Fécondité, réseaux familiaux et scolarisation des enfants en milieu urbain au Burkina Faso

La baisse de la fécondité permet aux couples d'investir davantage dans la scolarité de chacun de leurs enfants (évidence dans les pays occidentaux, d’Asie et d’Amérique latine). Ce postulat est l’un des arguments clés des politiques de planification familiale en Afrique subsaharienne. Pourtant, la plupart des études sur l'Afrique ont trouvé une corrélation nulle ou même une relation positive entre le nombre d'enfants dans un ménage et leur niveau de scolarité. Ces résultats mitigés sont généralement expliqués par des solidarités familiales et des transferts de ressources qui pourraient réduire la pression occasionnée par une descendance nombreuse sur les ressources du ménage, et des problèmes méthodologiques inhérents à plusieurs recherches sur la région. L’objectif principal de cette thèse était d’apporter une contribution à une meilleure compréhension des aspects méthodologiques et substantiels relatifs aux liens entre fécondité et scolarisation. Spécifiquement, la thèse visait à évaluer 1) le rôle des réseaux familiaux dans la scolarisation des enfants, 2) la simultanéité des décisions portant sur le nombre d’enfants et leur scolarisation, 3) l’impact causal du nombre d’enfants sur leur scolarisation, et 4) à comprendre les perceptions des parents sur l’école et les coûts et bénéfices de l’éducation des enfants, et dans quelle mesure ces perceptions sont prises en compte dans leurs stratégies reproductives. Quatre articles ont été rédigés en utilisant quatre sources de données complémentaires : l’Observatoire de population de Ouagadougou (OPO), l’enquête Demtrend, l’enquête santé de base et une enquête qualitative, toutes adossées à l’OPO. Dans le premier article, il est ressorti que les familles de grande taille bénéficient d’un appui plus fréquent des réseaux familiaux pour la scolarisation. De plus, les réseaux familiaux seraient en mesure de compenser l’effet négatif d’un nombre élevé d’enfants sur la scolarisation, mais seulement pour une partie de la population qui exclut les plus pauvres. Ainsi, les solidarités familiales de soutien à la scolarisation des enfants sont loin d’être généralisées. Le deuxième article a montré que les enfants dont les mères ont intentionnellement limité leur fécondité avaient de meilleures chances de scolarisation que ceux dont les mères ont connu des problèmes d’infécondité secondaire et n’ont pas atteint leur nombre d’enfants désiré. Par conséquent, les aspirations scolaires ne sont pas indépendantes des décisions de fécondité et l’hypothèse de fécondité naturelle n’est plus tenable dans ce contexte. Le troisième article a révélé, contrairement à la plupart des études antérieures sur l’Afrique subsaharienne, un effet négatif net de la taille de la fratrie sur le niveau d’éducation atteint des enfants, effet qui se renforce d’ailleurs au fur et à mesure que l’on avance dans le système éducatif. Dans le quatrième article, le discours des participants à l’enquête qualitative a indiqué que l’émergence de cette relation négative entre le nombre d’enfants et leur scolarisation dans les quartiers périphériques de Ouagadougou est intimement liée aux changements dans les coûts et bénéfices de l’éducation des enfants qui font reposer dorénavant de façon presque exclusive les dépenses scolaires sur les parents biologiques.Lower fertility allows couples to invest more in each of their children’s schooling, a phenomenon that has been observed in Western rich countries, Asia and Latin America. This postulate is a key rationale of family planning policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet most studies on Africa have found no correlation or even a positive relationship between the number of children in a family and their educational attainment. These mixed results are usually explained by African family solidarity and resource transfers that might reduce pressures on household resources occasioned by many births, and methodological problems that have afflicted much research on the region. The main objective of this thesis was to contribute to a better understanding of the methodological and substantive aspects relating the links between fertility and schooling. Specifically, the thesis has assessed 1) the role of family networks in the schooling of children, 2) simultaneous decisions on the number of children and their education, 3) the causal impact of the number of children on their schooling and 4) parents' perceptions on the school and the costs and benefits of child schooling and how these perceptions are taken into account in their reproductive strategies. Four articles were written from four complementary sources of data: the Ouagadougou population Observatory (OPO), the Demtrend survey, the Baseline Health Survey and a qualitative survey; all of these surveys are based on the OPO study population. In the first article, the results show that large families receive more support of family networks for schooling than small families. In addition, family networks would be able to offset the negative effect of a high number of children on schooling, but only for a part of the population that excludes the poorest. Thus, the family solidarity for the schooling is far from universal. The results of the second article show that children whose mothers intentionally limited their fertility have better schooling than those with subfecund mothers who could not attain their desired family size. Therefore, fertility is not independent to schooling aspirations; the assumption of natural fertility is not tenable in this context. The third article show, in contrast to most prior studies on sub-Saharan Africa, a net negative effect of sibship size on the level of schooling achieved by children, one that grows stronger as they progress through the educational system. In the fourth article, the discourse of respondents collected by a qualitative survey indicate that the emergence of this negative relationship between the number of children and their schooling in the outskirts of Ouagadougou is closely linked to perceived changes in the costs and benefits of children's schooling. In present day Ouagadougou, school expenses appear to fall almost exclusively to biological parents

Niveaux, Tendances et Déterminants de la Morbidité Palustre des Enfants de Moins de Cinq ans au Burkina Faso de 2010 à 2018

Sous l’effet combiné de l’amélioration de la lutte anti-vectorielle, du diagnostic rapide des infections plasmodiales, des traitements efficaces et les changements socioéconomiques, le paludisme a régressé depuis 2010 dans toutes les régions du monde (OMS, 2020). Toutefois au Burkina Faso, le paludisme affecte plus les enfants et demeure la première cause de leurs décès (Ministère de la santé, 2018). Cette étude vise à contribuer à une meilleure connaissance de l’évolution du paludisme chez les enfants et des facteurs qui sont à l’origine de la persistance dans le temps de cette maladie. Les données utilisées sont issues de l’EDS-MICS-IV 2010, l’EIPBF 2014 et de l’EIPBF 2017-2018. L’analyse descriptive (décomposition) et l’analyse explicative (régression logistique binomiale) ont été utilisées pour atteindre nos objectifs. Les analyses descriptives, à travers la décomposition de la baisse de la morbidité palustre des enfants, indiquent que ce sont les changements de comportement qui ont entrainé cette baisse plutôt que la structure des différentes catégories sociales. Ces changements de comportement, qui sont favorables à la baisse du paludisme, sont attribuables aux politiques généralisées. Par ailleurs, les analyses multivariées explicatives indiquent que 7 facteurs persistent dans la détermination du risque de paludisme à n’importe qu’elle année d’étude sur le phénomène : le milieu de résidence, la religion de la mère, le niveau de vie du ménage, le type de lieu d’aisance, le principal matériau du mur, l’exposition aux médias de la mère et l’âge de l’enfant. Les autres facteurs ne sont pas significatifs simultanément aux trois années d’étude. Ainsi, les interventions antipaludiques doivent mettre un accent particulier sur les facteurs persistants. Under the combined effect of improved vector control, rapid diagnosis of plasmodial infections, effective treatments, and socioeconomic changes, malaria has declined since 2010 in all regions of the world (WHO, 2020). However, in Burkina Faso, malaria affects more children and remains the leading cause of death (Department of Health, 2018). This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of malaria in children and the factors that are responsible for the persistence of this disease over time. The data used are from the 2017-2018 IPBES, the 2014 IPBES, and the 2010 DHS-MICS-IV. Descriptive analysis (decomposition) and explanatory analysis (binomial logistic regression) were used to achieve our objectives. The descriptive analyses, through the decomposition of the decline in malaria morbidity among children, indicate that it is behavioral changes that have led to this decline rather than the structure of the different social categories. These behavioral changes, which are conducive to malaria reduction, are attributable to generalized policies. Furthermore, explanatory multivariate analyses indicate that 7 factors persist in determining malaria risk in any given year of study: residence, mother's religion, household standard of living, type of toilet, main wall material, mother's media exposure, and child's age. The other factors were not significant simultaneously in all three years of the study. Thus, malaria interventions should focus on persistent factors

The role of family networks and social capital on women's fertility intentions in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

>Family solidarities remain strong in African societies. In Ouagadougou, transfers within extended family networks provide an omnipresent means for coping with life's difficulties, and the desired number of children remains relatively high. The role of family networks in maintaining high fertility is rarely studied however for lack of data in conventional demographic surveys. This study uses original retrospective data and logistic regression methods to explore the role of the extended family's social capital in shaping women's desire for children in Ouagadougou. Results show that women belong to three types of family networks: (1) women who belong to large family networks on both her own and her husband's side and who maintain a moderate number of close relations with their own relatives; (2) women who also belong to large family networks on both their and their husband's sides but who maintain a greater number of close relations with their own blood relatives; (3) unmarried women with relatives only on their side and numerous close relations with their family. Support for children's schooling comes more often from women's relatives in networks type 2 and 3, and from husbands' relatives in network type 1. Support for children's schooling increases with the level of economic resources in family networks (proxied by the presence of a public employee), in all network types. Women in type 2 networks (centered on women's relatives) are more likely to want additional children compared to women in type 1 networks (centered on their husband's relatives), after controlling for economic resources in networks. This result suggests that practical support provided by family members could play a role, on top of economic support, in encouraging high fertility in Ouagadougou.</p

Les Facteurs Individuels Et Contextuels De Risque De L’anemie Chez Les Enfants De 6-59 Mois Au Burkina Faso

Bien que l’anémie soit reconnue depuis de nombreuses années comme un problème de santé publique majeur au Burkina Faso, peu de progrès ont été réalisés dans sa lutte et son niveau élevé de prévalence à l’échelle nationale (88%) reste préoccupant. Cet article vise à contribuer à l’amélioration des connaissances sur les facteurs individuels et contextuels de risque de l’anémie chez les enfants en utilisant les données de la quatrième Enquête démographique et de santé, et à indicateurs multiples du Burkina Faso (EDSBF-MICS IV) réalisée en 2010. Les méthodes d’analyse utilisées sont descriptives et explicatives. Les résultats obtenus montrent l’effet significatif des variables individuelles (âge de l’enfant, état anémique de la mère, état nutritionnel de l’enfant …) et contextuelles (zone agroécologique de résidence, proportion d’enfants impaludés dans la communauté, milieu de résidence) sur l’état d’anémie des enfants. Globalement, cette étude suggère la prise en compte des dimensions individuelles et communautaires dans l’élaboration des politiques et programmes de lutte contre l’anémie et une sensibilisation conséquente des populations à de meilleures pratiques nutritionnelles. Although anemia has been recognized for many years as a major public health issue in Burkina Faso, little progress has been made in terms of its eradication, and its high prevalence level (88%) throughout the country remains a concern. This article aims to improve our knowledge of the individual and contextual risk factors for anemia in children using data from the last Demographic and Health Survey, and Multiple Indicators (DHS-MICS IV) carried out in 2010. Based on descriptive and explanatory methods, the results of the study show a significant effect of individual variables (age of the child, anemic state of the mother, nutritional state of the child, etc.) and contextual variables (agro-ecological zone of residence, proportion of malaria-infected children in the community, environment of residence) on the anemia status of children. Overall, this study suggests an inclusion of individuals and communities in the development of policies and programs to eradicate anemia as well as a substantial sensitization of populations for better nutritional practices

Modernization of family farms improves the sustainability of food security for farm households in Burkina Faso

Family farms are poorly modernized in Burkina Faso despite their predominance in the country’s agriculture and their major contribution to national food production. Convincing evidence of the contribution of family farm modernization to food security is needed to support advocacy. This study used data from recent national longitudinal surveys and Cox semi-parametric regression methods to explore the effect of factors of modernization on the food security of farm households in Burkina Faso. The results showed that the training of agricultural workers, ownership of traction animals, and use of improved seeds reduced the risk of food-secure households falling into food insecurity by 22.8, 21.6, and 14.9%, respectively. These three factors significantly determine the stability of households’ food security, suggesting that the modernization of family farms could contribute to the prevention of food insecurity in Burkina Faso. A key strength of this study is that it was able to capitalize on the wealth of these data, which come from national surveys that are representative of farm households at the provincial level, longitudinal and prospective, making it possible to track the same households over time, at an annual frequency.PRIFPRI3; DCAPHN

Jean-François Kobiané and Moussa Bougma: Links Between Family Structure, Poverty, and Child Labor

<p>Jean-François Kobiané and Moussa Bougma discussed their analyses of the links between family structure, poverty, and child labor in Africa. Kobiané is the director of the Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population (ISSP) at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. Prior to ISSP, Kobiané worked at the National Statistical Office of Burkina Faso. His research interests include the analysis of the links between family structure and poverty, as well as the transition to adulthood in West Africa. Bougma is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Montreal. His research interests include fertility and its links to educational attainment.</p

Leveraging human resources for outbreak analysis: lessons from an international collaboration to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response

Emerging infectious diseases are a growing threat in sub-Saharan African countries, but the human and technical capacity to quickly respond to outbreaks remains limited. Here, we describe the experience and lessons learned from a joint project with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response.In June 2020, WHO AFRO contracted a number of consultants to reinforce the COVID-19 response in member states by providing actionable epidemiological analysis. Given the urgency of the situation and the magnitude of work required, we recruited a worldwide network of field experts, academics and students in the areas of public health, data science and social science to support the effort. Most analyses were performed on a merged line list of COVID-19 cases using a reverse engineering model (line listing built using data extracted from national situation reports shared by countries with the Regional Office for Africa as per the IHR (2005) obligations). The data analysis platform The Renku Project ( https://renkulab.io ) provided secure data storage and permitted collaborative coding.Over a period of 6 months, 63 contributors from 32 nations (including 17 African countries) participated in the project. A total of 45 in-depth country-specific epidemiological reports and data quality reports were prepared for 28 countries. Spatial transmission and mortality risk indices were developed for 23 countries. Text and video-based training modules were developed to integrate and mentor new members. The team also began to develop EpiGraph Hub, a web application that automates the generation of reports similar to those we created, and includes more advanced data analyses features (e.g. mathematical models, geospatial analyses) to deliver real-time, actionable results to decision-makers.Within a short period, we implemented a global collaborative approach to health data management and analyses to advance national responses to health emergencies and outbreaks. The interdisciplinary team, the hands-on training and mentoring, and the participation of local researchers were key to the success of this initiative