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Aging of the Guinean population is a public health concern for the coming years, and the nutritional status of older people is virtually unknown. We also know that this population is growing and that undernutrition and obesity can affect the health of older adults. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of older people in the general population of Guinea and its associated factors. A representative cross-sectional survey was conducted using sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data (weight and height). Oral status was assessed by using the University of Nebraska Oral Status Scale. Visual acuity was assessed using the Monoyer scale. The standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) of the nutritional status was calculated for each region. The sample included 1698 subjects with a mean BMI of 22.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2. A total of 50.3% had impaired oral status and 20.3% had moderately to severely impaired visual acuity. The prevalence of undernutrition was 14.4% and of obesity 5.7%. Differences in the prevalence of nutritional status were found between regions, with an SPR > 1 for undernutrition in the Labé region (SPR 1.9, 95% CI = 1.5–2.5) and for obesity in the Conakry and Kindia regions (SPR of 2.90, 95% CI = 2.0–4.05 and 2.32, 95% CI = 1.5–3.3, respectively). In Guinea, The prevalence of nutritional disorders was approximately 20%. Screening and management of the health and nutritional status of older adults should be a national priority, and management should be adapted to each region of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke frequently causes deglutition disorders, leading to a decline in nutritional status and complications, and increasing mortality. Sub-Saharan data are scarce. The objectives of this study were to assess complications and mortality among hospitalized patients in Burkina Faso during the first two weeks after stroke, and to investigate associated factors. Patients with stroke were followed prospectively in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso hospitals. Deglutition disorders and nutritional parameters were assessed at baseline (D0) and on Days 8 (D8) and 14 (D14). Complications and mortality were recorded up to D14. Factors associated with complications and mortality were investigated using multivariate analysis. Of the 222 patients included, 81.5% developed at least one complication, and mortality was 17.1%. At D0, D8, and D14, the rate of deglutition disorders was 37.4%, 28.4%, and 15.8%, respectively, and that of undernourishment 25.2%, 29.4%, and 31.0%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only the presence of deglutition disorders was a risk factor for developing at least one complication (OR = 5.47, 95% CI 1.81–16.51). Factors predicting death were the presence of deglutition disorders at D0 (OR = 7.19, 95% CI 3.10–16.66), and at least one seizure during follow-up (OR = 3.69, 95% CI 1.63–8.36). After stroke, the rates of complications, death, and undernourishment were high compared to Western countries. Prevention and management of deglutition disorders, and specific follow-up of patients with seizures could reduce post-stroke mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Epidemiology of dementia in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA): protocol for a multicentre population-based study in rural and urban areas of the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo," by Pascal Mblesso et al, published in a previous issue is presented.