Background In December 2019, the COVID-19 outbreak began in China and quickly spread throughout the world and was reclassified as a pandemic in March 2020. The first case of COVID-19 was declared in Togo on March 5. Two months later, few data were available to describe the circulation of the new coronavirus in the country. Objective This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in high-risk populations in Lomé. Materials and methods From April 23, 2020, to May 8, 2020, we recruited a sample of participants from five sectors: health care, air transport, police, road transport and informal. We collected oropharyngeal swabs for direct detection through real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and blood for antibody detection by serological tests. The overall prevalence (current and past) of infection was defined by positivity for both tests. Results A total of 955 participants with a median age of 36 (IQR 32–43) were included, and 71.6% (n = 684) were men. Approximately 22.1% (n = 212) were from the air transport sector, 20.5% (n = 196) were from the police sector, and 38.7% (n = 370) were from the health sector. Seven participants (0.7%, 95% CI: 0.3–1.6%) had a positive rRT-PCR test result at the time of recruitment, and nine (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.4–1.8%) were seropositive for IgM or IgG against SARS-CoV-2. We found an overall prevalence of 1.6% (n = 15), 95% CI: 0.9–2.6%. Conclusion The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among high-risk populations in Lomé was relatively low and could be explained by the various measures taken by the Togolese government. Therefore, we recommend targeted screening.

Objective: This survey aims at estimating the prevalence of SARS−CoV−2 in high risk populations in Lom&eacute. Methods: From April 23rd to May 8th 2020, we recruited a sample of participants from five sectors: healthcare, air transport, police, road transport and informal. We collected oropharyngeal swab for direct detection through real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT−PCR), and blood for antibodies detection by serological tests. The overall prevalence (current and past) of infection was defined by positivity for both tests. Results: A total of 955 participants with a median age of 36 (IQR 32−43) were included and 71.6% (n=684) were men. Around 22.1% (n=212) were from the air transport sector, 20.5% (n=196) in the police, and 38.7% (n=370) in the health sector. Seven participants (0.7%, 95% CI: 0.3−1.6%) had a positive rRT-PCR at the time of recruitment and nine (0.9%, 95% CI: 0.4−1.8%) were seropositive for IgM or IgG against SARS-CoV-2. We found an overall prevalence of 1.6% (n=15), 95% CI: 0.9−2.6%. Conclusion: The prevalence of the SARS−CoV−2 infection among high-risk populations in Lom&eacute was relatively low and could be explained by the various measures taken by the Togolese government. Therefore, we recommend targeted screening.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population of Lome.MethodsA cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Lome from October 2009 to January 2010, which focused on hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in 2 000 subjects 18 years and older. The World Health Organisation’s STEPS-wise approach on non-communicable diseases was used. During the first session, blood pressure (BP) was measured on three successive occasions, one minute apart, and the mean was recorded. A second measurement session was done three weeks later in patients with BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg during the first session. Hypertension was defined as BP > 140/90 mmHg after the second session, or on antihypertensive treatment. The other risk factors were studied by clinical and blood analysis.ResultsWe found 532 hypertensive patients out of a total of 2 000 subjects. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.6%. The mean age of hypertensive patients was 45 ± 10 years, ranging from 18 to 98 years. The prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors was: stress (43%), sedentary lifestyle (41%), hypercholesterolaemia (26%), obesity (25.2%), hypertriglyceridaemia (21%), smoking (9.3%), alcohol use (11%) and diabetes (7.3%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Lome is high. These findings should draw the attention of authorities to define a national policy to combat hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors.

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IntroductionLes objectifs de cette étude étaient de décrire les aspects diagnostiques, pronostiques et thérapeutiques du diabète gestationnel au CHU Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé.MéthodesIl s'est agi d'une étude descriptive transversale réalisée sur 5 ans allant du 1er janvier 2013 au 31 décembre 2017. Elle a concerné 125 gestantes ayant accouché, suivies en médecine interne et dans le Service de Gynéco-obstétrique.RésultatsLa moyenne d'âge maternelle était de 30,84±4,17 ans. Les facteurs de risque les plus rencontrés étaient le surpoids et l'obésité (57,7%), antécédent de diabète familial (33,3%), antécédent de fausse couche spontanée (26,6%), antécédent de mort fœtale in utero (MFIU) (15,5%) et de l'antécédent du diabète gestationnel (8,8%). Le dépistage du diabète gestationnel a été réalisé par la glycémie à jeun et hyperglycémie provoquée (HGPO) à 75g. Le diagnostic a été posé au premier trimestre dans 55,6% des cas, au deuxième trimestre dans 33,3% et 11,1% au troisième trimestre. Le recours à l'insulinothérapie a été nécessaire dans 24,4% des cas et 66,6% sous régime seul. Soixante-six virgule sept pour cent (66,7%) des femmes ont accouché par césarienne et 33,3% par voie basse. Parmi les complications maternelles à l'accouchement, nous avons retrouvé 22,2% de HTA, 17,7% de pré-éclampsie et 2,2% de RPM. Parmi les complications du nouveau-né, il y avait 48,9% de macrosomie, 11,1% de prématurité, 11,1% d'hypoglycémie, 4,4% de malformation et 4,4% mort-né. Quatre-vingt-huit virgule neuf pour cent (88,9%) des nouveaux nés avaient un score d'APGAR supérieur à 7 et plus de 48% étaient des macrosomes.ConclusionLe diabète gestationnel entraîne des complications materno-fœtales. La nécessité d'un dépistage systématique est obligatoire même en l'absence de facteur de risque afin de programmer une prise en charge optimale.

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Objective: Assess the quality of life (QOL) of the patients suffering from chronic liver diseases in our service. Patients and Method: A transversal prospective study conducted at the service of hepatology and gastroenterology at the University health center Campus of Lomé from August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014. We have used the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36). Patients of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma admitted during the said period were selected. Patients suffering from any other chronic diseases such as psychiatric or emotional troubles; linguistic or cognitive deficiencies that could hamper the dependability of the questionnaire were excluded. Results: The average age of the patients was 46 ± 12 years old with a male predominance (sex-ratio: 2.9). Our patients were distributed into 47.4% of cirrhosis and 52.6% of CHC. Those chronic liver diseases etiologies were alcoholic (57%), B viral (66%) and C viral (12.3%). The assessment of QOL showed an overall average score of 76. 34 ± 21.1; a mean score of 30.4 ± 86.8 for the physical dimension and 36.5 ± 10.3 for the mental dimension. Patients with viral liver disease had poorer physical summary score (p = 0.000) and poorer mental summary score (p = 0.014) compared to alcoholic patients. Alcohol influenced the physical dimension of the patients (p = 0.000) while the mental dimension was more affected by the age of patients (p = 0.0035). Conclusion: The quality of life is altered by the patients suffering from chronic liver diseases (p = 0035) with regard to our context. This is so in particular with those identified to be viral infected.

Our study showed that post-operative pain management in paediatric surgery is often not well controlled and paediatric loco regional analgesia technique is under practiced in sub Saharan Africa.