E. Alagnide

Feasibility of a self-rehabilitation program for the upper limb for stroke patients in Benin.

INTRODUCTION Stroke is a major cause of disability and represents a very high cost in developing countries. Self-rehabilitation programs represent a new and original treatment for stroke patients, likely to reduce upper limb impairments and improve activity and participation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a self-rehabilitation protocol in Benin. METHODS Twelve chronic stroke patients carried out the upper limb self-rehabilitation program (3 hours/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks). The performance of these patients was evaluated before and after the self-rehabilitation program, by measuring the number of exercises that patients were able to achieve during a three-hour session, and by assessing their gross manual dexterity. RESULTS Twelve patients were effectively able to complete the entire program. The number of unimanual exercises and self-mobilizations performed during a three-hour session as well as the score of the Box and Block test were improved by the self-rehabilitation program (P<0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Self-rehabilitation programs are feasible and inexpensive as they do not involve a therapist. It is then a promising approach in stroke rehabilitation, particularly in developing countries, where rehabilitation costs are usually supported by patients.

What happens to cutaneous and musculoskeletal sequelae of buruli ulcer one to five years after return home to healed patients

Buruli ulcer (BU) is an emerging disease caused by Mycobacteriumulcerans (Mu). It occurs in the form of endemic foci in the tropics (in Africa, America, Asia and Oceania.1 Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a factor that increase this emergence of the disease.2,3 Its treatment needs using of specific antibiotics, but also plastic and /or orthopedic surgical methods.3–5 If the disease is mutilating by itself, its taking care is not less mutilating, in some cases. However, after healing, there are capacity limitations and participation restrictions that occur in a significant number of patients.6–9 They can range from a simple limitation to ankylosis, or from a loss of substance to an amputation. These are sometimes cancerous lesions, especially after a retreat of at least 5 years.10 Despite those numerous problems, in Benin patients who are cured return to their homes and are not often reviewed for an assessment of their future. This study aims to examine the becoming of the cutaneous and musculoskeletal sequelae of former UB patients one to five years after returning home.

Problèmes de scolarisation des enfants handicapés au Bénin

In Africa generally, despite their deficiencies and limitations of capacity, disabled children (DC) are obliged to study in classic schools. So, for us, it is evident that those children have specific problems, in those studding conditions. This study aims to identify the problems faced by DC during their schooling in Benin. This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study target of 450 DC integrated in various schools in Zou department, from October 2004 to December 2009, with two programs that are interested in the education of persons with disabilities in Benin. These children were revised from January to July 2010 with their parents and teachers, for questioning and clinical examination to study the different disabilities they have and the various school difficulties they have faced. If their school results were generally satisfactory and depend especially on the type of deficiency, a significant proportion of forsaking was noted. School difficulties were educational and social order. www.em-consulte.com Disponible en ligne sur www.sciencedirect.com