[Practices of caregivers and national recommendations for treatment of malaria in Benin in 2009].

New treatments against malaria (artemisinin-based combination therapies, ACT) resulted in profound changes in the therapeutic behaviours in Africa. This study aims to evaluate the practices adaptation to the new strategies in Benin in 2009. In three southern areas of the country, 14 private pharmacies, 10 public health centers and 10 private health centers were audited.

[Assessment of the quality of response to the 2008 cholera outbreak in Contonou (Benin)].

To assess the quality of the response to the 2008 outbreak of cholera in Cotonou (Benin), this retrospective study focused on the health professionals managing the response, community leaders, cases of cholera found in homes and health service documents. The terms of reference used for the purposes of this assessment included the WHO recommendations and the rules set out in the national plan for the fight against epidemics. The resources and method used in this study complied with the norms specified in the plan, as did the epidemiologic follow-up.

[Weather and cholera: epidemic in Douala, Cameroon in 2004].

A cholera epidemic was recorded in Douala, Cameroon in 1971. Another 8-month outbreak occurred in January 2004 and spread in rapid succession to all health districts in Douala. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between meteorology and cholera incidence and preventive action in the health districts.

[Paederus dermatitis: A retrospective study of 74 cases occurring in 2008 in Guinea-Conakry].

Background: Paederus dermatitis is an unusual form of contact dermatitis caused by pederine, a secretion of insects belonging to the genus Paederus. These insects are found worldwide, although the concentration is higher in tropical and subtropical areas. Diagnosis is based on the presence of typical clinical features (erythematobullous lesions of sudden onset with a stinging, burning sensation on exposed areas of the body) combined with a compatible epidemiological context.

[Human African trypanosomiasis in mangrove epidemiologic area. Presentation, diagnosis and treatment in Guinea, 2005-2007].

Unlabelled: Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis is still assumed to be endemic in many part of West Africa, particularly in Guinea coastal area with mangrove swamp. Diagnosis is usually made during active medical screening or by passive initiative.

Objectives: To describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis in the coastal area of Guinea.