Prevalence of stroke survivors in Parakou in northern Benin: A door-to-door community survey.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a major public health problem with a high burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to determine the prevalence of stroke in Titirou in Parakou. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study using a door-to-door survey in Titirou (Parakou) from 15 march to 15 October 2016 and included 4671 adults. We did a two stages survey. In the first stage the World Health Organization (WHO) tool for the diagnosis of stroke in community was used. In the second phase all suspected cases underwent neurological exam and sometimes brain CT-scan. The WHO definition was used for the diagnosis of stroke. We recorded the socio-demographic data and the vascular risk factors. The prevalence was standardized on age according to the WHO type population. Multiple logistic regression was done to identify associated factors and estimate the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 27.7±12.9 years with a sex ratio of 0.97. After screening 161 were suspected and 54 confirmed cases, the overall prevalence of stroke in Titirou was 1.156 per 100,000 inhabitants [95% CI: 0.850 to 1.426]. The age-standardized prevalence of stroke was 3223 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The associated factors were age (aPR 1.7 [1.5-1.9] for 10 years), history of hypertension (aPR: 64.8 [46.1-108.9]), diabetes mellitus (aPR: 4.5 [1.6-12.3]), low consumption of fruits and vegetables (aPR: 2.3 [1.2-4.4]), history of heart disease (aPR: 6.0 [2.6-13.7]), family history of stroke (PR: 4.6 [2.1-10.0]). Among the 54 subjects who had a stroke 10 were able to perform the brain CT-Scan: 40% were hemorrhagic and 60% ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a high prevalence of stroke in Titirou and suggested urgent action for prevention.

Epilepsy and Migraine Among Adolescents and Adults in Northern Benin.

To study relationship between migraine and epilepsy in adolescents and adults in northern Benin in 2018, a cross-sectional study with control group was conducted at Parakou in Benin. Cases were people with epilepsy (PWE) according to ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy) definition and followed at the Neurology Department of the Teaching Hospital of Borgou. Each case was matched to three controls (population-based controls) on age, sex and living area. Migraine was defined according to the ICHD-3 beta criteria of 2013. Conditional logistic regression models were used for associations. Thirty cases and ninety controls were included. The mean age was 32 ± 15 years for the cases and 32 ± 15 years for the controls with a sex-ratio (M/W) of 1.45. Migraine frequency in PWE was 63.33% and 17.78% in controls. After adjustment there were 8 times more migraine headaches in PWE than in controls (OR = 8.53; CI 95%: 2.6-28.0; P < 0.001).Epilepsy is associated with an increased frequency of migraine headaches.

Pour étudier les relations entre migraine et épilepsie chez les adolescents et les adultes du nord du Bénin en 2018, une étude transversale avec groupe témoin a été menée à Parakou au Bénin. Les cas, représentés par les personnes souffrant d'épilepsie (PSE), définis selon la Ligue internationale contre l'épilepsie, suivis dans le département de neurologie de l'hôpital universitaire du Borgou, ont été appariés chacun à trois témoins (issus de la population) selon l'âge, le sexe et le lieu de résidence. La migraine a été définie selon les critères de l'ICHD-3 bêta de 2013. Les associations ont été évaluées par des modèles de régression logistique conditionnelle. Trente cas et 90 sujets témoins ont été inclus. L'âge moyen était de 32,1 ± 15,5 ans chez les cas et de 32,4 ± 15,3 ans chez les témoins avec un sex-ratio (H/F) à 1,45. La fréquence de la migraine chez les PSE était de 63,3 % et de 17,8 % chez les témoins. À l'analyse bivariée, la migraine était significativement associée à l'épilepsie (p < 0,001). Après ajustement, il y avait huit fois plus de migraines chez les PSE que chez les sujets témoins (OR = 8,5 ; IC 95 : [2,6­28,0] ; p < 0,001). L'épilepsie est associée à une fréquence accrue de migraine.

Distal sensory polyneuropathy among HIV-infected patients at Parakou University Hospital, Benin, 2011.

Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most frequent neurological complication among HIV patients, and its risk increases with use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We aimed to assess the prevalence of DSP and the factors associated with it among HIV-infected outpatients treated at Parakou University Hospital. This cross-sectional study took place from April 15 to July 15, 2011, and included 262 patients. All patients underwent a neurological examination by two neurologists with training and clinical experience in these examinations and in the Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screening (BPNS), which was the primary tool used here. Data from nutritional status (body mass index: BMI), social and demographic information, HAART status, and CD4 count were recorded. The factors associated with DSP were studied with multivariate analysis, using a logistic regression model and a significance level of 0.05. The study included 60 men (22.9 %). Patients' ages ranged from 16 to 74 years and averaged 36.8±10 years. All patients but one patient were infected by HIV type 1 only; that one was coinfected by types 1 and 2. The mean BMI was 22.5+/-4.2 kg/m2. In all, 213 (81.3 %) received HAART, and the mean CD4 count was 355.0 cells/mm3+/-236.1. The prevalence of DSP was 42.4 %. The factors associated with it on univariate analysis were age, marital status, HAART status, duration of HIV infection, and duration of HAART. Only advanced age (OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.1-5.3) and HAART use (OR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.5-4.9) were associated with DSP in the multivariate analysis. The main symptoms were paresthesia (numbness:75.7%; burning: 39.6%; pins and needles sensation 32.4 %) and pain (23.4 %). Vibration perception at the toes was missing or reduced for 84.4 %. According to the sensory symptoms grade, 93.7 % of patients were classified in Grades 2 or 3. This study showed that the prevalence of DSP is high and that it is associated with age and HAART.

[Prevalence of peripheral artery disease among diabetics in Parakou in 2013]. / Prévalence de l'artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs et facteurs associés chez les diabétiques suivis en milieu hospitalier à Parakou en 2013.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral artery disease and its associated factors among diabetics. The cross-sectional study was conducted and included all diabetics admitted to the diabetic clinic at the Parakou University hospital during the period of 1st February and 31st July 2013. The diagnosis of peripheral artery disease was based on the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)<0.9. The socio-demographics data, the data concerning the diabetes and its complications were recorded in each patient. They were 401 diabetics and 59.5 % were females. The mean age was 53.7±11.5 years. Among the diabetics, 168 fulfilled the criteria of PAD, the overall prevalence was 41.9 %. In total, 31.5 % were symptomatics according to Leriche and Fontaine classification. The main associated factors were the increase of age (P=0.01), the absence of activity with high income (P=0.004), the absence of physical activity (P=0.023), the duration of diabetes (P=0.007), the presence of peripheral neuropathy (P=0.003), the glycosylated hemoglobin≥7 % (P<0.001). After a multivariate analysis, only diabetes control was independently associated with arteriopathy (P=0,004). The PAD was more frequent among diabetics in Parakou. The associated factors must be taken into account in order to improve the management of the disease and to reduce the burden of the PAD.

[Socio-cultural aspects of epilepsy in a rural community in northern Benin in 2011]. / Aspects socioculturels de l'épilepsie dans une communauté rurale au nord Bénin en 2011.

Despite the development of knowledge in diagnosis and therapeutic of epilepsy it remains to be cause of rejection and stigma. We aimed to study the knowledge, attitude and practice toward epilepsy and the stigma in a rural community. The cross-sectional study was carried out from 1st to 31st March 2011 in a rural community (Tourou) at Parakou in the northern Benin. It was a door-to-door survey and included 1 031 adults older than 15 years. The diagnosis of epilepsy was based on International League Against Epilepsy. The specific questionnaire was used and comprised 16 items which explored knowledge, attitude and practice toward epilepsy. Another questionnaire was developed to study stigma among epileptics. The associated factors to the misconception toward epilepsy have been studied. All adults have heard about epilepsy and knew the generalized tonic-clonic form of epilepsy and knew someone with epilepsy. Hereditary (98%) and witchcraft (97.9%) and social problems (65.9%) were mentioned as the most cause of epilepsy. Epilepsy was cited as contagious disease by 90.6% of respondents and the associated factors were the sex (p=0.005) and occupational status (0.024). The saliva (98.1%) and witness of the place of seizure (97.8%) were the frequently mentioned modes of transmission. 65% of all mentioned that epileptics can not get marriage and the main associated factors to this belief were the advanced age (p=0.008) and occupational status (0.004). 64.4% believed that children with epilepsy shouldn't be attend to school, age (0.004), ethnicity (0.047) and occupational status were the associated factors with this misconception. Despite 99.4% considered epilepsy as treatable disease only 12.7% would have referred epileptics to the hospital. All the seven epileptics considered themselves as victims of stigma and rejected by their family and the community. The misconceptions associated to the epilepsy can explain the stigma and the therapeutic gap in this rural community.

[Prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain with neuropathic component at Parakou in northern Benin in 2012]. / Prévalence et caractéristiques des douleurs chroniques avec caractère neuropathique en population générale à Parakou au nord du Bénin en 2012.

The burden of chronic and neuropathic pain is high making it an important public health problem. The epidemiology is not well known in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic pain with a neuropathic component at Tititou in Parakou in northeastern Benin. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st April to 31 May 2012 and included 2314 people in a door-to-door survey. Chronic pain was defined as pain occurring for more than three months. Neuropathic pain was assessed with the DN4 score. A neurological exam was performed by a young physician for all people with chronic pain. During the interview, sociodemographic data, past medical history, weight and height were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the main associated factors. Among the 2314 people included in this survey, 49.7% were male. The mean age was 32.3 ± 13.1 years. Nine hundred seven reported pain occurring for more than 3 months. The prevalence of chronic pain was 39.2% (CI95%: 29.3-34.7). It was more frequent in females, older people, among diabetics, people with a history of any surgery, stroke, brain trauma, and alcoholism. The prevalence of chronic pain with a neuropathic component was 6.3% (CI95%: 5.0-7.9). The main associated factors were age, matrimonial status, professional occupation, body mass index, diabetes, history of zoster, history of any surgery, brain trauma. People with neuropathic pain often reported pain with burning (87.6%), prickling (82.8%), numbness (66.9%), tingling (63.4%), and lightning pain (48.3%). The main locations were the lower limbs and low back pain. This study suggested the high frequency of chronic neuropathic pain in the general population in Parakou compared with rates reported in western countries.

[Prevalence of epilepsy in adults at Tourou, in northern Benin]. / Enquête sur la prévalence de l'épilepsie chez l'adulte à Tourou au nord du Bénin en 2011.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and the factors associated with it in Tourou in northern Benin. METHODS: We conducted a door-to-door survey in the village of Tourou, in Parakou in northern Benin from March 1-31, 2011. It included 1031 subjects older than 15 years selected by two-stage cluster sampling. The diagnosis of epilepsy was based on the definition of the International League against Epilepsy, and the subjects were interviewed with its diagnostic questionnaire. The data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software. The associations between epilepsy and various factors were estimated by calculating their odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The study included 1031 adults with a mean age of 44.03 ± 18.26 years; 682 were men. Seven subjects had epilepsy. Its prevalence was thus 7‰, 95% CI [0.2 to 20]. In the univariate analysis the factors associated with epilepsy were age (p<10(-4)), not working (p = 0.002), and length of residence in Tourou (p = 0.013). In the multivariate analysis, only age less than 25 years was significantly associated with epilepsy (OR: 11.2 [2.1; 60.9]. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the more frequent form of epilepsy (71.4%). All patients had had at least one seizure in the last six months. Only one patient of the 7 had used antiepileptic drug therapy (phenobarbital). CONCLUSION: This study, like others in Africa, suggests that epilepsy is not rare among young adults at Tourou in Northern Benin and that treatment of epilepsy in this area is inadequate.

[Major salmonellosis in Benin]. / Salmonelloses majeures au Bénin.

Although salmonellosis is a common endemo-epidemic disease in Benin, there is a paucity of data about it. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the incidence of major salmonellosis requiring hospitalizaton and to describe its epidemiological, clinical, and serologic features as well as treatment and outcome. Consecutive cases observed at the Medical Department of Parakou University Hospital in Benin between January 1, 2005 and December 31 2007 were included. Salmonellosis was defined on the basis of clinical and serological criteria. Among the 2,520 patients hospitalized during the study period, salmonellosis was diagnosed in 135 (5.4% [95% CI 4.5%-6.3%]). Highest incidences were observed in January, July, October and November. The main symptoms were headache, fever, fatigue and abdominal pain. The Salmonella typhi serotype was identified in 94.8% of patients. Two patients presented co-infection, i.e., Salmonella typhi with paratyphi A in one case and Salmonella typhi with paratyphi B in the other. Fluoroquinolones were used for treatment in 79.3% of patients. Outcome was favorable in 62.2%. The main complications were,typhoid digestive perforation in 11.1%, and gastrointestinal bleeding in 8.1%. The mortality rate was 4.4% (n=6). These data are consistent with previous reports in the literature and confirm the frequency and severity of salmonellosis in Benin.

[Management of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa: current issues]. / Prise en charge des accidents vasculaires cérébraux en Afrique subsaharienne.

In sub-Saharan Africa, stroke is likely to present an increasingly important public health problem with a larger relative share of overall morbidity and mortality. Overall, sub-Saharan Health Care is characterized by a lack of human resources, lack of facilities for special investigations, and especially an absence of specific programs addressing the prevention of cardiovascular conditions. Current data on the epidemiology of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa, although sparse and fragmentary, indicate a comparatively high incidence of cerebral hemorrhage associated with high blood pressure, while ischemic stroke in black Africans still appears to be related primarily to small artery disease, HIV infection, and sickle cell disease. With urbanization, the role of large-vessel atherosclerosis is increasing. It is thus essential to coordinate government funding, health care professionals and development agencies to address this rising health problem. Access to health care needs to be better structured, and screening programs should be developed in order to identify and treat vascular risk factors. Improved training of health care professionals is also required in the areas of prevention, diagnosis and management of stroke. Implementation of best-practice recommendations for the management of stroke adapted to the specificities and resources of African countries would help rationalize the scarce resources currently available.

Prevalence of migraine in a rural community in south Benin.

Migraine is a very common neurological disorder worldwide. Its prevalence is lower in developing countries. There were no data concerning the general population in Benin. We aimed to determine the prevalence of migraine in a rural community of Benin. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of Abomey from February to April 2003 and included 1113 persons selected by a two-stage survey. A case was defined according to International Headache Society criteria (1988). Of the 1113 persons, 37 had migraine. The lifetime prevalence of migraine was 3.3% (male 2.2%, female 4.0%). The peak prevalence was found in persons in the second decade of life. Higher levels of education were associated with migraine. Migraine without aura was the more frequent form (67.5%). The most frequent triggers of migraine were annoyance (73.0%), exposure to the sun (73.0%), heat (65.0%) and anxiety (51.4%). The low prevalence rate of migraine in Benin confirmed the results of the few available African studies. The disease is severe and occurs in a young population and could lead to a high socio-economical burden.