Leveraging human resources for outbreak analysis: lessons from an international collaboration to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response.

Emerging infectious diseases are a growing threat in sub-Saharan African countries, but the human and technical capacity to quickly respond to outbreaks remains limited. Here, we describe the experience and lessons learned from a joint project with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response.In June 2020, WHO AFRO contracted a number of consultants to reinforce the COVID-19 response in member states by providing actionable epidemiological analysis.

[Oral hygiene of the military of the elite units of the defense and security forces of Mali].

Introduction: Oral hygiene represents all the measures taken to keep the oral cavity clean and healthy by keeping the dental surfaces free of plaque and tartar. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene of elite units of the defense and security forces of Mali.

Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place from September 01, 2020 to August 30, 2021 in the odontology department of Bamako Military Hospital.

Dying in honour: experiences of end-of-life palliative care during the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

With no cure and a high mortality rate, Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks require preparedness for the provision of end-of-life palliative care. This qualitative study is part of a larger project on palliative care in humanitarian contexts. Its goal was to document and deepen understanding of experiences and expectations related to end-of-life palliative care for patients infected with Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West African Ebola treatment centres (ETCs) during the 2013-2016 epidemic.

Evaluation of Senegal's prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program data for HIV surveillance.

Background: With the expansion of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services in Senegal, there is growing interest in using PMTCT program data in lieu of conducting unlinked anonymous testing (UAT)-based ANC Sentinel Surveillance. For this reason, an evaluation was conducted in 2011-2012 to identify the gaps that need to be addressed while transitioning to using PMTCT program data for surveillance.

Methods: We conducted analyses to assess HIV prevalence rates and agreements between Sentinel Surveillance and PMTCT HIV test results.

Estimating the contribution of key populations towards the spread of HIV in Dakar, Senegal.

Introduction: Key populations including female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. However, the role of focusing prevention efforts on these groups for reducing a country's HIV epidemic is debated. We estimate the extent to which HIV transmission among FSW and MSM contributes to overall HIV transmission in Dakar, Senegal, using a dynamic assessment of the population attributable fraction (PAF).

Profile of chronic and aggressive periodontitis among Senegalese.

Purpose: To describe the profile of chronic and aggressive periodontitis among Senegalese (West Africans) attending the Institute of Dentistry of Dakar.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with an inclusion period running from 2001 to 2008. The sample included 413 chronic periodontitis and 151 aggressive periodontitis cases, among them 299 males and 265 females selected from 2,274 records.

[Prevalence of halitosis in patients with dental prostheses in Senegal].

Introduction: Bad breath is a disease affecting 25% of the world's population. Despite the widespread nature of this problem, people's knowledge about this condition is poor.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of halitosis in a cohort of 62 Senegalese subjects with dental prostheses.

[Comparative study of two anti-antiretroviral protocols used for treatment of a cohort of HIV 1-positive patients followed at the Institute of Public Health and Hygiene in Dakar, Senegal].

In the last ten years, the discovery of several antiretroviral drugs has greatly contributed to improving the survival and quality of life of HIV-infected persons. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of two anti-retroviral combinations, i.e.

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori detected by real-time PCR in the subgingival plaque of patients with chronic periodontitis].

Background: Helicobacter pylori plays a significant role in gastric disease. The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) in the sub-gingival plaque of chronic periodontitis patients and to determine periodontopathogens profile of positive sites at H.

[Prosthetic rehabilitation: needs in Senegalese dental offices].

Knowledge of dental prosthetic needs will develop strategies for prevention and treatment through a package of individual, community and professional policies. The aim of this study was to evaluate prosthetic needs in Senegalese dental offices. The survey was conducted among people aged 15 years and more attending Senegalese dental clinics.

[Conditions of dental extractions in areas health centers of Senegal].

Dental extraction is a surgical act frequently carried out in the African dental structures. It requires the rigorous respect of the conditions of asepsis and antisepsis. Equipments and anaesthetic and avulsional products must be also sufficient.

[Periodontal status of Senegalese patients with Sjögren's syndrome. A case control study at the Service of Internal Medicine].

The aim of this study is to compare the periodontal status of patients with Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome (GSS) to healthy subjects in order to investigate the relation between periodontal disease and GSS. To achieve this aim, one hundred and three patients, among whom 36 with primary GSS and 67 with secondary GSS, were selected and compared with one hundred and three (103) control subjects. The hygiene level was evaluated with Silness and Löe plaque index (PI) and inflammation level with Löe and Silness gingival index (GI).

Concentrated and linked epidemics of both HSV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 infections in Senegal: public health impacts of the spread of HIV.

The objective of this article is to report seroprevalences on HIV and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) in female sex workers (FSW) and in two sentinel populations of pregnant women living in Senegal. Serosurveys of HIV and HSV-2 were conducted in two unselected sentinel populations from Dakar, Senegal, and its provinces, including in 2003 only pregnant women and 2006 pregnant women and FSW. The population study involved 888 pregnant women and 604 FSW.

[Relationships between masticatory performance and nutritional state in complete denture wearers].

Unlabelled: For many authors masticatory dysfunctions are related to reduction in dietary intake with malnutrition as a possible consequence. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the relationships between masticatory performance and nutritional state in complete denture wearers.

Method: Masticatory performance was assessed using a granulometric method in 74 subjects divided into 2 subgroups according to their dental status (normal dentition and complete dental wearers).

[Periodontal status in a sample of Senegalese women using hormonal contraception].

Hormonal contraception is based on the use of synthetic hormones containing variable doses of oestrogen and progesterone making it possible to avoid pregnancy in a temporary and reversible way. The objective of this study is to evaluate the periodontal status of a sample of Senegalese women under hormonal contraceptive. One hundred women using contraception since at least 6 month were paired on the age, the socio-economic profile and oral hygiene with a control group.

[Gingival hypertrophy during orthodontic treatment: contribution of external bevel gingivectomy. Case report].

Gingival enlargement is a condition that commonly develops during orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic appliances are irritation and retention plaque factors holding up oral hygiene and control of gingival inflammation. Two cases of gingival hypertrophy in young Senegalese females undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances are described and treated by gingivectomy.

[Study of the characteristics of the food bolus in elderly subjects with complete dentures].

Many studies have shown that wearing of complete dentures impairs masticatory function. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of complete denture wearing and ageing on masticatory performance. Masticatory performance was assessed by a granulometric method on 110 subjects divided into 3 groups according to dental state and age.

[Treatment of localized gingival hypertrophy induced by orthodontic appliances using modified Widman flap. A case report].

Gingival enlargement is a condition that commonly develops during orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic appliances are irritation and retention plaque factors holding up oral hygiene and control of gingival inflammation. This case-report shows localized gingival hypertrophy in young Senegalese female undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

[Periodontal conditions in young sickle cell anemia Senegalese patients].

Introduction: The oral cavity holds a complex microbial flora including periodontal pathogens. The infectious complications are common in sickle cell anaemia, which reaches 1% of the population in Senegal. The objective of this study is to assess periodontal conditions in young Senegalese sickle cell anaemics.

[Study of mastication in denture wearers among various ages].

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that it was possible for subjects with masticatory deficiency chewing achieve a satisfactory level of fragmentation of food by acting on some physiological parameters as the number of cycles and the time devoted to a sequence of mastication.

Method: The objective of this work is to study the effects of the wearing of complete prostheses, of ageing on the physiological parameters from the chewing on a population of 110 subjects.

Results: The results show an important effect of the dental status.

Households that harbour zero-dose children after door-to-door national immunization campaigns.

Data from two consecutive rounds of national immunization days were analysed to identify households that harboured zero-dose children after door-to-door immunization campaigns, and to highlight settings and features associated with these households in Chad. The proportion of households harbouring zero-dose children were higher among rural than among urban dwellers and were prevalent among parents who did not know the benefit of polio immunization. These results show the need for more attention to be given to rural dwellers and parent awareness of the benefit of polio immunization.

[Influence of orthodontic anomalies on periodontal condition].

Introduction: Three main reasons are routinely cited to justify the provision of orthodontic treatment: improvement of facial and dental aesthetics and of dental health and function. However, association between malocclusions and periodontal condition is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the correlation between certain orthodontic anomalies and periodontal condition.

[Evaluation of gingival condition in homozygous children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia in Senegal].

Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disorder of haemoglobin synthesis leading to haemolytic anaemia. It touches more than 50 million people in the world and 10% of the population in Senegal. Only the homozygous form is symptomatic and appears by painful crises of vaso-occlusive type.

[Periodontal status and diabetes: evaluation of 80 patients with diabetes mellitus in Conakry Teaching Hospital].

Introduction: Dental and periodontal diseases are frequent in diabetics. Few studies were carried out on oral pathologies of the diabetics in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess periodontal conditions in a population of diabetics followed in a hospital environment by comparing them with non diabetics.