Problematic Use of Video Games in Schools in Northern Benin (2023)

Objective: To study the problematic use of video games among secondary school students in the city of Parakou in 2023. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the commune of Parakou from December 2022 to July 2023. The study population consisted of students regularly enrolled in public and private secondary schools in the city of Parakou for the 2022-2023 academic year. A two-stage non-proportional stratified sampling technique combined with simple random sampling was adopted. The Problem Video Game Playing (PVP) scale was used to assess problem gambling in the study population, while anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: A total of 1030 students were included. The mean age of the pupils surveyed was 15.06 ± 2.68 years, with extremes of 10 and 28 years. The [13 - 18] age group was the most represented, with a proportion of 59.6% (614) in the general population. Females predominated, at 52.8% (544), with a sex ratio of 0.89. The prevalence of problematic video game use was 24.9%, measured using the Video Game Playing scale. Associated factors were male gender (p = 0.005), pocket money under 10,000 cfa (p = 0.001) and between 20,000 - 90,000 cfa (p = 0.030), addictive family behavior (p < 0.001), monogamous family (p = 0.023), good relationship with father (p = 0.020), organization of video game competitions (p = 0.001) and definite anxiety (p Conclusion: Substance-free addiction is struggling to attract the attention it deserves, as it did in its infancy everywhere else. This study complements existing data and serves as a reminder of the need to focus on this group of addictions, whose problematic use of video games remains the most frequent due to its accessibility and social tolerance. Preventive action combined with curative measures remains the most effective means of combating the problem at national level.

Bilateral Iris Coloboma Revealed by a Decreased Vision: About the First Case in Togo Observed in Kara University Teaching Hospital

Background: Ocular coloboma is the product of an error in the fetal fissure closure, normally occurring between the fifth and sixth weeks of gestation [1]. It may involve the cornea, iris, zonula, ciliary body, choroid, retina and optic nerve. The incidence of this syndrome is 0.7 per 10,000 live-births [1]. The aim of this observation is to present the first case of bilateral coloboma of the iris [1]. This case was associated with an ametropia causing a decrease in visual acuity. Case Presentation: This was a clinical observation concerning a young 12-year-old patient who consulted for blurring of vision which had progressed for approximately 2 years. The ophthalmologic examination revealed an ametropia with a bilateral notch of the pupillary rim suggesting a bilateral coloboma. There was no association with another coloboma such as chorioretinal coloboma which is quite common and is accompanied frequently by visual symptoms. Conclusion: A visual impairment of the child can indicate ametropia. However, other congenital anomalies can be discovered as was the case in this clinical observation.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Health Care Staff about Glaucoma in Lomé

Introduction: Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Early detection and awareness are essential to reduce the impact on eye health. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care staff about glaucoma in Lomé. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional and descriptive study including health care staff in Lomé, from October 1st to December 31st, 2020, for a period of 3 months. After their agreement, the officers responded to questions based on a survey sheet. Results: A total of 169 agents from 3 centers in Lomé, i.e. the Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, the Campus University teaching Hospital and the Bè Hospital were involved. 50.9% of the agents were male versus 49.1% female, i.e. a ratio of 1.04. The average age was 33.66 ± 10.45 years. 46.10% were doctors versus 53.90% paramedics. 58.60% had at most 5 years of experience against 41.40% who had more than 5 years of experience. 53.80% defined glaucoma as ocular hypertension while 17.20% defined it as optic nerve disease. 46.20% did not know that there were many types of glaucomas compared to 53.20% who knew that there are many types of glaucomas. 92.30% knew that glaucoma can lead to cause visual loss. Regarding attitudes and practices about glaucoma, 91.70% declared that the follow-up should be done by the ophthalmologist, 81.10% thought that it would be necessary to be checked by the doctor only every 6 months. Finally, 65.08% declared that they had to use eye drops for life for the treatment. Conclusion: Steps should be taken to educate staff more about glaucoma attitudes and practices and also plan for action in the population.

Diagnosis of Large Papillary Excavations in Developing Countries: From Automated Visual Field to OCT of the Ganglion Complex. About a Case

Background: Large papillary excavations constitute a true differential diagnosis of glaucoma in our environments. Aim: To present a clinical case of large papillary excavation simulating glaucomatous optic neuropathy in a young subject. Case Presentation: The ophthalmologic examination made it possible to note a visual acuity of LogMar 0.00, ocular hypertonia and a large papillary excavation in both eyes. The visual field noted bilateral perimetric involvement suggesting optic neuropathy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the ganglion complex revealed an absence of involvement of the ganglion complex and the ganglion ridge essential to evoke optic neuropathy. An ocular hypotonizing treatment made it possible to normalize the intraocular pressure. Conclusion: The particularity of this observation lies in the fact that the perimeter involvement that preceded any involvement can simulate a glaucomatous involvement. Functional damage to the visual field must be correlated with structural damage to suggest glaucomatous damage in our ophthalmic patients.

Place of Ocular Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Optic Disc Druses in Developing Countries: About a Case and Review of the Literature

Background: Druses of the papilla constitute abnormal deposits of calcified hyaline material at the level of the head of the optic nerve. They can be superficial or deep. Aim: The aim of this study is to show the utility of ocular ultrasound in ophthalmology in underdeveloped countries for the characterization of optic disc druse. Case Presentation: Our study relates to a clinical observation of buried papillary druses diagnosed by ocular ultrasound. The ophthalmologic examination revealed an aspect of false papillary edema in the fundus. The ocular ultrasound revealed hyperechogenic deposits buried in the papillary margins, which suggests the deep papillary druses. Conclusion: Ocular ultrasound still has a prominent place in the diagnosis of certain eye conditions despite the new sophisticated means available to ophthalmology to date.

Women’s Awareness of Mammographic Screening for Breast Cancer in Togo

Breast cancer represents a real public health problem due to its increasing frequency, its seriousness and its psycho-social implications. The aims of this study were to determine the level of awareness of women on the performance of mammography in the diagnosis and screening for breast cancer. This was a cross-sectional study over a period of 4 months (from October 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017) in Togo. It consisted in completing a questionnaire distributed to women above 30 years of age. The mean age of the women was 42 years. 88.8% of them had heard of breast cancer. There was a link between age, occupation, level of education and awareness of breast cancer. Only 20.8% of women had heard of mammography, with a link between awareness of mammography and age, occupation, and level of education. A link was noted between awareness of breast cancer and awareness of mammography. Information on mammographic breast cancer screening is inadequate in Togo.

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Tumor Response in Oncology in Togo

Cancer is common in our setting and represents a real public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. This work aimed to assess the role of computed tomography in the follow-up of patients treated for cancer in Togo. This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out over a period of one year, on patients with cancer, treated in the medical oncology unit of CHU Sylvanus Olympio and having undergone at least two CT scans after cancer treatment. Computed tomography evaluation was performed according to the RECIST 1.1 guidelines. We had found 46 patients. The mean age of the patients was 54.22 years with a female predominance (sex ratio 1:2.5). Cancers mainly involved the urogenital system (60.8%) followed by the digestive system (28.3%). Carcinoma represented 93.5% of cases, mainly adenocarcinoma (45.7%). 74 target lesions were present at baseline, with 18.9% and 11.6% disappearing at the first and second assessments respectively. 36 non-target lesions were present at baseline, with 25% and 22.2% disappearing at the first and second assessments respectively. New lesions were found in the abdominal region in 54.5% of cases and in the thoracic region in 41.3% at the first and second assessments respectively. 58.7% of patients had a stable disease at the first assessment and 39.1% had progression at the second assessment. 50% of them had received chemotherapy in combination with surgery. Computed tomography using the RECIST 1.1 guidelines is a necessity in monitoring tumor extensions and in the follow-up of cancer patients.