Long-term complications are the main sources of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Aims: The aims of the study were to determine the rate of long-term complications in type 2 diabetic patients and to identify factors associated to these complications. Patients and method: Successive type 2 diabetic patients attending the diabetic center were submitted to a questionnaire and to clinical examination. Data were completed by consulting their medical reports. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: In 150 diabetic patients included in the study, the global rate of complications was 78.0%. Specific rate for itch complication investigated was 57.7% for peripheral neuropathy, 75.0% for erectile dysfunction, 20.0% for nephropathy, 36.6% for retinopathy, 40% for macroangiopathy and 8.0% for foot ulcer. Factors significantly associated with high rate of complications were age above or equal to 50 years (p = 0.001), the male gender (p = 0.000), high blood pressure (p = 0.0001), the absence of familial history of diabetes (p = 0.02), the duration of the disease above 5 years (p = 0.001) and high HbA1c level (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed that type 2 diabetic patients followed up in the diabetic center in Cotonou showed a high rate of chronic complications which often occurred in a younger age than in developed countries. Numerous socio-demographic and biological factors were significantly associated with the high rate of complications.

The dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) is an effective nutritional strategy to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. Optimal benefit from dietary recommendations in management of hypertension depends on the compliance. This analytic cross sectional study aimed at establishing determinants of DASH among adults with hypertension treated at hospital in Benin. The study included 150 hypertensive adults selected during medical visit for blood pressure monitoring at hospital Saint-Luc in Cotonou from June 3 rd to July 1 st , 2014. Data on consumption of sodium, fruits and vegetables, alcohol, saturated and trans fat rich products were collected by questionnaire. A score of adherence to DASH was built. Determinants of adherence to DASH were identified using logistic regression model. Only 20% of subjects showed adherence to DASH. Better knowledge on hypertension OR=5.18 (95%IC 1.98-13.22) and healthy dietary habits and lifestyle prior to diagnosis of hypertension OR=4.26 (95%IC 1.67-13.18) increased the likelihood of adherence to dietary recommendations for hypertension management. Nutrition education and information of patients on hypertension and its complications during medical consultations may increase their adherence to dietary recommendations for management of the disease.

BackgroundViolence against women remains an important issue of inequality in African societies, with several consequences to health, social and economic status. This study aims to identify the factors related to the perception of intimate partner violence in Benin.MethodsData on intimate partner violence was collected by conducting live interviews, and from the Benin Demographic and Health Survey 2012. The dependent variable was acceptance of intimate partner violence. The independent variables were socio-demographic features such as age, level of education, matrimonial status, ethnicity, religion, place of residence and the index of economic well-being. Logistic regressions were performed and odds ratios (OR) with a confidence interval of 95% (CI95%) were estimated.ResultsAmong the 21,574 people who answered the questions relating to violence against women by an intimate partner, the prevalence of acceptance of intimate partner violence was 15.77%. Ethnicity, level of education, administrative department of residence, religion, and socio-economic quintile were factors associated with the respondents’ acceptance of violence against women by an intimate partner.ConclusionAcceptance of intimate partner violence could be a major obstacle to the success of some health programs. There is a need to break the norms that support the vulnerability of women in Beninese society.

How to cite this paper: Agueh, V.D., Tugoué, M.F., Sossa, C., Métonnou, C., Azandjemè, C., Paraiso, N.M., Ouendo, M.-E., Ouédraogo, L.T.

Introduction: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health issue in developing countries, where roads tend to be built haphazardly and accidents take a heavy toll on victims-including leaving them disabled. This study seeks to identify those factors that cause RTA victims to become disabled as a result of their injuries. Methods: This retrospective community-based study looked at RTA victims treated in five public and faith-based hospitals in Benin. Disability was evaluated using the Washington Group on Disabilities Statistics questionnaire. The independent variables were related to the victim's socio-demographic traits, the circumstances of the accident, and post-crash response mechanisms. The proportions were compared using the chi-squared test, with a threshold of 5%. Results: The prevalence of disability among road traffic accident victims is 9.59% (CI 95%: 6.86%-13.20%). The occurrence of disability is associated with age (p = 0.002), occupational group (p = 0.0077), the mode of transport used to transfer the victim (p < 0.001) and the location of the injuries (p = 0.0035). The study also found that people fail to make sufficient use of post-crash response mechanisms. Conclusion: Public policy-makers should therefore focus on stepping up interventions to get more people using both protective equipment and post-crash response services.

World Health Organization estimates indicate 216 million malaria episodes in 2010, including 81% in the African region. One of the recommended means of prevention in pregnant women is intermittent preventive treatment, until 2012, two doses of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine or three doesfor a woman living with HIV In the Pobè-Adja-Ouèrè-Kétou health zone of Benin, coverage ofintermittent preventive treatment remains low (49% against a forecast of 80%) several years after implementation of this strategy. We conducted a cross-sectional study in June and July 2012 to identify factors associated with low intermittent preventive treatment coverage in this area. A total of 339 women were interviewed and 48% ofthem received less than two doses of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine during their prenatal consultations. The variables associated with low intermittent preventive treatment coverage were low antenatal care coverage (p < 0.001) and a prenatal consultation in the private sector (p = 0.039). In the light of our results, actions must be taken by this health zone to encourage women to complete the four visits during pregnancy.

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High blood pressure (HBP) is a public health problem with high prevalence and serious medical consequences. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and its associated factors in adults aged 25 to 64 in the health district of Aplahoué in Benin. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 2016. The study involved 540 participants randomly selected by cluster sampling techniques. A questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary patterns, lifestyles and socioeconomic conditions. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with HBP. The median age of participants was 40 years old with an interquartile range of [32-51.5] years. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 133.56 ± 20.68 and 83.26 ± 13.29 mmHg, respectively. The prevalence of HBP was 29.94%. The urban environment, the high frequency of salt consumption, the low frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption, the habit of smoking, physical inactivity, and being overweight were found to increase the risk of HBP. Interventions to promote healthy lifestyles are timely in the health district of Aplahoué.