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Introduction: Nosocomial infections (NI) are common conditions among hospitalized patients. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare workers' knowledge and practices regarding infection prevention measures in intensive care units. Method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from April 13to June 10, 2022, among 45 healthcare workers in three university teaching hospitals of Abidjan. The parameters studied were: the theoretical and practical knowledge of healthcare workers regarding the prevention of nosocomial infections. Results: 45 healthcare workers participated. 74.7% knew the definition of a nosocomial infection and 43% identified the main risk factors for its occurrence. Sixty-five percent identified staff hands as the main mode of cross-transmission of germs between patients. Sixty-four percent of staff reported using non-sterile gloves during urinary catheter insertion. Compliance with hand hygiene before patient contact was low (31.8%) while gloves changes between patients were observed in 87.2% of cases. Deficiencies were noted in adherence to aseptic techniques before performing invasive procedures. Non-compliance was mainly attributed to shortages of supplies and personnel, and insufficient knowledge of preventive measures. Conclusion: healthcare workers’ knowledge and adherence to hygiene practices in intensive care units were insufficient.

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Introduction: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are effective in optimizing perioperative outcomes. This study evaluated the adoption of ERAS protocols among adult women undergoing cesarean section at a referral hospital in Senegal. Methods: This was a prospective, single-center interventional study conducted over four months at the Dalal Jamm National Hospital Center, from May 5th to September 4th. The primary objective was to reduce the length of hospital stays for patients, which averaged three days before the start of the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using Excel 2019 and R version 4.5.0. Results: Among 102 patients (mean age: 29.4 years), 72.6% were able to leave the hospital within 48 hours. The mean pain score remained below 3 at rest; the TAP block significantly reduced pain during mobilization between 10 and 20 hours. Mobilization was possible within 6 hours in 90% of patients, and urinary catheter removal in 97.06%. Bowel function returned within 32 hours in 91.2% of patients. The complication rate was 6.8%, and 100% of mothers reported being satisfied. Conclusion: ERAS protocols following cesarean section have significantly reduced hospital stays and ensured effective pain management. Their implementation in a resource-limited setting has proven feasible, safe, and well-accepted by patients.

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to contribute to improving the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the Intensive Care Unit of Treichville University Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care of Treichville University Hospital over a 54-month period, from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2024. Results: Fifty-two patients out of 1,250 admissions developed microbiologically confirmed ventilator-associated pneumonia, corresponding to an incidence of 4.16%. The mean age was 41.48 years (range : 2–80 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5. The associated comorbidities were hypertension in 20 patients (38.48%), diabetes mellitus in 9 (17.31%), asthma in 3 (5.76%), HIV infection in 1 (1.92%), and pulmonary tuberculosis in 1 (1.92%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen (36.54%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.15%). The mean hospital stay was 27.65 days (range: 11–62 days). The mortality rate among patients with VAP was 69%. Factors significantly associated with mortality were age >40 years (P = 0.013), duration of mechanical ventilation >15 days (P = 0.006), late-onset VAP (P = 0.045), and Gram-negative bacterial infections (P = 0.032). Conclusion: Ventilator-associated pneumonia remains a frequent and serious nosocomial infection, associated with high morbidity and mortality among mechanically ventilated patients.

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Background: Thyroid dysfunction is closely associated with psychiatric disorders, particularly Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Alterations in thyroid hormones may mimic or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, leading to diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study assessed thyroid disorders among patients diagnosed with MDD and GAD attending a tertiary hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 participants comprising 100 patients with MDD, 100 patients with GAD, and 100 healthy controls. Sociodemographic data, psychiatric diagnoses based on DSM-5 criteria, and thyroid function tests (TSH, FT3, FT4) were obtained. Thyroid dysfunction was categorized into hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and euthyroidism. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square, ANOVA, and logistic regression were applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly higher among MDD patients (38%) and GAD patients (29%) compared with healthy controls (10%) (p < 0.001). Subclinical hypothyroidism was the most common abnormality among MDD patients (20%), while hyperthyroidism predominated among GAD patients (12%). Mean serum TSH was significantly elevated among MDD participants compared with controls (4.92 ± 2.11 vs 2.31 ± 1.08 mIU/L; p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that female sex, age >40 years, and severity of psychiatric symptoms independently predicted thyroid dysfunction. Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction is significantly associated with MDD and GAD among patients attending a tertiary hospital in Maiduguri. Routine thyroid screening should be incorporated into psychiatric evaluation to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

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Background: Elderly patients have continuously been admitted into intensive care. Ageing comes with its peculiarities and health challenges and outcomes. With the current focus on elder-friendly initiatives, it is necessary to examine the outcome of elders who are admitted into the intensive care unit. The information gained will be useful in policy and planning. Method: This retrospective, single cohort study collected data from all patients aged 60 years and older admitted into the intensive care unit of the University of Benin between January 2021 and December 2023 (3 years) were extracted and reviewed. Results: There were 195 admissions with a mean age of 70 years. About half (51.8%) of the patients admitted were males. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (6.2%) followed by diabetes coexisting with hypertension (5.1%). Most of the elderly patients were admitted for sepsis within the review period (19.5%), followed by craniotomies (19.0%). The length of stay ranged from 1 to 63 days with the majority staying between 1 to 6 days while 39.0% were mechanically ventilated. The mortality rate was 66.7% (130/195). Conclusion: Most of the patients in the review period had hypertension and diabetes as comorbidities. Sepsis, post post-operative care, and post-cardiac arrest care were the main reasons for patient admission into the Intensive Care Unit. Prevention and early management of Various Causes of Cardiac Arrest Are Recommended.

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Objective: To take stock of the Anesthesia practice in maxillofacial surgery at the National Hospital of Niamey. Patients and methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study over 5 months from january 2,2024 to May 30,2024. All patients who had received scheduled anesthesia in the operating room for maxillofacial surgery were included in the study. The variables studied were: Age, sex, origin, profession, medical and surgical history, ASA classification, Mallampati classification, anesthetic drugs used, tracheal intubation, intraoperative incidents and accidents and patient outcome. Data were entered and analyzed by Microsoft 2016 and Sphinx.v5 Software. The statistical tests used were considered significant for any p-value <0.05. Results: Fifty-seven (57) patients were included; a frequency of 5.42%. Male sex predominated with a sex ratio of 2.27. The average age of our patients was 26,95 ± 3,28 years. The opening of the oral cavity was limited in 19.30% (n=11). The Mallampati class was not appreciable in 43,86% (n=25) of cases. Patients were classified ASA 1 in 75.44% (n=43). Surgery was scheduled in 98.25% (n=56) of cases. Traumatic and tumor pathologies were the most indicated surgeries in 40.35% (n=23) and 38.60% (n=22) of cases respectively. General anesthesia was the anesthetic technique in all our patients. Propofol was the most used hypnotic in 49.12%(n=28). Celocurine was used for induction in 85.96% (n=44). Orotracheal intubation was perfoomed in 71.93% (n=41) of our patients; it was difficult in 38.64%(n=16) of cases. Nasotracheal intubation was performed in 22.18% (n=13). Primary tracheotomy was performed in three of our patients; that is, 5.26%. Tachycardia and hypotension were the most frequent incidents in 33.33% (n=19) and 24.56% (n=14) respectively. Cardiopulmorary arrest occurred in 1.75%(n=1) of cases. Thirty-one point fifty-eight (n=18) of our patients had received a blood transfusion. The duration of surgery was 86 +/- 6 min with extremes ra

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Objective: To describe the profile of patients admitted to the emergency department’s shock unit of the Niamey National Hospital (HNN). Patients and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study conducted over a 3-month period, from December 15, 2023, to March 15, 2024. All patients admitted to the resuscitation units of the medical and surgical emergency departments were included. The variables studied were: age, sex, occupation, origin, mode and reason for admission, clinical and paraclinical data, management, and outcome. Data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Office 2016 and Sphinx v5 software. Statistical tests were considered significant for any p-value <0.05. Results: Three thousand four hundred and twenty (3420) patients were triaged in the emergency department, of whom 100 were admitted to the resuscitation unit, representing an overall frequency of 2.92%. Males accounted for 72% (n=72) of cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.57. The mean age of our patients was 34.23 years, ranging from 2 to 94 years. Hypertension was the predominant comorbidity in 32% (n=32) of cases. Stroke was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 34.48% (n=20) of cases. Among patients admitted to the surgical resuscitation unit, 52.38% (n=22) had multiple traumas. Oxygen therapy was administered to all patients. Ninety-eight percent (n=98) of patients received crystalloid fluid resuscitation. During our study, 54.76% of patients underwent surgical intervention. Thirty percent (n=30) of patients were transferred to a short-stay unit. The length of hospital stay was less than 48 hours in 53.00% of cases. Conclusion: The resuscitation room plays a crucial rôle in an emergency department, as it is the place where life-threatening or potentially life-threatening situations are managed. To optimize patient care, it must be well-equipped and staffed with trained personnel.