Evaluation of growth monitoring activity in Yopougon-Est Health District (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract Background Malnutrition represents 11% of disease burden in the world and is an underlying cause of 45% of under-5 deaths. Prevention is paramount in the fight strategy. That is why, “growth monitoring” which goal is to prevent and to detect malnutrition, has been integrated into health programs. In Côte d’Ivoire, although this activity is carried out in the health centers and despite the existence of Guidelines to improve services, under-5 malnutrition prevalence remains above thresholds. Our purpose was to assess the gap between the National Guidelines for growth monitoring and the practices of health workers. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in all the 6 public health centers of Yopougon-Est District, from August 22 to September 05, 2018. Data were collected using an observation grid developed from the Guidelines and 3 questionnaires. Six growth monitoring sessions were observed; 6 responsibles, 9 health workers assigned to the activity and 133 mothers came to monitor their child were interviewed after informed consent. Results The growth monitoring sessions were held every working day in 4 centers. Half of health workers assigned to the activity had not received training. All centers had baby scale, 5 had horizontal height, but only one had vertical height and person scale. Most health workers (78%) were not aware of Guidelines. The steps of “interrogation and examination” component were only 58% completed. The steps for weight measurement were completed at 96% and at 70% for size. The nutritional status of children was evaluated in only one center. In no center, health workers traced growth curve. Nearly half of the mothers surveyed (45%) had not received counseling during their visits. Conclusions The study highlighted shortcomings that do not allow the achievement of growth monitoring objectives. This study cannot be extrapolated however it raises real questions about the quality of the services provided in health centers. Key messages An evaluation at large scale needs to be conducted and corrective actions to be taken to improve the growth monitoring activity for effective prevention and early detection of malnutrition. Growth monitoring will be effective in preventing malnutrition only if it is well conducted by health workers.

Download Full-text

Agronomic Performance of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. Clone IRCA 331 Grown in Southwestern Côte d'Ivoire

Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry ◽

10.9734/ajraf/2019/v4i330063 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

A. E. A. Elabo ◽

G. J. O. Atsin ◽

E. F. Soumahin ◽

K. M. Okoma ◽

Y. M. Gnagne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Hevea Brasiliensis ◽

Large Scale ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Agronomic Performance ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

First Choice ◽

Good Stand

In order to test the agronomic performance of the newly developed clones, a Large-Scale Clone Trial (LSCT) comprising Hevea brasiliensis clones GT 1, IRCA 202, IRCA 331, IRCA 707, PB 280 and PB 310 was established in southwestern Côte d'Ivoire. They were planted in completely randomized blocks with six clone treatments and four replications of 112 trees per clone. The measured parameters included isodiametric growth of the trunk, rubber yield, trees stand, latex physiological parameters and sensitivity to tapping panel dryness (TPD). Collected data was analyzed using Statistica 7.0 statistical software. After ten years of downward tapping and four years of upward tapping, clone IRCA 331 showed significantly higher rubber productivity than all other clones. Its productivity gain, relative to the reference control GT 1, was 63% in downward tapping and 80% in upward tapping. Despite its high level of productivity, the annual rate of isodiametric growth of clone IRCA 331 tree trunks (2.56 cm/year) remained statistically equivalent to that of clone GT 1 (2.62 cm/year) at latex harvesting stage. In addition, the physiological profile of clone IRCA 331 was good and similar to that of the control. Clones IRCA 331, GT1 and PB 280 got the lowest sensitivity to TPD. However, only clones GT1 and IRCA 331 maintained a good stand of tappable trees throughout the experimental period. This experiment highlighted the agronomic performance of the clone IRCA331 and allowed to put it in class 1. Clone IRCA 331 can therefore be used as a clone of first choice to improve national productivity.

Download Full-text

Political Influence of The Lebanese Diaspora in Côte D’ivoire Before the 2020 Elections

Afrika Tanulmányok / Hungarian Journal of African Studies ◽

10.15170/at.2018.12.4.11 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (4.) ◽

pp. 138-146

Author(s):

Alexander Shipilov

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Civil Wars ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Large Scale ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Political Influence ◽

Civil Conflict ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Political Processes ◽

Côte D'ivoire

The recent political developments that took place in West Africa, encompassing several bloody civil wars and the following reconstruction, were marked by the involvement of a number of regional and completely external stakeholders. It has been, furthermore, broadly acknowledged by the recent scope of globalization, international, and transnational studies that diasporas constitute a significant portion of the internal groups of interest in local political processes. This tendency is true to West Africa and, most particularly, Côte d’Ivoire, the country that has experienced the latest large-scale civil conflict among the states in this part of Africa.

Download Full-text

Itineraires Therapeutiques Des Malades De L’ulcere De Buruli Et Difficultes De Prise En Charge Hospitaliere A Djekanou (Cote d’Ivoire)

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2017.v13n3p197 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 197

Author(s):

Adjet A. Abel

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Health Workers ◽

Care Center ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Prise En Charge ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Côte D'ivoire

Among the neglected tropical disease, Buruli ulcer (BU) is a real public health problem in Côte d'Ivoire. Facing this pathology, international and national institutions to combat advocate for people in endemic areas early detection and immediate use of support centers at the first signs. However, patients continue to attend late care centers with large ulcerative lesions. Therefore, healing requires a long-term hospitalization that requires medical and surgical treatment. The main objective of this study is to analyze the factors that change the therapeutic route of BU patients and constraints socio - economic issues related to their hospitalisation. This is a qualitative and quantitative study. We used the technique of reasoned choice. It covered 55 patients met at the Djekanou care center in the Toumodi Health District. Data were collected through structured and semi - structured interviews based on questionnaires, individual interview guides and focus groups. A significant proportion of patients with BU are children and adolescents. The sick are accompanied by a parent who takes care of them. Awareness campaigns, community health workers, television and radio did not really help to change the therapeutic itinerary of patients. The patients encountered testify to the ineffectiveness of traditional care. The hospitalization of patients is marked by difficulties of several kinds.

Download Full-text

Roles played by community cadres to support retention in PMTCT Option B+ in four African countries: a qualitative rapid appraisal

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020754 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e020754 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Donela Besada ◽

Ameena Goga ◽

Emmanuelle Daviaud ◽

Sarah Rohde ◽

Jacqueline Rose Chinkonde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Low Income ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Health Workers ◽

Ministry Of Health ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Middle Income ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Rapid Appraisal

ObjectivesTo explore the roles of community cadres in improving access to and retention in care for PMTCT (prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV) services in the context of PMTCT Option B+ treatment scale-up in high burden low-income and lower-middle income countries.Design/MethodsQualitative rapid appraisal study design using semistructured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) between 8 June and 31 July 2015.Setting and participantsInterviews were conducted in the offices of Ministry of Health Staff, Implementing partners, district offices and health facility sites across four low-income and lower-middle income countries: Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi and Uganda. A range of individual interviews and FGDs with key stakeholders including Ministry of Health employees, Implementation partners, district management teams, facility-based health workers and community cadres. A total number of 18, 28, 31 and 83 individual interviews were conducted in Malawi, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC and Uganda, respectively. A total number of 15, 9, 10 and 16 mixed gender FGDs were undertaken in Malawi, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC and Uganda, respectively.ResultsCommunity cadres either operated solely in the community, worked from health centres or in combination and their mandates were PMTCT-specific or included general HIV support and other health issues. Community cadres included volunteers, those supported by implementing partners or employed directly by the Ministry of Health. Their complimentary roles along the continuum of HIV care and treatment include demand creation, household mapping of pregnant and lactating women, linkage to care, infant follow-up and adherence and retention support.ConclusionsCommunity cadres provide an integral link between communities and health facilities, supporting overstretched health workers in HIV client support and follow-up. However, their role in health systems is neither standardised nor systematic and there is an urgent need to invest in the standardisation of and support to community cadres to maximise potential health impacts.

Download Full-text