Evaluation des options de performance managériale des dibiteries de Dakar et sa banlieue (Sénégal)

ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: This study aims at evaluate managerial performance options of dibiteries in Dakar and its suburbs. To carry out, a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire was conducted in 163 tenants of dibiteries. Data collected allowed us to estimate the efficiencies scores according DEA (Data Envelopement Analysis method). The pure technical efficiency scores were then used as a dependent variable in a Tobit model to identify the socioeconomic determinants of dibiteries’ efficiency. The mean scores of dibiteries efficiency show that they are globally inefficient. This inefficiency is more due to technical inefficiency than scale inefficiency. However most of these dibiteries (77.62%) evolve in a situation of scale economy with 7.89% of Hausa dibiteries, 33.55% Moorish dibiteries and 36.18 % of Senegalese dibiteries. The performance according to different types of dibiteries indicates that, on average, Hausa dibiteries are more efficient in terms of total and technical efficiency than Moorish and Senegalese dibiteries. Moreover, in terms of efficiency of scale, Senegalese dibiteries are more efficient than the other two. However, no statistical significant difference between the means was noted. Finally, the observed overall inefficiency of Hausa, Moorish and Senegalese dibiteries is more linked to their inappropriate size than poor management of their resources. Among the socioeconomic variables that may influence the efficiency of dibiteries, the nature of enterprise, the education level, the ownership title, the experience, the status of dibiterie operator have a significant impact on that efficiency. Actions on these determinants will further improve performance of dibiteries. ABSTRACT IN FRENCH: La présente étude a pour objectif d’évaluer les options de performance managériale des dibiteries de Dakar et sa banlieue. Pour ce faire, une étude transversale sur la base d’un questionnaire a été réalisée auprès de 163 dibitiers. Les données collectées nous ont permis d’estimer les scores d’efficience à partir de la méthode d’analyse par enveloppement des données (DEA). Les scores d’efficience technique pure ont ensuite été utilisés comme variables dépendantes dans un modèle Tobit pour identifier les déterminants socioéconomiques de l’efficience des dibiteries. Les scores moyens d’efficience des dibiteries montrent qu’elles sont inefficientes globalement. Cette inefficience est plus due à de l’inefficience technique qu’à de l’inefficience d’échelle. Cependant, la majorité de ces dibiteries (77,62%) évoluent dans une situation d’économie d’échelle avec 7,89% de dibiteries haoussas, 33,55% des dibiteries maures et 36,18% des dibiteries sénégalaises. La performance selon les différents types de dibiteries indique qu’en moyenne les dibiteries haoussas sont plus efficientes en termes d’efficience totale et technique que les dibiteries maures et sénégalaises. Par ailleurs, en termes d’efficience d’échelle, les dibiteries sénégalaises sont plus efficientes que les deux autres. Mais aucune différence statistiquement significative entre les moyennes n’a été notée. Enfin, l’inefficience globale observée des dibiteries haoussas, maures et sénégalaises est plus liée à leur taille inappropriée qu’à une mauvaise gestion de leurs ressources. Parmi les variables socioéconomiques pouvant influencer l’efficience des dibiteries, la nature de l’entreprise, le niveau d’instruction, le titre de propriété, l’expérience, le statut du “dibitier” ont eu un impact significatif sur cette efficience. Des actions sur ces déterminants permettront d’améliorer davantage la performance des dibiteries

An evaluation of a refresher training intervention for HIV lay counsellors in Chongwe District, Zambia

To address a severe shortage of human resources for health, the Zambian Ministry of Health has begun to make use of lay counsellors for HIV counselling and testing. However, their skills and knowledge rarely have been reviewed or refreshed. We conducted a two-day refresher workshop for lay counsellors to review their performance and refresh their skills and knowledge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the refresher training intervention for HIV lay counsellors in the rural district of Chongwe in Zambia. The two-day refreshertraining workshop was held in November 2009. Twenty-five lay counsellors were selected by District Health Office and participated in the workshop. The workshop included: the opening, a pre-training exercise, lectures on quality assurance with regard to testing and safety precautions, lectures on counselling, filling the gap/Q&A session, and a post-training exercise. In both the pre- and post-trainingexercise, participants answered 25 true/false questions and tested 10 blood panel samples to demonstrate their knowledge and skill on HIV counselling and testing. The average overall knowledge test score  increased from 79% to 95% (p<0.001). At the baseline, knowledgetest scores in topic of standard precaution and post-exposure prophylaxis were relatively low (58%) but rose to 95% after the training (p<0.001). The per cent agreement of HIV testing by lay counsellors with reference laboratory was 99.2%. Participants’ knowledge was improved during the workshop and skill at HIV testing was found to remain at a high level of accuracy. Relatively weak knowledge of standard precautions and post-exposure prophylaxis suggests that lay counsellors are at risk of nosocomial infections, particularly in the absence of refresher training interventions. We conclude that the refresher training was effective for improving the knowledge and skills of lay counsellors and provided an opportunity to monitor their performance

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

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

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

Modeling of Environmental Dynamics Using the SpaCelle Software in the Department of Alibori in Benin (West Africa)

The natural resources are under heavy anthropogenic pressures caused by an ever increasing demand for the satisfaction of the needs of the population. The aim of this study was to assess future environmental changes taking into account the current land-use dynamics in the Alibori Department. The establishment and the diachronic analysis of the dynamics of the occupation of the grounds, the characterization of the vegetation and the environment of the classified forests from phytoecological surveys, socio-economic surveys, impact assessment methods and predictive modeling carried out under SpaCelle were the main methods used. The assessment of land-use dynamics revealed that the surfaces of woodlands and woodland savannas increased from 35.43 % to 7.29 km2 from 1990 to 2015. On the other hand, the areas of mosaics of crops and fallows passed from 13.36% to 35.22% from 1990 to 2015. The population growth and the agricultural practices that are not very respectful of the environment were the main factors in this degradation of the vegetation cover. The predictive modeling carried out under SpaCelle from the development of the scenarios makes it possible to deduce that with the scenario of "environmental stability", the area occupied by mosaics of crops and fallows will be 56.56 % against 74.36 % for the scenario of "tendency towards catastrophe" in 2050

Curvature fluctuations and Lyapunov exponent at Melting

We calculate the maximal Lyapunov exponent in constant-energy molecular dynamics simulations at the melting transition for finite clusters of 6 to 13 particles (model rare-gas and metallic systems) as well as for bulk rare-gas solid. For clusters, the Lyapunov exponent generally varies linearly with the total energy, but the slope changes sharply at the melting transition. In the bulk system, melting corresponds to a jump in the Lyapunov exponent, and this corresponds to a singularity in the variance of the curvature of the potential energy surface. In these systems there are two mechanisms of chaos -- local instability and parametric instability. We calculate the contribution of the parametric instability towards the chaoticity of these systems using a recently proposed formalism. The contribution of parametric instability is a continuous function of energy in small clusters but not in the bulk where the melting corresponds to a decrease in this quantity. This implies that the melting in small clusters does not lead to enhanced local instability.Comment: Revtex with 7 PS figures. To appear in Phys Rev

Natural selection increases female fitness by reversing the exaggeration of a male sexually selected trait

This is the final version. Available on open access from Nature Research via the DOI in this recordData availability: The data that support the findings of this study are provided in Supplementary Data 1. This includes population mean trait values during and on completion of experimental evolution, fighting data, predation-mandible size data and the pedigree data. Source data are provided with this paper.Theory shows how sexual selection can exaggerate male traits beyond naturally selected optima and also how natural selection can ultimately halt trait elaboration. Empirical evidence supports this theory, but to our knowledge, there have been no experimental evolution studies directly testing this logic, and little examination of possible associated effects on female fitness. Here we use experimental evolution of replicate populations of broad-horned flour beetles to test for effects of sex-specific predation on an exaggerated sexually selected male trait (the mandibles), while also testing for effects on female lifetime reproductive success. We find that populations subjected to male-specific predation evolve smaller sexually selected mandibles and this indirectly increases female fitness, seemingly through intersexual genetic correlations we document. Predation solely on females has no effects. Our findings support fundamental theory, but also reveal unforseen outcomes—the indirect effect on females—when natural selection targets sex-limited sexually selected characters.Leverhulme TrustJapan Society for the Promotion of Scienc

Big-Data-Driven Materials Science and its FAIR Data Infrastructure

This chapter addresses the forth paradigm of materials research -- big-data driven materials science. Its concepts and state-of-the-art are described, and its challenges and chances are discussed. For furthering the field, Open Data and an all-embracing sharing, an efficient data infrastructure, and the rich ecosystem of computer codes used in the community are of critical importance. For shaping this forth paradigm and contributing to the development or discovery of improved and novel materials, data must be what is now called FAIR -- Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-purposable/Re-usable. This sets the stage for advances of methods from artificial intelligence that operate on large data sets to find trends and patterns that cannot be obtained from individual calculations and not even directly from high-throughput studies. Recent progress is reviewed and demonstrated, and the chapter is concluded by a forward-looking perspective, addressing important not yet solved challenges.Comment: submitted to the Handbook of Materials Modeling (eds. S. Yip and W. Andreoni), Springer 2018/201