Cost description and comparative cost efficiency of post-exposure prophylaxis and canine mass vaccination against rabies in N'Djamena, Chad

Rabies claims approximately 59,000 human lives annually and is a potential risk to 3.3 billion people in over 100 countries worldwide. Despite being fatal in almost 100% of cases, human rabies can be prevented by vaccinating dogs, the most common vector, and the timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to exposed victims. For the control and prevention of human rabies in N'Djamena, the capital city of Chad, a free mass vaccination campaign for dogs was organized in 2012 and 2013. The campaigns were monitored by parallel studies on the incidence of canine rabies based on diagnostic testing of suspect animals and the incidence of human bite exposure recorded at selected health facilities. Based on the cost description of the campaign and the need for PEP registered in health centers, three cost scenarios were compared: cumulative cost-efficiency of (1) PEP alone, (2) dog mass vaccination and PEP, (3) dog mass vaccination, PEP, and maximal communication between human health and veterinary workers (One Health communication). Assuming ideal One Health communication, the cumulative prospective cost of dog vaccination and PEP break even with the cumulative prospective cost of PEP alone in the 10th year from the start of the calculation (2012). The cost efficiency expressed in cost per human exposure averted is much higher with canine vaccination and One Health communication than with PEP alone. As shown in other studies, our cost-effectiveness analysis highlights that canine vaccination is financially the best option for animal rabies control and rabies prevention in humans. This study also provides evidence of the beneficial effect of One Health communication. Only with close communication between the human and animal health sectors will the decrease in animal rabies incidence be translated into a decline for PEP. An efficiently applied One Health concept would largely reduce the cost of PEP in resource poor countries and should be implemented for zoonosis control in general

Cost Description and Comparative Cost Efficiency of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Canine Mass Vaccination against Rabies in N'Djamena, Chad

This is the final version of the article. Available from Frontiers Media via the DOI in this record.Rabies claims approximately 59,000 human lives annually and is a potential risk to 3.3 billion people in over 100 countries worldwide. Despite being fatal in almost 100% of cases, human rabies can be prevented by vaccinating dogs, the most common vector, and the timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to exposed victims. For the control and prevention of human rabies in N'Djamena, the capital city of Chad, a free mass vaccination campaign for dogs was organized in 2012 and 2013. The campaigns were monitored by parallel studies on the incidence of canine rabies based on diagnostic testing of suspect animals and the incidence of human bite exposure recorded at selected health facilities. Based on the cost description of the campaign and the need for PEP registered in health centers, three cost scenarios were compared: cumulative cost-efficiency of (1) PEP alone, (2) dog mass vaccination and PEP, (3) dog mass vaccination, PEP, and maximal communication between human health and veterinary workers (One Health communication). Assuming ideal One Health communication, the cumulative prospective cost of dog vaccination and PEP break even with the cumulative prospective cost of PEP alone in the 10th year from the start of the calculation (2012). The cost efficiency expressed in cost per human exposure averted is much higher with canine vaccination and One Health communication than with PEP alone. As shown in other studies, our cost-effectiveness analysis highlights that canine vaccination is financially the best option for animal rabies control and rabies prevention in humans. This study also provides evidence of the beneficial effect of One Health communication. Only with close communication between the human and animal health sectors will the decrease in animal rabies incidence be translated into a decline for PEP. An efficiently applied One Health concept would largely reduce the cost of PEP in resource poor countries and should be implemented for zoonosis control in general.This study was funded by UBS Optimus Foundation and the Chadian Government

L'association sorgho/niébé au poquet, une pratique traditionnelle en zone soudano-sahélienne à faible rendement : état des lieux et pistes d'amélioration

Les associations de cultures céréales-légumineuses s'inscrivent dans une logique d'intensification durable. Cependant, dans les zones sahéliennes et soudano-sahéliennes du Burkina Faso, les rendements en association sont généralement faibles. Notre étude a pour objectifs de caractériser la pratique d'association culturale la plus pratiquée par les producteurs, identifier les facteurs déterminant des rendements et proposer des pistes d'amélioration. Des focus groupes, des enquêtes individuelles auprès de 170producteurs et un suivi de 80 parcelles paysannes ont été réalisés dans trois communes en zone soudano-sahélienne. Il ressort que l'association traditionnelle du sorgho et du niébé au poquet est dominante à 98%. Elle se pratique essentiellement avec des variétés locales (92% pour le sorgho et 67% pour le niébé). Les rendements sont très variables et faibles avec en moyenne 416 kg/ha de sorgho et 240 kg/ha de niébé. Les analyses multivariées ont permis d'établir des typologies d'exploitations familiales, de types de sol et d'itinéraires techniques culturaux. Des variables significatives de différenciation des rendements ont été identifiées. Le nombre de personnes à charge (p=0,001), de daba/houes (p=0,002), l'activité secondaire (p=0,005), le taux de limon du sol (p=0,0008) et les types de sols (p=0,01) sont celles qui ont influencé les rendements en sorgho. Tandis que les rendements de niébé ont été significativement influencés par le nombre de petits ruminants (p=0,03), de daba/houes (p=0,008), l'activité secondaire (p=0,01), l'azote total (p=0,001) et la matière organique du sol (p=0,004). Les pratiques culturales s'étant avérés moins impactant sur les rendements du sorgho et du niébé, l'amélioration des performances du système pourrait passer par une diversification des variétés utilisées

Factors Predictive of the Level Of Physical Activity (PA) in Patients with Gonarthrosis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Our aim was to determine the predictive factors of the level of physical activity (PA) in patients with gonarthrosis in the city of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study based on clinical records, conducted from January 9 to 27, 2023. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), we assessed the level of PA in patients followed at CHU-Bogodogo for gonarthrosis. The significance threshold p<0.05 was retained. Results: Sixty-seven patients were included. Fifty-six were women (83.58%). The mean age was 59.87± 12.53 years. Hypertension was noted in 34 patients (50.75%), diabetes in 16 (23.88%). The mean BMI was 28.70kg/m2± 6.73. Gonarthrosis was bilateral in 49 patients (73.13%). Gonarthrosis patients had a moderate level of PA, with a mean IPAQ score equal to 635.24±135 MET-minutes/week. 45 patients (67.16%) had a low level of physical activity (˂ 600 MET-minutes/week). In bivariate analysis, low PA was associated with age over 65 [OR=5.62, (CI=1.45-21.73), p<0.001], hypertension [OR=2.83, (CI=1.27-6.31), p<0.001], diabetes [OR=2.14, (CI=1.13-5.89), p<0.031], and overweight [OR=2.43, (CI=1.17-6.12), p<0.026]. Moderate PA was associated with age under 65 [OR=1.71, (CI=1.25-2.34), p<0.005] and absence of hypertension [OR=1.86, (CI=1.19-2.89), p<0.012]. Conclusion : Gonarthrosis patients have a moderate level of PA. Factors associated with low PA were advanced age and sedentary comorbidities. Key words: Gonarthrosis, physical activity, Ouagadougou/Burkina Fas

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Temporal Temperature Evolution during the Pyrolysis of Cotton Stalks, Corn Stalk and Rice Husk Using Multifunction Family Oven for the Biochar Production

The multifunctional family oven is an oven able to produce simultaneously biochar for soil improvement and energy for cooking. However, the quality of the biochar produced depends not only on the selected biomass but especially on the pyrolysis temperature which is a very important parameter. This experimental study aims to understand the functioning of the oven with respect to its biochar production and the pyrolysis duration. To carry out our study, K-type thermocouples were used to measure the temperature on the different walls and chambers of the oven. Cotton stalks, corn stalks and rice husk were used for this study. The results obtained showed that the cotton stalks reached the maximum pyrolysis temperature at 430 °C around 1700 s. This temperature remained constant for 1500 s before decreasing to mark the end of pyrolysis. As for the corn husks, they reached their maximum average pyrolysis temperature at 470 °C after 3000 s. The rice husk reached a maximum pyrolysis temperature of 420 °C after 3500 s. A comparative study of the temperature curves of the three biomasses revealed that cotton stalks pyrolyze faster with short time than the other two biomasses. The results obtained on the pyrolysis temperature, corroborate those of the literature from which the multifunctional family oven produces a quality biochar. The maximum temperature of combustion which starts the pyrolysis is about 800 °C and can last for 1h30 min. Thus, this heat is valued by the cooking of different dishes of the country

Experimental Study of a Stationary Hot Air Solar Collector Built with Hemispherical Concentrators and Enhanced with Fresnel Lenses

Aims: This paper is about a solar collector made of hemispherical concentrators. This collector is sun tracking free, and used for natural convection. Lenses are used on top of each concentrator to improve its efficiency.&#x0D; Study Design: The Solar collector is made of hemispherical concentrators with Fresnel lenses axially-centered to those concentrators and placed on top of each one of them. Those concentrators are covered with a 4 mm glass for a greenhouse effect. The concentrators generate hot spots that heat the inside air. There is no need for receivers at the hot spots.&#x0D; Methodology: from Inlet to outlet, temperatures are measured as well as inlet air speed, which allow the efficiency evaluation.&#x0D; Results: Although those measurements were conducted in a cloudy period, temperature difference from the inlet to the outlet was around 55°C to 65°C. This result is superior to previous studies of the same system without lenses which gave temperature difference around 35°C to 45°C. It is sharply superior to that of usual black-painted convective system with fined plates that gives a temperature difference of around 20°C to 25°C.&#x0D; Conclusion and Perspectives: The global efficiency calculated using measurement values reaches 56%. This is far greater compared to previous black plate systems’ efficiency of 29%, giving an efficiency increase of 93%, but expected knowing that we are using a concentration system for convection.</jats:p

Effet de l’utilisation des gousses de Faidherbia albida sur les performances de croissance des taurillons à l’Ouest du Burkina Faso

Français La présente étude a pour objectif la valorisation des gousses de Faidherbia albida dans l’alimentation des bovins pour pallier le déficit alimentaire pendant la saison sèche à l’Ouest du Burkina Faso. Elle a consis- té à déterminer la composition chimique et la consommation des aliments utilisés, puis à évaluer l’effet des gousses de F. albida sur les performances de croissance de taurillons en stabulation. La composition chimique des aliments a été évaluée à travers l’analyse de la Matière Sèche, la Matière Minérale, la Matière Organique, la Matière Azotée Totale, la Cellulose Brute et les fibres. La consommation des ali- ments a été évaluée sur 12 taurillons repartis en deux lots qui recevaient deux rations différentes. Les per- formances pondérales ont été déterminées à travers des pesées bihebdomadaires des taurillons. Les teneurs des aliments sont faibles en MAT (entre 4,37 % à 6,63 %) mais riches en parois cellulaires (entre 16,50 % à 37,23 %). La consommation alimentaire est de 3 824,52 g/animal/j pour la ration 1 et de 4 410,87 g/ani- mal/j pour la ration 2. Les GMq obtenus sont de 486,11 g/j pour la ration 1 et 623,02 g/j pour la ration 2. En définitive, l’utilisation des gousses de F. albida dans la complémentation alimentaire des bovins appa- rait comme une alternative pour améliorer les productions animales. Anglais The objective of this study was to investigate the use of Faidherbia albida pods by farmers to improve cattle feeding for overcoming the feed deficit during the dry season in Western Burkina Faso. It consisted in determining the chemical composition and the consumption of the feed used and to evaluate the effect of F. albida pods on the growth performance of young cattle in experimental settings. The chemical com- position of the feeds concerned analysis of dry matter, the mineral matter, organic matter, the nitrogenous matter Total, crude fiber and the fibers. The consumption of the feed was evaluated on 12 young cattle dis- tributed in two lots which received two different rations. The growth performance of these young cattle was evaluated through weight monitoring every two weeks. Chemical analyzes of feeds are low of NMT between 4.37 % and 6.63 %) but rich in cell walls (between16.50 % and 37.23 %). The consumption of feed is 3 824.52 g/animal/day for the diet 1 and 4 410.87 g/animal/day for the diet 2. The average daily weight gain (ADG) obtained from the feeding trial were 486.11 g/d for the diet 1 and 623.02 g/d, for the diet 2. Finally, the use of F. albida pods in cattle food supplementation appears as an alternative to improve animal production during the dry season