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Hygiene is the most useful public health measure for preventing infections of important endemic and emerging diseases of global significance. This study aimed to assess the impact of these public health preventive measures on dirty hand diseases. A retrospective survey was conducted in the rural general hospitals of Taabo (south-central Côte d’Ivoire) and Marcory (urban Abidjan) to collect clinical data on dirty hand diseases in the patients’ records from 2013 to 2020. In addition, focus group discussions (N = 8) were conducted in the communities in both settings to identify the sociocultural and economic hindering or fostering factors that affected the adoption of and the compliance with handwashing and disinfection practices. A total of 3245 and 8154 patients’ records were examined in the general hospitals of Taabo and Marcory, respectively. Compared with women, men were more affected by typhoid fever (OR, 0.68 [95%CI, 0.53–0.88]) and influenza (OR, 0.87 [95%CI, 0.75–1]). Hygiene measures promoted during Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks had no impact on the prevalence of typhoid fever in both settings; however, a positive impact was observed regarding influenza infections. Populations were aware of the importance of handwashing for public health but had difficulties adhering due to financial constraints, access to drinking water, and the absence or scarcity of handwashing facilities.

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of mobile telephony on the improvement of post-exposure prophylaxis compliance at the Abidjan anti-rabies center.This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, which ran from September 2014 to May 2015. The data collection took place in two stages: first interview of all patients at the anti-rabies center at their first consultation, then a telephone interview three days after, only for those who had abandoned their prophylaxis.The results indicated that after telephone calls, the dropout rate dropped from 59.3% to 44.8%. Discontinuations were less frequent in patients who received a veterinary surveillance notice (ORa = 0.23, 95% CI [0.11-0.48]), who had at least one veterinary certificate (ORa = 0.25 95% CI [0.15-0.43]) or more than two doses of vaccine (ORa = 0.23, 95% CI [0.12-0.42]) before telephone call. However, dropout rates were high in patients aged 20 to 29 years (ORa = 2.66, 95% CI [1.25-5.68]) and in patients with category III exposure (ORa = 2.19, 95% CI [1.12-54.3]).These results show that mobile telephony is a useful tool for educating patients to adhere to post-exposure prophylaxis. However, information and public awareness campaigns on the fatal outcome of rabies must be organized.

Introduction : In most developing countries, with rapidly changing lifestyles, urbanization, and increasing numbers of vehicles, Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) are expected to have a growing impact on mortality and morbidity.The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with fatal RTI in Côte d’Ivoire.Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study of data concerning RTI in Côte d’Ivoire over a ten-year period (2002 to 2011) from the Road Safety Office (RSO) database. All RTI reported by the police were included in the study. Fatal RTI was the dependent variable, while sociodemographic, behavioural and environmental risk factors were independent variables. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 16 software.Results : Out of a total of 56,966 reported RTI, 3008 were fatal, representing 0.6 deaths per 100,000. The majority (93.5%) of RTI occurred in urban areas. Pedestrian victims were identified in more than one half (59.3%) of cases. Subjects under the age of 18 and subjects between the ages of 43 and 47 years had 2.4-fold and 4.9-fold higher risks of fatal accidents, respectively. Excessive speed (OR = 5.3 ; p = 0.000) and dangerous overtaking (OR = 4.9 ; p = 0.000) were the leading causes of fatal accidents. Mechanical failure was also a risk factor (OR = 3.9 ; plt; 0.005). The risk of a fatal accident was 6.8-fold higher in rural areas than in urban areas.Conclusion : Fatal RTI were related to human and environmental factors, hence the need for awareness campaigns to promote behaviour changes among road users.

Improvement of the work environment and staff training are health promotion strategies that can contribute to improving the supply of health care. This study evaluated the effects of reorganization of health services on antenatal care (ANC) activities.A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 4 months in the ANC unit of Marcory General Hospital in Abidjan. The study population was health workers in charge of ANC and pregnant women attending the health facility. Self-administered questionnaires and observation sheets were used to collect data that were analysed with Epi Info 3.5.1 software. results: After reorganization, health workers said they were satisfied with the work environment and the care provided in 91% and 96.9% of cases, respectively. These results were confirmed by all pregnant respondents (100%) attending the centre, who said they were satisfied with the quality of care received. This could explain the ANC 4 coverage rate, which increased from 39.4% in 2010 to 56.7% in 2012 and tetanus vaccination coverage which increased from 59.4% to 87.5%, although the waiting time was still too long.This study showed an increase of ANC activity indicators, such as ANC 4 and tetanus vaccination coverage rate, after reorganization of health care services. This strategy could be an opportunity to strengthen ANC services.

(Introduction): In the tropics, influenza age-risk groups and the temporal distribution are not as thoroughly studied. (Objective): Here we determine these aspects in Abidjan. Materials and methods: We conducted a review from INHP influenza surveillance database and climatological data from the National Weather Service from 2007 to 2012. (Results): The largest number of positive specimens was from young children aged 0-4 years. The highest monthly and seasonally proportions of influenza viruses were observed in the long rainy season. ARIMAX (2,0,0)RF perform best only with rainfall. (Conclusion): Public health measures must be strengthened at the approach of rainy seasons.

This study analysed the impact of improvement collaborative activities on the quality of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of AIDS in 28 health services in Côte d'Ivoire.This descriptive, longitudinal, analytical study was based on the main information concerning HIV-infected pregnant women, and the integration and maintenance of HIV-infected subjects in the healthcare system. The study was conducted in 28 heathcare structures of 26 health districts in 12 health areas of Côte d'Ivoire,from January to September 2009. Monitoring of HIV-infected pregnant women and their children was analysed by quality indicators developed in the context of the demonstration phase of the collaborative.This study shows that only 16 (57.1%) out of 28 structures had the 6 PMTCT documents defined in this study. The various quality indicators gradually improved on all sites, from 34.7% to 90.3% of items collected in the PMTCT register; the testing rate of infants born to HIV-positive women increased from 30% to 62.5%. More than 95% of children screened were referred to paediatric care.Improvement collaborative approach is important for the improvement of the quality of PMTCT. However, the sustainability of the results of this approach remains the key challenge and will only be possible on the basis of a quality culture of health workers, and greater commitment of authorities.

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.

In the nights of 19 to 21 August, 2006, highly toxic waste products were dumped at various sites in Abidjan, and numerous cases of poisoning were reported to the health authorities, who were unprepared for such a problem. The research group on Environment and Health in Urban Environment from the Swiss Center of Scientific Research and its partners at the Swiss Tropical Institute undertook this study whose objectives were to: describe the epidemiologic profile of the people poisoned; identify the main clinical symptoms and the risk factors for poisoning; and recommend steps to attenuate the effects and to prevent intermediate- and long-term consequences.This cross-sectional study examined the populations living around the discharge sites (n=6). The sample size was calculated at 619 people per site, to identify a 1% risk and a standard error of 0.4%, because of variability of the human impact factor at the different sites. Households were chosen at each site by the transect technique. Six teams, each including a physician, a public health agent and a local guide collected the data, after specific training. A pilot investigation made it possible to validate the final questionnaire.Of 4573 people surveyed, 4344 people, about 95%, were home during the toxic waste discharge. In all, 2369 (51.8%) had signs of poisoning. Sex, district of residence, and presence at home at the time of the discharge were all statistically related to poisoning. The distribution of poison victims according to health centre shows that 1297 people (64.4%) visited a health center AA(3/4) 615 of them (about 47.4%) a public or official centre, and 778 (about 60%), an unofficial centre; 379 (29.2%) were managed by an NGO, 159 individuals (12.3%) by mobile units, 63 individuals (4.8%) by the unofficial public health centre, and 35 (2.7%) at an unspecified site. Of those who sought care, 673 people (about 51.8%) received a medical prescription, and 815 (or 62.7%) had been given the drug directly, for free. 94 individuals (about 7.2%) chose their own self-medication, and 74 people (5.7%) a traditional treatment. In all, 34 people, about 2.6% of those who sought care, were hospitalized. Of the subjects who went to a health centre, 1421 (72.8%) had a positive course and 532 (27.7%) an unfavourable course. The latter complained especially of respiratory signs, in particular a cough and thoracic pains (21.8%), digestive signs (diarrhoea and abdominal distension, about 21.5%), and cutaneous (pruritus) and neurological (headaches) signs (20.7%). Overall, 532 people (21.%) still presented signs during the investigation.This study highlighted the persistence of the symptoms among many of those poisoned more than 4 months afterwards. This phenomenon continues, although the sites have been partially cleaned: the long-term effects on population health remain alarming. Thorough multidisciplinary studies are essential to explore the long-term effects.

This study aims to assess the quality of emergency obstetric care in 69 health facilities in Abidjan. The results show lethality was evaluated at 1.7 deaths out of 100 complications that received treatment. Obstetrical complications are largely dominated by the presence of bleeding, accounting for 36.1% of cases. Only 60.1% of emergency obstetric cases were fully covered and completely treated. Caesarian sections are rarely done (3.6%). The ratio of availability of comprehensive emergency obstetric care is poor (.79 for 500,000). Mobilization of all levels of actors in the health system is necessary to lead to any significant improvement in the current situation.