Knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms: A case-control study in Benin

Introduction. Following communication and awareness actions related to COVID-19, we assessed the knowledge and practices about COVID-19 in Benin. Methods. A case-control survey was conducted from 14 September to 20 October 2020 in Benin. Questions relatingto knowledge and practices on COVID-19 were collected through a questionnaire survey. A total of 312 respondents (104 cases and 208 controls) were included in the study. Logistic regression and Spearman correlation tests were used to examine the relation between participants knowledge and practice at a 5% significance level. Results. From the survey, 65.4% of cases and 68.3% of controls knew about COVID-19 transmission via air droplets. Most of the cases (67.31%) and control (79.81%) participants reported cough as a symptom of COVID-19. Handwashing with soap and water was the most protective measure known by 87.5% of cases and 90.87% of controls. Concerning practice, the cloth mask was the type mostly worn by cases (54.81%) and controls (58.65%). Wearing a face mask in public areas was significantly associated with the COVID-19 health status of respondents (OR = 2.98, CI95% [1.16-7.67]; p = 0.022). Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation exists between knowledge of the COVID-19 protective measures and hand hygiene practices when leaving a public place (r = 0.184, p=0.001). Conclusion. Through this study, we observed some discrepancies between the knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 among cases and controls surveyed. Therefore, efforts should be directed toward raising awareness about the disease to improve their knowledge and practices

Respiratory Disorders Related to e-Waste Exposure among Workers in the Informal Sector in a Sub-Saharan African City: An Exposed Nonexposed Study.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to electrical and electronic equipment waste (e-waste) has become a growing health concern. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of exposure to e-waste on respiratory symptoms and on lung function parameters in workers involved in informal recycling activities in Cotonou city, Benin. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, in which exposed e-waste workers in Cotonou city were randomly selected. A matching nonexposed group based on age and sex was recruited from the general population. Respiratory symptoms were investigated using a questionnaire adapted from the British Medical Research Council's standardized respiratory questionnaire. Participants underwent lung function test using a portable spirometer (MIR SPIROBANK). Data were analyzed with STATA version 15 software. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of respiratory symptoms in e-waste workers was statistically higher in the exposed group (33.1% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.027). Chest tightness (11.8% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.003) and breathlessness (6.8% vs. 1.4%; p = 0.018) were the most reported symptoms by e-waste workers. Lung function testing showed a higher proportion of disorders among e-waste workers (25.0% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.029), with a higher proportion of probable restrictive (10.8% vs. 2.7, p = 0.005) and mixed (4.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.013) ventilatory disorders. Handling or working with e-waste was found associated with a significant reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by 0.4 L (95% CI: 0.3-0.6) and forced vital capacity (FVC) by 0.75 L (95% CI: 0.6-0.9) after adjustment for age, BMI, smoking habits, asthma history, and daily income. CONCLUSION: Work involving e-waste is associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and with an increased risk of FEV1 and FVC decline, as well as of lung function impairment, particularly of restrictive disorders. Further studies to better clarify this association are needed. Awareness on this major public health threat should be raised in other sub-Saharan and Asian urban areas.