[Anesthesia practice by nurse anesthetists in French speaking Sub-Saharan Africa].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the practice of anaesthesia in French-speaking subsaharian countries.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prospective survey.

PERSONS

Two hundred seventeen nurse anaesthetists, from 11 different countries.

METHODS

Anonymous questionnaire.

RESULTS

One third of nurses were practising anaesthesia since less than five years and 1/3 since more than 10. Only 39 (18%) were working in the country side. Thirty seven (17%) had been trained outside subsaharian Africa (in Cuba 6%, France 5%, Morocco 5% and Germany 1% respectively). Two hundred thirteen (98%) were performing general anaesthesia and 169 (78%) regional anaesthesia. Hundred sixty eight (97%) used spinal anaesthesia, 57 (33%) epidural, 31 (18%) intravenous regional anaesthesia, 24 (14%) axillary block, 17 (10%) caudal block and 10 (6%) peripheral block respectively. For regional techniques, disposable devices were available in 50% of cases. For general anaesthesia, thiopental was administered by 193 (89%) and ketamine by 156 (72%) nurse anaesthetists respectively. In 50% of cases, these drugs were used alone. An ECG was available in 40%, a pulse oximeter in 14% and a capnographe in less than 2% of cases. A ventilator was present in 66% of the places, but used only in 30% of them because of the lack of maintenance and training.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 50% of nurse anaesthetists were working alone. However, this rate is probably under-estimated, as the questionnaire did not consider anaesthesia practice in the country side.