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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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Aim: To describe the practice of regional anesthesia (RA) pediatric surgery at the Brazzaville University Teaching Hospital (CHU-B). Patients and Methods: The study was retrospective, observational and cross-sectional over 18 months including all the records of children aged 0 to 16 years operated on by pediatric surgeons under RA, with or without general anesthesia (GA), in the operating room of the CHU-B. Epidemiological, surgical, and anesthetic variables were analyzed using Excel 2016. Results: During the study period, 320 children underwent surgery, 43 of whom were operated on under RA (13.4%). The median age was 5 years, with a range from 2 months to 16 years (quartiles: 3 to 10 years). The sex ratio was 2.07. The main surgical indication was digestive wall surgery (69.8%), followed by urological surgery (30.2%). 81.4% of the surgeries were classified as Altemeier I. 60.5% of the children were classified as ASA 1. Preoperative hemostasis testing was performed in 69.8% of the children. Preoperative preparation was carried out in 11.6% of cases. GA was administered in 83.7% of cases. Caudal block (46.5%) was the most frequently used technique, followed by wall blocks (27.9%). Ultrasound was used in 15 children (34.9%), including one with neurostimulation. Bupivacaine (95.3%) was the most frequently used local anesthetic. We noted five cases of failure block (11.6%). The mean surgery time was 55.6 ± 34.8 minutes. Conclusion: RA is part of the early postoperative rehabilitation strategy. However, it remains very rarely performed at the CHU-B, particularly pediatric surgery.

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Background: Intensive care units (ICUs) are vital for managing life-threatening conditions. In many developing countries, critical care delivery is constrained by bed and equipment shortages, insufficient skilled personnel, and cost. Admission patterns have also changed with increase in prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Mortality rates in African ICUs remain high, about 30% in Nigeria and 60% in Kenya. Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) ICU faces staffing shortages and inconsistent application of admission criteria. Characterizing the local epidemiology of ICU admissions at RSUTH is essential to guide resource allocation, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen critical care delivery. Objective: To evaluate the pattern of ICU admission in RSUTH over a 31-month period. Methods: This retrospective cohort study reviewed all patients admitted to RSUTH’s 8-bed mixed medical-surgical ICU from June 2023 through January 2026. Following Ethical approval, data was extracted from the admission and discharge register and nurses’ records. Data obtained included patients biodata, diagnosis, interventions received and outcome. Data analysis was done using appropriate statistical methods. Results: 367 patients were admitted, with a mean age of 47.9 ± 19.8 years and a male preponderance (52.6%). Neurological conditions accounted for the highest indication for ICU admission (34.9%), while renal conditions were the least (1.9%). Forty two percent (42.5%) had invasive mechanical ventilation, while 41.1% had inotropic support. Duration of stay ranged from 1 hour to 32 days, with a mean of 6.5 ± 5.3 days. One hundred and eighty-one (49.3%) of the patients were transferred from the ICU to another ward of the hospital, while 159 (43.3%) died while in the ICU. Conclusion: This review shows that neurological conditions dominate ICU admissions at RSUTH, with a mortality of 43.3%, highlighting need for enhanced critical care resources to reduce mortality in this resource

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Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common nosocomial infections in intensive care units. Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NGNB), particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are frequently implicated in late-onset and recurrent cases. These infections are associated with repeated antibiotic exposure, the emergence of bacterial resistance, and high mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the bacterial ecology, the appropriateness of probabilistic antibiotic therapy, and the outcomes of patients with recurrent VAP caused by GNNB. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in the intensive care units at the Meaux, Jossigny, and Coulommiers sites of the Grand Hôpital de l’Est Francilien. Adult patients with at least three documented episodes of BGNNF-associated PAVM between January 2021 and December 2025 were included. Clinical, microbiological, therapeutic, and clinical course characteristics were analyzed. Results: Among 293 recorded episodes of PAVM with BGNNF, 166 episodes involved 51 patients with at least three infectious episodes. The mean age was 64.5 years, and 67.5% of patients were male. The mean IGS II score was 64 and the mean Charlson score was 7.1. Most PAVMs were late-onset (87.3%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounted for 89.1% of isolates. Probabilistic antibiotic therapy was based primarily on piperacillin-tazobactam. It was appropriate in only 50.6% of cases. The 28-day mortality rate was 35.5%. Conclusion: Recurrent BGNNF-associated PAVM occurs in patients who are particularly critically ill and have significant comorbidities. The predominance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the low rate of appropriate probabilistic antibiotic therapy underscore the need to better account for the local epidemiology in order to optimize initial management.

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Surgery is made easy with the application of anaesthesia that makes the patients not to feel pains during the surgery. However, due to certain complications that occur during and after surgery, most women have expressed fear and passed through certain psychological trauma before and after surgery. This study aimed to Assess Psychological Trauma from Application of Anaethesia During Caesarean Section (CS) among Women In Urban Areas of South-South, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study involving 250 women. Participants’ age is between 18 to 47 years. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to participants. The study lasted for a period of 2 months. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0 and p < 0.05 was significant. The results revealed that 28% of the participants were single, 56% married, 12% divorced, 4% widowed, 72% had tertiary level of education, 48% were civil servants, 76% have 1 child, 76 have undergone previous caesarean section, 80% agreed that they were not informed of the possible side effects of anaesthesia, 76% developed anxiety, 80% had fear, 80% had emotional stress, and 80% are uncomfortable during CS. The results revealed that majority of the participants experienced worry, fear, stress and pain each time they were booked for CS.

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Cesarean section is the most common surgical procedure performed in hospitals worldwide. It can lead to persistent postoperative pain. Numerous analgesic techniques exist for the prevention and treatment of pain after a cesarean section. Transverse abdominal block (TAPB) and quadratus lumborum block (QLB) have proven effective. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of the TAP block versus the QLB after a cesarean section. This was a prospective, comparative, randomized, single-blind study conducted at the Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh University Hospital in Tivaouane. All patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, excluding emergency cases, were included. At the end of the procedure, a TAP block and a QLB with bupivacaine were performed randomly under ultrasound guidance. Postoperative static and dynamic pain was assessed immediately postoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery by a nurse unaware of the medication, using a numerical rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportions, while Student's t-test was used to compare means. The mean ASA score was similar between the two groups. The duration of the block was significantly longer in the QLB group than in the TAP group, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). The assessment of postoperative static and dynamic pain, measured using the NRS, did not show a statistically significant difference between the QLB and TAP groups at the different assessment time points. The TAP block and the quadratus lumborum (QLB) block significantly reduce postoperative pain intensity rating scales by avoiding the use of opioid analgesics. These results support the role of regional analgesia in postoperative pain management after cesarean section.

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Thrombosis of the dural venous sinus or cerebral veins is a complete or partial occlusion that can affect one or more main sinuses. Involvement of the feeding cortical veins can lead to heterogeneous manifestations (headaches, altered consciousness, behavioral abnormalities, convulsions, speech difficulties and focal or generalized neurological deficits). The incidence of CVT is estimated at 5 per 1million. Venous thromboembolism [TE] is a multifactorial disease, and protein S deficiency [PSD] constitutes a major risk factor. Treatment of CVT with Heparin followed by VKA is recommended by current guidelines and should be started as soon as the diagnosis of CVT is confirmed we will report the case of a 17-year-old male with a medical history of anemia that was admitted in our ICU ward for a cerebral veinous thrombosis complicated with thrombo-embolic pattern. The initial treatment of TE followed the treatment guidelines of the American society of stroke. However, there are no guidelines of long-term treatment in children with PS deficiency. The actual recommendations didn’t state the best moment to introduce an anticoagulant.