Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of Government Policies on Infant and Young Child Feeding and Food Fortification in Benin.

Background: To prevent micronutrient deficiencies and address the Double Burden of Malnutrition, Benin has implemented Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and food fortification policies for several years. Despite these efforts, significant micronutrient deficiencies persist, posing a public health problem.

Objective: This study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of government policies on IYCF and food fortification in Benin.

[Epidemiological profile of occupational risks associated with artisanal burning of plastic materials in Parakou].

Introduction: Burning plastic releases toxic fumes and gases. More and more people engage in the professional activity of welding plastic parts by fusion in Benin. Hence the need for this study.

Socio-cultural beliefs influence feeding practices of mothers and their children in Grand Popo, Benin.

Background: Malnutrition is a major public health problem. It contributes to the high death rate among children in developing countries despite the various advocacies of institutions such as WHO and FAO and many other organisations. More research needs to be done in order to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Factors associated with noncompliance of sodium restriction in hypertensive and heart failure patients at the National Hospital of Cotonou, Benin.

Introduction: Nutritional therapy in the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure is a real challenge in terms of compliance of sodium restriction for success of the treatment. The study aims to assess the level of patient compliance with the sodium restriction by salt consumption, prescribed by care providers and the associated factors.

Materials And Methods: Total daily salt intake was estimated in a cross-sectional study of 166 hypertensive and heart failure subjects monitored in the cardiology department of the "Centre Hospitalier Universitaire - Hubert Koutoukou Maga" (CNHU-HKM), using two 24-hour recalls combined with a food frequency questionnaire for salt-providing foods.

The presence of the double burden of malnutrition in children and their mothers in Grand-Popo, Benin.

Background: Malnutrition is a public health problem, with 45% of child deaths attributed to undernutrition.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the double burden of malnutrition in children-mother pairs in Benin.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional approach was used to collect data from 408 randomly selected children aged 0-59 months and their mothers.

[Functional constipation in the general population of Cotonou (Benin): clinical features and factors influencing dietary behaviours].

Introduction: Constipation is rare in sub-Saharan Africa, due to the high intake of dietary fiber. The purpose of this work was to describe the different clinical features of functional constipation in the general population in Cotonou and to determine the impact of diet on its occurrence.

Methods: This study was conducted from July to August 2017.

[Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment in pregnant women and its effect on birth weight: application of 3-dosing regimen in the urban area of South Benin in 2017].

Introduction: Malaria is a major public health problem, responsible for many complications during pregnancy including inadequate intra-uterine growth and hypotrophies. The aim of this study was to determine the adherence to the 3 doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-based intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) on birthweight in the Cotonou health zone II and III.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study focusing on 630 women in the postpartum period residing in the Cotonou health zone II and III and selected using a two stage sample.

["Getting clear skin ……and why not?": voluntary depigmentation among women in a southwest region of Benin].

Introduction: This study aims to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with the use of products for voluntary depigmentation among women aged 15-49 years in Comè health zone in Benin.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 511 women aged 15-49 years selected using a cluster survey in 2016. Data were collected using a questionnaire seeking to explore the demographic, socio-cultural and economic characteristics of women.

Factors associated with early sexual intercourse among teenagers and young adults in rural south of Benin.

Early initiation to sexual intercourse increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and early or unwanted pregnancies. This study aimed identifying the factors associated with the early initiation to sexual intercourse among teenagers and young adults aged 10-24, in the south of Benin. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the south of Benin where 360 respondents were selected by random cluster sampling.

High serum organochlorine pesticide concentrations in diabetics of a cotton producing area of the Benin Republic (West Africa).

The Borgou region of northern Benin is a major cotton producing area and consistently uses higher amounts of pesticides than other areas of the country. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), poorly handled, have been widely used and are still illegally present. We therefore hypothesized that serum OCP levels would be high in Borgou.

Growing burden of diabetes in sub-saharan Africa: contribution of pesticides ?

The diabetes burden is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The low overall access to health care has been documented to contribute to the high diabetes-related mortality. Due to economic, demographic, epidemiological and nutrition transitions in SSA, the growing prevalence of diabetes appears to be related to obesogenic lifestyles and the intergenerational impact of malnutrition in women of childbearing age.