Improving cereal productivity and farmers’ income using a strategic application of fertilizers in West Africa

In the past two years, ICRISAT, in collaboration with other International Agricultural Research Centres, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems, has been evaluating and promoting point or hill application of fertilizer along with “Warrantage” in three West African countries, namely, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The hill application of fertilizers consists of applying small doses of fertilizer in the planting hills of millet and sorghum. The combination of strategic hill application of fertilizer with complementary institutional and market linkages, through an inventory credit system (known as “Warrantage”) offers a good opportunity to improve crop productivity and farmers’ incomes. Results from the two year on-farm trials showed that, on average, in all the three countries, grain yields of millet and sorghum were greater by 44 to 120% while incomes of farmers increased by 52 to 134% when using hill application of fertilizer than with the earlier recommended fertilizer broadcasting methods and farmers’ practice. Substantial net profits were obtained by farmers using “Warrantage”. Farmers’ access to credit and inputs was improved substantially through the “Warrantage” system. The technology has reached up to 12650 farm households in the three countries and efforts are in progress to further scale-up and out the technology to wider geographical area

Ileus Biliaire : A Propos D’un Cas Clinique

Introduction: Gallstone ileus is a rare mechanical occlusion. It is caused by the enclosure of biliary macro lithiasis in a portion of the digestive tract resulting from a digestive bile fistula. We report a clinical case to discuss therapeutic modalities through a review of the literature. Medical observation: We report the case of a 77-year-old patient who was hospitalized in the Nephrology department of the university hospital in Montpellier for functional kidney failure and dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. The none-injected abdominal-pelvic CT scan showed a gallstone ileus with 5 enclaved duodenum, jejunum and ileum lithiasis resulting into a small bowel obstruction. There are no signs of acute cholecystitis. The management was simple by enterolithotomy surgery alone after fixing of hydro electrolyte imbalance. The after surgery sequence was simple. Conclusion: Gallstone ileus is a rare surgical condition. The high mortality rate in the management of this condition makes enterolithotomy the least invasive and recommended method

Long–term effect of fertilizer microdosing on soil fertility in Sahelianwest Africa

Non-Peer Reviewe

Prise en Charge des Appendicites Compliquées de l’Adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey

            Objectif : rapporter les résultats de la prise en charge des appendicites compliquées chez l’adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN).   Résultats : Pendant  la période de l’étude 8127 urgences abdominales avaient été enregistrées dont 1837 d’origine appendiculaire, parmi lesquelles  512 étaient des appendicites compliquées, soit 6,3 % des urgences abdominales et 27,9 % de toutes les pathologies appendiculaires. Il s’agissait de 337 (65,8 %) hommes et 175 (34,2 %) femmes ; soit un sex ratio de 1,9. L’âge médian des patients était de 30 ans, avec 75% de patients d’âge inférieur ou égal à 40 ans (3è quartile=40 ans) ainsi que des extrêmes allant de 16 ans et de 90 ans. Le délai d’admission  médian était   de 5 jours (Q1=3, Q3=7) avec un taux de 49,6 %(n=254) de patients  admis après 48 heures. Les appendicites compliquées retrouvées étaient la péritonite appendiculaire dans 74 % des cas (n=379) suivie de l’abcès appendiculaire dans 21,5 % des cas (n=110) et du plastron appendiculaire dans 4,5%(n=23) des cas. La chirurgie était pratiquée dans  95,5% des cas (n = 489). La voie d’abord utilisée était la laparotomie médiane sus et sous ombilicale dans 81 % des cas (n=415) et l’incision de Mac Burney dans 14,5%(n=74). L’appendice était gangréné dans 95,7 % des cas (n=490) à l’exploration. Le geste  réalisé était l’appendicectomie dans 89,9 % des cas (n= 460).  L’étude rapporte que 93,3%(n=478) des patients avaient un séjour total (pré et postopératoire)  ≤ 10 jours avec des extrêmes allant d’un jour et de 76 jours d’hospitalisation. La morbimortalité globale était de 11,5 %(n= 59). La suppuration pariétale était retrouvée dans 10 % des cas (n= 51). La  mortalité  était de 1,5 % (n = 8) tous enregistrés parmi les cas de péritonite appendiculaire. Le séjour hospitalier total (initial et post-appendicectomie) variait de un(1) jour à 76 jours ; 93,36%(n=478) avaient un séjour ≤ 10 jours. La médiane de séjour hospitalier était de 14,5 jours ; 75% des patients passaient moins de 28 jours en hospitalisation (3è quartile=28 jours).  Conclusion : Les appendicites compliquées sont fréquentes à l’HNN avec une morbimortalité importante. Le retard de la prise en charge constitue un facteur influencant la survenue des complications.                 Objective : To report the results of the management of complicated appendicitis in adults at the National Hospital of Niamey (HNN). Patients and method: This was a 10-year retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study including all patients over 15 years of age who had been managed for complicated appendicitis at HNN. Results: During the study period, 8127 abdominal emergencies were recorded, of which 1837 were of appendicular origin, of which 512 were complicated appendicitis, i.e. 6.3% of abdominal emergencies and 27.9% of all appendicular pathologies. These were 337 (65.8%) men and 175 (34.2%) women; i.e. a sex ratio of 1.9. The median age of patients was 30 years, with 75% of patients less than or equal to 40 years of age (3rd quartile=40 years) as well as extremes ranging from 16 years to 90 years. The median time to admission was 5 days (Q1=3, Q3=7) with a rate of 49.6% (n=254) of patients admitted after 48 hours. Complicated appendicitis was appendicular peritonitis in 74% of cases (n=379) followed by appendicular abscess in 21.5% of cases (n=110) and appendicular plastron in 4.5% (n=23) of cases. Surgery was performed in 95.5% of cases (n = 489). The approach used was median laparotomy above and subumbilical laparotomy in 81% of cases (n=415) and Mac Burney incision in 14.5% (n=74). The appendix was gangrenous in 95.7% of cases (n=490) on exploration. Appendectomy was performed in 89.9% of cases (n=460).  The study reports that 93.3% (n=478) of patients had a total stay (pre and postoperative) ≤ 10 days with extremes ranging from one day and 76 days of hospitalization. Overall morbidity mortality was 11.5% (n=59). Parietal suppuration was found in 10% of cases (n=51). Mortality was 1.5% (n=8), all recorded among cases of appendicular peritonitis. Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis is common at NNH with significant morbidity mortality. Delayed treatment is a factor influencing the occurrence of complications.&nbsp

Prise en Charge des Appendicites Compliquées de l’Adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey

Objectif : rapporter les résultats de la prise en charge des appendicites compliquées chez l’adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN). Patients et méthode : Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique sur 10 ans incluant tous les patients âgés de plus de 15 ans qui avaient été pris en charge pour appendicites compliquées à l’HNN. Résultats : durant la période de l’étude 8127 urgences abdominales avaient été enregistrées dont 1837 d’origine appendiculaire, parmi elles 512 étaient des appendicites compliquées (AC), soit 6, 30% des urgences abdominales et 27, 87% des appendicites. Il s’agissait de 337 (65, 82%) hommes et 175 (34, 18 %) femmes ; soit un sex ratio de 1, 92. L’âge moyen des patients était de 32, 83 [±14, 50] ans avec des extrêmes de 16 ans et de 90 ans. Le délai moyen d’admission était de 6 [±3, 82] jours avec des extrêmes de 1 et de 14 jours. Les AC retrouvées étaient la péritonite appendiculaire dans 74, 02% des cas (n =379) suivie de l’abcès appendiculaire dans 21, 48% des cas (n=110) et du plastron appendiculaire dans 4, 5%(n=23) des cas. Le traitement avait été opératoire dans 95, 5% des cas (n = 489). La voie d’abord utilisée était la laparotomie médiane dans 81, 05% des cas (n=415) et l’appendice était gangréné dans 95, 70% des cas (n=490) à l’exploration. Le geste le plus réalisé était l’appendicectomie dans 89, 84% des cas (n= 460). La durée moyenne d’hospitalisation était de 9 [±10, 61] jours avec des extrêmes d’un et de 76 jours. La morbimortalité globale était de 11, 52% avec 9, 96% de suppuration pariétale (n=51) et une mortalité de 1, 56% (n = 8) tous enregistrés parmi les cas de péritonite appendiculaire. Il existe une corrélation significative entre le type de complications et le délai d’admission (P=0, 00001).  Conclusion : Les appendicites compliquées sont fréquentes à l’HNN avec une morbimortalité importante. Le retard de la prise en charge constitue un facteur influencant la survenue des complications.   Objective: to report the results of the management of complicated appendicitis in adults at the National Hospital of Niamey (NHN). Patients and method: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over 10 years including all patients over the age of 15 who had been treated for complicated appendicitis at NHN. Results: during the study period, 8127 abdominal emergencies were recorded, of which 1837 were of appendicular origin, among them 512 were complicated appendicitis, i.e. 6.30% of abdominal emergencies and 27.87% of appendicitis. These were 337 (65.82%) men and 175 (34.18%) women; i.e. a sex ratio of 1.92. The mean age of the patients was 32.83 [±14.50] years with extremes of 16 and 90 years. The average admission time was 6 [±3.82] days with extremes of 1 and 14 days. Complicated appendicitis found was appendicular peritonitis in 74.02% of cases (n=379) followed by appendicular abscess in 21.48% of cases (n=110) and appendicular plastron in 4.5% (n= 23) cases. The treatment was operative in 95.5% of cases (n = 489). The approach used was the midline laparotomy in 81.05% of cases (n=415) and the appendix was gangrenous in 95.70% of cases (n=490) on exploration. The most performed procedure was appendectomy in 89.84% of cases (n = 460). The average duration of hospitalization was 9 [±10.61] days with extremes of one and 76 days. The overall morbidity and mortality was 11.52% with 9.96% parietal suppuration (n=51) and a mortality of 1.56% (n=8) all recorded among the cases of appendicular peritonitis. There is a significant correlation between the type of complications and the admission time (P=0.00001). Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis is common in NHN with significant morbidity and mortality. Delay in treatment is a factor influencing the occurrence of complications

Prise en Charge des Appendicites Compliquées de l’Adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey

Objectif : rapporter les résultats de la prise en charge des appendicites compliquées chez l’adulte à l’Hôpital National de Niamey (HNN). Patients et méthode : Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique sur 10 ans incluant tous les patients âgés de plus de 15 ans qui avaient été pris en charge pour appendicites compliquées à l’HNN. Résultats : durant la période de l’étude 8127 urgences abdominales avaient été enregistrées dont 1837 d’origine appendiculaire, parmi elles 512 étaient des appendicites compliquées (AC), soit 6, 30% des urgences abdominales et 27, 87% des appendicites. Il s’agissait de 337 (65, 82%) hommes et 175 (34, 18 %) femmes ; soit un sex ratio de 1, 92. L’âge moyen des patients était de 32, 83 [±14, 50] ans avec des extrêmes de 16 ans et de 90 ans. Le délai moyen d’admission était de 6 [±3, 82] jours avec des extrêmes de 1 et de 14 jours. Les AC retrouvées étaient la péritonite appendiculaire dans 74, 02% des cas (n =379) suivie de l’abcès appendiculaire dans 21, 48% des cas (n=110) et du plastron appendiculaire dans 4, 5%(n=23) des cas. Le traitement avait été opératoire dans 95, 5% des cas (n = 489). La voie d’abord utilisée était la laparotomie médiane dans 81, 05% des cas (n=415) et l’appendice était gangréné dans 95, 70% des cas (n=490) à l’exploration. Le geste le plus réalisé était l’appendicectomie dans 89, 84% des cas (n= 460). La durée moyenne d’hospitalisation était de 9 [±10, 61] jours avec des extrêmes d’un et de 76 jours. La morbimortalité globale était de 11, 52% avec 9, 96% de suppuration pariétale (n=51) et une mortalité de 1, 56% (n = 8) tous enregistrés parmi les cas de péritonite appendiculaire. Il existe une corrélation significative entre le type de complications et le délai d’admission (P=0, 00001).  Conclusion : Les appendicites compliquées sont fréquentes à l’HNN avec une morbimortalité importante. Le retard de la prise en charge constitue un facteur influencant la survenue des complications.   Objective: to report the results of the management of complicated appendicitis in adults at the National Hospital of Niamey (NHN). Patients and method: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over 10 years including all patients over the age of 15 who had been treated for complicated appendicitis at NHN. Results: during the study period, 8127 abdominal emergencies were recorded, of which 1837 were of appendicular origin, among them 512 were complicated appendicitis, i.e. 6.30% of abdominal emergencies and 27.87% of appendicitis. These were 337 (65.82%) men and 175 (34.18%) women; i.e. a sex ratio of 1.92. The mean age of the patients was 32.83 [±14.50] years with extremes of 16 and 90 years. The average admission time was 6 [±3.82] days with extremes of 1 and 14 days. Complicated appendicitis found was appendicular peritonitis in 74.02% of cases (n=379) followed by appendicular abscess in 21.48% of cases (n=110) and appendicular plastron in 4.5% (n= 23) cases. The treatment was operative in 95.5% of cases (n = 489). The approach used was the midline laparotomy in 81.05% of cases (n=415) and the appendix was gangrenous in 95.70% of cases (n=490) on exploration. The most performed procedure was appendectomy in 89.84% of cases (n = 460). The average duration of hospitalization was 9 [±10.61] days with extremes of one and 76 days. The overall morbidity and mortality was 11.52% with 9.96% parietal suppuration (n=51) and a mortality of 1.56% (n=8) all recorded among the cases of appendicular peritonitis. There is a significant correlation between the type of complications and the admission time (P=0.00001). Conclusion: Complicated appendicitis is common in NHN with significant morbidity and mortality. Delay in treatment is a factor influencing the occurrence of complications

Effects of farmers' practices of fertilizer application and land use types on subsequent maize yield and nutrient uptake in central Benin

Four on-farm experiments in central Benin examined whether land-use succession and fertilizer treatments for prior cotton would sustain subsequent maize crop yields and achieve balanced plant nutrition. Treatments consisted of three prior land use successions, i.e. before planting maize (egusi melon-cotton-cotton-maize, cotton-maize-cotton-maize and cassava-maize-cotton-maize) including for each, four replications of three fertilizer treatments: recommended practice [150 kg ha -1 of 14-23-14 (NPK) plus 5S-1B, applied 25 days after sowing and 50 kg ha -1 of urea on 40 days after sowing], NPK-SB mixed with urea (the recommended amount of NPK-SB and urea are mixed then applied 40 days after sowing) and reduced NPK-SB dose (recommended practice, but the amount of NPK-SB is reduced to 100 kg ha -1). Prior cotton and subsequent maize yields and nutrient uptake were not significantly affected by fertilizer treatments. Furthermore, fertilizer treatments had no significant effect on soil chemical properties before planting the subsequent maize crop. Land use types had significant effect on cotton yields, soil chemical properties, subsequent maize yields and nutrient uptake. The lowest yield and nutrient uptake were registered in the cotton-maize-cotton-maize land use succession and the highest in the egusi melon-cotton-cotton-maize succession. For sustainable soil fertility management, adoption of adequate crop succession system and recommended fertilizer application practice are suggested

Determinants of unmet need for family planning in rural Burkina Faso: a multilevel logistic regression analysis

Background: Unmet need for family planning has implications for women and their families, such as unsafe abortion, physical abuse, and poor maternal health. Contraceptive knowledge has increased across low-income settings, yet unmet need remains high with little information on the factors explaining it. This study assessed factors associated with unmet need among pregnant women in rural Burkina Faso. Method: We collected data on pregnant women through a population-based survey conducted in 24 rural districts between October 2013 and March 2014. Multivariate multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the association between unmet need for family planning and a selection of relevant demand- and supply-side factors. Results: Of the 1309 pregnant women covered in the survey, 239 (18.26%) reported experiencing unmet need for family planning. Pregnant women with more than three living children [OR = 1.80; 95% CI (1.11–2.91)], those with a child younger than 1 year [OR = 1.75; 95% CI (1.04–2.97)], pregnant women whose partners disapproves contraceptive use [OR = 1.51; 95% CI (1.03–2.21)] and women who desired fewer children compared to their partners preferred number of children [OR = 1.907; 95% CI (1.361–2.672)] were significantly more likely to experience unmet need for family planning, while health staff training in family planning logistics management (OR = 0.46; 95% CI (0.24–0.73)] was associated with a lower probability of experiencing unmet need for family planning. Conclusion: Findings suggest the need to strengthen family planning interventions in Burkina Faso to ensure greater uptake of contraceptive use and thus reduce unmet need for family planning

Soil-based screening for iron toxicity tolerance in rice using pots

The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of pot-based screening method for iron (Fe) toxicity tolerance in rice using soils from hot spots. Five lowland rice varieties with known reaction to Fe toxicity were grown in pots in a screen house for three seasons. Fe-toxic soils from two hot spot fields – Edozighi, Nigeria and Niaouli, Benin were used and soil from Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) experimental farm, Cotonou, Benin was included as control. Leaf bronzing score (LBS) was determined at different stages, and grain yield was determined at maturity. Heritability was estimated using data across the three seasons. High heritability was recorded for LBS and grain yield. Grain yield reduction in stress treatment relative to control varied from 15 to 56% depending on the variety and soil. Bao Thai, Suakoko 8, and WITA 4 had better performance under Fe toxicity in terms of LBS, yield and relative yield reduction, whereas Bouake 189 and IR64 had poorer performance. Grain yield and LBS were significantly correlated but negatively at 60 days after sowing (DAS). Overall, the results found in this experiment were consistent with previous field studies. Therefore, pot screening using soils from hot spots can be used by rice breeding programs to reliably assess Fe toxicity tolerance ex situ