Acceptability of different lipid-based nutrient supplements for adults with HIV

Despite the increased access to antiretroviral therapy, undernutrition is associated with an increased risk of early mortality among HIV-infected adults living in resource-limited settings. Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (LNS) can provide nutritional support and can be adapted to the needs of adults infected with HIV. However, consumption of these products may be limited by monotony or by an unacceptably strong taste of highly concentrated micronutrients. This study investigated the acceptability of several new flavours of LNS for HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Forty HIV-infected adults on ART completed acceptability tests with one of four sets of LNS products: LNS-30 g sweet, LNS-30 g non-sweet, LNS-250 g sweet and LNS-250 g non-sweet. Each set was composed ofthree flavours and was tasted with and without food during a single session of sensory evaluation. The supplements were block-randomised and the patients were blinded to the type of product. LNS acceptability was assessed based on descriptive, hedonic and food-action rating tests using 5-point rating scales as well as preference tests. All the flavours got a median rate of 3-Just about right for the intensity of sugar, salt, oil,thickness and 4-Good for the taste. Regarding the overall liking, the supplements were positively evaluated with median of 4-I like a little or 5-I like a lot. The LNS-30 g non-sweet formulation was significantly less appreciated when tasted without food compared to all the other sets of LNS (P = 0.0005). Mixing LNS with local food had no effect on the acceptability. In terms of consumption pattern, all the products got a median rate of 1-Will eat it at all opportunity or 2-Will eat it very often. Finally, in terms of preference there was no significant difference between the flavours. In LNS-30 g the overall liking was positively correlated with the taste and the intensity of sugar but the prospective consumption factor was negatively correlated with thickness. In LNS-250 g, only the intensity of salty taste was correlated with the overall liking. As the flavours were well accepted, all of them can be used, providing choice and variety to HIV-infected adults consuming them for prolonged periods. There is no need to modify the products’ formulation. Further research on the acceptability of these supplements over the longer term and in settings where food insecurity and dietary patterns are different is warranted

Feed Markets in the Late Dry Season across Agro-Ecological Zones in Burkina Faso

Limited access to adequate quantities of high-quality feed is a major constraint to livestock productivity in smallholder systems in the West African Sahel. As a result of the increase in the livestock population and the associated growth in the demand for feeds, feed markets have sprung up in many cities and towns in the region. However, there is little available information on price variations for different feed types across agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso. Information on feed price and quality is essential to developing strategies to match feed supply with demand. Surveys on the price and quality of feeds at nine feed markets in peri-urban areas across the four agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso were conducted in the late dry season (March–May) in 2019. In each location, at least 10 feed sellers were interviewed. Samples of major feeds on sale at the markets were collected for laboratory analysis. Cowpea hay had the highest price of 394±53 FCFA per kg DM in Ouagadougou while the feed with the lowest price was sorghum straw, which was 30±2 FCFA per kg DM in Ouahigouya. For nearly all feeds, the prices were highest in Ouagadougou, which is presumably a reflection of higher demand. There was no correlation between price and quality (nitrogen concentration and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) in the Ouagadougou market. However, there was a significant (P \u3c 0.05) positive relationship between price and nitrogen concentration in Dori, and between price and IVOMD in Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouahigouya markets. The results suggest that increasing demand for feed tends to drive up price particularly in the urban areas regardless of the quality. The findings in Dori, Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouahigouya indicate that there is opportunity to develop feed pricing based on quality

Effects on mortality of a nutritional intervention for malnourished HIV-infected adults referred for antiretroviral therapy: a randomised controlled trial.

Malnourished HIV-infected African adults are at high risk of early mortality after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). We hypothesized that short-course, high-dose vitamin and mineral supplementation in lipid nutritional supplements would decrease mortality

The Role of Agreements concluded with Local Political Entities during the Course of French Colonial Expansion in West Africa

Scholars, historians and lawyers alike, frequently deny legal value to the numerous agreements concluded between local political entities and colonial powers during the process of European territorial expansion in Africa. They often argue that these agreements were not ‘treaties’ because local political entities were not ‘states’ under international law. Doubts also relate to the capacity of local polities to understand and engage in meaningful legal relations with colonial powers. An analysis of French colonial practice of concluding agreements with West African political entities reveals that France and local political entities viewed these agreements as legal instruments. Accordingly, these agreements created, in conformity with their terms, rights and obligations under international law. Depending still on their terms, the agreements with local political entities could confer titles of territorial sovereignty or establish protectorates. When France decided to establish its sovereignty over West African territories at the end of the nineteenth century, it did so mainly through conquest. In this process, France marginalised agreements, such as those establishing protectorates, which did not have the effect of establishing its sovereignty over West African territories. Exploring the Frontiers of International La

Acceptability Of Different Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements For Adults With Hiv

Despite the increased access to antiretroviral therapy, undernutrition is associated with an increased risk of early mortality among HIV-infected adults living in resource-limited settings. Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (LNS) can provide nutritional support and can be adapted to the needs of adults infected with HIV. However, consumption of these products may be limited by monotony or by an unacceptably strong taste of highly concentrated micronutrients. This study investigated the acceptability of several new flavours of LNS for HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Forty HIV-infected adults on ART completed acceptability tests with one of four sets of LNS products: LNS-30 g sweet, LNS-30 g non-sweet, LNS-250 g sweet and LNS-250 g non-sweet. Each set was composed of three flavours and was tasted with and without food during a single session of sensory evaluation. The supplements were block-randomised and the patients were blinded to the type of product. LNS acceptability was assessed based on descriptive, hedonic and food-action rating tests using 5-point rating scales as well as preference tests. All the flavours got a median rate of 3-Just about right for the intensity of sugar, salt, oil, thickness and 4-Good for the taste. Regarding the overall liking, the supplements were positively evaluated with median of 4-I like a little or 5-I like a lot. The LNS-30 g non-sweet formulation was significantly less appreciated when tasted without food compared to all the other sets of LNS (P = 0.0005). Mixing LNS with local food had no effect on the acceptability. In terms of consumption pattern, all the products got a median rate of 1-Will eat it at all opportunity or 2-Will eat it very often. Finally, in terms of preference there was no significant difference between the flavours. In LNS- 30 g the overall liking was positively correlated with the taste and the intensity of sugar but the prospective consumption factor was negatively correlated with thickness. In LNS-250 g, only the intensity of salty taste was correlated with the overall liking. As the flavours were well accepted, all of them can be used, providing choice and variety to HIV-infected adults consuming them for prolonged periods. There is no need to modify the products’ formulation. Further research on the acceptability of these supplements over the longer term and in settings where food insecurity and dietary patterns are different is warranted

Feed Markets in the Late Dry Season across Agro-Ecological Zones in Burkina Faso

Limited access to adequate quantities of high-quality feed is a major constraint to livestock productivity in smallholder systems in the West African Sahel. As a result of the increase in the livestock population and the associated growth in the demand for feeds, feed markets have sprung up in many cities and towns in the region. However, there is little available information on price variations for different feed types across agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso. Information on feed price and quality is essential to developing strategies to match feed supply with demand. Surveys on the price and quality of feeds at nine feed markets in peri-urban areas across the four agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso were conducted in the late dry season (March�May) in 2019. In each location, at least 10 feed sellers were interviewed. Samples of major feeds on sale at the markets were collected for laboratory analysis. Cowpea hay had the highest price of 394�53 FCFA per kg DM in Ouagadougou while the feed with the lowest price was sorghum straw, which was 30�2 FCFA per kg DM in Ouahigouya. For nearly all feeds, the prices were highest in Ouagadougou, which is presumably a reflection of higher demand. There was no correlation between price and quality (nitrogen concentration and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) in the Ouagadougou market. However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) positive relationship between price and nitrogen concentration in Dori, and between price and IVOMD in Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouahigouya markets. The results suggest that increasing demand for feed tends to drive up price particularly in the urban areas regardless of the quality. The findings in Dori, Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouahigouya indicate that there is opportunity to develop feed pricing based on quality