Caractérisation du Peuplement de Ceiba pentandra et Analyse de ses Fonctions Socio-Culturelles en milieu Diola (Basse-Casamance)

En Basse-Casamance, la présence des arbres dans les zones d’habitations est assez remarquable. Ces arbres se présentent de manière isolée (arbres domestiques ou arbres champêtres) ou en groupement (espaces boisés sacrés). Les communautés locales essentiellement constituées par l’ethnie Diola entretiennent des rapports étroits avec certains arbres ayant généralement des valeurs alimentaires, socioéconomiques ou socioculturelles. Cet article présente ainsi une étude sur l’espèce Ceiba pentandra, un arbre emblématique, dans la Commune de Kartiack, Ziguinchor (Sénégal), en mettant en évidence ses fonctions socioculturelles. L’approche méthodologie retenue à cet effet, est fondée trois étapes. D’abord une revue documentaire permettant de faire l’état de lieux sur la production scientifique en rapport avec Ceiba pentandra. Ensuite, la collecte de données de terrains à concerner deux aspects. Le premier est consacré à l’inventaire des fromagers (Ceiba pentandra) dans les villages en appliquant la méthode du « tour de champ ». Le deuxième aspect est relatif à l’enquête auprès des populations. Un échantillon de 102 ménages correspondant à 10% de la taille totale des ménages dans chaque village. Un questionnaire a été administré à l’ensemble des cibles et un guide d’entretien a été utilisé pour interroger les personnes ressources. Le traitement et l’analyse des données ont été réalisés à l’aide d’outils adaptés comme Excel et KoBoToolBox (données d’enquête), QGIS 3.16 (données cartographiques). Les résultats montrent que la Commune de Kartiack dispose d’un potentiel non négligeable de Ceiba pentandra avec un total de 185 pieds. Le peuplement de Ceiba pentandra est plus important dans le village de Thiobon avec 40% de l’effectif total, suivi de Kartiack avec 24% et Dianki avec 20%. Les individus vieillissants ont la plus importante proportion avec des valeurs supérieures à 60% pour les villages de Bessire, Kartiack et Thiobon, tandis que la plus faible proportion est celle des individus jeunes. La moitié des individus recensés présente des circonférences comprises entre 5 et 20 m, avec une plus grande concentration entre 11 à 15 m. Enfin, il est mis en avant l’importance de cette espèce dans les pratiques socio-culturelles des populations locales, notamment dans les cimetières et les bois sacrés.   In Lower Casamance, the presence of trees in residential areas is quite remarkable. These trees appear in isolation (domestic trees or rural trees) or in groups (sacred wooded areas). The local communities essentially made up of the Diola ethnic group maintain close relationships with certain trees that generally have food, socio-economic or socio-cultural values. This article presents a study on the species Ceiba pentandra, an emblematic tree, in the Commune of Kartiack, Ziguinchor (Senegal), highlighting its socio-cultural functions. The methodological approach adopted for this purpose is based on three stages. First, a documentary review to take stock of scientific production related to Ceiba pentandra. Then, the collection of field data concerns two aspects. The first is devoted to the inventory of cheesemakers (Ceiba pentandra) in the villages by applying the “tour de champ” method. The second aspect relates to the population survey. A sample of 102 households corresponds to 10% of the total household size in each village. A questionnaire was administered to all the targets and an interview guide was used to interview the resource persons. Data processing and analysis were carried out using suitable tools such as Excel and KoBoToolBox (survey data), and QGIS 3.16 (mapping data). The results show that the Municipality of Kartiack has a significant potential for Ceiba pentandra with a total of 185 feet. The population of Ceiba pentandra is more important in the village of Thiobon with 40% of the total number, followed by Kartiack with 24% and Dianki with 20%. Aging individuals have the highest proportion with values above 60% for the villages of Bessire, Kartiack, and Thiobon, while the lowest proportion is that of young individuals. Half of the individuals identified have circumferences between 5 and 20 m, with a greater concentration between 11 and 15 m. Finally, the importance of this species in the socio-cultural practices of local populations is highlighted, particularly in cemeteries and sacred groves

Progress in HPV vaccination in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

The past 10 years have seen remarkable progress in the global scale-up of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations. Forty-three low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) have gained experience in delivering this vaccine to young adolescent girls through pilot programs, demonstration programs, and national introductions and most of these have occurred in the last 4 years. The experience of Senegal is summarized as an illustrative country case study. Publication of numerous delivery experiences and lessons learned has demonstrated the acceptability and feasibility of HPV vaccinations in LLMICs. Four areas require dedicated action to overcome remaining challenges to national scaling-up: maintaining momentum politically, planning successfully, securing financing, and fostering sustainability. Advances in policy, programming, and science may help accelerate reaching 30 million girls in LLMICs with HPV vaccine by 2020

Dietary Intakes and Nutritional Status of Mother-Child (6-23 Months Old) Pair Targeted through the "Organic Residual Products for Biofortified Foods for Africa Project" in Rural Area in Senegal

Background: Despite micronutrient supplementation and food fortification strategies carried out for decades, micronutrient deficiencies remain prevalent among children under 5 years old in rural area in Senegal. The OR4FOOD project was implemented as a preventive and long-term approach to reduce malnutrition through biofortification. Objective: We aimed to assess the baseline dietary intakes and nutritional status of the mother-child (6-23 months old) pair in a rural community in Senegal. Methods: Dietary intakes were assessed using dietary recall questionnaires and weight food records. All foods and beverages consumed from waking to bedtime were quantified, and nutrient intakes were calculated. The nutritional status was measured by anthropometry. Results: Results showed that 77.2% of children had low dietary diversity score. Only 18% of them received an appropriate complementary feeding according to the minimum acceptable diet. Cereals and legumes were among the most consumed food groups, whereas orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and animal food products were rarely consumed. Median dietary intakes of iron, zinc, and vitamin A were lower than the recommended dietary allowances. Acute malnutrition and stunting affected 14.6% and 16.9% of children, respectively. Overall, 20.8% of mothers were underweighted, and overweight/obesity affected 23.1% of them. Conclusion: Malnutrition remains prevalent in rural areas of Senegal and affects both mothers and children. Furthermore, their nutrient requirements were not covered by the diet. Millet and cowpea being widely consumed, optimizing their iron and zinc content through biofortification and the introduction of OFSP might improve micronutrient intakes and would be promising strategies to prevent child malnutrition

Determinants of complete immunization among senegalese children aged 12–23 months: evidence from the demographic and health survey

Abstract Background The expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) is one of the most cost-effective interventions to reduce childhood mortality and morbidity. However, determinants of childhood immunization have not been well studied in Senegal. Thus, the aim of our study is to assess routine immunization uptake and factors associated with full immunization status among Senegalese children aged 12–23 months. Methods We used the 2010–2011 Senegalese Demographic and Health Survey data. The DHS was a two stages cross-sectional survey carried out in 2010–2011. The analysis included 2199 children aged 12–23 months. The interviewers collected information on vaccine uptake based on information from vaccination cards or maternal recall Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions models were used to identify the determinants of full childhood immunization. Results The prevalence of complete immunization coverage among boys and girls based on both vaccination card information and mothers’ recall was 62.8%. The immunization coverage as documented on vaccination cards was 37.5%. Specific coverage for the single dose of BCG at birth, the third dose of polio vaccine, the third dose of pentavalent vaccine and the first dose of measles vaccine were 94.7%, 72.7%, 82.6%, and 82.1%, respectively. We found that mothers who could show a vaccination card [AOR 7.27 95% CI (5.50–9.60)], attended at least secondary education level [AOR 1.8 95% CI (1.20–2.48)], attended four antenatal visits [AOR 3.10 95% CI (1.69–5.63)], or delivered at a health facility [AOR 1.27 95% CI (1–1.74)] were the predictors of full childhood immunization. Additionally, children living in the eastern administrative regions of the country were less likely to be fully vaccinated [AOR 0.62 95% CI (0.39–0.97)]. Conclusions We found that the full immunization coverage among children aged between 12 and 23 months was below the national (> 80%) and international targets (90%). Geographic area, mother’s characteristics, antenatal care and access to health care services were associated with full immunization. These findings highlight the need for innovative strategies based on a holistic approach to overcome the barriers to childhood immunization in Senegal

Feasibility and acceptability of nationwide HPV vaccine introduction in Senegal: Findings from community-level cross-sectional surveys, 2020.

In Senegal, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from all cancers. In 2018, Senegal launched a national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), support. HPV vaccination was incorporated into the national immunization program as a two-dose schedule, with a 6-12-month interval, to nine-year-old girls via routine immunization (RI) services at health facilities, schools and community outreach services throughout the year. During February to March 2020, we conducted interviews to assess the awareness, feasibility, and acceptability of the HPV vaccination program with a cross-sectional convenience sample of healthcare workers (HCWs), school personnel, community healthcare workers (cHCWs), parents, and community leaders from 77 rural and urban health facility catchment areas. Participants were asked questions on HPV vaccine knowledge, delivery, training, and community acceptability of the program. We conducted a descriptive analysis stratified by respondent type. Data were collected from 465 individuals: 77 HCW, 78 school personnel, 78 cHCWs, 152 parents, and community leaders. The majority of HCWs (83.1%) and cHCWs (74.4%) and school personnel (57.7%) attended a training on HPV vaccine before program launch. Of all respondents, most (52.5-87.2%) were able to correctly identify the target population. The majority of respondents (60.2-77.5%) felt that the vaccine was very accepted or accepted in the community. Senegal's HPV vaccine introduction program, among the first national programs in the African region, was accepted by community stakeholders. Training rates were high, and most respondents identified the target population correctly. However, continued technical support is needed for the integration of HPV vaccination as a RI activity for this non-traditional age group. The Senegal experience can be a useful resource for countries planning to introduce the HPV vaccine

Quality of Life During Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer in a West African Population in Dakar, Senegal: A Prospective Study

International audiencePurpose: The prevalence of breast cancer is increasing in low- to middle-income countries such as Senegal. Our prospective study assessed the quality of life (QoL) of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Senegal.Patients and methods: Our study included women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy as initial treatment at the Center Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar. Clinical, sociodemographic, and QoL data were collected and analyzed at three different times: baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after the start of systemic therapy. Health-related QoL was assessed using a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapies-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire after translation into the Wolof language. Linear mixed-effects models were performed to assess the changes in QoL scores.Results: Between July 2017 and February 2018, 120 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 45 years. Most patients (n = 105; 92%) had locally advanced disease (T3 to T4 stage) and lymph node involvement (n = 103; 88%), and half had metastatic disease. The FACT-B total scores significantly improved over time (β = 1.58; 95% CI, 0.50 to 2.67; P < .01). Nausea and vomiting were significantly associated with a decrease in FACT-B total scores (β = -16.89, 95% CI, -29.58 to -4.24, P = .012; and β = -13.44, 95% CI, -25.15 to -1.72, P = .028, respectively).Conclusion: Our study confirmed the feasibility of standardized QoL assessment in Senegalese patients with breast cancer. Our results indicated a potential improvement of QoL over the course of chemotherapy. Optimizing nausea and vomiting prevention may improve QoL