Female-friendly toilets in schools in Burkina Faso: A mixed-methods study using photo-elicitation.

Background: An absence of gender-sensitive sanitation facilities in schools and the negative effects this has on girls has been widely discussed among advocacy groups, though less examined in academic spheres. Drawing on triangulated data, we outline current challenges and respondent-driven solutions to enhance the female-friendly nature of toilets in a context of extreme poverty. Methods: This mixed-methods study was informed by the tenets of human-centred design. We first quantitatively assessed facilities in 14 secondary schools in the Kossi Province of Burkina Faso. We then collected qualitative data, including 15 focus group discussions and 53 in-depth interviews among schoolgirls, mothers, teachers and key informants. We applied photo-elicitation, a novel method, to explore perceptions of facilities and the desirability and feasibility of interventions to improve gender-friendly sanitation facilities. Results: No school met international water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) standards for schools. Roughly one third of schools did not have water and, when present, there was no reliable way to use it within the toilet complex. Schoolgirls shared feelings of shame and stress when menstruating at school, and said that they would avoid using school toilets, if possible. Schoolgirls described water access as the most urgent need to address, followed by fostering privacy and facilitating cleanliness within facilities. Mothers and teachers mostly aligned with these priorities, while key informants additionally emphasised the need to raise awareness on both general and menstrual hygiene and to develop maintenance systems. Photo-elicitation engaged and empowered participants to pinpoint priorities and concrete solutions, namely a need for doors and locks, water containers and cleaning materials. Conclusions: WASH needs in many schools remain unmet. Women and girls should be involved in decision-making across stages of intervention design and implementation. Young women's voices merit greater inclusion in academic literature. Future interventions should enhance access to water and privacy. Future research could explore maintenance and monitoring strategies to develop guidance on sustainable solutions.

'If he sees it with his own eyes, he will understand': how gender informed the content and delivery of a maternal nutrition intervention in Burkina Faso.

A growing body of literature urges policymakers, practitioners and scientists to consider gender in the design and evaluation of health interventions. We report findings from formative research to develop and refine an mHealth maternal nutrition intervention in Nouna, Burkina Faso, one of the world's most resource-poor settings. Gender was not an initial research focus, but emerged as highly salient during data collection, and thus guided lines of inquiry as the study progressed. We collected data in two stages, first using focus group discussions (FGD; n = 8) and later using FGDs (n = 2), interviews (n = 30) and observations of intervention delivery (n = 30). Respondents included pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and Close-to-Community (CTC) providers, who execute preventative and curative tasks at the community level. We applied Morgan et al.'s gender framework to examine intervention content (what a gender-sensitive nutrition programme should entail) and delivery (how a gender-sensitive programme should be administered). Mothers emphasized that although they are often the focus of nutrition interventions, they are not empowered to make nutrition-based decisions that incur costs. They do, however, wield some control over nutrition-related tasks such as farming and cooking. Mothers described how difficult it is to consider only one's own children during meal preparation (which is communal), and all respondents described how nutrition-related requests can spark marital strife. Many respondents agreed that involving men in nutrition interventions is vital, despite men's perceived disinterest. CTC providers and others described how social norms and gender roles underpin perceptions of CTC providers and dictate with whom they can speak within homes. Mothers often prefer female CTC providers, but these health workers require spousal permission to work and need to balance professional and domestic demands. We recommend involving male partners in maternal nutrition interventions and engaging and supporting a broader cadre of female CTC providers in Burkina Faso.

Iterative Adaptation of a Mobile Nutrition Video-Based Intervention Across Countries Using Human-Centered Design: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) video interventions are often transferred across settings. Although the outcomes of these transferred interventions are frequently published, the process of adapting such videos is less described, particularly within and across lower-income contexts. This study fills a gap in the literature by outlining experiences and priorities adapting a suite of South African maternal nutrition videos to the context of rural Burkina Faso. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the key components in adapting a suite of maternal nutrition mHealth videos across settings. METHODS: Guided by the principles of human-centered design, this qualitative study included 10 focus group discussions, 30 in-depth interviews, and 30 observations. We first used focus group discussions to capture insights on local nutrition and impressions of the original (South African) videos. After making rapid adjustments based on these focus group discussions, we used additional methods (focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and observations) to identify challenges, essential video refinements, and preferences in terms of content delivery. All data were collected in French or Dioula, recorded, transcribed, and translated as necessary into French before being thematically coded by two authors. RESULTS: We propose a 3-pronged Video Adaptation Framework that places the aim of video adaptation at the center of a triangle framed by end recipients, health workers, and the environment. End recipients (here, pregnant or lactating mothers) directed us to (1) align the appearance, priorities, and practices of the video's protagonist to those of Burkinabe women; (2) be mindful of local realities whether economic, health-related, or educational; and (3) identify and routinely reiterate key points throughout videos and via reminder cards. Health workers (here, Community Health Workers and Mentor Mothers delivering the videos) guided us to (1) improve technology training, (2) simplify language and images, and (3) increase the frequency of their engagements with end recipients. In terms of the environment, respondents guided us to localize climate, vegetation, diction, and how foods are depicted. CONCLUSIONS: Design research provided valuable insights in terms of developing a framework for video adaptation across settings, which other interventionists and scholars can use to guide adaptations of similar interventions.

[Problem Of Diabetic Foot Amputations]. / ProbléMatique Des Amputations Du Pied Diabétique.

INTRODUCTION: The diabetic foot wound is a real public health problem, 10% of the reasons for hospitalization. The risk of amputation is 10 to 30 times higher in diabetics than the general population. OBJECTIVE: To study the problem of amputations of the diabetic foot. METHOD: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study that took place in the Department of Medicine and Endocrinology of the Mali Hospital from July 1st, 2016 to June 30th, 2017. RESULTS: Twenty-five (25) diabetic patients were enrolled in our study. The sex ratio was 0.66. At admission, 100% of our patients had arterial disease, 96% neuropathy, and mixed foot in 80%. Poor glycemic control in 64% of patients; osteitis in 52% of cases; 92% of the patients had a 100% amputation risk according to the University of Texas classification. Nearly half or 46% of patients had amputations in the leg. We recorded 1 death case that is 4%. CONCLUSION: The problem of amputation of diabetic feet is a function of the poor equilibrium and progressive neurological and vascular complications of diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: La plaie du pied diabétique constitue un réel problème de santé publique, 10% des motifs d'hospitalisation. Le risque d'amputation est de 10 à 30 fois plus élevé chez les diabétiques que la population générale. OBJECTIF: Etudier la problématique des amputations du pied diabétique. MÉTHODE: II s'agissait d'une étude descriptive et transversale qui s'est déroulée dans le service de médecine et d'endocrinologie de l'hôpital du Mali du 1er Juillet 2016 au 30 Juin 2017. RÉSULTATS: Vingt-cinq (25) patients diabétiques ont été recrutés dans notre étude. Le sex ratio était de 0,66. A l'admission, 100% de nos patients avaient une artériopathie, 96% une neuropathie, et un pied mixte dans 80%. Un mauvais équilibre glycémique chez 64% des patients ; l'ostéite dans 52% des cas; 92% des patients avaient un risque d'amputation à 100% selon la classification de l'université du Texas. Près de la moitié soit 46% des patients ont été amputé au niveau de la jambe. Nous avons enregistré 1 cas de décès soit 4%. CONCLUSION: La problématique de l'amputation des pieds diabétiques est fonction du mauvais équilibre et des complications évolutives neurologiques et vasculaires du diabète.

Aspects cliniques et paracliniques des amputations du pied diabétique au Mali

Introduction. La plaie du pied diabétique est une affection fréquente (10% des motifs d'hospitalisation) et grave, le risque d'amputation étant de 10 à 30 fois plus élevé chez les diabétiques par rapport à la population générale. Elle n'a que peu été étudiée au Mali. Objectif. Décrire les aspects cliniques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques des amputations du pied diabétique au Mali. Méthodologie. II s'agit d'une étude descriptive et transversale qui s'est déroulée à l'Hôpital du Mali du 1er Juillet 2016 au 30 Juin 2017. Elle a porté sur les patients diabétiques présentant une plaie du pied, hospitalisés dans le service de médecine et endocrinologie de l'Hôpital du Mali Les données recueillies et analysées étaient les données sociodémographiques, les données relatives au diabète, les données relatives au pied, les bilans biologiques récents, les radiographies standards, l'échographie doppler artériel des membres. Pour classer le pied atteint, nous avons utilisé la classification de l'Université de Texas. Résultats. Vingt-cinq (25) patients diabétiques ont été recrutés. Le sex ratio était de 0,66. Tous les patients avaient une artériopathie, 96% avaient une neuropathie, et 80% avaient un pied mixte. Un mauvais équilibre glycémique était noté chez 64% des patients ; une ostéite radiologique dans 52% des cas. En outre, 23 patients (92%) avaient un risque d'amputation à 100% selon la classification de l'Université du Texas. 12 patients (46%) avaient été amputés au niveau de la jambe. Nous avons enregistré un décès (4%). Conclusion. L'amputation du pied diabétique affecte surtout la diabétique de sexe féminin avec un mauvais équilibre glycémique. Dans la moitié des cas, elle a lieu au niveau de la jambe

[Morbidity of adolescents at the Kaya Regional Hospital Center (Burkina Faso)]. / Morbidite des Adolescents au Centre Hospitalier Regional de Kaya (Burkina Faso).

AIM: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and evolutionary profile of hospital-based adolescent disease in Kaya, Burkina Faso. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive studyall adolescents hospitalized from 2014 to 2015 at the regional hospital center (CHR) of Kaya. RESULTS: A total of 1,312 adolescents were hospitalized during the study period, an hospitalization rate of 7.21%. The mean age was 15.52 ± 3 years with a sex ratio of 0.63. The services most frequently used were gynecology obstetrics (30.87%), surgery (29.72%) and pediatrics (24.16%). Disease states were dominated by the pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (24.08%), follow-up of traumatic lesions (19.43%), infectious and parasitic diseases (16.61%). Traumatic ailments were predominant in boys and were mainly due to road accidents (12.73%) and falling from trees. CONCLUSION: Teenagers giving births, traumatic injuries, infectious and parasitic diseases including malaria were the main causes of hospitalization in our study. The solution could come from sex education, use of bed nets and awareness of the driving code.

BUT: Déterminer le profil épidémiologique et évolutif des états morbides chez les adolescents en milieu hospitalier à Kaya. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale descriptive. Notre population d'étude était constituée des adolescents hospitalisés en 2014 et 2015 au CHR de Kaya. RÉSULTATS: Au total 1312 adolescents étaient hospitalisés durant la période; soit un taux d'hospitalisation de 7,21%. L'âge moyen était 15,52 ans (+/− 3ans) avec un sex-ratio de 0,63. Les services les plus fréquentés étaient la gynécologie obstétrique (30,87%), la chirurgie (29,72%) et la pédiatrie (24,16%). Les états morbides étaient dominés par la grossesse, l'accouchement et la puerpéralité (24,08%); suivi des lésions traumatiques (19,43%); des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires (16,61%). Les affections traumatiques étaient prédominantes chez les garçons et étaient surtout dues aux accidents de la voie publique (12,73%) et aux chutes d'arbres. CONCLUSION: Les accouchements chez les adolescentes, les lésions traumatiques, les maladies infectieuses et parasitaires dont le paludisme, ont constitué les principales causes d'hospitalisation dans notre étude. La solution pourrait venir de l'éducation sexuelle, l'utilisation des moustiquaires et la sensibilisation sur le code de la route.

Situating mobile health: a qualitative study of mHealth expectations in the rural health district of Nouna, Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of mobile health (mHealth) projects in low- and middle-income countries raises high and well-documented expectations among development agencies, policymakers and researchers. By contrast, the expectations of direct and indirect mHealth users are not often examined. In preparation for a proposed intervention in the Nouna Health District, in rural Burkina Faso, this study investigates the expected benefits, challenges and limitations associated with mHealth, approaching these expectations as a form of situated knowledge, inseparable from local conditions, practices and experiences. METHODS: The study was conducted within the Nouna Health District. We used a qualitative approach, and conducted individual semi-structured interviews and group interviews (n = 10). Participants included healthcare workers (n = 19), godmothers (n = 24), pregnant women (n = 19), women with children aged 12-24 months (n = 33), and women of childbearing age (n = 92). Thematic and content qualitative analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Participants expect mHealth to help retrieve patients lost to follow-up, improve maternal care monitoring, and build stronger relationships between pregnant women and primary health centres. Expected benefits are not reducible to a technological realisation (sending messages), but rather point towards a wider network of support. mHealth implementation is expected to present considerable challenges, including technological barriers, organisational challenges, gender issues, confidentiality concerns and unplanned aftereffects. mHealth is also expected to come with intrinsic limitations, to be found as obstacles to maternal care access with which pregnant women are confronted and on which mHealth is not expected to have any significant impact. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth expectations appear as situated knowledges, inseparable from local health-related experiences, practices and constraints. This problematises universalistic approaches to mHealth knowledge, while nevertheless hinting at concrete, expected benefits. Findings from this study will help guide the design and implementation of mHealth initiatives, thus optimising their chances for success.

[Preliminary study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the town of Ouagadougou from 1996 to 1998]. / Etude préliminaire de la leishmaniose cutanée dans la ville de Ouagadougou de 1996 à 1998.

Since 1996, there have been reports of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the town of Ouagadougou. The incidence has been on the rise but precise figures are not known. The object of the present study has been, first, to record cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis having occurred in private and public health centres in Ouagadougou from 1996 to 1998 and, second, to determine the progression of the disease in space and time. We wished also to confirm clinical cases in 1998 by parasitological examination, identify different clinical forms of the disease and map out cases in the town. We carried out a retrospective study from 1996 to 1998 and a prospective study in 1998. All cases recorded in this period in visited health centres were included. A total of 1845 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis was identified, 50.3% of whom concerned women. The age of patients varied between 1 and 79 years for 356 patients, with a mean age of 26.7 years. Cases increased between 1996 and 1998 (1996 = 61 cases, 1997 = 552 cases, 1998 = 1218 cases). The months of highest incidence were August (13%), September (15%) and October (17%). Peripheral districts (28, 30, 29, 16, 15) in south-eastern areas of the town were the worst touched with 87% of cases. On average, patients seek care after 2 months of progression of the disease. The ulcero-crusted form (68.2%) was the most frequent clinical form observed for 327 patients, but almost half of the cases had more than one site of infection, (43.5%). Over half of the patients presented fewer than 10 lesions with an average of 6. The most common locations were on uncovered parts of the body, notably the superior (53%) and inferior limbs (49%). The parasite could be tested for by smear on 52 patients only in 1998 and 53.8% of cases tested were positive. Leishmania major, which is very prevalent in West Africa was identified in one patient. The vectors and main reservoirs of the parasite were not studied. Case management was generally incomplete; the most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics (70% of patients), but self-medication was frequent. Our recommendations after this preliminary study are: undertake multidisciplinary studies on cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ouagadougou in order to understand the local aetiology (vectors responsible for transmission, rodent and domestic animals involved in the epidemiological chain, parasite species); identify all other areas in the country where the disease is highly prevalent provide health care staff with a decisional algorithm and protocol therapy carry out and active control programme for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Burkina Faso.