Forage resources and animals’ feeding in southern groudnut bassin and eastern regions of Senegal

Rainfall disturbances, a consequence of the effects of climate change, aggravated by anthropogenic pressure on vegetation, are leading to the progressive disappearance of several adapted local plant species in the so-called "groundnut basin" and eastern Senegal. Also, the clearing of land for agriculture potentiates and amplifies this degradation. At this rate, the loss of most of the local plant, forage and forest resources will follow. As part of a multi-species census and collection of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, an inventory of available forage resources in the groundnut basin and eastern Senegal was made. This inventory was made by field observations triangulated with interview data. The results show that the methods and level of exploitation of natural forage resources and crop residues differ from one area to another. The natural rangeland, which still constitutes the essential part of domestic ruminants feed in these regions, is in continuous degradation. In fact, this rangeland in groundnut basin is not very diversified like southern area, with a low index of quality and volume of pastures. Crop residues are abundant but not very varied. They represent an interest for the breeders of this zone and their sale prices can sometimes exceed those of the harvested products. This is a snapshot of the situation, valid for a given time. This situation is dynamic and can change significantly from one moment to the next. Nevertheless, the results obtained will make it possible to conceive methods of conservation and production of the identified species; in order to identify the best methods of management and sustainable use

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Epidemiologie du prolapsus genital

La genèse du prolapsus génital est multifactorielle et des évènements individuels vont influencer l’apparition du prolapsus chez la femme. L’étude du profil épidémiologique des femmes victimes de prolapsus génital permet d’étudier tous les facteurs pour mieux conseiller et rassurer les femmes dans la prévention et la prise en charge de cette pathologie.Objectifs. Déterminer le profil épidémiologique des patientes victimes de prolapsus au service de gynécologie de l’hôpital du Mali.Matériel et méthode. Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale à visée descriptive à collecte prospective du 1er janvier au 31 décembre 2019. Nous avons inclus tous les cas de prolapsus génital diagnostiqué en dehors de la grossesse et dans les trois premiers mois du post-partum. L’interrogatoire a permis de préciser le moment d’apparition et l’examen physique d’identifier le type du prolapsus.Résultats : Nous avons enregistré 35 cas de prolapsus sur 267 interventions chirurgicales soit 13,10%. Les patientes en âge de procréer étaient de 21 (60%) versus patientes en ménopause 14 (40%). L’âge moyen était de 44,74 ans avec des extrêmes de 17 et 80 ans, La majorité des patientes était des femmes au foyer 29 cas (82,86%). Le milieu de résidence était rural ou urbain dans respectivement 20 cas (57,14%) et 15 cas (42,86%). La parité moyenne était de 5,22 % avec 45,71% de grandes multipares, 25,71% de paucipares et 20% de multipares. Les femmes mariées ont représenté 65% des cas. La durée d’apparition du prolapsus était en moyenne de trois ans. Les principaux antécédents retrouvés étaient la macrosomie 2 cas (5,71%), la déchirure du périnée 2 cas (5,71%) et la césarienne 1 cas (2,86%). Selon la classification de Baden, 23 patientes avaient un prolapsus de grade 3 (65,71%). Les organes participant au prolapsus étaient l’utérus et la vessie simultanément dans 19 cas (54,29%), la vessie seule dans 6 cas (17,14%), la vessie et le rectum 4 cas (11,43%).Conclusion : le prolapsus génital est fréquent chez la multipare avec une prédominance du grade 3 English title: Epidemiology of genital prolapse The genesis of genital prolapse is multifactorial and individual events will influence the onset of prolapse in women. The study of the epidemiological profile of women victims of genital prolapse makes it possible to study all the factors to better advise and reassure women in the prevention and management of this pathology.Goals. To determine the epidemiological profile of patients suffering from prolapse in the gynecology department of the hospital in Mali.Material and method. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective collection from January 1 to December 31, 2019. We included all cases of genital prolapse diagnosed outside pregnancy and in the first three months postpartum. The questioning clarified the time of onset and the physical examination identified the type of prolapse.Results: We recorded 35 cases of prolapse out of 267 surgical procedures, (13.10%). Patients of childbearing age were 21 (60%) versus menopausal 14 (40%). The mean age was 44.74 years with extremes of 17 and 80 years. The majority of patients were housewives in 29 cases (82.86%). The place of residence was rural or urban in respectively 20 cases (57.14%) and 15 cases (42.86%). The average parity was 5.22% with 45.71% large multiparas, 25.71% pauciparas and 20% multiparas. Married women accounted for 65% of cases. The duration of the onset of prolapse was on average three years. The main antecedents found were macrosomia 2 cases (5.71%), perineum tear 2 cases (5.71%) and cesarean section 1 case (2.86%). According to Baden's classification, 23 patients had grade 3 prolapse (65.71%). The organs participating in the prolapse were the uterus and bladder simultaneously in 19 cases (54.29%), the bladder alone in 6 cases (17.14%), and the bladder and rectum in 4 cases (11.43%).Conclusion: genital prolapse is frequent in multipara with a predominance of grade

Access to oncology care in Mali: a qualitative study on breast cancer

International audienceAbstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality among women worldwide, including in Africa, and a rapid increase in the number of new cases of breast cancer has recently been observed in sub-Saharan Africa. Oncology is a relatively new discipline in many West African countries, particularly Mali; thus, little is known about the current state of cancer care infrastructure and oncology practices in these countries. Methods To describe the challenges related to access to oncology care in Mali, we used a qualitative approach, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Thirty-eight semistructured interviews were conducted with health professionals treating cancer in Mali ( n = 10), women with breast cancer ( n = 25), and representatives of associations ( n = 3), and 40 participant observations were conducted in an oncology unit in Bamako. We used the theoretical framework on access to health care developed by Levesque et al. a posteriori to organise and analyse the data collected. Results Access to oncology care is partly limited by the current state of Mali's health infrastructure (technical platform failures, repeated strikes in university hospitals, incomplete free health care and the unavailability of medicines) and exacerbated by the security crisis that has been occurring the country since 2012. The lack of specialist doctors, combined with limited screening campaigns and a centralised and fragmented technical platform in Bamako, is particularly detrimental to breast cancer treatment. Women's lack of awareness, lack of information throughout the treatment process, stereotypes and opposition to amputations all play a significant role in their ability to seek and access quality care, leading some women to therapeutically wander and others to want to leave Mali. It also leaves them in debt and jeopardises the future of their children. However, the high level of trust in doctors, the involvement of international actors, the level of social support and the growing influence of civil society on the issue of cancer also represent great current opportunities to fight cancer in Mali. Conclusion Despite the efforts of successive Malian governments and the commitment of international actors, the provision of health care is still limited in the country, entrenching global inequalities in women's bodies

Molecular epidemiology of emerging begomovirus diseases on vegetable crops in Burkina Faso

International audienc

Farmers' perception and adaptation strategies to climate change in central Mali

International audienceAbstract Adaptation of the agricultural sector to climate change is crucial to avoid food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Farmers’ perception of climate change is a crucial element in adaptation process. The aim of this study was (i) to compare farmers’ perception of climate change with actual weather data recorded in central Mali and (ii) to identify changes in agricultural practices implemented by farmers to adapt to climate change and iii) to investigate the link between farmers’ perception of climate change and implementation of adaptation practices. Focus group discussions and individual surveys were conducted to identify climate-related changes perceived by farmers and agricultural adaptation strategies they consider relevant to cope with these changes. Majority (>50%) of farmers perceived an increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall, shortening of growing season, early cessation of rainfall and increase in the frequency of dry spells at beginning of growing season. In line with farmers’ perception, analysis of climate data indicated (i) increase in mean annual temperature and minimum growing season temperature and (ii) decrease in total rainfall. Farmers’ perception of early cessation of rainfall and more frequent drought periods were not detected by climate data analysis. To cope with decrease in rainfall and late start of growing season, farmers used drought-tolerant cultivars and implemented water-saving technologies. Despite a perceived warming, no specific adaptation to heat stress was mentioned 30 by farmers. Our study high-lights the need for a dialogue between farmers and researchers to develop new strategies to compensate for the expected negative impacts of heat stress on agricultural productivity