Editorial Material
Immunology
Ali Sie, Mamadou Ouattara, Mamadou Bountogo, Clarisse Dah, Guillaume Compaore, Valentin Boudo, Elodie Lebas, Jessica Brogdon, Fanice Nyatigo, Benjamin F. Arnold, Thomas M. Lietman, Catherine E. Oldenburg
Summary: A study conducted in Nouna District, Burkina Faso, found that a high percentage of children under 5 years old visiting government-run primary healthcare facilities were prescribed antibiotics, with the majority being for pneumonia. Some prescriptions were given for diagnoses that did not necessitate antibiotics, such as malaria, nonbloody diarrhea, and cough without pneumonia.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Abdoulganiour Almame Tinta, Ahmed Yves Sylla, Edmond Lankouande
Summary: Energy scarcity and the use of unclean fuels are common in Africa. This study explores the determinants of energy diversity through the adoption of solar PV systems by rural households. Findings from primary data collected from 105 villages in Burkina Faso, comprising 6300 households, indicate that rural households engaged in economic activities are more likely to adopt solar PV systems, and entrepreneurial spirit has a positive impact on adoption. Additionally, the use of solar PV technology is influenced by household head age, gender, family size, and education. The findings imply the need to target financial support and micro-credit towards rural households.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sakiko Shiratori, Yachiyo Tobita, Eveline M. F. W. Sawadogo-Compaore
Summary: This study examines the challenges rural communities face in achieving food security and adequate nutrition. It found that factors such as season, region, and household characteristics significantly influence food security. There are large regional differences in diet quality, with a higher percentage of households categorized as having poor diets in the north compared to the south. Most micronutrient supplies are insufficient, and cereals are the main source of nutrients.
Article
Development Studies
Elodie Djemai, Michael Kevane
Summary: Many African countries are expanding mass primary schooling while consolidating their democratic institutions. This study, using Afrobarometer surveys in Burkina Faso, finds that the effect of education on political engagement varies by gender, with men experiencing a significant negative effect and women showing no substantial relationship.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ali Sie, Mamadou Ouattara, Mamadou Bountogo, Clarisse Dah, Guillaume Compaore, Elodie Lebas, Jessica M. Brogdon, Ying Lin, William W. Godwin, Kieran S. O'Brien, Benjamin F. Arnold, Thomas M. Lietman, Catherine E. Oldenburg
Summary: This study evaluated underweight patterns in infants aged 1-11 months in rural Burkina Faso and found that underweight prevalence increased with age. Male infants had a higher risk of underweight compared to females. Improved household sanitation was associated with better weight outcomes, particularly in male infants.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Matthew D. Turner, Molly Teague, Augustine Ayantunde
Summary: Various factors interact to shape household food security and consumption, including productive resources, livelihood choices, food cultural norms, and location. Disposable wealth and cultural norms have positive and negative associations with food consumption, while location and ethnic identity affect household livestock management and food consumption habits.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silvia Diaz-Alcaide, Wennegouda Jean-Pierre Sandwidi, Pedro Martinez-Santos, Miguel Martin-Loeches, Jose Luis Caceres, Naomi Seijas
Summary: Ensuring safe water access globally is a key objective of the Sustainable Development Goals. Water access is a complex concept that involves various factors such as collection time, distance, quality, affordability, and reliability. GIS-based methods are particularly useful in improving water access estimates, especially in rural areas of developing countries.
Article
Immunology
Jean-Louis Koulidiati, Remi Kabore, Eric Nebie, Annick Sidibe, Julia Lohmann, Stephan Brenner, Hermann Badolo, Saidou Hamadou, Nobila Ouedraogo, Manuela De Allegri
Summary: Despite progress in global vaccination coverage, timely completion of childhood routine immunization remains low in Burkina Faso. Factors such as region and distance to health facilities play a significant role in timely vaccination. Addressing geographical accessibility is crucial to improve timely vaccination coverage.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Biebo Bihoun, Serge Henri Zango, Maminata Traore-Coulibaly, Innocent Valea, Raffaella Ravinetto, Jean Pierre Van Geertruyden, Umberto D'Alessandro, Halidou Tinto, Annie Robert
Summary: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of placental malaria (PM) and its associated factors in pregnant women with peripheral malaria. The results showed a high prevalence of PM, especially in younger women. Gravidity and anemia were strongly associated with PM in younger women.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Catherine E. Oldenburg, Ali Sie, Mamadou Ouattara, Mamadou Bountogo, Valentin Boudo, Idrissa Kouanda, Elodie Lebas, Jessica M. Brogdon, Ying Lin, Fanice Nyatigo, Benjamin F. Arnold, Thomas M. Lietman
Summary: The study found a negative association between community distance from primary healthcare facilities and healthcare utilization rates for children under 5, suggesting that decreasing distance-related barriers could improve healthcare access in similar settings.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
John Whitaker, Guy Harling, Ali Sie, Mamadou Bountogo, Lisa R. Hirschhorn, Jennifer Manne-Goehler, Till Barnighausen, Justine Davies
Summary: Injury is common in older adults in rural Burkina Faso, with a higher disease burden. Factors such as younger age, male sex, higher wealth quintile, abnormal Generalised Anxiety Disorder score, and lower Quality of Life score were associated with injury. Injured patients experienced shorter wait times and longer consultation times during care seeking.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Moussa Lingani, Serge Henri Zango, Innocent Valea, Georges Some, Maimouna Sanou, Sekou O. Samadoulougou, Serge Ouoba, Eli Rouamba, Annie Robert, Michele Dramaix, Philippe Donnen, Halidou Tinto
Summary: The prevalence of LBW in the Yako health district in rural Burkina Faso was 11.0%. Factors such as being a primigravid mother, presence of malaria infection, inadequate uptake of malaria prevention measures, maternal fever at delivery, and female neonate were independently associated with an increased risk of LBW occurrence. The number of antenatal visits did not directly protect against LBW.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Valia, Juste Stephane Kouanda, Brecht Ingelbeen, Karim Derra, Berenger Kabore, Francois Kiemde, Toussaint Rouamba, Eli Rouamba, Franck Sovi Hien, Linda Campbell, Marie Meudec, Annie Robert, Halidou Tinto, Marianne A. B. van Der Sande, Hector Rodriguez Villalobos
Summary: Self-medication is common in rural Burkina Faso due to limited healthcare resources and easy access to antibiotics. This study emphasizes the importance of improving access to healthcare facilities and implementing antibiotic stewardship programs.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan Jabbarian, Luisa Katharina Werner, Moubassira Kagone, Julia Margarete Lemp, Shannon McMahon, Olaf Horstick, Harounan Kazianga, Jean-Francois Kobiane, Gunther Fink, Jan-Walter De Neve
Summary: This study identifies the perceived barriers to secondary schooling in rural Burkina Faso, including school-related expenses, lack of school infrastructure and resources, as well as insufficient French language skills. Forced marriages, adolescent pregnancies, and low perceived economic benefits also contribute to the low secondary school completion rates. The findings of this study can guide future interventions and policies targeting universal secondary education and gender equity in the region.
Review
Agronomy
Lea-Sophie Hansen, Raissa Sorgho, Isabel Mank, Patricia Nayna Schwerdtle, Erick Agure, Till Barnighausen, Ina Danquah
Summary: This scoping review examines home gardening projects in Burkina Faso and Kenya, and finds that home gardens have a positive impact on food security and nutrition status. However, there is limited evidence on home gardening practices in rural areas of these two countries.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Christine M. McDonald, Parminder S. Suchdev, Nancy F. Krebs, Sonja Y. Hess, K. Ryan Wessells, Sanober Ismaily, Sabuktagin Rahman, Frank T. Wieringa, Anne M. Williams, Kenneth H. Brown, Janet C. King
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2020)
Article
Pathology
Aviva Rappaport, Crystal D. Karakochuk, Sonja Y. Hess, Ralph D. Whitehead, Sorrel M. L. Namaste, Omar Dary, Megan E. Parker, Lynnette M. Neufeld, Leila M. Larson, Sam Newton, Rita Wegmuller, Denish Moorthy
Summary: The analysis showed significant variability in hemoglobin concentration measured in capillary or venous blood using different equipment across different populations and countries.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taryn J. Smith, Casey R. Johnson, Roshine Koshy, Sonja Y. Hess, Umar A. Qureshi, Mimi Lhamu Mynak, Philip R. Fischer
Summary: Thiamine deficiency, a crucial issue affecting multiple systems, requires early diagnosis and treatment to prevent misdiagnosis and missed opportunities. Future research efforts should focus on determining effective treatment strategies for thiamine deficiency disorders.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Cesaire T. Ouedraogo, Stephen A. Vosti, K. Ryan Wessells, Charles D. Arnold, M. Thierno Faye, Sonja Y. Hess
Summary: Despite an official policy of exemption from health care costs, pregnant women in Niger still face some out-of-pocket costs and time costs when attending antenatal care services. However, these costs were not identified as barriers to ANC visits, and the distribution of iron folic acid and long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets during ANC visits could be used to motivate pregnant women to attend ANC.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kenneth H. Brown, Christine M. McDonald, K. Ryan Wessells, Sonja Y. Hess
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kenneth H. Brown, Sophie E. Moore, Sonja Y. Hess, Christine M. McDonald, Kerry S. Jones, Sarah R. Meadows, Mari S. Manger, Jennifer Coates, Silvia Alayon, Saskia J. M. Osendarp
Summary: Micronutrient deficiencies can have negative impacts on health and functionality, especially among children and women in low- and middle-income countries. The lack of information is due to limited understanding of the importance of micronutrients by policymakers, high costs and logistical constraints involved in data collection and analysis, and inadequate professional capacity for implementing related surveys.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
K. Ryan Wessells, Charles D. Arnold, Christine P. Stewart, Elizabeth L. Prado, Souheila Abbeddou, Seth Adu-Afarwuah, Benjamin F. Arnold, Per Ashorn, Ulla Ashorn, Elodie Becquey, Kenneth H. Brown, Kendra A. Byrd, Rebecca K. Campbell, Parul Christian, Lia C. H. Fernald, Yue-Mei Fan, Emanuela Galasso, Sonja Y. Hess, Lieven Huybregts, Josh M. Jorgensen, Marion Kiprotich, Emma Kortekangas, Anna Lartey, Agnes Le Port, Jef L. Leroy, Audrie Lin, Kenneth Maleta, Susana L. Matias, Mduduzi N. N. Mbuya, Malay K. Mridha, Kuda Mutasa, Abu M. Naser, Rina R. Paul, Harriet Okronipa, Jean-Bosco Ouedraogo, Amy J. Pickering, Mahbubur Rahman, Kerry Schulze, Laura E. Smith, Ann M. Weber, Amanda Zongrone, Kathryn G. Dewey
Summary: The provision of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements has been shown to significantly decrease the prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia among children. Positive effects of these supplements were observed across various subgroups, indicating their potential in improving hematological and iron status outcomes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Elizabeth L. Prado, Charles D. Arnold, K. Ryan Wessells, Christine P. Stewart, Souheila Abbeddou, Seth Adu-Afarwuah, Benjamin F. Arnold, Ulla Ashorn, Per Ashorn, Elodie Becquey, Kenneth H. Brown, Jaya Chandna, Parul Christian, Holly N. Dentz, Sherlie J. L. Dulience, Lia C. H. Fernald, Emanuela Galasso, Lotta Hallamaa, Sonja Y. Hess, Lieven Huybregts, Lora L. Iannotti, Elizabeth Y. Jimenez, Patricia Kohl, Anna Lartey, Agnes Le Port, Stephen P. Luby, Kenneth Maleta, Andrew Matchado, Susana L. Matias, Malay K. Mridha, Robert Ntozini, Clair Null, Maku E. Ocansey, Sarker M. Parvez, John Phuka, Amy J. Pickering, Andrew J. Prendergast, Abu A. Shamim, Zakia Siddiqui, Fahmida Tofail, Ann M. Weber, Lee S. F. Wu, Kathryn G. Dewey
Summary: Small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements have positive effects on language, social-emotional, and motor scores in young children, especially in populations with a high prevalence of child stunting. Certain groups of children in higher-risk environments have a greater potential to benefit from these supplements.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Taryn J. Smith, Xiuping Tan, Charles D. Arnold, Dalaphone Sitthideth, Sengchanh Kounnavong, Sonja Y. Hess
Summary: This study found that postpartum dietary restrictions are common among women in northern Lao PDR. Older age, higher gravidity, and better household socioeconomic status were associated with allowing more diverse foods, while women from food insecure households tended to follow more restrictive diets for longer. Culturally appropriate strategies to increase micronutrient intakes among women should be considered.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eleanor Brindle, Lorraine Lillis, Rebecca Barney, Pooja Bansil, Sonja Y. Hess, K. Ryan Wessells, Cesaire T. Ouedraogo, Francisco Arredondo, Mikaela K. Barker, Neal E. Craft, Christina Fischer, James L. Graham, Peter J. Havel, Crystal D. Karakochuk, Mindy Zhang, Ei-Xia Mussai, Carine Mapango, Jody M. Randolph, Katherine Wander, Christine M. Pfeiffer, Eileen Murphy, David S. Boyle
Summary: This study evaluated the performance characteristics and comparability of immunoassay methods for quantifying seven biomarkers across different laboratories. Results showed acceptable precision and linearity in a single lab, with generally good agreement in biomarker results between labs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sonja Y. Hess, Alexander C. McLain, Haley Lescinsky, Kenneth H. Brown, Ashkan Afshin, Reed Atkin, Saskia J. M. Osendarp
Summary: The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study shows significant changes in the estimated disease burden due to vitamin A and zinc deficiencies from 2017 to 2019, primarily due to changes in analytical methods, which may not represent true changes in disease burden. Further efforts are needed to validate these results.
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sonja Y. Hess, Alexander C. McLain, Edward A. Frongillo, Ashkan Afshin, Nicholas J. Kassebaum, Saskia J. M. Osendarp, Reed Atkin, Rahul Rawat, Kenneth H. Brown
Summary: Assessing the global prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies requires valid biomarkers and representative survey data, which are often lacking. Current estimates rely on complex statistical modeling using assumptions and proxies, potentially underestimating the extent of deficiencies and global health burden.
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paulina Tindana, Rosemonde Guissou, Oladimeji Akeem Bolarinwa, Fatoumata Tou, Freek de Haan, Mehul Dhorda, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chanaki Amaratunga, Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu, Jean Bosco Ouedraogo, Phaik Yeong Cheah
Summary: This paper presents an analysis of stakeholders' perspectives regarding key ethical considerations to be considered in the deployment of triple artemisinin-based combination therapies (TACTs) in Africa. Engagement with stakeholders and addressing ethical issues will be crucial for potential deployment of TACTs in Africa.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Ty Beal, Anna Herforth, Shelly Sundberg, Sonja Y. Hess, Lynnette M. Neufeld
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
T. J. Smith, S. Y. Hess
Summary: Infantile beriberi, caused by thiamine deficiency, continues to cause infant mortality in South and Southeast Asia due to maternal thiamine deficiency and inadequate breast milk thiamine. Limited dietary diversity, food preparation practices, and post-partum food restrictions contribute to this problem. Efforts are needed to prevent thiamine deficiency and address the challenges in diagnosing and treating thiamine deficiency disorders in low-resource settings.
NUTRITION BULLETIN
(2021)