🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Women experience more frequent and intense pain, often trivialized, according to new survey
via Le Mauricien4 min read
A comprehensive survey conducted by Haleon laboratory, Odoxa, and the Sciences Po Health Chair reveals that women suffer more from chronic and intense pain than men, yet this pain is often minimized, misunderstood, or treated belatedly. The study, "French Men, French Women, and Pain," highlights that while pain affects a large portion of the population, it manifests differently by gender. Four out of ten French individuals report regular painful symptoms, including musculoskeletal disorders, headaches, gastrointestinal pain, and osteoarthritis. Pharmacists confirm this, with 82% seeing affected patients daily. The survey shows women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience repeated painful symptoms, excluding menstrual pain. Significant differences were observed across various conditions: 66% of women reported musculoskeletal disorders versus 47% of men, 60% had headaches versus 38%, 54% experienced gastrointestinal pain versus 35%, and 40% had osteoarthritis versus 28%. Beyond frequency, pain intensity also differs, with 71% of women reporting pain above 7/10 compared to 52% of men. Women are twice as likely to report pain above 9/10. Pain episodes also last longer for women, with 78% experiencing pain for over 24 hours compared to 63% of men. Health professionals surveyed confirmed these trends, noting earlier onset, greater chronicity, and higher intensity in female patients. The study also emphasizes the role of pain specific to female physiology throughout life, s
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Seychelles has increased fuel prices by approximately 10%, with diesel now costing Rs 25.19 per liter and unleaded petrol Rs 24.68 per liter. This marks the second price hike this year and is part of a transition plan approved by the Council of Ministers to gradually restore fuel prices while ensuring the nation's energy security. The announcement was made by Adrian Mondon, Director General of Seychelles Petroleum Company SEYPEC, alongside Vice-President Sébastien Pillay and Minister of Finance Pierre Laporte. Mondon stated that the real cost of fuel is around Rs 35 per liter, indicating that pump prices remain heavily subsidized by the state. Seychelles currently holds about two months of fuel reserves, with a supply ship arriving monthly from Singapore. Vice-President Pillay explained that the government opted for a gradual approach to mitigate the impact on the population, preferring progressive measures over radical interventions. To reduce fuel consumption and state expenditure, public sector working hours have been shortened, with administrations now closing at 2:30 PM. Minister Laporte acknowledged that the increase might lead to higher inflation in the coming months but assured that the government would adjust pensions and social assistance to protect vulnerable individuals. This reform aims to strengthen SEYPEC's financial viability, maintain strategic fuel reserves, and support investments in the country's energy infrastructure. Mondon noted that despite recent drop
Must ReadMagistrate Bibi Azna Bholah, sitting in the Curepipe district court, has ordered that Chief Inspector Bhunjun, the Enquiring Officer in the criminal trial against Public Infrastructure Minister Ajay Gunness, be recalled to the witness stand. Minister Gunness faces four formal charges under the Road Traffic Act, including drunk driving, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test, refusal to provide a urine or blood sample, and refusal to comply. He has pleaded not guilty. The magistrate's ruling follows a motion by Minister Gunness's lawyers, Me Rishi Hurdowar and Me Shanyu Seewoonarain, who seek to cross-examine the witness again. The representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Me Pareemala Mauree, had objected to this motion, arguing that it constituted an abuse of procedure due to a change of lawyer by the defendant. However, the court ruled that the defendant's right to a fair trial must take precedence. The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when Chief Inspector Bhunjun is scheduled to reappear in court. A police officer intercepted a car driven by Ajay Gunness in Floréal on January 9, 2023. According to the officer's testimony in court, he detected an odor of alcohol and attempted to administer a breathalyzer test, but the minister allegedly refused to comply before leaving the scene in his car. Ajay Gunness maintains that the officer only requested his driver's license, which he provided.
Reeaz Chuttoo, president of the Confederation of Workers of the Public and Private Sectors CTSP, states that the introduction of Labour Contractors in the agricultural sector marks a new phase in the overexploitation of foreign labor in Mauritius. He believes this system, which allows migrant workers to be employed by multiple farmers, will lead to increased precariousness and discrimination. Chuttoo argues that this measure, which would apply only to migrant workers, violates Article 16 of the Constitution by creating discrimination based on place of origin. He also suggests that the government's economic strategy relies on low-cost foreign labor as Mauritius's main competitive advantage, which he believes encourages young Mauritians to seek work abroad. Chuttoo highlights that migrant workers become entirely dependent on their employers once they obtain a work permit. If the employer informs the Passport and Immigration Office that the contract is terminated, the permit is canceled, and the worker is subject to expulsion, potentially being held at the Pointe-Jérôme detention center. This dependency, he says, prevents foreign workers from reporting abuses, with complaints rarely officially recorded by the Ministry of Labor. The CTSP president also points to numerous violations of migrant workers' rights, including non-payment of contributions to the Portable Retirement Gratuity Fund, lack of professional medical follow-up, insufficient personal protective equipment, excessiv