Effects of an integrated poultry value chain, nutrition, gender and WASH intervention (SELEVER) on hygiene and child morbidity and anthropometry in Burkina Faso: A secondary outcome analysis of a cluster randomised trial.

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture programmes have the potential to improve child nutrition outcomes, but livestock intensification may pose risks related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions. We assessed the impact of SELEVER, a nutrition- and gender-sensitive poultry intervention, with and without added WASH focus, on hygiene practices, morbidity and anthropometric indices of nutrition in children aged 2-4 years in Burkina Faso. A 3-year cluster randomised controlled trial was implemented in 120 villages in 60 communes (districts) supported by the SELEVER project. Communes were randomly assigned using restricted randomisation to one of three groups: (1) SELEVER intervention (n = 446 households); (2) SELEVER plus WASH intervention (n = 432 households); and (3) control without intervention (n = 899 households). The study population included women aged 15-49 years with an index child aged 2-4 years. We assessed the effects 1.5-years (WASH substudy) and 3-years (endline) post-intervention on child morbidity and child anthropometry secondary trial outcomes using mixed effects regression models. Participation in intervention activities was low in the SELEVER groups, ranging from 25% at 1.5 years and 10% at endline. At endline, households in the SELEVER groups had higher caregiver knowledge of WASH-livestock risks (∆ = 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.04-0.16]) and were more likely to keep children separated from poultry (∆ = 0.09, 95% CI [0.03-0.15]) than in the control group. No differences were found for other hygiene practices, child morbidity symptoms or anthropometry indicators. Integrating livestock WASH interventions alongside poultry and nutrition interventions can increase knowledge of livestock-related risks and improve livestock-hygiene-related practices, yet may not be sufficient to improve the morbidity and nutritional status of young children.

Evaluation of Adherence of Health-Care Workers to Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Guidelines in the Context of the Free Care Program in Burkina Faso.

To reduce child mortality in children younger than 5 years, Burkina Faso has been offering free care to this population of children since 2016. The free care program is aligned with the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines. Given that the number of studies that evaluated the competence of health-care workers (HCWs) during the free care program was limited, we assessed the adherence level of HCWs to the IMCI guidelines in the context of free care. This was a secondary data analysis. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted from July to September 2020 in 40 primary health-care centers and two district hospitals in the Hauts-Bassins region in Burkina Faso. Our analysis included 419 children younger than 5 years old who were consulted according to IMCI guidelines. Data were collected through direct observation using a checklist. The overall score of adherence of HCWs to IMCI guidelines was 57.8% (95% CI, 42.6-73.0). The mean adherence score of the evaluation of danger signs was 71.9% (95% CI, 58.7-85.1). The mean adherence score of following IMCI guidelines was significantly greater in boys (54.2%) compared with girls (44.6%; P < 0.001). Adherence scores of the performance of different IMCI tasks were significantly different across HCW categories. The overall adherence of HCWs to IMCI guidelines in the context of free care was greater than the adherence reported before the implementation of free care in Burkina Faso. However, this assessment needs to be performed nationwide to capture the overall adherence of HCWs to IMCI guidelines in the context of the free care program.

Pharmacology and immuno-virologic efficacy of once-a-day HAART in African HIV-infected children: ANRS 12103 phase II trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess 12-month survival, pharmacokinetics, immunologic and virologic efficacy, tolerance, compliance and drug resistance in HIV-infected children in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, receiving once-daily highly-active antiretroviral therapy as a combination of didanosine (DDI), lamivudine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV). METHODS: In the ANRS 12103 open phase II trial, HIV-infected children were examined at inclusion and monthly thereafter. CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4) count, plasma concentration of ribonucleic acid (RNA) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and haematologic and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and every trimester. HIV-1 resistance testing was performed in case of viral escape. Drug plasma concentrations were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. FINDINGS: From February 2006 to November 2007, 51 children (39% girls) with a mean age of 6.8 years were enrolled and treated for 12 months. At baseline, Z scores for mean weight-for-age and mean height-for-age were -2.01 and -2.12, respectively. Mean CD4% was 9.0. Median plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load was 5.51 log(10) copies per millilitre (cp/ml). Two children (3.9%) died and another 11 (22%) suffered 13 severe clinical events. At month 12, mean WAZ had improved by 0.63 (P < 0.001) and mean HAZ by 0.57 (P < 0.001). Mean CD4% had risen to 24 (P < 0.001). Viral load was below 300 RNA cp/ml in 81% of the children; HIV resistance mutations were detected in 11 (21.6%). CONCLUSION: The once-a-day combination of DDI + 3TC + EFV is an alternative first-line treatment for HIV-1-infected children. Dose adjustment should further improve efficacy.

Prevalence and factors associated with anaemia in pregnant women in Cascades Region of Burkina Faso in 2012.

INTRODUCTION: anaemia in pregnancy is a public health concern in Burkina Faso. This study aims at identifying the factors associated with the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women at a regional level in Burkina Faso. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional study in the region called "Cascades", located at the Western part of Burkina Faso. The study population included all pregnant women who attended antenatal care clinics in all public peripheral health facilities (districts) between May and June 2012 and agreed to participate in the study. They provided blood sample from which we measured the haemoglobin concentration using the Hemocue® system. The factors associated with anaemia in the study population were identified through multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: the prevalence (95% CI) of anaemia in pregnancy in the Cascades region was 58.9% (56.6% - 61.2%). Anaemia in pregnancy was more common in district of Banfora (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.07-1.83), among housewives (OR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.10-8.0), in the Mossi ethnic group (OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.04-1.85) and among the wives of farmers and artisans (OR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.59-4.07). Anaemia in pregnancy was less frequent among women who drank local beer (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49-0.94). CONCLUSION: the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy is high in Burkina Faso. Improving women's income level may contribute to reduce it. Further studies are needed to elucidate the link between the consumption of local beer, the local diet practices and anaemia in pregnant women.

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of a highly lethal pneumococcal meningitis epidemic in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Public health and clinical strategies for meningitis epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa usually assume that Neisseria meningitidis infection causes most disease. METHODS: During 24 months from 2002 to 2005, we collected clinical and laboratory information for suspected acute bacterial meningitis cases from 3 districts in Burkina Faso. Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified by culture, polymerase chain reaction, or antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid. Pneumococcal genotyping was performed on strains using multilocus variable-number tandem repeat typing and multilocus sequence typing. RESULTS: Samples of cerebrospinal fluid were collected from 1686 persons; 249 (15%) had S. pneumoniae identified (annual incidence, 14 cases per 100,000 persons). Of these patients, 115 (46%) died, making S. pneumoniae the most commonly identified organism and responsible for two-thirds of deaths due to bacterial meningitis. During the meningitis epidemic season, an average of 38 cases of S. pneumoniae infection were identified each month, compared with an average of 8.7 cases during other months. Of 48 pneumococci that were tested, 21 (44%) were identified as serotype 1, and the remaining 27 (56%) were identified as 15 different serogroups and/or serotypes. Both serotype 1 and other serogroups and/or serotypes were seasonal. The genotypes of serotype 1 isolates were closely related but diversified over the study period and were similar to, but not identical to, the predominant genotypes found previously in Ghana. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention strategies during the epidemic season in Burkina Faso (and perhaps elsewhere) must now account for pneumococcal meningitis occurring in an epidemic pattern similar to meningococcal meningitis. Although a serotype 1 clone was commonly isolated, over half of the cases were caused by other serogroups and/or serotypes, and genetic diversification increased over a relatively short period.

The epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease burden studies are important to conduct in African countries that plan to introduce vaccine so that vaccine impact can be documented. METHODS: We implemented population-based meningitis surveillance in 3 districts of Burkina Faso for 12 months each during 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 using polymerase chain reaction, culture and antigen detection. RESULTS: Lumbar puncture was performed on 1686 patients and 112 had Hib identified. Persons <1, <5, 5-14 and 15+ years of age had annual Hib meningitis incidences of 97, 34, 2.1 and 0.55 per 100,000, respectively; overall case fatality proportion was 25%. During the historic meningitis epidemic season months of December through April, the proportion of purulent cerebrospinal fluid among children aged <5 years that yielded Hib was 27% compared with 30% during other months. Twenty-five of 98 persons with information available were treated with only one or 2 doses of oily chloramphenicol. Among children age <5 years with Hib meningitis, 28% were pretreated with antimalarials and antimalarial pretreatment was associated with delay in hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In Burkina Faso, Hib meningitis incidence and case fatality proportion are high and thus vaccine could have a substantial impact. While awaiting well-implemented routine infant Hib vaccination, empiric case management for pediatric meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa must recognize that Hib is likely even during the epidemic season. In malaria-endemic areas, pediatric Hib meningitis case management may be adversely affected by the similar presentation of these 2 diseases.

Short-term virological efficacy, immune reconstitution, tolerance, and adherence of once-daily dosing of didanosine, lamivudine, and efavirenz in HIV-1-infected African children: ANRS 12103 Burkiname.

Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and routine laboratory monitoring are limited for HIV-1-infected children from sub-Saharan Africa. This trial conducted in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, aimed to describe the biological efficacy, tolerance, and adherence of the combination of didanosine, lamivudine, efavirenz in once-daily administration among eligible HIV-1-infected children. From February 2006 to November 2007, 51 HIV-1-infected children aged from 30 months to 15 years and eligible for ART were enrolled in a phase II open clinical trial with follow-up visits every 3 months. HIV-1 genotype testing was performed in children with plasma viral load (PVL) >1000 copies per milliliter after ART initiation. Children were followed for a median of 13.4 months [interquartile range (IQR) 12.8-14.2]. At enrollment, median CD4 count was 8% (IQR = 4.5-12). PVL was 341,032 (IQR = 127,838-761,539) copies per milliliter. At 12 months, median CD4 increased significantly by +15% (P < 10(-3)), and median PVL decreases significantly by -290,500 copies per milliliter (P < 10(-4)). Hemoglobin and platelets counts increased significantly by +1.05 g/dL (P < 10(-5)) and 108,500 cells per milliliter (P < 10(-3)), respectively. Based on pill count, mean yearly adherence was 97.3%, and 48% of the children had an adherence rate ≥ 95% at the four quarterly visits. Adherence was better for girls than for boys independently of other sociodemographic variables or markers of HIV disease progression. Drug-resistant mutations were found in 11 children (21.6%). This once-daily drug combination is associated with excellent virological efficacy, immune reconstitution, and good adherence. However, the high prevalence of drug resistance mutations is a matter of concern.

Women's desire for children in an HIV population: a clinical pilot study in Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: Today, thanks to the HAART, HIV has become a chronic disease. In most cases, HIV positive women are of reproductive age and at present, the vertical transmission rate is around 0.1% for women with an undetectable viral load. So, it is normal that the question of seropositive women's desire to have children is on the table. METHODS: In this experimental study, 50 HIV-seropositive and 44 seronegative women were interviewed about their desire to have children. Some of the questions asked were: "How many children did you want to have before you got married/at 15 years of age if you aren't married?" "How many children would you like to have today, considering your present situation?". In case of a difference between "before" and "now", we asked them: "What are the reasons for this difference?". This study was performed in Burkina Faso. RESULTS: The positive women tend to desire more children "before" and fewer children "now" than negative women (OR: 1.33; C.I. 95%: 0.86-2; p= 0.19 vs OR: 0.78; C.I. 95%: 0.51-1.21; p= 0.27). 62% of HIV positive women mention multiple reasons directly linked to their seropositivity to explain the difference between "before" and "now". 70% of HIV positive women still want to have children. We have noted that the positive women who still want children are more likely to be younger (p < 0.05 by Two-Sample T tests), in a relationship (p < 0.01 by Chi-Square Test) and to have been diagnosed earlier than the positive women who don't want any children (p=0.01 by Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test). CONCLUSION: Even if the results of this pilot study are preliminary, they show that HIV positive and negative women have a relatively similar desire for children, even though seropositive women seem to want fewer children than their uninfected counterparts. Most of the reasons which reduce HIV positive women's desire to have children are directly linked to HIV. This is why getting these women informed about materno-fetal transmission risks and existing treatments is really important to give them the opportunity to make a conscious choice.