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Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is rising globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sierra Leone, the incidence of overweight, obesity (OWOB), and overnutrition among women has sharply increased. This finding accompanies the high incidence of undernutrition, which has been prevalent for decades. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of different malnutrition categories (underweight, overweight, obesity, and overnutrition) and associated factors among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Sierra Leone using secondary data analysis of the Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey of 2019 (SLDHS-2019). Methods: We conducted secondary data analysis of the SLDHS-2019 of 7,514 women aged 15–49 years. We excluded pregnant, post-natal, lactating, and post-menopausal women. Data was collected using validated questionnaires, and respondents were selected through a multistage stratified sampling approach. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with malnutrition among 15–49-year-old women in Sierra Leone. Results: Among 15–49-year-old women in Sierra Leone, the prevalence of underweight was 6.7% (95%CI: 4.5-8.9%); overweight at 19.7% (95%CI: 17.7-21.7%); obesity was 7.4% (95% CI: 5.2-9.6%); and overnutrition, 27.1% (95%CI: 25.2-29.0%). Women aged 25–34 years were more likely to be underweight (adjusted Odds Ratios, aOR = 1.670, 95%CI: 1.254–2.224; p < 0.001) than those aged 15–24 years; women who were not married were less likely to be underweight (aOR = 0.594, 95%CI: 0.467–0.755; p < 0.001) than married women. Women from the North were less likely to be underweight (aOR = 0.734, 95%CI: 0.559–0.963; p = 0.026) than the East, and those who did not listen to the radio were less likely to be underweight (aOR = 0.673; 95%CI: 0.549–0.826; p < 0.001) than those who did. Overweight was less likely among 25–34 years (aOR = 0.609, 95%CI: 0.514–0.722; p < 0.001) and 35–49 years (aOR = 0.480, 95%CI: 0.403–0.571; p < 0.001) age-groups than 15–24 years; more likely among not married women (aOR = 1.470, 95%CI:1.249–1.730; p < 0.001) than married; less likely among working-class (aOR = 0.840, 95%CI: 0.720–0.980; p = 0.026) than not working-class; most likely in women from the North (aOR = 1.325, 95%CI:1.096–1.602; p = 0.004), and less likely among women from the South (aOR = 0.755, 95%CI: 0.631–0.903; p = 0.002) than the East; less likely among women of middle-wealth-index (aOR = 0.656, 95%CI: 0.535–0.804; p < 0.001), richer-wealth-index (aOR = 0.400, 95%CI: 0.309–0.517; p < 0.001), and richest-wealth-index (aOR = 0.317, 95%CI: 0.234–0.431; p < 0.001) than the poorest-wealth-index; and more likely among women who did not listen to radios (aOR = 1.149; 95%CI:1.002–1.317; p = 0.047) than those who did. The predictors of overweight among women 15–49 years are the same as obesity and overnutrition, except overnutrition and obesity were less likely in female-headed households (aOR = 0.717,95%CI: 0.578–0.889; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of all categories of malnutrition among women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone is high, affirming a double burden of malnutrition in this study population. Underweight was more likely among the 25–34-year age group than 15–24-year. The predictors of overweight, obesity, and overnutrition were being unmarried/single, residing in the North, and not listening to the radio. There is an urgent need for policymakers in Sierra Leone to design comprehensive educational programs for women of reproductive age on healthy lifestyles and the dangers of being underweight or over-nourished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The cosmetic use of skin bleaching products is common among women in sub-Saharan Africa despite numerous reported cutaneous and systemic complications. We report the first case of squamous cell carcinoma in a woman using skin bleaching products in Togo. Case Report. A 65-year-old woman with a 30-year history of skin bleaching products use consulted in dermatology for a tumor of the neck that had been evolving for 2 years. There was no personal or family history of cancer. The patient was obese (BMI = 38.3 kg/m2) and had high blood pressure. Clinical examination noted multiple ulcerative and cauliflower tumors of the neck. The presence of stretch marks, skin atrophy, and ochronosis was noted in the examination of the rest of skin. There were no lymph nodes. HIV serology was negative. Histology of a tumor biopsy concluded to an invasive skin squamous cell carcinoma. The cervical, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic TDM revealed pulmonary metastases. The patient underwent complete surgical removal of the right latero-cervical tumor. The left latero-cervical tumors were not removed because they infiltrated the large vessels. Chemotherapy before surgery was prescribed but not honored for financial reasons. The patient died 2 months after her first consultation in respiratory distress. Conclusion. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the complications of skin bleaching in sub-Saharan Africa. It is necessary to intensify awareness campaigns on the complications of this practice, in order to reduce their incidence, in our context where this practice is very frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical aspects, and outcome of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) in sub-Saharan Africa. Patients and Method: We conducted a descriptive study in hospital dermatology departments in five sub-Saharan African countries over a two-year period (April 2017 to July 2019). Patients over fifteen years of age received for NF were included. Results: During the study period, 224 patients with NF were included. Their mean age was 51.9 ± 18.3 years and their sex ratio (M/F) was 1.3. NF was present in the lower limbs in 88.8% (n = 199) of the patients. The main local signs of NF were cutaneous necrosis (83.9%; n = 188) and spontaneous intense pain (75.9%; n = 170). NSAIDs (32.6%; n = 73), obesity (16.5%; n = 65), the use of decoctions/poultices (21.4%; n = 48), diabetes (16.5%; n = 37), nicotine addiction (11.6%; n = 26), alcoholism (8%; n = 18), voluntary cosmetic depigmentation (6.7%; n = 15), and HIV infection (3.8%; n = 8) were the main comorbidities. We recorded 14.7% (n = 33) of deaths. Conclusion: This study shows that NF of the lower extremities is the most often observed clinical form in sub-Saharan Africa. Some factors or comorbidities (diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, nicotine addiction) seem to be relatively frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease of poverty that affects more than 200 million people worldwide, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, and is clearly associated with the construction of dams and water resource management infrastructure in tropical and subtropical areas. Changes to hydrology and salinity linked to water infrastructure development may create conditions favorable to the aquatic vegetation that is suitable habitat for the intermediate snail hosts of schistosome parasites. With thousands of small and large water reservoirs, irrigation canals, and dams developed or under construction in Africa, it is crucial to accurately assess the spatial distribution of high-risk environments that are habitat for freshwater snail intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis in rapidly changing ecosystems. Yet, standard techniques for monitoring snails are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and provide information limited to the small areas that can be manually sampled. Consequently, in low-income countries where schistosomiasis control is most needed, there are formidable challenges to identifying potential transmission hotspots for targeted medical and environmental interventions. In this study, we developed a new framework to map the spatial distribution of suitable snail habitat across large spatial scales in the Senegal River Basin by integrating satellite data, high-definition, low-cost drone imagery, and an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computer vision technique called semantic segmentation. A deep learning model (U-Net) was built to automatically analyze high-resolution satellite imagery to produce segmentation maps of aquatic vegetation, with a fast and robust generalized prediction that proved more accurate than a more commonly used random forest approach. Accurate and up-to-date knowledge of areas at highest risk for disease transmission can increase the effectiveness of control interventions by targeting habitat of disease-carrying snails. With the deployment of this new framework, local governments or health actors might better target environmental interventions to where and when they are most needed in an integrated effort to reach the goal of schistosomiasis elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: stroke is a cerebrovascular disease. Early reperfusion in neurovascular units can reduce its morbidity and mortality. Even when neurovascular units exist, patients usually arrive late in the emergency department. to the purpose of this study was to determine prehospital delay in patients with acute ischemic stroke and associated factors. Methods: we conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in the neurology department of the Fann University Hospital in Dakar from January 1st to June 30th, 2020. We included patients younger than 80 years seen in the emergency unit for ischemic stroke. The median time to presentation was calculated based on the time of stroke onset and that of arrival at the hospital. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors associated with prehospital delay. Results: a total of 56 patients were enrolled, among whom 58.6% arrived at the hospital in less than 3 hours. Of them, 37.5% presented to a level 3 or 4 hospital first. Less than 34% of our patient presented to a level 2-3 hospital in less than 3 hours. Based on bi- and multivariate analysis, being married (OR = 7.2 [CI à 95%: 1.5 - 35.8]), being a female (OR = 5.5 [CI à 95%: 1.5 -19.8]) and having stroke during week days (OR = 4.3 [CI à 95%: 1.3-13.9]) were associated with prehospital delay. Conclusion: most of our patients arrived late at a level 2 or 3 hospital. Being a married woman increased the risk of late arrival. This study highlights the importance of improving awareness in order to increase the proportion of patients potentially eligible for revascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One component of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) goal to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030, is that 95% of all persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) achieve viral suppression.† Thus, testing all HIV-positive persons for viral load (number of copies of viral RNA per mL) is a global health priority (1). CDC and other U.S. government agencies, as part of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), together with other stakeholders, have provided technical assistance and supported the cost for multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa to expand viral load testing as the preferred monitoring strategy for clinical response to ART. The individual and population-level benefits of ART are well understood (2). Persons receiving ART who achieve and sustain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to their sex partners, thereby disrupting onward transmission (2,3). Viral load testing is a cost-effective and sustainable programmatic approach for monitoring treatment success, allowing reduced frequency of health care visits for patients who are virally suppressed (4). Viral load monitoring enables early and accurate detection of treatment failure before immunologic decline. This report describes progress on the scale-up of viral load testing in eight sub-Saharan African countries from 2013 to 2018 and examines the trajectory of improvement with viral load testing scale-up that has paralleled government commitments, sustained technical assistance, and financial resources from international donors. Viral load testing in low- and middle-income countries enables monitoring of viral load suppression at the individual and population level, which is necessary to achieve global epidemic control. Although there has been substantial achievement in improving viral load coverage for all patients receiving ART, continued engagement is needed to reach global targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Tick communities of cattle in smallholder rural livestock production systems in sub-Saharan Africa" published in the journal Parasites & Vectors. The notice states that several corrections provided by the authors during the proofing of their article were not implemented in the published version. The corrections have now been made and can be found in Additional file 1, which is linked to the erratum. The publisher apologizes for the error and remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Over the past few decades, the prevalence of hypertension has dramatically increased in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poor adherence has been identified as a major cause of failure to control hypertension. Scarce data are available in Africa. Aims: We assessed adherence to medication and identified socioeconomics, clinical and treatment factors associated with low adherence among hypertensive patients in 12 sub-Saharan African countries. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics of both low and middle income countries. Data were collected by physicians on demographics, treatment and clinical data among hypertensive patients attending the clinics. Adherence was assessed by questionnaires completed by the patients. Factors associated with low adherence were investigated using logistic regression with a random effect on countries. Results: There were 2198 individuals from 12 countries enrolled in the study. Overall, 678 (30.8%), 738 (33.6%), 782 (35.6%) participants had respectively low, medium and high adherence to antihypertensive medication. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of traditional medicine (OR: 2.28, 95%CI [1.79–2.90]) and individual wealth index (low vs. high wealth: OR: 1.86, 95%CI [1.35–2.56] and middle vs. high wealth: OR: 1.42, 95%CI [1.11–1.81]) were significantly and independently associated with poor adherence to medication. In stratified analysis, these differences in adherence to medication according to individual wealth index were observed in low-income countries (p<0.001) but not in middle-income countries (p = 0.17). In addition, 26.5% of the patients admitted having stopped their treatment due to financial reasons and this proportion was 4 fold higher in the lowest than highest wealth group (47.8% vs 11.4%) (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed the high frequency of poor adherence in African patients and the associated factors. These findings should be useful for tailoring future programs to tackle hypertension in low income countries that are better adapted to patients, with a potential associated enhancement of their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Correction: Parasites & Vectors (2023) 16:206 b https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05801-5 Following publication of the original article, the authors flagged that a species was incorrectly named in the Results subsection of the Abstract: instead of ' I Rhipicephalus microplus i is known...', it said ' I Rhipicephalus appendiculatus i is known..'. The published article [[1]] has since been corrected. Reference 1 Heylen DJ, Kumsa B, Kimbita E, Frank MN, Muhanguzi D, Jongejan F, Adehan SB, Toure A, Aboagye-Antwi F, Ogo NI, Juleff N. Tick communities of cattle in smallholder rural livestock production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. [Extracted from the article]

Despite significant progres on haemophilia care in developed world, this disease remains unknown in many sub-Saharan African countries. The objectives of this article were to report Senegalese experience on the management of haemophilia care through 18 years of follow-up. This cohort study included 140 patients (127 haemophilia A, 13 haemophilia B), followed in Dakar's haemophilia treatment centre from 1995 to 2012. Our study reported a prevalence of 2.3/100 000 male births, accounting for 11.6% of what is expected in Senegal. From the period 1995-2003 to 2004-2012, significant progress was seen including 67.9% increase in new patient's identification, 11.3 years reduction in mean age at diagnosis (from 15.5 to 4.2 years), lower mortality rate (from 15.3% to 6.8%) and age at death evolved from 6.5 to 23.3 years. Of the 50 haemophilia A patients who were tested for inhibitor presence, 10 were positive (eight severe and two moderate) that is prevalence of 20%. All patients were low responders since inhibitor titre was between 1.5 and 3.8 BU. Disabilities were seen in 36.5% of patients above 20 years old who had musculoskeletal sequels and 39% had no scholar or professional activities in our setting. Implementing haemophilia care in sub-Saharan Africa is a great challenge as this disease is not yet counted in national health problems in many countries. Lessons learned from this study show a significant improvement in diagnosis and prognosis parameters. This emphasizes the needs to set up such follow-up initiatives and to enhance medical and lay cooperation for better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Objectif: Identifier en Côte d’Ivoire, les raisons incriminées dans le diagnostic tardif des cancers du sein. Patientes et méthodes: Une étude rétrospective sur quatre ans (janvier 2008–décembre 2011) portant sur 350 patientes porteuses d’un adénocarcinome du sein a été réalisée. Un questionnaire a été élaboré et dûment renseigné en ayant recours aux dossiers des malades. Une analyse de régression linéaire de ces données a permis de déterminer le degré de concordance entre les facteurs incriminés et le long délai diagnostique. Résultats: Ainsi, 78,9 % des patientes consultaient au-delà de dix mois avec des cancers inflammatoires (54 %) et des ulcérations nécrotiques (18 %). Les facteurs retrouvés à l’interrogatoire étaient le manque de moyens financiers (36 %), les habitudes socioculturelles avec les traitements traditionnels en première intention (41,1 %), les erreurs de diagnostic (7,1 %) et l’insuffisance de prise en charge thérapeutique (8,9 %). Cependant, pris individuellement, aucune concordance significative n’était retrouvée entre ces facteurs et le long délai diagnostique. La chimiothérapie était la méthode thérapeutique de première intention. Conclusion: Dans notre pratique, c’est la conjonction de la triade ignorance, indigence et habitudes socioculturelles qui constitue le facteur essentiel du diagnostic tardif des cancers du sein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a neglected disease that affects millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Control efforts in the past have been successful in reducing the number of cases, but the disease has started to reemerge in recent years. The recent sequencing of the tsetse fly genome provides new opportunities for research and control strategies. The genome data reveals unique aspects of tsetse biology, such as its olfactory system and reproductive physiology, which can be targeted for improved vector control. Additionally, the genome data can help in understanding tsetse-parasite interactions and developing strategies to block parasite transmission. The International Glossina Genome Initiative (IGGI) has played a crucial role in bringing together researchers and funding for tsetse research. The consortium invites researchers to explore the research opportunities in tsetse and trypanosomes to improve disease elimination methods. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in tropical countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Senegal, a control plan implemented in the beginning of the 2000s has enabled a substantial reduction of mortality and morbidity due to malaria. However, eradication of malaria requires a vaccine that protects against Plasmodium falciparum the deadliest species of the parasite that causes this disease. Plasmodium falciparum is characterized by an extensive genetic diversity that makes vaccine development challenging. In this study, the diversity of P. falciparum isolates was analysed from asymptomatic children residing in the district of Toubacouta, Senegal. Methods: A nested PCR approach was used to perform genotyping of the msp-1 and msp-2 loci in samples from 87 asymptomatic children infected with P. falciparum, collected during a cross sectional survey in November and December 2010. Parasite densities in blood samples were determined by microscopic examination and statistical analyses were used to identify association of parasite genotype and parasitaemia. Results: Genotyping was successful in 84/87 and 82/87 samples for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. A strong genetic diversity was found with a total of 15 and 21 different alleles identified for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. RO33 was the most frequent allelic family of msp-1 followed by MAD20, then by K1. Regarding msp-2 allelic families, 3D7 was more common than FC27. Multiple infections were predominant, since 69% and 89% of the samples genotyped for msp-1 and msp-2 showed more than one clone of P. falciparum with complexity of infection (COI) of 2.5 and 4.7, respectively. Expected heterozygosity (HE) was 0.57 and 0.55 for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. Interestingly, polyclonal infections were significantly associated with higher parasitaemia. Conclusions: The strong genetic diversity of P. falciparum clones and the association of polyclonal infection with high parasitaemia call for a multi-allelic approach in the design of vaccine candidates for efficient malaria eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High prevalence of residual parasitemia at day 3 post-artesunate monotherapy treatment using qPCR while no parasites were detected by microscopy at the same timepoint. • A longer parasite clearance time observed in a Malian village. • Artesunate treatment is still efficacious on Plasmodium falciparum in Mali. Artemisinin resistance described as increased parasite clearance time (PCT) is rare in Africa. More sensitive methods such as qPCR might better characterize the clearance phenotype in sub-Saharan Africa. PCT is explored in Mali using light microscopy and qPCR after artesunate for uncomplicated malaria. In two villages, patients were followed for 28 days. Blood smears and spots were collected respectively for microscopy and qPCR. Parasitemia slope half-life was calculated after microscopy. Patient residual parasitemia were measured by qPCR. Uncorrected adequate clinical and parasitological responses (ACPR) observed in Faladje and Bougoula-Hameau were 78% and 92%, respectively (p = 0.01). This reached 100% for both after molecular correction. Proportions of 24H microscopy positive patients in Faladje and Bougoula-Hameau were 97.2% and 72%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Slope half-life was 2.8 h in Faladje vs 2H in Bougoula-Hameau (p < 0.001) and Proportions of 72H patients with residual parasitemia were 68.5% and 40% in Faladje and Bougoula-Hameau, respectively (p = 0.003). The mean residual parasitemia was 2.9 in Faladje vs. 0.008 in Bougoula-Hameau (p = 0.002). Although artesunate is efficacious in Mali, the longer parasite clearance time with submicroscopic parasitemia observed may represent early signs of developing P. falciparum resistance to artemisinins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The growing menace of poor quality and falsified drugs constitutes a major hazard, compromising healthcare and patient outcomes. Efforts to assess drug standards worldwide have almost exclusively focused on anti-microbial drugs; with no study to date on cardiovascular drugs. Our study aims to assess quality of seven routinely used cardiovascular medications (anticoagulants, antihypertensives and statins) in ten Sub-Saharan African countries. Methods Drugs were prospectively collected using standardized methods between 2012 and 2014 from licensed (random pharmacies) and unlicensed (street-markets) places of sale in Africa. We developed a validated reversed-phase liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method to accurately quantify the active ingredient in a certified public laboratory. Three quality categories were defined based on the ratio of the measured to the expected dosage of the active ingredient: A (good quality): 95% to 105%, B (low quality): 85 to 94.99% or 105.01 to 115%, C (very low quality): < 85% or > 115%. Results All expected medicines (n = 3468 samples) were collected in Benin, Burkina-Faso, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Togo and Senegal. Out of the 1530 samples randomly tested, poor quality (types B and C) was identified in 249 (16.3%) samples. The prevalence of poor quality was significantly increased in certain specific drugs (amlodipine 29% and captopril 26%), in generic versions (23%) and in drugs produced in Asia (35%). The proportion of poor quality reached 50% when drugs produced in Asia were sold in street-markets. Conclusion In this first study assessing the quality of cardiovascular drugs in Africa, we found a significant proportion of poor quality drugs. This requires continued monitoring strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of a clinical trial at community-health centers in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in sub-Saharan Africa. Effectiveness of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) chemoprophylaxis at early states of HIV-1 infection in preventing morbidity and mortality; Method of monitoring bacterial susceptibility and hematological tolerance; Findings suggesting that the measure is a quick and affordable public health intervention.

Depression has long been recognized as a comorbidity of epilepsy in high-income countries, ranging from 17 to 49% of people with epilepsy (PWE). Of the limited studies from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where most people have uncontrolled seizures, an even higher prevalence of depression is reported among PWE at times exceeding 80%. We sought to assess the prevalence and severity of depression and its associated factors among PWE in Guinea, a sub-Saharan West African country where most PWE have poorly controlled seizures. People with epilepsy from the community, age 16 years old and above, were consecutively recruited into a convenience cohort at the Ignace Deen Hospital in the capital city, Conakry, in summer 2018 as part of a larger study characterizing PWE in Guinea. Each participant was evaluated by a team of Guinean physicians and a U.S.-based neurologist to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy. Inperson interviews were performed to measure demographic, clinical, socioeconomic, and related variables. Depression was measured via the Patient Health Questionniare-9 in the language of the participant's preference with a cutoff of 5 or more points being categorized as depressed. Regression analyses were performed to measure the associations between explanatory variables with the outcome of depression. Of 140 PWE (age range: 16–66 years old; 64 female; 64% taking an antiseizure medication including 28% carbamazepine, 16% phenobarbital, and 14% valproic acid; duration of epilepsy: 11 years; 71% with one or more seizures in the past month; 17% never treated with an antiseizure medication; 90% with loss of consciousness during seizures; 10% without formal education; 31% with university level education; 62% using tap water; 48% with a serious seizure-related injury), the point prevalence of depression was 66% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58%–74%): 43% of PWE had mild depression, 19% moderate, 4% moderate to severe, and 0.1% severe. In a multivariate analysis, the occurrence of a seizure in the past month (odds ratio: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.63–3.48, p = 0.01) was associated with depression, while gender, self-perceived stigma score, serious injuries, and the number of antiseizure medications taken were not statistically significantly associated (p > 0.05). Twenty-five percent of all participants endorsed thoughts of self-harm or suicidality. Two-thirds of PWE in Guinea had depression in this single-institution convenience cohort. The presence of a seizure in the last month was the factor most associated with depression and is modifiable in many PWE. The high prevalance of depression suggests that screening and addressing depressive symptoms should be incorporated into routine epilepsy care in Guinea. • This study uses the PHQ-9 scale to assess the prevalence of depression in PWE in Guinea and the associated factors. • 140 PWE, age 16 to 66, were interviewed and point prevalence of depression was 66% (95% CI 58%-74%). • In a multivariate analysis, only the occurrence of seizures in the past month was significantly associated with depression • Public health measures directed to motivate health care providers in SSA and to address the psychiatric effects of epilepsy would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]