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The effectiveness of food aid in reducing household food insecurity in developing countries has been extensively examined in previous studies. This study explores this issue in the context of COVID-19, using the example of emergency food aid provided by the Senegalese government. Field survey data were collected from 4500 recipients and non-recipients, and the matching method was used to examine whether there was a significant difference between the two groups. Several dimensions of food insecurity were explored through five indicators: the food consumption score and the coping strategies index from the World Food Programme and three indicators of simple, moderate and severe food insecurity based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale of the US Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The results show that government aid has a negative and significant impact on the diversity and nutritional value of beneficiary households' diets. Nevertheless, this programme prevented the use of extreme coping strategies. Furthermore, government aid has a positive impact on food security as measured by negative experiences related to food access. Ultimately, despite low nutritional intake, the programme had a positive effect on recipients' food access compared with non-beneficiaries. Therefore, for future interventions, the government should promote local and more nutritious products to sustainably improve food security.
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The history of mankind witnessed a lot of pandemics throughout its years. Many of which caused fatalities and created severe consequences socially and economically. The latest example is the COVID-19 pandemic that got the world into a heated race to contain by developing immunization vaccines. Many of the vaccines came into production in record time which raises questions about their side effects. Also, since vaccines are sensitive medical products, they require continuous cold supply chain monitoring and tracking. It is clear how vital it is to link any occurring side effects to their causes to determine whether it is a manufacturing problem or a supply chain management issue. Additionally, and to properly establish this link, an effective beneficiaries' registration process is required. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive system that combines vaccines cold supply chain management solution with side-effects follow-up data and individuals registration records. To achieve these goals, the technology of blockchain was selected to develop a framework for the vaccines program. Blockchain is known as the architecture behind cryptocurrencies, however, it proved its reliability and effectiveness in different use cases. Blockchain special characteristics were the reason behind adopting it to establish a blockchain-based platform for vaccines cold supply chain associated with traceable side-effects information records combined with beneficiaries registration data. The connection between the three parts of our system framework is important to achieving the utmost benefits out of the vaccine program in terms of compliance with standard measures and its link to side-effects and beneficiaries metadata. © 2022 IEEE.
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Introduction/ Background: In response SRAS-Cov2 that hit Senegal in March 2020, the country has implemented several strategies to contain its spread. To date, apart from official situation reports, no publication has been made on the development of the different waves in Senegal. Our objective was to describe the epidemiology and strategies adopted. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of confirmed COVID-19 cases from March 2, 2020 to September 30, 2021 in Senegal. A confirmed case was defined as a person with a positive Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCRSRAS- Cov 2) or antigenic (rapid diagnostic) test, regardless of clinical signs and symptoms. We used surveillance data collected by Ministry of Health and extracted the variables of interest: sociodemographic characteristics, mode of transmission and biological confirmation. Data quality control was performed with investigation forms. Data was cleaned and analyzed with the software R. We computed the following parameters: proportions, mean and standard deviation. Results: Senegal recorded a total of 73 782 confirmed cases and 1 859 deaths due to SARS-Cov-2. The temporal evolution was marked by three epidemic waves. Epidemic was concentrated in high-density areas such as Dakar (48,656 cases or 66%), among males (sex ratio 1.13) and in the 25-34 age group (16,527 cases or 22.4%). The national incidence was 428 per 100,000 inhabitants and the overall case fatality rate was 2.5% (1,859/73,782). Strategies were implemented according to the waves: training for healthworkers, restrictive measures, home-based case management and vaccination. Thus far, 9.2% (840,154/9,128,453) of the target population have been fully vaccinated. Impact: Our study has allowed to know the evolution of the epidemic over time, map the areas at risk and identify the categories of people most affected. Our work provides an inventory of all the strategies implemented. Our recommendations will allow a better targeting of interventions and a readjustment of strategies. Conclusion: The epidemic has affected specific groups. The disease was most prevalent in densely populated areas, in the 25-34 age group and in males. We recommended to: reinforce preventive measures in high-density cities, mobilize community health networks to encourage vaccination and assess the impact of COVID-19 on priority public health programs.
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Background and Aims: Initially barely affected by the COVID-19, the African continent suffered a second violent wave this winter. Neurological manifestations worldwide are increasingly reported, dominated by encephalitis, stroke and polyradiculoneuritis. We report the Senegalese experience of Neurocovid through a series of 9 patients. Methods: This is a prospective study of patients hospitalized in the neurology department of Fann. Were included patients who had neurological manifestations during or following an COVID-19 infection defined by a positive PCR or a recent infection with ELISA serology or typical chest imaging. Results: We collected 9 patients (6 men and 3 women), aged 7 to 80 years. Diagnoses were: 3 encephalitis, 4 polyradiculoneuritis, 1 hemorrhagic stroke and 1 chorea. 4 patients had comorbidities. The delay for neurological signs appearance was 11.1 days. A nasal swab was positive on 5/8 patients. Antibodies were found in all 3 negative patients. The LCR study showed hyperproteinorrachia in 7/9 patients. 5 patients underwent CT chest scan, showing ground glass opacities. Brain imaging was normal in 3 and pathological in 2, showing a parietal temporo hematoma fx1 in one and mesencephalic and parietal hypersignal in the other fx2 50% of patients with polyradiculoneuritis had an ENMG that showed an AIDP. One patient had an electroencephalogram that showed an overall slowing of the pattern with diffuse pseudoperiodic complexes fx3. Evolution was good for 6 patients but we noticed 3 deaths. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Conclusions: Neurological manifestations most often occur in post-infection. The creation of a multidisciplinary team will allow a better understanding of the sequel as of patients with COVID-19.
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Introduction: External laryngeal trauma represents a rare medical and surgical emergency. Examination of the endolarynx as well as CT are very important for the assessment of the lesions. The surgical treatment aims to restore the permeability of the laryngeal pathway and to avoid complications. The objective of the study is to share our experience on the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of these external laryngeal traumas. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of 34 cases of patients with external laryngeal trauma. The study period runs from September 2009 to November 2018 (10 years).
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The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020, but the world is still reeling from its aftermath. Originating from China, cases quickly spread across the globe, prompting the implementation of stringent measures by world governments in efforts to isolate cases and limit the transmission rate of the virus. These measures have however shattered the core sustaining pillars of the modern world economies as global trade and cooperation succumbed to nationalist focus and competition for scarce supplies. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a critical review of the catalogue of negative and positive impacts of the pandemic and proffers perspectives on how it can be leveraged to steer towards a better, more resilient low-carbon economy. The paper diagnosed the danger of relying on pandemic-driven benefits to achieving sustainable development goals and emphasizes a need for a decisive, fundamental structural change to the dynamics of how we live. It argues for a rethink of the present global economic growth model, shaped by a linear economy system and sustained by profiteering and energy-gulping manufacturing processes, in favour of a more sustainable model recalibrated on circular economy (CE) framework. Building on evidence in support of CE as a vehicle for balancing the complex equation of accomplishing profit with minimal environmental harms, the paper outlines concrete sector-specific recommendations on CE-related solutions as a catalyst for the global economic growth and development in a resilient post-COVID-19 world.
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The main objective of this study was to focus on the microbiological aspects of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children in Senegalese hospitals. The hospital frequency of acute respiratory infections in children was 3.7%. The average age was 23.7 months with extremes between 1 month and 144 months. Peaks of consultations were found in August, March and April with 22%, 15.6%, and 12.8% respectively. Fever, respiratory distress and pulmonary condensation syndrome were the main signs found on examination in our patients. Bacteriology was positive in 82.6% of the samples and the most frequently found bacteria were: Streptococcus pneumoniae in 38.5%, Haemophilus influenza b in 32.1% and Moraxella catarrhalis in 25.7%. Virological tests were positive in 80.7%. The viruses most frequently found in the samples were Rhinovirus in 33% of the samples, Human respiratory syncytial virus in 24.8% and coronavirus in 15.6%. On mycological examination, only 4 samples out of 109 were positive, i.e. 3.7%. The only fungi found was Pneumocystis with its two serotypes Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis pneumonia in equal proportions. Among the diagnoses retained, pneumonia was predominant and found in 61 of the cases, with a prevalence of 59.9%, followed by acute bronchiolitis with a prevalence of 16.51%. The average length of hospitalization was 10 days. Lethality was 1.8% or 2 cases. Acute respiratory infections in children still remain a public health problem in developing countries, with children under 5 years of age being the most affected, hence the need to strengthen programs to combat ARI.
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Though there are no specific guidelines in Sub-Saharan Africa, the aim is to suggest to health practitioners, a simple screening tool of COVID-19 cases in the formal workforce in the region. Indeed the COVID-19 response in the formal African workplace should clearly be integrated into the national system and should include: the setting up, in each company, of a response management unit that works in collaboration with the occupational health and safety committee;awareness-raising and training of social partners on aspects relating to knowledge of the disease and prevention measures;implementation of a procedure for screening and handling cases detected;evaluation and monitoring of the psychosociat and economic impact of the disease.
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Résumé Le milieu de travail africain subsaharien pour faire face à la pandémie à COVID-19, doit s’appuyer sur les missions de la santé au travail au niveau du secteur structuré et la promotion du bien-être et de la santé au travail pour le secteur informel. Les mesures de prévention technique collective (sensibilisation, formation, propreté), individuelle (équipements de protection individuelle, vaccination) et de prévention médicale (dépistage, surveillance) rejoignent les recommandations préconisées par les autorités. Summary In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the workplace in Sub-Saharan Africa should build on the missions of occupational health in the formal sector and on the promotion of well-being and occupational health in the informal sector. Technical prevention measures adopted at the collective level (awareness-raising, training and hygiene) and at the individual level (personal protective equipment and vaccination) as well as disease prevention measures (screening and surveillance) are in line with the recommendations advocated by the authorities.