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Food safety risks are becoming a public health problem with important socioeconomic consequences for human wellbeing, especially for pregnant women and infants. In this article, we describe findings from microbiological, toxicological, and nutritional quality assessments of foods from 5 localities in Burkina Faso, with the aim to provide baseline data on the quality of food and the risks to mothers and children. Samples for assessment included food sold in markets, stores, and restaurants (eg, cereals, oilseeds, vegetables, edible oils, powdered milk, dried fish, packaged water, ready-to-eat meals). The research team selected the samples using the random route method and analyzed them at the National Public Health Laboratory in Ouagadougou between January and December 2020. A total of 443 food samples were collected, of which 101 were analyzed for microbial contamination, 360 were analyzed for the presence of toxins, and 59 were analyzed for their nutritional value. The microbiological quality of 11.88% of the food samples was unsatisfactory, and 41.50% were contaminated with aflatoxins. At least 1 pesticide residue and cyfluthrin were detected in 58.10% of samples. The most detected contaminant (cyfluthrin) was found in 79.10% of the analyzed samples. A peroxide index higher than the normal value (10 mEq/kg) was found in 3.38% of the oil samples and 76.27% of the oil samples had a vitamin A content lower than the recommended limit of 11 mg/kg. This study is the first in Burkina Faso that provides baseline data on the quality of food and potential health risks to mothers and children in Burkina Faso. Considering the level of contaminants reported in this article, it is imperative to enhance routine monitoring of foods in the country.
Assuntos
Alimentos , Restaurantes , Animais , Burkina Faso , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , GravidezRESUMO
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.
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AIM: The aim of this study was to contribute to a better development of health policies for the elderly in Burkina Faso. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have done a qualitative cross-sectional study from February to September 2018 in 4 ministerial departments of Burkina Faso (health, human rights, public service and national solidarity). The interviews included non-governmental organisations, associations, technical and financial partners. Inductive approach has used to produce results. RESULTS: A total of 24 key informants were included in the study. Various interventions were implemented differently by the departmental departments. The study identified non-functional interdepartmental consultation frameworks as mechanisms for consultation. These frameworks have not been used in the formulation or implementation of policies for the elderly. CONCLUSION: National coordination of public policies for the elderly in high level of decision-making is important. The activation of interdepartmental consultation frameworks is a necessity for formulating holistic and complementary interventions for the elderly and even beyond this target group.
BUT: Le but de cette étude était de contribuer à une meilleure élaboration des politiques publiques de santé en faveur des personnes âgées au Burkina Faso. MATÉRIELS ET MÉTHODES: il s'est agi d'une étude transversale qualitative de Février à Septembre 2018 dans 4 départements ministériels du Burkina Faso (la santé, les droits humains, la fonction publique et la solidarité nationale). Les entretiens ont inclus des organisations non gouvernementales, des associations, des partenaires au développement. L'approche inductive a été utilisée pour produire les résultats. RÉSULTATS: Au total 24 informateurs clés étaient inclus dans l'étude. Diverses interventions étaient mises en Åuvre différemment par les départements ministériels. L'étude a mis en évidence des cadres de concertations interministériels non fonctionnels. Ces cadres n'ont pas été utilisés ni dans la formulation, ni dans la mise en Åuvre des politiques en faveur des personnes âgées dans les différents ministères. CONCLUSION: L'absence de coordination interministérielle entre les ministères chargés des politiques publiques en faveur de la santé des personnes âgées et le faible engagement de l'Etat et des partenaires au développement étaient des limites relevées dans cette étude. La définition d'une politique publique de santé des personnes âgées à dimension intersectorielle s'avère nécessaire au Burkina Faso.
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INTRODUCTION: low levels of contraceptive use in Western Africa are responsible for high fertility rates, which limits economic development. The cost of modern contraceptives is a significant constraint, then the government of Burkina Faso has implemented free family planning. Given this new policy, we provided rural women with a healthcare voucher giving free access to modern contraceptives. We conducted an analysis of the determinants of good free voucher use in order to implement adequate government policy. METHODS: six months after the distribution of vouchers to women living in 30 villages in the Houet Province, we conducted a focus-group study based on individual in-depth health care provider interviews in partner healthcare centers. RESULTS: the benefits of family planning, free contraceptive use, husband's approval and moral obligation were factors facilitating voucher use. The desire to become pregnant, husband's opposition, women's reluctance, women's lack of knowledge of contraceptives and factors associated with the intervention were the leading reasons for not using the vouchers. CONCLUSION: the promotion of modern contraceptive use among married women or concubines requires a holistic approach combining free access to modern contraceptives, effective policies involving men in family planning and the reduction of fertility preferences among the couples.
