Republic of Burundi

Penelitian ini mengkaji bagaimana keterkaitan antara manajemen risiko dan modal manusia, dua konsep penting yang secara signifikan berdampak pada kinerja organisasi dalam menghadapi ketidakpastian. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengeksplorasi bagaimana kedua konsep tersebut berinteraksi dan saling melengkapi dalam meningkatkan keberlanjutan dan daya saing organisasi. Analisis bibliometrik dilakukan terhadap 203 artikel ilmiah dengan fokus pada jenis publikasi, sitasi, dan distribusi geografis penelitian mengenai manajemen risiko dan modal manusia. Hasilnya menunjukan bahwa meskipun manajemen risiko dan modal manusia seringkali dipelajari secara terpisah, integrasi kedua konsep ini sangat penting untuk menciptakan organisasi yang lebih adaptif dan inovatif. Penelitian ini fokus pada penulis, organisasi, dan negara yang berkontribusi dalam menekankan pentingnya modal manusia dalam manajemen risiko yang efektif. Penelitian ini juga memberikan wawasan mengenai peran modal manusia dalam mengelola tantangan eksternal seperti perubahan iklim, ketidakpastian ekonomi dan risiko investasi. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa pendekatan yang mengintegrasikan manajemen risiko dan modal manusia dapat mengarah pada organisasi yang lebih tangguh dan kompetitif. Penelitian ini juga mengidentifikasi beberapa topik penelitian di masa depan, termasuk dampak transformasi digital terhadap hubungan antara manajemen risiko dan modal manusia.

BackgroundHIV self-testing (HIVST) is a testing strategy to reach individuals not engaged in healthcare. We evaluated ICAP's Reaching Impact, Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) program's healthcare-worker-assisted HIVST on the number of persons testing HIV-positive (PTP) and HIV case finding rate (CFR) in "hard-to-reach" members of the general population in targeted provinces in Burundi.MethodsUsing routine data from October 2020 to September 2023, with October-December 2021 as the scale-up quarter, we used difference-in-difference analysis to assess changes in PTP and CFR after versus before scale-up-onset in "mature" versus "less mature" provinces. Provinces were chosen to approximate more and less exposed comparison units. We performed subgroup analyses by sex and age (10-24, ≥25 years).ResultsHIVST averaged 1.46% (mature) and 3.07% (less mature) of pre-scale-up testing, and 13.59% (mature) and 9.84% (less mature) of post-scale-up testing. PTP trends declined more in the mature versus less mature provinces post-scale-up (-34.25, 95% CI -84.87-16.37) although this was not significant. We found no difference in the CFR change between provinces post versus pre-scale-up (0.06%, 95% CI -0.29%-0.41%). Results were robust to subgroup and sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsWe found no changes in PTP and CFR after RISE's HIVST scale-up. After results were reported to implementers, they implemented strategies to better meet programmatic goals.

Abstract Background : Empowering women in agriculture is critical for enhancing productivity, improving food and nutrition security, and ensuring equitable food systems for sustainable development. However, studies have shown that social norms define gender roles in agriculture and determine who benefits from participation in agricultural activities. While gender transformative approaches target to tackle the social norms that disproportionately affect women in agriculture, the effectiveness of these in extension services is underexplored. This study examined the effectiveness of plant clinics and community conversations in empowering women in agriculture. Methods : The study used mixed methods to assess the effectiveness of plant clinics and community conversations in addressing social norms and contributing to women’s empowerment and intra-household equality in Burundi. Content analysis, summary statistics (means and percentages) of project-level women’s empowerment in agriculture index indicators, and tests of significance were employed to measure and analyse qualitative and quantitative data. Results : Findings showed that community conversations contributed to increased self-efficacy among women, alongside notable reductions in gender disparities and intra-household inequality. Gender parity in project households increased by approximately 71%, while intra-household inequality decreased by 41% – both improvements being nearly twice as much as those observed in control households. The interventions also significantly increased the proportion of empowered women. In project households, the percentage of empowered women more than doubled, rising from 19% at baseline to 46% at endline – a 150% increase. In comparison, the control group saw a 75% increase over the same period. Additionally, the pro-WEAI score for women in the project group improved by 15%, compared to an 8% increase among women in the control group. Despite these encouraging gains, the project had limited contribution on reducing the intensity of disempowerment among the most marginalized women. This is reflected in the disempowerment score, which remained unchanged over the two periods. Qualitative findings further revealed that persistent social norms – particularly those governing women’s mobility and division of labour – continue to restrict their access to extension services, participation in training sessions, and the ability to apply new knowledge on the farm. Conclusions : The study underscores the importance of promoting gender-transformative approaches within agricultural extension services. Women’s empowerment programs should integrate a multi-dimensional strategy that promotes gender-transformative outcomes by actively engaging both men and women in extension services. This approach should address not only visible inequalities but also the invisible architecture of gender norms.

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, coinfections with Streptococcus pneumoniae have emerged as a significant public health concern. The impact of these coinfections on disease severity and mortality rates remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing the clinical outcomes of patients coinfected with S. pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2 at CHU Ibn Rochd in Casablanca, Morocco, between 2020 and 2022.MethodsA cohort of 120 hospitalized patients diagnosed with S. pneumoniae infection was studied retrospectively and prospectively. Clinical and demographic data, vaccination status, and infection characteristics were collected. Among these patients, 41 were identified as coinfected with both pathogens. Statistical analyses, including multivariate logistic regression, were performed to assess associations between coinfection and clinical outcomes, such as ICU admission and mortality.ResultsCompared to non-coinfected patients, those coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 had higher ICU admission (53.7% vs. 24.05%) and mortality (39.02% vs. 13.9%) rates. Multivariate analysis identified coinfection and increasing age as independent predictors of severe outcomes. The most frequent pneumococcal serotypes were 3, 19 A, 6 B, and 9 V, with 31.7% of cases involving non-vaccine types. Most coinfected patients, especially those who died, were unvaccinated against pneumococcus or SARS-CoV-2.ConclusionsCoinfection with SARS-CoV-2 significantly increases the risk of severe outcomes in patients with S. pneumoniae infection. These findings highlight the importance of early detection and support the implementation of comprehensive vaccination strategies targeting high-risk populations.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Despite the severe impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on trauma-related disorders, preventive interventions are scarce, especially in (post-)conflict regions. We developed and evaluated a narrative family communication approach for sexually abused Burundian female children and adolescents (N = 102). The intervention cohort (n = 55) received psychoeducation, parental skill training, and preventive narrative exposure therapy. Intervention participants reported improved parental acceptance at 3- and 12-month follow-ups (3mFUP, 12mFUP), and showed greater improvement in overall mental health between initial assessment (IA) and 3mFUP (drm = -0.70) and between IA and 12mFUP (drm = -1.36) compared to non-treated controls (drm = -0.33, drm = -0.02, respectively). Moreover, PTSD symptoms were significantly less pronounced in the intervention cohort than in the control cohort at both follow-ups. Our findings suggest that the preventive narrative family intervention might effectively buffer against devastating mental health consequences, including emerging PTSD symptoms, in the aftermath of CSA. The study and its outcome measures were preregistered at Clinical Trials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) with the registration number NCT05136105.

Introduction: In recent years Africa has been facing epidemics linked to poliovirus derived from the vaccine strain with a predominance of type 2. This situation does not spare Burundi. A case of Acute Flaccid Paralysis was notified on 18 June 2023 from Kayanza district, samples were collected which tested positive for circulating vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). We investigated to determine cases' characteristics, to identify possible source of infection, to determine the extent of the outbreak and make recommendations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data collection was done using Polio investigation form extracted from novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nVPO2) surveillance guidelines. Review of patient's note, case's household visit, contact tracing and environmental assessment were conducted. Data were analyzed using Excel. A case was defined as any child under 15 years of age with paralytic illness from who poliovirus was isolated and resident of Kayanza district from June to August 2023. Results: The case was a male child living with his parents, aged 18 months, from a family of 2 children of which he is the second, received 4 doses of bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) and one dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). He presented to the clinic on 18 June, 2023 with a sudden paralysis which started on his right leg on June 15, 2023. In the past medical history, the child was on plumpy Nut which is a specific formulated product for the nutritional rehabilitation. The case's household and neighborhood environment were unhygienic. Of 12 contacts found, 67% (8) were male, all (100%) contacts were vaccinated, 75% had vaccination card and 100% of contacts had no symptoms. Conclusion: Our study shows that there could be link between the case and the unhygienic environment he lived in. The child received only one dose of IPV which was inadequate to protect against polio according to CDC. The case was malnourished which could have further predisposed him to getting poliomyelitis. It is necessary to initiate environmental surveillance of polio in the area and introduce one or two more inactivated polio vaccine doses in the routine vaccination schedule.

SCOPUS: le.j

Burundi (Africa) is having dense population and lesser T&D network. The installed generation capacity as on Sept 2023, is 106.1MW.The total length of T&D line is 511.7 ckt km. REGIDESO ((Régie de Distribution d’Eau et d’Electricité du BURUNDI) is government owned and major power distribution company in Burundi. At some of the places in the existing distribution system, issues of Quality of Power have been raised by customers. To enhance the reliability and quality of power network is being studied through various software so as to be prepared for the upcoming load growth and upliftment of living standard of people. The present paper consists of study case taken for one of the 6.6kV feeders emanating from RN1 110/30/6.6kV substation. Recommendations are made to improve the performance of the existing distribution power system. Some of the suggestions are conventional mitigation practices like harmonic mitigation, power factor improvement. Use of emerging technological solutions are also suggested to increase the power hosting capacity.

Background: Nasal polyposis causes significant morbidity worldwide, often requiring surgery when refractory to medical therapy.While Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is considered the global standard, the more radical nasalisation technique remains in use for severe or recurrent disease, particularly in resource-limited settings, such as the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Kamenge (CHUK).Methods: This meta-analysis, aligned with the PRISMA guidelines, compared FESS and nasalisation in adults with nasal polyposis.Systematic searches (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science; Jan 1997-Oct 2025) identified comparative studies.Data extraction included design, interventions, outcomes (nasal obstruction, olfaction, facial pain, complications, recurrence, asthma/aspirin intolerance), and risk-of-bias (Newcastle-Ottawa).Pooled odds ratios (OR), standardized mean differences (SMD), absolute risk differences, and I 2 for heterogeneity were calculated using random-effects models (RevMan 5.3).Sensitivity, subgroup, and publication bias analyses (Egger's test) were conducted.Certainty was graded (GRADE).Results: Ten studies (n = 2301) met the inclusion criteria.FESS improved nasal obstruction and olfaction but had higher antrostomy stenosis and synechia.Nasalisation reduced recurrence and facial pain, particularly in asthma/aspirin-intolerant patients.Certainty: moderate (GRADE); risk-of-bias: moderate.Funnel plot revealed minimal publication bias.Conclusion: Both techniques are viable.In the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Kamenge (CHUK)'s modernization pathway, FESS should be the default for most chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), contingent on structured training and postoperative protocols; selective nasalisation remains appropriate for aggressive phenotypes and in comorbid asthma/aspirin-intolerant disease.This meta-analysis provides an evidence base for capacity building, knowledge How to cite this paper: