Viral Hepatitis C during a Screening Campaign in General Population of Benin: Seroprevalence and Associated Factors

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a global public health problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody carriage during mass screening in several localities throughout Benin. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection. This collection took place from 20 to 28 July 2019 at a free voluntary hepatitis C screening organized in Benin by Rotary Clubs in 23 sites throughout the country. A rapid diagnostic orientation test was used for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies. Results: A total of 9035 voluntary participants were included, mostly of Beninese nationality (99.0%), with a median age of 27 years, of whom 51.1% (4619/9035) were single and mainly schoolchildren, pupils or students (37.9%;3426/9035). HCV seroprevalence was 1.0% (87/9035) [95% CI = 0.8% - 1.2%]. This infection was associated with age greater than 42 years (ORa = 2.71;95% CI: 1.06 - 6.95), p < 0.03, and history of diabetes (ORa = 3.9;95% CI: 1.9 - 7.6). Conclusion: HCV antibody seroprevalence is relatively low in the study population: 1%. Factors associated with HCV antibody carriage were age, occupation and diabetic history.

Estimating Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Its Consequences on Respiratory Health in Population Working or Living along the Trunk Road: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Urban Air pollution is increasingly becoming a major health and sustainable development issue. Several studies showed that Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is one of the main sources of urban air pollution and has serious consequences on respiratory health. As no systematic review focused on the traffic-related air pollution and respiratory health in the target population of individuals working in a shop or in an office or individuals living along the trunk road, the authors conducted the current study to try to fill this gap. Methods: A systematic review search was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scientific Research Publishing: SCIRP, Web of Science, Google scholar. Studies were included if they meet the following selection criteria: 1) focus on population working or living along a major/trunk road; 2) studies had reported clearly at least on the exposure variables related to TRAP; 3) the association between TRAP and development of respiratory symptoms or respiratory diseases was established. Results: 13 articles were selected on the 192 articles that were retrieved in the initial research. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was determined by using distance to road, traffic intensity and pollutants measured. The main respiratory health problems found were cough, wheeze, asthma and bronchitis. No article discussed about roundabouts in characterizing exposure to traffic-related air pollution. Conclusion: Distance to road, traffic density and pollutants measured are the usual methods to characterize the exposure to traffic-related air pollution and its consequences on respiratory health. Regarding the context of area occupations in African cities, it is necessary to focus on population around roundabouts and see if they are not more exposed to TRAP.

Exposure to PM2.5 Related to Road Traffic: Comparison between Crossroads and Outside of Crossroads at Cotonou, Benin

Background: Several studies have analysed the pollution issues owing to road traffic in Cotonou, Benin. Concentration levels of particles are higher on high traffic than a low traffic. The exposure of human populations to air pollution is more intense on the roads. In Benin, the density of traffic on the crossroads is indeed more important. Are traffic locations such as crossroads, areas where the level of exposure PM2.5 is increased? Methods: This study was conducted along the 5 km high-traffic road in the city of Cotonou. It is a high traffic lane with two crossroads. Sampling and measurements were carried out in dry sea-son (January and February) and rainy season (June and July). For each season the measurements were made over two months from 7 am to 9 pm. PM2.5 measurements were made at different locations at crossroads and also along the track. To compare concentrations of PM2.5 at crossroads and outside of roundabout, we used the Generalized Linear Mixed Model. Results: In the rainy season the PM2.5 hourly concentrations ranged between 400 μg/m3 and 500 μg/m3 while in the dry season 100 μg/m3 and 300 μg/m3. In the rainy season, the average of PM2.5 concentration was 463.25 ± 66.21 μg/m3 at crossroads and 264.75 ± 50.97 μg/m3 outside of crossroads. In the dry season, the average of PM2.5 concentration was 232.75 ± 97.29 μg/m3 at crossroads and 123.31 ± 63.79 μg/m3 outside of crossroads. Both in dry and rainy seasons, PM2.5 concentration level peaks are observed from 7 am to 9 am and from 7 pm to 9 pm. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model showed that there is high significant difference between concentrations of PM2.5 at crossroads compared to outside of crossroads. Occupation of the roadside (in particular crossroads) for various economic activities is common practice in Cotonou thus health risk for people working around crossroads increases. Conclusion: Locations such as crossroads are areas where the level of exposure PM2.5 is highest on road traffics.

Respiratory Symptoms Associated with Workplaces Located along a Road with High-Traffic at Cotonou, Benin

Objective: Air pollution is becoming one of the public concerns requiring urgent feasible response per local context. Defining accurately the level of exposure of outdoor air pollution effect on health of venders working along main roads and roundabouts with high traffic is important. This study was conducted to assess respiratory health risks on venders associated with different geographical positions in Cotonou. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted along the main road with high traffic including three roundabouts in Cotonou. The 194 study participants from all shops, one respondent per shop, were given a unique GPS data associated to indicate the shop’s geographical position. The study employed validated questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Results: Study participants had mean age of 36.26 (±11.65) years with sex ratio of (M/F) 1.8. Majority (72.7%) of study participates reported to have at least one respiratory symptom and 69% of them were working in non-ventilated rooms. The proportion of having at least one respiratory symptom was significantly different (p Conclusion: Working in roundabout is associated with more respiratory symptoms than working in shops along main road. Air pollution mitigation efforts should focus in such settings, taking into account the sub-population of workers in resource limited countries.