Socio-economic Determinants of Agricultural Land Clearings in South-Sudan Zone of Burkina Faso

This study analyzes the socio-economic factors of agricultural land clearings in the south-Sudan zone of Burkina Faso using an econometric modeling based on the theory of land rent. Data were collected through household surveys on a sample of 538 households bordering the forests of Boulon and Koflandé in 2008. The study shows that land clearings is increasing in the study area. These clearings are associated with the decrease of farm net income per hectare, the grow of cotton and sorghum, the marital and the poverty status of the head of the household. Findings suggest that they have to promote the agricultural intensification as option to reduce land clearings in the Western region of Burkina Faso

Les fondements de la Socioéconométrie

This article aims to deepen the reflection in my work, Vers une approche en économie politique : la Socioéconométrie [Towards a political economic approach : Socioeconometrics] published in 1997, which discusses the construction of the economy based on economic facts. With regard to the complexity of economic facts, which at the beginning is a social act, the article attempts to show that it is important to understand economic realities through a multidimensional approach. An in-depth examination of the construction of someeconomic theories and facts that helped those constructions to happen shows the importance of the concept of space and time. Yet, it is not about the classical concept of time and space, but about concepts perceived under the angle of their decline or not within the economy. The combination of space and time helps to better understand economic realities as a systemic totality. The systematisation of economic realities leads to a consideration of economic facts as having somesociological implications, and sociological facts as having some economic incidences. Lastly, the reflection then examines the role of econometrics as a means to deepen and understand economic theories.« L’analyse économique n’a jamais été le produit d’une curiositéintellectuelle détachée, relative au pourquoi des phénomènes sociaux,mais celui d’un besoin pressant de reconstruire un monde qui suscite unprofond mécontentement » Friedrich Von Haye

Does <i>Jatropha curcas</i> L. show resistance to drought in the Sahelian zone of West Africa? A case study from Burkina Faso

Land degradation is an environmental problem which weakens agro-sylvo-pastoral productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. The most common manifestation of land degradation is the appearance of denuded land. We carried out an experiment to test the effect of three soil and water conservation techniques on survival and growth of <i>Jatropha curcas</i> seedlings transplanted onto two completely denuded lands in the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of Burkina Faso. We implemented an experimental design with three replicates per restoration technique. A total of 174 seedlings were planted in each study site. The results showed that the soil water content varied according to the restoration technique used (df = 2; <i>F</i> = 53.21; <i>p</i> < 0.00) as well as according to study site (df = 1; <i>F</i> = 74.48; <i>p</i> < 0.00). Soil water content was significantly lower in the Sahel than in the Sudanian zone. Seedling survival rate varied significantly according to technique used (df = 2; <i>F</i> = 8.91; <i>p</i> = 0.000) and study site (df = 1; <i>F</i> = 9.74; <i>p</i> = 0.003). Survival rate, diameter and seedling height were highest at the Sudanian site. At the Sahelian site, all seedlings died 2 years after establishment. These results suggest that <i>J. curcas</i> is unsuited to denuded land in the Sahelian zone. Most of the plants died in the Sahel between April and May, which is the peak of the dry season; this may be an indication that <i>J. curcas</i> may not be as drought-resistant as suggested by the prolific literature which has reported on diverse claims surrounding this plant

Incontinence urinaire de la femme en milieu urbain au Burkina Faso: Enquête épidemiologique auprès de 759 femmes à Bobo Dioulasso

Objectifs : Déterminer la prévalence de l'incontinence urinaire, identifier les facteurs de risque et apprécier les retentissements de cette affection sur la vie des femmes. Patientes et méthodes : Etude prospective et transversale sur l'incontinence urinaire (UI) de la femme en milieu urbain au Burkina Faso. Il s'agit d'une enquête épidémiologique qui s'est déroulée de janvier 2003 à avril 2003 auprès de 759 femmes se rendant dans quelques formations sanitaires de la ville de Bobo-Dioulasso. Résultats : L'age moyen des femmes était de 29,8 ans, la gestité et la parité moyenne respectivement de 3 et 2,6. La majorité d'entre elles (63,6%) étaient des femmes au foyer dont 65,5% de mariées. La prévalence globale de l'IU était de 21,3% et l'incontinence urinaire d'effort (IUE) était le type dominant (54,6%). Concernant les facteurs de risque, seules la dystocie, les in-fections urinaires à répétition, la constipation chronique, l'épisiotomie et l'obésité restaient associés significativement à la survenue de l'IU, après une analyse multivariée utilisant le mode de régression logistique. Le retentissement de l'IU a été apprécié en terme de coût physique et surtout psychosocial ; le coût économique étant impossible à évaluer dans notre contexte. Conclusion : L'incontinence urinaire est fréquente dans notre région malgré le peu de cas vus dans les services de gynécologie et d'urologie. Une enquête de ce type réalisée en population générale et à l'échelle nationale permettrait de mieux apprécier l'amp-leur du problème et identifier les éléments nécessaires à une stratégie de prise en charge adéquate de cette pathologie. Female Urinary Incontinence in an Urban Area in Burkina Faso: Epidemiological Study of 759 Women in the City of Bobo-Dioulasso Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence, identify its risk factors and describe its effects on the life of women affected by it in an urban area in Burkina Faso. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was carried out between January and April 2003 and was based on interviews with 759 female patients presenting to the Department of Urology, Sanou Souro Teaching Hospital, and five other medical centers in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso. By means of a questionnaire we collected information on socio-demographic patient characteristics, history of previous surgical or gynecological interventions, type of urine loss and the effects of urinary incontinence on the patients\' physical, psychological and economical condition. Results: The mean age of the patients was 29,8 years. The majority (63.6%) were housewives, 65.5% of them married. The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 21,3% with a predominance (54,6%) of stress urinary incontinence. Multivariate analysis of the risk factors (using the logistic regression model) showed that the following risk factors were significantly associated with urinary incontinence: dystocia, repeated urinary tract infections, chronic constipation, episiotomy and obesity. The physical and psycho-social effect of urinary incontinence on the patients is described. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is frequently encountered in our environment although only few cases are seen in our gynecology and urology departments. A population-based investigation on a national scale will allow for a better judgment of the actual extent of the problem and will help to establish a strategy on how to better control it. African Journal of Urology Vol.11(1) 2005: 45-5