L’effet à long terme de la vie reproductive sur la mortalité des femmes en milieu rural sénégalais

Population ageing in sub-Saharan Africa raises new concerns about mature adult mortality patterns and differentials, but little is known in this region due to the lack of data. This study examines the long term effects of reproductive history on female mortality in three local rural areas in Senegal where population have been followed up for decades. We study mortality differentials according to the past reproductive history of females aged between 50 and 70 in the period 1985-2011. We find that age at first and last deliveries impact mortality levels, as does the number of children ever born. Looking at the sex of the childrenand their vital status at age 5, we note that the number of boys is negatively associated with mortality rates, by a larger extent than the number of girls. In virilocal societies, social factors probably have a strong impact. This result opens future research avenues on the issue of the care of the elderly.

Awareness and practices on eye effects among people with diabetes in rural Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Recently eye effects of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are an important concern due to increase in its trend especially in developing countries. Objectives: To assess the awareness related to eye effects of DM and its prevention practices among people with diabetes. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2013 to April 2013 in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. All 105 people with diabetes from the service area of two sub-centres were included. Data on socio demographic details, history of DM, awareness on systemic complications of DM, effects of DM on eyes, practice on regular blood check-up, eye examination and source of information were collected by interview technique using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were done to assess the association of awareness of eye examination with socio-demographic variables. Results: Mean age of the study population was 56.7 years. About 93 people with diabetes (88.6%) tested their blood sugar at least once in every 3 months. About 80 people with diabetes (76.2%) were aware of at least one systemic complication of DM. Although 78 (74.3%) people with diabetes were aware that DM could affect the eyes, majority of this group (68, 87.2%) did not know the specific effects of DM on eyes. In this group, about 28(35.9%) people with diabetes were not aware of the reasons for eye effects, while others mentioned that persistent high blood sugar level (n=26, 33.3%), longer duration of DM (n=14, 17.9%) and lifestyle (n=10, 12.8%) were the reasons for the eye effects of DM. Only 31 (29.5%) of them knew that their eyes must be regularly examined. People with diabetes who had post-secondary and above (>10th standard) level of education had significantly higher awareness on examination of eye (Adjusted OR=19.63). Conclusion: Although awareness of people with diabetes on systemic effects of DM was more, their awareness on specific eye effects and need for regular screening was low. Systematic efforts are required to increase awareness on eye effects and importance of regular screening in this population.