Factors associated with death in patients admitted with Ebola virus disease to Ebola Treatment Units in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia - December 2013 to March 2016.

Background: The 2013-2016 West African Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak resulted in 28,600 cases and 11,300 deaths officially reported to the World Health Organization. Previous studies investigating factors associated with death had conflicting findings, interventions showing promising outcomes had small sample sizes, studies were often single- or dual-country based and most focused on laboratory-confirmed EVD and not on clinically-suspected EVD. We used the Ebola data platform of the Infectious Disease Data Observatory (IDDO) to review individual patient records to assess factors associated with death, and particularly whether there were differences between laboratory-confirmed and clinically-suspected cases.

Arbovirus Epidemics as Global Health Imperative, Africa, 2023.

Arboviruses represent a major cause of illness in Africa and have the potential to trigger widespread epidemics. We present data on arbovirus epidemics in Africa in 2023 and demonstrate the need for global public health authorities to intensify efforts in the surveillance and control of arbovirus diseases. Data were collected from the World Health Organization Weekly Bulletin on Outbreaks and Other Emergencies, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weekly Event Based Surveillance Report, and other online sources.

Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal sepsis in Mali: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to selected health facilities in the Bamako district and Koulikoro region in Mali.

Design: This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Data were analyses using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Trend and Factors Associated with Medical-Surgical Complications in Patients Discharged from Leprosy Multidrug Therapy at the Specialized Regional Hospital in Macenta, Guinea, from 2012 to 2021.

This study analyzed the trend and factors associated with medical-surgical complications in patients discharged from leprosy multidrug therapy at the Centre Hospitalier Régional Spécialisé (CHRS), in Macenta, Republic of Guinea. This was a retro 2012 ( = 54) and 2013 ( = 35) and then a slight decrease between 2014 ( = 34) and 2017 ( = 26). From 2019 ( = 18) to 2021 ( = 1), a significant d spective study using routine secondary data from 2012 to 2021.

Factors Associated with the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Primary Healthcare Workers Regarding Neglected Tropical Diseases with Skin Manifestations in the Dakar Region, Senegal, 2022.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with skin manifestations present a significant health and societal problems challenge worldwide. This study aimed to analyzed factors associated with the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of primary healthcare workers (HCW) concerning NTDs with skin manifestations in the Dakar region of Senegal. We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire which was administered to eligible HCW (general practitioners, nurses and midwives) working at the 24 health centers located in the Dakar region.

Experience of Health System Personnel in the Implementation of Mass Distribution Campaigns for the Control of Lymphatic Filariasis in Rural Guinea in 2022.

This study documents the experiences of health system personnel in the implementation of mass distribution campaigns for the control of lymphatic filariasis in rural Guinea. This was an exploratory qualitative study using data collected from implementing actors of mass distribution campaigns in the Boké health district. The results showed four main facilitators of mass distribution campaign rollout in the Boké health district: (i) support to the district teams in the organization of the campaigns; (ii) involvement of community-based associations in social mobilization; (iii) strong adherence of the communities to the different mass distribution campaigns, facilitated through the involvement of community relays, who are members of these communities, in the distribution of drugs; and (iv) transparency in the allocation of incentives to drug dispensers and supervisors.

Insights into perceptions, responses, and challenges experienced by women and girls' survivors of sexual violence and their communities in rural Guinea, 2020.

Introduction: Gender-based violence (GBV), particularly sexual violence, is a significant global public health issue with severe physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors and their communities, especially among women and girls. In Guinea, limited data exist on the frequency and management of sexual violence in rural areas. This study aimed to analyze the perceptions, responses, and challenges faced by women and girls' survivors of sexual violence and their communities in two rural districts of Guinea in 2020.

Frequency and Factors Associated with Disabilities among Leprosy Patients Admitted to the Kindia Disability Prevention and Physical Rehabilitation Centre (Pirp) in Guinea from 2017 to 2021.

This study aims to estimate the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with leprosy-related disabilities at the Kindia Disability Prevention and Physical Rehabilitation Centre (PIRP) in Guinea. It is a cross-sectional study using routine data from the centre from 2017 to 2021. Of 115 patients, 76% had a disability, 49% of which were grade II and 27% grade I.

Responding to fluctuations in public and community trust and health seeking behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study of national decision-makers' perspectives in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Background: The level of trust in health systems is often in flux during public health emergencies and presents challenges in providing adequate health services and preventing the spread of disease. Experiences during previous epidemics has shown that lack of trust can impact the continuity of essential health services and response efforts. Guinea and Sierra Leone were greatly challenged by a lack of trust in the system during the Ebola epidemic.

Length-of-stay and factors associated with early discharge after birth in health facilities in Guinea by mode of birth: Secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey 2018.

The immediate postpartum period (first 24 hours after birth) represents a critical time for women and newborns. Postnatal length-of-stay varies globally; in Guinea, a 24-hour facility stay following childbirth is recommended, with an emphasis on providing frequent monitoring of mother and newborn for the first 6 hours. This study describes postpartum length-of-stay following facility-based births in Guinea, and investigates factors associated with early discharge.

State of the maternal healthcare continuum in Guinea, awaiting the next Demographic and Health Survey: the case of the five communes of Conakry in 2022.

Background: The continuum of maternal health care ensures consistency in the delivery of care from pregnancy to the postnatal period. It recommends a minimum of 4 antenatal visits, skilled birth attendance, and 42 days of postnatal care. This approach helps reduce maternal deaths.

Analysis of care-seeking pathways and factors influencing early and appropriate care-seeking for malaria patients in the Republic of Guinea: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Malaria is a major public health issue in Guinea and care-seeking behaviour is dominated by self-medication and delayed access to appropriate care. However early and appropriate care-seeking are essential to control and reduce complicate forms and mortality, particularly for the most vulnerable. This study was conducted to analyse the diagnostic pathway, and the factors associated with early and appropriate care-seeking for malaria patients in the Republic of Guinea.

Is MIStreatment of women during facility-based childbirth an independent risk factor for POstpartum Depression in Ethiopia and Guinea? A mixed methods prospective study protocol-MISPOD study.

Background: Worldwide, 10% of postpartum women experience postpartum depression, which can lead to diverse sequalae at individual, family, and societal levels. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 17% of women experience depression in the postpartum period, which could be an underestimate as 48% of women in the region do not receive postnatal care (81% in Ethiopia and 51% in Guinea) and a large share of postpartum depression remains undiagnosed and untreated as a result. Globally, despite a critical evidence gap, there are growing reports of postpartum depression among women mistreated (disrespected and abused) during childbirth in health facilities, making a strong case to examine the association between mistreatment and postpartum depression.

Optimization of the vertical transmission prevention program in Guinea: impact of the improvement plan on performance indicators at large-cohort sites.

Introduction: Vertical transmission of HIV remains a major challenge in Guinea, especially, in low-resource rural areas. This paper presents the results of a pilot project designed to enhance the prevention of vertical transmission through a comprehensive improvement plan implemented across 66 large-cohort sites.

Methods: Data from 66 large-cohort of mother to child transmission prevention (PMTCT) sites from 2019 to 2022 were analysed to compare PMTCT metrics before (2019-2020) and after (2021-2022) the improvement initiative.

Mixed influence of COVID-19 on primary maternal and child health services in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected the provision of and demand for routine health services in the world. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary maternal and child health (MCH) services in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: The studies searched original studies reporting on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary MCH services.

Exploring experiences of HIV care to optimize patient-centred care in Conakry, Guinea: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Studies on the organisation of care and the power dynamic between providers and patients with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are rare. This study aims to describe the patient-provider relationship and explore the challenges to optimal and patient-centred care for HIV patients.

Methods: This was a qualitative exploratory descriptive study using in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions.

[The factors associated with contraceptive use among young female students in rural Guinea].

Introduction: The low use of modern contraceptive methods by young girls is a real public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among young female students living in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors associated with contraceptive use among young female students in rural Guinea.

Method: This was an analytical cross-sectional study including 607 students from 10 secondary schools in the rural district of Kankan, Guinea.

Perspectives and experiences of healthcare providers on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in three maternal and neonatal referral hospitals in Guinea in 2020: a qualitative study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected access to essential healthcare services. This study aimed to explore healthcare providers' perceptions and experiences of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in three referral maternal and neonatal hospitals in Guinea.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal qualitative study between June and December 2020 in two maternities and one neonatology referral ward in Conakry and Mamou.