Search

Objective To refine a standard questionnaire on sexual practices, experiences and health-related outcomes to improve its cross-cultural applicability and interpretability. We aimed to explore participants' willingness and ability to answer the draft questionnaire items, and determine whether items were interpreted as intended across diverse geographic and cultural environments. Methods We conducted cognitive interviews (n = 645) in three iterative waves of data collection across 19 countries during March 2022-March 2023, with participants of diverse sex, gender, age and geography. Interviewers used a semi-structured field guide to elicit narratives from participants about their questionnaire item interpretation and response processes. Local study teams completed data analysis frameworks, and we conducted joint analysis meetings between data collection waves to identify question failures. Findings Overall, we observed that participants were willing to respond to even the most sensitive questionnaire items on sexual biography and practices. We identified issues with the original questionnaire that (i) affected the willingness (acceptability) and ability (knowledge barriers) of participants to respond fully; and/or (ii) prevented participants from interpreting the questions as intended, including poor wording (source question error), cultural portability and very rarely translation error. Our revisions included adjusting item order and wording, adding preambles and implementation guidance, and removing items with limited cultural portability. Conclusion We have demonstrated that a questionnaire exploring sexual practices, experiences and health-related outcomes can be comprehensible and acceptable by the general population in diverse global contexts, and have highlighted the importance of rigorous processes for the translation and cognitive testing of such a questionnaire. [phrase omitted] [phrase omitted] Objectif Adapter un questionnaire standard sur les pratiques et experiences sexuelles ainsi que les resultats lies a la sante sexuelle, afin d'ameliorer son intelligibilite et son applicabilite transculturelle. Nous souhaitions analyser la volonte des participants et leur capacite a repondre aux differentes thematiques abordees dans le projet de questionnaire, puis determiner si certaines questions avaient ete interpretees comme prevu selon les environnements geographiques et culturels. Methodes Nous avons mene des entretiens cognitifs (n = 645) repartis en trois periodes iteratives de collecte de donnees dans 19 pays entre mars 2022 et mars 2023, avec des participants de sexes, genres, ages et origines differents. Les personnes chargees de l'entretien ont utilise un guide pratique semi-structure pour interroger les participants sur la maniere dont ils ont interprete les questions et entrepris d'y repondre. Des equipes locales impliquees dans cette etude ont rempli des cadres d'analyse de donnees, puis nous avons organise des reunions de reflexion conjointes entre les periodes de collecte de donnees afin de recenser les questions qui se sont soldees par un echec. Resultats De maniere generale, nous avons constate que les participants etaient disposes a repondre au questionnaire, y compris aux thematiques les plus sensibles sur leur historique et leurs pratiques sexuelles. Nous avons identifie, dans le questionnaire initial, des problemes qui (i) ont eu un impact sur la volonte (acceptabilite) et la capacite (connaissances insuffisantes) des participants a y repondre pleinement; et/ou (ii) ont empeche les participants d'interpreter les questions comme prevu, notamment en raison d'une mauvaise formulation (erreur dans la question source), d'une absence de transposition culturelle et, dans de tres rares cas, d'une erreur de traduction. Dans le cadre de nos revisions, nous avons modifie l'ordre et la formulation des questions, ajoute des notes explicatives et un guide de mise en reuvre, mais aussi supprime les questions difficiles a transposer dans d'autres contextes culturels. Conclusion Nous avons montre qu'un questionnaire explorant les pratiques et experiences sexuelles ainsi que les resultats lies a la sante pouvait etre comprehensible et acceptable pour l'ensemble de la population dans divers contextes a travers le monde. Nous avons egalement souligne l'importance d'etablir des processus rigoureux de traduction et devaluation cognitive pour ce type de questionnaire. [phrase omitted] Objetivo Ajustar un cuestionario estandar sobre las practicas, las experiencias y los resultados relacionados con la salud sexual para mejorar su aplicabilidad e interpretabilidad transcultural. El objetivo consistia en explorar la disposicion y la capacidad de los participantes para responder al borrador del cuestionario y determinar si las preguntas se interpretaban segun lo previsto en diferentes entornos geograficos y culturales. Metodos Se realizaron entrevistas cognitivas (n = 645) en tres rondas iterativas de recopilacion de datos en 19 paises durante marzo de 2022 y marzo de 2023, con participantes de diversos sexos, generos, edades y regiones geograficas. Los entrevistadores utilizaron una guia de campo semiestructurada para obtener relatos de los participantes sobre sus procesos de interpretacion y respuesta a las preguntas del cuestionario. Los equipos de estudio locales completaron los marcos de analisis de datos y se celebraron reuniones conjuntas de analisis entre las rondas de recopilacion de datos para identificar fallos en las preguntas. Resultados En general, se observo que los participantes estaban dispuestos a responder incluso a las preguntas mas delicadas del cuestionario sobre biografia y practicas en materia sexual. Se identificaron problemas con el cuestionario original que (i) afectaban a la disposicion (aceptabilidad) y la capacidad (barreras de conocimiento) de los participantes para responder plenamente; o (ii) evitaban que los participantes interpretaran las preguntas segun lo previsto, incluida una redaccion deficiente (error en la pregunta original), portabilidad cultural y, muy raramente, error de traduccion. Las revisiones incluyeron el ajuste del orden y la redaccion de las preguntas, la adicion de preambulos y orientaciones de implementacion, y la eliminacion de preguntas con una portabilidad cultural limitada. Conclusion Se ha demostrado que un cuestionario que explora las practicas, las experiencias y los resultados relacionados con la salud sexual puede ser comprensible y aceptable para la poblacion general en diversos contextos mundiales. Ademas, se ha destacado la importancia de contar con procesos rigurosos para la traduccion y las pruebas cognitivas de un cuestionario de este tipo., Introduction Despite decades of research, programming and investment into improving sexual and reproductive health and rights outcomes, there has been inadequate attention paid to sexual activity. (1,2) Information, education and [...]

Sorghum Response to Deep Placement of Different Urea Doses in the Flood Recession Cropping System in Yélimané, Mali. In order to identify the best ways of lifting nitrogen deficiency recorded in the flood recession sorghum cropping system in the district of Yélimané in Mali, a factorial experiment comparing the effect of two modes of placement (15 and 20 cm depth) and five doses of urea (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg.ha-1) was carried out in a dispersed blocks design during the years 2014 and 2015. Results showed that the yields of placement mode were statistically, while equivalent there was a significant difference between yields of years and yields of doses of urea. These yields have linearly increased according to the applied urea doses. With the highest urea dose (40 kg.ha-1) sorghum produced 1,792 kg of grain/ha and 4,552 kg of straw/ha. Control yields were 959 kg of grain and 3,069 kg of straw/ha. The dose of 10 kg of urea/ha produced the best gross benefit of 3,492 CFA.kg-1 of fertilizer, the best fertilizer efficiency use of 31.6 and the highest ratio value/cost of 12.6.

In Mali, citrus fruits play an important part in both human nutrition and the country's economy. They represent an important source of income for citrus growers. Citrus production in Mali is highly diversified, but the current trend is towards the Tangelo Orlando or Citrus×tangelo variety. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two phytohormones (2,4,5-T acid and AG3) and a mineral salt (KNO3) on the production of Tangelo Orlando. The experiment was carried out in Koulikoro district, especially on the experimental plot of the IPR/IFRA of Katibougou. The plant material used was white-pulp Tangelo Orlando. Two phytophytohormones (2,4,5-T acid, and AG3), a mineral salt (KNO3) and distilled water (control) were used to treat the young plants. The experimental design was a Fischer block with three replications. Observations were made on the parameters of development. The results showed significant differences (p

Circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) can emerge and lead to outbreaks of paralytic polio as well as asymptomatic transmission in communities with a high percentage of under-vaccinated children. Data from the WHO Polio Information System (POLIS) and the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) are used below to describe global polio outbreaks due to cVDPVs during January 2023-June 2024. This updates previous reports. During the reporting period, 74 cVDPV outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, predominantly in Africa. Of the outbreaks, 47 (64%) were new and were detected in 30 (77%) of the 39 countries. Three countries reported cVDPV type 1 (cVDPV1) outbreaks; 39 reported cVDPV type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks; and 2 countries reported co-circulating cVDPV1 and cVDPV2. Seventy cVDPV2 outbreaks were reported in 38 countries. cVDPV transmission lasted for >1 year into 2024 in 15 countries. In Nigeria and Somalia, countries with security-compromised areas, persistent cVDPV2 transmission has spread to neighbouring countries. Delayed implementation of outbreak response and low-quality campaigns have resulted in further international spread. Countries can control cVDPV outbreaks with timely allocation of resources to implement prompt, high-quality responses after outbreak confirmation. Stopping cVDPV transmission requires vaccination to increase population immunity; this requires overcoming barriers to vaccinating children. Des emergences de poliovirus circulants derives d'une souche vaccinale (PVDVc) peuvent se produire et donner lieu a des flambees epidemiques de poliomyelite paralytique et a une transmission asymptomatique dans les communautes comptant une forte proportion d'enfants sous-vaccines. Le present rapport, qui est une mise a jour des rapports precedents, s'appuie sur les donnees du Systeme d'information de l'OMS sur la poliomyelite (POLIS) et du Reseau mondial de laboratoires pour la poliomyelite (RMLP) pour decrire les flambees epidemiques de poliomyelite dues aux PVDVc qui sont survenues dans le monde entre janvier 2023 et juin 2024. Au cours de la periode couverte par ce rapport, 74 flambees de PVDVc ont ete detectees dans 39 pays, principalement en Afrique. Parmi elles, on compte 47 (64%) flambees nouvelles, dans 30 (77%) des 39 pays. Trois pays ont signale des flambees dues aux PVDVc de type 1 (PVDVcl), 39 pays ont notifie des flambees de PVDVc de type 2 (PVDVc2) et 2 pays ont fait etat d'une cocirculation de PVDVcl et de PVDVc2. Les flambees de PVDVc2 signalees dans 39 pays etaient au nombre de 70. Dans 15 pays, la transmission des PVDVc a dure >1 an, se poursuivant en 2024. Au Nigeria et en Somalie, pays dont certaines zones sont en proie a des problemes de securite, la transmission persistante des PVDVc2 s'est etendue aux pays voisins. La mise en oeuvre tardive des activites de riposte et la faible qualite des campagnes ont conduit a une propagation internationale supplementaire. Les flambees epidemiques de PVDVc peuvent etre endiguees rapidement si les pays deploient en temps utile les ressources necessaires a la mise en oeuvre d'une riposte rapide et de qualite une fois que l'epidemie est confirmee. Pour interrompre la transmission des PVDVc, il est essentiel d'accroitre l'immunite de la population grace a la vaccination, ce qui suppose de surmonter les obstacles qui entravent la vaccination des enfants., Introduction Live, attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) induces long-term protection against paralytic disease and limits virus shedding in vaccinated people who are infected. (1) Circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) (2) occur [...]

Assessing the feasibility of 2030 as a target date for global elimination of trachoma, and identification of districts that may require enhanced treatment to meet World Health Organization (WHO) elimination criteria by this date are key challenges in operational planning for trachoma programmes. Here we address these challenges by prospectively evaluating forecasting models of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) prevalence, leveraging ensemble-based approaches. Seven candidate probabilistic models were developed to forecast district-wise TF prevalence in 11 760 districts, trained using district-level data on the population prevalence of TF in children aged 1-9 years from 2004 to 2022. Geographical location, history of mass drug administration treatment, and previously measured prevalence data were included in these models as key predictors. The best-performing models were included in an ensemble, using weights derived from their relative likelihood scores. To incorporate the inherent stochasticity of disease transmission and challenges of population-level surveillance, we forecasted probability distributions for the TF prevalence in each geographic district, rather than predicting a single value. Based on our probabilistic forecasts, 1.46% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43-1.48%) of all districts in trachoma-endemic countries, equivalent to 172 districts, will exceed the 5% TF control threshold in 2030 with the current interventions. Global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem by 2030 may require enhanced intervention and/or surveillance of high-risk districts.

Zambia has recently faced prolonged load shedding due to reduced hydroelectricity generation caused by unfavourable rainfall patterns. To tackle this issue and satisfy increasing energy demands, the government aims to explore alternative energy sources like wind energy. However, the uncertainty surrounding the economic feasibility of implementing wind power projects in Zambia poses a significant challenge. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of eight proposed wind farm sites using net present value (NPV), simple payback period (SPP), internal rate of return (IRR), and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). By examining energy yield analysis (EYA), wind speed, and financial indicators, the study identifies the most economically viable wind farm site(s). The results reveal that the Lusaka wind farm is the most economical, with an energy yield analysis of 386 GWh, wind speed of 8 m/s, NPV of USD 316 million, SPP of 2.9 years, IRR of 82%, and LCOE of 0.182 USD/kWh. An economic sensitivity analysis, varying the average electricity tariff, also points to Lusaka as the most financially viable site. Consequently, policymakers are advised to develop cost-reflective feed-in tariff (FiT) schemes and power purchase agreements to establish electricity tariffs that encourage investment from independent power producers in Zambia.

Abstract Malaria is a major public health problem, but many of the factors underlying the pathogenesis of this disease are not well understood, including protection from the development of febrile symptoms, which is observed in individuals residing in areas with moderate-to-high transmission by early adolescence. Here, we demonstrate that susceptibility to febrile malaria following Plasmodium falciparum infection is associated with the composition of the gut microbiome prior to the malaria season in 10-year-old Malian children, but not in younger children. Gnotobiotic mice colonized with the fecal samples of malaria-susceptible children were shown to have a significantly higher parasite burden following Plasmodium infection compared to gnotobiotic mice colonized with the fecal samples of malaria-resistant children. The fecal microbiome of the susceptible children was determined to be enriched for bacteria associated with inflammation, mucin degradation and gut permeability, and to have increased levels of nitric oxide-derived DNA adducts and lower levels of mucus phospholipids compared to the resistant children. Overall, these results indicate that the composition of the gut microbiome is associated with the prospective risk of febrile malaria in Malian children and suggest that modulation of the gut microbiome could decrease malaria morbidity in endemic areas.

Abstract Background Attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) have the potential to significantly reduce infective female Anopheles mosquitoes in arid areas, such as in Northern Mali. Malaria is epidemic in the north due to the limited viability of Anopheles species in the desert climate. The goal of this study was to determine of the effect of ATSB on the number of older female An. gambiae and on the number of sporozoite-positive females in villages in northern Mali. Methods Villages were located in the north of Mali. In this study, 5677 ATSB stations were deployed, two on each home, in ten villages during late July and early August 2019. Ten villages served as controls. After a pre-treatment monitoring period in July, An. gambiae populations were monitored again from August to December using CDC-UV light traps, pyrethrum spray catches (PSC), and human landing catches (HLC). Mosquitoes were dissected to estimate their age, while ELISA detected sporozoite positivity. The monthly entomological inoculation rates (EIRs) were calculated for HLC indoors and outdoors. Data from villages were compared using t-tests, while bait station weighted density versus amount of collected females was checked with a Pearson’s correlation. Results A total of 2703 female An. gambiae were caught from treated villages, 4582 from control villages, a 41.0% difference. Dissection of 1759 females showed that ATSB significantly reduced the number of older females. The proportion of older females in treated villages was 0.93% compared to 9.4% in control villages. ELISA analysis of 7285 females showed that bait stations reduced the number of sporozoite-positive females. The infective females in treated villages was 0.30% compared to 2.73% in the controls. The greater the density of bait stations deployed, the fewer the older, infective females (P