Quality control and standardization of FACA® syrup

Sickle cell disease is a major public health problem. It is the first genetic disease in the world. FACA syrup offers an alternative treatment. It is a dry powder preparation of two components, the roots barks of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) Zepernick, Timler and Calotropis procera. Ait. R.B.r. (Asclepiadaceae). The product was developed at Institute for Research in Health Sciences (IRSS) from a traditional recipe used in Burkina Faso for treatment of sickle cell crises. This study aimed to establish physical-chemical, pharmaco technical and microbiological control parameters essential for the standardization of the phytomedicine. This valuation concerned specifications of moisture content, pH, the fingerprint by thin layer chromatography, pesticide residues, heavy metal content, microbial quality, and total ash. These charcteristics were determined by the methods prescribed by the World Health Organization (1998) and the European Pharmacopoeia 6th edition. The results have shown that dry syrups and reconstituted syrups were sweet, slightly spicy with a bitter after taste, a white room color and a faint odor. The density at the preparation was 0.985 and the pH was 5.93. After 2 months of storage in the laboratory, the organoleptic parameters of the reconstituted syrups have not changed. They were mold free, the density remained around 1 and the pH between 5 and 4. These parameters have shown that the quality of plants powders and these medicine comply with the recommendations of the European pharmacopoeia. Faca syrup may contribute to the better management of sickle cell disease in children

Primary Breast Burkitt’s Lymphoma in an HIV-Infected Woman

A 30-year-old HIV positive woman presented with a multifocal mass tumour associated with axillary and lateral-cervical lymphadenopathy in the right breast. Laboratory examination of the biopsy confirmed a case of mammary Burkitt’s lymphoma with a nodular infiltration of the breast. Antiretroviral treatment and chemotherapy were effective to control the tumour. Although Burkitt’s lymphoma rarely involves the breasts, it should be considered during routine breast examination of African woman

Comparison of chemical composition of fruit pulp of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth from differents ecoregions

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth commonly called néré in French-speaking Africa is a semi-domesticated indigenous tree with a multi-purpose and highly appreciated use. Its pod-shaped fruits contain a yellowish floury pulp, eaten raw or used to make drinks, couscous and for raw or cooked dough. The objective of this study was to determine the profiles of minerals (Fe, K, Mg, Zn, Ca), beta-carotene, protein, ash, lipid and total sugar content as well as pH and acidity of the pulps from three ecoregions of Burkina Faso. The results showed quantitative difference in the composition of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth pulp from the different ecoregions. Pulp from tree of South Sahelian zone contained the highest concentration of beta-carotene and carbohydrates 530.52±68.11 μg/100g; 64.96±8.9% DW, respectively. Whereas, the North Sudanian zone exceeded the others ecoregion in terms of K 3 301.25±872.85 mg/100 g DW; Mg 257.63±90.15 mg/100 g DW; Zn 1.28±0.37 mg/100 g DW; Ca (519.41±591.13 mg/100g DW) and protein 3.76±0.39 g/100 g DW. The South Sudanian zone displays the highest content in Fe (1.92±1.37 mg/100 g DW). As for the equivalent citric acid quantified in this study, the North Sudanian zone had the highest concentrations (0.96 ± 0.18 g/100 g DW) in the pulp. The observed variation has implications regarding the use of these data in food and nutrition programs, and in selecting sources of planting material for reforestation initiatives and agroforestry systems

Concordance of vaccination status and associated factors with incomplete vaccination: a household survey in the health district of Segou, Mali, 2019

Introduction: the region of Segou recorded 36.8% of children were incompletely vaccinated in 2018. In 2019, the district of Segou was one of the districts with the lowest vaccination coverage in the region, with 85.1% coverage for the three doses of the pentavalent vaccine and 85.4% for the measles vaccine. This study was initiated to better understand this low vaccination coverage, in the absence of specific studies on vaccination coverage in the district of Segou. Methods: a prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2020 with 30 clusters. We performed Kappa coefficient, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: findings showed that 18.46% (101/547) [15.44-21.93] of children were incompletely vaccinated. Mothers correctly reported the vaccination status of their children in 67.30% of cases (Kappa coefficient). Uneducated (OR[IC95%]=2.13[1.30-3.50]), living in rural area (OR[IC95%]=2.07[1.23-3.47]), lack of knowledge of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) target diseases (OR[IC95%]=2.37[1.52-3.68]), lack of knowledge of vaccination schedule (OR[IC95%]=3.33[1.90-5.81]) and lack of knowledge of the importance of vaccination (OR[IC95%]=3.6[2.35-6.32]) were associated with incomplete vaccination. In multivariate analysis, uneducated (ORa[IC95%>]=1.68[1.004-2.810]) and lack of knowledge of the importance of vaccination were associated with incomplete vaccination (ORa[IC95%]=3.40[2.049-5.649]). Conclusion: findings showed a good concordance of the vaccination status. Living in a rural area, no education, lack of the knowledge of EPI target diseases, lack of the knowledge of vaccination schedule and lack of knowledge of the importance of vaccination were associated with incomplete vaccination

Croissance démographique, sécurité alimentaire et accès à la santé et à l'éducation en zone cotonnière du Mali

International audienceLe Mali a quadruplé sa population entre 1960 et 2020. Cette croissance démographique implique des besoins d'accès à la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle, à la santé, à l'éducation et à l'emploi pour les primo arrivants. C'est le secteur agricole qui est sollicité par les politiques publiques pour répondre à cette demande. Quelle est la tendance démographique dans la zone cotonnière du Mali ? Quelles ont été les réponses locales face aux implications de cette croissance démographique en termes d'accès à la santé et à l'éducation ? Le présent article répond à ces questions à travers la mobilisation et l'analyse statistique et spatiale des données sur la production agricole et l'accès à la santé et à l'éducation à plusieurs échelles. Les résultats révèlent : (1) une croissance démographique supérieure à la moyenne du pays mais inégalement répartie, (2) une augmentation progressive de la quantité de céréales (maïs, mil et sorgho) par habitant liée à un accroissement de la production agricole plus rapide que celui de la population et (3) des progrès importants en matière d'accès physique aux infrastructures de santé et d'éducation. Cependant, la croissance démographique et les nouveaux défis liés à la sécurité alimentaire et à la nutrition soulèvent de nouvelles interrogations sur la capacité de l'agriculture à répondre à une demande de produits agricoles plus soutenue et diversifiée

Health-Related Quality of Life of Tuberculosis Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Conakry, Guinea: A Mixed Methods Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on all facets of life and has exacerbated many challenges faced by people living with tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of TB patients in Guinea during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed methods study was conducted using two validated tools to assess HRQoL and qualitative interviews among TB patients enrolled in treatment at 11 health centers in Conakry, Guinea. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the deterioration of HRQoL. We included 439 participants in the study, among whom 44% and 31% experienced pain and anxiety, respectively. We found that an increase in the number of household size and the distance from participants’ residence to the health centers were significantly associated with lower HRQoL. Qualitative interviews highlighted nutritional and financial issues, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and beliefs that the Guinean Government’s assistance plan was insufficient. This study supports the implementation of specific relief plans for TB patients, which includes nutritional and psychological support, especially those whose movements are limited by travel restrictions, preventing access to TB care, reducing work opportunities and exacerbating financial needs and stress

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Novel Systematic Screening Approach for Tuberculosis among Individuals Suspected or Recovered from COVID-19: Experiences from Niger and Guinea

Evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts tuberculosis (TB) activities. As TB and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, we assessed the effectiveness of integrated TB/COVID-19 screening in Guinea and Niger. From May to December 2020, TB screening was offered to symptomatic patients after a negative COVID-19 PCR test or after recovery from COVID-19 in Guinea. From December 2020 to March 2021, all presumptive COVID-19 patients with respiratory symptoms were tested simultaneously for COVID-19 and TB in Niger. We assessed the TB detection yield and used micro-costing to estimate the costs associated with both screening algorithms. A total of 863 individuals (758 in Guinea, and 105 in Niger), who were mostly male (60%) and with a median age of 34 (IQR: 26–45), were screened for TB. Reported symptoms were cough ≥2 weeks (49%), fever (45%), and weight loss (30%). Overall, 61 patients (7%) tested positive for COVID-19 (13 in Guinea, 48 in Niger) and 43 (4.9%) were diagnosed with TB disease (35 or 4.6% in Guinea, and 8 or 7.6% in Niger). The cost per person initiating TB treatment was USD $367 in Guinea and$566 in Niger. Overall, the yield of both approaches was high, and the cost was modest. Optimizing integrated COVID-19/TB screening may support maintaining TB detection during the ongoing pandemic