Impact of Traditional Oxytocics on the Course of Labour in Maternity Wards in Parakou (Benin) in 2022

Introduction: The use of oxytocic plants (OPs) to facilitate childbirth is old and it is a common practice in the world, particularly in northern Benin. Objective: To study the effect of oxytocic plants on the progress of labour. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional and analytical study with prospective data collection conducted in the public maternity hospitals of Parakou from 15 July 2022 to 15 August 2022. All the parturients admitted to the maternity units were included. Data were entered and processed using Epi Data 3.1fr, Epi info 7.1.3.3 and Excel 2010. The difference was statistically significant for a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Of 297 parturients surveyed, 109 had used OPs, representing a frequency of use of 36.7%. The average age was 27.5 ± 8.9 years, with extremes of 17 and 45 years. They were in common-law unions (54.1%), housewives (32.1%), from Muslim religion (53.2%), from Bariba ethnic group and related (30.3%) and from a rural area (60.5%). These parturients were pauciparous (37.6%) and primiparous (44.9%). Six OPs were used by the parturients. These were Hybanthus enneaspermus (40.7%), Schrankia leptocarpa (12.0%), Ceratotheca sesamoides (35.2%), Cassytha filiformis (5.6%), Selaginella lepidophylla (5.6%) and Newbouldia leavis (18.5%). The parturients used the leaves (90.6%) and decoction (97.2%). The administration was oral (99.0%) without precise dosage (85.3%) in the third trimester of pregnancy (84.41%) and facilitated delivery (99.1%). Fon and related ethnic groups (p = 0.014), Yoruba and related ethnic groups (p = 0.031), rural background (p = 0.032) and multiparity (p = 0.04) were the factors associated with OPs use. These parturients had a higher risk of caesarean delivery (p = 0.001;OR = 1.8 [1.23 - 2.65]), dynamic dystocia (p = 0.001;OR = 1.3 [1.12 - 1.49]), burnout syndrome (p = 0.002;OR = 1.1 [1.02 - 1.17]), uterine rupture (p = 0.032;OR = 1.1 [0.97 - 1.17]), rapid labour (p = 0.001;OR = 1.6 [1.38 - 2.00]), and risk of postpartum haemorrhage (p = 0.002;OR = 1.15 [1.05 - 1.27]). In contrast, parturients’ use of OPs was found to reduce the risk of their newborns being transferred to neonatology (p = 0.002;OR = 0.50 [0.31 - 0.79]) and dying at birth (p = 0.021;OR = 0.19 [0.03 - 0.94]). Conclusion: The use of OPs is widespread in Parakou. Several factors were associated with it. This use had a protective effect on newborns. This study shows the need to determine the active ingredients of these OPs and emphasise a safer use of them.

Retrospective View of Two Years of Colposcopy Practice in a Gynecologic Clinic in Cotonou

Objective: To analyse the colposcopy results at the Gynaecological Clinic of Houéyiho. Patients and methods: Retrospective, descriptive and analytical studies were conducted by the Clinic of Houeyiho in Cotonou from January 2013 to December 2015. Results: 440 women were received in colposcopy including 251 (57%) referred by health workers for VIA (Visual Inspection with Acétique Acid)/VILI (Visual Inspection with Lugol’s Iodine) abnormalities, forty-seven (47) for abnormal smears (10.7%), thirty-eight (38) for metrorrhagia (8.6%). 10% of cases were mainly concerned with post-therapeutic monitoring (six colposcopies of the vagina fundus after hysterectomy for cervical cancer and four after conization). The average age of patients is 41 years within plus or minus 5 years. Forty (40) cases of Grade 1 Atypical Transformation, twenty-nine (29) cases of Grade 2 Atypical Transformation including two (2) cases of leukoplakia (1 post-conization for CINIII, 1 in a HIV+ patient), ten (10) cases of Grade 1 Atypical Transformation/Grade 2 Atypical Transformation association were recorded. A colposcopy biopsy was performed in 95 patients meaning 21.6% of patients. Five biopsies were realized for a cervical neoplasia suspicion and were sent to Pasteur Cerba laboratory in France for the sake of efficiency and rapidity of results. In Grade 1 Atypical Transformation, 66.6% of CIN1 and condylomata plana were noted. Nevertheless, a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma with metaplasia has been discovered in a TAG1 with a 23-year old patient. In Grade 2 Atypical Transformation, the histology reveals 44.4% of CIN 1, 40.7% of severe dysplasia and 11.1% of carcinomas. Conclusion: The colposcopy may be a good screening method with a good colpo-histology agreement in Cotonou. But it’s relatively expensive (20.000 CFA francs) and the reduced number of colposcopists restricts its use in Benin.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adolescents in Schools in Benin in 2016

Introduction Overweight and obesity are considered to be global public health concerns. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the associated factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2016 and involving 3968 adolescents of 10 to 19 years from 40 secondary schools in Benin. Participants were selected using a 2-level random sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed using Epi Info and Stata softwares. Associated factors were investigated by a logistic regression. Results Mean age was 16.54 ± 0.04 years and sex ratio was 1.16. The prevalence of overweight was 8.1% and that of obesity was 1.6%. Associated risk factors were female gender, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of sugary and carbonated beverages. Consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, age over than 15 years were protective factors. Conclusion Overweight and obesity among school adolescents are increasing in Benin. The establishment of a school nutrition program and the promotion of regular physical activity should contribute to reducing their prevalence.