Bobo Dioulasso Research Articles

Predicting well productivity in cratonic regions using remote sensing lineaments and weathered cover thickness: A case study from Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

In western African cratonic regions, fractured crystalline bedrock, Neoproterozoic sedimentary covers, and regolith deposits constitute the most productive aquifer systems. Structural lineaments derived from remote sensing data and weathered cover thickness from borehole interpretations provide cost-effective methods for evaluating well productivity in regions with limited economic resources and hydrogeological knowledge, such as Houet province in Western Burkina Faso. Structural lineaments were interpreted using 1:200,000 Landsat TM images and 1:50,000 aerial photographs, revealing NE and NW as the most significant directions. An analysis of 101 borehole stratigraphic profiles from rural water supply program reports revealed the weathering depth and cover thickness. Borehole productivity exhibited a strong correlation with increased weathered cover thickness. Negative well results were concentrated in areas with less than 5 m of cover. In contrast, significant differences in specific yield rates were observed with greater thicknesses, ranging from 2.5 m³/d for 20 m of saturated thickness to 7.6 m³/d when the regolith reached a depth of 40 m. These preliminary groundwater exploration tools effectively target successful well sites by accounting for differing lithologies, regional tectonics, and regolith development. This approach is particularly relevant for cratonic regions with limited resources and hydrogeological knowledge, aiding in sustainable groundwater development and land-use planning.

Factors associated with positive human papillomavirus (HPV) test results in cervical precancer screening: a cross-sectional study at Souro Sanou National Teaching Hospital (SSNTH) in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Human papilloma virus testing is a new method of screening for precancerous cervical lesions. Here we identified factors associated to the positive Human papilloma virus-testing in the context of cervical precancer screening at the Souro Sanou National Teaching Hospital in Burkina Faso. Conducted from June 2021-May 2022, this was a cross-sectional study, including patients aged between 25 and 55years-old and screened for precancerous lesions and received HPV-testing at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine (DGORM) of the SSNTH. The proportion of positive HPV-test was calculated, and we identified factors associated to positive HPV-test using logistic regression. Of the 759 patients came for precancerous lesions screening, 559 patients were included. Their mean-age was 38.8 ± 7.9years-old, 94.3% were from urban area and 50.3% identified as housewives. Regarding the past medical history, it noted: number of gestures (3.2 ± 2.0), parity (2.8 ± 1.9), number of living children (2.8 ± 1.9), having abortion experience (24.0%), age of first-sexual-intercourse(18.6 ± 2.3years), alcohol (9.1%) and tobacco (1.0%) consumption, sexually-transmitted-infection (27.0%), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection (5.0%); none had been vaccinated against HPV. Biologically, 16.6% [95% CI: 13.6-20] of the women had a positive HPV-test. The factors significantly associated with positive HPV-test were: occupation in the private sector [OR: 0.06(0.0-0.5); p < 0.001], having a sexually-transmitted-infection [OR: 3.9(2.0-7.7); p < 0.001], age of first-sexual-intercourse [OR: 0.7(0.6-0.9); p < 0.001], sexual-multiple-partnership [OR: 17.5(8.1-39.6); p < 0.001], and HIV status [OR: 13.2(4.4-40.5); p < 0.001]. These results call for health actions through the reinforcement for behavioral change mainly about sexually-transmitted-infections, and for the raising awareness of the population for the screening related to the precancerous lesions and HIV.

An optimized strategy triggered at the 2nd immunization visit to prevent HIV acquisition by breastfeeding: a phase 2 trial in Burkina Faso (PREVENIR-PEV)

BackgroundMother-to-child transmission of HIV during breastfeeding remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). A prevention package was initiated during the highly attended 2nd visit of the Expanded Program of Immunisation (EPI-2) to identify the undiagnosed infants living with HIV and reduce the postnatal transmission of infant exposed to HIV.MethodsPREVENIR-PEV is a non-randomized phase II clinical trial conducted at two health centres in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). The study recruited mothers living with HIV aged 15 years and older with their singleton breastfed infants. During EPI-2 (at 8 weeks) and upon signature of the informed consent, a point-of-care early infant diagnosis (EID) was performed. HIV exposed uninfected (HEU) infants were followed-up until 12 months of age. High risk HEU infants (i.e., whose maternal viral load ≥ 1000 cp/mL at EPI-2 or M6) received an extended postnatal prophylaxis (PNP) with lamivudine until end of follow-up or the end of breastfeeding.ResultsBetween 4 December 2019 and 4 December 2020, 118 mothers living with HIV-1 were identified, and 102 eligible mother/infant pairs had their infants tested for HIV EID. Six infants were newly diagnosed with HIV, and 96 HEU infants were followed-up for 10 months. Among the participants followed-up, all mothers were prescribed antiretrovirals. All 18 infants eligible for PNP at either EPI-2 or 6 months (M6) were initiated on lamivudine. No HIV transmission occurred, and no serious adverse events were reported in infants receiving lamivudine.ConclusionsThe PREVENIR-PEV prevention package integrated into existing care is safe and its implementation is feasible in a LMIC with a low HIV prevalence. More research is needed to target mother/infant pairs not adhering to the intervention proposed in this trial.Trial registrationNCT03869944; first registered on 11/03/2019.

Toxicity and Synergistic Effect of Native Plants Extracts against the Cowpea Weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus Fab.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Callosobruchus maculatus causes loss of cowpea seeds and its weight after six months of unprotected storage. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and synergistic effects of plant extracts on the biological parameters of C. maculatus from Bobo Dioulasso in order to reduce its damage on cowpea stocks in Bobo Dioulasso city. Seven treatments including an untreated control and doses of three powdery extracts of Cassia nigricans, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Hyptis suaveolens, and their combinations were compared in a Fischer block with four completely randomized repetitions. One hundred healthy cowpea seeds were mixed with doses of each extract in Petri dishes then submitted as food substrates to ten pairs of C. maculatus for 15 days. The synergistic effect was evaluated following the formula of Chou and Talalay. Extracts of C. nigricans, Z. zanthoxyloides and H. suaveolens was toxic against the weevil. The extract of Z. zanthoxyloides was more toxic to adults (21.16 mg/g) followed by H. suaveolens (51.84 mg/g) and C. nigricans (52.09 mg/g). The infestation rates of batches treated with C. nigricans and Z. zanthoxyloides extracts did not exceed 1.00% compared to 2.00% for H. suaveolens at 20 mg/g. All combinations were synergistic and resulted in 100% mortality and less than 14.98 eggs/female in H. suaveolens coupled with C. nigricans. The application of Z. zanthoxyloides extract alone or the combination of H. suaveolens and C. nigricans extracts would be an alternative for the sustainable management of C. maculatus in cowpea stocks.

Uncontrolled hypertension among adult patients at ambulatory primary care: Frequency and factors associated in urban and peri-urban Bobo–Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

IntroductionThis study described the different stages of uncontrolled hypertension, and assessed independently of the socio-demographic parameters, the non-modifiable and modifiable factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension at ambulatory care, in urban and peri-urban primary health care centres (PHCCs) of Bobo–Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. MethodsA sample of 380 hypertensive adults were consecutively interviewed from January to February 2022, in 20 public PHCCs, in Bobo-Dioulasso. Sociodemographic, non- and modifiable lifestyle, anthropometric and blood pressure parameters were collected. Descriptive, comparative and logistic regression tests were performed. ResultsThe participants’ mean age was 56.2 ± 10.4 years and frequency of uncontrolled hypertension stage I, II and III was respectively 40.3 %, 23.3 % and 7.9 %. Those with family history of hypertension was 42.4 %. Participants with monotherapy, bi-therapy and tri-therapy represented 51.6 %, 42.6 % and 2.1 % respectively, while 38.2 % declared to be uncompliant with the therapy. About 36 % were current alcohol users, 29.7 % physically inactive, 23.7 % ate less than three servings of fruits and vegetables (FV), 15.3 % were obese, and 12.9 % current tobacco users. In logistic regression analysis, the presence of family history of hypertension [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1; p = 0.005], use of bi-/tri-therapy (aOR = 1.7; p = 0.044), daily intake of less than three FV servings (aOR = 1.9; p = 0.025); non-adherence with therapy (aOR = 3.3, p = 0.0001) and obesity (aOR = 4.5; p = 0.003) were associated with uncontrolled hypertension. ConclusionUncontrolled hypertension was high at ambulatory primary care. For its efficient management in secondary prevention, a tailored in-hospital strategy including permanent education for a healthier lifestyle practice is needed; and should be complementary strengthened with specific community-based interventions.

Environmental effects of waste electrical and electronic equipment valorization in burkina faso

The valorization of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has become a challenge for countries around the world, especially for developing countries like Burkina Faso. The main objective of this article is to analyze the environmental effects of WEEE valorization in Burkina Faso. To do this, the regime-switching model, developed by Lee (1978), based on the Heckman correction model, was used. The data used was collected from 414 actors in the WEEE sector in the three major cities of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Koudougou, and Bobo Dioulasso. The analysis of the results shows that the methods of WEEE valorization in Burkina Faso pollute the air, soil and water. This pollution results in damages amounting to 242,752,192.6 CFA francs per year, which the sector's actors should include in their investment costs in the form of internalization costs. These costs amount to an average of 560,628.62 CFA francs per year and per actor. The WEEE sector could be improved with the implementation of certain economic policies. These policies include raising awareness among the population on WEEE management, training of stakeholders in the sector on the effective valorization of WEEE and the implementation of strict environmental standards to reduce environmental pollution due to poor WEEE valorization in Burkina Faso.

Comparison of the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and the Kato-Katz Techniques in the Diagnosis of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Schistosoma mansoni&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; in Burkina Faso

Intestinal schistosomiasis or intestinal bilharzia, mainly caused by &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Schistosoma mansoni&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;, is one of the most common parasitic diseases in the world, and a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It ranks first among water-borne diseases and is the 2nd most endemic parasitic disease after malaria and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), schistosomiasis is transmitted in more than 78 countries and territories in tropical and subtropical regions, and more than 250 million people are infected, mainly in Africa. Kato Katz (KK) remains the standard technique for diagnosing this disease. A promising new approach, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), may be needed in developing countries such as Burkina Faso. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the LAMP technique and the Kato-Katz technique in the diagnosis of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Schistosoma mansoni&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; in Burkina Faso. 52 stool samples were collected from patients in the town of Bobo Dioulasso and examined using the KK technique, which corresponds to microscopy and the LAMP technique, to assess the sensitivity and specificity of this molecular technique. The results showed a prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis of 8% in the study, and the Kappa coefficient obtained between the 2 techniques was 0.99, roughly equal to 1. The sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP molecular test was 100%.

The Efficacy of Transverse Abdominal Plane Block with Bupivacaine Combined with Dexamethasone for the Management of Post-Caesarean Pain

Introduction: Caesarean section (CS) is a commonly performed major surgical procedure that causes significant postoperative pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the transverse abdominal plane block (TAPB) in the management of post-caesarean pain at the Souro Sanou Teaching Hospital (CHUSS) of Bobo Dioulasso. Methodology: This was a single blind randomised clinical trial. One hundred patients admitted for CS under spinal anaesthesia were randomised into two groups using the sealed envelope method. The intrathecal morphine (ITM) group received 100 µg morphine intrathecally at induction and the TAPB group a bilateral TAPB at the end of the caesarean section with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 4 mg dexamethasone in the same syringe on each side. The proportion of mild pain, numeric rating scale (NRS) &lt; 3 on mobilisation at 24 hours post-caesarean was the primary outcome. Results: The 2 groups were comparable for socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. The mean age of the patients was 28.14 ± 6.34 years and 29.08 ± 5.58 years (p=0.43). At rest at 24 hours post-op, the proportion of NRS &lt; 3 was 100% for the TAPB group and 88% for the ITM group (p=0.49). On mobilisation at 24 hours post-op, 96% of patients in the TAPB group and 74% in the ITM group (p=0.002) had a NRS &lt; 3. At rest at 48 hours post-op, it was 100% for the TAPB group and 88% for the ITM group (p=0.027). On mobilisation at 48 hours post-op, it was 94% for the TAPB group and 70% for the ITM group (p=0.002). Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were present in 50% of patients in the ITM group and 6% in the TAPB group (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: TAPB significantly reduced pain scores on mobilisation in the post-caesarean period with a significant reduction in PONV.

Technical-Economic Diagnosis and Development Prospects of Quail Farming in Burkina Faso

Poultry farming is a livestock sector that encompasses various bird species, with the most well-known in Burkina Faso being chickens and guinea fowl. These two species receive support from development programs as they significantly contribute to the livelihoods of poor populations. Quails have been recently introduced, presenting technical and economic advantages that could contribute to the development of livestock farming. The study aimed to characterize the profile of stakeholders, conduct a techno-economic diagnosis, and suggest development prospects. Thirty-three farming units were surveyed in the cities of Bobo Dioulasso, Ouagadougou, and Orodara. The socio-demographic aspects of quail farmers, zootechnical aspects of quails, and challenges faced were analyzed.On the socio-economic level, the activity is predominantly practiced by young, educated men, exclusively with secondary and higher education. Zootechnically, the animal productions consist of eggs and meat. Quail production goals prioritize egg production, quail chicks (97%), fattening (76%), and breeder farming (48%).The feeding practices are inadequate, as all farmers (100%) were providing quails with feed intended for laying hens or broilers. Breeding quails reach sexual maturity at 6 weeks, with an average of 250 eggs laid per female and a high hatching rate. Quails also exhibit a high level of hardiness, easily adapting to their environment, and a high level of adaptation to climatic factors (85% of farmers).Quail housing exclusively consists of battery cages. Economically, live quail prices range from 1,500 to 3,000 Fcfa for breeders and consumption quails, and from 2,500 to 4,000 Fcfa for a tray of thirty eggs. Income levels varied from 184,470 to 28,642,945 Fcfa from quail sales. The revealed constraints primarily involve marketing, followed by the issue of inadequate feeding.

Leptospirosis Cases among Outpatients with Non-Malaria Fever Attending Primary Care Clinics during the Rainy Season in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Leptospirosis is presumably an important cause of non-malarial fever in West Africa. In this study, outpatients consulting in primary care clinics during the rainy season were tested for leptospirosis, and clinical characteristics associated with leptospirosis cases were explored. Patients with fever ≥ 39°C were recruited in nine primary health care centers in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). Diagnosis of malaria was ruled out using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT; SD Bioline Malaria®). Leptospirosis cases were defined as patients who tested positive for Leptospira IgM (Leptocheck-WB RDT and Leptospira IgM ELISA assay, Panbio) or DNA in plasma (LipL32 polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Among 350 patients, 202 tested positive for malaria and were excluded, and 148 met the eligibility criteria and were included. Among these, 26 subjects were considered to be leptospirosis cases: 23 tested positive for Leptospira IgM (15.5%) and three tested positive by PCR (2.2%). Headaches, abdominal symptoms, and myalgia were frequently reported without any difference between leptospirosis cases and negative cases. Cough was more frequently observed among subjects testing positive for leptospirosis (P = 0.02). Water exposure, presence of a skin injury, and walking barefoot were associated with a Leptospira-positive test. All leptospirosis cases recovered without sequelae. A significant portion of outpatients with non-malarial febrile illness during the rainy season in Burkina Faso had epidemiological factors associated with leptospirosis and tested positive for Leptospira. The favorable outcome of leptospirosis cases was reassuring; this could be due in particular to the young age of the patients.

A Qualitative Study of the Experience of COVID-19 Patients in Burkina Faso.

In Burkina Faso, the health system is characterized by systemic insufficient and antiquated health-care infrastructures. Consequently, few health-care establishments have the required resources to diagnose and manage patients with COVID-19, and fewer still have intensive care facilities for severely ill patients with COVID. Furthermore, there is a widespread scarcity of qualified health-care staff. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of patients with COVID-19 who recovered after being cared for in Bobo Dioulasso and Ouagadougou. Using individual semistructured interviews, we performed a cross-sectional qualitative, descriptive study from June 12 to 30, 2020 with the aid of 13 well-educated patients who had survived COVID-19. The results reveal that prior to hospital admission, the main reason that prompted patients to seek care was onset of symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of whether they had been in contact with suspected or confirmed cases. Transmission was mainly believed to have occurred in the community, in the hospital, and during travel. Patient management was punctuated by frequent self-medication with medicinal plants or pharmaceutical drugs. The participants reported a negative perception of hospitalization or home-based management, with several forms of stigmatization, but a positive perception influenced by the satisfactory quality of management in health-care centers. This report of patient experiences could be helpful in improving the management of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso, both in the health-care setting and in home-based care.

Does a school-based intervention increase girls’ sexual and reproductive health attitudes and intentions? Results from a mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial in Burkina Faso

Adolescent girls in Burkina Faso face unintended pregnancy risk due to a lack of contraceptive use. The (re)solve project was designed to address contraceptive misperceptions and increase girls’ perceptions of their pregnancy risk, primarily through a participatory game and a health passport aimed at easing health facility access. The intervention components were implemented for girls in private and public school in grades 4ème and 3ème (grades 9 and 10) in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. We conducted an impact evaluation using a mixed-methods cluster randomized control trial design to evaluate (re)solve’s impact on girls’ intentions to use contraception, among other outcomes. Thirty-two schools were randomly allocated intervention or control. The evaluation included quantitative longitudinal surveys at baseline (N = 2,372) and endline (N = 2,072), qualitative in-depth interviews with girls in the intervention group at baseline (N = 41) and endline (N = 48) and with implementation staff (N = 35) and experts (N = 14) at endline. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis for the main analysis. Girls receiving the intervention had more positive attitudes related to contraception at endline compared to girls at control schools. (re)solve had a positive effect on girls’ intention to use contraception (aOR = 1.59, 95% CI 0.97–2.61), though this did not reach statistical significance. The impact was particularly large among girls who had never had sex, girls who attended public schools, and girls in 3ème. Qualitative findings suggest the intervention was well received and positively shifted attitudes and facility-seeking behaviors for many girls, but that myths and misconceptions related to contraceptive use persist in this mostly young, sexually naïve population. That the (re)solve intervention appears to have shifted adolescent girls’ attitudes toward using contraception, coupled with positive trends in intention to use contraception, indicates that interventions like (re)solve may ‘prime the pump’ for behavior change and increasing girls’ use of contraception. Trial registration number and date: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15387847 Registered on June 15th 2021.

Leptospirosis seroprevalence and risk factors among slaughterhouse workers in Burkina Faso

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of leptospirosis among slaughterhouse workers in Burkina Faso. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional survey of slaughterhouse workers from Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso between March and April 2021. Blood was collected by venipuncture and serum samples were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microscopic agglutination test. Questionnaires were used to collect information from these workers on sociodemographic characteristics, work activities, knowledge of zoonosis, and risky behaviors. ResultsOf the 172 subjects investigated, 28 (16.28%) were found seropositive for leptospirosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or microscopic agglutination test. The main Leptospira infecting serogroup were Mini, Autumnalis, Canicola, Copenhageni, L. mayottensis (ND), Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes/Tarassovi (cross reaction), Panama, and Ballum. Risk factors according to multivariate analysis, included residence (P = 0.02), working at the bleeding station (P = 0.03), contact with feces and urine (P = 0.04), and the practice of agriculture outside the slaughterhouse (P = 0.05). ConclusionThese findings indicate that a significant proportion of slaughterhouse workers are being exposed to pathogenic Leptospira. Public-health interventions against leptospirosis will need to target this occupational group. Proper personal protective equipment and information about the disease should be disseminated among slaughterhouses.

Citizens and urban greening: Do Bobo Dioulasso dwellers participate in greenhouse gas mitigation through urban forestry and greening?

Urban trees and forests play a vital role in maintaining the balance of urban ecosystems and mitigating global warming. However, due to the lack of data and information on the potential of urban forests, their importance remains largely unknown. This study aims to describe citizens' perceptions of trees and assess the forest community's density, diversity, and carbon stock in the residential area of Bobo-Dioulasso, the second-largest city in Burkina Faso.To carry out the study, tree inventories, and interviews were conducted on 240 selected dwellinghouses using a two-stage stratified sampling approach. The sample was allocated proportionally to three strata based on their population size: the center town (20 %), pericenter (20 %), and periphery (60 %). Trees were found in 86 % ± 0.5 % of dwellings, with an average of four trees per dwellinghouse (4 ± 1). About 63 % of households reported planting trees in their homes, including along roadsides. The main motivations for planting trees were for fruits, shading, and ornamental purposes. However, factors such as discomfort, property ownership, and management costs discouraged some residents from planting more trees.A total of 934 trees belonging to 69 species and 30 botanic families were counted in the study sample. The most abundant species families were Anacardiaceae, Moraceae, and Moringaceae. Mangifera indica (41 %), Ficus polita (12 %), and Moringa oleifera (8 %) had the highest relative densities of all species found in dwellings.Using existing allometric equations, the study estimated that the residential area trees stored about 210,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Based on these findings, it is recommended that city governments implement an action plan to promote urban forestry to strengthen and protect urban forest cover.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in peri-urban bovine dairy farms of Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in peri-urban bovine dairy farms of Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Influence of environmental conditions on mass rearing parameters of tsetse flies at the Bobo-Dioulasso insectary (Burkina Faso): Retrospective study

With the goal of eradicating tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis in Africa, several control methods have been developed. One of this is the biological control through the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) as a part of an area-wide integrated pest management. This method required the mass production of sterile males with a high competitiveness. The success of the tsetse mass rearing is strongly linked to the rearing conditions. The objective of this study was to do a retrospective evaluation of the impact of ambient conditions on the production performances of Glossina palpalis gambiensis at Insectary of Bobo Dioulasso. Data of productivity, fecundity, adult emergence and environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity) of the rearing rooms were recorded from March to June 2020 and were analysed. The results showed a reduction of the normal pupae produced and the increase of soft pupae during this period. In addition, the relative humidity has shown a significant positive correlation with the production of soft pupae, whereas it had a significant negative correlation with the number of pupae produced per female per 10 days. However, the temperature variation during the period of the data recording didn’t have any impact on the production parameters. Rearing rooms need a better management to avoid large variations in environmental parameters.

Homocysteinemia Level Determination Among Retired People in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Homocysteinemia Level Determination Among Retired People in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

"You could find a good or a bad provider, I would say you just have to go and see": A qualitative study of the influence of perceptions of service quality on family planning service use in Burkina Faso.

This qualitative study from Burkina Faso explores community-level perceptions of family planning (FP) service quality among FP users and non-users. It examines how perspectives on service quality may influence women's motivation to seek modern methods from health facilities. For this study, twenty focus group discussions were undertaken with non-users and current users of modern FP including unmarried, sexually active women ages 15-19 and 20-24 and ever married women ages 15-24 and 25+ in Bobo Dioulasso and Banfora, Burkina Faso. The findings demonstrate that respondents prioritized a welcoming environment, positive provider-client exchanges, the full provision of information (especially about side-effects), a pain-free experience, a short waiting time, and privacy and confidentiality. Poor service quality did not, in general, reduce women's demand or need to use a FP method. Some women who were reluctant to use formal health services used a non-facility-based method (calendar method, withdrawal, condoms or abstinence). Importantly, many unmarried, younger women and adolescents, who were more likely to be stigmatized by providers, exhibited agency by proactively seeking a method despite the potential for a negative experience. They prioritized their health and wellbeing over and above any interpersonal barriers they were likely to encounter. Incorporating strategies to improve the quality of FP services based on locally defined elements of quality should be a specific programmatic goal. These strategies can be identified through quality assessments employing a woman-centered lens. Women who visit facilities can be encouraged to share their positive experiences with their networks to improve community-level perspectives of facility quality. Improving service quality can attract new users, especially adolescents, and retain those who have already adopted a FP method. Through these multi-pronged actions, women's (and community) expectations and experience of quality can improve. This, in turn, may lead to greater client satisfaction and associated higher FP prevalence.

Towards Innovative Solutions for Monitoring Precipitation in Poorly Instrumented Regions: Real-Time System for Collecting Power Levels of Microwave Links of Mobile Phone Operators for Rainfall Quantification in Burkina Faso

Since the 1990s, mobile telecommunication networks have gradually become denser around the world. Nowadays, large parts of their backhaul network consist of commercial microwave links (CMLs). Since CML signals are attenuated by rainfall, the exploitation of records of this attenuation is an innovative and an inexpensive solution for precipitation monitoring purposes. Performance data from mobile operators’ networks are crucial for the implementation of this technology. Therefore, a real-time system for collecting and storing CML power levels from the mobile phone operator “Telecel Faso” in Burkina Faso has been implemented. This new acquisition system, which uses the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), can simultaneously record the transmitted and received power levels from all the CMLs to which it has access, with a time resolution of one minute. Installed at “Laboratoire des Matériaux et Environnement de l’Université Joseph KI-ZERBO (Burkina Faso)”, this acquisition system is dynamic and has gradually grown from eight, in 2019, to more than 1000 radio links of Telecel Faso’s network in 2021. The system covers the capital Ouagadougou and the main cities of Burkina Faso (Bobo Dioulasso, Ouahigouya, Koudougou, and Kaya) as well as the axes connecting Ouagadougou to these cities.

Aflatoxins contents determination in some foodstuffs in Burkina Faso and human health risk assessment.

Aflatoxins are produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus that colonize many foodstuffs during agricultural production, harvesting, transportation, storage, and food processing. In view of these aflatoxins toxicity to humans, their presence in foods such as cereals and oilseeds constitutes a major challenge for global food security, health and nutrition. This study was therefore initiated to assess the level of aflatoxin contamination of various foodstuffs sold in urban and semi-urban markets in Burkina Faso, and to evaluate the carcinogenic risk which the consuming population is exposed to. Two hundred and twelve foodstuff samples were collected in two large cities (Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso) and three semi urban localities (Cinkansé, Dakola and Niangoloko). Aflatoxins contents in foodstuffs were determined by immunoaffinity chromatography and human health risk assessment was performed by using the Monte Carlo algorithm. The aflatoxins contents determination showed that 41.50% of studied samples were contaminated with concentrations up to 182.28 μg/kg for AFB1 in peanuts. Chronic Daily Intake, calculated based on the consumption patterns assumed in this study, was estimated to be higher in large cities (CDI = 33.68 μg/kg bw in Ouagadougou and 10.18 μg/kg bw in Bobo Dioulasso) than in semi urban localities (CDI = 4.29 μg/kg bw in Cinkansé, CDI = 0.39 μg/kg bw in Dakola and CDI = 0.18 μg/kg bw in Niangoloko). The MOE determination showed that the sorghum meal and whole grain maize consumption was associated to the carcinogenic risk for public health in large cities (the percentile 95 of MOE = 3316 for rice, 4511 for peanuts, 3334 for sorghum meal and 4530 for whole grain maize). In semi urban localities, no carcinogenic risk was observed to public health. These results should inspire the country's sanitary and agricultural authorities to undertake actions to fight against the agricultural food products contamination by aflatoxins in order to safeguard the population's health.