Study of the Efficiency of Vertical Drains by an FEM Method in Soil Treatment for Road Projects: Case of the Development and Bitumination Works of the ROCADE Porto-Novo in Benin

This article aims to study the efficiency of coupled vertical drains for the treatment of long-lasting compressible clay soils for the road project platform of the ring road of Porto Novo, capital of Benin. The experimental data allowed us to estimate a consolidation of 29% in 9 months, justifying the drainage of the soil. In order to study the efficiency of drainage, a FEM model was proposed simulating different scenarios. These include a drainless road, pavements equipped with vertical drains with meshes of 0.5 m 0.5 m, 1 m 1 m and 1.5 m 1.5 m respectively and horizontal drains. The results expressed in terms of variations in vertical stresses, effective stresses and shear deformations revealed significant variations in pavement performance depending on the mesh size of the vertical drains. The configuration with a mesh of 0.5 m 0.5 m showed the least deformations, thus indicating a reduction in deformations and better stress distribution. However, the other mesh configurations showed variable results, underlining the importance of choosing the right mesh for the specific project conditions.

Lower Limb Arteriopathy in Diabetics at the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Hospital in Porto-Novo: Frequency and Associated Factors

Introduction: The distribution of arteriopathy of the lower limbs (ALL) is not familiar in the city of Porto-Novo. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of ALL in diabetic patients in treatment at the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study from July 12 to October 10, 2021, at the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital in Porto-Novo. ALL was screened by performing systolic pressure index (SPI) in all diabetic patients aged at least 18 years, seen in consultation or hospitalization during the study period and who had given their consent. Results: The study registered 165 diabetics and 98.2% of them were type 2. Subjects aged between 55 and 65 years were the most represented (33.9%), with an average age of 59.4 years. Women were in the majority (61.2%), with a sex ratio of 0.6. High blood pressure was associated with diabetes in 61.2% of patients. The prevalence of ALL was 48.5% (80 patients). Obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs (OALL) was observed in 70 patients (42.4%), mediacalcosis in 8 patients (4.8%), and mixed arteriopathy in 2 patients (1.2%). In 88.5% of patients, the pathology was symptomless. Factors significantly associated with ALL included advanced age (p = 0.01), the age of the glycemic imbalance (p = 0.03), lack of regular physical activity (p = 0.001) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Pelvic limb arteriopathy is usual among diabetics at Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital. The use of SPI, which enables diagnosis, requires simple, low-cost means, and should be encouraged.

Fluctuating Asymmetry of Elopes lacerta (Valenciennes, 1847) Otoliths in the Western African Waters

The importance of this study lies in the in-depth exploration of the ecological diversity of otoliths in Elopes lacerta, based on the analysis of data from 260 individuals collected from various sites, including the Porto Novo lagoon, the Cotonou lagoon, Lake Nokou, and the Atlantic coast in southern Benin. The results highlight significant variations in otolith morphology, establishing relevant links with the biological parameters of the fish at each site. Exploration of the asymmetry between the right and left sides reveals notable distinctions between these two aspects. Analysis of otolith shape thus emerges as a valuable tool for discriminating between stocks and providing a better understanding of ecological variations. The local diversity observed highlights the crucial importance of implementing adaptive management strategies to ensure effective conservation of the species and its habitat.

Acute Metabolic Complications of Diabetes in the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital: Epidemiological, Clinical, Paraclinical and Evolutionary Aspects

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disease, is now an important public health problem across the world. Our aim was to study the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and evolutionary aspects of acute metabolic complications (AMC) of diabetes in the endocrinology department of the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with data collection based on the medical records of patients presenting with acute metabolic complications of diabetes in the endocrinology department of the Oueme-Plateau Provincial Teaching Hospital during the 3 years study period (from January 2020 to December 2022). Results: Over 788 patients hospitalized during the study period, 157 had an acute metabolic complication of diabetes, which is a hospital prevalence of 19.9%. Among these 157 cases, 140 were suitable for analysis and therefore constituted our study sample. The mean age of the patients was 49.9 ± 14.7 years, with 19 as minimum and 90 years as maximum. Most of them were women (52.4%). Hypertensive diabetics accounted for 54.9% of cases. Ketoacidosis was the most common complication (62.1%), followed by hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (23.6%) and hypoglycemia (14.3%). Infection (69.3%) and therapeutic noncompliance (22.9%) were the most common triggers. The average length period of their hospital stay was 7.1 ± 5.1 days, and the outcome was satisfactory in 87.9% of the cases. Unfortunately, there were 3.6% deaths during hospitalization. Conclusion: Acute metabolic complications of diabetes were dominated by ketoacidosis. Infection was the dominant factor in decompensation. Therapeutic education of diabetic patients as well as clinical and biological monitoring must be more stringent and rigorous.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetes Mellitus in the Adult Population of Porto-Novo (Benin)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes mellitus in the adult population of Porto-Novo. Methods: A cross-sectional study with random sampling, stratified cluster, was used. Fasting blood glucose was measured in capillary blood (Accu-Chek Active). Diabetes mellitus was defined as fasting glucose ≥ 1.26 g/L, and fasting hyperglycemia in non-diabetic fasting glucose ≥ 1.10 and < 1.26 g/L. Results: The survey involved 240 individuals. The sex ratio was 0.48. The mean age was 46 ± 13 years (range 25 - 80 years). The prevalence of hyperglycemic patients was 7.9%. The prevalence of diabetes was 6.7%, including 3.3% of unknown diabetes, half of diabetics. The prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia without diabetes was 1.2%. The risk factors for diabetes type 2 onset were a family history of diabetes (p = 0.017), older age (p = 0.003), hypertension (p = 0.005) and abdominal obesity (NCEP: p = 0.044;FID: p = 0.001). Conclusion: These high figures confirm the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Benin, documented in many developing countries.

Factors Associated with Hypovitaminosis D in People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Followed up in Porto-Novo in 2019

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is very common among PLWHA compared to the general population and is promoted by several factors. Aim: To identify the factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) followed up in Porto-Novo in 2019. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study. PLWHA who were monitored on an outpatient basis and who gave their consent were included in this work. Subjects unable to answer questions or under ongoing vitamin D supplementation or suffering from chronic liver diseases were not included. Hypovitaminosis D was defined by a blood level of 25 hydroxy-vitamin D less than 30 ng/mL. Results: A total of 270 PLWHA were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 39.51 ± 6.85 years with a female predominance (73.3%). The frequency of hypovitaminosis D was 56%. Hypertension, low protein intake, anemia and low glomerular filtration rate were associated with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common among PLWHA, which justifies routine screening, especially among those at risk.

Dementia and Diabetes Mellitus in Porto-Novo: Frequency and Determining Factors

Background: Chronic hyperglycemia promotes the development of degenerative diseases such as dementia. Our objective is to study dementia in diabetic patients in a hospital environment in Porto-Novo. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, prospective study with a descriptive and analytical aim that took place from May 18 to September 18, 2017, i.e. 4 months. The study population consists of all diabetic patients who consulted in the internal medicine departments of the Oueme-Plateau Teaching Hospital and at Saint Gérard clinic in Porto-Novo during the study period and who gave their enlightened consent. Results: The study included 246 patients with a mean age of 56.47 ± 11.97 years. There were 172 (69.9%) women, i.e. a sex ratio of 0.43. Diabetes had been known for less than 10 years in the majority (67.9%). Type 2 diabetics were in the majority (95.5%). Of the 246 patients, 42 (17.1%) had a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) less than or equal to 24. Of these 42 patients, 32 met the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual disorders, 5th edition) criteria for dementias, i.e. a frequency of 13.0%. Of the 32 demented patients, 21 (65.6%) had vascular dementia and 34.4% had degenerative dementia. We did not note a mixed etiology. Dementia was severe in 15.6% of cases. In multivariate analysis, only age (OR = 10.09;95% CI [4.19 - 24.27];p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (OR = 7.10;95% CI [1.92 - 26.22];p = 0.003), and alcohol consumption (OR = 3.95;95% CI [1.29 - 12.15];p = 0.017) were statically associated with the onset of dementia in our diabetic patients. Conclusion: Screening for dementia should be systematic in diabetics, especially at old age.

Clinical and Etiological Profile of Ascites in the Departmental University Hospital of Porto-Novo

Aim: To determine the frequency, the clinical and etiological aspects of ascites in the Internal Medicine Division of the University Hospital of Porto-Novo. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive focus covering the period from January 16 to August 31, 2015. It covered patients hospitalized for ascites in Internal Medicine Department at the Departmental University Hospital of Porto-Novo during the study period. Data were collected on a survey sheet and entered by Excel and analyzed with SPSS. The Chisquare test was used for statistical analysis and a significance threshold of 5% was retained. Results: Of the 511 hospitalized patients during the study period, 61 (11.9%) had ascites. The mean age was 49.6 ± 13.6 years with extremes of 19 years and 80 years. There was a male predominance with a sex ratio of 2.05. Ascites were often type III (34 patients, 55.7%), or type II (22 patients, 36.1%). The frequent signs were hepatomegaly (65.6%), splenomegaly (45.9%), pelvic limb edema (44.3%), and abdominal collateral venous circulation (39.3%). The macroscopic appearance of the ascites fluid was dominated by citrin yellow (82%), followed by hazy (11.5%). The hematic appearance was found in 6.5% of the cases. Hepatic cirrhosis was the most frequent etiology (34.4%) followed by overall heart failure (21.0%). Hepatocellular carcinoma was found in 16% of cases and nephrotic syndrome in 10% of cases. Conclusion: The etiological diversity of ascites, found in our study, imposes a careful clinical and paraclinical approach.

Assessment of the Potential Contribution of the Ceramic Filter “Songhai” in the Treatment of Drinking Water in Benin (West Africa)

Contamination of domestic water sources by the biological and physico-chemical pollutants remains a public health issue in Benin. The household water purification devices such as ceramic filters may be a solution. “Filtre Songha?” is a ceramic filter, accessible and easy to use, marketed in Benin. The purpose of this study is to assess the contribution of the “Filtre Songha?” in the treatment of water for domestic use in a peri-urban area in Porto-Novo (Benin). Water samples have been taken, from a collective well and from the lagoon in the 5th district of Porto-Novo. The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters were measured before and after filtration. The results showed that the use of filters has allowed for a reduction of 97.5% for total coliform in the well water and 99.05% for water from the lagoon. The reduction is 100% for Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci in both cases. Given the low cost and the lifetime use of “filtre Songhai”, this device can be recommended to households for drinking water, particularly for children below five years old the most vulnerable to water related diseases. Research is still necessary to improve the filtration time of this device.

Evaluation of the Knowledge and Practice about Diabetes Mellitus of Adult Population in Porto Novo (Benin)

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world. The aim of our study was to assess the level of knowledge of the adult population of Porto-Novo on clinical manifestations and complications of diabetes mellitus. Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted under STEP wise approach. It took place from June 1 to July 28, 2014. Results: A total of 240 subjects were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 46.07 years ± 12.63 years, ranging from 25 to 80 years. Subjects age between 35 - 45 years are the most represented. Women were mostly represented 162 against 78 men respectively 67.5% against 32.5% with sex ratio of 0.48. The majority of the subjects were scholar (73.3%). For clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus, 64.2% of subjects had quoted polyuria, asthenia 57.5%, 56.7% weight loss. Polydipsia and polyphagia were less familiar with, respectively, 27.5% and 23.3%. Regarding the complications of diabetes, diabetic foot and coma were the best known, respectively, 78.8% and 58.8%. Nephropathy (45.0%), 39.6% retinopathy and neuropathy (21.7%) were the least known. The prevalence of physical inactivity in this study population was 95.0%. It was 98.1% in women versus 88.5% for men. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, whose prevalence is steadily increasing, is not yet well known in our population.