Reproductive Potential of Spermophagus niger (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae: Amblycerini) Developing on the Seeds of Two Roselle Varieties in Burkina Faso

In West Africa and particularly in Burkina Faso, Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) is receiving increasing attention as a crop with potential for making great socio-economic impacts. The biology of Spermophagus niger, recently identified as the main insect pest in the storage of roselle seeds, is poorly known. The present study aimed at comparing the reproductive potential of this insect on the seeds of two roselle varieties Altissima and Sabdariffa, mainly grown in Burkina Faso to identify susceptible/resistant variety to the pest. The results obtained are the first complete data on life history traits of S. niger in laboratory conditions. Overall, they indicated that both seed varieties have similar susceptibility to S. niger. The main life history traits measured did not differ significantly on both varieties (P 】0.05). However, the first generation individuals from the Altissima seeds were significantly larger (P = 0.0007 and P 【0.0001 for males and females respectively) and weighed more (P 【0.0001) than those from the other roselle variety. This result suggests that individuals from the Altissima variety may have a higher seed-damaging potential than those developed in the Sabdariffa variety and this potential might increase over successive generations. The consequences of such findings are discussed with a view to improving the post-harvest storage of roselle seeds and reducing losses in West Africa.

Study of the Influence of a Young Synthetic Leachate on the Hydromechanical Properties of a Swelling Clay

Despite the developments of sectors which aim at valorizing recyclable materials, landfills remain essential in integrated waste management. The construction of such infrastructures is an engineering challenge that must be proven over the long term. The purpose of this study is to understand the modification of the hydromechanical properties of bottom liners of landfills that may occur during their exploitation under leachate action. To do so, on the basis of its parameters of nature, a swelling clay from Burkina Faso is selected from soils of seven localities in Burkina Faso （West Africa）. Laboratory tests carried out with distilled water and then with a young synthetic leachate show a degradation of the permeability of this clay from 2.42 × 10^-10 m/s to 1.01 × 10^-9 m/s. In addition, leachate leads to an inhibition of the swelling and a remarkable increase of its compressibility, inducing significant settlement. With the increase in permeability, the primary consolidation settlement is increasing faster. Changes in the hydromechanical behavior can be attributed to the clays mineralogy, mainly cation exchange and the development of the diffuse double layer.

Determinants of Agroecological Practices Adoption in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone

Under the combined effect of both climatic and anthropogenic factors, agroecosystems and especially arable soils undergo a worrying and fast degradation in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Western Africa threatening its socio-economic development. Food systems need to be better managed to be more resilient, to increase agricultural production, while conserving natural resources and biodiversity. Agroecological practices alternatively with traditional cultural techniques have been locally experimented to cope with local pedoclimatic constraints such as weak (low) soil fertility and climate change, increasing food demand and economic conditions. Our work aims at by taking stock of agroecological knowledge as well as the determinants of their adoption with small-scale farmers in Eastern Burkina Faso. A survey (48 farmers) was conducted in Sampieri (Kantchari district), and Logit model was used to determine equations for agroecological practices adoption. Results show that traditional production practices for millet-bean cultural systems are gradually being replaced by those of agroecological. In fact, 60.4% of producers have participated in at least one agroecological training session and 60.8% of producers are interested at least in one agroecological topic. The most adopted and practiced techniques were superficial plowing, stone-rows, zai and compost, single or in combination (60% of the producers). Determinants of these practices adoption were the increased crop yields, improved of producers’ incomes, the provision or otherwise of material and human resources and training. Additionally, variables such as training, possession of agricultural equipment were positively correlated to the adoption of agroecological practices while illiteracy impacts negatively and significantly this adoption. Moreover, agroecological practices had a significant effect on grain and straw yields of sorghum, thus confirming producers’ claims about the improvements in production observed following the adoption of these practices.

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B in the Urban District Health Baskuy Burkina Faso

Few studies have been conducted on the epidemiology in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to improve the care of pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus (VHB) and their newborns in the urban district health. Method: This study was conducted from 01/09/2014 to 01/09/2015. Study involved three types of data collection: a collection of data from health facilities involved in the project;repeated cross-sectional survey among health personnel;a pros- pective study of pregnant women identified positive for HBsAg and followed at the University Hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO). Knowledge assessment was made among health staff and pregnant women using a knowledge score. Construction of the score came after a factorial analysis of multiple correspondences on population health workers surveyed in the first round (N = 119) on one hand and all pregnant women (N = 266) on the other hand. This had identified among the 79/19 questions, those that discriminated best knowledge of paramedics and pregnant women. For pregnant women, this score was then dichotomized from the center and logistic regression was performed to determine the sociodemographic, medical and obstetric characteristics that influenced it (p value < 005). Results: Health staff had been surveyed twice (N = 119/100). In general, the level of knowledge was good on targeted knowledge, both before and after training. No health worker routinely offered screening for hepatitis B among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Altogether 266 pregnant women HBsAg-positive were referred and followed CHU-YO. Half of the patients had a score lower than 2/17. Univariate analysis showed that variables such as education level influenced significantly the level of knowledge. Women with higher levels of education had a higher level of knowledge about the disease, compared to those of primary level [OR = 1.63;[1.34 to 1.99], p value < 0,001]. Newborns during the study period numbered 128 and the vaccine was made in the first 24 hours of life for 83.6% of them. Conclusion: routine screening for infection with VHB during pregnancy and improved knowledge of mothers is strongly reco- mmended in Burkina Faso.

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.