Time for African youth in science.

Africa is a continent with impressive human and natural resources. Astonishingly, its contribution to the current science is very limited. Here, after addressing impeding issues in research in Africa, we highlight some facts that will certainly encourage youth to engage in science and innovation.

Syphilis and HIV infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Republic of Congo.

Introduction: HIV and syphilis during pregnancy remain a public health concern especially in developing countries. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics sites for the first time between September and December 2011 and who accepted to participate in the study were enrolled. The objective was to estimate the syphilis and HIV infection rate in this population.

A study on HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C virus infections among female sex workers in the Republic of Congo.

Background: Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are considered to be at high risk for transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and are defined as a priority of the national HIV/AIDS response in the Republic of Congo (RoC). However, no data are available regarding STIs in this group. This study aimed to determine the prevalences of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C among FSWs in five cities in the country.

Plasmodium falciparum infection in febrile Congolese children: prevalence of clinical malaria 10 years after introduction of artemisinin-combination therapies.

Objectives: To investigate the proportion of malaria infection in febrile children consulting a paediatric hospital in Brazzaville, to determine the prevalence of submicroscopic malaria infection, to characterise Plasmodium falciparum infection and compare the prevalence of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria according to haemoglobin profiles.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from children aged <10 years with an axillary temperature ≥37.