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Copyright of Mali Médical is the property of Mali Medical, Faculte de Medecine, de Pharmacie et d'Odonto-stomatologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mali Médical is the property of Mali Medical, Faculte de Medecine, de Pharmacie et d'Odonto-stomatologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The Republic of Guinea, where malaria represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children, the seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is deployed only in areas with very seasonal modes of transmission. It should target children at the highest risk of serious illness. The objective of the study was to prevent uncomplicated and serious cases of malaria in the target population. This study aimed to analyse the monthly trends in malaria-related morbidity among children under the age of 5 in Guinea., Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with routine data from the National Health Information System (SNIS). The two districts Mamou (the SMC intervention site) and Kindia (the control site) were selected to compare the monthly trends in malaria cases among children under the age of 5, from July to October, covering the years from 2015 to 2020. The statistical analysis used interrupted time series to estimate the effects of the SMC., Results: The SMC programme contributed to a significant average reduction in the number of malaria cases of 225 cases per month in the intervention district (95% CI - 362 to - 88; p = 0.002), compared to the control district. However, the study also revealed that the effect of SMC varied between cycles, presenting different monthly malaria cases., Conclusion: The SMC contributed to a significant reduction in malaria cases among children under the age of 5 in the health district of Mamou from 2018 to 2020. However, this reduction varied by monthly SMC cycle. This study suggests extending the SMC in other areas with high perennial seasonal transmission respecting the World Health Organization SMC eligibility criteria, as a strategy in the dynamic of reducing malaria cases in children under the age of 5 in Guinea., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with the unassisted delivery by qualified health personnel in the Republic of Guinea, based on data from the 2018 demographic and health survey. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors. The prevalence of unassisted delivery was 40.8%; it was 38.4% in rural areas and 2.3% in urban areas. Factors associated with this type of delivery included the performance of no ANC (ORa = 6.19 IC95%: [4.86 - 7.87], p<0.001) and those who had performed one to three ANC (ORa =1.75 IC95%: [1.49 - 2.05], p<0.001) the perception of the distance to the health institution as a problem (ORa =1.28 IC95%: [1.10 - 1.48], p<0.001), belonging to the poor wealth index (ORa = 2.77 IC 95%: [2.19 - 3.50], p<0.001) and average (ORa = 2.01 IC95%: [1.57 - 2.57], p<0.001), the fact of residing in the region of Faranah (ORa = 2.24 IC95%: [1.37 - 3.65], p<0.001) and rural areas (ORa = 4.15 IC95%: [3.10 - 5.56], p<0.001). Strengthening community awareness, making functional ambulances available to rural health centers and making prenatal care inputs available in health institutions would help to reduce the scale of unassisted deliveries in the Republic of Guinea., Competing Interests: The Authors declared no conflict of interest, (African Journal of Reproductive Health © 2024.)

The Teens Linked to Care (TLC) pilot program utilized a youth-led integrated strategy to prevent substance use and risky sexual behavior among school-attending youth at disproportionate risk, including sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). The program developed a framework to address human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), teen pregnancy, and high-risk substance use within schools. Strategies included education, primary prevention, and early detection screening. High schools in two rural counties served as pilot sites and successfully implemented strategies to encourage youth to engage in healthier sexual practices and avoid harmful substance use. An evaluation of TLC demonstrated its effectiveness in developing youth-friendly resources, promoting connectedness, and building resiliency among students and staff. This program used the results of two iterations of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to understand the situations of youth, including SGMY. YRBS results helped tailor program activities for SGMY populations. By focusing on education, access to care, and supportive environments, schools can utilize the TLC model to combat youth substance abuse and risky sexual practices.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the disproportionate negative health outcomes faced by racial and ethnic minority communities as a result of various factors that affect health equity. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the overwhelming disparities within communities, public health agencies have aimed to establish partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to distribute information about COVID-19 to populations expressing vaccine hesitancy, recognizing that they are necessary partners in ensuring and maintaining equitable distribution of resources. In line with the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Foundation)'s Health Equity Strategy, the CDC Foundation's Response, Crisis and Preparedness Unit (RCPU) team is responsible for managing the portfolio of more than 110 grants to CBOs across 14 grant opportunities by private and federal funding that supports the COVID-19 response. The goal is to promote activities, including support for sharing of accurate, culturally appropriate vaccine information to address concerns and the development and strengthening of strategic partnerships to support effective community outreach and vaccination. Most, if not all of the CBOs use similar techniques to address equitable vaccine uptake and distribution by partnering or becoming vaccine providers via mobile or pop-up clinics, engaging community health workers, door-to-door canvasing, conducting listening sessions, providing incentives, and hosting community events and communications campaigns. As of June 23, 2022, the funded CBOs have collectively reached over 14.8 million individuals with COVID-19 safety and vaccine education messaging, administered 288,197 COVID-19 vaccinations within their communities, and partnered with 416 public health jurisdictions and 853 community organizations. Two case studies are provided to share specifics on strategies and activities done toward providing equitable information and vaccine distribution. This rapid and flexible grant management process al-lowed CBOs to focus on the areas of greatest need in their community and select strategies that would be well-received by community members.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed shortcomings in the US public health data system infrastructure, including incomplete or disparate processes related to data collection, management, sharing, and analysis. Public health data modernization is critical to ensure health equity is at the core of preparedness and response efforts and policies that prioritize equitable responses to health emergencies. To address the inequitable uptake and distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations in communities most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the CDC Foundation's Response Crisis and Preparedness Unit began partnering with community-based organizations in March 2021 to provide education and outreach and facilitate access to vaccines. These organizations engaged with partners and communities to address vaccine-related concerns, develop innovative and culturally appropriate communication strategies, and promote timely vaccination. Two grantees, Out Boulder County in Colorado and the Coalition of Asian American Leaders in Minnesota, experienced issues related to public health data collection standards and practices for COVID-19. Data collection tools often lack the appropriate or necessary demographic variables or level of disaggregation needed to be able to assess prioritization and disparities within racial and ethnic groups and across sexual orientation and gender identity categories. In this case study, both grantee organizations document their experiences, challenges, and strategies to overcome barriers to implementing their projects resulting from a lack of meaningful data. These examples identify inequities and systems-level changes related to data collection and surveillance, and they provide recommendations and lessons learned to improve data surveillance for more equitable public health responses.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC Foundation collaborated with implementing partners in Zambia and Tanzania to address challenges related to vaccination access and hesitancy through strategic partnership, technical assistance, and community engagement. These efforts were successful in fostering collaborations among community partners and health authorities and actively engaging the ministries of health. This article describes 2 case studies from Zambia and Tanzania involving different strategies to build health system capacity through projects that improved vaccination access and reduced hesitancy. Such projects illustrate how efforts that strengthen public health and healthcare systems have further positive implications for building localized response systems through context-tailored approaches and building capacity of local healthcare workers. The case studies are examples of public health emergency response projects that successfully increased vaccination access and reduced hesitancy in local communities by rapidly implementing projects to strengthen health system capacity and resilience.

Factors such as geography, community hesitancy, the political landscape, and legislative efforts to limit public health authority have contributed to a disproportionate number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in US rural communities. Community-based organizations are trusted entities that provide social and educational services in the communities where they live and have proven to be effective public health partners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, coupled with higher rates of vaccine hesitancy, the CDC Foundation awarded grants to 21 community-based organizations serving rural communities in 7 Midwest states to support the equitable uptake and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. In this case study, 2 grantees, the Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence and the Hmong American Center, provide case studies that document their experiences, challenges, and strategies for overcoming barriers during the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance projects in diverse rural communities. These case studies provide key lessons learned that can be applied to future public health emergency and nonemergency responses to ensure that all members of communities are served well and protected.

Competing Interests: Disclosure of interest: The authors completed the ICMJE Disclosure of Interest Form (available upon request from the corresponding author) and disclose no relevant interests.

Purpose: Information on incentives for COVID-19 testing is needed to understand effective practices that encourage testing uptake. We describe characteristics of those who received an incentive after performing a rapid antigen test., Design: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of survey data., Setting: During April 29-May 9, 2021, COVID-19 rapid antigen testing was offered in 2 Maryland cities., Sample: Convenience sample of 553 adults (≥18 years) who tested and received an incentive; 93% consented to survey., Measures: Survey questions assessed reasons for testing, testing history, barriers, and demographics., Analysis: Robust Poisson regressions were used to determine characteristic differences based on testing history and between participants who would re-test in the future without an incentive vs participants who would not., Results: The most common reasons for testing were the desire to be tested (n = 280; 54%) and convenience of location (n = 146; 28%). Those motivated by an incentive to test (n = 110; 21%) were 5.83 times as likely to state they would not test again without an incentive, compared to those with other reasons for testing (95% CI: 2.67-12.72, P < .001)., Critical Limitations: No comparative study group., Conclusion: Results indicate internal motivation and convenience were prominent factors supporting testing uptake. Incentives may increase community testing participation, particularly among people who have never tested. Keywords COVID-19, pandemic, incentives, health behavior, community testing.

During the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak, preventing unintended pregnancy was recognized as a primary strategy to reduce adverse Zika-related pregnancy and birth outcomes. To increase awareness and uptake of contraceptive services provided through the Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) in Puerto Rico, a multi-strategy campaign called Ante La Duda, Pregunta (ALDP) was developed. The principal aim was to increase awareness of Z-CAN services, which included same-day access to the full range of reversible contraceptives at no cost to women living in Puerto Rico who choose to delay or avoid pregnancy during the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak. Using diverse strategies, ALDP increased exposure to and engagement with the campaign in order to raise awareness of Z-CAN services in Puerto Rico. The ALDP social marketing campaign played an important role in the overall Z-CAN effort. Of all the strategies utilized, Facebook appears to have reached the most people. While the importance of a social marketing campaign communicating to raise awareness and create demand has long been known, through the ALDP campaign efforts, it was shown that an effective campaign, built on formative research, can be developed and implemented rapidly in an emergency response situation without compromising on content, quality, or reach.

We report two observations of portal cavernoma diagnosed successively in Bamako and Dakar. The first is a 6-year-old male admitted to the service for ascites and abdominal pain. At admission the clinical parameters (weight, height, temperature, cranial perimeter and temperature) were within the norms for age. The clinical examination noted a moderate skin-mucosal pallor, asthenia. The biological assessment returned to moderate normochrome anemia with impaired pancreatic function while renal and hepatic functions were maintained. The abdominal scan performed after two low-contribution abdominal ultrasounds, objected signs in favor of a portal cavernoma with perisplenic and gastric varicose veins. The second is an 8-year-old male child born from an unborn marriage and from a followed pregnancy with premature delivery. His pathological history includes a notion of prematurity that required a stay in neonatology with umbilical catheterization and repeated abdominal pain. He had an acute abdominal episode in March 2015 justifying a surgical hospitalization for suspicion of appendicitis. At admission the clinical parameters (weight, height, temperature, cranial perimeter and temperature) were within the norms for age. The abdominal ultrasound prescribed for this was suggestive of portal cavernoma, later confirmed by abdominal computed tomography., (Le comité de rédaction se réserve le droit de renvoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de conserver un exemplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

The Zika Contraception Access Network (Z-CAN) program was a short-term emergency response intervention that used contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies to reduce Zika-related adverse birth outcomes during the 2016-2017 Zika virus outbreak in Puerto Rico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a collaborative and coordinated response was needed from governments and private-sector partners to improve access to contraception during the Zika outbreak in Puerto Rico. In response, the National Foundation for the CDC, with technical assistance from CDC, established the Z-CAN program, a network of 153-trained physicians, that provided client-centered contraceptive counseling and same-day access to the full range of the Food and Drug Administration-approved reversible contraceptive methods at no cost for women who chose to prevent pregnancy. From May 2016 to September 2017, 29,221 women received Z-CAN services. Through Z-CAN, public-private partnerships provided a broad range of opportunities for partners to come together to leverage technical expertise, experience, and resources to remove barriers to access contraception that neither the public nor the private sector could address alone. Public-private partnerships focused on three areas: (1) the coordination of efforts among federal and territorial agencies to align strategies, leverage resources, and address sustainability; (2) the mobilization of private partnerships to secure resources from private corporations, domestic philanthropic organizations, and nonprofit organizations for contraceptive methods, physician reimbursement, training and proctoring resources, infrastructure costs, and a health communications campaign; and (3) the engagement of key stakeholders to understand context and need, and to identify strategies to reach the target population. Public-private partnerships provided expertise, support, and awareness, and could be used to help guide programs to other settings for which access to contraception could improve health outcomes.

Responding to an emerging health threat often requires rapid deployment of behavior change communication. Health communication best practices include developing and testing draft messages and materials to ensure that they resonate with and inspire priority groups to act. However, when faced with an emergency health threat, the timeline for these activities can be compressed from months to weeks. This article discusses the rapid development and implementation of a Zika virus prevention campaign for pregnant women in Puerto Rico. The goal of the campaign was to increase knowledge among and motivate pregnant women, their partners and family members, and the community to follow Zika virus prevention recommendations. The steps in campaign development include environmental scanning, concept development and testing, and message testing to ensure development of campaign materials that resonated with and were well-received by key audience groups. The materials adhere to principles of behavior change communication, and offer our insights for development of future campaigns when under time constraints.

We report two observations of congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed in 2011 in the university hospital of Gabriel Toure in Bamako. The first occurred in a male infant of 40 days, admitted for respiratory distress and anterior compressive cervical swelling. Although his neonatal period occurred without any medical particularity, family medical history revealed the presence of unexplored goiter in three paternal uncles. Neurological examination was normal with the presence of constipation. A cervical-thoracic scan showed a homogeneous and symmetric hypertrophy of thyroid lobes with a compression of the trachea. The dosage of thyroid hormones confirmed hypothyroidism (FT4 = 1.6 pmol/l, TSH = 60 µUI/ml). After one month of treatment using Levothyroxine, 10 mg/kg, there was a drastic improvement of respiratory distress, a regression of goiter and normalization of thyroid hormones. At six months of life he had no goiter and psychomotor development was normal. The second case occurred in a male infant of 2 years, from an area of endemic goiter. Puffiness of the face without lower limb edema, constipation, and delayed independent walking were the reasons for consultation. On examination, we noted the absence of goiter, large anterior fontanel with facial dysmorphism (lunar facies, hypertelorism, flat nose, macroglossia) and infiltration of the skin more marked in the face with cold extremities. He required support to sit. The thyroid function tests confirmed hypothyroidism (FT4 = 72 nmol/l, FT3 = 0.40 nmol/l, TSH > 60 µUI/l). Under levothyroxine, there was normalization of thyroid hormones after one month of treatment and disappearance of the skin infiltration. At six months of treatment he had acquired independent walking. Mental prognosis remains to be evaluated. These cases confirm the necessity of routine neonatal diagnosis of hypothyroidism., (Le comitée de rédaction se réserve le droit de revoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de sonserver un examplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

The African couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC) model, which focuses on heterosexual couples, was adapted for same-sex male couples in the US. This paper presents the results of a follow-up survey conducted with representatives of the agencies that received CHTC training. The paper aims to understand the post-training implementation and identify critical technical assistance gaps. There are clear needs for continual learning opportunities, focused on the key skills required for CHTC, and for resources aimed at tackling agency-level concerns about service provision and integration. Central to this is the need for implementation science research that can identify the messages that are effective in encouraging couples to utilize CHTC and test models of service integration.

During incarceration, many HIV-infected prisoners receive care and are adherent to medication. However, following release, many have difficulty engaging in HIV care and remaining on antiretroviral therapy. Community-based service providers for HIV-infected releasees have a deep understanding of the health needs and challenges these individuals face on community re-entry. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 38 health care and service professionals in two southern U.S. states regarding the barriers releasees faced in meeting their health needs, including HIV care and treatment post release. Individual, community, and organization-level barriers to HIV care and treatment adherence post release were identified, and offered unique insight into the ways that these multilevel obstacles affect HIV-infected former prisoners' abilities to engage in care and access necessary social services. Provider perspectives should be considered when designing interventions to support HIV care after release., (Copyright © 2015 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Malaria is one of the rare public health plagues which has been prevailing over centuries. It is severe around the world poverty line and remains the most widely spread disease in intertropical zones. The Afro-tropical region, which accounts for 8% of the world population, bears the heaviest malaria burden, with 80% to 90% of cases (200 to 280 millions) among which, 90% are due to P. falciparum., Objective: To study neuromalarian lesions in 0-15 year old children in the Pediatric Unit at Gabriel Touré, University Hospital., Materials and Methods: From February 2009 to January 2010 the study covered 92 children, aged 0-15 years old, with neuromalarian lesions hospitalized at the Pediatric unit of the Gabriel Toure University Hospital., Results: 2230 patients were received suffering from malaria, among whom 1320 hospitalized for neuromalarian. 92 cases (6.97%) of neuromalarian lesion were identified. There were 57 boys and 35 girls, with 1.63 sex ratio. 0 to 5 years old age group was the most significant, accounting for 67.39% of subjects. Axial hypotony was the most frequent lesion encountered (65.22%). Temporary blindness was reported in six patients (6.52%). Behavior disorders were reported in seven patients (7.61%). Five patients (5.43%) were victim of hemiplegia. Axial hypotonicity was associated with aphasia in thirty-seven patients (40.22%) and peripheral hypertonia in eighteen patients (19.57%). Seven patients (7.61%) became epileptic and six (6.52%) were suffering from dystonia. Recovery effects were 50% in the short term and 73.9% in the medium term., Conclusion: Despite progress made in terms of diagnosis and care, malaria still remain a fearsome pathology and source of neuromalarian lesions among which some lead to permanent disability. Early intervention and proper treatment could reduce the incidence of neuromalarian lesions., (Le comitée de rédaction se réserve le droit de revoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de sonserver un examplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

The prevalence of epilepsy in Sub-Saharan Africa is about 15 per thousand; against 6 to 8 per thousand in industrialized countries. Health, social, economic conditions and misknowledge could explain this situation. The objective of this survey was to study the knowledge of parents of children with or without epilepsy about this disease in Mali. 423 adults were interviewed, 15% children with epilepsy. The mean age was 34 ± 9,3 years; females represents 60% of the population. 26% of interviewed subjects heard about epilepsy from their neighbourhood, 20% from traditional healers, 11% from health care professional; the tonic-clonic crisis was the most known form of the disease. 59% thought epilepsy to be contagious. The organicity of the disease was known by 51% of the population. 23 % of the population believed there was a link between the onset of the crisis and the presence of the hole moon. 78% of subjects have already seen at least one crisis of epilepsy, but only 33% have got an attitude of first help that was to pour fresh water on the face of the patient in 22% of cases. 57% of subject's acknowledge having as first recourse traditional medicine. The fight against epilepsy in Mali as in the others countries of the third world should go through information and education of the population, in particular parents.

Objectives: Evaluate the efficiency of the treatment of pain by analgesic according to World Health Organization (WHO)., Patients and Methods: We made a descriptive and analytic study in majors sickellers in pain crisis admitted in the service of paediatric of the hospital Gabriel Touré Bamako from January 2005 to January 2006. The efficiency of the treatment by painkiller was evaluated at second hour and at the 24 hour., Results: Our study concerned 70 children with major of sickle cell of both sexes and aged from 6 to 15 years in pain crisis. In 87.1% pain disappeared with painkillers palier I (paracetamol) and 12.9% had necessitated to pass to palier II (buprenorphine) an 64.3% our patients the pain disappeared in a period less than 12 hours with an average of 3 hours against only 35.7% soothed in a period more than 12 hours with average of 64 hours 3 minutes. Pain from the head and limbal region were the most sensible to the treatment., Conclusion: The treatment of pain by palier according to who is efficient in children sickeller.

Burkitt's lymphoma was first described in Africa where it remains one of the most common malignant tumors in children. To our knowledge there have been no large series describing Burkitt's lymphoma involving the maxillofacial area or any other location in Malian children. The purpose of this retrospective single-center study was to describe clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic findings in children treated for maxillofacial Burkitt's lymphoma in the Oncology Unit of the Gabriel Touré Pediatric Hospital in Bamako, Mali from January to December 2006. A total of 38 cases of Burkitt's lymphoma were diagnosed during the study period. This series includes 24 children (63.2%) under the age of 15 years in whom diagnosis of previously untreated maxillofacial Burkitt's lymphoma was confirmed by cytology. All patients were treated using the GFA 2005 protocol for Burkitt's lymphoma. There were 17 boys and 7 girls (sex ratio of 2.4). In all cases the disease was advanced, i.e. stage III in 87.5% and stage IV in 12.5%. Following three cycles of Endoxan in association with 3 injections of metothrexate and hydrocortisone, complete remission was observed in 37.5% and 16.6% were lost from follow-up. Treatment complications after 6 cycles included hematologic toxicity in 71.5% and alopecia in 100%. Most patients (70.8%.) presented no infectious episode. Follow-up examination at one year showed that 29.2% of patients remained in complete remission. Despite limited resources for treatment and surveillance, the survival rate in our series of patients treated for advanced stage Burkitt's lymphoma was about 30%. It is likely that a strategy based on an information campaign to enhance the awareness and knowledge of parents, training of medical and paramedical staff, and improvement of management facilities could further reduce mortality due to Burkitt's lymphoma in Malian children.

The aim of this work was to study morbidity and mortality before implementing the setting up of the pediatric service of Bamako. Involved in the study were all the children hospitalized during 12 months that is a total of 2000 cases among which 57.3% boys and 42.8% girls. Our study indicated that only 25% of children (509/2000) were referred. The most encountered pathologies were : malaria 898 (44.9%), ARI 528 (26.4%), diarrhea 224 (11.2%), malnutrition 269 (13.4%) and anemia 239 (11.9%). Mortality rate in hospital was 7.1 % and the main causes of deaths were : malaria (23.9% of death cases), diarrhea (20.4%) and malnutrition (31.7%). Thus we have recorded 8.3% of deaths for a period of resort beyond 3 days, compare to 3.3 % for a resort of less than 24 hours. (x² = 8.10, p= 0.017 ). The pediatric service operated as a center for first contact. In the framework of the establishment of this project, organizational efforts should allow to receive only referred cases.

We undertook a study amongst adolescents from Mabile High School in Bamako, Mali. The goal of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of high school students around STI/AIDS and family planning. It was a transversal study using a stratified sampling method. A total of 322 students between ten and 19 years of age were included in the study (191 boys, 131 girls) This study demonstrates that high school students do not often family planning services (only 13.4% of those who knew of the existence of such used them). The method of contraception most often used is still the condom (92.5%). HIV is the most well know STI (97.5%) followed by gonorrhea (45%). An absence of communication between adolescents and their parents around family planning and STI/AIDS was apparent in that information was most often received on these topics through the media (96.3% for family planning, 97.5% for AIDS) followed by friends (72.4% for family planning and 81.7% for AIDS). 59.3% of the students are sexually active. Of sexually active students, 41.3% have had sexual relations with a casual partner and 75.9% with at last two partners. Given their high number of partners and a lack of systematic condom usage, it is apparent that sexually active high school students practice high risk sexual behaviors. It is therefore crucial to develop methods to lead to an improvement in behaviors amongst adolescents.

This study sought to estimate the frequency of ocular complications in malaria and its prognostic value in Mali. A total of 140 children (aged 6 months to 9 years) with severe malaria (105 with cerebral malaria, 35 without neurological complications) were compared with 34 children with mild malaria and 82 children with nonmalarial fever. Ocular lesions were rare in the mild malaria group (5.8%). Retinal hemorrhages occurred in 11.8% of the children in the severe noncerebral malaria group. Cerebral malaria was associated with retinal hemorrhages (22.9%) and retinal edema (10.5%). No association was found between ocular signs such as retinal hemorrhages or retinal edema and mortality. Exudates, papilledema, and the presence of cottonwool spots were associated with an increased risk of death. Coma score and convulsions were significantly associated with death but not with ocular signs. The presence of retinal signs in a child in a malaria-endemic area may signal a case of severe malaria.

A new case of benign hypertrophic gastritis associated with cytomegalovirus infection in a 7 year-old boy is reported. The main symptoms were complete digestive intolerance and protein loss, resulting in major hypoalbuminemia and anasarca. The alpha-1-antitrypsin clearance was very increased. Diagnosis was established by upper gastrointestinal x-rays which displayed important thickening of the gastric rugae, and by endoscopic examination with biopsy. A cytomegalovirus infection attested by seroconversion and viruria probably played a role in its origin. Symptomatic treatment and albumin infusions led to recovery within one month. In the last 25 years, 31 cases of benign hypertrophic gastritis have been reported. Vomiting is the main symptom with abdominal pain and G-I bleeding. The protein loss is constant, often severe. In most cases, the disease recedes within a few weeks, unlike the adults' Ménétrier disease which proves to be chronic and severe. The cause remains unknown. In 11 cases, a cytomegalovirus infection was reported and, so, is probably not fortuitous.