[Mistreatment of students and associated factors in the Faculty of Medicine of Parakou in 2018]. / Maltraitance des étudiants et facteurs associés à la Faculté de Médecine de Parakou en 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies around the world have shown a significant increase in student mistreatments in the Faculty of Medicine. The purpose of our study was to analyze student mistreatments and associated factors in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Parakou (FM/UP) in 2018. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical survey among the students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Parakou from 1st to 28 February 2018. Participants were second-year medical students (PCEM2), fourth-year medical students (DCEM2) and sixth-year medical students (DCEM4) attending the academic year 2017-2018 and who had freely given their informed consent to participate in the study. RESULTS: One hundred percent of students of the FM/UP had experienced mistreatment at least once. Students had frequently experienced mistreatment in 34.34% of cases. Humiliation, verbal violence and instigation to personal services were the most common types of violence. However, approximately 10% of students had experienced sexual harassment. Perpetrators of mistreatments were doctors/teachers, nurses and interns. Female students were three times more sexually harassed than their colleagues of the opposite sex (p=0.0069). The older the students were and enrolled in the second-year of the Faculty of Medicine, the more they experienced humiliation (p=0.0001 for age and p<0.0001 for education) and verbal violence (p=0.0007 for age and p<0.0001 for education). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that all the students of the FM/UP have experienced mistreatment at least once after enrolment in the university. Based on this study, university officials should implement communication strategies to change the abusive behavior of teachers and supervisors. A register of complaints would also be useful in reducing this phenomenon.

[Predictors of success among first-year medical students at the University of Parakou]. / Facteurs prédictifs de succès des étudiants en première année de médecine à l'université de Parakou.

INTRODUCTION: Several factors including grades obtained in the Baccalaureate can influence academic performance of first year medical students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between results achieved by students taking Baccalaureate exam and student academic success during the first year of medical school. METHODS: We conducted an analytical study that included the whole number of students regularly enrolled in their first year of medical school at the university of Parakou in the academic year 2010-2011. Data for the scores for each academic discipline and distinction obtained in the Baccalaureate were collected. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression and multiple linear regression made it possible to determine the best predictors of success and grade point average obtained by students at the end of the year. SPSS Statistics 17.0 was used to analyse data and a p value p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among the 414 students regularly enrolled, we could exploit the data on 407 students. They were aged 15-31 years; 262 (64.4%) were male. 98 were enrolled with a success rate of 23.7%. Concerning men, the scores obtained in mathematics, in physical sciences, the grade point average obtained in the Baccalaureate and honors obtained in the Baccalaureate were associated with their success at the end of the year, but in multivariate analysis only a score in physical sciences > 15/20 was associated with success (OR: 2,8 [1,32-6,00]). Concerning the general average grade obtained at the end of the year, only an honor obtained in the Baccalaureate was associated (standard error of the correlation coefficient: 0,130 Beta =0,370 and p=0,00001). CONCLUSION: The best predictors of student academic success during the first year were a good grade point average in physical sciences during the Baccalaureate and an honor obtained in the Baccalaureate The inclusion of these elements in the enrollement of first-year students could improve academic performance.

The exploratory burr hole: indication and results at one departmental hospital of benin.

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the indications and results of exploratory burr hole performed at the Departmental Teaching Hospital of Borgou (Benin). Methods. It was a retrospective study performed from January 2008 to February 2011. It concerned patients with a closed traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which an exploratory burr hole was performed. The selection criteria were unilateral mydriasis associated with neurological deficits on the opposite side or the occurrence of a decreased consciousness associated with the appearance of a motor deficit after a lucid interval. Results. Amongst the 74 patients operated, 23 (31%) underwent an exploratory burr hole for which the average age was 24.8 ± 17.3 years. Sex ratio male/female was 3.6. TBI was due to road traffic accident (56.5%), a fall (26.1%), and an assault (17.4%). It was severe (47.8%), moderate (39.1%), and mild (13.1%). Mydriasis was observed in 69.6% of cases as well as neurological deficit in all patients. A lesion was observed in 15 (65.2%) cases. Conclusion. The exploratory burr hole seemed as an old practice, still no longer performed in full practice in Benin, and is a diagnosis and therapeutic approach. Better technical conditions would allow more relevant therapeutic options.