Pulmonary function assessment among conventional and organic cotton farmers exposed to pesticides in the Central-West region of Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory diseases have been associated with the exposure of populations to some environmental pollutants such as pesticides. To assess effects of pesticides on farmers' respiratory health, this study aimed to evaluate the pulmonary function of cotton farmers exposed to synthetic and natural pesticides in the Central-West region of Burkina Faso. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2022 among 281 conventional and 189 organic cotton farmers. After collecting information on pesticide use conditions, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed on each farmer according to the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines, in order to assess chronic respiratory effects among cotton producers. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with the occurrence of ventilatory changes. RESULTS: Both conventional and organic cotton farmers reported similar chronic respiratory symptoms in different proportions. The main reported were rhinitis (54.45% conventional vs. 34.92% organic), chest pains (41.28% conventional vs. 23.81% organic), cough (33.45% conventional, 24.34% organic), breathlessness (31.67% conventional, 4.23% organic) (p<0.05). 16.18% and 27.50% of conventional male and female cotton farmers, respectively, had a restrictive defect. Among organic cotton farmers, 15.85% and 18.69%, respectively, of males and females had a restrictive defect. Furthermore, a significant increase in the predicted average percentage of FEV1/FVC ratio was observed among organic cotton farmers after salbutamol's use (p = 0.039). The type of cultivated cotton was not associated with ventilatory changes neither in the univariate analysis, nor in the multivariate analysis. Other factors such as farmers' age, BMI and insecticides use frequency per year were also important. Farmers who used insecticides more than 6 times per season had an increased risk of developing an obstructive defect (OR = 1.603; 95%CI: 0.484-5.309) compared to those who used them 6 times or less. CONCLUSION: Chronic respiratory signs and ventilatory impairments were found among conventional and, to our knowledge, for the first time among organic cotton producers. However, these health effects were more prevalent among conventional cotton farmers than organic ones.

Knowledge and attitudes of antenatal mothers towards intimate partner violence in the Gambia: A cross-sectional study.

Intimate partner violence is a severe public health and human rights issue that 1 in 3 women experience in their lifetime. A woman's knowledge and attitudes towards intimate partner violence might influence her experience of violence from an intimate partner. This study aimed at analysing the knowledge and attitudes of antenatal mothers towards intimate partner violence. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional technique. Pregnant women seeking antenatal care were selected from 6 public healthcare facilities in the Gambian Upper River Region (URR). We used the single proportion formula to calculate the sample size, which was 373 women. Data were entered, cleaned and analysed using SPSS version 21.Majority of the participants had good knowledge about IPV (77%). The most common intimate partner violence known to the women was denial of money to hurt her (80.2%). Only 58% of the women knew that a male partner's insistence on knowing their whereabouts at all times and expecting them to seek permission before accessing healthcare is a form of violence. Eighty-seven per centof the participants had a negative attitude towards IPV (i.e., they were not precisely against the stated forms of violence perpetrated by their partners). When asked about what would warrant them to leave their partners, 67% claimed they would never leave their partners despite facing violence. According to 36% of the respondents, women stay in abusive marriages because of their children.Despite the relatively high knowledge of pregnant women on IPV, their attitudes tell a different story, which is: acceptance of violent behaviours from their partners. More work needs to be done to sensitise women on their rights not to be violated and engage the whole society in changing the social norms unfavourable to them.

Determinants and prevalence of symptomatic dengue fever among adults in the Central Region of Burkina Faso: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever (DF) is a significant public health concern in Burkina Faso, particularly in the Central Region, previously endemic for malaria. However, limited research has focused on dengue prevalence and associated factors among adult febrile patients in this region. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of symptomatic dengue fever among adults and identify the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of the disease. METHODS: A seroepidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted in the Central Region of Burkina Faso, through a three-stage sampling. Five health facilities, one from each of the region five districts, were purposively selected. Febrile patients aged 16 and older, suspected of having dengue, were included in the study, after consenting. Bivariate analyses and multivariate binary logistic regression were done at a 5% confidence level. RESULTS: A total of 637 patients between the ages of 16 and 90 years were included. Most of the participants were females (58.71%). Most dengue cases resided in Arrondissement 4 (59.62%), or were present in the Arrondissement 4 at daytime during the previous days (51.92%). 52.90% of the participants knew of dengue. Dengue prevalence was estimated at 8.16% (95% CI: 6.16%-10.57%). The most frequent markers for dengue were immunoglobulins M detected in 4.40% (2.94%-6.29%), followed by Antigen NS1 at 4.24% (95% CI: 2.81%-6.11%). The Antigen NS1 marker was associated with myalgia (p = 0.024), vomiting (p < 0.001), hemorrhagic manifestations (p = 0.001), and anorexia (p < 0.001). Staying at Arrondissement 4 (vs staying at Saaba) during daytime (aOR = 2.36 95% CI: 1.03-5.45; p = 0.044) significantly increased the odds of dengue. Dengue cases were about 3 times more likely to have vomited (aOR = 2.99 95% CI: 1.58-5.64; p = 0.001). Participants knowing of dengue (aOR = 0.53 95% CI: 0.29-0.98; p = 0.042) and those coinfected with malaria (aOR = 0.28 95% CI: 0.14-0.57; p < 0.001) instead had reduced odds of dengue. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a relatively high prevalence of symptomatic dengue fever among adults in the Central Region of Burkina Faso in 2022. These findings emphasize the need for continuous surveillance and targeted control measures. The low coinfection of dengue and malaria warrants further investigation.

Self-reported health effects of pesticides among cotton farmers from the Central-West region in Burkina Faso.

Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests with sometime harmful effects on human health. This paper presents results of self-reported health effects experienced by cotton farmers in the Central-West region of Burkina Faso. It was a cross-sectional survey conducted from October to December 2021 among 585 consenting conventional and organic cotton farmers. Data collected included pesticides used, they use conditions, farming practices, experienced health effects. Binary logistic regression was used to find relationships between self-reported health effects and the type of cotton produced. Results showed that all conventional cotton farmers (100%) reported using synthetic pesticides compared to organic ones who using only natural insecticides. Both conventional and organic farmers reported health effects that occurred at least once since they started using pesticides, involving skin effects (85.27% conventional, 65.52% organic), nervous (88.95% conventional, 48,71% organic), respiratory (88.10% conventional, 67.67% organic) systems. 99.72% of conventional farmers vs 46.98% of organic ones reported skin irritation following pesticide use. 69.97% of conventional vs 35.34% of organic cotton farmers reported acute signs such as severe headaches. In univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, severe headaches, dizziness, skin, and ocular effects were significantly associated with conventional farmers compared to organic ones (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between vomiting (p = 0.014), diarrhea (p = 0.003) and experience in synthetic pesticide use among conventional farmers. Among organic farmers, there was no significant relationship between health effects reported and experience in organic insecticides use. there was a significant relationship between severe headaches (p = 0.01), rhinitis (p = 0.006), cough (p = 0.0001), skin and ocular irritations (p = 0.007) and the frequency of synthetic insecticides use per year by conventional farmers. Study showed that conventional and organic cotton producers experience the same types of health effects. However, these health effects were significantly associated with conventional farmers compared to organic ones.

Setting Dengue Fever Epidemic Thresholds Between 2016 and 2021 in the Central Health Region, Burkina Faso: An Ecological Study.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever (DF) is endemic in Burkina Faso, with 70% of its burden supported by the Central Health Region. Then, a single confirmed case can no longer mean an epidemic. This study aimed at describing trends and setting epidemic thresholds of DF in the Central Health Region. DATA AND METHODS: An ecological study was conducted using monthly data from DF surveillance between 2016 and 2021. Three methods were applied to set alert and intervention thresholds of DF monthly incidence rate: mean [mean + 2 SD], median [3rd quartile] and cumulative sum (C-sum) [C-sum + 1.96 SD]. These thresholds were plotted with the monthly incidence rates for 2021. RESULTS: In total, 54,429 cases were reported between 2016 and 2021. Dengue cases increased biannually. The median annual incidence rate did not vary significantly across years [Kruskal-Wallis: χ2(5) = 9.825; p = 0.0803]. Within a year, the monthly incidence rate fell under 48.91 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between January and September and peaked in October or November. With the mean and C-sum methods, the 2021 monthly incidence rate remained below the intervention thresholds (Mean + 2 SD and C-sum + 1.96 SD). With the median method, the incidence rate exceeded the alert and intervention thresholds in July-September 2021. CONCLUSIONS: If the DF incidence varied within a year due to the seasons, it was relatively stable between 2016 and 2021. The mean and C-sum methods based on the mean were subject to extreme values, giving high thresholds. The median method seemed better for capturing the abnormal increase in dengue incidence.

[Factors associated with post-term pregnancy at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital: case-control study]. / Facteurs associés à la grossesse post-terme au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo: étude cas-témoins.

Introduction: post-term pregnancy is a risky situation for the fetus and the mother. In our context, few data exist on the subject. This aims to determine the associated factors of post-term pregnancy in order to contribute to a reduction in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Methods: we conducted a matched case-control study in the department of gynaecology-obstetrics of the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital. Data were collected between 1st January 2014 and 31st August 2014. Cases were patients who delivered at 41 weeks of amenorrhoea and above and controls were those who delivered between 37 and 41 weeks of amenorrhoea. Results: the study included 153 cases and 153 controls. Risk factors with statistically significant association with post-term pregnancy were high maternal socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.17; 95% CI [1.13; 9.07]) primiparity (AOR=1.45; 95% CI [1.07; 2.51]), and previous post-term pregnancy (AOR=7.02; 95% CI [2.08; 23.79]). Conclusion: early recognition of risk factors for post-term pregnancy will help health workers identify women with high-risk pregnancies.

Factors determining preventive chemotherapy uptake against soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school-age children in Ghana.

By 2020, the World Health Organization and the Ghana Neglected Tropical Diseases programme intended to treat 75% and 100% of school-age children, respectively, during preventative chemotherapy (PCT), to control soil-transmitted helminths. The performance of PCT was assessed, and the factors associated with albendazole uptake in 2019 were determined. This study comprised secondary data (2019 PCT) and a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 352 children aged from 7 to 14 years and enrolled with their caregivers. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors hindering or favouring the PCT uptake. According to surveillance data (2019 PCT), Krachi East Municipal reported coverage of 83% in schools and 40.9% for all children between 5 and 14 years. The cross-sectional data showed that the median child age was 11 years (IQR: 9-12). There was no gap in the estimates for coverage and uptake, which were both 90.9% (95%CI: 87.4-93.5%). Christians made up the majority of the caregivers (87.5%), and 48.0% had completed secondary or higher education. After controlling for potential confounders, caregiver religion (aOR = 0.07 95%CI: 0.01-0.36) and the perception of a child's PCT risk (aOR = 0.33 95%CI: 0.13-0.84) were the significant barriers of PCT uptake, whereas the child's age (aOR = 1.49 95%CI: 1.19-1.88) and the perception of a child's PCT's benefit (aOR = 10.26 95%CI: 2.57-40.95) were the significant facilitators among children 7-14 years old. Although the performance of PCT was high, the national treatment target was not attained. Intensive and focused health education is therefore needed to improve positive perceptions towards PCT for school-age children.

[School-age children'S knowledge and perceptions concerning Soil-transmitted Helminthiases and Targeted Preventive Chemotherapy in Ghana's Oti Region]. / Connaissances et perceptions des enfants d'âge scolaire concernant les géo-helminthiases et la Chimiothérapie Préventive Ciblée dans la Région D'oti au Ghana.

Background: The Ghana Neglected Tropical Diseases control program aimed to raise population awareness on soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and achieve a 100% coverage of preventive chemotherapy (PCT) by 2020. This study aims at determining the factors associated with the knowledge of school-age children and describing their perceptions at Krachi East Municipal in Ghana. Patients and methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Children and their caregivers were selected from 8 communities following a two-stage stratified sampling. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed at a 5% significance level. Results: 352 children and their caregivers were surveyed, mainly from Dambai (66.48%). The median age was 11 (IQR: 9-12) years and the children aged 7-14 years. About half of the children were males (53.13%) and most caregivers were females (66.48%). Most children perceived a benefit associated with PCT (94.89%). The proportion of children perceiving a health risk did not differ significantly from those not perceiving a risk (49.72% vs 50.28%; p=0.8802). In general, children had poor knowledge (91.19% vs 8.81%; p<0.0001). Good knowledge was associated with ethnic group [Guan: aOR=3.96 95%CI 1.11-14.12; p=0.034], child age [(11-12 years: aOR=6.05 95%CI 1.21-30.22; p=0.026); (13-14 years: aOR=8.19 95%CI 1.64-40.89; p=0.010)] and caregivers' sex (Female: aOR=2.97 95%CI 1.02-8.66; p=0.046) in the adjusted model. Conclusion: Younger children and male caregivers seem to have low knowledge of intestinal worms and PCT. Therefore, they must get more attention regarding health education.

Epidemiologic profile of hepatitis C virus infection and genotype distribution in Burkina Faso: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Detailed characteristics of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Burkina Faso are scarce. The main aim of this study was to assess HCV seroprevalence in various settings and populations at risk in Burkina Faso between 1990 and 2020. Secondary objectives included the prevalence of HCV Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the distribution of HCV genotypes. METHODS: A systematic database search, supplemented by a manual search, was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and African Index Medicus. Studies reporting HCV seroprevalence data in low and high-risk populations in Burkina Faso were included, and a random-effects meta-analysis was applied. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs institute checklist. RESULTS: Low-risk populations were examined in 31 studies involving a total of 168,151 subjects, of whom 8330 were positive for HCV antibodies. Six studies included a total of 1484 high-risk persons, and 96 had antibodies to HCV. The pooled seroprevalence in low-risk populations was 3.72% (95% CI: 3.20-4.28) and 4.75% (95% CI: 1.79-8.94) in high-risk groups. A non-significant decreasing trend was observed over the study period. Seven studies tested HCV RNA in a total of 4759 individuals at low risk for HCV infection, and 81 were positive. The meta-analysis of HCV RNA yielded a pooled prevalence of 1.65% (95% CI: 0.74-2.89%) in low-risk populations, which is assumed to be indicative of HCV prevalence in the general population of Burkina Faso and suggests that about 301,174 people are active HCV carriers in the country. Genotypes 2 and 1 were the most frequent, with 60.3% and 25.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HCV seroprevalence is intermediate in Burkina Faso and indicates the need to implement effective control strategies. There is a paucity of data at the national level and for rural and high-risk populations. General population screening and linkage to care are recommended, with special attention to rural and high-risk populations.

Factors associated with malaria vaccine uptake in Sunyani Municipality, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Malaria continues to be a major disease of public health concern affecting several million people worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) started a pilot study on a malaria vaccine (RTS,S) in Ghana and two other countries in 2019. This study aimed at assessing the factors associated with uptake of the vaccine in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional study employing a quantitative approach. Stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents. A structured questionnaire was administered to parents/caregivers with children eligible to have taken the first three doses of the malaria vaccine by December 2019. The Child Welfare Clinic (CWC) cards of the eligible children were also inspected. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was done to determine the association between the independent variables and full vaccine uptake. RESULTS: Uptake of RTS,S 1 was 94.1%. However, this figure reduced to 90.6% for RTS,S 2, and 78.1% for RTS,S 3. Children with a parent who had been educated up to the tertiary level had 4.72 (AOR: 4.72, 95% CI 1.27-17.55) increased odds of full uptake as compared to those who completed secondary education. Parents whose children had experienced fever as an adverse reaction were more likely to send their children for the malaria vaccine as compared to those whose children had ever suffered abscess as an adverse reaction (AOR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.13-5.10). Children with parents who thought vaccines were becoming too many for children had 71% (AOR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.14-0.61) reduced odds of full uptake as compared to those who thought otherwise. CONCLUSION: Uptake of RTS,S 1 and RTS,S 2 in Sunyani Municipality meets the WHO's target coverage for vaccines, however, RTS,S 3 uptake does not. Furthermore, there is a growing perception amongst parents/caregivers that vaccines are becoming too many for children which negatively affects uptake.

[Varicella (chickenpox) morbidity and mortality in hospital: about 19 cases collected at the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital, Burkina Faso]. / Morbi-mortalité de la varicelle en milieu hospitalier: à propos de 19 cas colligés au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso.

Varicella is a viral disease whose cause is poorly known in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study is to describe varicella features in the department of infectious diseases at the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital. We here report a series of 19 cases of patients hospitalized between the 1stJanuary 2005 and 31st December 2014. The study included all patients with complete and workable medical records who received a positive diagnosis of varicella. The rate of varicella was 6.2%, accounting for 14.6% of febrile rash. It had been more common in 2011, from January to March. The average age was 19 years and half of the patients were aged between 6 and 30 years. Comorbidities were dominated by HIV infection and herpes. Clinically, fever and pruritus were the typical symptoms and vesicles were the most common type of eruption. On admission, the main complications included pulmonary, hematological and cutaneous complications. The median duration of hospitalization was 5 days, ranging between 0 and 13 days. The main treatments were based on antiviral drugs in 9 cases, antipyretic drugs in 19 cases, topic drugs in 17 cases and antihistamines in 11 cases. Out of 19 cases of varicella, 14 were cured and 2 died, including 1 adult out of 10 and 1 child out of 9. Varicella is usually a benign disease. It can be fatal in adults and children with severe complications.