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Physical activity at work is an important indicator of the level of activity. Physiotherapists are one of professionals for the prevention against sedentary lifestyle. Objective: To assess the level of physical activity at work among physiotherapists in Benin and France. Method: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, conducted from July 2017 to July 2018. With physiotherapists who consent to participate to this study we use a pedometer. They wear it at work for five consecutive days. The average number of daily steps at work was determined. Physiotherapist’s level of inactivity was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Epi Info 13.0. X2 of Pearson’s and ANOVA tests. They were used for the comparison of qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Among fifty-four physiotherapists evaluated, forty-four (81.5%) were sedentary, with a significant level of sedentary lifestyle in twenty-six cases (48.11%). This limitation of physical activity at the workplace and the level of sedentary lifestyle of the subjects were comparable among Beninese and French physiotherapists and they were not associated with any of the factors studied. Conclusion: The level of physical activity of physiotherapists at work is limited. Raising the awareness of these actors seems essential.

In a system rotating vegetable crops/snail rearing, the effect of manure based on snail faeces on the productivity of lettuce has been studied in southern Benin, characterized by a guinea type climate and a degradated ferralitic soil commonly named as [alfisoil] "Terre de barre". The tested rotation system is an alternate biannual type where three forms of manure have been utilized : mineral manure (N15P15K15) ; organic manure (snail faeces or trashes) ; combination of organic manure/mineral manure, that is snail faeces and N15P15K15. Five treatments were tested corresponding to the mode of manure which is either organic manure alone, or organic manure added with mineral manure applied at three levels : 0 g, 125 g, 250 g per plot of de 7.2 rrf. The results obtained showed a quite good plant developement for all treatments except on plots where only trashes were used. The highest yield in green salad (150 kg/100 rrf per plot on the average) has been obtained on the plot where snails were reared in year 1 and where in year 2 an average dosage of mineral manure (125 g of N15P15K15) was applied. We can temporarily conclude that snail faeces, combined with an average dosage of chemical fertilizer would insure a good production of lettuce.

La Chambre d'Agriculture représentant les éleveurs du Sud Aveyron a fait appel à une équipe de l'ORSTOM (le LCSC de Montpellier) pour comparer l'influence des techniques culturales sur les risques d'érosion sur les coteaux maigres des Rougiers de Camarès, restaurer les sols dégradés et améliorer la production fourragère dans la zone de production du fromage de Roquefort. Les résultats ont montré qu'au bout de deux mois, le fumier tassé au fond du labour a eu peu d'effet sur les propriétés physiques du sol. Seule la capacité de stockage en eau du profil s'est améliorée de 5.8 mm sur 30 mm avec l'apport de 80 t/ha. Cependant le fumier a eu un effet positif net sur la production de biomasse avec un optimum situé autour de 40 t/ha, la dose de 80 t/ha ayant provoqué un échaudage d'autant plus fort que le sol est superficiel et caillouteux. L'effort va s'orienter vers la recherche de techniques culturales qui mélangent mieux le fumier à l'horizon superficiel du sol pour améliorer sa résistance à l'érosion et sa productivité. (Résumé d'auteur)