Adhésion aux Théories Conspirationnistes et Soutien aux Politiques Répressives à L’égard des Libertés Politiques en Contexte de Démocratie Autoritaire : Le Cas du Cameroun

La présente recherche s’inscrit dans la logique des travaux analysant les facteurs explicatifs du soutien des individus à la répression (Besley & Persson, 2012 ; Garcia-Ponce & Pasquale, 2013). Plus spécifiquement, elle s’intéresse au soutien accordé par les citoyens aux politiques répressives à l’égard des libertés politiques en contexte de démocratie autoritaire. Son apport théorique consiste en la proposition de l’adhésion aux théories conspirationnistes comme variable explicative de ce phénomène. Dans cette veine, elle prédit que les individus qui adhérent auxdites théories sont plus susceptibles de soutenir les politiques répressives à l’égard des libertés politiques que ceux qui n’y adhérent pas. La mise à l’épreuve de cette prédiction s’est faite grâce à la participation de 338 étudiants, dont l’âge se situe entre 18 et 51 ans (âge moyen = 34,5 ans). Les données ont été collectées grâce à une adaptation de la French Version of Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (Brotherton et al., 2013) et à l’échelle du soutien aux politiques répressives à l’égard des libertés politiques, construite pour les besoins de la présente recherche. À ces deux instruments, on a associé une série d’échelles permettant d’évaluer des construits servant de mesure de contrôle. En procédant à une distinction catégorielle sur la base des scores obtenus, on constate que les participants qui adhèrent aux théories conspirationnistes (M = 30,34 ; É-T = 6,15) soutiennent davantage les politiques répressives à l’égard des libertés politiques que ceux qui n’y adhèrent pas (M = 26,50 ; É-T = 7,94). Ces observations apportent un soutien empirique à l’hypothèse émise (β =.416, t = 11,07 ; P < .05). Les mesures de contrôle associées permettent de constater que les individus qui : ont un penchant pour l’autoritarisme d’extrême droite, croient en un monde juste, ont une orientation de la dominance sociale forte, et ont une vision compétitive du monde soutiennent davantage les politiques répressives que ceux qui n’adhèrent pas à ces idéologies. The present research is in line with the work analyzing factors explaining individuals’ support for repression (Besley & Persson, 2012; Garcia-Ponce & Pasquale, 2013). More specifically, it is interested in the support given by citizens to repressive policies towards political freedoms in the context of authoritarian democracy. Its theoretical contribution consists in the proposition of adherence to conspiracy theories as an explanatory variable of this phenomenon. In this vein, it predicts that individuals who adhere to such theories are more likely to support repressive policies on political freedoms than those who do not. This prediction was put to the test thanks to the participation of 338 students, aged between 18 and 51 (mean age = 34.5 years). Data were collected through an adaptation of the French Version of Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (Brotherton et al., 2013) and the support for repressive policies towards political freedoms, constructed for the purpose of the present research. These two instruments have been associated with a series ofscales allowing the evaluation of constructsserving as control measures. By making a categorical distinction on the basis of the scores obtained, it is observed that, participants who adhere to conspiracy theories (M = 30.34; S.D = 6.15) support more repressive policies towards political freedoms than those who do not adhere to it (M = 26.50; SD = 7.94). These observations provide empirical support for the hypothesis of the study (β = .416, t = 11.07; P <.05). The associated control measures show that individuals who : are incline to right-wing authoritarianism, believe in a just world, have a high social dominance orientation, and have a competitive worldview are more supportive of repressive policies than those who do not adhere to these ideologies

Exploring factors influencing patient mortality and loss to follow-up in two paediatric hospital wards in Zamfara, North-West Nigeria, 2016-2018

Introduction Child mortality has been linked to infectious diseases, malnutrition and lack of access to essential health services. We investigated possible predictors for death and patients lost to follow up (LTFU) for paediatric patients at the inpatient department (IPD) and inpatient therapeutic feeding centre (ITFC) of the Anka General Hospital (AGH), Zamfara State, Nigeria, to inform best practices at the hospital. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort review study using routinely collected data of all patient admissions to the IPD and ITFC with known hospital exit status between 2016 and 2018. Unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios (aRR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using Poisson regression to estimate the association between the exposure variables and mortality as well as LTFU. Results The mortality rate in IPD was 22% lower in 2018 compared to 2016 (aRR 0.78; 95% CI 0.66–0.93) and 70% lower for patients coming from lead-affected villages compared to patients from other villages (aRR 0.30; 95% CI 0.19–0.48). The mortality rate for ITFC patients was 41% higher during rainy season (aRR 1.41; 95% CI 1.2–1.6). LTFU rates in ITFC increased in 2017 and 2018 when compared to 2016 (aRR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2–2.0 and aRR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1–1.8) and patients in ITFC had 2.5 times higher LTFU rates when coming from a lead-affected village. Conclusions Our data contributes clearer understanding of the situation in the paediatric wards in AGH in Nigeria, but identifying specific predictors for the multifaceted nature of mortality and LTFU is challenging. Mortality in paediatric patients in IPD of AGH improved during the study period, which is likely linked to better awareness of the hospital, but still remains high. Access to healthcare due to seasonal restrictions contributes to mortalities due to late presentation. Increased awareness of and easier access to healthcare, such as for patients living in lead-affected villages, which are still benefiting from an MSF lead poisoning intervention, decreases mortalities, but increases LTFU. We recommend targeted case audits and qualitative studies to better understand the role of health-seeking behaviour, and social and traditional factors in the use of formal healthcare in this part of Nigeria and potentially similar settings in other countries

Language and beliefs in relation to noma: a qualitative study, northwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:Noma is an orofacial gangrene that rapidly disintegrates the tissues of the face. Little is known about noma, as most patients live in underserved and inaccessible regions. We aimed to assess the descriptive language used and beliefs around noma, at the Noma Children's Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. Findings will be used to inform prevention programs. METHODS:Five focus group discussions (FGD) were held with caretakers of patients with noma who were admitted to the hospital at the time of interview, and 12 in-depth interviews (IDI) were held with staff at the hospital. Topic guides used for interviews were adapted to encourage the natural flow of conversation. Emergent codes, patterns and themes were deciphered from the data derived from IDI's and FGDs. RESULTS:Our study uncovered two main themes: names, descriptions and explanations for the disease, and risks and consequences of noma. Naming of the disease differed between caretakers and heath care workers. The general names used for noma illustrate the beliefs and social system used to explain the disease. Beliefs were varied; participant responses demonstrate a wide range of understanding of the disease and its causes. Difficulty in accessing care for patients with noma was evident and the findings suggest a variety of actions taking place before reaching a health center or health worker. Patient caretakers mentioned that barriers to care included a lack of knowledge regarding this medical condition, as well as a lack of trust in seeking medical care. Participants in our study spoke of the mental health strain the disease placed on them, particularly due to the stigma that is associated with noma. CONCLUSIONS:Caretaker and practitioner perspectives enhance our understanding of the disease in this context and can be used to improve treatment and prevention programs, and to better understand barriers to accessing health care. Differences in disease naming illustrate the difference in beliefs about the disease. This has an impact on health seeking behaviours, which for noma cases has important ramifications on outcomes, due to the rapid progression of the disease

Outcomes at 18 mo of 37 noma (cancrum oris) cases surgically treated at the Noma Children's Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Contains fulltext : 228557.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access

Correction: Exploring factors influencing patient mortality and loss to follow-up in two paediatric hospital wards in Zamfara, North-West Nigeria, 2016-2018.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262073.]

Health of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in detention in Tripoli, Libya, 2018-2019: Retrospective analysis of routine medical programme data.

Libya is a major transit and destination country for international migration. UN agencies estimates 571,464 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya in 2021; among these, 3,934 people are held in detention. We aimed to describe morbidities and water, hygiene, and sanitation (WHS) conditions in detention in Tripoli, Libya. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected between July 2018 and December 2019, as part of routine monitoring within an Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) project providing healthcare and WHS support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in some of the official detention centres (DC) in Tripoli. MSF had access to 1,630 detainees in eight different DCs on average per month. Only one DC was accessible to MSF every single month. The size of wall openings permitting cell ventilation failed to meet minimum standards in all DCs. Minimum standards for floor space, availability of water, toilets and showers were frequently not met. The most frequent diseases were acute respiratory tract infections (26.9%; 6,775/25,135), musculoskeletal diseases (24.1%; 6,058/25,135), skin diseases (14.1%; 3,538/25,135) and heartburn and reflux (10.0%; 2,502/25,135). Additionally, MSF recorded 190 cases of violence-induced wounds and 55 cases of sexual and gender-based violence. During an exhaustive nutrition screening in one DC, linear regression showed a reduction in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 2.5mm per month in detention (95%-CI 1.3-3.7, p<0.001). Detention of men, women and children continues to take place in Tripoli. Living conditions failed to meet minimum requirements. Health problems diagnosed at MSF consultations reflect the living conditions and consist largely of diseases related to overcrowding, lack of water and ventilation, and poor diet. Furthermore, every month that people stay in detention increases their risk of malnutrition. The documented living conditions and health problems call for an end of detention and better protection of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya