationship that is mediated by the social. Objective: The main objective of this article is to analyse the social representations that basic education stakeholders (teachers, pupils and educational authorities) have of the environment and the way in which these representations influence their understanding of and involvement in environmental education (EE) in Guinean schools. Method: The method adopted for this study is qualitative. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders in primary education in Guinea. Participants included teachers, pupils and education officials. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis, to identify the dominant representations of the environment and the way in which these are integrated into teaching practice and curricula. Results: The results show that teachers mainly consider the environment from an ecological and natural angle, focusing on the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of biodiversity. However, their ability to integrate these notions into teaching remains limited due to a lack of adequate training in EE and a shortage of teaching resources. Pupils see the environment in a pragmatic and local way, focusing more on immediate issues such as waste management and access to drinking water. Their understanding of the environment is largely influenced by their everyday experience and immediate surroundings, rather than by theoretical concepts taught at school. Education authorities are showing increasing interest in integrating environmental education into school curricula. However, they are concerned about the lack of funding and teacher training, which limits the effectiveness of EE in primary schools. There is also a lack of coordination between environmental policies and educational strategies. Social representations of the environment strongly influence the way in which EE is integrated into teaching practices. Teachers, who often have little training in the subject, adapt content informally and unevenly depending on the local context. Conclusion: this study shows that environmental education practices vary considerably from one school to another, and that EE remains a secondary subject in the school curriculum.
