Behavioral risk factors of breast cancer in Bangui of Central African Republic: A retrospective case-control study.

Breast cancer is recognized as a major public health problem in developing countries; however, there is very little evidence of behavioral factors associated with breast cancer risk. This study was conducted to identify lifestyles as risk factors for breast cancer among Central African women. A case-control study was conducted with 174 cases confirmed histologically by the pathology unit of the National Laboratory and 348 age-matched controls. Data collection tools included a questionnaire with interviews and medical records of patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained by unconditional logistic regression. In total, 522 women were studied with a mean age of 45.8 (SD = 13.4) years. By unconditional logistic regression model, women with breast cancer were more likely to have attained illiterate and elementary education level [11.23 (95% CI, 4.65-27.14) and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.15-4.99)], married [2.09 (95% CI, 1.18-3.71)], positive family history [2.31 (95% CI, 1.36-3.91)], radiation exposure [8.21 (95% CI, 5.04-13.38)], consumption charcuterie [10.82 (95% CI, 2.39-48.90)], fresh fish consumption [4.26 (95% CI, 1.56-11.65)], groundnut consumption [6.46 (95% CI, 2.57-16.27)], soybean consumption [16.74 (95% CI, 8.03-39.84)], alcohol [2.53 (95% CI, 1.39-4.60)], habit of keeping money in bras[3.57 (95% CI, 2.24-5.69)], overweight [5.36 (95% CI, 4.46-24.57)] and obesity [3.11(95% CI, 2.39-20.42)]. However, decreased risk of breast cancer was associated with being employed [0.32 (95% CI, 0.19-0.56)], urban residence [0.16 (95% CI, 0.07-0.37)], groundnut oil consumption [0.05 (95% CI, 0.02-0.14)], wine consumption [0.16 (95% CI, 0.09-0.26)], non habit of keeping cell phone in bras [0.56 (95% CI, 0.35-0.89)] and physical activity [0.71(95% CI, 0.14-0.84)]. The study showed that little or no education, marriage, positive family history of cancer, radiation exposure, charcuterie, fresh fish, groundnut, soybean, alcohol, habit of keeping money in bras, overweight and obesity were associated with breast cancer risk among Central African women living in Bangui. Women living in Bangui should be more cautious on the behavioral risk associated with breast cancer.

[Efficacy of artemether in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children aged 6-60 months of age in Bangui (Central African Republic)]. / Efficacité de l'artéméther dans le traitement du paludisme simple à Plasmodium falciparum chez l'enfant de 6 à 60 mois à Bangui (Centrafrique).

OBJECTIVE: Transmission of malaria in the Central African Republic is holoendemic. The disease accounts for 40% of medical consultations and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Central African Republic is classified by WHO in zone C for resistance to traditional anti-malaria drugs such as chloroquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and amodiaquine. In this setting, our study sought to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and the feasibility (acceptability) of artemether in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in young children in Bangui. METHODS: This non-comparative, cross-sectional, open study included children aged from 6 months to 5 years of age treated for uncomplicated malaria at the Urban Health Center (CSU) of Bédé-Combatant from May through November 2005. All children had a specific Plasmodium falciparum infection and both parasitemia ranging from 2,000 to 100,000 parasites/microL in uncomplicated malaria and an axillary temperature of 37.5 degrees C or higher but lower than 39.5 degrees C. Epi info software, version 6.03, was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: The study included 53 children, only 49 of whom could be analysed. An adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) was obtained for 47 (96%), early therapeutic failure was detected for 1 patient (on D2), and late parasitological failure on D14 for another. On the whole, only 4% could be qualified as early or late treatment failure. Tolerance was excellent. CONCLUSION: Artemether was well tolerated. This agent is an effective and safe alternative for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in children in the Central African Republic.