[Palmar and plantar keloid in a black African male]. / Chéloïdes palmaire et plantaire chez un Noir africain.

The keloid scar is a fibrous skin tumor, intradermal, and exuberant. It is commonly found on the glabrous skin. The keloid of the palms and soles are rare. Small series are reported in English literature. The authors report a case of large keloids located on both palms and soles, within a context of keloid disease, in a man of 37 years. On the left hand, the keloid scar caused a partial syndactyly IV-V. Large keloid tumors occupied the inner edge and, weight-bearing areas of both feet. These tumors rendered wearing of shoes impossible and interfered with walking. The treatment consisted of total excision of palmar and plantar keloid tumors. The residual defects were covered by a total skin graft taken from the suprapubic region. The results were satisfactory aesthetically, functionally and psychosocially.

[Epidemiologic study on patrons of traditional drink establishments (Bandjidromes) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and surrounding areas]. / Enquête epidémiologique a propos des usagers des débits de boissons traditionnelles (Bandjidromes d'Abidjan et de sa banlieue).

This transverse descriptive study was conducted over a three-month period from January 10 to April 10, 2003. Findings demonstrated a clear profile of 120 patrons of traditional drinking establishments called n the city of Abidjan and surrounding areas in the Ivory Coast. All subjects interrogated were male. Mean age was 31.1 years. Almost all subjects interrogated (99.2%) were of Ivory Coast nationality. The main ethnic group was Akan (86.7%) from Baoulé (60%). More than a third (35.9%) of subjects interviewed were unemployed. Most (62.5%) were single. All subjects interrogated stated that they attended "bandjidromes" to drink palm wine although other alcoholic beverages were served. However only 9.2% of subjects drank only palm wine. The euphoric effect of alcohol and friendly atmosphere of the drinking establishment were the main reasons for attendance (53.3%). Most persons interrogated (63.3%) had been consuming alcohol for more than 10 years. More than half (55%) spent less than three hours a day drinking alcoholic beverages. Daily consumption of palm wine ranged from two to four liters for most atrons (76.7%). Only 2.5% (3/120) presented neuropsychiatric disturbances. These results could be useful in the fight against alcoholism.