Effects of defoliation by the edible caterpillar “chitoumou” ( Cirina butyrospermi ) on harvests of shea ( Vitellaria paradoxa ) and growth of maize ( Zea mays )

Abstract: Edible insects are found in agricultural systems worldwide, and are an important source of food and income. However, many edible insects are also pests of important food crops, which raises the question of how far their presence might be costly to farmers in terms of reduced crop yields. In this study we aimed to understand the impact of defoliation of shea trees by edible caterpillars on yields of shea and maize in a mixed agroforestry system in Burkina Faso, West Africa. We collected field data in two consecutive years. Our results suggest that tree defoliation by caterpillars has no effect on shea fruit yields, and that defoliation may have a positive effect on maize productivity. We conclude that this appears to be an example of an agricultural system in which nutritionally and economically important plants and insects are both harvested by humans without risking yield reductions of harvested plants

The contribution of ‘chitoumou’, the edible caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, to the food security of smallholder farmers in southwestern Burkina Faso

Abstract: Edible insects have been advocated as a means to combat food insecurity, which is prevalent in West Africa. In this study we look at the contribution of the shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, colloquially known as ‘chitoumou’, to the food security of smallholder households in rural southwestern Burkina Faso. We used a mixed methods approach to understand the relationship between caterpillar collection, consumption, and sale by smallholder households, and their seasonal food security status. We found that caterpillars are an important source of food and income for households, significantly increasing the household consumption of animal protein and, with shea nuts, representing the main income source for the majority of women. We also found that food security is higher during caterpillar season, and that household-level food security during this season can be predicted by the amount of caterpillars collected, consumed and sold. However, this relationship holds only during the caterpillar season, suggesting that the positive impact of caterpillars on food security is temporally limited. We conclude that the shea caterpillar is an example of an edible insect that is crucial for seasonal food security in a widespread agricultural system

Etat, Citoyens et Gouvernance au Burkina Faso : L’expérience de l’implantation d’une assurance maladie universelle

Contexte : Plus de 43.9 % des ménages burkinabè vivent en dessous du seuil de pauvreté et plus de 80 % ne disposent pas d’une couverture sociale en santé. Cela contribue à limiter l’accessibilité financière aux structures de santé (0,64 contact par personne et par an) par les usagers. Le projet d’implantation d’une assurance maladie universelle initié par les autorités burkinabè depuis 2008 et pour un démarrage à l’horizon 2015 fait partie des politiques publiques pour améliorer l’accès aux services de santé. Le présent article est une analyse des conditions d’implantation de l’assurance maladie universelle au regard de l’émergence des crises sociales et politiques que connaît le Burkina Faso depuis ces dernières années.Méthodes et matériel : Le travail a été réalisé sur la base d’une analyse documentaire et d’une enquête de terrain. Pour la collecte de données sur le terrain, des entretiens individuels approfondis ont été effectués (des entretiens à passages répétés avec certains acteurs) avec une diversité de catégories d’acteurs : personnels de santé (20), membres de mutuelles (15), collectivités locales (mairies, préfectures, etc.) (5), membres de syndicats (5), Responsables de la Fédération des mutuelles professionnelles et caisses de solidarité au Burkina Faso (3) et des mutualistes de mutuelles sociales professionnelles (15).Résultats : Les résultats montrent que la mise en place de l’assurance maladie va contribuer à améliorer l’accessibilité financière des ménages aux structures de soins de santé, mais les crises sociopolitiques et économiques nationales (méfiance vis-à-vis des pouvoirs publics, impunité, corruption, dépenses publiques non contrôlées, mal gouvernance, etc.) ne sont pas des conditions favorables à l’implantation d’un système d’assurance maladie géré par l’Etat au Burkina Faso.Conclusion : La mise en place de l’assurance maladie est une voie d’accès aux structures de soins de santé afin de réduire les formes de vulnérabilités et d’inégalités sociales. Renouer la confiance avec les citoyens dans la gestion des affaires publiques est une nécessité pour l’Etat ; cela s’inscrit dans un processus de construction d’une unité nationale

Pas de mère sans un « mari ». La nécessité du mariage dans les structures de soins à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

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La méningite, une maladie des « variations » : pratiques préventives et gestion des épidémies de méningite à Kombissiri et Réo Burkina Faso

Meningitis is an epidemic whose management requires as well medical techniques as social behaviors’. Burkina Faso remains one of the countries of Africa more touched by meningitis. Between 1988 and 1997, WHO counts there more than 700,000 cases and 70,000 deaths, without counting the neurological victims of meningitis sequelae are difficult to evaluate. The objective of this work is to study the social representations of meningitis and the preventive practices which can contribute to increase the rates of morbidity and mortality.We conducted a socioanthropologic study in Kombissiri (moose’s country) and Reo (lyele’s country) in Burkina Faso. We make individual interviews with tradipraticians, traditional leaders, religious leaders, administrative authorities and health workers. Focus group was made with women, men, pupils and the young people.The results show that actors have knowledge of meningitis : symptomatic descriptions, period of appearance, transmission systems and meningitis sequelae (deafness, stammering, loss of memory, eye trouble). So formerly the stiffness of the neck and the appearance in period of strong hot made conspicuous meningitis, according to the popular designs, the etiologies and the diffuse symptomatic demonstrations of the preventive measures, popular perceptions (perceptions regarding meningitis in local populations) and diagnosis are complex

La méningite, une maladie des « variations » : pratiques préventives et gestion des épidémies de méningite à Kombissiri et Réo Burkina Faso

Meningitis is an epidemic whose management requires as well medical techniques as social behaviors’. Burkina Faso remains one of the countries of Africa more touched by meningitis. Between 1988 and 1997, WHO counts there more than 700,000 cases and 70,000 deaths, without counting the neurological victims of meningitis sequelae are difficult to evaluate. The objective of this work is to study the social representations of meningitis and the preventive practices which can contribute to increase the rates of morbidity and mortality.We conducted a socioanthropologic study in Kombissiri (moose’s country) and Reo (lyele’s country) in Burkina Faso. We make individual interviews with tradipraticians, traditional leaders, religious leaders, administrative authorities and health workers. Focus group was made with women, men, pupils and the young people.The results show that actors have knowledge of meningitis : symptomatic descriptions, period of appearance, transmission systems and meningitis sequelae (deafness, stammering, loss of memory, eye trouble). So formerly the stiffness of the neck and the appearance in period of strong hot made conspicuous meningitis, according to the popular designs, the etiologies and the diffuse symptomatic demonstrations of the preventive measures, popular perceptions (perceptions regarding meningitis in local populations) and diagnosis are complex

Pour le Sud, un partenariat renforcé au Nord

Introduction Le contexte de collaboration entre enseignants-chercheurs du Nord et du Sud dont il s’agira ici a trait à l’Afrique subsaharienne francophone. Les réflexions que nous proposons ne sauraient être généralisées : elles se limitent à des expériences de partenariat impliquant des institutions françaises d’une part, dans le domaine de l’anthropologie sociale et de la sociologie d’autre part, et enfin se réfèrent plutôt à des relations entre des institutions publiques d’enseignement sup..

The contribution of ‘chitoumou’, the edible caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, to the food security of smallholder farmers in southwestern Burkina Faso

Abstract: Edible insects have been advocated as a means to combat food insecurity, which is prevalent in West Africa. In this study we look at the contribution of the shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, colloquially known as ‘chitoumou’, to the food security of smallholder households in rural southwestern Burkina Faso. We used a mixed methods approach to understand the relationship between caterpillar collection, consumption, and sale by smallholder households, and their seasonal food security status. We found that caterpillars are an important source of food and income for households, significantly increasing the household consumption of animal protein and, with shea nuts, representing the main income source for the majority of women. We also found that food security is higher during caterpillar season, and that household-level food security during this season can be predicted by the amount of caterpillars collected, consumed and sold. However, this relationship holds only during the caterpillar season, suggesting that the positive impact of caterpillars on food security is temporally limited. We conclude that the shea caterpillar is an example of an edible insect that is crucial for seasonal food security in a widespread agricultural system