Poor outcomes among critically ill HIV-positive patients at hospital discharge and post-discharge in Guinea, Conakry: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Optimal management of critically ill HIV-positive patients during hospitalization and after discharge is not fully understood. This study describes patient characteristics and outcomes of critically ill HIV-positive patients hospitalized in Conakry, Guinea between August 2017 and April 2018 at discharge and 6 months post-discharge.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective observational cohort study using routine clinical data.

'When you welcome well, you vaccinate well': a qualitative study on improving vaccination coverage in urban settings in Conakry, Republic of Guinea.

Background: Recurrent measles outbreaks followed by mass vaccination campaigns (MVCs) occur in urban settings in sub-Saharan countries. An understanding of the reasons for this is needed to improve future vaccination strategies. The 2017 measles outbreak in Guinea provided an opportunity to qualitatively explore suboptimal vaccination coverage within an MVC among participants through their perceptions, experiences and challenges.

Emergency obstetric care in a rural district of Burundi: What are the surgical needs?

Objectives: In a rural district hospital in Burundi offering Emergency Obstetric care-(EmOC), we assessed the a) characteristics of women at risk of, or with an obstetric complication and their types b) the number and type of obstetric surgical procedures and anaesthesia performed c) human resource cadres who performed surgery and anaesthesia and d) hospital exit outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of EmOC data (2011 and 2012).

Results: A total of 6084 women were referred for EmOC of whom 2534(42%) underwent a major surgical procedure while 1345(22%) required a minor procedure (36% women did not require any surgical procedure).

How do low-birthweight neonates fare 2 years after discharge from a low-technology neonatal care unit in a rural district hospital in Burundi?

Objectives: As neonatal care is being scaled up in economically poor settings, there is a need to know more on post-hospital discharge and longer-term outcomes. Of particular interest are mortality, prevalence of developmental impairments and malnutrition, all known to be worse in low-birthweight neonates (LBW, <2500 g). Getting a better handle on these parameters might justify and guide support interventions.

Caesarean sections in rural Burundi: how well are mothers doing two years on?

Setting: A caesarean section (C-section) is a life-saving emergency intervention. Avoiding pregnancies for at least 24 months after a C-section is important to prevent uterine rupture and maternal death.

Objectives: Two years following an emergency C-section, in rural Burundi, we assessed complications and maternal death during the post-natal period, uptake and compliance with family planning, subsequent pregnancies and their maternal and neonatal outcomes.