Vulnerability and ageing in Ouagadougou: The crucial role of gender and migration status in older people’s support

AbstractThe issue of care for older people brings up a number of concerns in African cities, which are characterized by rapid urban growth, economic crisis, transformation in social relationships, and the near absence of institutional support for older people. Based on quantitative and qualitative data collected through the Ouagadougou Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Ouagadougou HDSS, 2010-2017), this article examines the situation of older men and women living in the capital of Burkina Faso, whether they have always lived there or moved there from elsewhere. It aims to better understand the vulnerabilities of these older people, what becomes of them over time, and the issues and family dynamics that surround them. The results highlight important differences according to the sex and migration status of older people as determinants of vulnerabilities and emphasize the role in their care played by the sociocultural context.RésuméLa problématique de la prise en charge des personnes âgées suscite de nombreuses inquiétudes dans les villes africaines, caractérisées par une urbanisation rapide, la crise économique, la transformation des rapports sociaux, et la quasi inexistencede l’assistance institutionnelle aux personnes âgées. A partir de données quantitatives et qualitatives collectées dans l’Observatoire de Population de Ouagadougou, cet article s’intéresse à la situation et au devenir des hommes et femmes âgées vivant dans la capitale du Burkina Faso, qu’ils y vivent depuis toujours ou qu’ils y soient arrivés plus ou moins récemment. Il vise à mieux connaître leurs vulnérabilités, ce qu’elles deviennent au fil du temps, ainsi que les enjeux et les dynamiques familiales qui se mettent en place autour d’elles. Les résultats soulignent des différences importantes selon le sexe et le statut migratoire des personnes âgées, etmettent en évidence le rôle du contexte socio-culturel dans leur prise en charge

Investigation d’une épidémie de coqueluche à Dialakon, Mali, 2016: Investigation of a pertussis outbreak in Dialakon, Mali, 2016

Introduction: De janvier 2008 à juin 2016, le Mali n'a notifié aucun cas de coqueluche. En juillet 2016, Bafoulabé a signalé 38 cas suspects de coqueluche dans le village de Djombomadji à Dialakon. L’objectif était de décrire cette épidémie en temps, lieu et personne. Méthodes: Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive à Dialakon de mars à août 2016. Un cas suspect de coqueluche était toute personne présentant une toux paroxystique avec ou sans vomissements, fièvre, dyspnée ou éternuement. Nous avons effectué une recherche active de cas. Les données ont été collectées à l’aide d’un questionnaire et analysées en temps, lieu et personne.Résultats: Au total, 112 cas suspects de coqueluche enregistrés sur 7238 habitants (taux d'attaque : 16/1000) avec zéro décès. L'âge médian était de 4 ans, étendu de 3 mois-13 ans, 52% étaient de sexe féminin. Parmi les cas, 4% étaient complètement vaccinés contre la coqueluche. Tous les cas provenaient du village de Djombomadji. L'épidémie avait commencé le 10 mars, avec 2 pics le 16 mai et le 16 juin 2016 qui avaient respectivement 20 et 16 cas. Le nombre de cas a ensuite progressivement diminué jusqu'au 26 juillet 2016 quand les 2 derniers cas ont été enregistrés. Conclusion: L'épidémie a duré 5 mois, la majorité des cas ont eu lieu le 16 mai 2016, étaient du sexe féminin, n'étaient pas vaccinés et provenaient du village de Djombomadji. Tous les cas ont été traités, les enfants non malades ont été vaccinés et la population a été sensibilisée. Introduction: From January 2008 to June 2016, Mali reported no cases of pertussis. In July 2016, Bafoulabé reported 38 suspected cases of pertussis in the village of Djombomadji in Dialakon. The objective this investigation was to describe this outbreak in time, place and person. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Dialakon from March to August 2016. A suspected case of pertussis was any person presenting paroxysmal cough with or without vomiting, fever, dyspnoea or sneezing. We conducted an active case search. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed for time, place and person. Results: A total of 112 suspected cases of pertussis were recorded out of 7238 inhabitants (attack rate: 16/1000) with zero deaths. The median age was 4 years, range 3 months-13 years, 52% were female. Of the cases, 4% were fully vaccinated against pertussis. All cases were from the village of Djombomadji. The epidemic started on 10 March, with two peaks on 16 May and 16 June 2016, with 20 and 16 cases respectively. The number of cases then gradually decreased until 26 July 2016 when the last 2 cases were recorded. Conclusions: The epidemic lasted 5 months, the majority of cases occurred on 16 May 2016, (they)were female, unvaccinated and from Djombomadji village. All cases were treated, unvaccinated children were vaccinated and the population was sensitised

Solar energy powered decentralized smart-grid for sustainable energy supply in low-income countries: analysis considering climate change influences in Togo

A smart and decentralized electrical system, powered by grid-connected renewable energy (RE) with a reliable storage system, has the potential to change the future socio-economic dynamics. Climate change may, however, affect the potential of RE and its related technologies. This study investigated the impact of climate change on photovoltaic cells’ temperature response and energy potential under two CO2 emission scenarios, RCP2.6 and 8.5, for the near future (2024–2040) and mid-century (2041–2065) in Togo. An integrated Regional Climate Model version 4 (RegCM4) from the CORDEX-CORE initiative datasets has been used as input. The latter platform recorded various weather variables, such as solar irradiance, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. Results showed that PV cells’ temperature would likely rise over all five regions in the country and may trigger a decline in the PV potential under RCP2.6 and 8.5. However, the magnitude of the induced change, caused by the changing climate, depended on two major factors: (1) the PV technology and (2) geographical position. Results also revealed that these dissimilarities were more pronounced under RCP8.5 with the amorphous technology. It was further found that, nationally, the average cell temperature would have risen by 1 °C and 1.82 °C under RCP2.6 and 8.5, in that order, during the 2024–2065 period for a-Si technology. Finally, the PV potential would likely decrease, on average, by 0.23% for RCP2.6 and 0.4% for RCP8.5 for a-Si technology

Damage mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water during chlorine and solar disinfection

This study aimed at elucidating the inactivation mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water during chlorine and solar disinfection using a simple plating method. The well-known bacterial model Escherichia coli was used as pathogenic bacteria for the experiments. The damage mechanisms of E. coli were evaluated by simple plating method on selective, less selective and non-selective media. Results showed that, injured E. coli were detected at different levels during chlorine and solar disinfection. The use of selective media during water quality control showed effectively the destruction of E. coli during solar disinfection while the removal of E. coli during chlorine disinfection was not ensured. The damage of cell components and/or metabolic functions showed that there is a primary and mainly damage of E. coli during chorine and solar disinfection. Chlorination firstly and mainly damaged membrane cell followed by that of enzymatic functions and nucleic acid; while solar disinfection damaged mainly nucleic acid. The use of simple plating method in water quality control is limited by the choice of plating media depending on the disinfectant used. The understanding of the damage mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria cells during disinfection helps improve drinking water quality control and develops more effective disinfection strategies.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Drinking water, pathogenic bacteria, E. coli, damage mechanisms, chlorine disinfection, solar disinfectio

Detection, identification and characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae in wastewater and salads marketed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) represent a threat for failure of empirical antibiotic therapy and are associated with high mortality, morbidity and expenses. The aims of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL-PE and multidrug resistant enterobacteria (MDR), enterobacteria profil, investigate the associated resistance in wastewater and salads. After wastewater and salad sampling, enterobacteria was isoled on (EMB + 4μg / L cefotaxim). The stains of Enterobacteriaceae were identified by using biochemical methods and confirmed as ESBL by double-disc synergy test (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid with cefotaxime 30 μg, ceftazidime 30 μg and ceftriaxone 30 μg). Finally, the associated resistance was investigated by testing the susceptibility of the strains by the disc diffusion method. Global prevalence of ESBL-PE was 53.92% (95% CI: 48,2-59,5) (153/293), 61.11% from wastewater and 42.47% from salads. Major ESBL-E was Escherichia coli (73.44%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.88%). Resistance to the aminoglycoside , fluroquinolonones and sulfonamides classes were dominant, observed in 53,83%, 93,86% and 98,95% of the isolates, respectively. The frequence of MDR was hight to channel1 (32,40%) and channel2 (26,26%). This study reports very worrying results. There is an urgent need to develop measures to monitor the spread of these multidrug-resistant strains.Keywords: Wastewater, ESBL-PE, Salads, Ouagadougou

Etiology and risk factors for meningitis during an outbreak in Batié Health District, Burkina Faso, January-March 2016

Introduction: On 16 March 2016, Batié Health District notified the Burkina Faso Ministry of Health Surveillance unit of 12 suspected cases of meningitis. During the same period, Batié´s neighboring districts in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana were experiencing a meningitis epidemic. We investigated to establish the etiology and risk factors for the disease and to recommend prevention and control measures. Methods: We conducted unmatched case control study. A case was any person living in Batié with fever (temp. ≥ 38.5°C) and any of the following: neck stiffness, neurological disorder, bulging fontanelle, convulsion during January to April 2016 with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) positive to PCR. Controls were non sick household members, neighbors or friends to the cases. We analyzed the investigation and laboratory records. We included all confirmed cases and two neighborhood controls per case. We used a standard questionnaire to collect data. We analyzed data by Epi info 7 and calculated odds ratio (ORs),adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence interval. We proceeded to univariate, bivariate, multivariate and logistic regression analysis. Results: We interviewed 93 participants including 31 meningitis cases and 62 controls. The median age of cases was 8 years old [2 months-55 years] and 6.5 years old [5 months-51 years] for controls. Streptococcus pneumoniae 16(51.61%), Neisseria meningitidis W 14(45.16%) and Haemophilus influenzae b 1(3.23%) were the identified germs. The independent risk factors identified were travel to meningitis affected areas (Adjusted odd ratio(AOR)=12[2.3-60],p=0.0029); >5 persons sharing bedroom (AOR=5.7[1.5-22],p=0.012) and rhinopharyngitis (AOR=26[1.8-380],p=0.017). Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis W caused the outbreak in Batié. The risk factors were overcrowding, travel to affected areas, and rhinopharyngitis. We recommended reactive vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis W, limited travel to affected areas and ventilation of rooms

Ampleur de la dengue dans la ville de Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso, 2016: Magnitude of dengue fever in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso, 2016

Introduction: En Octobre 2016, le Burkina Faso a connu une flambée de cas de dengue dont l’ampleur est peu connue. Aussi aucune étude n’a été réalisée durant les dix dernières années, donnant lieu à un manque d’information actualisée sur sa prévalence et son incidence. Cette étude avait pour objectif de déterminer l’ampleur de la dengue à Ouagadougou et le type de virus circulant. Méthodes: Nous avons mené une étude transversale sur les cas de dengue enregistrés dans les formations sanitaires (FS) de la ville de Ouagadougou du 1er août au 31 décembre 2016. Un cas de dengue était défini comme toute personne résident dans la ville de Ouagadougou présentant une maladie fébrile aiguë (2-7 jours), avec au moins deux des symptômes suivants : céphalées, douleur rétro-orbitale, myalgie, arthralgie, éruption cutanée, manifestations hémorragiques, syndrome de choc et un test biologique positif à la PCR ou avec TDR-Dengue positif ayant un lien épidémiologique avec un cas confirmé. Nous avons réalisé une recherche active des cas à travers une revue documentaire des registres de laboratoire, consultation et/ou d’hospitalisation des FS, Une fiche de collecte a été utilisée pour recueillir les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, cliniques, biologiques des cas. Résultats: Au total, 5094 cas de dengue ont été enregistrés dans les FS. L’âge médian était de 27 ans avec un intervalle interquartile de 16 à 37 ans. Quinze cas (51,72%) ont été testés positifs à la PCR dont 10 (66,67%) au DENV2 et 5 (33,33%) au DENV3. Parmi les cas, 2569 (50,76%) étaient de sexe féminin et 1494 (28,16%) cas avaient été hospitalisés. Sur les cas recensés, 73% avaient été notifiés par les structures privées et 3174 (88,88%) étaient des éleves/étudiants ou fonctionnaires ou commerçants. Le taux d’attaque global était de 201 cas (5094/2532311) pour 100000 habitants. Le taux de létalité était de 35/5094 (0,69%). Conclusion: Le taux d’attaque global de la dengue en 2016 était de 201 cas pour 100000 habitants. La dengue touchait plus les adultes jeunes surtout les élèves/étudiants et les fonctionnaires et était causée par les types 2 et 3. Les cas étaient plus notifiés par les structures privées. Une surveillance hebdomadaire associée à une surveil-lance sentinelle et la sensibilisation de la population sur la dengue contribueraient à endiguer ce fléau au Burki-na Faso. Background: In October 2016, Burkina Faso experienced an outbreak of dengue fever that the magnitude is little known. Also, no studies have been performed in the past ten years, giving rise to a lack of updated information on its prevalence and incidence. We conducted an investigation to determine the magnitude of dengue fever in Ouagadougou’s city and the type of virus circulating. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on the cases of dengue recorded in health facilities (HF) in Ouagadougou’s city from August 1st to December 31st, 2016. We defined a case of dengue as any person resident in the city of Ouagadougou with acute febrile illness (2-7days), with at least two of the following symptoms (headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, hemorrhagic manifestations, shock syndrome) and a positive PCR test or with dengue-RDT positive, having an epidemiological link with a confirmed case. We carried out an active search for cases through a documentary review of laboratory, consultation and/or hospitalization registers of HF, used a file to collect the socio-demographic, clinical and biological characteristics of the cases. Results: A total of 5094 cases of dengue fever were recorded in the HF. The median age was 27 years with an interquartile range of 16 to 37 years old. Fifteen (51.72%) cases tested positive with PCR including 10(66.67%) for DENV2 and 5(33.33%) for DENV3. Among the cases, 2,569(50.76%) were female and 1,494(28.16%) cases were hospitalized. Of the cases listed, 73% were notified by private’s hospitals and 3,174 (88.88%) were pupils/students or civil servants or traders. The overall attack rate was 201 cases (5094/2532311) per 100,000 populations. The case fatality rate was 35/5094 (0.69%). Conclusion: The overall dengue attack rate in 2016 was 201 cases per 100,000 populations. Dengue more affected young adults especially the pupils/students or civil servants and was caused by types 2 and 3. The cases were more notified by the private hospitals. We recommend weekly surveillance, sentinel surveillance and public awareness of dengue fever

Profil épidémiologique de la rougeole au Mali de 2009 à 2018: Epidemiological profile of measles in Mali from 2009 to 2018

Introduction: La rougeole, maladie virale hautement contagieuse causée par un Morbillivirus, reste un important problèeme de santé publique dans de nombreux pays malgré l'existence d'un vaccin efficace. La surveillance de la rougeole est l'un des aspects clés de la lutte contre cette maladie. La présente étude avait pour objectif de décrire la mortalité et la morbidité de la rougeole au Mali entre 2009 et 2018. Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'étude transversale descriptive. Les données de surveillance de la rougeole au Mali de 2009 à 2018 ont été analysées en personne, lieu et temps. Résultats: De 2009 à 2018, le nombre de cas confirmés de rougeole était de 6461 dont 29 décès soit une létalité de 0,45%. La confirmation des cas avait été faite par le laboratoire pour 2551 cas (39,48%), par lien épidémiologique pour 3738 cas (57,85%) et cliniquement pour 172 cas (2,66%). Les enfants de moins de 5 ans représentaient 50,97% des cas et 75,86% des décès. La majorité des cas (95,71 %) n'avaient jamais été vaccinés contre la rougeole. Les incidences les plus élevées avaient été observées en 2009 (22,65 pour 100 000 hbts) et 2010 (11,81 pour 100 000 hbts). Tombouctou, Gao et Mopti avaient enregistrés les plus grands nombres de cas en 2009 et Bamako, Koulikoro et Mopti en 2010. Conclusion: La majorité des cas et des décès étaient les enfants non vaccinés de moins de cinq ans. Un renforcement du programme élargi de vaccination de routine, une riposte aux épidéemies et des stratéegies de vaccination couvrant tout le pays sont nécessaires. Introduction: Measles, a highly contagious viral disease caused by a Morbillivirus, remains an important public health problem in many countries despite the availability of an effective vaccine. Measles surveillance is one of the key aspects of measles control. The objective of this study was to describe measles mortality and morbidity in Mali between 2009 and 2018. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Measles surveillance data in Mali from 2009 to 2018 were analysed by person, place and time. Results: From 2009 to 2018, the number of confirmed measles cases was 6461 including 29 deaths, i.e. a case-fatality rate of 0.45%. Cases were confirmed by the laboratory for 2551 cases (39.48%), by epidemiological link for 3738 cases (57.85%) and clinically for 172 cases (2.66%). Children under 5 years of age represented 50.97% of cases and 75.86% of deaths. The majority of cases (95.71%) had never been vaccinated against measles. The highest incidences were observed in 2009 (22.65 per 100,000 inhabitants) and 2010 (11.81 per 100,000 inhabitants). Timbuktu, Gao and Mopti had the highest number of cases in 2009 and Bamako, Koulikoro and Mopti in 2010. Conclusion: The majority of cases and deaths were among unvaccinated children under five years of age. Strengthening of the routine expanded programme of immunisation, response to epidemics and nationwide immunisation strategies are needed

Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Western Burkina Faso, West Africa.

BACKGROUND: After its initial detection in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly, causing successive epidemic waves worldwide. This study aims to provide a genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Burkina Faso. METHODS: Three hundred and seventy-seven SARS-CoV-2 genomes obtained from PCR-positive nasopharyngeal samples (PCR cycle threshold score < 35) collected between 5 May 2020, and 31 January 2022 were analyzed. Genomic sequences were assigned to phylogenetic clades using NextClade and to Pango lineages using pangolin. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were performed to determine the geographical sources and time of virus introduction in Burkina Faso. RESULTS: The analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomes can be assigned to 10 phylogenetic clades and 27 Pango lineages already described worldwide. Our analyses revealed the important role of cross-border human mobility in the successive SARS-CoV-2 introductions in Burkina Faso from neighboring countries. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides additional insights into the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in West Africa. It highlights the importance of land travel in the spread of the virus and the need to rapidly implement preventive policies. Regional cross-border collaborations and the adherence of the general population to government policies are key to prevent new epidemic waves