Vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19: A test negative case-control study in Tunisia, August 2021.

Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple vaccines to protect against COVID-19 disease have been developed rapidly. Precise estimates of vaccine effectiveness (VE) vary according to studies design, outcomes measured and circulating variants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-covid-19 vaccine effectiveness in Tunisia.

The value of West Nile virus RNA detection by real-time RT-PCR in urine samples from patients with neuroinvasive forms.

Introduction: Routine laboratory screening is based on the detection of WNV specific IgM and IgG in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Confirmation is then classically applied by real time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) in Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which often gives negative results due to too short virorachia and late sampling. rRT-PCR was applied-for the first time for routine diagnosis purpose-on urine samples.

Identification of transmission chains and clusters associated with COVID-19 in Tunisia.

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize the transmission chains and clusters of COVID-19 infection in Tunisia.

Methods: All cases were confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction of a nasopharyngeal specimen. Contact tracing is undertaken for all confirmed cases in order to identify close contacts that will be systematically screened and quarantined.

Characteristics and prognostic factors of COVID-19 among infected cases: a nationwide Tunisian analysis.

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to constitute an international public health concern. Few data are available on the duration and prognostic factors of the disease. We aimed to study the recovery time among a Tunisian cohort of COVID-19 confirmed patients and identify the prognostic factors.

Estimating transmission dynamics and serial interval of the first wave of COVID-19 infections under different control measures: a statistical analysis in Tunisia from February 29 to May 5, 2020.

Background: Describing transmission dynamics of the outbreak and impact of intervention measures are critical to planning responses to future outbreaks and providing timely information to guide policy makers decision. We estimate serial interval (SI) and temporal reproduction number (R) of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia.

Methods: We collected data of investigations and contact tracing between March 1, 2020 and May 5, 2020 as well as illness onset data during the period February 29-May 5, 2020 from National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases of Tunisia.

Genetic characterization of West Nile Virus strains during neuroinvasives infection outbreak in Tunisia, 2018.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquito bite involving birds as reservoirs, humans and equines as accidental hosts. Eight distinct lineages (WNV-1 to WNV-8) have been identified: WNV-1 and WNV-2 infect humans and animals, and WNV-3 to WNV-8 have been identified only in vectors. WNV has been implicated in neuroinvasives infections, especially meningitis and encephalitis.

Applying the moving epidemic method to determine influenza epidemic and intensity thresholds using influenza-like illness surveillance data 2009-2018 in Tunisia.

Background: Defining the start and assessing the intensity of influenza seasons are essential to ensure timely preventive and control measures and to contribute to the pandemic preparedness. The present study aimed to determine the epidemic and intensity thresholds of influenza season in Tunisia using the moving epidemic method.

Methods: We applied the moving epidemic method (MEM) using the R Language implementation (package "mem").

Epidemiological and clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Tunisian cohort.

To describe the phenotypic heterogeneity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Tunisian patients, and to define the sociodemographic features, treatments, and survival rate with ALS. The study included 210 patients with ALS diagnosed between 2003 and 2019 in The Neurology department, Razi Hospital Tunisia. ALS patients were phenotyped and followed until their death.

Contribution of verbal autopsy in the study of cancer mortality among reproductive-age women in Tunisia.

Background In Tunisia, the information system on medical causes of death  is based on the use of standard death certificate model based on international model recommended by the World Organization started in January 2001. However, this system is still burdened with a major death causes of under-registration. Only specific surveys on mortality have FAR generate reliable mortality indicators.

Prevalence, Genotype Distribution and Risk Factors for Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection in the Grand Tunis Region, Tunisia.

Implementation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination should be considered a key cervical cancer prevention strategy in Tunisia, where Pap smear screening is not efficient. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and to identify risk factors associated with HPV infection among women from Grand Tunis, Tunisia. We conducted a cross-sectional study, between December 2012 and May 2013.

[National survey of maternal mortality of 2010 : data of Tunisia].

Background: Tunisia has investigated maternal mortality in 2010 to determine maternal mortality ratio (MMR) nationally and regionally, in addition to the indentifying main causes of this mortality.

Objectives: Describe methodology of this study and its principal findings in the region of Tunis and discuss the national maternal mortality strategy.

Methodology: This is a Ramos study (Reproductive Ag Mortality Studies) that consists on identifying maternal deaths from reproductive age group (RAG) women deaths.

Abdominal vs. overall obesity among women in a nutrition transition context: geographic and socio-economic patterns of abdominal-only obesity in Tunisia.

Background: Most assessments of the burden of obesity in nutrition transition contexts rely on body mass index (BMI) only, even though abdominal adiposity might be specifically predictive of adverse health outcomes. In Tunisia, a typical country of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where the burden of obesity is especially high among women, we compared female abdominal vs. overall obesity and its geographic and socio-economic cofactors, both at population and within-subject levels.

Prevalence of diabetes in Northern African countries: the case of Tunisia.

Background: Although diabetes is recognized as an emerging disease in African and Middle East, few population-based surveys have been conducted in this region. We performed a national survey to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to evaluate the relationship between this diagnosis, demographic and socioeconomic variables.

Methods: The study was conducted on a random sample of 6580 households (940 in each region).

Obesity and association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic factors in Algerian and Tunisian adults.

Introduction: The epidemiological transition has resulted in a major increase in the prevalence of obesity in North Africa. This study investigated differences in obesity and its association with area of residence, gender and socio-economic position among adults in Algeria and Tunisia, two countries with socio-economic and socio-cultural similarities.

Methods: Cross-sectional studies used stratified, three-level, clustered samples of 35-70 year old adults in Algeria, (women n = 2741, men n = 2004) and Tunisia (women n = 2964, men n = 2379).

Gender obesity inequities are huge but differ greatly according to environment and socio-economics in a North African setting: a national cross-sectional study in Tunisia.

Introduction: Southern Mediterranean countries have experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of obesity whose consequences for gender related health inequities have been little studied. We assessed gender obesity inequalities and their environmental and socio-economic modifiers among Tunisian adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey in 2005; national, 3 level random cluster sample of 35-70 years Tunisians (women: n = 2964, men: n = 2379).

Prevalence and determinants of the metabolic syndrome among Tunisian adults: results of the Transition and Health Impact in North Africa (TAHINA) project.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components and to evaluate the relationship between this diagnosis and cardiovascular risk factors, demographic and socio-economic variables.

Design: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire including information on sociodemographic and CVD risk factors. Blood pressure, anthropometric indices, fasting glucose and lipid profile were measured.

Relationship of C-reactive protein with components of the metabolic syndrome in a Tunisian population.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor of diabetes and cardiovascular disease and it is proposed as a component of metabolic syndrome (MS). This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between CRP and various characteristics of the MS in a sample of the Tunisian population

Methods: One hundred and forty nine patients with MS and 152 controls, aged 35-70 years were recruited. Waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin and CRP were measured.

Hypertension among Tunisian adults: results of the TAHINA project.

We performed a national survey to determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension, one of the main cardiovascular risk factors, among the adult population in Tunisia. A total of 8007 adults aged 35-70 years were included in the study. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken by physicians with a mercury sphygmomanometer, and standard interviewing procedures were used to record medical history, socio-demographic and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

The Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A 1 ratio in relation to metabolic syndrome and its components in a sample of the Tunisian population.

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A 1 (ApoB/ApoA 1) ratio and various characteristics of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of the Tunisian population.

Methods: The study included 330 adults aged 35-74 (172 patients with MetS and 158 controls). Waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured.

Association between C-reactive protein and type 2 diabetes in a Tunisian population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of CRP levels with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its related variables in a sample of the Tunisian population. Our sample included 129 patients with T2D and 187 control subjects. Body mass index (BMI), plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, and CRP concentrations were measured for each participant.

[Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control: results from a community based survey].

The study objective was to assess the prevalence, level of awareness of treatment, and control of hypertension in a general population. We conducted a cross-sectional survey on 1837 adults 40-69 years old. Hypertension and control level are defined according to the WHO/ISH recommendations.

[Delays in acute myocardial infarction treatment: results of a multicenter study in the district of Tunis (Tunisia)].

Objective: We aimed to assess the acute myocardial infarction management in Tunis public hospitals during one year (from March 2000 to February 2001).

Method: A standard questionnaire was designed to record prospective data on 740 patients with a follow up during 28 days. Multivariate analysis was performed using the logistic regression model with all-factors as well as age, gender, CHD risk factors as predictors of the delay and fatality.

[Population surveillance of coronary heart disease].

Objective: A cross-sectional population survey was carried out in the Ariana region in 2000-01. The aim of this study is to report the prevalence of CHD as indicated by ECG Minnesota coding.

Method: A randomly selected sample included 1837 adults 40-70 years.

[Cardiovascular disease surveillance in Tunisia].

Objective: To assess the Cardiovascular risk factors trend in community based surveys.

Method: Two population surveys were conducted in 1996-97 and 2000-01 in the Ariana region among 7608 adults 35-70 years aged. The surveys were based on: 1--a questionnary, 2--an anthropometrical and physical examination, 3--a biological investigation, and 4--an ECG registration for the second cohort.