Facteurs de variation du poids vif et de l’état corporel du zébu Arabe en zone soudanienne du Tchad

L’objectif de cette étude a été de déterminer les effets saisonniers sur l’évolution du poids et de la note d’état corporel (NEC) des zébus arabes du Tchad. Durant les cinq saisons liées au calendrier fourrager, des mensurations et des notations d’état corporel ont été effectuées sur des bovins mâles et femelles. Les mesures barymétriques ont concerné le périmètre thoracique. La NEC a été déterminée par palpation de la région lombaire de l’animal. L’alternance saisonnière a provoqué de grandes variations de poids et de l’état corporel des animaux qui ont été notées selon le sexe et l’âge. La variabilité des performances pondérales (2,2 ± 16 kg à 64 ±24 kg) et d’état corporel des animaux, obtenue à partir des facteurs individuels (sexe ou âge) et saisonniers (disponibilité fourragère), a montré que ce sont les animaux d’âge supérieur à 6 ans qui ont perdu plus de poids en saison sèche. Les femelles de 3-6 ans (64 ± 44,8 kg) et les mâles de 2-3 ans (54 ± 43 kg) ont montré les fluctuations pondérales les plus significatives en saison des pluies. Afin de minimiser les risques et maximiser la production en élevage extensif, des améliorations dans la conduite des animaux ont été proposées.Mots clés : Variations fourragères - Poids - Etat corporel - Zébu arabe - Tcha

Effect of junction quality on the performance of a silicon solar cell

In this work, a modeling study of the effect of the junction quality on the performance of a silicon solar cell is presented. Based on a one dimensional modeling of the solar cell, the continuity equation of excess minority carriers is solved with boundary conditions taking into account the intrinsic junction recombination velocity and led to analytical expressions of photocurrent density, photovoltage and electric power. The effect of the intrinsic junction recombination velocity or the solar cell junction quality on photocurrent, photovoltage and electric power, is exhibited and we determine the maximum electric power, the junction dynamic velocity at the maximum power point and the conversion efficiency according to the junction quality of the solar cell. From the electric power lost at the junction, we calculated the shunt resistance of the solar cell according to the junction quality.Keywords: Efficiency; Intrinsic junction recombination velocity; Joule effect; Solar cell; Shunt resistanc

Effets des demi-lunes associées au scarifiage sur les productions fourragères en région sahélienne du Burkina Faso

L’effet des demi-lunes associées au scarifiage sur la production fourragère a été étudié dans quatre terroirs sahéliens. Des parcelles d’observation de un ha sur terrain aménagé en demi-lune et un ha sur un témoin respectif ont été mises en place. Les observations ont concerné l’analyse de la composition floristique, la valeur fourragère et le recouvrement. Les résultats obtenus montrent une amélioration de la composition floristique et le recouvrement de la végétation. Les espèces fourragères telles Panicum laetum (+9,8%), Cassia obtusifolia (+17,1%) et Alysicarpus ovalifolius (+2,7%) ont connu une amélioration tandis que Schoenefeldiagracilis (-30%) et Eragrostis tenella (-1,1%) ont subit une régression. La production de fourrage a augmenté significativement (P < 0,05) entre les parcelles aménagées (2115,9 kg de MS.ha-1) et les témoins (463 kg deMS.ha-1). Cependant, l’apparition de Cassia obtusifolia en très forte contribution spécifique suggère que des essais d’alimentation soient menés sur cette espèce pour mieux valoriser l’impact des aménagements en demilune surtout qu’elle est bien appétée à l’état sec. Les demi-lunes + scarification sont rentables mais des recherches doivent cependant être menées pour trouver les modalités de gestion des espaces aménagés, afin d’éviter leur surexploitation et leur dégradation.Mots clés : Pâturage, fourrage, dégradation, Sahel, Burkina Faso

Faecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy volunteers and hospitalized patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: prevalence, resistance profile, and associated risk factors

Background: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) are a serious challenge to patients’ treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of ESBL-PE, investigate the associated resistance, and analyze the associated risk factors for acquisition of ESBL-PE.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on healthy volunteers and inpatients. After obtaining informed consent, rectal swabs were collected from each participant for isolation of Enterobacteriaceae on Hektoen enteric agar containing 4µg/L cefotaxime. The Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified using biochemical tests and ESBL production was confirmed by the double-disc synergy test of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Antibiotic susceptibility test of each isolate was done by the disc diffusion method and interpreted using the recommendations of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) clinical  breakpoints version 5.0.Results: During the study period, prevalence of faecal ESBL-PE among the study participants was 54.5% (103/189); 53.5% among healthy volunteers and 55.7% among inpatients (p=0.87). The major ESBL-PE isolates was Escherichia coli (71%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%). The isolates in hospitalized patients were resistant to norfloxacin (84.2%), cotrimoxazole (89.5%), and gentamicin (7.0%). The isolates from healthy volunteers were resistant to norfloxacin (86.2%), cotrimoxazole (82.8%), and gentamicin (1.7%).Gender, age, and previous antibiotic use were not significantly associated with carriage of ESBL-PE (p=0.51).Conclusion: The high prevalence of ESBL-PE in this study is worrying. There is an urgent need to develop measures to monitor and limit the spread of these multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare facilities and the community in Burkina Faso. Keywords: faecal carriage, ESBL-PE, healthy volunteers, inpatients, Burkina Fas

Falciparum malaria in young children of rural Burkina Faso: comparison of survey data in 1999 with 2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Roll Back Malaria (RBM) interventions such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN) and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) have become implemented with different velocities in the endemic countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in recent years. There is conflicting evidence on how much can be achieved under real life conditions with the current interventions in the highly endemic savannah areas of SSA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study took place in a rural area of north-western Burkina Faso, which was defined as holoendemic in 1999. Clinical and parasitological data were compared in two cohorts of young children of the same age range from eight villages. Surveys took place in June and December of the year 1999 and 2009 respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence of mosquito net use increased from 22% in 1999 to 73% in 2009, with the majority of nets being ITNs in 2009. In 2009, <it>P. falciparum </it>prevalence was significantly lower compared to 1999 (overall reduction of 22.8%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The reduction in malaria prevalence in young children observed between 1999 and 2009 in a rural and formerly malaria holoendemic area of Burkina Faso is likely attributable to the increase in ITN availability and utilization over time.</p

Prevalence and correlates of partner violence among adolescent girls and young women: Evidence from baseline data of a cluster randomised trial in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Little has been documented about partner violence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who are out of school, a factor associated with HIV acquisition. To understand areas for prioritising HIV prevention intervention efforts, we explored the prevalence and correlates of partner violence among out of school AGYW in Shinyanga, Tanzania. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of data from AGYW aged 15-23 years recruited in a cluster randomised trial conducted between October and December 2017 was used to examine correlates of partner violence. Data were collected through an Audio Computer-Assisted Self-interview. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association. RESULTS: 2276 (75.5%) AGYW were sexually active. Of these, 816 (35.9%) reported having experienced violence from partners in the last six months. After adjusting for other covariates, being formerly married (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI:1.02, 2.37), having children (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI:1.47, 2.16), anxiety and depression symptoms (AOR = 3.27, 95%CI: 2.15, 4.96), having engaged in sex work in the past six months (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.53) and economic deprivation (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.34,1.92) were significantly associated with partner violence. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one in three sexually active AGYW had experienced partner violence in the 6 months preceding the survey. The findings underscore the need for future research to focus on understanding the reasons and dynamics underlying high level of partner violence among AGYW. Furthermore, there is a need for implementing intervention programs that aim to reduce economic deprivation among AGYWs and address social norms and structures perpetuating violence against AGYW. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov-ID NCT03597243

West African Cattle Farmers’ Perception of Tick-Borne Diseases

Worldwide, cattle production is struggling to face the negative impacts caused by ticks and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most harmful ticks for livestock. Most of the people in West Africa depend on cattle farming and subsistence agriculture. The presence of ticks on cattle is a major problem faced by smallholder farmers who fight for their livelihood. National and regional tick control programs could assist these rural communities in protecting their livelihoods against ticks and tick-borne diseases, but only if they take into account the targeted herders and their perception on cattle management and tick control. This paper aims to provide a better insight in the socio-economic characteristics of Beninese cattle farmers, and their perception on tick burden, as well as to document common tick control strategies. Different tick species and their seasonality are well understood by cattle herders. For tick control, many still use manual tick removal, especially in the north of the country. The high cost of acaricides, the lack of financial means of African farmers, and of the local stockbreeders in particular, limits the use of acaricides in livestock breeding in Benin. While aiming to increase the meat or milk production of their animals, stockbreeders who can afford it sometimes turn to an abusive use of acaricides, which might in time lead to an increase in tick resistance. This study remains one of the rare studies to report extensively on the perceptions of West African cattle herders

Women's Experience of Facility-Based Childbirth Care and Receipt of an Early Postnatal Check for Herself and Her Newborn in Northwestern Tanzania

Negative experiences of care may act as a deterrent to current and/or future utilization of facility-based health services. To examine the situation in Tanzania, we conducted a sub-analysis of a cross-sectional household survey conducted in April 2016 in the Mara and Kagera regions of Tanzania. The sample included 732 women aged 15-49 years who had given birth in a health facility during the previous two years. Log binomial regression models were used to investigate the association between women's experiences of care during childbirth and the receipt of early postnatal checks before discharge. Overall, 73.1% of women reported disrespect and abuse, 60.1% were offered a birth companion, 29.1% had a choice of birth position, and 85.5% rated facility cleanliness as good. About half of mothers (46.3%) and newborns (51.4%) received early postnatal checks before discharge. Early postnatal checks for both mothers and newborns were associated with no disrespect and abuse (RR: 1.23 and 1.14, respectively) and facility cleanliness (RR: 1.29 and 1.54, respectively). Early postnatal checks for mothers were also associated with choice of birth position (RR: 1.18). The results suggest that a missed opportunity in providing an early postnatal check is an indication of poor quality of the continuum of care for mothers and newborns. Improved quality of care at one stage can predict better care in subsequent stages

New Antenatal Model in Africa and India (NAMAI) study: implementation research to improve antenatal care using WHO recommendations

Background: In 2020, an estimated 287 000 women died globally from pregnancy‐related causes and 2 million babies were stillborn. Many of these outcomes can be prevented by quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. Within the continuum of maternal health, antenatal care (ANC) is a key moment in terms of contact with the health system, yet it remains an underutilized platform. This paper describes the protocol for a study conducted in collaboration with Ministries of Health and country research partners that aims to employ implementation science to systematically introduce and test the applicability of the adapted WHO ANC package in selected sites across four countries. Methods: Study design is a mixed methods stepped-wedge cluster randomized implementation trial with a nested cohort component (in India and Burkina Faso). The intervention is composed of two layers: (i) the country- (or state)-specific ANC package, including evidence-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, and (ii) the co-interventions (or implementation strategies) to help delivery and uptake of the adapted ANC package. Using COM-B model, co-interventions support behaviour change among health workers and pregnant women by (1) training health workers on the adapted ANC package and ultrasound (except in India), (2) providing supplies, (3) conducting mentoring and supervision and (4) implementing community mobilization strategies. In Rwanda and Zambia, a fifth strategy includes a digital health intervention. Qualitative data will be gathered from health workers, women and their families, to gauge acceptability of the adapted ANC package and its components, as well as experience of care. The implementation of the adapted ANC package of interventions, and their related costs, will be documented to understand to what extent the co-interventions were performed as intended, allowing for iteration. Discussion: Results from this study aim to build the global evidence base on how to implement quality ANC across different settings and inform pathways to scale, which will ultimately lead to stronger health systems with better maternal and perinatal outcomes. On the basis of the study results, governments will be able to adopt and plan for national scale-up, aiming to improve ANC nationally. This evidence will inform global guidance. Trial registration number: ISRCTN, ISRCTN16610902. Registered 27 May 2022. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16610902