Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is considered the most important measure to tackle the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. However, compliance with recommendations is usually low and effective improvement strategies are needed. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of an intervention targeting hand hygiene promotion among healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: We conducted a pre-post interventional study design in the university hospital Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia, from January 2015 to December 2016. The intervention program consisted of training sessions and distribution of posters of hand hygiene guidelines. To assess the evolution of HH observance at pre-and post-intervention, the same observation form was distributed and collected at healthcare workers' workplace. Results: Of the 1201 and 1057 opportunities for hand hygiene observed among all categories of HCWs, overall compliance enhanced significantly from 32.1 to 39.4% (p < 0.001) respectively at pre-and post-intervention. Nurses were the most compliant with a significant improvement from 34.1 to 45.7% (p < 0.001) respectively at pre-and post-intervention. Furthermore, analysis by department showed significant improvement of compliance in orthopedic department (p < 0.001), maxillofacial-surgery department (p < 0.001), pediatrics department (p = 0.013), and emergencies (p = 0.038). Conclusion: This study showed the feasibility and effectiveness of a health-setting-based intervention to enhance hand hygiene observance in the context of a developing country.

Background This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of pathogenic respiratory agents in patients aged 0 to 12 months and hospitalized for acute respiratory infections in Tunisia between 2013 and 2014. Methods A total of 20 pathogens, including viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae , and Streptococcus pneumoniae , were detected using molecular sensitive assays, and their associations with the patient’s demographic data and season were analyzed. Results Viral infectious agents were found in 449 (87.2%) of 515 specimens. Dual and multiple infectious agents were detected in 31.4% and 18.6% of the samples, respectively. Viral infection was predominant in the pediatric environment (90.8%, P < 0.001), male patients (88.0%), and spring (93.8%). Rhinovirus was the most detected virus (51.8%) followed by respiratory syncytial virus A/B (34.4%), coronavirus group (18.5%), adenovirus (17.9%), and parainfluenza viruses 1‐4 (10.9%). Respiratory Syncytial virus A/B was significantly associated with gender (38.0% male cases vs 28.3% female cases, P = 0.02). Infections by Adenovirus , Bocavirus , and Metapneumovirus A/B increased with increasing age of patients (predominated cases aged 6‐12 months, P < 0.001). S. pneumoniae was detected in 30.9% of th tested samples. In 18.2% of the negative viral infections, only S. pneumoniae was identified. Conclusion A predominance of the rhinovirus infection was observed in this study. Coronavirus subtypes were described for the first time in Tunisia. The observed different pathogenic profiles across age groups could be helpful to avoid the misclassification of patients presenting with ARIs at the triage level when no standardized protocol is available. This study will provide clues for physicians informing decisions regarding preventive strategies and medication in Tunisia.

Background Although efforts to manage coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have understandably taken immediate priority, the impacts on traditional healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance and prevention efforts remain concerning. Aim To describe trends in HAIs in a Tunisian university hospital through repeated point prevalence surveys over 9 years, assess the impact of measures implemented for COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify associated factors of HAI. Methods The current study focused on data collected from annual point prevalence surveys conducted from 2012 to 2020. All types of HAIs as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were included. Data collection was carried out using NosoTun plug. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify HAI risk factors. Results Overall, 2729 patients were observed in the 9 surveys; the mean age was 48.3 ± 23.3 years and 57.5% were male. We identified 267 infected patients (9.8%) and 296 HAIs (10.8%). Pneumonia/lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent HAI (24%), followed by urinary tract infection (20.9%).The prevalence of infected patients increased from 10.6% in 2012 to 14.9% in 2020. However, this increase was not statistically significant. The prevalence of HAIs increased significantly from 12.3% to 15.5% ( P =.003). The only decrease involved is bloodstream infections (from 2% to 1%). Independent risk factors significantly associated with HAI were undergoing surgical intervention (aOR = 1.7), the use of antibiotic treatment in previous 6 months (aOR = 1.8), peripheral line (aOR=2), parenteral nutrition (aOR=2.4), urinary tract within 7 days (aOR=2.4), central line (aOR = 6.3), and prosthesis (aOR = 12.8), length of stay (aOR = 3), and the year of the survey. Young age was found as protective factor (aOR = .98). Conclusion Contrary to what was expected, we noticed an increase in the HAIs rates despite the preventive measures put in place to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This was partly explained by the vulnerability of hospitalized patients during this period.

Introduction Early adolescence is a critical period usually associated with experimentation with illicit substances. In Tunisia few studies explored these risk behaviors among young adolescents. Aims To evaluate the prevalence and the predictors of the use of illicit substances among the young adolescents of Sousse. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the region of Sousse, Tunisia during the 2013/2014 school year among 4272 schoolchildren in 16 public middle schools. Data about psychosocial characteristics and risk behaviors among the schoolchildren, their parents, their siblings and their friends were collected anonymously using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results Females represented 50.5% of participants. The mean age of schoolchildren was 13.3 (±1.2) years. Lifetime illicit substances use prevalence was 2.9% [confidence interval (CI) 95%: (2.4%–3.4%)] and lifetime use of tobacco prevalence was 12.9% [CI 95%: (11.9%–13.9%)]. The age of tobacco onset was significantly younger to the age of experimentation with illicit substances. Insomnia, sadness and illicit substances use among peers were associated with illicit substances use among participants. While the most influential risk factor on illicit substances use was current cigarette smoking with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 7.2 [CI 95%: (4.5–11.2)]. Conclusion A national substances use prevention program should be implemented in the schools of Tunisia with an emphasis on tobacco use prevention.

Introduction: Little research has been devoted to preschool obesity prevention in Tunisia. Our purpose was to evaluate feasibility and effects of an intervention program for preschoolers, parents and kindergarten staffs aiming to increase the proportion of children doing physical activity and those with balanced eating habits. Methods:We carried out a quasi-experimental intervention study with two groups: A control group and an intervention group. The participants were preschoolers aged 4 to 5 years, their parents and the kindergarten staffs. The sample size to select children was based on a significance level of α=5% and a power 1-β=80% and 10% change in physical activity practice and balanced eating habits. In each group, we made a pre-post assessment of diet and physical activity habits. The intervention consisted in a multidimensional lifestyle intervention with training sessions, workshops, tournaments and educative supports. Data analysis was stratified according to socioeconomic status.Results: At baseline, 270 and 269 preschoolers composed respectively the intervention and control groups. At the post-assessment, the number increased to respectively 347 and 230 preschoolers in intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, 52.9% of the mothers and 56.5% of the fathers were executive versus 37.1% and 43.5% respectively in the control group. In the intervention group, the proportion of children with balanced eating habits had significantly increased between baseline and post-assessment for both executive parents. The proportion of preschoolers doing physical activity outdoors the kindergarten was improved among executive mothers and fathers in the intervention group without significant change. In the control group, there was an increase observed only for executive fathers. Conclusion:Significant changes of physical activity habits and diet characteristics were obtained in the intervention group unlike the control group. The socioeconomic status seems to be determinant in guiding intervention program.

Objectif : Déterminer l’incidence et les facteurs de risque des évènements indésirables associés aux soins dans un hôpital universitaire Tunisien. Méthode : Il s’agit d’une étude observationnelle longitudinale, menée en 2016 sur une période de trois mois à l’hôpital universitaire Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisie. Le recueil de données a été réalisé par l’intermédiaire d’une fiche pré-testée remplie, à chaque passage aux services, par des médecins préalablement formés à la méthodologie de recueil. Résultats : Au total, 1 357 patients étaient éligibles. Nous avons identifié 168 EI chez 131 patients, avec une incidence d’EI de 12,4 % (IC 95 % : [7,41 – 17,38]), et une incidence des patients atteints de 9,7 % (IC 95 % : [4,63 – 14,76]). La densité d’incidence des EI était de 1,8 évènement pour 100 jours d’hospitalisation. Les infections nosocomiales et les réadmissions non programmées, en relation avec la prise en charge antérieure, étaient les EI les plus fréquents (43,4 et 12,5 % respectivement). Les facteurs de risque indépendants de la survenue des EI, étaient l’intervention chirurgicale ( p  = 0,013 ; RR = 1,68 ; IC : [1,11-2,54]), la pose d’un cathéter veineux central ( p  < 10 –3  ; RR = 4,1 ; IC :[2,1-8]), la trachéotomie ( p  = 0,001 ; RR = 21,8 ; IC : [3,7-127,8]), la transfusion ( p  = 0,014 ; RR = 2,1 ; IC : [1,16-3,87]) et la prise médicamenteuse ( p  = 0,04 ; RR = 2,2 ; IC : [1,04-4,7]). Conclusion : La présente étude a montré une incidence élevée d’EI et l’implication des dispositifs invasifs dans leur occurrence. C’est pourquoi, des interventions ciblées sont nécessaires.

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Background Assessment of the quality of life of glaucoma is an essential basis for their management in order to prevent deterioration of the disease. The aim of the study was to describe through a systematic review the quality of life of patients with open angle glaucoma and identify its associated factors. Methods It was a systematic review conducted based on the preferred reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA).Criteria for eligibility were all published population-based primary literature in Pubmed and Embase interface, written in English, since January 2014 to 31 December 2019. Electronic research was done through the following documentary query ((((‘glaucoma'[MeSH Terms]) AND (‘quality of life'[MeSH Terms])) AND (‘open angle glaucoma'[Title/Abstract])) AND (‘adult'[MeSH Terms])) AND (‘risk factors'[MeSH Terms]).Level of evidence and grades of recommendation was assessed according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Results Among 139 articles, 15 were selected. Most of them were descriptive cross-sectional studies using different measuring instruments. We found that the quality of life of glaucoma patients varies according to the regions in Asia, Europe, America and Africa. The highest scores were recorded in Asia, followed by North America and Europe, which have very close scores. The risk factors associated with the quality of life of glaucoma patients were: Age, sex, level of education, professional status, marital status, visual acuity and disability, anxiety and depression. Conclusions The level of quality of life in this type of patient varies considerably between regions and countries and even in the same country. Associated factors are predominantly socio-demographic. Key messages The level of quality of life in patients with glaucoma varies considerably between regions and countries. Associated factors are predominantly socio-demographic.