Prevalence of diabetes and associated risk factors in a Senegalese urban (Dakar) population

AimThe aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in the urban population living in Dakar, Senegal, and to investigate the factors associated with diabetes.MethodsData from a 2009 survey of 600 individuals, aged 20 years or above and considered representative of the population of the city of Dakar, were evaluated. Socioeconomic characteristics, hypertension, capillary whole blood glucose, and weight and height measurements of these subjects were collected during face-to-face interviews. The statistical analyses used chi-square (chi²) tests and binary logistic regressions.ResultsThe percentage of participants with fasting blood glucose levels greater than or equal to 1.10 g/L and/or currently being treated for diabetes was 17.9% (n = 107, 95% CI: 14.7–20.8). Observed rates of diabetes were significantly higher among women (chi² = 6.3; P < 0.05), in subjects aged > 40 years (chi² = 33.6; P < 0.001), in those with low educational levels (chi² = 11.9; P < 0.05) and in those with hypertension (chi² = 13.9; P < 0.001), and in those who were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and < 30 kg/m²) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²; chi² = 40.3; P < 0.001). After adjusting for gender, age, educational level, BMI and blood pressure, the results showed that gender, age and BMI were associated with diabetes: women, older people and those with a higher BMI had significantly greater chances of being diabetic than the rest of the population, whatever their blood pressure and educational level.ConclusionDiabetes is becoming a pressing public-health problem in Senegal, and the major risk factors for the increasing diabetes prevalence in the city of Dakar are gender, age and body mass index.     

Influence de l’appartenance à une catégorie socioprofessionnelle sur la pratique du don de sang

Aim of the studyDescribe and compare the socioeconomic status of regular donors, occasional donors and nondonors, considering the sociodemographic characteristics and self-rated health of individuals.Material and methodsThe survey of this study consists of 1400 individuals, aged from 18 to 65. Sociodemographic characteristics, blood donation, self-rated health and socio-economic status of individuals have been recorded by phone interviews (mean: 15 minutes). Statistical analyses used in this study are Chi² and multinomial logistic regressions.ResultsSocioeconomic status is associated to donor status. However, it only differentiates nondonors and other population categories: intermediary professions, students and retired are more often regular donors than nondonors. And senior management and higher intellectual professions, as intermediary professions and students are more often occasional donors than nondonors.ConclusionsEven when sociodemographic variables and self-rated health are considered, socioeconomical status stays associated to blood donor status. Thus, this article highlights the importance of socioeconomic status in the blood donors’ population structure. This study also shows that occasional donors, that should be resensitized, belong to the same socioeconomical categories than regular donors. Finally, this article provides research and sensitizing clues for some of the socioeconomic status analysed.     

The lipometre: An easy tool for rapid quantitation of skin surface lipids (SSL) in man

Summary The purpose of this study is to present a rapid, simple, and accurate method for quantitation of SSL in man. The technique which is derived from the works by Schaefer and Kuhn-Bussius, employs a series of clean ground glass plates, and an apparatus, the Lipometre, for the determination of the variation of light transmission across the plates as a function of the fat deposited on them. Results on 32 adults, males and females, show that the first four interative samplings, at constant pressure, on the same forehead area, follow an identical physical law independently of whether the skin is fatty or dry. This law affords a precise definition of the Casual-Level, its quantification, and its correlation with skin patterns. It is consequently possible, either as an investigative or a routine technique, to predict the total amount of SSL with good accuracy within 2 min. The SSL, for non-pathological skins, fall within the range 150 g/cm² to 900 g/cm² which is in good agreement with values quoted in the literature.     

Improving minority blood donation: anthropologic approach in a migrant community

BACKGROUND: As a result of blood group polymorphism, distinctive blood types have evolved in populations around the world. In countries with large migrant populations, finding rare blood types for transfusion can be challenging. This is especially true for sub-Saharan African immigrants living in countries with predominantly European populations. This problem is further compounded by hereditary disorders such as sickle cell disease and by traditional cultural values that discourage routine donation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The purpose of this report is to describe the drive to recruit more safe rare blood type donors in a Comorian immigrant community living in Marseilles, France. With a culturally adapted message developed on an anthropologic approach and working in close collaboration with scientific and medical members of the Comorian community, it is proposed that this population be sensitized with the gift of blood. RESULTS: Targeted collection of specific sub-Saharan African blood types was achieved. Taking into account the high rate of infectious markers among products collected in this targeted collection, however, it was decided to promote blood donation in this minority by addressing people directly toward our principal blood center site. Since setup of this adapted communication, regular donors present themselves spontaneously without community pressure. Infectious markers rate is then equal to general blood donor population's rate. CONCLUSION: The results of this drive demonstrate the utility of an anthropologic approach and cultural mediation in identifying donors with specific blood types in migrant communities and recruiting second-generation donors. The techniques described in this study could also be applied to collection of other tissues including organs and peripheral blood progenitor cells in minorities.     

Cultural Practices Shaping Zoonotic Diseases Surveillance: The Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Thailand Native Chicken Farmers

Effectiveness of current passive zoonotic disease surveillance systems is limited by the under‐reporting of disease outbreaks in the domestic animal population. Evaluating the acceptability of passive surveillance and its economic, social and cultural determinants appears a critical step for improving it. A participatory rural appraisal was implemented in a rural subdistrict of Thailand. Focus group interviews were used to identify sanitary risks perceived by native chicken farmers and describe the structure of their value chain. Qualitative individual interviews with a large diversity of actors enabled to identify perceived costs and benefits associated with the reporting of HPAI suspicions to sanitary authorities. Besides, flows of information on HPAI suspected cases were assessed using network analysis, based on data collected through individual questionnaires. Results show that the presence of cockfighting activities in the area negatively affected the willingness of all chicken farmers and other actors to report suspected HPAI cases. The high financial and affective value of fighting cocks contradicted the HPAI control policy based on mass culling. However, the importance of product quality in the native chicken meat value chain and the free veterinary services and products delivered by veterinary officers had a positive impact on suspected case reporting. Besides, cockfighting practitioners had a significantly higher centrality than other actors in the information network and they facilitated the spatial diffusion of information. Social ties built in cockfighting activities and the shared purpose of protecting valuable cocks were at the basis of the diffusion of information and the informal collective management of diseases. Building bridges with this informal network would greatly improve the effectiveness of passive surveillance.     

Sociodemographic and attitudinal factors to blood donation in the urban population of Dakar,Senegal

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this analysis were 1) to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of donors and nondonors, 2) to describe the channels through which Dakar's population is made aware of blood donation, and 3) to analyze the motivations and barriers to blood donation expressed by donors and nondonors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: A survey of 600 individuals age 20 and older representative of Dakar's population was conducted in 2009 to analyze awareness of blood donation, donor characteristics, and barriers and motivations to blood donation. RESULTS: A total of 94.7% of the respondents had already heard of giving blood and 25.8% had already donated. Men and individuals age 40 and over are overrepresented among donors (chi‐square [1 ddl] = 19.54, p < 0.001; chi‐square [3 ddl] = 14.24, p < 0.01). Those with higher education were also more likely to be donors (chi‐square [4 ddl] = 38.91, p < 0.001). Main motivations to blood donation are altruism (43%) and awareness of a blood shortage (20.33%). Never having been contacted to give blood is the number one obstacle to blood donation (37.31%). CONCLUSIONS: In Dakar, the vast majority of people are familiar with the practice of giving blood. The sociodemographic characteristics of blood donors, and the main motivations and barriers to blood donation are the same in Dakar as in other countries, but this study also demonstrates the importance to inform Dakarites that blood donation does not amount to a blood test, that donating is not harmful for one's health, and that the blood donated is quickly regenerated.