Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers and caregivers on infant and young child feeding in Peri-Urban Zones of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso

Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of mothers/caregivers on infant and young child feeding are key factors for optimal nutritional status, health and growth of the children. A community-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted duringJanuary 2017 to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) of mothers/ caregivers who lived in peri-urban areas of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina-Faso. This study was carried out before a nutrition education-based interventionand included 245 mothers/ caregivers that were randomly selected in the peri-urban communities of Bobo-Dioulasso. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire developed based on Food and Agriculture Organization knowledge, attitudes and practices assessment method was used to collect KAP and socio-economic data. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. For this study, authorization was obtained from the regional directorate of health of the Hauts-Bassins region. Verbal consent was obtained after the participants had been informed about the study objectives. Among the 245 study participants, 55.1% were aged less than 30 years. More than 3 out of 4 mothers/caregivers (76.3%) were Muslim and 59.2% of them were illiterate. Almost all mothers/caregivers (98.8%) had adequate knowledge for breastfeeding and 87.9% of them knew about exclusive breast feeding up to 6 months. In addition, 91.8% of mothers/caregivers reported that they gave colostrum at birth. Furthermore, 67.5% of the mothers started breastfeeding within one hour after delivery. Based on mothers/caregivers’ report on complementary foods consumed by 6-59 months  children in the previous 24h before the interview, cereals were the most reported consumed food group (89.8%) followed by meat and fish products (28.6%). This study found that mothers/caregivers had adequate knowledge about IYCF in general. However,mothers/caregivers’ practice of complementary feeding was inappropriate. Cereals were the food group consumed by most of children aged 6-59 months raising the needs for interventions, such as cooking demonstrations during postnatal visits in health facilities, to improve complementary feeding in this population. Key words: IYCF, knowledge, attitude, and practices; low income countries; Burkina Fas

Urinary tract infection among pregnant women at Bobo-Dioulasso: epidemiological and bacteriological aspects

Urinary tract infections are the first infections in pregnant women and can cause serious complications during pregnancy. In order to improve its management in low income country like Burkina Faso, we conducted a prospect cross-sectional study, to describe its epidemiological and biological aspects in pregnant women at Souro Sanou hospital at Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).Epidemiologically, the frequency of urinary tract infection was 27.5% and affected mostly 21 to 30 years pregnant women. Bacteriologically, the main isolates found were: E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Serratia, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter and Candida. The 81 isolates showed a good sensitivity to cephalosporin (C3G), aminoglycosides, oxacillin and erythromycin. These antibiotics are recommended for pregnant women before urinary cytobacteriological exam.Keywords: Antibiotic, Bobo-Dioulasso, E. coli, pregnant woman, urinary tract infection, urinary cytobacteriological exa

Proprietes hydriques des sols dans deux zones a ecosystemes contrastes au Sahel

Les sécheresses répétées du Sahel et la pression de la population ont eu un impact négatif sur l’environnement ont conduit à la dégradation des ressources naturelles. Mais depuis ces deux dernières décennies, l’état des ressources au Sahel est mitigé. C’est ainsi que, dans certaines zones, on parle de la perte de certaines fonctions du sol. Cette étude menée dans le Sahel et dans deux zones à écosystèmes contrastés a porté sur la détermination des propriétés hydrodynamiques et la caractérisation des sols en fonction de l’occupation des terres afin de déterminer la capacité du sol à soutenir certaines fonctions. Elle analyse l’influence de l’occupation des terres sur les propriétés hydriques des sols. Elle a utilisé un échantillonnage de sol, des mesures de densité apparente, d’humidité et l’infiltrométrie à succion contrôlée à trois niveaux de tensions en fonction de l’occupation des terres. L’analyse statistique donne des différences significatives en ce qui concerne la variation de l’argile avec la profondeur, très significatives pour l’analyse texturale en fonction de l’occupation des terres. Pour les propriétés hydriques, seule la conductivité hydraulique à la tension (-5) et la taille des pores par sites donnent une différence significative. Les résultats montrent une dégradation de la texture qui induit celle de la porosité texturale et de forte valeur de conductibilité hydraulique à Koalma.Mots clés : Conductivité hydraulique ; texture du sol ; occupation des terres ; dégradation ; Sahe

Prevalence of Escherichia coli virulence genes in patients with diarrhoea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Objective: Diarrhoeagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are important causes of diarrhoea in the developing world and, to a lesser extent, inthe developed world. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of the virulence genes specific for five major pathogroups of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in primary cultures from diarrhoeagenic patients in Burkina Faso.Methodology: From September 2016 to Mars 2017, a total of 211 faecal samples from diarrhoeagenic patients from urban hospitals of Ouagadou, Burkina Faso have been analysed. A 16-plex PCR was used to detect simultaneously, the five major DEC pathotypes (enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)).Results: At least one diarrhoeagenic E. Coli pathotype was detected in 31 samples (14.7%) in children and adults with diarrhoea. EAEC was the most common pathotype detected 9.5% (20/211), followed by EIEC2.4% (05/211) and STEC 0.5% (01/211). More than one DEC pathotype were detected in 2.4% (05/211) patients. EPEC and ETEC were not detected in single infection but in co-infection with others pathotypes.Conclusion: DEC, especially enteroaggregative, may be important responsible of diarrhoeas in Burkina Faso from all ages patient.Key Words: Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli, 16-plex PCR, Burkina Faso, human diarrhoeas stool

Caesarean section at Koudougou regional hospital centre: indications and prognosis

Background: Objective was to study the indications and the prognosis of cesarean section in the obstetrics and gynecology department of CHR Koudougou from August 1st to October 16th 2018.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study for descriptive purposes with prospective collection of data over the month and monitoring of parturients up to the 42nd day post caesarean section. The study covered the period from August 1 to October 16, 2018. Gestures received in the work room and those hospitalized for a scheduled cesarean were involved in this study.Results: This study involved 316 deliveries. The caesarean section rate was 34.8% (n=110). The average age was 26.75 years with extremes of 12 and 42 years. Term pregnancies represented 90.9%. History of cesarean section was observed in 47, 3%. The main groups contributing to the caesarean section rate represent: Groups 5 (9.5%), Group 1 (9.2%), Group 3 (5.1%), the scar uterus (17.3%) and suffering fetal (14.6%). The reported complications were 15.5% including 3.6% parietal suppuration and 0.8% stillbirth.Conclusions: The caesarean section occupies an important place in the maternity service of the RHC of Koudougou. Robson's group 5 was the largest contributor to the overall cesarean rate in our study. Measures should be taken in this group so that the uterine scar does not become an absolute indication for cesarean

Do floristic composition, plant species abundance and vegetation structure in Sudanian wetlands vary according to conservation status?

In Sahel, wetlands are particularly endangered hence practical knowledge for their sustainable management is needed. The aim of this study was to compare plant community structure between protected and unprotected wetland bank stands in eastern Burkina Faso. Phytosociological and dendrometrical parameters were carrying out in adult trees, seedling individuals and herbaceous species. Discrimination of plant communities and diversity indices were calculated for each group. Weibull distribution was used to compare the diameter structures. The results shows that plant communities located in riverbanks of unprotected wetlands have a greater specificheterogeneity. They are rich inannual speciesand in species with a wide distribution. Finally their woody stands are characterized by lower basal areas than unprotected wetland riverbank stands. Plant community stands in riverbanks of protected wetlands were better preserved but some disturbances were noticed. Furthermore, juvenile plants of the two sites were threatened and this may affect in long term, the relative stability of these trees stands as revealed by Weibull distribution. Further study should focus on wetlands riverbanks seedling status in order to propose restoration strategies

Nutritional properties of enriched local complementary flours

Abstract: This study aimed to identify the nutritional, functional, sensory and microbiological profile of experimental nutritional flours, produced with local products in Burkina Faso. The raw materials included maize (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and rice (Oryza sativa). Local ingredients were pulps of Adansonia digitata and Parkia biglobosa and seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Moringa oleifera. Three formula were developed, the first (F1) with maize, the second (F2) with rice and the last (F3) with millet. Each of these cereals was mixed with predetermined portions of seeds and pulps in order to obtain enriched flour. Nutritional, microbiological and functional analysis and the acceptability criteria of these enriched flours were assessed and compared to Misola (F4), the existing local complementary flour. The fat content of experimental flours were respectively in the first (F1), second (F2) and third formula (F3) 15.91±0.01%, 11.82±0.02% and 17.02±0.02%. The carbohydrate range was 65.46±0.06%, 70.81±0.01% and 64.51±0.01% for F1, F2 and F3, while the energetic value is higher than recommended (453.07±0.05, 424.56±0.03 and 458.96±0.05 kcal respectively for F1, F2 and F3). Functional characteristics indicated the good viscosity (117, 119 and 121 mm/30 sec for F1, F2 and F3) least gelation (9, 6 and 7%) and water absorption capacity (2, 4 and 1 g/g). Trained sensory evaluation panellists gore the enriched flour porridge a score of acceptable. These enriched flours have great potential as a weaning food in resource-poor and technologically under-developed countries

Effects of customized climate services on land and labor productivity in Burkina Faso and Ghana

Climate services favor adopting strategies to increase agricultural productivity, enhance sustainable development, and adapt to unavoidable climate variability and change. However, for climates services to be effective, they must be accessible and suitable to user needs. This study investigated the effects of customized climate services (CCS) on land and labor productivity. Portraying the case of CCS delivered in the districts of Bolgatanga (Northern Ghana), Dano and Ouahigouya (western and northern Burkina Faso) in West Africa, it used: i) historical panel data of daily rainfall, yields, agricultural input, and output prices; ii) cost statements of farm operations and iii) other survey data from beneficiaries of on-farm demonstrations (pilot sites). Different results were found across farmers on the demonstrator sites, with Dano and Bolgatanga recording the best land and labor productivity. Strong and positive effects were observed in Dano, where land productivity increased by 200% and labor productivity doubled despite consecutive pluviometric extremes such as heavy rain events and prolonged dry spells in the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. Further investigation showed that CCS was particularly favorable to land and labor productivity of farmers who were committed to the advisory given by the CCS providers. Therefore, as perishable goods, the success of CCS applications would require thorough coproduction, delivery, and monitoring for their effectiveness in improving land and labor productivity for agriculture in semi-arid regions of West Africa

Facile Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on WO3Nanorods

Tungsten trioxide nanorods have been generated by the thermal decomposition (450 °C) of tetrabutylammonium decatungstate. The synthesized tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanorods have been characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and cyclic voltammetry. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the synthesized WO3nanorods are crystalline in nature with monoclinic structure. The electrochemical experiments showed that they constitute a better electrocatalytic system for hydrogen evolution reaction in acid medium compared to their bulk counterpart

A facile chemical conversion synthesis of Sb2S3 nanotubes and the visible light-driven photocatalytic activities

We report a simple chemical conversion and cation exchange technique to realize the synthesis of Sb2S3 nanotubes at a low temperature of 90°C. The successful chemical conversion from ZnS nanotubes to Sb2S3 ones benefits from the large difference in solubility between ZnS and Sb2S3. The as-grown Sb2S3 nanotubes have been transformed from a weak crystallization to a polycrystalline structure via successive annealing. In addition to the detailed structural, morphological, and optical investigation of the yielded Sb2S3 nanotubes before and after annealing, we have shown high photocatalytic activities of Sb2S3 nanotubes for methyl orange degradation under visible light irradiation. This approach offers an effective control of the composition and structure of Sb2S3 nanomaterials, facilitates the production at a relatively low reaction temperature without the need of organics, templates, or crystal seeds, and can be extended to the synthesis of hollow structures with various compositions and shapes for unique properties