Introduction:this study aims to assess the prevalence of hookah use and its associated factors among pupils and students in the prefecture of Labé. Methods:a cross-sectional study was conducted from March 28 to April 30, 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 1,043 participants in four secondary schools and two higher education institutions in the city of Labé. The data collected were entered into Excel before being analysed using SPSS version 26 software. Results:a total of 1,043 pupils and students participated in this study. Approximately 22.7% of participants, including 55.7% of pupils and 44.3% of students, reported having used shisha. The prevalence of regular use was 2.7%. In addition, the study revealed a higher prevalence among men than among women, with socio-cultural distinctions still evident in smoking habits. Analysis of differences in the distribution of the phenomenon studied showed more frequent consumption among men, people over the age of 18, and those living in urban areas. Belonging to a group of friends who were consumers was also significantly linked to hookah consumption, while attending public or private school had no influence. Conclusion: this study highlights the dangers of hookah smoking, which has become an increasing concern for younger generations.
Introduction:early characterization of outbreak cases supports rapid decisions. We conducted real-time analysis during the initial outbreak phase in mid-March 2025 of Sierra Leone's first 44 laboratory-confirmed Mpox cases (10th January to 5th March 2025) to generate epidemiologic and genomic intelligence for response. Methods:we summarized surveillance data and sequenced 18 early cases with Oxford Nanopore. Firth-penalized logistic regression was employed to explore risk factors for severe disease. Results:median age was 27 years (interquartile range 22 to 35); 68.2% were male. Most cases reported no recent international travel (95.5%). All cases presented with rash; fever occurred in 72.7%. Six cases (13.6%) met severe criteria; no deaths occurred (0 of 44; 95% confidence interval 0 to 8.0). Household secondary attack rate was 7.3% during the study window and 8.2% after completion of follow-up. Sequencing identified two co-circulating sub-lineages consistent with A.2.2 and B.1.6 and a strong APOBEC3 pattern (142 of 212 guanine-to-adenine in thymine-cytosine versus 70 of 212 cytosine-to-thymine in guanine-adenine; exact binomial p approximately 8.6x10-7; X2= 24.5, df = 1, p≈ 7.6x10-7). Root-to-tip analysis showed weak temporal signal (R2=0.31; date randomization p= 0.18), so we did not interpret clock estimates. Conclusion:real-time analysis during the initial outbreak phase showed community transmission, quantified household spread, documented two sub-lineages with an APOBEC3 signature, and generated severity hypotheses that immediately informed surveillance and vaccine prioritization. Findings require validation in larger cohorts.
HIV-associated myopathy is a frequent neuromuscular complication characterised mainly by inflammatory or toxic muscle involvement, leading to proximal muscle weakness. We report the case of an HIV-positive patient presenting with myopathy confirmed by electromyography. The clinical presentation was marked by symmetrical proximal muscle weakness, asthenia, anorexia, weight loss, and anaemia. A muscle biopsy was not performed. This case highlights the importance of early clinical and electrophysiological recognition for proper management.
Stress is prevalent among health science students, particularly in rural settings where access to mental health resources is limited. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer a promising avenue for providing accessible support for stress management. This scoping review aims to identify existing mHealth interventions, evaluate their feasibility and acceptability, and explore the specific needs of students within these contexts. This scoping review will be conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, a structured approach that consists of six stages: identifying the research question, searching for relevant studies, selecting studies, charting the data, collating and summarising the results, and consulting stakeholders. The search will include a comprehensive range of electronic databases and grey literature sources to ensure broad coverage of relevant studies. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines will be used to enhance the methodology, ensuring rigour and transparency throughout the review process. A systematic search strategy will be employed across multiple databases to gather relevant literature on mHealth interventions targeting stress management among health science students. The findings of this review, which will be disseminated through academic journals and conferences, are crucial in informing policymakers, researchers, and educators about effective mHealth strategies tailored for health science students. By highlighting gaps in current research and practice, this review will contribute valuable insights that can guide future intervention development and implementation in rural settings. The findings from this review will help shape a contextually appropriate mHealth program designed to support stress management for health science students studying in rural university settings.
Black hairy tongue (lingua villosa nigra) is a harmless oral condition that happens when the filiform papillae on the back of the tongue grow longer and bigger because they do not shed keratin properly. Keratin builds up and forms hair-like projections that can trap food particles, bacteria, fungi, and tobacco residue. This can change the color of the hair from brown or black to yellow or green. A 54-year-old man had hair-like growth on his tongue for 20 days, along with a burning feeling for one week and a change in taste for five days. The patient had been smoking for 32 years, drinking alcohol on occasion, and not taking care of his teeth. An examination of the mouth showed long, black, and yellowish-green filiform papillae on the back and middle third of the tongue, but not on the tip. It was not possible to scrape off the lesion. The patient's history and clinical appearance led to the diagnosis of black hairy tongue. Management included brushing or scraping the tongue, using an antiseptic mouthwash, improving oral hygiene, quitting smoking, and changing the diet. During follow-up, the patient showed signs of improvement.
