[Impact of HIV status on the overall prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in Parakou, Benin]

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of hepatitis B is very variable across geographic areas and seems to be influenced by HIV infection. This study aims to evaluate the impact of serologic HIV status on the overall prevalence of hepatitis B in a Hospital in Parakou, Benin.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults aged 18 years old and over hospitalized in the Departmental University Hospital Center in Parakou between May 2011 and June 2012. The diagnosis of hepatitis B was made on the basis of rapid HBsAg tests while the diagnosis of HIV was made on the basis of rapid HIV tests using venous blood samples. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo software. Multivariate logistic regression model was implemented to investigate factors associated with hepatitis B.

RESULTS

Out of 1516 subjects included, 744 were HIV seropositive. The average age was 31.3 + 11.1 years and 65.1% were women. The prevalence rate of hepatitis B in the whole sample was 13.9% [CI95:12.2%-15.7%]. This prevalence was higher in HIV seropositive subjects (16.9% vs 10.9%; p < 0.0006), however there was not a more significant difference in multivariate analysis, except for the group of subjects from Borgou/Alibori (p < 0.02). A consistent association was observed between age group 24-44 years (p < 0.03), male sex (p < 0.01), primary school education (p < 0.02) and a high prevalence of hepatitis B.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of hepatitis B was higher in HIV seropositive subjects. This was influenced by age, sex, education level and geographical origin.

[Knowledge and attitudes of community volunteers on Lassa and Ebola viral haemorrhagic fevers in the Donga Department (North Benin)]

Introduction

L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer les connaissances et attitudes des relais communautaires vis-à-vis des fièvres hémorragiques à virus Ebola et Lassa et leur implication dans la mise œuvre des activités de prévention de ces maladies.

Méthodes

Une enquête transversale descriptive a été menée auprès des relais communautaires recrutés par tirage au sort dans 40 villages du département de la Donga. Ces relais faisaient la prise en charge à domicile des maladies respiratoires, diarrhéiques et du paludisme chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans. Un questionnaire anonyme a été administré par interview directe. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide du logiciel Epi-info 3.5.1.

Résultats

Au total 58 relais communautaires (RC) ont participé à cette enquête sur les 60 attendus. L’âge moyen était de 38,7±10,6 ans avec un sex-ratio de 3,5. Il y avait majoritairement trente cinq cultivateurs (60,3%) et treize revendeuses (22,4%). Quarante huit enquêtés (82,8%) reconnaissaient les deux maladies comme étant graves, mortelles et transmissibles. Les trois principales voies de transmission citées étaient le contact ou la consommation de gibiers (87,9%), le contact direct avec les personnes infectées (74,1%) ou leurs cadavres (46,6%). Les principaux moyens préventifs énumérés étaient en lien avec les voies de transmission. La fièvre (81,0%), les vomissements (81,0%) et la diarrhée (60,3%) venaient en tête des symptômes cités. Seulement vingt-deux RC (37,9%) disposaient de gants mais les utilisaient rarement pour examiner les enfants malades. Quant à la conduite à tenir devant un cas suspect de fièvre hémorragique virale Lassa ou Ebola, quarante-et-un relais communautaires (70,7%) feraient recours aux agents de santé sans toucher au malade, neuf (15,5%) feraient appel à l’ambulance et huit (13,8%) transporteraient le cas sur leur propre moto ou sur un taxi-moto vers le centre de santé le plus proche.

Conclusion

Le renforcement des capacités des relais communautaires sur les fièvres hémorragiques virales contribuerait à l’amélioration de leurs connaissances sur ces épidémies mortelles et à la qualité de leurs interventions dans la population.

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledges and attitudes of community volunteers on Lassa and Ebola viral haemorrhagic fevers and their role in the implementation of activities for the prevention of these diseases.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey among community volunteers chosen by lot in 40 villages in the Donga Department. Children under five years of age with respiratory and diarrheal diseases and malaria were treated by these community volunteers in their home. An anonymous questionnaire was administered by direct interview. Data were analyzed using Epi-Info 3.5.1.

Results

Out of 60 community volunteers potentially participating in this survey a total of 58 effectively participated. The average age of community volunteers was 38.7 ± 10.6 years with a sex-ratio of 3.5. The majority of the community volunteers were farmers (thirty-five, 60.3%) and resellers (thirteen, 22.4%). Forty-eight respondents (82.8%) recognized the two diseases as being serious, life-threatening and transmissible. The three main routes of transmission cited were the contact with or the consumption of bushmeat (87.9%), the direct contact with infected people (74.1%) or with their corpses (46.6%). The main preventive measures listed were related to the routes of transmission. Fever (81.0%), vomiting (81.0%) and diarrhea (60.3%) were at the top of the cited symptoms. Only twenty-two community volunteers (37.9%) had gloves but they rarely used them to examine sick children. As regards the procedure to follow in case of suspected Lassa or Ebola viral haemorrhagic fever , forty-one community volunteers (70.7%) would make use of community-based health workers without touching the patient, nine (15.5%) would call for the ambulance and eight (13.8%) would take the patient to the nearest health center using their own motorcycle or a motorcycle-taxi.

Conclusion

Strengthening community volunteers’ capacity to manage viral hemorrhagic fevers would contribute to the improvement of their knowledge of these life-threatening epidemics and to the quality of population health interventions.

[Prevalence of peripheral artery disease among diabetics in Parakou in 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.

[Prevalence of hepatitis B in people infected with HIV in Parakou in Benin]

Introduction

La co-infection avec l'hépatite B est l'un des défis majeurs de la prise en charge du VIH depuis l'amélioration de l'accès aux antirétroviraux en Afrique. La présente étude visait à estimer la prévalence de l'hépatite B chez les personnes séropositives au VIH à Parakou et décrire les facteurs associés.

Méthodes

Il s'agit d'une étude transversale menée de Mai 2011 à Juin 2012 dans le service de Médecine du CHU de Parakou. Ont été inclus tous les adultes séropositifs au VIH vus en consultation ou hospitalisés. Les données ont été collectées par interviews et dépouillement de dossiers médicaux. L'antigène HBs a été recherché par un test rapide et l'ALAT a été dosé. L'analyse des données a été faite avec le logiciel EpiInfo 3.5.1. Les proportions ont été comparées grâce au test de Chi-deux ou au test de Fisher au seuil de significativité de 5%. Un modèle de régression logistique multivariable a permis d'expliquer la prévalence de l'hépatite B.

Résultats

Sur les 744 sujets inclus on a dénombré 555 femmes. L’âge moyen était de 35,5 + 10,1 ans. La prévalence de l'hépatite B a été estimée à 16,9% (IC₉₅: 14,3%-19,9%). Cette prévalence était plus élevée chez les sujets originaires du Borgou/Alibori et ceux au stade 4 de l'OMS.

Conclusion

La prévalence de la co-infection VIH/VHB au CHU Parakou est élevée. Le dispositif national de prise en charge et de prévention de l'hépatite B chez les personnes séropositives au VIH doit être renforcé.