Human genetics and genomics as a unifying factor for harmony and progress in Africa: a report from the 12 African Society of Human Genetics meeting in Bamako, Mali.

Since its inception in 2003, the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) has been central to the promotion of genetics research on the continent, and facilitated the networking of African researchers within Africa and abroad, thereby significantly contributing to the career development of African geneticists. The continuation of these accomplishments was stimulated by the 12 international conference of AfSHG held jointly with the 1 Congress of the Malian Society of Human Genetics (MSHG) in Bamako, Mali from September 18 to 21 2019. The main theme of the conference was "Human Genetics and Genomics as a Unifying Factor for Harmony and Progress in Africa".

Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Saharan Africa and western Europe: a retrospective, population-based, cross-sectional study.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a higher proportion of asymptomatic infections and lower mortality in sub-Saharan Africa than high-income countries. However, there is currently a lack of data on cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in people living in Africa compared with people in high-income regions of the world. We aimed to assess geographical variation in peripheral and mucosal immune responses.

PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION IN OUTPATIENT CONSULTATIONS IN A CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT IN WEST AFRICA IN DAKAR, SENEGAL ACCORDING TO "MY MEASURE MONTH".

Introduction: Hypertension is a significant public health concern globally, particularly in developing countries undergoing epidemiological transitions.

Objectives: This study, part of the "My Measure Month" program in collaboration with the French Society of Hypertension, aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and stress the importance of blood pressure measurement.

Methodology: This was an observational and cross-sectional study conducted over one month in the outpatient department of a center specialized in hypertension management.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY IN PATIENTS UNDER 60 YEARS IN A CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT: A STUDY OF 73 CASES IN DAKAR, SENEGAL.

Introduction: In-hospital mortality is a critical indicator of healthcare quality, although most hospital deaths result from unavoidable morbid processes.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine cardiovascular mortality in working-age patients by analysing epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical characteristics and identifying the key etiological factors associated with mortality.

Methodology: A descriptive and analytical retrospective study was conducted from September 2019 to August 2022 at the General Hospital Idrissa POUYE in Dakar.

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN DIABETIC AND NONDIABETIC CORONARY PATIENTS IN CARDIOVASCULAR REHABILITATION IN DAKAR, SENEGAL.

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation is crucial in managing coronary disease, particularly in type 2 diabetes, yet it remains almost non-existent in West Africa.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the profiles of diabetic and non-diabetic coronary patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation at the Principal Hospital of Dakar, Senegal.

Methodology: A comparative, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2022 involving two groups of coronary patients (diabetic and nondiabetic) at the rehabilitation centre.

MANAGEMENT DELAYS AND OUTCOMES IN ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (STEMI) IN THE COVID-19 ERA IN SENEGAL: INSIGHTS FROM A TERTIARY CENTER.

Background: Low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) face many challenges regarding the timely management of STEMI, and the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our already fragile health systems.

Objectives: To assess the delays in managing STEMI during COVID-19 and evaluate the 6-month mortality rates related to these delays.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted over two years at a tertiary center in Dakar, Senegal.

Two mosquito salivary antigens demonstrate promise as biomarkers of recent exposure to P. falciparum infected mosquito bites.

Background: Measuring malaria transmission intensity using the traditional entomological inoculation rate is difficult. Antibody responses to mosquito salivary proteins like SG6 have been used as biomarkers of exposure to Anopheles mosquito bites. Here, we investigate four mosquito salivary proteins as potential biomarkers of human exposure to mosquitoes infected with P.

Efficacy of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotics in improving growth in children under age five years in Africa: A protocol for a systematic review.

Stunting is among the main obstacles to human development affecting millions of children worldwide, particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Randomized clinical trials have shown the positive effects of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in improving growth in children and toddlers. However, although the global mobilization to tackle its challenges in their different aspects is visible, it remains to define effective large-scale up interventions and strategies to obtain long-lasting impacts.

Improved species assignments across the entire genus using targeted sequencing.

Accurate species identification of the mosquitoes in the genus is of crucial importance to implement malaria control measures and monitor their effectiveness. We use a previously developed amplicon panel (ANOSPP) that retrieves sequence data from multiple short nuclear loci for any species in the genus. Species assignment is based on comparison of samples to a reference index using -mer distance.

Scaling Up Departmental Health Insurance Units in Senegal: A Mixed-Method Study.

In response to the failure of community-based health insurance (CBHI) at the municipal level, some African countries are implementing district or departmental CBHIs to improve universal health coverage. After creating two CBHIs at the departmental level in 2014, Senegal launched a campaign to disseminate the model in 2022. This article presents the stakeholders' perspectives on the factors and challenges of scaling up CBHI departmentalization in Senegal.

Child marriages in Senegal: Qualitative study on the perceptions of adolescents in Kaolack and Gossas.

An estimated 650 million girls worldwide are married before their 18th birthday. The phenomenon is recurrent in sub-Saharan Africa with a prevalence of 18% and particularly in Senegal where one in three girls is married before the age of 18, i.e.

Assessment of the efficiency of the routine epidemiological surveillance system for malaria at the Tambacounda Health District, Senegal.

Introduction: as part of the fight against malaria, epidemiological surveillance (ES) is one of the key pillars of the global technical strategy 2016-2030 to combat this disease. However, in the south-east of Senegal, where malaria poses a major public health problem, epidemiological surveillance has until recently been very neglected. To help reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality in Senegal, an evaluation of the routine malaria ES system was conducted in the Tambacounda Health District in 2021.

Analysis of care for adolescent victims of gender-based violence in Senegal: a qualitative study.

In Senegal, many adolescent victims of gender-based violence (GBV) do not receive care. The aim of this study was to analyse the care circuit for adolescent victims of GBV, taking gender differences into account. This was a qualitative case study.