No abstract

Efavirenz has been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, but little is known about depression and quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa, where nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens are still the first-line treatment recommended by the World Heath Organization (WHO) and are widely prescribed. MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, we evaluated quality of life and depression among Senegalese patients receiving efavirenz-or protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens. Two hundred consecutive patients who had been taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for more than 6 months were asked to complete a questionnaire. ResultsAccording to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), 18% had depression (19% for patients on a PI-based regimen and 17% for patients on efavirenz-based treatment). Fiftynine per cent of the patients reported no health problems in the past 4 weeks. A quarter of patients had sleep disorders. Moderate or slight adverse events were reported by 28.5% of patients. ConclusionsQuality of life and depression scores remained good in both study groups. However, quality of life and depression should be monitored in follow-up of HIV-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Context: Senegal is among the most endemic countries for viral hepatitis B with 11% of chronic HBV carriers. Students in the health sector are among those most at risk. The objectives of this study were to determine the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) of students at a private university in Dakar regarding viral hepatitis B and to identify associated factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study has been conducted among students of the St Christopher Iba Mar Diop School from April 1 to 30, 2019. The questionnaire was self-administered. Chi 2 testing and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge, as well as attitudes and practices regarding viral hepatitis B. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. Results: In total, we interviewed 317 students, which corresponds to a participation rate of 60.5%. The main sources of information were predominately training (85.9%) and the media (68.2%). Jaundice (85.9%), hepatomegaly (79.2%) and fever (78.5%) were the main clinical signs known to students. Blood and sexual transmission routes were cited by more than 80% of the respondents. However, 19.4% of students reported that hepatitis B could be transmitted by the fecal-oral route. People with multiple sexual partners (77.5%) and health workers (76.4%) were the most frequently cited at-risk groups. Incarceration as a risk factor was known by only 38.7% of respondents.