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Introduction: The scale-up of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to a significant improvement in survival of the HIV-positive patient but its effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are less known and context-dependent. Our aim was to assess the temporal changes and factors associated with HRQOL among HIV-positive adults initiating HAART in Burkina Faso. Methods: HIV-positive people initiating HAART were prospectively included and followed over a one-year period in three HIV clinics of Ouagadougou. HRQOL was assessed at baseline and at each follow-up visit using physical (PHS) and mental (MHS) summary scores derived from the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item short-form health survey (MOS SF-36) questionnaire. Toxicity related to HAART modification and self-reported symptoms were recorded during follow-up visits. Determinants associated with baseline and changes in both scores over a one-year period were assessed using a mixed linear model. Results: A total of 344 patients were included. Their median age at baseline was 37 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30-44] and their median CD4 count was 181 cells/[mm.sup.3] (IQR 97-269). The mean [standard deviation (SD)] PHS score increased from 45.4 (11.1) at baseline to 60.0 (3.1) at 12 months (p < [10.sup.-4]) and the mean (SD) MHS score from 42.2 (8.7) to 43.9 (3.4) (p < [10.sup.-2]). After one year of treatment, patients that experienced on average two symptoms during follow-up presented with significantly lower PHS (63.9) and MHS (43.8) scores compared to patients that presented no symptoms with PHS and MHS of 68.2 (p Discussion: The use of HAART was associated with a significant increase in both physical and mental aspects of the HRQOL over a 12-month period in this urban African population. Perceived symptoms experienced during follow-up visits were associated with a significant impairment in HRQOL. The appropriate and timely management of reported symptoms during the follow-up of HAART-treated patients is a key component to restore HRQOL. Keywords: quality of life; HIV/AIDS; antiretroviral treatment; Burkina Faso; sub-Saharan Africa., Introduction The rapid and high uptake of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) over the past decade has led to a significant improvement in survival of the HIV-positive patient in West [...]

Despite WHO recommendations to reduce the global prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age by 2025, anemia remains a truly global public health problem, especially among pregnant women. The objective of our study was to examine the relationship between anemia and the place of residence in pregnant women. This cross-sectional study was conducted in six health facilities between December 2018 and March 2019. Anemia was diagnosed using HemoCue HB 301 and a hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dl was classified as anemic. Adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to examine relation between anemia and the place of residence in pregnant women. A total of 1027 pregnant women were included in the study. The average age of females was 25.79±6.02 years. The prevalence of anemia was 57.2% (585/1023). In logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, wealth, education and parity, women living in rural areas were more likely to be anemic compared to women living in urban areas (ORa=1.33; 95% CI [1.01-1,74]. Rural women are more likely to be anemic. Strategies to prevent anemia among pregnant women need to be strengthened in rural areas., (Copyright © 2023, the Author(s).)

Objectives: To study the factors associated with stunted physical growth in primary school children and adolescents in the Burkina Faso Sahel., Materials and Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the data from the survey conducted by the Directorate of Nutrition in June 2016 in 13 primary schools. The baseline study was conducted from May 15 to 24, 2016. This secondary analysis of the database took place from March to August 2017. The study participants were made up of male and female students from public primary schools and who were beneficiaries of the school canteens of the Dori municipality at the time of the survey. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with a 5% significance level., Results: The analysis involved a sample of 568 students aged 5 to 15 years. Girls accounted for 52% of students. The prevalence of stunting was 32.92% (95% CI [29-36%]), it was 28.93% (95 % CI [23.84-34.62%]) among boys and 36.61 % (95% CI [31.28-42.28%]) in girls. Among primary students, age (ORa = 4.38, P = 0.00), anemia (ORa = 0.24, P = 0.01) and latrine use (ORa = 0.58 with P = 0.02) were the factors statistically associated with stunting (P &lt; 0.05)., Conclusions: The prevalence of stunting among primary school students in the commune of Dori remains high. Associated factors were age, anemia and latrine use. Promotion of latrine use in households and prevention of anemia in children under 5 years of age would be necessary for the reduction of stunting among adolescents.

Objective: To examine educational practices in type 2 diabetes among health professionals., Methods: A cross-sectional study took place from June to September 2012 in Bamako and Ouagadougou. The study population consisted of all health professionals responsible for diabetes care in secondary and tertiary public health facilities., Results: A total of 78 participants were interviewed. Doctors and nurses accounted for 77% and 23% respectively. The median number of patients seen in consultation was 10 per week (range 1-100). The median age of experience in diabetes care for health professionals was 5 years (range: 1-25 years). Sixteen participants reported giving advice for cooking. Of the 62 that did not, the reasons given were mainly: non-competence to give such advice (60/62); lack of time (35/62) and useless counseling (5/62). For out-of-home meals, recommendations included: taking a meal to work (60/77); avoiding meals outside the home (30/77); avoid alcohol and oils at parties (10/77)., Conclusion: The recommendations made to patients come down to information and advice. As a result, the data collected lacks an educational strategy that aims to render the patient more independent by facilitating his adherence to counseling and improving his quality of life.

Objectives: To study the determinants of psychoactive substance use among street teenagers living in Ouagadougou.Methods: Qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional study with street teenagers living on the Zogona campus in Ouagadougou, in September 2012. A focus group was then formed with eight members of the group.Results: The median age was 16 years (range: 12 to 20 years). The various psychotropic agents were tobacco, alcohol, gasoline, glue sniffing and cannabis. Seventeen of the 31 teenagers had already been admitted to a rehabilitation centre and none of them attended school at the time of data collection. However, 12 street teenagers had previously attended school. The main reasons for the presence of these teenagers in the street were “poverty in the family”, “death of the parents”, “Koranic school”. The main reasons reported by the teenagers for substance use were “to give oneself courage”, “to relieve hunger”, “to be like the others”, “to be accepted by the group”, “to protect oneself from the cold”. The main determinants of substance abuse were social exclusion, group membership, and group identification.Conclusion: Psychoactive substance use is an integral part of the life of street teenagers and is a major obstacle to social integration.

Objective: To evaluate the vulnerability of male prisoners to HIV, risk behaviour and access to prevention., Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in july and August 2012 in Ouagadougou Prison in Burkina Faso. Two trained investigators collected data by means of individual interviews in the prison visiting room using a questionnaire administered to male inmates 18 years and older, imprisoned for more than three months. Two focus groups were conducted with prison guards and healthcare personnel., Results: A total of165 male prisoners were interviewed. The mean prison sentence was 19 months, the median age of the inmates was 28years and 45% of them were illiterate. About4% of male prisoners reported having had homosexual relations during their imprisonment. However, data indicate underreporting and denial of homosexual behaviour by prisoners. 49% of prisoners shared razors or razorblades in prison. None of the interviewees reported injected drug use or tattoos in prison. The majority (84%) of prisoners had a good knowledge of HIVjAIDS and 6% were aware of the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Only 5% of prisoners had had a screening test during their stay in prison., Conclusion: Prison conditions, homosexual behaviour and absence of condoms in prison accentuate the vulnerability of prisoners to HIV j AIDS. Implementation of a prevention programme and management HIV-positive prisoners would help to reduce significantly the risk of HIV transmission in prison.