General insights on obstacles to dog vaccination in Chad on community and institutional level

Domestic dogs are responsible for 95% of all human rabies cases worldwide and continue to be the main reservoir for this fatal virus in African and Asian countries. Interrupting the spread of the disease in the domestic dog population is therefore necessary for long-term, sustainable rabies control. Chad has been recognized as a rabies-endemic country since 1961, but no national control strategy is in place to date and dog vaccination coverage is very low. This qualitative, descriptive study aims to describe the main barriers to dog vaccination on both the community and the institutional level from a socio-anthropological point of view in Chad. The study was embedded in an overall project conducted from 2016 to 2018, to determine rabies burden and vaccine demand in West and Central Africa, funded by GAVI, the vaccine alliance. Data collection was conducted on the occasion of the project's closing workshops with stakeholders organized between August to September 2018 in the four (4) project areas: Logone Occidental, Ouaddai, Hadjer Lamis and Chari Baguirmi. We conducted interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) among veterinary officers and dog owners. Participants were selected purposively based on their place of residence (dog owners) or work place (veterinary officers) and their previous contact with the project through reporting (dog owner) or management (veterinary officers) of a suspect dog rabies case. In each region, one FGD was organized with dog owners, and one FGD with heads of veterinary posts. At the end of the FGDs, a few participants were randomly selected for interviews. In addition, in each region an interview was conducted with the head of the livestock sector, the chief district medical officers and the head of a civil society association. The identified barriers to dog vaccination access are grouped into three main aspects: the economic, the socio-cultural and the institutional level. Economic constraints encountered relate to the cost of the vaccine itself and the expenses for transporting the dogs to the vaccination site. The cultural belief that the vaccine will have an impact on the therapeutic properties of dog meat for consumers (observed in Southern Chad), and the fact that dogs are considered impure animals in Muslim faith, which prohibits handling of dogs, are obstacles identified on the sociocultural level. At the institutional level, the unavailability of vaccines in veterinary services, the lack of communication about the law on dog vaccination, the absence of rabies in the training curricula of veterinary agents, and the lack of intersectoral collaboration limit vaccination coverage. In order to improve vaccination coverage and rabies surveillance with a view to eradicate rabies by 2030, communication strategies that are adapted to the context and that take cultural obstacles into account must be put in place in a synergy of interdisciplinary action. In addition, factors such as affordability, geographical access and availability of dog rabies vaccines needs to be addressed throughout the country. Although our study design did not allow a detailed analysis of obstacles related to socio-economic level, gender and age the broad insights gained can provide general guidance for future interventions in Chad and similar countries

Consumer perception on purchase decision factors and health indicators related to the quality and safety of meat sold in dibiteries in Dakar, Senegal

Accelerated socio-economic and demographic changes have led to the transformation of eating habits in sub-Saharan African cities including Dakar, Senegal. The result is the proliferation of informal fast-food establishments, such as the 'dibiteries' serving braised sheep meat. However, owing to poor hygiene practices, consumption of dibiterie meat poses a public health concern. It was unclear how the dibiterie meat quality and safety were perceived among customers who define their own purchasing social norms. A total of 165 meat consumers were randomly selected and interviewed, from 165 dibiteries sampled by convenience in the Dakar region using a structured questionnaire. Results showed that purchase decisions were guided by trust in the salesperson's expertise, the taste of the product, perceived risk of meat contamination, tenderness, price, the nutritional value, the smell and the colour and freshness of the meat. The perceived quality and safety of dibiterie meat was expressed by the 'organoleptic quality', 'environment and service' and 'price and trust of the product's safety' factors. The majority of consumers (61%) were 'less concerned' about the safety of dibiterie meat, and the acceptable price range of the product was between $5.08 and$7.62. As this food product is gaining popularity in Dakar and the majority of our participating consumers do not show high levels of concern, we suggest stricter standards

Caractérisation des risques de contamination des agrosystèmes périurbains de Dakar par les éléments traces métalliques

L’application de produits résiduaires organiques (PRO) améliore la fertilité des sols, mais induit des effets négatifs sur les agrosystèmes, en raison de la présence de contaminants tels que les éléments traces métalliques (ETM). Cette étude vise à évaluer l’influence de deux doses (20 et 60 T.ha-1) d’apport de boue de station d’épuration STEP et de fiente de volaille sur la disponibilité de quatre ETM (Ni, Cd, Cr et Pb) dans un arenosol et un fluvisol. Une incubation de 88 jours en conditions contrôlées a été conduite sur les deux sols mélangés aux différentes doses de boue et de fiente. La disponibilité des ETM dans les sols incubés a été évaluée par la technique DGT (Diffusive Gradient in Thin films). Les boues ont abaissé le pH des deux sols tandis que les fientes ont alcalinisé l’arenosol durant les 14 premiers jours d’incubation. Ces PRO ont augmenté les concentrations de Ni, Cd, Pb et Cr disponibles dans les sols. Les  disponibilités du Ni, Cd et Pb sont plus élevées dans l’arenosol que dans le fluvisol. La boue à 60 T.ha-1 a induit les plus fortes disponibilités en Cd et Pb tandis que la fiente à 60 T.ha-1 a induit les plus fortes disponibilités en Ni et Cr dans les deux sols.Mots clés : Eléments traces métalliques, arenosol, fluvisol, boue d’épuration, fiente.  CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTAMINATION RISKS OF THE  SUBURBANAGROECOSYSTEMS OF DAKAR BY TRACE ELEMENTSOrganic wastes (OW) spreading improve soil fertility, but can induce negative effects on agroecosystems, due to the presence of contaminants such as trace elements (TE). This study aims to evaluate the impacts of two doses (20 and 60 T.ha-1) of sewage sludge and poultry manure on the availability of four trace elements (Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb) in arenosol and  fluvisol. Soils mixed with different doses of sewage sludge and poultry manure were incubated for 88 days under controlled conditions. The  availability of trace elements in incubated soils was evaluated by the DGT (Diffusive Gradient in Thin films) technique. Sewage sludge has decreased the pH of both soils while poultry manure induced an alkalinization of arenosol during the first 14 days of incubation. OW increased Ni, Cd, Pb and Cr availability in the soils. Availability of Ni, Cd and Pb were higher in arenosol than in the fluvisol. Sewage sludge at 60 T.ha-1 induced the highest availability of Cd and Pb while the poultry manure at 60 T.ha-1 induced the highest availability of Ni and Cr in both soils.Keywords : Trace elements, arenosol, fluvisol, sewage sludge, poultry manure

Comparison of CD63 Upregulation Induced by NSAIDs on Basophils and Monocytes in Patients with NSAID Hypersensitivity

Background. An in vitro basophil activation test, based on the detection of CD63 upregulation induced by NSAIDs, has been described. Its clinical significance remains controversial. Objectives. In patients with a history of nonallergic NSAID hypersensitivity, stratified according to the severity of the symptoms, to assess with NSAIDs the predictive value of basophil (BAT) and monocyte (MAT) activation tests. Patients/Methods. Sixty patients who had NSAIDs-induced or exacerbated urticaria/angiooedema and 20 controls was included. After incubation with NSAIDs or acetaminophen, leukocytes were analysed for CD63 upregulation. Results. With aspirin, the sensitivity (37%) and specificity (90%) of BAT agree with already published results. In contrast, when patients had had cutaneous and visceral reactions, the frequency of positive BAT 14/22 (64%, P < 0.001) or MAT 10/22 (46%, P < 0.01) were increased. Conclusions. Positive tests were more frequent among patients having a severe hypersensitivity contrasting with the other patients who had results similar to controls

Détermination du débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) au cours du diabète : Cockroft et Gault, MDRD ou CKD-EPI ?

Plusieurs paramètres peuvent être étudiés pour évaluer le rein. Parmi ceux-ci, le débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) a été déterminé avec les formules de Cockroft et Gault (CG), du Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) et du Chronic Kidney Disease EPIdemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) et la formule la mieux adaptée pour le diabétique a été recherchée. Chez 59 diabétiques de type 1 (DT1) et 70 diabétiques de type 2 (DT2), le DFG a été déterminé avec les formules de CG, du MDRD et du CKD-EPI. Avec l’analyse statistique, les seuils de significativité ont été fixés pour p&lt;0,05 ; T0α&gt;1,96 et Z0α&gt;1,96. Le MDRD est superposable au CKD-EPI chez les DT1 et DT2. Chez les DT1, le DFG moyen et la corrélation entre 1/créatininémie et DFG ne varient pas si CG ou CKD-EPI ; cependant, les sujets à DFG réduit (&lt; 90 ml/min/1,73 m²) sont plus nombreux avec CG plutôt qu’avec CKD-EPI (66,10% vs 47,46% ; T0α=2,05). Chez les DT2, le DFG moyen et la proportion de sujets à DFG réduit sont indépendants de la formule utilisée, mais la corrélation entre 1/créatininémie et DFG est plus forte si CKD-EPI que CG (0,961 vs 0,632 ; Z0α=7,02). Ainsi, la formule la mieux adaptée pour la détermination du DFG serait CG chez les DT1 et CKD-EPI chez les DT2, sachant que CKD-EPI est équivalent à MDRD quel que soit le type de diabète.Mots clés : Cockroft et Gault - MDRD - CKD-EPI – débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) – diabète

Energetic crisis and space reconstruction in Senegal: traditional crops vs biofuels?

La crise énergétique mondiale est fortement ressentie par les pays pauvres importateurs de pétrole. Les stratégies élaborées par les gouvernements de ces États sont certes diversifiées, mais les résultats semblent encore peu efficaces. Parmi ces stratégies, un important programme de biocarburant est mis en oeuvre au Sénégal, à travers un dispositif de culture de pourghère ( Jatropha curcas L). Ce programme du Gouvernement du Sénégal constitue une nouvelle politique énergétique conçue pour atténuer la dépendance vis-à-vis de l’extérieur. Le programme est bâti sur une base de production utilisant les réserves foncières dans les différentes Communautés rurales du Sénégal. Une projection de 1000 hectares de Jatropha par Communauté rurale est envisagée. Cette disposition a plusieurs implications, dont l’utilisation de la terre, source de revenus, mais aussi de conflits sociaux. Dans cette posture, les incertitudes concernant l’alimentation sont-elles écartées ? L’analyse diachronique de l’occupation des sols et des superficies utilisées pour la culture du Jatropha montre que le mode d’utilisation de la terre peut être facteur de risque pour la sécurité alimentaire. En effet, les systèmes de culture de Jatropha Curcas reposent sur une association des cultures avec les céréales, les légumineuses, les cultures oléagineuses ; ou sur une culture en plein champs (souvent prise en charge par des opérateurs privés ayant obtenu des collectivités locales le droit d’usage par voie de délibération du Conseil rural). Les modalités de contractualisation constituent des facteurs déterminants dans l’utilisation des espaces cultivés et l’allocation de superficies pour la culture bioénergétique. Cependant, l’implication des acteurs (les producteurs, particulièrement) dans une stratégie d’extension/substitution des superficies destinées aux cultures traditionnelles vivrières et de rente aux cultures énergétiques dépendra des débouchés offerts par les biocarburants mais également des performances économiques de cette filière

Markets and climate are driving rapid change in farming practices in Savannah West Africa

Agricultural practices have constantly changed in West Africa, and understanding the factors that have driven the changes may help guide strategies to promote sustainable agriculture in the region. To contribute to such efforts, this paper analyzes drivers of change in farming practices in the region using data obtained from surveys of 700 farming households in five countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Senegal). The results showed that farmers have adopted various practices in response to the challenges they have faced during the last decade. A series of logit models showed that most changes farmers made to their practices are undertaken for multiple reasons. Land use and management changes including expanding farmed areas and using mineral fertilization and manure are positively related to perceived changes in the climate, such as more erratic rainfall. Planting new varieties, introducing new crops, crop rotation, expanding farmed area and using pesticides are positively associated with new market opportunities. Farm practices that require relatively high financial investment such as use of pesticides, drought-tolerant varieties and improved seeds were positively associated with the provision of technical and financial support for farmers through development projects and policies. Changes in markets and climate are both helping to promote needed changes in farming practices in West Africa. Therefore, policies that foster the development of markets for agricultural products, and improved weather- and climate-related information linked to knowledge of appropriate agricultural innovations in different environments are needed