Personality and personality disorders in urban and rural Africa: results from a field trial in Burkina Faso

When conducting research in different cultural settings, assessing measurement equivalence is of prime importance to determine if constructs and scores can be compared across groups. Structural equivalence implies that constructs have the same meaning across groups, metric equivalence implies that the metric of the scales remains stable across groups, and full scale or scalar equivalence implies that the origin of the scales is the same across groups. Several studies have observed that the structure underlying both normal personality and personality disorders (PDs) is stable across cultures. Most of this cross-cultural research was conducted in Western and Asian cultures. In Africa, the few studies were conducted with well-educated participants using French or English instruments. No research was conducted in Africa with less privileged or preliterate samples. The aim of this research was to study the structure and expression of normal and abnormal personality in an urban and a rural sample in Burkina Faso. The sample included 1,750 participants, with a sub-sample from the urban area of Ouagadougou (n = 1,249) and another sub-sample from a rural village, Soumiaga (n = 501). Most participants answered an interview consisting of a Mooré language adaptation of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory and of the International Personality Disorders Examination. Mooré is the language of the Mossi ethnic group, and the most frequently spoken local language in Burkina Faso. A sub-sample completed the same self-report instruments in French. Demographic variables only had a small impact on normal and abnormal personality traits mean levels. The structure underlying normal personality was unstable across regions and languages, illustrating that translating a complex psychological inventory into a native African language is a very difficult task. The structure underlying abnormal personality and the metric of PDs scales were stable across regions. As scalar equivalence was not reached, mean differences cannot be interpreted. Nevertheless, these differences could be due to an exaggerated expression of abnormal traits valued in the two cultural settings. Our results suggest that studies using a different methodology should be conducted to understand what is considered, in different cultures, as deviating from the expectations of the individual's culture, and as a significant impairment in self and interpersonal functioning, as defined by the DSM-5

Vasodilator effect of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloïdes, Calotropis procera and FACA, a mixture of these two plants

Root bark extracts from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae) and Calotropis procera Aït (Asclepiadaceae) were used in Burkina Faso folk medicine for several diseases particularly sickle cell anemia. Authors reported here vasorelaxant effect of these plants on rat isolated aorta. Z. zanthoxyloïdes (cumulative addition) produces a concentration-dependent relaxation on the aorta. Maximal effects are respectively of 60.34 ± 2.34 and 100% in the presence and in the absence of endothelium. C. procera extract induces a more relaxing effect on endothelium-denuded aorta (Emax = 59.78 ± 2.13% and 100% in presence and absence of endothelium respectively). FACA, the mixture of these two plants also induces vasorelaxation (Emax = 100%), with better effect in the presence of endothelium (EC50 = 2.76 ± 0.38 mg/mL and 4.90 ± 0.69 mg/mL in presence and absence of endothelium respectively). Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect of FACA was inhibited by L-NAME; this clearly indicates that NO is involved in aorta relaxation process by FACA. Taken together this study revealed that FACA and its components possess vasodilator effect. This vascular property of FACA may be involved in the amendment of sickle cell crisis through inhibition of vaso-occlusion process.Keywords: Sickle cell anemia, phytotherapy, rat aorta, endotheliu

Influence d’une co-construction de rationnement amélioré sur les performances d’embouche ovine paysanne dans la commune rurale de Korsimoro au Burkina Faso

L’étude vise l’amélioration des performances d’embouche ovine dans la commune rurale de Korsimoro. Quatre vingt douze (92) béliers de 22 femmes et de 24 hommes de cette commune ont été étudiés. L’équipe de recherche a défini quatre (4) formules de ration sur la base d’un seul profil nutritionnel apportant 98 g MAD (matières azotées digestibles) et 0,80 UF/kg MS. Les producteurs ont analysé ces formules et ont porté leur choix sur celle composée de 15% de tourteau de coton, 6% de son de blé, 31% de graines de coton et 48% de gousses de Piliostigma reticulatum. Cette ration a été distribuée à deux lots d’animaux en comparaison avec les pratiques locales : lot1=aliment composé introduit+fourrages locaux et lot2=aliment composé introduit+fourrages locaux+bloc multinutritionnel. Les GMQ des animaux du lot 2 ont été significativement (P< 0,05) plus élevés que ceux des animaux du lot 1. La croissance des animaux soumis sous rationnement amélioré (75 g/j) a été très significativement (P< 0,01) plus élevée que celle enregistrée des pratiques paysannes (environ 46 g/j). Une marge bénéficiaire moyenne de 9 173 F CFA a été dégagée par ovin embouché. Les résultats de l’étude suggèrent la nécessité d’améliorer le dispositif organisationnel des emboucheurs.Mots clés : Embouche ovine, gain moyen quotidien, Burkina Faso, bloc multinutritionnel, plateforme d’innovation

Leafy amaranthus consumption patterns in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

There is a new attention to vegetables as vital components of daily diet. A concerted effort to raise their standing has begun to change mentalities and to fuel a rapid growth of traditional leafy vegetables marketing and consumption in African cities. However, little is known about the production and consumption patterns of these plant foods. This study examined, through a field survey the socio-economic, food consumption and conservation aspects of leafy vegetables in the region of Ouagadougou. It was found that leafy vegetables are cultivated under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions in the villages and also in the city’s gardens. The study has demonstrated that there is considerable indigenous knowledge on the leafy vegetables of the region. Amaranth species are the most cultivated and marketed and have potential for commercialization. They are used for many dishes in the local kitchen. Leafy Amaranths are consumed during all seasons even though they are more available (and cheap) during rainy season (June to end October). Ninety-four per cent of the interviewed people use vegetable Amaranth in sauce. There is a growing trend to use cultivated (introduced) species of Amaranth, which were brought to Africa by colonial powers and gained popularity because they were associated with high status. The introduced species are spreading quickly in a spontaneous manner. This can be a threat to biodiversity. There is need for a conservation initiative for the native species. In the commercialization of leafy vegetable and in particular for Amaranth, women play an important role. That could be optimized for marketing purpose to improve leafy vegetable adding-value. Because transportation is a cost increase factor, and given that cities should be targets for increased consumption, it is necessary to promote peri-urban agriculture of leafy vegetables, by policy guidelines. There is a need of documentation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge on indigenous leafy vegetables.Key words: vegetables, African greens, Amaranthus, micronutrients, biodiversity, horticulture, Ouagadougou, Burkina Fas

Integration agriculture elevage dans les exploitations agropastorales au Nord de la Cote d’Ivoire

Dans la région de Korhogo au nord de la Côte d’Ivoire, les systèmes agropastoraux et l’intégration agriculture-élevage sont de plus en plus privilégiés par les paysans afin de faire face à la croissance démographique, à la cherté des intrants chimiques, aux problèmes fonciers, etc.). Cette étude vise à analyser la diversité des exploitations agropastorales (EAP) selon les zones agro-écologiques, avec un focus sur l‘intégration agriculture-élevage au sein de l’unité de production. La méthodologie s’appuie sur la méthode active de recherche participative (MARP), des interviews et des enquêtes approfondies sur un échantillon de 82 EAP dans deux villages. Le zonage agro-écologique a été actualisé à dire d’acteurs du fait de la croissance démographique, et la diversification des activités. Cinq types (structurels et fonctionnels) d’EAP ont été définis. Les grandes et très grandes EAP (1/4 des EAP) intensifient sur coton et maïs (quantité élevée de fumure organique (FO) sur le coton et quantité élevée de NPK sur le maïs) ; elles sont plus représentées en zone moins dense (Tiébila). Les moyennes EAP mixtes agriculture-élevage (20 % des EAP) et les petites et moyennes EAP d’agriculteurs (55 % des EAP), plus représentées en zone dense (Moroviné), combinent des fertilisants organiques et minéraux sur coton et céréales. Cette étude conclue sur la nécessité de prendre en compte la saturation croissante de l’espace, les changements de pratiques agropastorales et la diversité des EAP pour mieux cibler et rendre plus pertinentes et efficaces les actions d’accompagnement des EAP. Un accent particulier doit être mis sur la gestion de la fertilité des sols et l’amélioration de la productivité des EAP dans une optique de conservation des ressources naturelles.Mots clés: Analyse, diversité, système agropastoral, Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire, Intégration AgricultureélevageEnglish Title: Crop-livestock integration in the north of Ivory CostEnglish AbstractIn the area of Korhogo in the north of Ivory Coast, the agropastoral systems and the integration of crop and livestock are more and more privileged by the farmers to face population growth, high input cost, land problem, etc. This study aims at analyzing the diversity of agropastoral exploitations (EAP) according to agro-ecological zones, with an emphasis on the relations between crop and livestock. Methodology is based on the active participative research method (MARP), interviews and comprehensive investigations on a sample of 82 EAP in two villages. Agro-ecological zoning has been updated with the sayings of agropastoral actors according to population growth, and diversification of  activities. Five types (structural and functional) of EAP have been defined. Large and very large EAP (1/4 of the EAP) specialize on cotton and maize (more organic manure on the cotton and more mineral one on the maize); they are more represented in less dense zone (Tiébila). Average mixed crop and livestock EAP (20 % of the EAP) and the small and average of farmers (55 % of the EAP), more represented in dense zone (Moroviné), use on the same basis organic and mineral fertilizers on cotton and cereals. This study concluded on the need for taking into account the growing saturation of area and the diversity of EAP for better targeting the interventions of development, and making them more relevant and more effective, to reinforce the management of the fertility of the grounds and to ensure a greater productivity of the EAP, to accompany the EAP by taking into account their diversity for the conservation by the natural resources.Keywords: Analyze, diversity, agropastoral system, Korhogo, Ivory Coast, Crop-livestock Integratio

Uses and vulnerability of ligneous species exploited by local population of northern Burkina Faso in their adaptation strategies to changing environments

Background Arid and semi-arid areas of West Africa are highly subject to climate change effects. This is combined to other drivers such as population growth and livestock number increase. To cope with such changing environment, endogenous adaptation strategies of poor local communities rely on the use of natural resources through empirical knowledge. Unfortunately, these knowledge and practices are insufficiently known to policy makers, and this hampers their consideration in the elaboration of adaptation strategies. A household survey was conducted in the Sillia village in northern Burkina Faso using semi-structured interviews. This study identified most used (preferred) species in this changing environment together with their ethnobotanical use value (VUET). Results Overall, 86 ligneous species were listed in seven (7) use categories: human nutrition, fodder, fuel, traditional medicine, handicraft, construction and trade. From the 86 species, 11 appeared the most preferred by local population (VUET ≥ 6). Except Piliostigma reticulatum and Boscia senegalensis, all these species were part of the 21 very vulnerable species as revealed by the study. Tamarindus indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Lannea microcarpa and Vitellaria paradoxa are the first most preferred species (VUET ≥ 7) and also most vulnerable (IV > 2.5). In this changing environment, Cassia sieberiana, Combretum micranthum, Balanites aegyptica have, for instance, become the main species used in traditional medicine replacing Ximenia americana, Coclospermum tinctorim, Maytenus senegalensis and Securidaca longepedunculata, formerly used for this need. Also, Piliostigma reticulatum is the main species used in farm lands to combat low soil fertility. Pterocarpus lucens and Adansonia digitata are the main fodder species both during dry and rainy seasons. Apart from the household surveys, vegetation survey was conducted on 96 plots in Sillia. The results showed that 25 species cited in the household surveys had locally disappeared, 22 were rare, 5 were abundant and the others were relatively abundant. Certain collection practices of given species in many use categories increase their vulnerability. Conclusion This study documented preferred species in the adaptation strategies to changing environments and also assessed their vulnerability status under human influence; it is therefore of great use for designing sustainable management

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance and operational characteristics of four rapid immunochromatographic syphilis tests in Burkina Faso

Background and objective: Little information is available on the rapid diagnostic testing for syphilis in Burkina Faso. The objectives of the study were (i) to assess the sensitivity and specificity of four on site rapid tests in comparison with Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) as a gold standard and (ii) to evaluate the operational characteristics of those tests among health workers in a maternity unit.Methods: Four rapid syphilis tests commercially available in Burkina Faso were evaluated using archived serum samples and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) as the gold standard. Blood samples were collected between November 2011 and June 2012 from blood donors at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Ouagadougou. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests were calculated. Evaluation of operational characteristics such as clarity of pamphlet, complexity of technique, duration, was conducted in a first-level healthcare center with health workers in maternity unit.Results: Alere DetermineTM Syphilis was the most sensitive of the four rapid syphilis tests evaluated. It was followed by SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0, Cypress Diagnostics Syphilis Quick test and Accu-Tell ® Rapid Anti-TP, which was the least sensitive. The four tests demonstrated a good diagnostic specificity for syphilis (95–98%), and healthcare workers found them easy to use.Conclusions: The study allowed confirming the good performance of three of four rapid syphilis tests in Burkina Faso. More research will be conducted to assess the feasibility of introducing selected rapid tests for syphilis in antenatal care services.Keywords: syphilis, rapid test, performance, Burkina Fas