Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou MAGA

Obesity has been defined as a pandemic for several years, and its management is multidisciplinary with an important role for surgeons. The aim of this survey is to assess the level of knowledge of Togolese trained doctors on metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and its feasibility in Togo. A national Google Form®, cross-sectional survey including medical doctors residing in Togo, or Togolese, volunteers from September 9 to 30, 2023; assessed subjective and objective knowledge of MBS, perceptions regarding indications, referral pathways, and barriers. The data were processed by Epi Info 7.2.5 software. 90 physicians responded with a male predominance (sex ratio M/F = 7.18) and a median age of 34 years. MBS was assumed to be known by 73 practitioners (81.11%). The evaluation criteria showed that the level of MBS-knowledge was complete for 31 physicians (34.44%); average for 32 physicians (35.56%), and insufficient for 27 physicians (30%). In the univariate model, significant predictors of higher MBS-knowledge score were: specialist (P = .0052), higher professional level (P = .0214), and good answer to multi-disciplinary team specialist (P < .0001). There were 75 doctors (83.33%) who validated the feasibility of MBS in Togo. Morbidly obese and financially wealthy patients were indicated by 54.44% of physicians. Concerning care, 61 physicians (67.78%) would be willing to entrust their patient to a specialist residing in Togo. Physicians in Togo show insufficient objective knowledge and misconceptions regarding MBS. Strengthened training, national guidelines, and clear referral pathways are needed.

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. An increasing number of studies highlight the contribution of environmental and lifestyle factors, including cosmetic use, in its development. To assess the association between cosmetic and dietary habits and breast cancer risk among women in Benin. A case-control study was conducted involving 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer and matched 200 controls in the departments of visceral surgery, internal medicine, dermatology-venereology, and rheumatology at CNHU-HKM, and the gynecology-obstetrics department of CHU-MEL. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire addressing family history, dietary patterns, and cosmetic product usage. In multivariate analysis, several cosmetic practices including the use of alkaline soaps (ORa = 7.26; p = 0.001), scented body lotions (ORa = 25.90; p < 0.001), perfumes (ORa = 30.43; p < 0.01), deodorants (ORa = 5.76; p = 0.009), shampoos/conditioners (ORa = 31.92; p < 0.001), and lipsticks (ORa = 69.12; p = 0.018) were significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk. First-degree family history of breast cancer was associated with more than a threefold increase in risk. Contrary to existing literature, the consumption of soy, beans, and sesame also appeared to be linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in this population. Our results show a possible association between environmental factors-particularly the use of cosmetic products-and breast cancer. These results underscore a compelling need for a national cosmetovigilance system in Benin and public health initiatives promoting healthier lifestyles, especially among genetically predisposed women.

Cancer burden is rising in sub-Saharan Africa, where late presentation is common. Surgical oncology is pivotal for diagnosis, curative-intent management, and palliation, yet its contribution to hospital surgical activity in Benin remains undocumented. This study aimed to assess the contribution of surgical oncology to the overall surgical workload in tertiary hospitals in the Littoral Department of Benin and to describe the epidemiological profile, case distribution, and early outcomes of operated patients. We conducted a retrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study across three tertiary referral hospitals. Retrospective data were extracted from operative logs, anesthesia records, and surgical ward files for all surgical procedures performed from January 1 to December 31, 2023.Cancer-related operations were identified and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the patients and surgeries performed. Additionally, 30-day postoperative survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Of the 7,902 surgical procedures performed in 2023, 155 were cancer-related, accounting for 1.96% of the overall surgical volume. The most common cancer sites were breast (n = 36; 23.2%), prostate (n = 24; 15.5%), stomach (n = 16; 10.3%), colon (n = 16; 10.3%), and rectum (n = 10; 6.5%). Most patients presented with advanced disease, with 53.5% diagnosed at stage III-IV (stage III: n = 47; 30.3%; stage IV: n = 36; 23.2%). Open surgery was the predominant surgical approach (n = 125; 80.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 23 patients (19.7% of the 117 patients with available data). Among the 114 patients with follow-up data suitable for survival analysis, seven patients had died, corresponding to a crude postoperative mortality rate of 6.1% (n = 7). At 30 days postoperatively, the estimated 30-day survival probability was 94% (95% CI: 89-99%). In 2023, oncologic surgeries represented a small fraction of surgical operations performed in the three tertiary hospitals located in the Littoral Department of Benin. Most surgical cases corresponded to advanced-stage tumors, reflecting the severity of disease among patients reaching surgical management.

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major global health threat, one that is exacerbated in sub-Saharan Africa by systemic shortcomings in hospital hygiene. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in six University Teaching Hospitals in Benin, with the aim of mapping multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) present in the clinical environment and assessing the vectors of their spread.A total of 588 samples were collected from various environmental and clinical surfaces. More than half (54.08%) yielded GNB isolates, with a predominance of Pseudomonas spp. (23.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (18.3%). Multidrug resistance rates reached 91.3%, with a pan-resistance rate of 3.29%. High levels of resistance were observed against third-generation cephalosporins (100%), carbapenems (&gt; 90%), and aminoglycosides (&gt; 70%). The most contaminated surfaces included sinks (90%), staff gowns (76.47%), and surfaces (61.33%).Disinfection procedures proved largely ineffective, with similar positivity rates between disinfected sites (56.15%) and non-disinfected ones (57.51%).These findings highlight the massive presence of multidrug-resistant strains in the hospital environment in Benin and the urgent need to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, particularly in critical care units. The study also reveals serious shortcomings in cleaning protocols and calls for a revision of disinfection strategies within a One Health framework.

Breast cancer is an escalating public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where mortality rates remain disproportionately high despite lower incidence compared to Western countries. The combination of late-stage diagnoses, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic inequalities severely compromises patient outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 studies encompassing 33,053 patients across SSA to characterize breast cancer profiles, focusing on age at diagnosis, cancer stage, molecular subtypes, and survival outcomes. The mean age at diagnosis was 48.7 years, notably younger than in high-income regions. Half of the patients were diagnosed at stage III, and only 4% at stage I. Luminal A was the most prevalent molecular subtype (30%), followed closely by triple-negative breast cancer (29%), known for its aggressive course and limited treatment options. Survival analysis revealed a pooled 5-year survival rate of 44%, with substantial regional disparities: survival was poorest in West Africa and comparatively better in East Africa and South Africa. Our findings expose the critical need for regionally tailored interventions to improve early detection, expand access to comprehensive treatment, and address underlying social determinants of health. This study delivers essential epidemiological benchmarks that should inform targeted strategies for reducing the breast cancer burden and improving survival across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction Depuis 2014, le Bénin connaît chaque année, une épidémie de fièvre hémorragique virale Lassa. Celle de décembre 2018 à mars 2019 fut la plus longue avec une plus longue durée de séjour des patients mis sous traitement à la ribavirine. Pour apprécier la qualité des soins offerts aux patients hospitalisés au CTFHVL de Parakou, cette étude a été initiée par le Ministère de la Santé. Methods Il s’agit d’une étude retrospective qui s’est déroulée au CTFHVL en avril 2019, ayant porté sur les dossiers des patients hospitalisés de 2016 à 2019. Les données ont été recueillies à l’aide d’un guide de dépouillement et les données sur les connaissances des agents de santé ont été collectées à l’aide d’un questionnaire. Elles ont été analysées par le logiciel Epi Info. Results Au total 18 patients suspects étaient hospitalisés, dont 09 de sexe féminin et 09 de sexe masculin, avec respectivement 33,33% et 44, 44% confirmés positifs. La tranche d’âge la plus représentée était comprise entre] 5-15] à 52,63%. Tous les patients confirmés positifs, étaient venus au centre dans un délai compris entre 02 et 08 jours après l’apparition des premiers symptômes. La durée de séjour variait de 01 à 47 jours et tous les patients étaient sortis vivants. Parmi le personnel soignant, 94,44% avaient une bonne connaissance de la période d’incubation contre 66 % qui ne maîtrisaient pas la définition de cas suspect de Lassa. Conclusion La prise en charge médicale et psychologique des cas de fièvre hémorragique virale Lassa est de plus en plus améliorée sur le site de Parakou. Toutefois, le personnel soignant a besoin de faire assez d’exercices de simulation pour maintenir les acquis.

Introductionles troubles du sommeil sont variés et de plus en plus fréquents chez les sujets africains, mais leur réelle prévalence est peu connue sur le continent. L´objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence des troubles du sommeil et les facteurs associés à la qualité du sommeil en milieu rural à Nikki au Bénin en 2022.Méthodesil s'est agi d'une étude transversale à visée analytique réalisée chez les sujets âgés d'au moins 18 ans dans la commune de Nikki en 2022. La sélection des patients a été effectuée par sondage aléatoire à deux degrés. Les troubles du sommeil ont été diagnostiqués sur la base d'échelles validées telles le Pittsburg Sleep Quality Questionnaire, le Questionnaire de Berlin, le Score d'Epworth, le Restless Legs Syndrome Questionnaire, l'Index de Sévérité de l'Insomnie et le Munich Parasomnia Screening Questionnaire.Résultatsau terme de l'étude, 879 participants ont été inclus. Une prédominance féminine a été observée avec un sex ratio (F/H) de 1,9. La qualité du sommeil était mauvaise chez 52,21%. La prévalence de l'insomnie était de 9,44%, celle du syndrome des jambes sans repos de 21,39% et 21,16% pour la somnolence diurne. Un syndrome d'apnée du sommeil était présent chez 2,50% des participants. Le sexe masculin et le tabagisme actif étaient associés à la mauvaise qualité du sommeil avec respectivement p=0,03 et p=0,021.Conclusionles troubles du sommeil sont fréquents en milieu rural à Nikki, nécessitant des campagnes de dépistage de masse pour en réduire la charge.