Etude des Impacts des Changements Climatiques sur les Activités Agricoles dans la Commune Rurale de Mafouné, Cercle de Tominian, Région de Ségou au Mali

L’agriculture est l’un des secteurs les plus vulnérables aux effets des changements climatiques. La présente étude a pour objectif d’analyser les perceptions et les impacts des changements climatiques sur les activités agricoles, mais aussi, de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des stratégies d’adaptation dans la Commune Rurale de Mafouné au Mali. La méthodologie utilisée s’est appuyée sur la recherche documentaire, l’observation directe, les enquêtes de terrain auprès des agriculteurs et agro-pasteurs, des responsables des Organisations Non Gouvernementales, des structures techniques et l’analyse des données météorologiques. Les données collectées du 02 au 30 mai 2018 ont fait l’objet d’un traitement informatique à l’aide des logiciels SPSS 20.00 et Excel 2016 et d’une analyse de contenu des discours. Les résultats de l’étude ont montré une tendance pluviométrique à la baisse avec une très grande variabilité interannuelle et une hausse des températures. Ceci a comme impacts, la baisse des rendements agricoles, la perte de la fertilité des sols, le tarissement précoce des eaux de surface, l’endettement du monde paysan, l’intensification de l’exode rural. Le semis des variétés hâtives, la pratique des techniques de lutte anti-érosive, le reboisement, la diversification des activités sont entre autres des stratégies d’adaptation développées par les exploitants pour faire face aux effets néfastes des changements climatiques. L’étude a conclu qu’une meilleure maîtrise des pratiques d’adaptation et l’accompagnement des exploitants sont de véritables palliatifs aux impacts des changements climatiques sur les activités agricoles dans la Commune Rurale de Mafouné. Agriculture is one of the most vulnerable sectors to the effects of climate change. The objective of this study is to analyse the perceptions and impacts of climate change on agricultural activities, but also to contribute to a better understanding of adaptation strategies in the Rural Commune of Mafouné in Mali. The methodology used relied on documentary research, direct observation, field surveys of farmers and agro-pastoralists, officials of non-governmental organizations, technical structures and analysis of meteorological data. The data collected from May, 2nd to May 30th 2018 were processed using the SPSS 20.00 and Excel 2016 software and a speech content analysis. The results of the study showed a declining rainfall trend with very high interannual variability and rising temperatures. This has as impacts, the fall of the agricultural yields, the loss of the soils fertility, the early drying up of the surface waters, the indebtedness of the peasant world, the intensification of the rural exodus. The seed of early varieties, the practice of erosion control techniques, reforestation, and diversification of activities are some of the strategies developed by farmers to cope with the negative effects of climate change. The study concluded that a better control of adaptation practices and support for farmers constitute the real palliative to the impacts of climate change on agricultural activities in the Rural Commune of Mafouné

Placental malaria and low birth weight in pregnant women living in a rural area of Burkina Faso following the use of three preventive treatment regimens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The weekly chemoprophylaxis of malaria during pregnancy with chloroquine (CQ) has become problematic with the increasing resistance of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>to this drug. There was a need to test the benefits of new strategies over the classical chemoprophylaxis. This study was conducted to provide data to the National Malarial Control Programme for an evidence-based policy change decision making process. It compares the efficacy of two IPT regimens, using chloroquine (CQ) or sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP), with the classical chemoprophylaxis regimen using CQ in reducing the adverse outcomes of malaria infection, for the mother and the foetus.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pregnant women attending the first antenatal care visit were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment regimens. They were subsequently followed up till delivery. Maternal, placental and cord blood samples were obtained upon delivery to check for <it>P. falciparum </it>infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 648 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Delivery outcome were available for 423 of them. Peripheral maternal <it>P. falciparum </it>infection at delivery was found in 25.8% of the women. The proportion of women with maternal infection was significantly lower in the IPTp/SP group than in the CQ group (P << 0.000). The prevalence of placental malaria was 18.8% in the CWC/CQ group; 15.9% in the IPTp/CQ group and 10.6% in the IPTp/SP group. The incidence of LBW (weigth < 2,500 g) was significantly higher among infants of mothers in the CWC/CQ group (23.9%) as compared with those of mothers in the IPTp/CQ (15.6%) and IPTp/SP (11.6%) groups (p = 0.02)</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Intermittent preventive treatment with SP has shown clear superiority in reducing adverse outcomes at delivery, as compared with intermittent preventive treatment with CQ and classical chemoprophylaxis with CQ.</p

Transplacental Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum in a Highly Malaria Endemic Area of Burkina Faso

Malaria congenital infection constitutes a major risk in malaria endemic areas. In this study, we report the prevalence of transplacental malaria in Burkina Faso. In labour and delivery units, thick and thin blood films were made from maternal, placental, and umbilical cord blood to determine malaria infection. A total of 1,309 mother/baby pairs were recruited. Eighteen cord blood samples (1.4%) contained malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum). Out of the 369 (28.2%) women with peripheral positive parasitemia, 211 (57.2%) had placental malaria and 14 (3.8%) had malaria parasites in their umbilical cord blood. The umbilical cord parasitemia levels were statistically associated with the presence of maternal peripheral parasitemia (OR = 9.24, P ≪ 0.001), placental parasitemia (OR = 10.74, P ≪ 0.001), high-density peripheral parasitemia (OR = 9.62, P ≪ 0.001), and high-density placental parasitemia (OR = 4.91, P = 0.03). In Burkina Faso, the mother-to-child transmission rate of malaria appears to be low

Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria provides substantial protection against malaria in children already protected by an insecticide-treated bednet in Burkina Faso: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in children (IPTc) is a promising new approach to the control of malaria in areas of seasonal malaria transmission but it is not known if IPTc adds to the protection provided by an insecticide-treated net (ITN). METHODS AND FINDINGS: An individually randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of seasonal IPTc was conducted in Burkina Faso in children aged 3 to 59 months who were provided with a long-lasting insecticide-treated bednet (LLIN). Three rounds of treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine or placebos were given at monthly intervals during the malaria transmission season. Passive surveillance for malaria episodes was established, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at the end of the malaria transmission season, and use of ITNs was monitored during the intervention period. Incidence rates of malaria were compared using a Cox regression model and generalized linear models were fitted to examine the effect of IPTc on the prevalence of malaria infection, anaemia, and on anthropometric indicators. 3,052 children were screened and 3,014 were enrolled in the trial; 1,505 in the control arm and 1,509 in the intervention arm. Similar proportions of children in the two treatment arms were reported to sleep under an LLIN during the intervention period (93%). The incidence of malaria, defined as fever or history of fever with parasitaemia ≥ 5,000/µl, was 2.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.70-3.06) per child during the intervention period in the control arm versus 0.87 (95% CI 0.78-0.97) in the intervention arm, a protective efficacy (PE) of 70% (95% CI 66%-74%) (p<0.001). There was a 69% (95% CI 6%-90%) reduction in incidence of severe malaria (p = 0.04) and a 46% (95% CI 7%-69%) (p = 0.03) reduction in the incidence of all-cause hospital admissions. IPTc reduced the prevalence of malaria infection at the end of the malaria transmission season by 73% (95% CI 68%-77%) (p<0.001) and that of moderately severe anaemia by 56% (95% CI 36%-70%) (p<0.001). IPTc reduced the risks of wasting (risk ratio [RR] = 0.79; 95% CI 0.65-1.00) (p = 0.05) and of being underweight (RR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.72-0.99) (p = 0.03). Children who received IPTc were 2.8 (95% CI 2.3-3.5) (p<0.001) times more likely to vomit than children who received placebo but no drug-related serious adverse event was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: IPT of malaria provides substantial protection against malaria in children who sleep under an ITN. There is now strong evidence to support the integration of IPTc into malaria control strategies in areas of seasonal malaria transmission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.govNCT00738946. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

Diversité et Occurrence des Ravageurs dans les Agroécosystèmes Maraîchers en Basse Casamance, Sénégal

Les arthropodes ravageurs des cultures constituent une menace permanente pour la production horticole. La plupart des familles d’arthropode sont très mal connues dans la zone agroécologique de la Casamance car peu de travaux de recherches ont été effectués. Une meilleure connaissance des ravageurs facilite le choix des stratégies de lutte. L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer l’occurrence et la diversité spécifique des ravageurs associés aux cultures maraîchères. Une étude a été menée sur 144 parcelles situées dans trois localités de la zone agroécologique de la Casamance. L’inventaire des arthropodes ravageurs des cultures a été effectué dans les périmètres maraîchers. Des indices écologiques sont calculés pour évaluer diversité des ravageurs. Un nombre de 4882 spécimens de ravageurs dont 65 espèces réparties dans sept ordres et 28 familles sont collectés sur 17 plantes hôtes. Quatre ordres de ravageurs attaquent la moitié des plantes hôtes échantillonnées. Un total de 51 espèces a une présence de 100%. La diversité des ravageurs est plus élevée à Oussouye alors que l’abondance est plus élevée à Ziguinchor. La connaissance de la diversité et de la distribution des ravageurs facilitent la mise en place de stratégies alternatives de lutte en vue de préserver la filière maraîchère. Arthropod pests of crops are a permanent threat to horticultural production. Most arthropod families are poorly known in the Casamance agroecological zone because little research has been done. A better knowledge of the pests facilitates the choice of control strategies. The objective of this study is to determine the occurrence and specific diversity of pests associated with crops. A study was conducted on 144 plots located in three localities of the Casamance agroecological zone. The inventory of crop pests were carried out in the market gardens. Ecological indices were calculated to assess pest diversity. A total of 4882 pest specimens including 65 species in seven orders and 28 families were collected from 17 host plants. Four orders of pests attacked half of the sampled host plants. A total of 51 species have a 100% occurrence. Pest diversity is higher in Oussouye, while abundance is higher in Ziguinchor. Knowledge of the diversity and distribution of pests facilitates the development of alternative control strategies to preserve the market gardening sector

Seasonal performance of a malaria rapid diagnosis test at community health clinics in a malaria-hyperendemic region of Burkina Faso

BACKGOUND: Treatment of confirmed malaria patients with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) at remote areas is the goal of many anti-malaria programs. Introduction of effective and affordable malaria Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) in remote areas could be an alternative tool for malaria case management. This study aimed to assess performance of the OptiMAL dipstick for rapid malaria diagnosis in children under five. METHODS: Malaria symptomatic and asymptomatic children were recruited in a passive manner in two community clinics (CCs). Malaria diagnosis by microscopy and RDT were performed. Performance of the tests was determined. RESULTS: RDT showed similar ability (61.2%) to accurately diagnose malaria as microscopy (61.1%). OptiMAL showed a high level of sensitivity and specificity, compared with microscopy, during both transmission seasons (high & low), with a sensitivity of 92.9% vs. 74.9% and a specificity of 77.2% vs. 87.5%. CONCLUSION: By improving the performance of the test through accurate and continuous quality control of the device in the field, OptiMAL could be suitable for use at CCs for the management and control of malaria

Transplacental Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum in a Highly Malaria Endemic Area of Burkina Faso

Malaria congenital infection constitutes a major risk in malaria endemic areas. In this study, we report the prevalence of transplacental malaria in Burkina Faso. In labour and delivery units, thick and thin blood films were made from maternal, placental, and umbilical cord blood to determine malaria infection. A total of 1,309 mother/baby pairs were recruited. Eighteen cord blood samples (1.4%) contained malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum). Out of the 369 (28.2%) women with peripheral positive parasitemia, 211 (57.2%) had placental malaria and 14 (3.8%) had malaria parasites in their umbilical cord blood. The umbilical cord parasitemia levels were statistically associated with the presence of maternal peripheral parasitemia (OR = 9.24, P 0.001), placental parasitemia (OR = 10.74, P 0.001), high-density peripheral parasitemia (OR = 9.62, P 0.001), and high-density placental parasitemia (OR = 4.91, P = 0.03). In Burkina Faso, the mother-to-child transmission rate of malaria appears to be low

Novel Insights Into the Protective Role of Hemoglobin S and C Against Plasmodium falciparum Parasitemia.

Although hemoglobin S (HbS) and hemoglobin C (HbC) are well known to protect against severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, conclusive evidence on their role against infection has not yet been obtained. Here we show, in 2 populations from Burkina Faso (2007-2008), that HbS is associated with a 70% reduction of harboring P. falciparum parasitemia at the heterozygous state (odds ratio [OR] for AS vs AA, 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], .11-.66; P = .004). There is no evidence of protection for HbC in the heterozygous state (OR for AC vs AA, 1.49; 95% CI, .69-3.21; P = .31), whereas protection even higher than that observed with AS is observed in the homozygous and double heterozygous states (OR for CC + SC vs AA, 0.04; 95% CI, .01-.29; P = .002). The abnormal display of parasite-adhesive molecules on the surface of HbS and HbC infected erythrocytes, disrupting the pathogenic process of sequestration, might displace the parasite from the deep to the peripheral circulation, promoting its elimination at the spleen level