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Seroconversion surveys of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This nationwide population-based cross-sectional serosurvey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among residents in Gabon and compare the estimated cumulative number of COVID-19 cases with the officially registered number of laboratory-confirmed cases up to December 2021. Households in each province were randomly selected. Twenty-eight localities, including sixteen urban and twelve rural, were randomly selected for the study. Whole blood samples were collected in dry tubes from all study participants nationwide within 15 days. Serum samples were used to measure SARS-CoV-2-specific ELISA titers. Overall, data from 1672 households were analyzed. Out of the 3659 participants, 3175 were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, resulting in a crude seroprevalence of 86.77%. Stratification of study participants by age group showed the highest seroprevalences in the 20–29 and 40–49 age groups with 91.78% (95% CI: 89.5–93.6) and 91.42% (95% CI: 88.7–93.5), respectively. Nyanga province had the lowest prevalence (72.8%), and Estuaire and Ogooué-Lolo provinces had the highest prevalence (90 and 92%). Our results suggest a high transmission rate in the Gabonese population 21 months after the first SARS-CoV-2 case in the country. This high seroprevalence estimate could indicate that the population may not have adequately implemented or appropriately adhered to the applied infection control measures.

Background31.4 million people in low- and middle-income countries die from chronic diseases annually, particularly in Africa. To address this, strategies such as task-shifting from doctors to nurses have been proposed and have been endorsed by the World Health Organization as a potential solution; however, no comprehensive review exists describing the extent of nurse-led chronic disease management in Africa.AimsThis study aimed to provide a thorough description of the current roles of nurses in managing chronic diseases in Africa, identify their levels of knowledge, the challenges, and gaps they encounter in this endeavor.MethodsWe performed a scoping review following the key points of the Cochrane Handbook, and two researchers independently realized each step. Searches were conducted using five databases: MEDLINE, PyscINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase, between October 2021 and April 2023. A descriptive analysis of the included studies was conducted, and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Downs and Black Scale.ResultsOur scoping review included 111 studies from 20 African countries, with South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana being the most represented. Findings from the included studies revealed varying levels of knowledge. Nurses were found to be actively involved in managing common chronic diseases from diagnosis to treatment. Facilitating factors included comprehensive training, close supervision by physicians, utilization of decision trees, and mentorship. However, several barriers were identified, such as a shortage of nurses, lack of essential materials, and inadequate initial training.ConclusionThere is significant potential for nurses to enhance the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases in Africa. Achieving this requires a combination of rigorous training and effective supervision, supported by robust policies. To address varying levels of knowledge, tailored training programs should be devised. Further research is warranted to establish the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on population health outcomes.

Abstract Background In Gabon, children under 5 years of age and pregnant women are the populations who are most at risk of malaria. Despite the presence of accessible health facilities, the community-based management of childhood fever remains a very common practice in Gabon, which may have serious consequences on child health. As such, the objective of this descriptive cross-sectional survey is to assess the mothers’ perception and knowledge of malaria and its severity. Methods Different households were selected using the simple random sampling method. Results A total of 146 mothers from different households were interviewed in the city of Franceville, in southern Gabon. Among the households interviewed, 75.3% had a low monthly income (below the minimum monthly income of $272.73). Among the respondents, 98.6% of mothers had heard of malaria and 55.5% had heard of severe malaria. Regarding preventive measures, 83.6% of mothers used an insecticide-treated net as a means of protection. Self-medication was practiced by 68.5% of women (100/146). Discussion The use of health facilities was motivated by better care, the decision of the head of the family, but above all by the severity of the disease. Women identified fever as the main symptom of malaria, which could be beneficial for a quicker and more efficient management of the disease in children. Malaria educational campaigns should also increase awareness of severe forms of malaria and its manifestations. This study shows that Gabonese mothers react quickly when their children have fever. However, several external factors lead them to practice self-medication as a first resort. In this survey population, the practice of self-medication did not depend on social status, marital status, level of education, on the young age or inexperience of mothers (p > 0.05). Conclusions The data revealed that mothers may underestimate severe malaria and delay medical care by self-medicating, which can have detrimental effects for children and hinder the regression of the disease.

Abstract Introduction Malaria remains a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Child mortality due to severe malaria remains high in developing countries despite improvements in malaria management and a better understanding of its pathophysiology. To address the lack of epidemiological studies on severe malaria in Gabon, this study describes the epidemiological aspects of severe malaria in rural, semi-rural, and urban areas of southeast Gabon. Methods Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for children and adolescents aged 0–18 years were collected in 2019 from hospital records at three health facilities in southeastern Gabon. The patients included in the study were positive for P falciparum malaria diagnosed by microscopy with at least one of the malaria severity criteria. Results Severe malaria accounted for 18.8% (667/3552) of malaria cases. Children aged 0–5 years accounted for 71.8% (479/667) of all severe malaria cases. Adolescents over 15 years of age were the least affected by severe malaria with 4.2% (28/667). Across the study, severe anemia (49.0%, 327/667), convulsions (43.0%, 287/667), respiratory distress (5.1%, 34/667), and altered consciousness (4.8%, 32/667) were the most frequent clinical signs of severe malaria in children. Franceville was the locality most affected by severe malaria with 49.2% (328/667), followed by Koulamoutou with 42.0% (280/667) and Lastourville with 8.8% (59/667). Convulsions (50.6%, 166/328) and coma (6.1%, 20/328) were more frequent in children living in urban areas. In contrast, severe anemia (56.7%, 186/339) and jaundice (6.8%, 23/339) were more common in children living in semi-rural areas. Conclusion Severe malaria is more prevalent in urban areas in regions with a high malaria transmission intensity. However, in this study, the epidemiological characteristics of severe malaria were similar in the three settings (urban, rural, and semi-rural areas) despite different levels of urbanization. Nevertheless, the various signs of severity were more frequent in Franceville, an urban area. Children under 5 years of age remain the most vulnerable age group.

Abstract Background In Gabon, a new national malaria control policy was implemented in 2003. It resulted in a decrease in the number of malaria cases in the country. In March 2020, the disruption of routine health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in cases and deaths due to malaria. However, in Franceville, south-east Gabon, no data on malaria cases recorded before, during and after the COVID-19 epidemic has been published. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Franceville from 2019 to 2021. Methods A retrospectively study of malaria cases was performed at the Hôpital de l’Amitié Sino-Gabonaise (HASG). Information regarding age, gender, malaria diagnosis by microscopy and hematology cell count were collected from laboratory registers from June 2019 to December 2021. Malaria data were analyzed and correlated with seasonal variations. Results The data of 12,695 febrile patients were collected from the laboratory registers of the HASG, among which 4252 (33.5%) patients were found positive for malaria. The malaria prevalence was 37.5% in 2020 year. This prevalence was highest compared to the 2019 (29.6%) and 2021 (31.5%) year (p 0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of malaria in Franceville was very high during COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore necessary to strengthen existing interventions and implement more effective interventions.

Objective: To evaluate the use of the Foetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) algorithm in routine practice for early pre-eclampsia (PE) screening in Libreville. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cohort study on pregnant women within their 11–13 + 6 weeks of gestation (WG). We had measured mean blood pressure (MBP), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index (UtA-PI) and resistance index (UtA-RI). Statistical analyses were considered significant for P < 0.05. Results: There were 30 participants. At the first quarter (T1), 36.7% of them were at high risk of PE according to the FMF algorithm and were consequently prescribed aspirin (100 mg/d). By the end of the observation period, we have found a 13% incidence of PE. MBP was higher in the higher risk PE group than in the lower risk group as early as the T1 (90 ± 6 vs. 81 ± 6 mmHg; P = 0.0007, threshold is >86 mmHg/area under the curve (AUC) = 0.86; P = 0.0012). It was the same for PlGF (58 ± 24 vs. 88 ± 38 pg/ml; P = 0.03; threshold is

Abstract Short tandem repeats (STRs) are repeating DNA sequences used in forensic human identity testing and the diagnosis of aneuploidies. Many STRs like Penta D and TPOX are used routinely for paternity tests, but these tests are not widely used in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study we recruited individuals from Gabonese families seeking a paternity test. After DNA extraction from buccal swabs, we genotyped samples using a panel of 22 STRs. A total of 115 unrelated subjects from 39 families were included. Allele frequencies of the 22 STR loci were determined in unrelated Gabonese subjects. The most polymorphic loci were D21S11 (16 alleles) and FGA (17 alleles), while D3S1358 and TH01 loci were less polymorphic, with five alleles each. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed for TPOX, D3S1358, CSFPO and D7S820 loci. We reported tri-allelic patterns that indicate aneuploidies at a combined frequency of 4% (4/115) with 3% for Penta D (1/35) and 3% for TPOX (3/102). Furthermore, we identified a new tri-allelic genotype 5-8-16 for the Penta D locus located on chromosome 21 in a healthy subject. In addition, we observed three tri-allelic variants of TPOX, located on chromosome 2, in healthy subjects, namely 8-10-11, 8-9-10, and 8-8-10. Our study revealed unsuspected polymorphic variations in Penta D and TPOX for the first time in Gabon, raising several questions about chromosomal disorders. Further population genetics studies are needed in Gabon to better characterize these variations, both qualitatively and quantitative.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still one of the main causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have significantly improved the health conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Consequently, a significant drop in morbidity and mortality, along with a reduced incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs), has been observed. However, certain atypical and biological profiles emerge in ART patients post-examination. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors that contributed to the onset of OIs in HIV patients undergoing ART in Gabon. Epidemiological and biological data were obtained from medical records (2017 to 2019) found at the outpatient treatment centre (CTA) of Franceville in Gabon. Samples for blood count, CD4, and viral load analysis at CIRMF were collected from PLWHA suffering from other pathogen-induced conditions. A survey was carried out and data were analysed using Rstudio 4.0.2 and Excel 2007 software. Biological and socio-demographic characteristics were examined concerning OIs through both a univariate analysis via Fisher’s exact tests or chi2 (χ2), and a multivariate analysis via logistic regression. Out of the 300 participants initially selected, 223 were included in the study, including 154 (69.05%) women and 69 (30.95%) men. The mean age was 40 (38.6; 41.85), with individuals ranging from 2 to 77 years old. The study cohort was classified into five age groups (2 to 12, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 77 years old), among which the groups aged 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 emerged as the largest, comprising 68 (30.5%) and 75 (33.6%) participants, respectively. It was noted that 57.9% of PLWHA had developed OIs and three subgroups were distinguished, with parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections present in 18%, 39.7%, and 55.4% of cases, respectively. There was a correlation between being male and having a low CD4 T-cell count and the onset of OIs. The study revealed a high overall prevalence of OIs, and extending the study to other regions of Gabon would yield a better understanding of the risk factors associated with the onset of these infections.