Reproductive Performance of Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera: Glossinidae) when fed frozen or fresh bovine blood meals

The tsetse and trypanosomoses control by sterile insect technique (SIT), requires mass production of quality tsetse pupae and consequently high-quality blood meal for the fly feeding. The reproductive performances of Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera : Glossinidae), fed frozen or fresh blood meals has been studied. Three diets of slaughtered bovine blood stored at -18 °C for six months (R6), three months (R3) and one month (R1) were used in the present investigation. Fresh blood samples stored at 4°C and renewed every four days were used as control (R0). The defibrinated blood was packaged in batches of 30 x 20 ml vials. For each blood meal, 30-day feeding tests were conducted at the beginning and end of freezing. All blood meal was irradiated using 137 caesium irradiation before being used. The parameters monitored daily were: the number of dead flies (fed and unfed), the number and weight of pupae and the emergence rate. No difference in survival rates was observed for the three regimes (df: 15; Chi-square: 7.53; p > 0.05), on average 32.1% (R0), 32.4% (R6), 37.5% (R3) and 38.2% (R1). However, flies fed with the six-month-old frozen blood were less efficient in pupa production (df: 3; F: 6. p < 0.001) and pupae weight (df: 3, F: 3.24, p < 0.05) compared to the control. The mortality rate was affected by the duration of freezing: 26.7% for R6 and 8% for the other diets (p <0.05). The implications of our results in terms of blood meal management for efficient production of insectary pupae were discussed

The global burden of trichiasis in 2016.

BACKGROUND: Trichiasis is present when one or more eyelashes touches the eye. Uncorrected, it can cause blindness. Accurate estimates of numbers affected, and their geographical distribution, help guide resource allocation. METHODS: We obtained district-level trichiasis prevalence estimates in adults for 44 endemic and previously-endemic countries. We used (1) the most recent data for a district, if more than one estimate was available; (2) age- and sex-standardized corrections of historic estimates, where raw data were available; (3) historic estimates adjusted using a mean adjustment factor for districts where raw data were unavailable; and (4) expert assessment of available data for districts for which no prevalence estimates were available. FINDINGS: Internally age- and sex-standardized data represented 1,355 districts and contributed 662 thousand cases (95% confidence interval [CI] 324 thousand-1.1 million) to the global total. Age- and sex-standardized district-level prevalence estimates differed from raw estimates by a mean factor of 0.45 (range 0.03-2.28). Previously non- stratified estimates for 398 districts, adjusted by ×0.45, contributed a further 411 thousand cases (95% CI 283-557 thousand). Eight countries retained previous estimates, contributing 848 thousand cases (95% CI 225 thousand-1.7 million). New expert assessments in 14 countries contributed 862 thousand cases (95% CI 228 thousand-1.7 million). The global trichiasis burden in 2016 was 2.8 million cases (95% CI 1.1-5.2 million). INTERPRETATION: The 2016 estimate is lower than previous estimates, probably due to more and better data; scale-up of trichiasis management services; and reductions in incidence due to lower active trachoma prevalence

A research agenda to improve incidence and outcomes of assisted vaginal birth

Access to emergency obstetric care, including assisted vaginal birth and caesarean birth, is crucial for improving maternal and childbirth outcomes. However, although the proportion of births by caesarean section has increased during the last few decades, the use of assisted vaginal birth has declined. This is particularly the case in low- and middle-income countries, despite an assisted vaginal birth often being less risky than caesarean birth. We therefore conducted a three-step process to identify a research agenda necessary to increase the use of, or reintroduce, assisted vaginal birth: after conducting an evidence synthesis, which informed a consultation with technical experts who proposed an initial research agenda, we sought and incorporated the views of women's representatives of this agenda. This process has allowed us to identify a comprehensive research agenda, with topics categorized as: (i) the need to understand women's perceptions of assisted vaginal birth, and provide appropriate and reliable information; (ii) the importance of training health-care providers in clinical skills but also in respectful care, effective communication, shared decision-making and informed consent; and (iii) the barriers to and facilitators of implementation and sustainability. From women's feedback, we learned of the urgent need to recognize labour, childbirth and postpartum experiences as inherently physiological and dignified human processes, in which interventions should only be implemented if necessary. The promotion and/or reintroduction of assisted vaginal birth in low-resource settings requires governments, policy-makers and hospital administrators to support skilled health-care providers who can, in turn, respectfully support women in labour and childbirth. [Abstract copyright: (c) 2023 The authors; licensee World Health Organization.

Profil Epidémiologique des accidents de la route survenus à Niamey, Niger du 1er février au 31 mars 2017

Introduction: Les accidents de la route sont devenus un problème de santé publique au Niger. En 2015, le taux d’incidence annuelle des accidents était de 26,4 pour 100.000 habitants. Notre objectif était de décrire ces accidents et les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des conducteurs en temps, lieu et personne. Méthodes: Nous avons conduit une étude transversale sur les accidents de la route survenus à Niamey du 1er Février au 31 Mars 2017. Les données ont été obtenues à partir des statistiques de la police nationale. Résultats: Au total, 479 accidents ont été recensés. Le sexe masculin représentait 93,6%. L’âge médian était de 22 ans. La tranche d’âge de 15 à 29 ans représentait 81,4%. L'excès de vitesse, le refus de priorités et l’imprudence ont été les comportements des conducteurs (respectivement 21,7%, 29,4% et 30,3%). Les accidents survenaient souvent le Samedi (20,8%). Les Véhicules particuliers et les Motos étaient plus impliqués (respectivement 43,50% et 33,92%). Conclusion: Il ressort de cette étude que les accidents de la route surviendraient plus fréquemment chez les jeunes, adoptant des comportements à risque évitables, les samedis, au volant de véhicules particuliers. Des études analytiques sont nécessaires pour établir formellement l’association de ces facteurs avec le risque de survenue des accidents. Mots clés: Accident de la route, Profil épidémiologique, Niger. English Title: Epidemiological profile of road accidents in Niamey, Niger from February 1 to March 31, 2017  English Abstract Introduction: Traffic accidents have become a public health problem in Niger. In 2015, the country had 26.4 death per 100,000 inhabitants. The aim of this study was to describe the Sociodemographic characteristics of the drivers and the accidents in terms of time and place. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on road accidents that occurred in Niamey from February 1st to March 31st, 2017. Data were obtained from the national police statistics. Results: A total of 479 accidents were reported during the Study period. Of all the recorded cases, 93.57% were male. The median age was 22 years old. The age group of 15 to 29 years accounted for 81.4% of all road accidents. Reasons behind road traffic accidents were speeding, refusal to give priorities and carelessness and those were estimated at 21.7%, 29.43% and 30.27%, respectively. Accidents often occurred on Saturday (20.83%). Private cars and motorcycles were more involved at a rate of 43.50% and 33.92% respectively. Conclusion: These results require the adoption of preventive measures in order to reduce road traffic accidents in Niger. It is essential to involve communities in the planning and application of these measures, considering social and cultural aspects. Keywords: Road accident, epidemiological profile, Nige

Women’s and health providers’ perceptions of companionship during labor and childbirth: a formative study for the implementation of WHO companionship model in Burkina Faso

International audienceAbstract Introduction A key component of achieving respectful maternal and newborn care is labor companionship. Despite important health benefits for the woman and baby, there are critical gaps in implementing labor companionship for all women globally. The paper aims to present the perceptions and experiences of pregnant women, postpartum women, and health care providers regarding companionship during labor and childbirth, and to identify barriers and facilitating factors to the implementation of labor companionship in Burkina Faso. Methods This is a formative study to inform the “Appropriate use of cesarean section through QUALIty DECision-making by women and providers” (QUALI-DEC) study, to design, adapt and implement a strategy to optimize the use of the cesarean section, including labor companionship. We use in-depth interviews (women, potential companions, and health workers) and health facility readiness assessments in eight hospitals across Burkina Faso. We use a thematic analysis approach for interviews, and narrative summaries to describe facility readiness assessment. Results In all, 77 qualitative interviews and eight readiness assessments are included in this analysis. The findings showed that all participants acknowledged an existing traditional companionship model, which allowed companions to support women only in the hospital waiting room and post-natal room. Despite recognizing clear benefits, participants were not familiar with companionship during labor and childbirth in the hospital as recommended by WHO. Key barriers to implementing companionship throughout labor and birth include limited space in labor and delivery wards, no private rooms for women, hospital rules preventing companionship, and social norms preventing the choice of a companion by the woman. Conclusion Labor companionship was considered highly acceptable in Burkina Faso, but more work is needed to adapt to the hospital environment. Revisions to hospital policies to allow companions during labor and childbirth are needed as well as changes to provide private space for women. Training potential companions about their roles and encouraging women’s rights to choose their companions may help to facilitate effective implementation

Lack of robust evidence for a Wolbachia infection in Anopheles gambiae from Burkina Faso

The endosymbiont Wolbachia can have major effects on the reproductive fitness, and vectorial capacity of host insects and may provide new avenues to control mosquito‐borne pathogens. Anopheles gambiae s.l is the major vector of malaria in Africa but the use of Wolbachia in this species has been limited by challenges in establishing stable transinfected lines and uncertainty around native infections. High frequencies of infection of Wolbachia have been previously reported in An. gambiae collected from the Valle du Kou region of Burkina Faso in 2011 and 2014. Here, we re‐evaluated the occurrence of Wolbachia in natural samples, collected from Valle du Kou over a 12‐year time span, and in addition, expanded sampling to other sites in Burkina Faso. Our results showed that, in contrast to earlier reports, Wolbachia is present at an extremely low prevalence in natural population of An. gambiae. From 5341 samples analysed, only 29 were positive for Wolbachia by nested PCR representing 0.54% of prevalence. No positive samples were found with regular PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons clustered across supergroup B, with some having similarity to sequences previously found in Anopheles from Burkina Faso. However, we cannot discount the possibility that the amplicon positive samples we detected were due to environmental contamination or were false positives. Regardless, the lack of a prominent native infection in An. gambiae s.l. is encouraging for applications utilizing Wolbachia transinfected mosquitoes for malaria control

Lutte antiérosive

Face à la pression démographique et foncière dans les pays en développement, la productivité des terres connaît actuellement une forte baisse dans de nombreuses régions tropicales. Par ailleurs, la succession rapprochée des tempêtes cycloniques entraîne l'appauvrissement extrême de certaines populations du fait de la dégradation des terres et des inondations des plaines où se développent les principales agglomérations. Telles sont les problématiques étudiées par l'IRD et le réseau Érosion de l'AUF dont ce CD présente les derniers travaux. Initialement réunies dans la perspective d'un colloque à Haïti (annulé suite au séisme de 2010), les contributions publiées ici portent sur des études de cas à Haïti, mais aussi à Madagascar, au Maghreb ou au Vietnam, soit au total une soixantaine de communications et une série de documents récents issus des réflexions des experts. Structuré en six thèmes, ce CD constitue ainsi une source bibliographique précieuse pour les décideurs, les experts, les ONG, les acteurs de la société civile et les chercheurs concernés par la gestion durable de l'eau et la restauration de la productivité des sols (GCES)

Enhanced infection prophylaxis reduces mortality in severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected adults and older children initiating antiretroviral therapy in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe: the REALITY trial

Meeting abstract FRAB0101LB from 21st International AIDS Conference 18–22 July 2016, Durban, South Africa. Introduction: Mortality from infections is high in the first 6 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV‐infected adults and children with advanced disease in sub‐Saharan Africa. Whether an enhanced package of infection prophylaxis at ART initiation would reduce mortality is unknown. Methods: The REALITY 2×2×2 factorial open‐label trial (ISRCTN43622374) randomized ART‐naïve HIV‐infected adults and children >5 years with CD4 <100 cells/mm3. This randomization compared initiating ART with enhanced prophylaxis (continuous cotrimoxazole plus 12 weeks isoniazid/pyridoxine (anti‐tuberculosis) and fluconazole (anti‐cryptococcal/candida), 5 days azithromycin (anti‐bacterial/protozoal) and single‐dose albendazole (anti‐helminth)), versus standard‐of‐care cotrimoxazole. Isoniazid/pyridoxine/cotrimoxazole was formulated as a scored fixed‐dose combination. Two other randomizations investigated 12‐week adjunctive raltegravir or supplementary food. The primary endpoint was 24‐week mortality. Results: 1805 eligible adults (n = 1733; 96.0%) and children/adolescents (n = 72; 4.0%) (median 36 years; 53.2% male) were randomized to enhanced (n = 906) or standard prophylaxis (n = 899) and followed for 48 weeks (3.8% loss‐to‐follow‐up). Median baseline CD4 was 36 cells/mm3 (IQR: 16–62) but 47.3% were WHO Stage 1/2. 80 (8.9%) enhanced versus 108(12.2%) standard prophylaxis died before 24 weeks (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.54–0.97) p = 0.03; Figure 1) and 98(11.0%) versus 127(14.4%) respectively died before 48 weeks (aHR = 0.75 (0.58–0.98) p = 0.04), with no evidence of interaction with the two other randomizations (p > 0.8). Enhanced prophylaxis significantly reduced incidence of tuberculosis (p = 0.02), cryptococcal disease (p = 0.01), oral/oesophageal candidiasis (p = 0.02), deaths of unknown cause (p = 0.02) and (marginally) hospitalisations (p = 0.06) but not presumed severe bacterial infections (p = 0.38). Serious and grade 4 adverse events were marginally less common with enhanced prophylaxis (p = 0.06). CD4 increases and VL suppression were similar between groups (p > 0.2). Conclusions: Enhanced infection prophylaxis at ART initiation reduces early mortality by 25% among HIV‐infected adults and children with advanced disease. The pill burden did not adversely affect VL suppression. Policy makers should consider adopting and implementing this low‐cost broad infection prevention package which could save 3.3 lives for every 100 individuals treated