Countries In West Africa Research Articles

Comparison of performance between Fast Track Diagnostics Respiratory Kit and the CDC global reference laboratory for influenza rRT‐PCR panel for detection of influenza A and influenza B

BackgroundReliable diagnostics are a key to identifying influenza infections.ObjectivesOur objectives were to describe the detection of influenza among severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, to compare test results from the Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD) Kit for influenza detection to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) human influenza virus detection and characterization panel, and to assess seasonality of influenza in Burkina Faso.MethodsNasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens from SARI cases (hospitalized patients with fever, cough, and onset in the previous 10 days) were tested using the FTD‐33 Kit and the CDC rRT‐PCR influenza assays. We assessed sensitivity and specificity of the FTD‐33 Kit for detecting influenza A, influenza B, and the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 strain using the CDC human influenza rRT‐PCR panel as the gold standard.ResultsFrom December 2016 to February 2019, 1706 SARI cases were identified, 1511 specimens were tested, and 211 were positive for influenza A (14.0%) and 100 for influenza B (6.6%) by either assay. Higher influenza circulation occurred between November and April with varying peaks of influenza A and influenza B. Sensitivity of the FTD‐33 assay was 91.9% for influenza A, 95.7% for influenza B, and 93.8% for A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype. Specificity was over 99% for all three tests.ConclusionsOur study indicates that Burkina Faso has one peak of influenza each year which is similar to the Northern Hemisphere and differs from other countries in West Africa. We found high concordance of influenza results between the two assays indicating FTD‐33 can be used to reliably detect influenza among SARI cases.

Assisting Asylum Seekers: The Unique Expertise of Anesthesiologists

Residents' Review| February 2021 Assisting Asylum Seekers: The Unique Expertise of Anesthesiologists Andrew R. Milewski, MD, PhD Andrew R. Milewski, MD, PhD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar ASA Monitor February 2021, Vol. 85, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000733780.74038.05 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew R. Milewski; Assisting Asylum Seekers: The Unique Expertise of Anesthesiologists. ASA Monitor 2021; 85:1–7 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000733780.74038.05 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll PublicationsASA Monitor Search Advanced Search Topics: psychiatric hospital The numerous scars marking his arms, legs, back, chest, and face told the story of the horrific, state-sponsored torture that Mr. A had endured. Mr. A, a 25-year-old man from a small country in West Africa, was persecuted because his HIV/AIDS advocacy contradicted a false “presidential cure” contrived by the ruling regime. On multiple occasions, military police detained Mr. A in a squalid prison where they beat him with metal cables, wooden rods, and plastic clubs; battered him with the butts of their AK-47 rifles; threatened to feed him to the president's crocodiles; simulated drowning by forcibly holding his head underwater; chained his wrists and ankles for hours on end; deprived him of food and water for days at a time; and stripped away his dignity through a variety of other tactics. Each year, tens of thousands of individuals like Mr. A flee their home countries to seek asylum in... You do not currently have access to this content.

ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT), AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT: EVIDENCE FROM WEST AFRICA

Poor Access to electricity may hinder West African countries from raising levels of financial development with the aid of Information communication Technology (ICT). Using 16 West African countries, and data over the period of 2000 to 2018, this present study analyses the effect of greater access to electricity on financial development through ICT. ICT was measured using mobile use and internet use, while financial development was measured using private bank credit to GDP ratio and Broad Money Supply to GDP ratio. Panel data fixed effect instrumental variables estimation was used for analysis and the study found that access to electricity significantly boosts mobile use and internet use, while resulting from access to electricity mobile use significantly boosted both measures of financial development but internet use significantly reduced the measures. Further categorizing sample countries into Anglophone and Francophone West Africa countries, access to electricity through ICT boosted both measures of financial development for Francophone countries, while only boosting broad money supply to GDP ratio for Anglophone countries. Thus greater access to electricity through for example provision of electricity infrastructure and regulation of electricity charges to households and firms is important to boost levels of financial development in West Africa.Keywords: Access to Electricity, Information communication Technology (ICT), financial development, Mobile subscription, Internet Use, West Africa,JEL Classifications: O16, O33, E51DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.10344

Identified main fire hotspots and seasons in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa) using MODIS fire data

Biomass burning has become more frequent and widespread worldwide, with a significant proportion occurring in tropical Africa. Fire dynamics have been generally studied at global or regional scales. At local scale, however, fire impacts can be severe or catastrophic, suggesting local analyses are warranted. This study aimed to characterise the spatio-temporal variations of vegetation fires and identify the main fire hotspots in Côte d’Ivoire, a country of West Africa, one of the world’s burn centres. Using MODIS-derived fire data over a 10-year period (2007–2016), the number of fire days, active fires and fire density were assessed across the entire country. In the southern part dominated by forests, fire activity was low. Three main fire hotspots were identified between 2°30’–8°30’W and 7°00’–10°30’N in the North-West, North-East and Central areas all dominated by savannas. In these areas, Bafing, Bounkani and Hambol regions recorded the highest fire activity where fire density was 0.4±0.02, 0.28±0.02 and 0.18±0.01 fires/km²/year, respectively. At national scale, the annual fire period stretched from October to April with 91% of fires occurring between December and February, with a peak in January. Over the decade, there was a decreasing trend of fire activity. Fire density also was negatively correlated with rainfall >1000 mm for the synchronic analysis, whereas fire density was positively correlated with rainfall in the previous years. Results suggest that the positive relationship between the previous year’s rainfall and fire activity could operate on a cycle from 1 to 4 years.
 Significance:
 
 Three fire hotspots were found primarily in savanna vegetation, which burns more regularly than forestdominated vegetation.
 The fire season occurs over 7 months, the majority of active fires (91%) occurring in just 3 months (December-January-February) with a peak in January (39%).
 Fire activity has declined over the past decade with a return time of above-average fires from 1 to 4 years.
 Fire density is positively correlated to the amount of rainfall in preceding years, whereas fire density and rainfall of the same year were negatively correlated in the region of rainfall >1000 mm.

Preliminary comparison between an in-house real-time PCR vs microscopy for the diagnosis of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans

Infections with the filarial nematodes Loa loa and Mansonella perstans are among the most neglected filarial infections. L. loa is endemic in 11 countries of Central and West Africa and loiasis is estimated to affect about 20 million people. M. perstans infection is widespread in more than 30 countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Due to the difficulty in diagnosing loiasis and M. perstans mansonellosis on a clinical basis, the diagnosis of infection with L. loa and M. perstans relies on laboratory techniques. Definitive diagnosis is based on the detection, identification, and quantification of circulating microfilariae (mf) by microscopy of concentrated blood. However, this is impractical for screening purposes as it requires expert laboratory personnel, considerable blood manipulation, and is time consuming, especially for the final issue of negative result reports, which are very common in the population visited outside endemic areas. The aim of the current work is the preliminary evaluation of the performance of the in-house real-time PCR described by Ta and colleagues compared to the routine microscopic approach for the screening of filarial infections in the clinical setting outside endemic areas, using samples from patients accessing the dedicated outpatient clinics for migrants and travelers of a reference centre for tropical diseases in Northern Italy.

Evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic over six weeks in four French-speaking countries in West Africa.

Evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic over six weeks in four French-speaking countries in West Africa.

Getting Close to Other Others: Doing Difference Differently

ABSTRACT This essay expands on my uses of the central concept of Sara Ahmed’s seminal work, Postcolonial Encounters, in a participatory theater-based research project with a cohort of women from different countries in West Africa ‘On their Way’ through the asylum/migration nexus in the Republic of Ireland. I situate asylum- seeking (and asylum-giving) in white nations as a fourth encounter between the West and the rest, and examine the shifting conditions in which encounters between the other, and ‘other others' take place. Part 1 of the paper provides a background to my research project and asylum-seeking in the Irish context. In Part 2, I outline my use of the ‘encounters’ method to make decolonial interventions across theory, epistemology and methodology. Part Three analyses a devised theatrical scene to illustrate how the women re-stage the past and present, disrupt relations of power, proximity and distance, and speak back to what has been said or known about them. I conclude with a discussion of ‘making theory from the flesh’ to distinguish specific forms of Black female agency and resistance and outline my current practice-based applications of Ahmed’s work in Australia.

Eco 2020: Monetary Policy for the Future Central Bank and Economic Development in West Africa

In a context where international political and diplomatic weight also weighs in the game of international monetary cooperation, regional monetary policy can offer to West African countries an opportunity to strengthen their individual and collective position in terms of development, within international cooperation. This vision, based not on the contribution to the resolution of internal monetary problems, but envisaged as an instrument to stem monetary shocks coming from the outside, has not been sufficiently recognized and analyzed, both in the theoretical literature and in considerations of policy makers. Better consideration of this dimension could help steer the debate on monetary integration in the right direction: that of rapid progress towards the single currency. The general objective of this paper is to propose to the political powers, a common monetary policy, able to inject the new dynamism into the economic development of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries. This general objective is divided into two specific objectives: analyze the theoretical, economic and political challenges of ECOWAS monetary policy; and to propose a monetary policy adapted to the economic contexts of the ECOWAS countries, and able to inject the new dynamism into the economic development. To achieve these objectives, we carried out a documentary review of the monetary policies currently underway in the countries of West Africa. Next, we relied on the Autoregressive Vector Model with Panel Interactions (IPVAR), following the methodology proposed by Towbin, Pascal & Weber, Sebastian. An effective monetary policy of the future ECOWAS central bank can boost the development of West African countries.

Impact of FDI on Economic Growth, Employment, and Poverty Reduction in Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is one of the most economically developed countries in West Africa. In the past 10 years, Ghana’s economy has maintained a sound momentum and strong economic growth. The Republic of Ghana regards foreign direct investment (FDI) as a key factor in promoting its economic growth. This article separates economic growth, employment and poverty reduction, and focuses on the single impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on Ghana’s economic growth, employment and poverty. The research in this article shows that foreign direct investment can promote the economic development of Ghana, and foreign direct investment can increase employment opportunities in Ghana and reduce poverty at the same time. Finally, this article gives corresponding recommendations based on the research conclusions: In maintaining sustainable economic growth, favorable policies should be adopted to encourage and support Ghana, so as to attract more foreign direct investment to stimulate economic growth.

Mobile Internet Adoption in West Africa

Mobile broadband internet is the main technology through which individuals access the internet in developing countries. Understanding the barriers to broadband adoption is thus a priority in designing policies aiming to expand access and close the digital divide across socioeconomic groups and territories. This paper exploits data from harmonized household expenditure surveys in seven countries in West Africa in 2018/19 — a subregion with one of the lowest levels of mobile internet penetration in the world — to identify the main factors that limit mobile broadband internet adoption. Results show that low levels of household consumption and prices of services are two key constraints. One standard deviation increase in household expenditure, about US$65 per capita per month, is associated with a 6.5 percentage point rise in the probability of adoption, while one standard deviation drop in the price of mobile internet services, about US$3.60, increases the probability of adoption by 2.4 percentage points. Other determinants include demographic characteristics (sex, age, language, urban location), socioeconomic features (educational attainment, sector of employment), and other factors linked to policy (access to electricity, ownership of assets, alternative means of internet access). Results are robust to specifications focusing only in areas with mobile internet coverage (3G).

Factors associated with scale-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Senegal: a case-control survey of parents

Introductionaprès une phase pilote, le Sénégal est le premier pays en Afrique de l´Ouest à introduire le vaccin contre le cancer du col de l´utérus dans le Programme élargi de vaccination. Malgré la gratuité et la disponibilité du vaccin, la couverture est restée faible. L´objectif de cette étude était d´identifier les facteurs associés à la vaccination des filles contre le virus du papillome humain.Méthodesil s´agissait d´une étude analytique de type cas-témoin réalisée du 4 au 20 janvier 2020 à Dakar. La population d´étude était constituée de parents ou tuteurs de filles âgées de 9 à 10 ans. Nous avons réalisé un échantillonnage en grappes, des entretiens structurés directs et une revue documentaire. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, les connaissances des parents/tuteurs et les informations sur l´acte vaccinal ont été collectées à l´aide d´un questionnaire standardisé. Une régression logistique a permis d´estimer les odds-ratio.Résultatsau cours de cette étude, 510 cas et 510 témoins, soient 1020 parents/tuteurs étaient interviewés. Les facteurs significatifs associés à la vaccination des filles étaient: l´instruction des parents/tuteurs (ORa=1,97; [1,81-2,25]), la connaissance de la maladie (ORa=3,05; [2,75-4,53], le revenu élevé du ménage (ORa=1,21; [1,13-1,85]), la crainte des effets secondaires (ORa=0,35; [0,27-0,44]), la réception de messages via internet/réseaux sociaux (ORa=0,54; [0,41-0,92]) et les horaires de vaccination adaptées à la communauté (ORa= 2,12 [1,59-2,64]).Conclusionla vaccination des filles peut être améliorée par un renforcement des connaissances des parents à travers des canaux appropriés et une meilleure organisation des services de santé.

Covid-19 impact on Zimbabwean agricultural supply chains and markets: A sustainable livelihoods perspective

The purpose of the article is to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on the agricultural supply chains and markets in Zimbabwe and subsequent effect on livelihoods. The research methodology that was applied is a systematic literature survey anchored on inductive research approach. This article is based on the systematic review of secondary data sources, such as journals, policy reports, as well as reports from national and international organizations. The review involved a predetermined and comprehensive approach of searching, analyzing and synthesizing extant literature on agricultural supply chains. In general, the pandemic has affected the whole supply chain from the food production systems and input supply, the storage and distribution, processing and packaging as well as the retail and marketing aspect. The research showed that the COVID-19 pandemic severely threatens an already critical food security situation arising mainly from the prevailing poor macroeconomic conditions and consecutive years of drought in Zimbabwe. This has led to a higher than previously anticipated food insecure population, especially in urban centers. Over 70% of the workers are self-employed and a vast majority operate in the informal sector. The informally employed represent a significant breadwinner constituency, whose dependents comprise vulnerable sections of the populace. The restrictions on mobility and the closure of borders meant immediate loss of employment and income. The study revisited the previous viruses such as Ebola to extrapolate though marginally, the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using secondary sources and the general agriculture supply chain to guide understanding, the findings show that unless measures are put in place to safeguard farmers especially smallholder activities in Zimbabwe, COVID-19 has the potential to reproduce the same catastrophic implications created by Ebola in West Africa countries where peasant food systems where shattered and livelihoods strategies maimed.

Development of Relations between People’s Republic of China and West Africa Countries

Development of Relations between People’s Republic of China and West Africa Countries

Onchocerca volvulus infection among ivermectin-treated population in a rural setting in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: West Africa includes the most endemic areas in the world with Nigeria being one of the largest countries of West Africa that has been reported to have a high incidence of onchocerciasis. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine Onchocerca volvulus infection among ivermectin-treated population in Ekpan community, Edo State, Nigeria. Setting and Design: A total of 105 participants including 60 males and 45 females with an age range of 15–81 years were recruited in the study. Random sampling technique was employed in the recruitment of participants. Materials and Methods: Two skin snip specimens were taken from the left and right iliac crests of each participant into a microtube containing physiological saline. The skin snips were processed using standard technique and examined microscopically for microfilariae of O. volvulus. Statistical Analysis: The data collected were analyzed using the Chi-square (X2) test and odd ratio. The statistical package used was GraphPad INSTAT. Results: An overall prevalence of 74.3% of O. volvulus infection was observed among ivermectin-treated subjects in Ekpan. Age, occupation, noncompliance of ivermectin treatment, and source of water significantly affected the prevalence of O. volvulus infection among ivermectin-treated population in Ekpan (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Effective distribution of ivermectin and strict compliance of ivermectin treatment are advocated as these efforts will go a long way at controlling as well as reducing the effects of onchocerciasis in this community.

Analysis and control measures for Lassa fever model under socio-economic conditions

Lassa fever is one of the animal-borne diseases that is affecting people in some of the West Africa countries. A mathematical model for dynamics of Lassa fever is formulated. It is assumed that individuals in the population comprises of two socio-economic classes (lower and higher socio-economic class). The significant features of the model are determined and analyzed accordingly. The effects of the control measures such as treatment, external protection, and rodent control are determined and their epidemiological implications discussed.

Vehicular Livestock Mobility in West Africa: Seasonal Traffic Flows of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats across Bamako

Mali is a major livestock producing country in West Africa. However, in recent years, the sector has faced multiple challenges like farmer-herder conflicts, overuse of grazing and water resources, and the effects of climate change. Meanwhile, traditional livestock systems are becoming less important given the increased availability of vehicular transport for regional and international animal trade as well as new opportunities for more specialised urban and peri-urban production systems. To assess the role of Mali’s capital city Bamako for livestock consumption and trade, this study examined the scale of livestock movement in the city, comprising influxes, outfluxes, and transits. To this end, flows of cattle, small ruminants, and livestock feed were recorded through road surveys covering three different seasons. The results showed the role of Bamako as a major trade hub in the distribution of ruminants. While traffic of cattle and sheep was regional, movement of goats was smaller and more localised. Religious festivals were an important driver of livestock traffic, both in terms of the numbers of livestock and the distance covered. This study highlights the role of cities for livestock mobility and contributes to a better understanding of challenges related to urban livestock production and trade and its requirements for better livestock management.

Scoping Review and Expert Reflections: Coronavirus Disease 2019 - Preparedness and Response in Selected Countries of East Africa, West Africa, and Southeast Asia

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, started in the Hubei province of China in December 2019. On January 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. We wondered what countries in Africa and South-East Asia had done to prevent infectious disease, specifically, COVID-19, from impacting the population of specific countries in that region, and what disease control measures were successful. Expert reflections on findings could guide continued successful public health approaches in managing this complex infectious disease pandemic. Methods Using a scoping review, published papers, or program descriptions for specific geographic regions (i.e., Africa or Southeast Asia) were searched using specified key terms. Three targeted countries classified by World Bank as lower-middle-income in the two WHO selected regions [Africa (Sudan and Nigeria); Southeast Asia (India)] were reviewed with respect to COVID19 preparedness and response. Findings were organized, highlighting key points that seem particularly useful for regional learning. The evidence from each region was summarized in the aggregate to determine some common, noteworthy themes. COVID-19 epidemiologic data for these regions were also reviewed. Results Our findings indicate experience from prior infectious disease outbreak seems to have prepared the selected countries in their preparedness for COVID-19 outbreak on various levels. Incidence of COVID-19 increased across the selected countries. WHO recommended basic public health strategies to reduce disease transmission was ssinitiated by the selected countries at different levels. However, feasibility and lockdown practices raise public health concerns and questions across the target regions reviewed. Conclusion This scoping review and expert reflections uncovers important preparedness and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the selected WHO regions. Further exploration and possible public health strategic plans may be needed.

Guinea- Bissau

A technical assistance (TA) mission on external sector statistics (ESS) visited Guinea-Bissau during February 3 to 7, 2020. The mission was conducted in Bissau at the request of the National Directorate for Guinea-Bissau of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO-DNGB). The mission assisted in improving the quality of ESS. This was the fourth and final mission under the JSA-AFR project for improving ESS in 17 francophone countries of Central and West Africa, financed by the government of Japan and administered by the IMF.

Strengthening Applied Epidemiology in West Africa: Progress, Gaps, and Advancing a Regional Strategy to Improve Health Security

The ability to prevent, promptly detect, and appropriately respond to a public health threat is essential for health security. Field epidemiology training has helped increase the quality and quantity of the public health workforce to strengthen disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, and general public health capacity. We conducted a desk review on the status of the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program model in 16 countries in West Africa. We also developed a questionnaire and shared it with West African Health Organization (WAHO) member states to document their experiences and the status of training in their countries. WAHO organized a regional 3-day consultative meeting with major stakeholders in the region to examine progress, gaps, and challenges, and outline a roadmap to strengthen the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program. Stakeholders shared their experiences, engaged in discussions to identify strengths and gaps, and made plans on a way forward. Member states are at different levels of implementing field epidemiology and laboratory training programs in their countries, and, therefore, major gaps remain in the number and distribution of trained epidemiologists throughout West Africa. Member states implement different variants of the program and in some instances the same cadre of health workers are trained in different but comparable programs with different funding streams. Two member states had not begun implementing the training program. Developing regional centers of excellence was recommended in the long term while collaboration among member states to train the required number of epidemiologists to fill the acute needs could be helpful in the short and medium term. Curriculum harmonization and expansion, deployment and use of trained epidemiologists, accreditation of training institutions, and generation of indigenous funding streams are recommended to improve the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program in West Africa.

Epidemiological Situation and Medical Management of Gynaecological and Breast Cancers from 1998 to 2018 in West Africa: A Systematic Review

Objective: Gynaecological cancers are public health diseases and contribute to the global burden of diseases. In West Africa most have been carried out on all gynaecological and breast cases to describe the epidemiological features and management modalities.Methods: Our research covered a period from 1998 to 2018. The terms “gynaecological cancers” and “West Africa”; are used to find records in the research databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar). There are countries (Cape Verde, Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone) in which we have not found any work in the research databases. The process for selecting studies followed selection steps based on PRISMA 2009. Result: Cervical cancer is the commonest, followed by breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine or endometrial cancers, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer. The lowest common was tubal cancers. The two English-speaking countries, Nigeria and Ghana, recorded 60 (60.82%) and 16 (15.68%) articles published respectively. At the same time, these two countries reported the most cases of gynaecological cancers including 72,848 cases (68.97%), 12, 327 cases (11.67%) and 12, 021 cases (11.38%) for Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana respectively. West Africa countries are characterised by poor outcome due to ignorance, superstition, self-denial, late presentation and unavailability of treatment facilities. Conclusion: Our study suggests that comprehensive national health insurance schemes as well as preventive strategies, patient and health work force education may improve the current situation. Also, West African countries must necessarily have a policy of acquiring the technical platforms to carry out these diagnostic and prognostic examinations.