Introduction The advent of the effective COVID-19 vaccine was the most eagerly expected worldwide. However, this hope quickly became hesitation and denial in many countries, including Guinea. Understanding the reasons for low vaccine coverage is essential to achieving herd immunity leading to disease control. This study aimed to comprehend the facilitators and barriers to the acceptance COVID-19 vaccine in Guinea. Methods The survey focused on healthcare workers (HCWs) and the general population (GP) in 4 natural regions in Guinea from 23 March 2021 to 25 August 2021. We used the Fishbein integration model to study the behaviours of HWCs and GP regarding vaccination. A mixed cross-sectional study collected knowledge, attitudes, norms, and perceptions. Regression and thematic content analysis identified the main facilitators and barriers to vaccination. Results We surveyed 3547 HCWs and 3663 GP. The proportion of people vaccinated was 65% among HCWs and 31% among the GP. For HCWs: the main factors associated with vaccination against COVID-19 were as follows: absence of pregnancy AOR = 4.65 [3.23–6.78], being supportive of vaccination AOR = 1.94 [1.66–2.27] and being an adult AOR = 1.64 [1.26–2.16]. Regarding the GP, the following factors increased the odds of vaccination: absence of pregnancy AOR = 1.93 [CI 1.01–3.91], being favourable for vaccination AOR = 3.48 [CI 2.91–4.17], being an adult AOR = 1.72 [CI 1.38–2.14] and being able to get the vaccine AOR = 4.67 [CI 3.76–5.84]. Semi-interviews revealed fear, lack of trust, and hesitant perception of the government as potential barriers to vaccination. Conclusion This study suggests that beliefs and negative perceptions are potential barriers to vaccination against COVID-19 among HCWs and the GP. Policies should emphasise practical strategies to mitigate these barriers among young people and pregnant women. Lastly, there is a need to improve access to vaccines in the GP.

La COVID-19 est due au virus SARS-CoV-2 génétiquement semblable au virus du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SARS). En pédiatrie, les formes cliniques ont un caractère bénin. En Guinée, suite à la pandémie du COVID-19 dont l´épicentre était Conakry, des cas pédiatriques ont été observés au CTEPI de Donka. L´objectif de cette étude était de déterminer leur profil épidémiologique. Etude transversale de type descriptif de 04 mois chez les enfants de 0 à 16 ans admis au CTEPI Donka. Sur 7308 patients provenant principalement des 5 communes de Conakry hospitalisés au CTEPI, 189 étaient âgés de 0 à 16 ans, soit 2, 59%. La tranche de 0-4 ans était plus représentée (38,62%) avec un sex-ratio (F/M) de 1,52; 62,96% étaient des élèves, 70% des enfants résidaient à Conakry, 28,57% des mères étaient des marchandes et personnes contactes dans 39,68%; 37,57% des pères étaient des fonctionnaires, 2,65% des enfants avaient des antécédents de drépanocytose et 1,59% de rhinite allergique. Les cas asymptomatiques représentaient 52,38% et les cas confirmés 74, 6%; les symptômes étaient: fièvre, rhinorrhée, céphalées, toux, douleurs abdominales, éternuement, diarrhée, asthénie physique. La proportion des cas pédiatriques infectés au COVID-19 au CTEPI de Donka est faible. Les enfants de 5 ans et plus sont plus concernés et près de 50% était asymptomatique. Les symptômes dominants sont: fièvre, céphalées, rhinorrhée, toux, douleurs abdominales, éternuement, diarrhée, asthénie physique.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all facets of life and has exacerbated many challenges faced by people living with tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of TB patients in Guinea during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed methods study was conducted using two validated tools to assess HRQoL and qualitative interviews among TB patients enrolled in treatment at 11 health centers in Conakry, Guinea. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the deterioration of HRQoL. We included 439 participants in the study, among whom 44% and 31% experienced pain and anxiety, respectively. We found that an increase in the number of household size and the distance from participants’ residence to the health centers were significantly associated with lower HRQoL. Qualitative interviews highlighted nutritional and financial issues, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and beliefs that the Guinean Government’s assistance plan was insufficient. This study supports the implementation of specific relief plans for TB patients, which includes nutritional and psychological support, especially those whose movements are limited by travel restrictions, preventing access to TB care, reducing work opportunities and exacerbating financial needs and stress.

Background Despite its effectiveness, the optimal use of the combination of insecticide-treated nets (ITN) and intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) remains low in malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, this study analyzed its variations and predictors in Guinea. Methods This study was a secondary analysis of the 2012 and 2018 Guinea Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). It included women who had given birth 3 years before each DHS, slept on ITN and took at least one dose of SP. Use was complete if a pregnant woman slept on ITNs and took SP (at least two doses in 2012; at least three doses in 2018). Moran indices were used to determine spatial autocorrelation and classification methods to identify malaria preventive measures (MPM) predictors. Results In 2012, 60.88% of pregnant women had incomplete use of MPMs compared with 79.11% in 2018. Associated factors with incomplete MPMs in 2012 were as follows: having an indirect link with the head of household (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.08–4.61) and performing at least 4 ANC visits (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.44–0.99). In 2018: Living in households of 2 to 5 people (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.36–0.80), have a man as the head of the household (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.35–0.89), perform the first ANC in the second trimester of pregnancy (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.54–0.99), perform at least 4 ANC visits (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.36–0.62), have a job (AOR = 0. 67, 95% CI 0.50–0.88), give birth in a public health facility (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.72) and the middle wealth quintile (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.07–2.26). Analyses revealed a global autocorrelation (Moran index = 0.0009, p = 0.2349) and high–high clusters in Mamou in 2012. In 2018, autocorrelation was found (I Moran = 0.0169, p ≤ 0.05), with spatial clusters in 4 regions. Conclusion The link with the head of household and the number of ANC visits were the main factors in MPMs. It is essential to implement strategies at the household level and health system level and monitor them to reduce inequality across regions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all facets of life and has exacerbated many challenges faced by people living with tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of TB patients in Guinea during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed-methods study was conducted using two validated psychometric tools to assess HRQoL and qualitative interviews among TB patients enrolled in treatment at three centers in Conakry, Guinea. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the deterioration of HRQoL. We included 439 participants in the study, among whom 44% and 31% experienced pain and anxiety, respectively. We found that an increase in the number of household members and the distance from participants’ residence to the health centre were significantly associated with lower HRQoL. Qualitative interviews highlighted nutritional and financial concerns which were exacerbated during COVID-19 pandemic and beliefs that the Guinean Government’s assistance plan was insufficient. This study supports the implementation of specific relief plans for TB patients which includes nutritional and psychological support, especially those whose movements are limited by travel restrictions, impeding access to TB care, reducing work opportunities and exacerbating financial needs and stress.

No abstract

No abstract

Introduction The composite coverage index (CCI) is the weighted average coverage of eight preventive and curative interventions received along the maternal and child care continuum. We analysed maternally and child health indicators using CCI.Methods We performed a secondary analysis of demographic and health surveys (DHS) focused on women aged 15 to 49 and children aged 1 to 4. The CCI is optimal if the weighted proportion of interventions is less than 50%; otherwise, it is partial. We identified the factors associated with CCI using the following statistics: the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for complex survey samples, the chi-squared tests of Rao & Scott’s second-order correction, and the spatial autocorrelation statistic and the multivariate logistic regression.Results The optimal coverage of the ICC has increased from 43% in 2012 to 61% in 2018. In multivariate analysis, in 2012: the poor had a lower probability of having an optimal CCI than the richest; OR=0.11 [95% CI; 0.07, 0.18]. Those who had done four antenatal care visits (ANC) were 2.78 times more likely to have an optimal CCI than those with less OR=2.78 [95% CI;2.24, 3.45]. In 2018: the poor had a lower probability of having an optimal CCI than the richest OR=0.27 [95% CI; 0.19, 0.38]. Women who planned their pregnancies were 28% more likely to have an optimal CCI than those who had not planned OR= 1.28 [95% CI;1.05, 1.56]. Finally, women with more than 4 ANC were 2.43 times more likely to have an optimal CCI than those with the least OR = 2.43 [95% CI; 2.03, 2.90]. The spatial analysis reveals significant disparities with an aggregation of high partial ICC in Labé between 2012 and 2018.ConclusionThis study showed an increase in CCI between 2012 and 2018. Policies should improve access to care and information for poor women. Besides, strengthening ANC visits and reducing regional inequalities will increase optimal CCI.