Uptake of Modern Contraceptive Methods among Burundian Women and Associated Factors: Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data, Burundi 2016–2017

Background: Globally in 2017, Burundi was the 9th country with the highest population growth rate of 3.2% and a fertility rate of 5.5 children per woman. This probably suggested low uptake of Modern Contraceptive methods (MCM) in the country. Our analysis investigated factors associated with low uptake of MCM among women of reproductive age in Burundi.Methods: Cross sectional data of non-pregnant women aged 15-49 years was extracted from the Burundi Demographic and Health Survey (2016-2017). We analysed the data at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels to assess factors influencing MCM uptake among these women using Epi-Info 7.2.2.6.Results: Of the 9,945 women, 2,372 (23.8%) were using MCM. Ngozi province had the highest prevalence of MCM users [284/691(37.7%)]. The most used MCM among respondents was injectable contraceptive (48.3%). As respondent’s age increases, the odds of using MCM decreases; 20-24 years (aOR=0.9, 95% CI [0.6-1.2]), 30-34 years (aOR=0.8, 95% CI [0.5-1.0]), 35-39 years (aOR=0.7, 95% CI [0.5-0.9]), 40-44 years (aOR=0.5, 95% CI [0.5-0.9]) and 45-49 years (aOR=0.4, 95% CI [0.2-0.5]) compared with those in the age group 15-19 years. Muslims (aOR=1.5, 95% CI [1.2-1.9]) and Jehovah witnesses (aOR=3.1, 95% CI [1.7-6.5]) were more likely to use MCM than Catholics.Conclusion: The prevalence of MCM remains low among women of reproductive age in Burundi, with injectables being the most used method. Factors such as respondent’s age and religion were significantly associated with MCM use. Enhanced access to family planning information and services targeting women who are 30 years or more and engaging religious leaders for their active participation is recommended

Trends in Malaria Cases and Deaths: Assessing National Prevention and Control Progress in Burundi

Background: Malaria is associated with high morbidity and mortality especially in World’s tropical regions. In 2016, an estimated 216 million and 445,000 cases of malaria and deaths associated with malaria respectively were reported globally. Malaria is the first leading cause of outpatient visits, hospitalization and death in Burundi. We therefore examined the trend in malaria cases and deaths in Burundi.Methods: We extracted data from Burundi National Health Information System (BNHIS) and assessed trends in malaria cases and deaths from January 2015 to December 2017. A suspected case of malaria was defined as any person treated by anti-malarial drugs without testing while a confirmed case as any person with a positive microscopy or rapid diagnostic test for malaria parasite. We described malaria cases and deaths, and calculated malaria case incidence rate.Results: A total of22,225,699 malaria cases with 8,660 deaths (CFR 0.04%) was documented during the study period. Out of 22,225,699 cases, 45,291 cases (0.2%) were suspected malaria cases. The observed peak season of malaria infection in any of the studied year was in the raining season (March-June). All provinces of the country were affected. Kirundo and Cankuzo provinces the incidence of malaria cases increased from 10.1 cases per 1,000 persons in 2015 to 13.2 cases per 1,000 persons in 2017. The case fatality rate decreased from 0.06% in 2015 to 0.01% in 2017.Conclusions: An increasing trend in malaria prevalence was observed in Burundi but Kirundo and Cankuzo provinces were the most affected. However, the case fatality decreased within the studied period. Malaria intervention should be intensified/scaled up in the raining season and the most affected provinces

Genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Burundi, from May 2021 to January 2022

Abstract Background The emergence and rapid spread of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) variants have challenged the control of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. Burundi was not spared by that pandemic, but the genetic diversity, evolution, and epidemiology of those variants in the country remained poorly understood. The present study sought to investigate the role of different SARS-COV-2 variants in the successive COVID-19 waves experienced in Burundi and the impact of their evolution on the course of that pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study using positive SARS-COV-2 samples for genomic sequencing. Subsequently, we performed statistical and bioinformatics analyses of the genome sequences in light of available metadata. Results In total, we documented 27 PANGO lineages of which BA.1, B.1.617.2, AY.46, AY.122, and BA.1.1, all VOCs, accounted for 83.15% of all the genomes isolated in Burundi from May 2021 to January 2022. Delta (B.1.617.2) and its descendants predominated the peak observed in July–October 2021. It replaced the previously predominant B.1.351 lineage. It was itself subsequently replaced by Omicron (B.1.1.529, BA.1, and BA.1.1). Furthermore, we identified amino acid mutations including E484K, D614G, and L452R known to increase infectivity and immune escape in the spike proteins of Delta and Omicron variants isolated in Burundi. The SARS-COV-2 genomes from imported and community-detected cases were genetically closely related. Conclusion The global emergence of SARS-COV-2 VOCs and their subsequent introductions in Burundi was accompanied by new peaks (waves) of COVID-19. The relaxation of travel restrictions and the mutations occurring in the virus genome played an important role in the introduction and the spread of new SARS-COV-2 variants in the country. It is of utmost importance to strengthen the genomic surveillance of SARS-COV-2, enhance the protection by increasing the SARS-COV-2 vaccine coverage, and adjust the public health and social measures ahead of the emergence or introduction of new SARS-COV-2 VOCs in the country

Reemergence of Human Monkeypox in Nigeria, 2017

In Nigeria, before 2017 the most recent case of human monkeypox had been reported in 1978. By mid-November 2017, a large outbreak caused by the West African clade resulted in 146 suspected cases and 42 laboratory-confirmed cases from 14 states. Although the source is unknown, multiple sources are suspected