ABSTRACT
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.

ABSTRACT
Unilateral hypobaric spinal anesthesia is an anesthetic technique that provides hemodynamic stability, indicated for subumbilical surgery, especially in elderly subjects. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique, which is very commonly practiced at the reference hospital in Maradi, through a descriptive and cross-sectional retrospective study over three years. Only patients who underwent surgery and had a complete file were included. A total of 56 patients were included, with a female predominance and a mean age of 78.03±5.4 years. The age group [60-70 years] represents 50%. The types of surgeries performed were traumatic and vascular. Surgical indications were dominated by pelvic limb trauma in 60.71% of cases. More than half of our patients (57.14%) had at least one comorbidity, with diabetes and hypertension at the forefront, accounting for 40.66% and 37.51%, respectively. At admission, patients presented a diverse hemodynamic state. Indeed, 10 had hypotension and 7 had hypertension. Bupivacaine was the only local anesthetic administered. Fentanyl and clonidine were the associated adjuvants. Osteosynthesis was the main surgical indication followed by amputation with respective rates of 51.78% and 28.57%. After anesthesia, patients were positioned in the lateral decubitus position, with the limb to be operated on positioned above, for 15 minutes. After this period, a failure rate of 8.20% was observed. Conversely, success was noted in 51 patients, 11 of whom had received a blood transfusion for intraoperative bleeding. However, no use of vasopressors was reported. The average duration of surgery was 64±11 minutes. No major incidents or conversions were reported intraoperatively. The average stay in the post-anesthesia recovery room was 43±12 minutes. The average anesthesia duration was 87±13 minutes. No incidents were reported postoperatively. This study allowed us to highlight the contribution of hypobaric unilateral spinal anes

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Dysmenorrhea, defined as painful menstrual periods, is one of the most common gynecological complaints and is reported to have significant consequences on quality of life and daily activities. Objective: We aimed to assess the impact of dysmenorrhea on the quality of life and academic performance of adolescent girls at the Classical and Modern High School (CMGHS) of Sangmélima. Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, with data collection over a three-month period (January to March 2025). We included all adolescent girls attending the CMGHS of Sangmélima who gave their approval to participate and whose parents had provided their free and informed consent. Sampling was consecutive and exhaustive. The variables studied were the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, the characteristics of dysmenorrhea, quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF score), and academic performance. Proportions were compared using the chi-square test with a significance level set at 5%. Results: We recruited 318 girls with mean age 16.1 years ± 1.8 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 57.5%, and in 51.9% of girls with dysmenorrhea, the pain started at the first year of menstruation and was present every month in 65.02%. Common associated symptoms included headaches (52.5%) and depressed mood (51.4%). Regarding quality of life, only 15.3% of affected adolescent girls reported a good quality of life, compared to 52.6% of those without dysmenorrhea. The impact on school was marked by concentration difficulties (77% vs. 31.9%) and increased absenteeism (57.9% vs. 10.4%). Conclusion: As per our study, dysmenorrhea is a very common health condition and significantly impairs the well-being and academic performance of adolescent girls at the classical and modern government high school of Sangmelima.

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Objective: To contribute to improving the management of postoperative pain by nurses in the Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit at Donka National Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study lasting six (6) months from August 2024 to February 2025. We included in this study all nurses working in the operating room and post-operative care units who gave their consent to participate in the study. Results: During the study, 50 out of 51 nurses responded to the questionnaire, representing a participation rate of 98%. The average age was 29 ± 4 years, with a predominance of 25-30 year olds (42%) and a male majority (sex ratio 1.38). State-registered nurses accounted for 72% and those with 1-5 years of professional experience accounted for 60%. Among them, 56% had received training in pain management, compared to 44% who had not. 68% were familiar with pain assessment scales, while 32% were not. Among participants using scales, 52.9% used the numerical scale (EN 0-10) and 26.5% used the visual analog scale (VAS). For drug management, 62% used tramadol, 20% used morphine, and 18% used paracetamol. Conclusion: Continuing education and increased awareness are necessary to optimize postoperative pain management.

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Management of the variceal bleeding is common and often life threatening complication of cirrhotic portal hypertension. The more than three decades have markedly improving in the management of the cirrhotic portal hypertensive variceal bleeding due to the better overall care in the acute setting, updated treatment guidelines, specially use covered stent in TIPS, involves multidisciplinary expertise, and better understanding mechanism of portal hypertension. The best mortalities for prophylaxis and treatment of variceal bleeding due to the cirrhotic portal hypertension were reviewed in numerous of clinical studies and follow treatment guidelines.

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Background: The cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is key midline brain structure routinely assessed in fetal neurosonography. Although CSP visualization is essential for detecting anomalies of forebrain development, normative data for CSP width across gestation remain limited, particularly in South Asian populations. Objective: To evaluate visualization rate of CSP in normal fetuses during second and third trimesters, measure CSP width using transabdominal ultrasound and determine its correlation with gestational age. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 144 singleton pregnancies between 14–41 weeks at BPKIHS. Transabdominal ultrasonography was performed using standard axial plane at the level of thalami. CSP visualization and CSP width were recorded. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and Pearson correlation were applied. Results: CSP was visualized in 130 of 144 fetuses (90.3%). Visualization was optimal between 18–37 weeks, accounting for 84.6% of all visualized cases, whereas visualization before 18 weeks was limited (33.3%). CSP width ranged from 1.81 to 6.8 mm, with mean of 4.23 ± 1.12 mm. CSP width was significantly greater in third trimester than second (4.57 ± 0.95 mm vs. 3.39 ± 1.11 mm; p < 0.001). Gestational age showed a significant positive correlation with CSP width (r = 0.520, p < 0.001). Conclusion: CSP is reliably visualized between 18–37 weeks of gestation. CSP width increases significantly with advancing gestation and act as consistent neurosonographic marker of normal midline brain development. This study establishes normative CSP measurements for a Nepalese population and supports routine CSP assessment during mid-trimester ultrasound.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Thoracic surgery frequently requires lung exclusion using a double-lumen probe. While bronchoscopy remains the gold standard for verifying probe placement, its logistical and financial constraints have prompted the exploration of alternatives. Pleuropulmonary ultrasound, by detecting pleural sliding, offers a non-invasive and rapid approach. This preliminary prospective study evaluates the performance of pleuropulmonary ultrasound in predicting lung exclusion. Patients and Methods: Between August and December 2024, 20 adult patients scheduled for thoracic surgery at the Fann University Hospital (Dakar) were included. After intubation with a Carlens tube, exclusion was assessed by clinical auscultation and by lung function testing. The primary outcome was the surgeon's intraoperative assessment (quality of lung collapse). Sensitivity (Se) and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated for each method. Results: The cohort (mean age 48 years; sex ratio 1.8) had a satisfactory exclusion rate of 100% according to the surgeon. Auscultation identified exclusion in 14 cases (sensitivity 70%), while percutaneous transurethral resection (PUR) confirmed it in 18 cases (sensitivity 90%). The positive predictive value (PPV) was 100% for both techniques. In the absence of exclusion failures, specificity and negative predictive value could not be determined. Conclusion: Pleuropulmonary ultrasound has a higher sensitivity than auscultation for confirming pulmonary exclusion. Although bronchoscopy remains essential in cases of doubt, PPE is proving to be a powerful, reproducible, and accessible complementary tool, enhancing anesthetic safety in thoracic surgery.