Effectiveness and cost of an incentive-based intervention on food safety and income in "dibiteries" in Dakar, Senegal

BACKGROUND: Rapid urbanisation in Sub-Saharan African cities such as Dakar, Senegal, leads to proliferation of informal braised meat restaurants known as "dibiteries". Dibiteries do not often comply with minimal hygiene and food safety standards. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and cost of a good hygiene practice intervention, identify factors that incentivize hygiene improvement and how that impacts on dibiteries' income. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in Dakar dibiteries. The 120 random samples of braised meat were collected in three phases: (i) one-month pre-intervention, (ii) 2 months post-intervention, (iii) 10 months post-intervention. The trial comprised four groups of 10 dibiteries each: (a) (control) received no intervention, (b) a standardized training module, (c) a hygiene kit, (d) a training module and hygiene kit. Laboratory analysis of samples determined the total aerobic mesophilic flora (TAMF), thermotolerant coliforms (TC) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA). A questionnaire-based survey and focus group discussion were used to identify pre-intervention hygiene practices, and socioeconomic determinants of hygiene management in dibiteries post-intervention, respectively. RESULTS: Samples were found to be contaminated with TAMF, TC and SA. In phase 1, 27 and 13% of the samples contained TC and SA, respectively. In phase 2, no significant improvement of contamination rates was seen. In phase 3, microbiological quality of samples was significantly improved, with only 11.5% showing contamination with any of the bacterial species analysed (p < 0.1). Compared to the control group, only samples from dibiteries in group (b) had significantly reduced bacterial load in phase 3. The cost of intervention and hygiene improvement was estimated at 67 FCFA ($0.12) and 41 FCFA ($ 0.07) / day respectively and did not significantly impact on dibiterie profitability. Incentives to sustainably implement good hygiene practices were mainly linked to access to secure long-term workspaces. CONCLUSION: This intervention may have worked, but globally the results are mixed and not quite significant. However, continuous training in good hygiene practice and access to secure and sustainable infrastructure for dibiterie restaurants are the incentives necessary to achieve sustainable investments and behavioural change. We recommend further intervention refinement and testing other factors for promoting the adoption of good hygiene practices in the dibiteries in relation to consumers health risk

Determinants of intention to consume dibiterie meat towards the risks of non-communicable diseases in the Dakar region, Senegal

The general opinion and current scientific evidence highlight the link between red meat consumption and the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We explored the determinants of the intention to consume red meat in relation to the risks of developing NCDs in Senegal with a special focus on popular "dibiterie" meat (braised meat) consumed in Dakar, Senegal. Building on the theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework, we used a structured questionnaire to collect data on the knowledge of consumers regarding the risk of NCDs from consuming meat. The survey involved 478 people randomly selected from households in the Dakar region. Data collected was analysed by performing the calculation of the dibiterie meat quantities consumed and frequencies of consumption, analyses of the principal components, binary logistic regression, and multiple hierarchical regression. Results show that dibiterie meat is mainly a dietary supplement for the population. The convenience, the social pressure, and quality indicators such as producer expertise and health perceived a link between meat consumption and NCDs; gender and age predicted the intention to consume dibiterie meat in the households of the Dakar region. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of incentive-based interventions aiming to promote a balanced diet and healthy eating habits. Nutrition education and the use of social media have been raised as important in risky meat consumption behaviour change

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

Zootechnical and economic analysis of pig farming systems in Casamance (Senegal)

To understand better the zootechnical and economic characteristics of pig farming, a diagnostic study was conducted on 324 pig farms from March to June 2016, in the form of cross-sectional and retrospective surveys in the three regions of Southern Casamance, Senegal. The results showed that pig farming was practiced by both married and educated men and women. They were mainly of the Diola, Mancagne and Balante ethnic groups and combined pig breeding with agriculture, private activity or trade. They operated in three different farming systems (traditional, semi-intensive or intensive), with a marked predominance of the traditional system (85.5% of farms). The latter was characterized by improved traditional hog barns (51.1%) or makeshift sheds (28.4%), where mostly local swine (90.4% of farms) were bred. The average size of the herd was 19.2 ± 20.1 pigs. In 97% of cases, breeders fed the animals from kitchen waste, and agricultural and agro-industrial by-products. The mean age at breeding was 7.6 ± 1.8 months and the mean litter size was 7.4 ± 2.2 piglets. This livestock subsector has a real poverty alleviation potential because it generates net incomes of 5435 to 7566 FCFA per fattened pig per year, depending on the system. Nevertheless, the lack of training of livestock farmers, inadequate pig housing, and feed and health constraints remain the main factors hindering the development of pig farming in the region. It would be useful to find alternative ways to improve housing conditions, feeding and health monitoring of pigs, along with better organization and capacity building of producers and other actors in the pig sector

Digestibility and metabolic utilisation and nutritional value of Cassia tora (Linn.) leaves meal incorporated in the diets of indigenous Senegal chickens

peer reviewedIn the prospect of the Cassia tora leaves meal recovering as a protein ingredient source for diets of Senegal indigenous chickens, a study was carried out to determine their nutrient utilisation and nutritional value. Twenty adult Senegal indigenous chickens were housed in metabolic cages and allotted in four groups of five birds each. The groups were corresponding to four dietary treatments (CT0, CT5, CT10 and CT15) containing respectively 0, 5, 10 and 15% of cassia leaves meal in substitution of groundnut cake meal. The cassia leaves are relatively rich in protein (27.4% DM), crude fibre (16.8% DM), NDF (25.7% DM) and ash (15.2% DM), particularly in calcium (3.1%) and potassium (1.3% DM). It contained 3.8% DM, 36.8% DM and 2050.47kcal/kg DM of ether extract, nitrogen-free extract and metabolizable energy, respectively. Except for fat, the inclusion of Cassia tora leaves meal in the indigenous poultry diets until 15% has no significant adverse effect on nutrient and energy utilization, feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed conversion of the Senegal indigenous poultry. It significantly improved the crude fibre and ash utilization from 5% dietary treatment (CT5)

Digestibility and Metabolic Utilization and Nutritional Value of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) Leaves Meal Incorporated in the Diets of Indigenous Senegal Chickens

peer reviewedIn the prospect of the Leuceana leucocephala leaves meal using as a protein ingredient source for indigenous Senegal chickens diets, a study was carried out to determine their nutrient utilization and nutritional value when incorporated at various levels in the diets. Twenty adult indigenous chickens with an average body weight of 1.22 kg were conducted in metabolic cages and allocated in four groups of five birds each. The groups were corresponded to four dietary treatments (LL0, LL7, LL14 and LL21) containing respectively 0, 7, 14 and 21% of Leuceana leaves meal. During the trial, birds were weighed at the beginning and at the end. Feed offered and refused, collected fresh excreta were weighed daily and the droppings were oven-dried at 60oC and ground per bird for six days. The ingredients and experimental diets used and collected excreta were subjected to chemical analyses. Results showed that the Leuceana leaves were relatively rich in protein (24.9% DM), ether extract (6.4% DM), crude fiber (14.2% DM) and Neutral detergent fiber (22.4% DM). It contained respectively 43.1% and 11.4% DM of nitrogen free extract and ash, particularly calcium (1.8%) and potassium (1.1% DM) and 2573.8 kcal/kg DM of metabolizable energy. The results of the trial showed that the inclusion of L. leucocephala leaves meal in the diet at 21% level, has no significant adverse effect on feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and nutrients utilization (except ether extract) of adult indigenous Senegal chickens. It has significantly (p<0.05) improved the crude protein and metabolizable energy utilization in birds fed the 7% level inclusion diet (LL7)

Factors associated with owned-dogs' vaccination against rabies: A household survey in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Canine vaccination is an effective means for rabies control, a minimum of 70% dog rabies vaccination coverage is required in endemic areas. According to previous investigations, this recommended coverage is always not achieved in Burkina Faso. This study was carried out to investigate reasons for poor vaccination coverage in canine population. Using a structured questionnaires, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the city of Bobo Dioulasso to capture data on drivers that affect dog owners' individual decision to vaccinate or not their dogs. Through a house-to-house approach, 239 questionnaires were administrated to dog owners during face to face interviews. The results indicated dog rabies vaccination coverage of 25.9%. Dog breed, origin and confinement status had a significant association with vaccination status (p < 0.05). Owners of exotic and cross-bred dogs were more likely to adopt vaccination compared to owners of local-bred dogs. Dogs of bought origin were significantly more likely to be vaccinated among all dogs. Household characteristics including age of owners, level of education, employment status, means of transportation, perception of vaccination cost and level of knowledge about rabies were significantly associated with the vaccination status (p < 0.05). The oldest dog owners, the owners having high level of education, having a car as means of transportation, having good knowledge of rabies and dog rabies vaccination, being employed and perceiving vaccination cost as affordable were more likely to vaccinate their dogs. Combining community awareness and free dog rabies vaccination approaches could improve the vaccination coverage

Impact of good hygiene management practices on the reduction in microbial contamination of roasted sheep meat sold at urban dibiteries in Senegal

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Senegal in May 2015 on the microbial quality of roasted sheep meat in 40 selected dibiteries, which are informal and small fast-food restaurants offering roasted sheep meat to Senegalese consumers. An intervention was designed and implemented in these 40 dibiteries and coupled with an appraisal of the economic managerial performance of those restaurants to improve their hygiene management practices. The microbiological quality of roasted mutton was assessed 1 month before the intervention and then 2 and 10 months post-intervention. Three types of dibiteries were identified among the 40 units studied based on their production process: Senegalese (42.5%), Mauritanian (40%), and Nigerien (17.5%). Of all samples analyzed, 70% were considered satisfactory regarding the levels of contamination at baseline; satisfactory scores rose to 75% at 2 months post-intervention and 83% at 10 months post-intervention. However, those differences were not statistically significant. The financial appraisal revealed that the performance of dibiteries before and after the intervention remained the same with no significant difference in the gross margins. Further studies are needed to understand compliance behavior and incentives that enhance the sustainability of hygiene management practices in the informal retail food sector

Household bushmeat consumption in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo.

Wildlife meat is an important source of animal protein for rural and urban populations in Congo. Quantitative and qualitative surveys on the consumption of bushmeat were undertaken in Brazzaville in 2006, in about 1,050 urban households. The main objective was to establish the profiles of consumers and of species concerned. The results showed that 88.3% of the surveyed households consumed bushmeat. Their average size was 5.7 ± 3.2 persons. The average monthly income of an urban consumer with a permanent job was 98,334 (US$197) ± 84,306 (US$169) FCFA. It appeared that households preferred to consume bushmeat for two major reasons: the taste or flavor (67.8%) and food habits (14.7%). Meat from mammals was preferred, the top three orders of this class being artiodactyls (48.3%), rodents (28.3%), and primates (13.0%). Some of them are listed as threatened in Congo Brazzaville and are included in the IUCN Red List. The results showed that in Brazzaville, bushmeat consumption remains important and is determined by socio-economic parameters. The promotion of game farming, and breeding of domestic species such as poultry and fish, in the Brazzaville suburbs could help to meet Congolese demand for bushmeat