62 research outputs found

    Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements, regardless of their zinc content, increase growth and reduce the prevalence of stunting and wasting in young Burkinabe children : a cluster-randomized trial

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    Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) are promising home fortification products, but the optimal zinc level needed to improve growth and reduce morbidity is uncertain. We aimed to assess the impact of providing SQ-LNS with varied amounts of zinc, along with illness treatment, on zinc-related outcomes compared with standard care. In a placebo-controlled, cluster-randomized trial, 34 communities were stratified to intervention (IC) or nonintervention cohorts (NIC). 2435 eligible IC children were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) SQ-LNS without zinc, placebo tablet; 2) SQ-LNS containing 5mg zinc, placebo tablet; 3) SQ-LNS containing 10mg zinc, placebo tablet; or 4) SQ-LNS without zinc and 5mg zinc tablet from 9-18 months of age. During weekly morbidity surveillance, oral rehydration salts were provided for reported diarrhea and antimalarial therapy for confirmed malaria. Children in NIC (n = 785) did not receive SQ-LNS, tablets, illness surveillance or treatment. At 9 and 18 months, length, weight and hemoglobin were measured in all children. Reported adherence was 97 +/- 6% for SQ-LNS and tablets. Mean baseline hemoglobin was 89 +/- 15g/L. At 18 months, change in hemoglobin was greater in IC than NIC (+8 vs -1g/L, p<0.0001), but 79.1% of IC were still anemic (vs. 91.1% in NIC). Final plasma zinc concentration did not differ by group. During the 9-month observation period, the incidence of diarrhea was 1.10 +/- 1.03 and of malaria 0.54 +/- 0.50 episodes per 100 child-days, and did not differ by group. Length at 18 months was significantly greater in IC compared to NIC (77.7 +/- 3.0 vs. 76.9 +/- 3.4cm; p<0.001) and stunting prevalence was significantly lower in IC (29.3%) than NIC (39.3%; p<0.0001), but did not differ by intervention group within IC. Wasting prevalence was also significantly lower in IC (8.7%) than in NIC (13.5%; p = 0.0003). Providing SQ-LNS daily with or without zinc, along with malaria and diarrhea treatment, significantly increased growth and reduced stunting, wasting and anemia prevalence in young children

    Potentialités agroforestières de Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance au sud-ouest du Burkina Faso

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    Objectif: Le maintien d’arbres et d’arbustes dans les champs, en association avec les cultures est certes lié à leur utilité alimentaire, médicinale, mais aussi à leurs aptitudes à améliorer la fertilité des sols. Des observations ont révélé une flore ligneuse abondante qui pousse préférentiellement au pied de Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance. Elles ont suscité l’hypothèse que M. polyandra a des propriétés agro-écologiques intéressantes. L’objectif de l’étude est d’évaluer les relations entre M. polyandra et les propriétés physiques et chimiques du sol.Méthodes et résultats: La quantité de litière foliaire sous le houppier de M. polyandra a été collectée et pesée. Des échantillons de sol ont été prélevés sous le houppier et hors du houppier de M. polyandra pour des analyses physico-chimiques. Les mêmes travaux ont été réalisés à titre comparatif avec Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., qui est une espèce agroforestière connue.La quantité moyenne de litière foliaire sous M. polyandra est de 28,82 ± 16,08 kg par individu contre 5,92 ± 3,07 kg pour V. paradoxa. Nous avons trouvé des teneurs significativement plus élevées en carbone total, en azote total, en phosphore total, en potassium total et en somme des bases échangeables sous M. polyandra, comparativement à V. paradoxa. Les paramètres de texture sont significativement meilleurs pour le sol sous houppier de M. polyandra.Conclusion et application des résultats: Ce travail à permis d’étudier les relations entre M. polyandra et les propriétés physiques et chimiques du sol. Il a montré que l’espèce a un potentiel à améliorer la fertilité physique et chimique du sol. Maranthes polyandra pourrait être adoptée comme espèce agroforestière pour améliorer la fertilité du sol. Au Burkina Faso, plus de la moitié des terres sont pauvres en matière organique, en phosphore et en azote. Ces niveaux bas constituent la contrainte majeure pour la production agricole. Ainsi, M. polyandra pourrait être adoptée comme espèce agroforestière pour améliorer la fertilité du sol en plus de son exploitation pour l’alimentation et comme bois d’énergie ; Cela pourrait constituer une raison supplémentaire pour sa conservation.Mots clés: Agroforesterie, Maranthes polyandra, Fertilité du sol, Burkina Faso, Domestication, ConservationEnglish Title: Agroforestry potentials of Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance in the south-west of Burkina FasoEnglish AbstractObjective: Maintaining trees and shrubs in fields in association with crops is linked to their use as food, firewood and pharmacopoeia, but also to their ability to improve physicochemical properties of soils. Observations revealed the presence of many plant species that grow preferentially at the foot of Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance. These observations led to the hypothesis that M. polyandra has interesting agroecological properties. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship between M. polyandra and the physical and chemical properties of soil.Method and Results. The leaf litter under the crown of M. polyandra was collected and weighed. Soil samples were collected under the crown and outside the crown of M. polyandra for physicochemical analyses. The same work was carried out with Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. which is a known agroforestry species.The litter under M. polyandra is 28.82 ± 16.08 kg per individual plant compared to 5.92 ± 3.07 kg for V. paradoxa. Physicochemical analysis of the soil revealed, higher contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium and values in the sum of exchangeable bases under M. polyandra compared withthose obtained under V. paradoxa. These texture parameters are significantly better for the soil under crowns of M. polyandra.Conclusion and application of results: This work studied the relations between M. polyandra and the physical and chemical properties of the soil. It has shown that the species has potential to improve the physical and chemical fertility of the soil. Maranthes polyandra could be adopted as an agroforestry specie to improve soil fertility by its ability to enhance organic matter, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium of the soils. In Burkina Faso, more than half of the land is poor in organic matter, in phosphorus and in nitrogen. This low levels are the major constraint for agricultural production. Thus, M. polyandra can be used to improve soils fertility in addition to its exploitation as food and firewood. This may be an additional reason for its conservation.Keywords: Agroforestry, Maranthes polyandra, Soil fertility, Burkina Faso,Domestication, Conservatio

    Differing growth responses to nutritional supplements in neighboring health districts of Burkina Faso are likely due to benefits of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS)

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    Background : Of two community-based trials among young children in neighboring health districts of Burkina Faso, one found that small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) increased child growth compared with a non-intervention control group, but zinc supplementation did not in the second study. Objectives : We explored whether the disparate growth outcomes were associated with differences in intervention components, household demographic variables, and/or children's morbidity. Methods : Children in the LNS study received 20g LNS daily containing different amounts of zinc (LNS). Children in the zinc supplementation study received different zinc supplementation regimens (Z-Suppl). Children in both studies were visited weekly for morbidity surveillance. Free malaria and diarrhea treatment was provided by the field worker in the LNS study, and by a village-based community-health worker in the zinc study. Anthropometric assessments were repeated every 13-16 weeks. For the present analyses, study intervals of the two studies were matched by child age and month of enrollment. The changes in length-for-age z-score (LAZ) per interval were compared between LNS and Z-Suppl groups using mixed model ANOVA or ANCOVA. Covariates were added to the model in blocks, and adjusted differences between group means were estimated. Results : Mean ages at enrollment of LNS (n = 1716) and Z-Suppl (n = 1720) were 9.4 +/- 0.4 and 10.1 +/- 2.7 months, respectively. The age-adjusted change in mean LAZ per interval declined less with LNS (-0.07 +/- 0.44) versus Z-Suppl (-0.21 +/- 0.43; p<0.0001). There was a significant group by interval interaction with the greatest difference found in 9-12 month old children (p<0.0001). Adjusting for demographic characteristics and morbidity did not reduce the observed differences by type of intervention, even though the morbidity burden was greater in the LNS group. Conclusions : Greater average physical growth in children who received LNS could not be explained by known cross-trial differences in baseline characteristics or morbidity burden, implying that the observed difference in growth response was partly due to LNS

    Effect of zinc added to a daily small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement on diarrhoea, malaria, fever and respiratory infections in young children in rural Burkina Faso : a cluster-randomised trial

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    Objective: Preventive zinc supplementation in the form of tablets or syrup reduces the incidence of diarrhoea and acute lower respiratory tract infections (RTI), but its effect on malaria is inconsistent. When zinc is administered with other micronutrients or foods, its effect is also uncertain. We assessed the effects of different amounts and sources of zinc on the frequency of diarrhoea, malaria, fever and RTI in young children. Design, setting and populations: This community-based, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cluster-randomised trial of 2435 children 9 months of age was carried out between April 2010 and July 2012 in rural southwestern Burkina Faso. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned at the concession level to receive daily 1 of 4 interventions for 9 months: (1) 20 g small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) without zinc and placebo tablet, (2) 20 g SQ-LNS with 5 mg zinc and placebo tablet, (3) 20 g SQ-LNS with 10 mg zinc and placebo tablet or (4) 20 g SQ-LNS without zinc and 5 mg zinc tablet. Participants were visited weekly in their homes for morbidity surveillance for 9 months, and those with uncomplicated diarrhoea and malaria received treatment from the study field workers in the community. Main outcomes: Incidence and longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea, malaria, fever, and lower and upper RTI by intervention group. Results: The incidence of diarrhoea, malaria and fever was 1.10 (+/- 1.03 SD), 0.61 (+/- 0.66 SD) and 1.49 (+/- 1.12 SD) episodes per 100 child-days at risk, respectively, and did not differ by intervention group (p=0.589, p=0.856 and p=0.830, respectively). The longitudinal prevalence of acute lower RTI (0.1%; 95% IC 0.1-0.2%) and of upper RTI (7.8%; 95% IC 7.1-8.4%) did not differ among groups (p=0.234 and p=0.501, respectively). Conclusions: Inclusion of 5 or 10 mg zinc in SQ-LNS and provision of 5 mg zinc dispersible tablet along with SQ-LNS had no impact on the incidence of diarrhoea, malaria and fever or the longitudinal prevalence of RTI compared with SQ-LNS without zinc in this population

    Predictors and pathways of language and motor development in four prospective cohorts of young children in Ghana, Malawi, and Burkina Faso

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    BackgroundPrevious reviews have identified 44 risk factors for poor early child development (ECD) in low- and middle-income countries. Further understanding of their relative influence and pathways is needed to inform the design of interventions targeting ECD.MethodsWe conducted path analyses of factors associated with 18-month language and motor development in four prospective cohorts of children who participated in trials conducted as part of the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS) Project in Ghana (n&nbsp;=&nbsp;1,023), Malawi (n&nbsp;=&nbsp;675 and 1,385), and Burkina Faso (n&nbsp;=&nbsp;1,122). In two cohorts, women were enrolled during pregnancy. In two cohorts, infants were enrolled at 6 or 9&nbsp;months. In multiple linear regression and structural equation&nbsp;models (SEM), we examined 22 out of 44 factors identified in previous reviews, plus 12 additional factors expected to be associated with ECD.ResultsOut of 42 indicators of the 34 factors examined, 6 were associated with 18-month language and/or motor development in 3 or 4 cohorts: child linear and ponderal growth, variety of play materials, activities with caregivers, dietary diversity, and child hemoglobin/iron status. Factors that were not associated with child development were indicators of maternal Hb/iron status, maternal illness and inflammation during pregnancy, maternal perceived stress and depression, exclusive breastfeeding during 6&nbsp;months postpartum, and child diarrhea, fever, malaria, and acute respiratory infections. Associations between socioeconomic status and language development were consistently mediated to a greater extent by caregiving practices than by maternal or child biomedical conditions, while this pattern for motor development was not consistent across cohorts.ConclusionsKey elements of interventions to ensure quality ECD are likely to be promotion of caregiver activities with children, a variety of play materials, and a diverse diet, and prevention of faltering in linear and ponderal growth and improvement in child hemoglobin/iron status

    Path Analyses of Risk Factors for Linear Growth Faltering in Four Prospective Cohorts of Young Children in Ghana, Malawi and Burkina Faso

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    Stunting prevalence is an indicator of a country’s progress towards United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2, which is to end hunger and achieve improved nutrition. Accelerating progress towards reducing stunting requires a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to linear growth faltering. We conducted path analyses of factors associated with 18-month length-for-age z-score (LAZ) in four prospective cohorts of children who participated in trials conducted as part of the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Project in Ghana (n=1039), Malawi (n=684 and 1504) and Burkina Faso (n=2619). In two cohorts, women were enrolled during pregnancy. In two other cohorts, infants were enrolled at 6 or 9 months. We examined the association of 42 indicators of environmental, maternal, caregiving and child factors with 18-month LAZ. Using structural equation modelling, we examined direct and indirect associations through hypothesised mediators in each cohort. Out of 42 indicators, 2 were associated with 18-month LAZ in three or four cohorts: maternal height and body mass index (BMI). Six factors were associated with 18-month LAZ in two cohorts: length for gestational age z-score (LGAZ) at birth, pregnancy duration, improved household water, child dietary diversity, diarrhoea incidence and 6-month or 9-month haemoglobin concentration. Direct associations were more prevalent than indirect associations, but 30%–62% of the associations of maternal height and BMI with 18-month LAZ were mediated by LGAZ at birth. Factors that were not associated with LAZ were maternal iron status, illness and inflammation during pregnancy, maternal stress and depression, exclusive breast feeding during 6 months post partum, feeding frequency and child fever, malaria and acute respiratory infections. These findings may help in identifying interventions to accelerate progress towards reducing stunting; however, much of the variance in linear growth status remained unaccounted for by these 42 individual-level factors, suggesting that community-level changes may be needed to achieve substantial progress

    BMC Womens Health

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    BACKGROUND: Violence against women remains an important issue of inequality in African societies, with several consequences to health, social and economic status. This study aims to identify the factors related to the perception of intimate partner violence in Benin. METHODS: Data on intimate partner violence was collected by conducting live interviews, and from the Benin Demographic and Health Survey 2012. The dependent variable was acceptance of intimate partner violence. The independent variables were socio-demographic features such as age, level of education, matrimonial status, ethnicity, religion, place of residence and the index of economic well-being. Logistic regressions were performed and odds ratios (OR) with a confidence interval of 95% (CI95%) were estimated. RESULTS: Among the 21,574 people who answered the questions relating to violence against women by an intimate partner, the prevalence of acceptance of intimate partner violence was 15.77%. Ethnicity, level of education, administrative department of residence, religion, and socio-economic quintile were factors associated with the respondents' acceptance of violence against women by an intimate partner. CONCLUSION: Acceptance of intimate partner violence could be a major obstacle to the success of some health programs. There is a need to break the norms that support the vulnerability of women in Beninese society

    Plant biomass and seed production of the legumes Aeschynomeme histrix and Stylosanthes hamata and the potential of endozoochory by cattle and sheep in semi-arid native pastures

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    Endozoochory is a substantial vector for seed dispersal and plays an important role in vegetation dynamics, mainly in colonisation processes through seed input to the vegetation and soil seed bank. We investigated the endozoochorous seed input by cattle and sheep on a pasture located in the western region of Burkina Faso. Through germination experiments, we assessed viable seed content of the dung of these grazing animals to estimate their suitability and efficiency for seed dispersal of fodder legumes. Cattle and sheep were daily fed seeds of Sthylosanthes hamata and Aeschynomene histrix, mixed with cotton seed cake. Faeces containing seeds of both legumes were collected 24 h after feeding. One part of faeces samples was spread in buckets of soil for direct germination in the greenhouse to evaluate germinating seed content. To improve pastures, a randomized completed design with 6 replications was conducted with both legumes and phosphorus fertilization (0 and 100 kg/ha of P2O5) and year as experimental factors. Recovery of A. histrix seeds was better than that of S. hamata with cattle (18 and 9%, respectively) compared to sheep. Seed recovered from faeces had higher germination with sheep than cattle. Thus, S. hamata seed recovered from faeces germinated well (12 and 45% with cattle and sheep, respectively, than fresh seeds used as control. However, A. histrix's seeds recovered from faeces germinated less than control (P < 0.001). The findings confirmed that ruminants could be used for targeted legume seed dispersal in natural pastures. A. histrix and S. hamata have high potential for plant biomass and seed production when phosphorus is applied. Seed ingestion by ruminants should be undertaken for improving natural pastures in semi-arid zones as lower cost practice
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