Frailty in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Aged 50 Years and Older: Prevalence and Predictors

Introduction: Life expectancy improvement for people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is coming up against the problems associated with aging and chronic diseases. Frailty is a concern affecting a growing number of patients, particularly the elderly in this population. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty and its predictors on people living with HIV aged 50 years and older followed at the Outpatient Treatment Clinic (CTA) in Dakar. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study of descriptive and analytic purposes ranging from November 2022 to August 2023, in CTA, Dakar (Senegal). We included people living with HIV aged 50 years and older under antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months (≥6 months). Frailty was considered according to Fried criteria with a score ≥3. To identify the predictors of frailty, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis using STATA software version 18. Results: We included 199 patients. The median age at the moment of the study was 58 years old [50 - 91] with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.58. The most representative age group was that of [50 - 59] years (59.3%). HIV-1 profile was most common in 89.45%. The median duration under antiretroviral therapy was 180 months [6 - 284] and 94% of patients received a Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF)-containing regimen with 43% of them for at least 10 years. Viral load was undetectable (≤40 copies/ml) in 98% of cases. WHO Stage III was more common at inclusion and 55.78% had nadir TCD4+ Lymphocyte counts Conclusion: Our study confirms the high prevalence of frailty among older people living with HIV. Its prevention should consider the management of comorbidities and the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions such as nutrition.

Optimization of Diesel and Crude Oil Degradation in a Ghanaian Soil Using Organic Wastes as Amendment

Soil contamination by hydrocarbons poses numerous environmental, health and agricultural problems. The degradation of these pollutants can occur naturally but very slowly. It is therefore generally necessary to stimulate this degradation by different means. Thus, this study aimed to improve the bio-degradation of diesel and crude oil in a Ghanaian soil by biostimulation. For this, the sampled soil was characterized by standard methods and contaminated with diesel and crude oil at a proportion of 1% (w/w). Then, contaminated soil samples were supplemented with biochar-compost, poultry manure or cow dung at the proportion of 10% (w/w). Periodically, fractions of these samples were taken to evaluate the density of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB) and the residual quantities of diesel or crude oil. The characteristics of the soil used show the need for supplementation for better degradation of hydrocarbons. The results of the study show that supplementing the soil with organic substrates increases HUB loads in soils contaminated by diesel and crude oil. They also show that the residual quantities of diesel and crude oil are generally significantly lower in supplemented soils (p = 0.048 and p < 0.0001 respectively). In addition, the study shows that degradation was generally greater in soils contaminated by diesel compared to those contaminated by crude oil, especially at the end of the study.

Dynamics and Activity of Iron-Reducing Bacterial Populations in a West African Rice Paddy Soil under Subsurface Drainage: Case Study of Kamboinse in Burkina Faso

Iron toxicity is one of the main edaphic constraints that hamper rice production in West African savanna and forest lowlands. Although chemical reduction processes of various types of pedogenic iron oxides could not be underestimated, the bulk of these processes can be ascribed to the specific activity of Iron-Reducing Bacteria (IRB). The reducing conditions of waterlogged lowland soils boost iron toxicity through the reduction of almost all iron into ferrous form (Fe2+), which can cause disorder in rice plant and crop yield losses. Aiming to contribute at the improvement of rice yield in Africa, an experiment was developed to evaluate the impact of subsurface drainage on IRB dynamics and activity during rice cultivation. Twelve concrete microplots with a clay-loam soil and a rice variety susceptible to iron toxicity (FKR 19) were used for the experiment. Soil in microplots was drained for 7 days (P1), 14 days (P2), and 21 days (P3), respectively. Control (T) microplots without drainage were prepared similarly. The evolution of IRB populations and the content of ferrous iron in the paddy soil and in soil near rice root were monitored throughout the cultural cycle using MPN and colorimetric methods, respectively. Data obtained were analyzed in relation to drainage frequency, rice growth stage, and rice yield using the Student t test and XLSTAT 7.5.2 statistical software. From the results obtained, the subsurface drainage reduced significantly IRB populations (p = 0.024). However, the drainage did not affect significantly ferrous iron concentration in the soil near rice roots (p = 0.708). The concentration of ferrous iron (p < 0.0001) in soil near rice roots and the number of IRB (p < 0.0001) were significantly higher during the rice tillering and maturity stages. Although no significant difference was observed for rice yield among treatments (p = 0.209), the P2 subsurface drainage showed the highest yield and the lowest concentration of ferrous iron in soil near rice roots.

Isolation and Characterization of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria from Wastewaters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Lubricants are very often found in nature under waste-oil forms and represent for the environment a real danger of pollution due to the difficulty of their biodegradation. The situation is especially worrying in most developing countries in particular those of Sub-Saharan Africa due to the absence of regulation or control. The present work aims to isolate bacterial strains able to degrade hydrocarbons which can later be used in biotechnology for environments depollution. Oil-contaminated wastewater samples were collected in Ouagadougou city (Burkina Faso) and then used as source of bacterial isolation. Appropriate amounts of samples were inoculated to a mineral salt medium (MS) with Total Quartz 9000 oil as sole carbon and energy source and then incubated for enrichment, prior to microbe isolation. Two bacterial strains namely S2 and S7 were isolated from the enrichment cultures. The strains were tested for their ability to degrade other hydrocarbons (i.e. gasoline, diesel oil, brake oil) and for temperature, pH and salt concentration ranges for growth before their biochemical characteristics were defined. Based on their morphological, physiological and biochemical traits, strains S2 and S7 belong to Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas genera, respectively.

Microbiological Quality of Surface Water Treated with <i>Moringa oleifera</i>Seeds or Cakes during the Storage: Case Study of Water Reservoirs of Loumbila, Ziga and Ouaga 3 Dams in Burkina Faso

Water purification with Moringa oleifera seeds has received a lot of attention because it reduces water turbidity and pathogenic microorganisms. However, it is important to define the optimum conditions of storage to preserve the treated water quality. The study aims to investigate microbial quality of water treated with Moringa oleifera seeds or cake coagulants in relation to the storage temperature and shelf life in order to define the optimum conditions of storage. A total of 45 water samples from 3 water reservoirs of Loumbila, Ziga and Ouaga 3 dams were collected in sterile glass bottles and treated in triplicate with Moringa oleifera seeds or defatted cakes coagulants. Treated water samples obtained at optimum conditions were stored at room temperature (25°C - 30°C) and at 4°C. Fecal bacteria pollution indicators (Escherichia coli, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococcus) and parasites were monitored every 24 hours during three (3) days based on laboratory standard methods. Data were analyzed using the Student’s t-test and XLSTAT 7.5.2 statistical software. From the results obtained, bacterial indicators increased significantly with storage temperature (p and shelf life (p . However, for all water samples, bacterial growth was more important in samples treated with Moringa oleifera cakes than seeds (p . For water samples treated with Moringa oleifera seeds and stored at room temperature, bacterial increase after 72 hours was 57 - 80, 42 - 50 and 22 - 47 CFU/100 ml for fecal coliforms, E. coli and fecal streptococcus, respectively. With Moringa oleifera cake’s treatment, the increase was 63 - 104, 57 - 82 and 28 - 52 for the same indicators, respectively. Bacterial growth was also more important at room temperature than at 4°C. Thus, microbiological quality of water treated with Moringa oleifera seeds was better than cakes whatever storage temperature and shelf life. Overall, water treated with Moringa oleifera seeds should be stored at low temperature and consumed within 24 hours.

Effectiveness of <i>Moringa oleifera</i>Defatted Cake versus Seed in the Treatment of Unsafe Drinking Water: Case Study of Surface and Well Waters in Burkina Faso

Safe drinking water access for rural populations in developing countries remains a challenge for a sustainable development, particularly in rural and periurban areas of Burkina Faso. The study aims to investigate the purifying capacity of Moringa oleifera defatted cake as compared to Moringa oleifera seed in the treatment of surface and well waters used for populations alimentation. A total of 90 water samples were collected in sterile glass bottles from 3 dams’ water reservoirs, a river, and a large diameter well, respectively. The water samples were treated in triplicate with Moringa oleifera seed and defatted cake coagulants. At different settling time and coagulant concentration, turbidity and pH were measured to determine the optimal conditions and factors influencing treatment with regard to sampling source. Nine physicochemical parameters (turbidity, pH, nitrates, nitrites, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, organic matter and sulfates), three bacterial fecal pollution indicators (Escherichia coli, fecal Coliforms and fecal Streptococcus) and parasite cysts were monitored based on laboratory standard methods. Data were analyzed using the Student’s t test and XLSTAT 7.5.2 statistical software. From the results obtained, for the same concentration of coagulant, settling time providing the lowest turbidity was significantly shorter (p Moringa oleifera cake than seed. Optimum settling time with Moringa oleifera cake was between 15 - 60 min versus 60 - 120 min, with Moringa oleifera seed. Both treatments significantly reduced minerals concentration in water excepted sulfates for which the concentration reversely increased. However, only Moringa oleifera cake treatment reduced organic matter content in all the water samples, while it increased with Moringa oleifera seed one (p < 0.0001). The reduction of microbial pollution indicators was 92% - 100% with M. oleifera cake treatment and 84% - 100% with M. oleifera seed one. Overall, for all water samples, Moringa oleifera cake treatment appeared more efficient in improving drinking water quality than the M. oleifera seed treatment.

Dynamics and Activity of Sulfate-Reducing Bacterial Populations in Paddy Soil under Subsurface Drainage: Case Study of Kamboinse in Burkina Faso

Sulfide toxicity is a common disease generally associated with iron toxicity which occurs in rice fields when the Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB) produce sulfides ions in anaerobic conditions. The high quantity of sulfides ions in the soil solution upsets the mineral element balance in the rice, affects its growth and causes crop yield losses. In Burkina Faso, many rice field soils are abandoned due to sulfides toxicity. The present study was developed to evaluate the impact of subsurface drainage on SRB dynamics and activity during rice cultivation and the incidence on rice production. Twelve concrete microplots with a clay-loam soil and a rice variety susceptible to sulfides toxicity (FKR 19) were used for the experiment. Soil in microplots was drained for 7 days (P1), 14 days (P2), and 21 days (P3), respectively. Control (T) microplots without drainage were prepared similarly. The evolution of SRB populations and the content of sulfides ions in the paddy soil and in soil near rice roots were monitored throughout the cultural cycle using MPN and colorimetric methods, respectively. Data obtained were analyzed in relation to drainage frequency, rice growth stage, and rice yield using the Student’s t-test and XLSTAT 7.5.2 statistical software. From the results obtained, the subsurface drainage did not affect significantly SRB populations (P = 0.187). However, the drainage affected significantly sulfides concentration in the soil near rice roots (P = 0.032). The concentration of sulfides (P < 0.0001) in soil near rice roots and the number of SRB (P < 0.0001) were significantly higher during the rice tillering and maturity stages. Although no significant difference was observed for rice yield among treatments (P = 0.209), the P2 subsurface drainage showed the highest yield and a low concentration of sulfides in soil near rice roots.

Effect of Combined Application of Subsurface Drainage and Mineral Fertilization on Iron-Reducing Bacterial Populations’ Developments and Fe2+ Uptake by Two Rice Varieties in an Iron Toxic Paddy Soil of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Rice is one of the staple crops in Burkina Faso. However, the local production covers only 47% of the population demands. One of the main reasons of the poor productivity in Burkina Faso is iron toxicity which is related mainly to the activity of Iron Reducing Bacteria in the rice field’s ecosystems. In order to control the harmful effects of Iron Reducing Bacterial populations and to improve rice productivity, a pots experiment was conducted at the experimental site of the University Ouaga I Pr. Joseph KI-ZERBO. An iron toxic soil from Kou Valley (West of Burkina Faso) and two rice varieties, BOUAKE-189 and ROK-5, sensitive and tolerant to iron toxicity, respectively, were used for the experiment. The pots were drained for 14 days (D2) and amended with chemical fertilizers (NPK + Urea and NPK + Urea + Ca + Mg + Zn complexes). Control pots without drainage and fertilization (D0/NF) were prepared similarly. The kinetics of Iron Reducing Bacterial populations and ferrous iron content in soil near rice roots were monitored throughout the cultural cycle using MPN and colorimetric methods, respectively. The total iron content was evaluated in rice plant using a spectrometric method. Data obtained were analyzed in relation to drainage and fertilization mode, rice growth stage and rice yield using the Student’s t-test and XLSTAT 2014 statistical software. The experiment showed that the combined application of subsurface drainage and NPK + Urea + Ca + Mg + Zn fertilization, reduced significantly the number of IRB in the soil near rice roots for both rice varieties (p = 0.050 and p = 0.020) increased the leaf tissue tolerance to excess amounts of Fe, and rice yield.

Effect of Fertilization on the Dynamics and Activity of Iron-Reducing Bacterial Populations in a West African Rice Paddy Soil Planted with Two Rice Varieties: Case Study of Kou Valley in Burkina Faso

Iron toxicity is a major stress to rice caused by a high concentration of reduced iron, in the soil in many lowlands worldwide. To reduce iron toxicity in the West African lowlands, an investigation was performed at the site of the University of Ouagadougou, in pots containing an iron toxic soil from the Kou Valley (West of Burkina Faso). The experiment objective was to study the effect of mineral fertilizer on Iron Reducing Bacteria (IRB) dynamics and activity during rice cultivation, iron accumulation in rice plant and rice biomass yield under iron toxicity conditions. BOUAKE-189 and ROK-5 rice varieties, sensitive and tolerant to iron toxicity, respectively, were used for the experiment. The pots were amended with chemical fertilizers (NPK + Urea and NPK + Urea + Ca + Mg + Zn complex). Control pots without fertilization were prepared similarly. The kinetics of IRB and ferrous iron content in soil near rice roots were monitored throughout the cultural cycle using MPN and colorimetric methods, respectively. The total iron content was evaluated in rice plant using spectrometric method. Data obtained were analyzed in relation to fertilization mode, rice growth stage and rice yield using the student’s t-test and XLSTAT 2014 statistical software. The experiment revealed that NPK + Urea and NPK + Urea + Ca + Mg + Zn fertilization, decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) the number of IRB in the soil for BOUAKE-189 rice varieties. In most pots, highest IRB densities and ferrous iron content in soil were recorded from rice tillering and flowering to maturity stages, indicating that rice plants promoted microbial processes and iron reduction in soil. From the study, the NPK + Urea amendment decreased significantly ferrous iron content (p < 0.0001) in soil near BOUAKE-189 and ROK-5 rice varieties roots relatively to control pots. However, NPK + Urea + Ca + Zn + Mg amendment increased significantly ferrous iron content (p < 0.0001) in the soil near roots, Fe accumulation in plant biomass and rice yield for the two rice varieties.

Optimization of Hydrocarbons Biodegradation by Bacterial Strains Isolated from Wastewaters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Case Study of SAE 40/50 Used Oils and Diesel

Environmental pollution with petroleum and petrochemical products such as diesel and used oils has been recognized as one of the most serious current problem in the world, especially in developing countries. These petrochemical products devastate the soil, surface and underground waters and alter the microbial population at the polluted sites. Thus, the present work aims to optimize the biodegradation of diesel and two used oils (SAE 40 and SAE 50) by bacterial strains namely Acinetobacter S2 and Pseudomonas S7 using either nutrient factors (yeast extract, peptone or trace elements) or surfactants (tween 80 or Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: SDS). The strains are incubated alone or together with the used oils or diesel supplemented or not with nutrient factors or surfactants for 14, 28, 42 and 56 days, respectively. For all the incubation period, the hydrocarbons degradation rates are determined by gravimetric assay. The results obtained show that nutrient factors increase significantly SAE 50 used oil biodegradation (p = 0.009). Similarly, tween 80 increases SAE 50 and SAE 40 used oils biodegradation but not diesel one. The results also show a significant difference between biodegradation rates at 14, 28, 42 and 56 days for all the hydro-carbons tested (p Acinetobacter S2 and Pseudomonas S7 increases the degradation over the one of the strains alone.

Effect of Different Parts of <i>Kigelia africana</i>Fruit Aqueous Extracts on Sperm Parameters and Testis

Kigelia africana is a plant of ivoirian pharmocopae commonly used in infertility treatment. The Kigelia africanawhole fruit extracts are known to improve sperm parameters like density, morphologie and mobility. However, data related to efficiency of different parts of the fruit are lack. The aim of this study was to know the effects of aqueous extracts of the whole Kigelia africana fruit (AP) and of the fruit without the peel (SP) on the sperm parameters and testicular tissue of mice. The phytochemical composition analysis of the SP and AP aqueous extracts of Kigelia africana fruit reveals several secondary metabolites in variable abundance. The sperm densities (Figure 1) of the SP (~78.106 spz/ml ± 2.60) and AP (~96.15 × 106 spz/ml ± 2.44) groups were higher than that of the control (~63.95.106 spz/ml ± 2.93) with a highly significant difference (p < 0.001). However, the treatment with the AP extract showed a higher value than that observed with the SP extract. The percentage of motile spermatozoa is higher in AP group (~34% ± 2.44%) than control group (~29% ± 1%) but the difference is not significative (Figure 2). However, the percentage of motile spermatozoa was much higher in SP group (~76% ± 5.48%), at least twice as high compared to the control and AP group with a highly significant difference (p < 0.001). AP and SP aqueous extracts preserve the gonad and enhance spermatogenesis. All together, our data revealed that AP and SP aqueous extracts of Kigelia africana stimulated spermatogenesis, sperm mobility and didn’t affect the gonads. There is however a difference in the effects of the two extracts with better efficacy of AP extracts for increasing sperm number while SP more significantly improves sperm mobility and morphology.

Microbial Quality of Wastewater Used in Urban Truck Farming and Health Risks Issues in Developing Countries:Case Study of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso

Urban truck farming in developing countries appears of great importance to overcome unemployment and poverty. However, the quality of wastewater used for such activity could expose populations to waterborne diseases. The microbial quality of wastewaters used for truck farming in Ouagadougou city, was examined for the presence of bacterial and parasitological fecal indicators during the dry-hot season (May) and the wet season (July) in 2012. The wastewaters of three water reservoirs and two canals intensively used for truck farming were analyzed throughout the study. These indicators were also monitored in waste stabilization ponds during wastewater treatment in 3 plants of the city. For all the selected sampling sites, the concentrations of microbial indicators in water were significantly higher in the dry-hot season compared to the wet one (p - 53,800 CFU/100ml for Escherichia coli, 8200 - 108,400 CFU/100ml for fecal coliforms, 650 - 45,000 CFU/100ml) for fecal streptococcus, and 0 - 2.4 eggs/l for helminthes during the study periods. For wastewater under treatment in waste stabilization ponds, significant microbial concentration drops (p 0.0001) in the range of 82% - 100%, 78% - 98%, 60% - 100% and 82% - 88%, respectively were recorded between the anaerobic and the maturation ponds. The later results highlighted that improving the refining performances of the waste stabilization ponds technology could help decreasing health risks related to wastewater reuse in urban agriculture for a sustainable development of cities in developing countries.

Place of Exercise Echocardiography in Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa:A Series in Senegal

Introduction: Exercise echocardiography is a non-invasive technique that occupies a special place for the detection of stable coronary disease. The main objective of this study was to report our experience and assess our practice in the diagnosis of stable coronaryartery disease. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study, descriptive over a period of 34 months, from December 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019. All the patients received during the study period for stress echocardiography as part of a suspicion of stable coronary artery disease were included. A total of 100 examinations were completed during the study period. Results: Ninety (90) exams were studied. There were 56 men or a sex-ratio of 1.64. The mean age was of 57.3 ± 10 years. Hypertension (31 patients or 62%) was the most frequent risk factor. Typical chest pain was noticed in 45 patients (52.3%). The pre-test probability was intermediate in 77 patients (89.5%). Echocardiography at rest was normal in 86 patients (95.6%). A total of 62 tests were negative (69%) and 02 (2.2%) were non-contributory. Ten tests (10) of 26 electrical positive tests were associated with segmental kinetics disorders. In the 10 patients who had exercise kinetic disorders, 08 had coronary angiography. It was normal in 04 of them. The positive predictive value of exercise echography was 50% in our study. In a patient with a negative exercise echocardiography with a high clinical probability of coronary disease, the coronary angiography showed a two-vessel impairment with an intermediate lesion of Cx2 and an intermediate lesion of RCA2. It thus constitutes a false negative. Sensitivity was 80% in our study. We noticed an incident like non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion: Exercise echocardiography is a safe and reliable examination for the diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease. A good selection of patients based on the clinical probability of coronary ischemia should improve our sensitivity. This is even more important in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to coronary angiography is limited.

Quality of Human Urine Used as Fertilizer: Case of an Ecological Sanitation System in Ouagadougou Peri-Urban Areas-Burkina Faso

The use in agriculture of excreta from urine-diversion toilets can be an alternative solution to the lack of sanitation and high costs of mineral fertilizers inherent to developing countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hygienic quality of urine used as fertilizer through an ecological sanitation system in Ouagadougou peri-urban areas. Chemical and microbiological analyses were performed in urine samples taken before and after thirty (30) days of storage in jerry cans exposed to sunlight. The concentrations of 7.0 g/l;3.5 and 9.6 g/l of ammonia nitrogen for mean, minimum and maximum respectively, are obtained in unstored urine samples. These concentrations did not practically vary with the storage. On average, values of other chemical parameters analyzed in stored urine were as follows: pH, 8.8;phosphorus (P), 0.3 g/l;potassium (K), 1.9 g/l;total dissolved solids (TDS), 21.0 g/l;cadmium (Cd), 154.3 μg/l;copper (Cu), 5.2 μg/l;lead (Pb), 15.2 μg/l;chromium (Cr), 6.1 μg/l;nickel (Ni), 154.0 μg/l. Escherichia coli, staphylococci, enterococci, Salmonella and spores of Clostridium perfringens were detected in unstored urine samples, with 26% of fecal contamination rate. The time of storage (30 days) under sunlight was enough for almost all bacteria removal in urine samples. Although the fertilizing value of urine was confirmed, it would be important to take account of the best practices on applying in soils, because of the high TDS contents. Also, the risk linked to micropollutants in urine-based fertilizers could be negligible in view of low quantities. The results obtained in this study prove that after 30 days of exposure to sunlight urine collected via eco-toilet becomes bacteriologically sanitized, and can therefore be used to fertilize soils. However, it is necessary to demonstrate the inactivation of other groups of enteric microorganisms in human urine during storage.

Assessment of the Aflatoxin Content of Maize Flours Produced in the Commune of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites present in various foods, especially when production and conservation do not respect good hygiene practices (GHP). In Ouagadougou, maize flour is produced and sold in different structures by actors who do not always respect GHP. Thus, it is necessary to regularly control the quality of these flours. So, this is carried out with the aim to assess the aflatoxin content of maize flours produced in the municipality of Ouagadougou. For this, twenty-eight (28) samples were collected from households, markets and supermarkets in the city of Ouagadougou. Thus, LC/MS/MS analysis was used to assess the aflatoxin content of the samples. The results obtained reveal the presence of total aflatoxins (AFT) in 78.57% of samples analyzed with levels ranging from 0.89 to 64.25 μg/kg. The prevalence of different types of aflatoxins were 57.14% for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 46.43% for aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), 42.86% for aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) and 4.6% for aflatoxin G2 (AFG2). The results also show that 80% and 60% of market samples, 70% and 30% of household samples and 37.5% and 25% of supermarket samples do not comply with European Commission standards for AFT and AFB1 respectively. For all the samples, 60.71% and 42.86% of the samples are compliant according to the limits established by the European Commission (EC) respectively for AFB1 and AFT. Regarding the results obtained, producers and processors must be supervised and trained in GHP for the production of better-quality flours.

Problematic of Drinking Water Access in Rural Area: Case Study of the Sourou Valley in Burkina Faso

Safe drinking water access for rural populations in developing countries remains a challenge for a sustainable development. The study aims to investigate the drinking water quality and the factors affecting this quality in the Sourou valley in Burkina Faso. A total of 135 water samples were collected in sterile glass bottles during the dry seasons 2007, 2008, and 2012 from 10 drillings and 5 wells. Fifteen physicochemical parameters and two fecal pollution indicators (Escherichia coli and fecal Coliforms) were monitored based on laboratory standard methods. Datas were analyzed, using the Student t’ test and XLSTAT 7.5.2 statistical software. From results obtained, water quality was related to water source and sampling period as well (p 0.0001). 30% of drillings provided water with nitrates concentration over the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value. High turbidity was also observed for some drillings. Moreover, 90% of drillings showed water total hardness largely over the WHO threshold value. Water from drillings were exempt of fecal pollution, contrasting with the wells one which appeared uniformly polluted with concentrations exceeding sometimes 103 and 104 CFU/100 ml for E. coli and fecal Coliforms, respectively. Field investigations showed a preference of wells as drinking water source, and that appeared related to the lack of self-management of drillings and to cultural considerations. Overall, this study highlighted that a regular survey of water quality, management of protection zones around drinking water sources, sensitization on water resources self-management, hygiene and health issues, and providing appropriate household disinfection methods could help advancing to reach an effective safe drinking water access for rural populations in the country.

Place of Otorhinolaryngological (ENT) Diseases in a 2<i>nd</i>Level Health Center: Case of the of Commune V (CSRéf CV) Reference Health Center of the District of Bamako

Objective: Provide the place of ENT diseases at the Reference Health Center of the Commune V of Bamako. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study using ENT medical assessment was carried out from January 2017 to December 2017 at the Reference Health Center of Commune V of Bamako’s District. Results: 1911 patients were included and that number represented 15.46% of all non-obstetrics medical consultations in the health center. The sex ratio was 0.83 for women (54.7%). The average age was 22 years old. Otologic diseases were 66.4% of the cases followed by nasal sinus cases (16.6%). Infectious and inflammatory diseases were 74.1% and were the main diagnosed diseases. The difficulties were mainly from technical platform. Conclusion: The diversity of these pathologies required a strong development or reinforcement of human and material resources capacities in of these structures for proximity care management.

Evaluation of New High-Producing Hybrids of Cocoa Trees in Marginal Crop Areas in Côte d’Ivoire

A study was carried out on 31 new hybrids in rain-deficient areas of Côte d’Ivoire. These areas were the regions of Djekanou, Toumodi and Yamoussoukro. The Divo region (favourable zone) was used as a control. The aim of this study was to determine the behaviour of these hybrids under drought conditions. The experimental setup was a Fischer block for each region. The treatments were the 31 families, with 3 replications and when the four regions were taken together, the study was a two-factor (region and family) trial. Drought caused increased mortality and specific leaf mass and reduced growth and development of progeny in rain-deficient areas. Five (5) progenies were found to be jointly successful in Divo, Djekanou and Yamoussoukro (F30, F15, F19, F31, and F33). On the other hand, 3 other families (F16, F36 and F29) also performing well in Divo were found in Toumodi.

Economic Valuation of Auctioned Tourist Hunting Blocks in Tanzania

Economic valuation of ecosystems is increasingly being recognized as an important exercise to inform sustainable utilization and conservation of natural assets. It helps in planning and establishing fair profit margins that accrue either directly or indirectly from the consumptive and non-consumptive uses of ecosystem goods and services. This paper is based on a study which estimated the economic values of tourist hunting blocks (HBs) in Tanzania using the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). The study used a sample size of 12 out of 24 vacant hunting blocks which were to be auctioned to potential hunting companies in December 2022. The economic values of HBs were estimated using the time horizon of 10 years (the mean tenure for winning company). The results show that the economic values ranged from USD 6,215,588 to USD 653,470,695 per hunting block and the Existence Value (EV) constituted about 19% of the Total Economic Value (TEV). EV ranged from USD 632,210 to USD 125,147,285. The study underscores the need for decisions to allocate ecosystems, such as HBs, to both direct and indirect uses, to be guided by a though understanding of their values. We further recommend building the capacity of staff charged with the role of managing and allocating uses of these ecosystems to enable them undertake economic valuation of ecosystems using both simple and more robust analytical tools, such as the GIS, relational databases, and worldwide websites based tools, like InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs), ARIES (Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services), and Co$ting Nature.

Evaluation of Mass Drug Administration Impact on Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in 13 Sanitary Districts in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases targeted for elimination as a public health issue in the world by 2020. To achieve this goal, one of the strategies is interruption of transmission using chemotherapy (mass drug administration). Burkina Faso in west Africa, an endemic country, has endorsed this resolution. In 2000, all Sanitary Districts (SD) in the country were endemic, and then a national elimination program has made it possible to stop mass treatment in 45 out of 70 SD over 12 years. Sixteen years later, 13 other SD were reeligible for Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS). This study aimed to determine the current level of the Mass drugs Administration (MDA) impact indicators in these 13 targeted SD in order to decide whether we need to continue MDA. Method: It was a descriptive study that took place from June to September 2017 in 13 SD regrouped into 7 Evaluation Units (EU). The population of the study was 6 to 7 years old children. The community-based cluster survey method was used. The diagnostic test used to detect Wuchereria bancrofti’s circulating antigen (W. bancrofti) is the Filariasis Test Strip (FTS). The critical threshold of positivity was set at 18 positive subjects per EU. Results: We sampled a total of 12,060 children, 48.9% were female and 51.1% male. In the 7 EU, 13 children were positive to W. bancrofti test. The average antigenic prevalence was 0.11% (13/12,060). In all EU, the number of positive subjects was below the critical threshold. Conclusion: At the end of this evaluation of the transmission of lymphatic filariasis in 13 SD of Burkina Faso, we can tell the MDA could be stopped in these areas without risk of resurgence of the disease, according to the current recommendations of WHO. This can be possible by setting up post-TMM surveillance, considering migratory flows, and including villages where positive cases were found to search possible residual transmission zones.