Sexuality and pregnancy: Beliefs and dysfunctions in pregnant women.

Aims: Pregnancy brings out significant physiological, psychological, and sexual changes that may lead to sexual dysfunction. Our study aimed to explore common beliefs about sexuality during pregnancy among pregnant women and to assess sexual dysfunction in this population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between March and August 2022, involving pregnant women regardless of their pregnancy term.

[Socio-demographic and clinical profile of a population of patients coming for consultation to the psychiatric department of a general hospital in southern Tunisia].

Introduction: mental disorders are a very common health condition and a major public health issue. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients coming for consultation to the psychiatric department of the Regional Hospital of Gabes, and to identify risk factors for the main mental disorders.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study, including all patients consulting the psychiatry department of Gabes for the first time between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2013.

Tuberculosis in elderly: Epidemiological profile, prognosis factors and chronological trends in Southern Tunisia, 1995-2016.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has become a public health problem among elderly in developing countries with the gradual increase in life expectancy.

Aim/objective: This study aimed to analyze the prognosis factors and chronological trends of TB in elderly in Southern Tunisia.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted.

[Knowledge, attitudes and practices of front-line physicians in smoking cessation assistance in Sfax, Tunisia, in 2020].

Introduction: first-line physicians should play a key role in tobacco control. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes of front-line physicians as well as their practices for smoking cessation, assess their smoking status and determine the barriers to smoking cessation support.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of front-line physicians practising in the governorate of Sfax in November 2020.

Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia.

Introduction: During an epidemic, screening processes can play a crucial role in limiting the spread of the infection. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 suspected cases and to evaluate the performance of the triage process in predicting COVID-19 in Southern Tunisia.

Methods: It was a prospective study including all patients consulting to the Hedi Chaker University Hospital departments from March to June 2020.

Impact of a training intervention on knowledge and practices of health-care workers about reprocessing reusable medical devices in a South-Tunisian University Hospital.

Introduction: Reprocessing of reusable medical devices (RMD) play an important role in the prevention of health-care associated infections. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of a training program intervention on health-care workers' (HCWs) knowledge and hospital practices about the reprocessing of RMD as a main strategic axis of infection control.

Method: We led a pre-post quasi-experimental study to evaluate knowledge of HCWs and to assess hospital practices in reprocessing RMD before and after a training intervention from May to November 2020 in Hedi Chaker University Hospital.

Effectiveness of a Training Intervention about Healthcare Waste Management on the Knowledge and Practical Skills of Healthcare Professionals in a Teaching Hospital of Southern Tunisia.

This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of a training program on knowledge and practical skills of healthcare professionals(HCPs) regarding healthcare waste(HCW) management in a Teaching Hospital in Southern Tunisia.The total mean knowledge score(KS) and practice score(PS) increased significantly on post training test as opposed to pre-training test with mean changes of 17.9 ± 10.

Prevalence, chronological trends and predictors of treatment outcomes among patients with tuberculosis in Southern Tunisia across two decades (1995-2016).

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease common worldwide. Influencing factors in TB outcomes include socio-demographics, as well as disease-related and treatment-related factors. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence trends of unsuccessful treatment outcomes in Southern Tunisia during 1995-2016 and to identify their risk factors.

Toll-like-Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Tunisian Endemic Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is considered to be caused by the combined effects of susceptibility genes and environmental triggers. The polymorphisms of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) genes have been associated with the risk of various autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association of -- and gene polymorphisms with Tunisian PF.

Chromosome 2q33genetic polymorphisms in Tunisian endemic pemphigus foliaceus.

Background: Several studies have suggested that polymorphisms within genes encoding T-lymphocyte immune regulating molecules: CD28, CTLA-4, and ICOS, may alter the signaling process and subsequently could be involved in susceptibility to a broad spectrum of autoimmune diseases.

Methods: This study aimed to replicate associations between common polymorphisms in the 2q33.2 cluster and susceptibility to pemphigus foliaceus (PF) in the Tunisian population.

The ongoing challenge of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Southern Tunisia: A review of a 22-year period.

Background: Despite the wide use of anti-tuberculosis drugs, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, combining clinical and epidemiological approach would be of a great benefit. Our study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical specificities of PTB and its recent chronological trends.

Is there gender inequality in the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis?

Background: Worldwide, many more males than females were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) and died from it globally. In light of this, examining the gender differences among patients with TB is crucial to institute effective prevention, coverage and treatment.

Aim: To analyze gender differences in the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary specificities of TB in Southern Tunisia.

Involvement of the IL23/Th17 Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Tunisian Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a rare autoimmune skin disease caused by anti-Dsg1 pathogenic autoantibodies. It is considered as a Th2-mediated disease. Likewise, Th17 cells were recently described in the pathogenesis of the disease but their role is still unclear.

[Post-traumatic carotido-jugular fistula: Case report and review of the literature].

The neck, being not protected by skeleton, is vulnerable to external trauma and injury which can involve blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and trachea. Carotid injuries can be potentially life-threatening by hemorrhage and stroke. We present a case of a 26-year-old manual worker who presented a neck injury caused by a metallic projectile.

Pediatric respiratory tract diseases: Chronological trends and perspectives.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of childhood respiratory tract diseases (RTD) in the region of Sfax, Tunisia, and to evaluate their trends over a 13 year period.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all children hospitalized with RTD aged under 14 years. We collected data from the regional morbidity register of the university hospital of Sfax from 2003 to 2015.

Optimization of therapeutic drug monitoring of vancomycin in patients with chronic hemodialysis .

Purpose: To validate a simplified vancomycin monitoring algorithm in patients on chronic hemodialysis who required intravenous vancomycin for at least 3 weeks.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study, all hemodialysis patients who were admitted between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2015, in our unit for suspected or confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection that required vancomycin were enrolled. All patients were categorized into two groups.

The Increased Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Renal and Skin Lesions in Lupus Erythematosus.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), a bacterial lipopolysaccharide sensor, is an innate immunity essential modulator. It is expressed on both immune and non-immune cells and may contribute to the cutaneous and renal manifestations during lupus erythematosus (LE). Our purpose is to evaluate TLR-4 expression and analyzing its role in lupus nephritis (LN) and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) pathogenesis.

Role of FOXP3 gene polymorphism in the susceptibility to Tunisian endemic Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Objective: Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is an essential and crucial transcription factor of regulatory T-cells. Genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of FOXP3 gene may alter the gene expression level and, therefore, contribute to several autoimmune diseases susceptibility. We aimed to investigate the possible role of genetic variants of four SNPs (rs3761547, rs3761548, rs3761549 and rs2294021) and a (GT) microsatellite located in FOXP3 gene in the susceptibility to Tunisian Pemphigus Foliaceus (PF).

[Myoplasty by reversal of the pectoris major muscle in the treatment of mediastinitis. A case report and review of the literature].

Mediastinitis are among the most dreadful infectious complications following cardiac surgery. Their prognosis depends essentially on the precociousness of the diagnosis. In most of the cases, the medical treatment associated with an irrigation drainage is sufficient.

[Pituitary tuberculosis: a case report].

Through a case of sellar and suprasellar tuberculoma which presented with central diabetes insipidus, the authors report the frequency of pituitary tuberculoma, its physiopathology, clinical presentation hormonal and radiological findings thus management and evolution. A 42 years old woman, with a history of erythema nodosum, presented with polyuria polydipsia (PUPD), amenorrhea and galactorrhea. Endocrine investigations showed central diabetes insipidus, elevated serum prolactin levels and cortisol failure.

[Characterization of HIV-1 subtypes in Sfax, Tunisia].

Unlabelled: We studied HIV-1 subtypes in 20 patients, originating from Tunisia in 18 cases and Libya in 2 other cases and seen in Regional Hospital of Sfax during 1993-1997. Among the 18 tunisian patients, 14 are infected by subtype B. Nine of them are living in european countries and were probably infected by intravenous drug and/or sexual route.