Epidemiological profile of occupational risks associated with artisanal burning of plastic materials in Parakou / Profil épidémiologique des risques professionnels associés au brûlage artisanal de matières plastiques à Parakou

Introduction: Burning plastic releases toxic fumes and gases. More and more people engage in the professional activity of welding plastic parts by fusion in Benin. Hence the need for this study. Purpose of research: To assess the frequency of the various occupational risks associated with the welding of plastic materials by burning in Parakou. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study focused on plastic welders in Parakou. The data was collected using a questionnaire. The variables studied were accidents at work, occupational diseases, and socio-professional characteristics. The data was analyzed by Epi info version 7.2.1.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 137 subjects were surveyed. They were all male. Almost all of them were victims of accidents at work. The lesions were mainly on the fingers (99%) and feet (99%). The most expressed morbid manifestations were musculoskeletal disorders (98%), rhinitis (87%), cough (79%), tearing (98%) and conjunctival hyperemia (93%). Conclusions: Plastic welding in Parakou is a high health risk activity for craftsmen. It is urgent to take protective measures for these craftsmen.

Introduction: La combustion du plastique dégage des fumées et des gaz toxiques. De plus en plus de personnes se livrent à l'activité professionnelle de soudage de pièces en plastique par fusion au Bénin, d'où la nécessité de cette étude. But de l'étude: Évaluer la fréquence des différents risques professionnels associés au soudage de matières plastiques par brûlage à Parakou. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale, descriptive et à visée analytique qui a porté sur les soudeurs de plastiques à Parakou. Les données ont été collectées à l'aide d'un questionnaire. Les variables étudiées étaient l'accident du travail, les maladies professionnelles et les caractéristiques socioprofessionnelles. Les données ont été analysées par Épi info version 7.2.1.0. Le seuil de signification a été fixé à p < 0,05. Résultats: Au total 137 sujets ont été enquêtés. Ils étaient tous de sexe masculin. La quasi-totalité d'entre eux était victime d'accidents du travail. Les lésions siégeaient surtout aux doigts (99 %) et aux pieds (99 %). Les manifestations morbides les plus exprimées étaient les troubles musculo-squelettiques (98 %), la rhinite (87 %), la toux (79 %), le larmoiement (98 %) et l'hyperhémie conjonctivale (94 %). Conclusions: Le soudage de plastique à Parakou est une activité à risque sanitaire élevé pour les artisans. La prise de mesures protectrices pour ces artisans est urgente.

Factors associated with noncompliance of sodium restriction in hypertensive and heart failure patients at the National Hospital of Cotonou, Benin.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional therapy in the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure is a real challenge in terms of compliance of sodium restriction for success of the treatment. The study aims to assess the level of patient compliance with the sodium restriction by salt consumption, prescribed by care providers and the associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total daily salt intake was estimated in a cross-sectional study of 166 hypertensive and heart failure subjects monitored in the cardiology department of the "Centre Hospitalier Universitaire - Hubert Koutoukou Maga" (CNHU-HKM), using two 24-hour recalls combined with a food frequency questionnaire for salt-providing foods. RESULTS: Out of the study, 83.7% of patients had a daily intake above recommendations. Factors associated with the non-compliance of salt restriction were the lack of knowledge of palliative spices and herbs of salty taste (p=0.009) and the consumption of salty snack foods and salty peanuts (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Nutritional education and support activities should be carried out to improve the salt reduction compliance for these patients.

Growing burden of diabetes in sub-saharan Africa: contribution of pesticides ?

The diabetes burden is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The low overall access to health care has been documented to contribute to the high diabetes-related mortality. Due to economic, demographic, epidemiological and nutrition transitions in SSA, the growing prevalence of diabetes appears to be related to obesogenic lifestyles and the intergenerational impact of malnutrition in women of childbearing age. Both overnutrition and undernutrition have been associated with the development of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Africans are also suspected of being genetically predisposed to diabetes. According to existing data in developed countries, exposure to pesticides, particularly organochlorines and metabolites, is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and its comorbidities. In African countries, pesticide exposure levels often appear much higher than in developed countries. Furthermore, undernutrition, which is still highly prevalent in SSA, could increase susceptibility to the adverse effects of organic pollutants. Therefore, the growing and inadequate use of pesticides may well represent an additional risk factor for diabetes in SSA. Additionally, high exposure to pesticides in African infants in utero and during the perinatal period may increase the intergenerational risk of developing diabetes in SSA.