title: Patterns and risk factors of birth defects in rural areas of south-eastern Gabon.
abstract: Within the context of high neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, a retrospective study was conducted on the prevalence of congenital malformations and the association between maternal risk factors and birth defects in rural populations of south-eastern Gabon. Two populations were studied: a group of 3500 births recorded in rural area (Koula-Moutou) and a second group of 4212 births in a semi-rural area (Franceville) in Gabon. Our data showed an increasing prevalence in congenital anomalies from rural to urban areas (P < 0.001). Maternal risk factors such as age > 35 years, multiparity and employment status were significantly associated with the levels of stillbirth. Together with abortions and stillbirths, congenital malformations require strong monitoring in rural and urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology (LABMC), University of Sciences and Techniques of Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Landry-Erik
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Mombo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology (LABMC), University of Sciences and Techniques of Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.|Regional Hospital AMISSA BONGO (CHRAB), Franceville, Gabon.|Regional Hospital PAUL MOUKAMBI (CHRPM), Koula-Moutou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Leslie-Monica
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Yangawagou-Eyeghe
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology (LABMC), University of Sciences and Techniques of Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mickala
authors.affiliation: Regional Hospital AMISSA BONGO (CHRAB), Franceville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moutélé
authors.affiliation: Regional Hospital PAUL MOUKAMBI (CHRPM), Koula-Moutou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Thierno-Souleymane
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Bah
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic (LABIOGENE), University Ouaga I Pr KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Damehan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tchelougou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology (LABMC), University of Sciences and Techniques of Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.|Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic (LABIOGENE), University Ouaga I Pr KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Cyrille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bisseye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gabon; birth defects; rural areas