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Background - There is no source of data on causes of death in Senegal that covers both community and hospital deaths. Yet the death registration system in the Dakar region is relatively complete (>80%) and could be expanded to provide information on the diseases and injuries that led to death. Methods - In this pilot study, we recorded all deaths that occurred over 2 months and were reported in the 72 civil registration offices in the Dakar region. We selected deaths of residents of the region and administered a verbal autopsy to a relative of the deceased to identify the underlying causes of death. Causes of death were assigned using the InterVA5 model. Results - The age structure of deaths registered at the civil registry differed from that of the census, with a proportion of infant deaths about twice as high than in the census. The main causes of death were prematurity and obstetric asphyxia in newborns, while meningitis and encephalitis, severe malnutrition, and acute respiratory infections were the leading causes from 1 month to 15 years of age. Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 27% of deaths in adults aged 15-64 and 45% of deaths among adults above age 65, while neoplasms accounted for 20% and 12% of deaths in these two age groups, respectively. Conclusions - This study demonstrates that the epidemiological transition is at an advanced stage in urban areas of Dakar, and underlines the importance of conducting regular studies based on verbal autopsies of deaths reported in civil registration offices.

Cervical cancer with an estimated incidence between 1700 and 2000 new cases per year and mortality around 70% to 80% has become the leading cancer in Senegal. The objectives of this present work were to study the factors associated with cervical cancer screening in the Mbour health district in 2015. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out on a sample of 599 women chosen according to a two-stage survey. The survey used a questionnaire where data on individual characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices are collected during an individual interview after informed consent. The data collected were entered in the Epi Info 3.5.3 software and analyzed with the R 3.1.2 software. The average age was 44.4 years with a standard deviation of 8.9. The proportion of women screened for cervical cancer was 19.4%. Screening for cervical cancer was positively related to the possession of an income-generating activity (Adjusted OR = 2.39 [1.4 - 4.2]), increase of education and knowledge of a person suffering from cancer in the environment (adjusted OR = 2.40 [1.3 - 4.2]). Knowledge of the methods of diagnosis of cervical cancer was positively associated with cervical cancer screening (adjusted OR = 20 [11.1 - 33.3]). The lack of awareness and the lack of financial resources and education for women were the main obstacles to cervical cancer screening for women in Mbour. The health system should focus on building the capacity of women to fight cervical cancer.

This study aims to determine the factors related to HIV-positive status in people aged 15 to 49 years of age in the commune of Niagha in Goudomp. The study was descriptive and analytically cross-cutting and had taken place in a release of 2018. The data was collected on anonymous questionnaires and then analyzed using R software after entering with Epi 7 software. Bivariate analyses and logistical modelling have been used to investigate the factors associated with HIV status. The sample included 400 people, and a participation rate of 100% was obtained in relation to the administration of the questionnaire. For the detection of HIV infection, 318 people agreed to do so, a proportion of 79.7%. The average age of the respondents was 27.8 years with a standard deviation of 9.1 and extremes of 15 to 49 years. 21.5% of respondents were under 20 years of age, the median was 26 years. With 58.8% of women, the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.7. In this study, 11.5% of respondents did not believe in the existence of HIV infection, 92.0% were sexually active, and 40.5% had sex with casual partners. The main places for casual sex were cultural events (84.0%), weekly markets (53.1%), religious events (27.8%) and during travel (22.8%). Among them, only 20 respondents, or 12.3%, declared that they systematically protect themselves with a condom during these occasional sexual relations. This wearing of condoms was found in 20.7% of singles and 10.7% of married couples having casual sex. In this study, 60.0% of the respondents declared that they had paid for sex, although this practice is not cited in income-generating activities. Non-consensual sex was found in 6.5% of the respondents. In this study, 319 people agreed to be tested for HIV, or 79.7% of the sample. HIV infection was found in 19 people, 6.0% seroprevalence, with 16 cases of HIV 1 infection and three cases of HIV 2 infection. Several risk behaviors were found in this study. However, none of them had a statistically significant link to HIV seropositivity. The prevalence of HIV infection in Niagha common is very high compared to data from the Sedhiou region and national level. Risky sexual behaviors are found in this population with no statistically significant link to HIV. Studies with a mixed approach would be more appropriate to study these relationships.

Self-medication is a form of self-care which has evolved considerably with the development of digital technology. It particularly challenges public health actors given the risks to which it may be exposed if it is not properly supervised. The aim of this work was to study the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Senegalese women on self-medication through social networks. A transversal descriptive study was conducted from June 10 to 30, 2019. It concerned all Senegalese women registered in at least one of the following women’s Facebook groups: Femme chic, Femme leader, Ladies club or Entre yaays. A study information sheet was posted on the wall of these different groups, and enabled consenting women to find a questionnaire deployed online directly through a link. Consenting women were able to complete the data collection tool directly online. The proportions were compared by setting the alpha risk at 5%. A total of 508 women were surveyed. The results thus showed a high prevalence (68.9%) of self-medication. A proportion of 46.3% of those self-medicated used Facebook or the Internet as a source of information to find the drugs to use. The advice received from these groups related to hygiene and dietary measures (96.1%), consultation with health personnel (54.6%), consultation with a traditional healer (50.4%) and taking medication (41.8%). The health problems most treated with these self-medications were headaches ((84.6%) and painful periods (45.1%). Simple analgesics (84.6%) and vitamins (66.9%) were the most recommended drugs, but it was also found antibiotics (40.0%), centrally acting analgesics (20.0%), anti-diabetics (6.9%) and antihypertensive (5.4%). Oral tablets (92.3%) remained the most widely used dosage forms, but eye drops (5.4%) and injectables (5.4%) were also found. Although searching for information on Facebook/internet, women obtained the drugs from pharmacies (72.4%) or the family medicine box (19%). Regarding self-medication on Facebook, its easy accessibility (67.8%) was the main motivation for which women chose it, as well as saving time (33.9%). Advice on health through the Facebook network is important for Senegalese women but taking medication on advice from these forums remains low. A better presence for health actors in social networks is becoming urgent in order to promote responsible self-medication.

This research was conducted to evaluate the contribution of verbal autopsies (VA) integrated in the 72 civil registration centers of the Dakar region. Reported deaths over a two-month period were identified and the 2016 WHO-VA instrument was administered to relatives of the deceased. The InterVA5 software identified the main causes and circumstances of death. VA were completely administered to 42.8% of deaths reported in vital registration centers, and 66.7% of eligible cases. Death occurred at home in 35.9% of cases, in a health facility in 36.6%. The primary respondent designated to answer the questions was the father or mother of the deceased, in 39.5% of the cases. The analysis of the causes of death found a preponderance of cardiovascular diseases. VA integrated in vital registration centers are an accessible mean of collecting cause-of-death data in urban settings in Senegal to strengthen the health information system.