Université de Mahajanga

BackgroundMalaria remains a significant public health challenge in Madagascar, affecting vulnerable populations including children under five and pregnant women. Despite global progress in reducing malaria cases and deaths, Madagascar continues to experience a high burden due to inequities in access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted using major academic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. A comprehensive search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost. The search focused on studies published between 2015 and 2024, supplemented by online reports. The literature was assessed for quality and relevance to malaria prevention, diagnosis, treatment interventions, and socioeconomic factors in Madagascar.ResultsDisparities in malaria prevention and treatment between urban and rural areas are evident, with remote regions experiencing a higher disease burden. Geographic diversity leads to varied transmission patterns, necessitating region-specific interventions. Rural healthcare infrastructure is insufficient for timely diagnosis and treatment. Key interventions include insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). Case management primarily uses Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Social and behavior change communication (SBCC) has improved awareness but faces cultural barriers. SMC has shown promise, though logistical challenges remain. Drug resistance and diagnostic failures, along with socioeconomic inequalities, hinder effective malaria control.ConclusionTo reduce malaria’s burden in Madagascar, strengthening healthcare systems, improving supply chains, and expanding prevention efforts in underserved areas are critical. Recommendations include targeting vulnerable groups, enhancing healthcare access, and fostering international collaboration for resource allocation and equitable intervention access. Strategies should emphasize scaling up IRS, ITNs distribution, and SBCC to effectively combat malaria.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-025-05718-7.

This study explored the impact of gamified listening activities powered by artificial intelligence (AI) on secondary students’ engagement and performance in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. Although previous research had highlighted the benefits of both gamification and AI in language education, few studies had examined their combined effects, particularly in listening comprehension at the secondary level. This qualitative research addressed that gap by investigating students’ experiences, engagement levels, and perceived improvements after participating in AI-assisted gamified listening lessons. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research involved three secondary school students who engaged in listening activities through AI-powered gamified platforms such as Quizizz AI, Duolingo, and ChatGPT audio features. Data were collected through classroom observations, reflective journals, and semi-structured interviews to gain in-depth insights into students’ motivation and learning experiences. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key patterns in engagement, emotional response, and perceived performance gains. The findings revealed enhanced motivation, active participation, and improved listening confidence among learners.The significance of this study lies in its contribution as an exploratory examination of how secondary students perceive AI-supported gamified listening activities in an EFL context. Rather than asserting generalizable or significant effects, the findings represent the subjective experiences of the three participants, who reported that the activities felt more engaging, interactive, and personally relevant. These insights are inherently context-specific and should be interpreted with caution, as the limited number of participants restricts the transfer ability of the results. Nevertheless, the study offers preliminary considerations for educators who wish to explore the potential of integrating AI tools and gamification elements into EFL listening instruction, particularly as a means of enhancing learner engagement and personalization.

ABSTRACTIntroductionFemale genital schistosomiasis is a condition with a complex diagnosis and severe consequences such as infertility. In the absence of a reliable biomarker, in endemic settings the World Health Organization recommends colposcopy as a diagnostic tool for the detection of female genital schistosomiasis lesions. Nevertheless, it is seldom performed in low‐resource contexts due to a lack of expertise or insufficient infrastructure. This study aims to assess Female Genital Schistosomiasis colposcopy at the primary level of care, evaluating its diagnostic accuracy in reference to gynaecologist diagnosis in a highly endemic context.Materials and MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a cross‐sectional study conducted in the Boeny region of Madagascar, which collected colposcopy images and Female Genital Schistosomiasis decision at the primary health care level with re‐evaluation by gynaecologists. Statistical analysis using R included descriptive statistics, measures of diagnostic accuracy with 95% confidence intervals and binary Poisson regression with robust standard errors, while reporting followed the STARD statement.ResultsAmong 495 included participants, a high sensitivity [96.4% (95% CI 93.7–98.0)] and relatively low specificity [28.7% (95% CI 21.8–36.5)], with a fair agreement [κ 0.30 (95% CI 0.22–0.39)], was observed for midwife‐led colposcopy. Practice of midwives (3.5 months) was associated with reduced concordance [APR 0.88 (95% CI 0.79–0.98)] and specificity [APR 0.27 (95% CI 0.15–0.49)]. The environment of one health care centre negatively influenced concordance and specificity of midwife‐led colposcopy.ConclusionMidwives can detect female genital schistosomiasis with high sensitivity but limited specificity when compared to expert gynaecologists, revealing variation in performance between environments as well as the influence of practice and workload. This study suggests that implementing midwife‐led colposcopy at primary care level for female genital schistosomiasis screening is feasible but requires appropriate quality assurance measures.

Suhu tubuh merupakan salah satu parameter vital yang menunjukkan adanya proses infeksi dalam tubuh, termasuk pada anak yang menderita typhoid fever. Salah satu terapi non-farmakologis yang dapat digunakan untuk menurunkan suhu tubuh adalah penggunaan warm water bag (kompres air hangat). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui efektivitas penggunaan warm water bag terhadap penurunan suhu tubuh pada anak dengan typhoid fever di RSUD Dr. M.M Dunda Limboto. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan desain quasi eksperimen menggunakan Nonequivalent Control Group Design. Sampel sebanyak 24 anak usia 2–14 tahun yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling, dan dibagi menjadi dua kelompok yaitu kelompok eksperimen dan kelompok kontrol. Analisis data dilakukan dengan uji univariat dan bivariat menggunakan Paired Sample T-Test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya penurunan suhu tubuh yang signifikan pada kelompok eksperimen setelah diberikan intervensi warm water bag. Dengan demikian, dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan penggunaan warm water bag terhadap penurunan suhu tubuh pada anak dengan typhoid fever.

Protected areas can play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural sustainability by supporting ecosystem services that mitigate key challenges faced by rural farming communities. In Madagascar, subsistence agriculture is a major driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss, worsened by pest-related agricultural and harvest losses. Insectivorous bats are widely known natural enemies of agricultural pests, but the role of protected areas in safeguarding this service in surrounding rural landscapes is unclear. This study investigates the benefits provided by insectivorous bats roosting within protected areas of northern Madagascar, focusing on their potential to suppress agricultural pests and disease vectors. We used molecular techniques to analyse the diet of bats based on faecal samples from several species and locations. We found that most bat species consumed arthropod pests affecting rice and other crops, as well as several vectors of pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals, such as mosquito vectors of Plasmodium sp. Given their mobility and home ranges, we suggest that certain bat species roosting in protected areas have the dispersal capacity to forage in nearby agricultural landscapes, contributing to pest suppression and disease risk reduction. Hence, protecting bat roosts within and around protected areas may offer a cost-effective means to enhance agricultural productivity and public health. These findings underscore the need to integrate ecosystem services into conservation and land-use management strategies, fostering sustainability and rural welfare in Madagascar. • Malagasy bats consume agricultural pests and vectors of livestock and human diseases. • Certain bat species roosting in protected areas can forage in nearby rural areas. • Protected areas may enhance bat-mediated pest suppression beyond their limits. • Managing ecosystem services links conservation with agricultural productivity and welfare.

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a single-arm, open-label, multicenter postmarketing surveillance study to evaluate the safety of Omniscan immediately and six weeks (± two weeks) after injection.Methods: Three sites in India that use Omniscan (gadodiamide; GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL) as a contrast agent were selected. Omniscan is a linear, nonionic, nonprotein-binding gadolinium-based contrast agent. A total of 150 study participants were enrolled for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). All patients were asked for permission to be contacted six weeks (± two weeks) after CE-MRI, and participants were telephonically followed up by a healthcare professional with a questionnaire.Results: Of the 150 enrolled participants, 133 (89%) completed the telephonic follow-up, scheduled for six weeks (± two weeks) after injection. Of these 133 participants, a total of seven (5.26%) treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported. Out of these seven TEAEs, one TEAE (0.007%) was serious, with seriousness criteria life-threatening. A single event was severe; the remaining adverse events (AEs) were of mild severity. None of the AEs was assessed as related to Omniscan.Conclusions: There were no AEs causally related to Omniscan (gadodiamide) immediately after injection and during telephonic follow-up after six weeks (± two weeks). Safety analysis in this postmarketing surveillance did not reveal any increase in the safety risk of Omniscan. No AE persisted for four weeks or more after injection of Omniscan for MRI. CE-MRI with Omniscan was thus generally considered safe and well-tolerated.

Marriage is a physical and spiritual bond between a man and a woman as husband and wife with the aim of forming a happy family. In practice, not all marriages go according to plan, so divorce is a legal solution recognized by the state. Divorce not only affects the relationship between husband and wife but also causes disputes regarding the division of marital property. Marital property is joint property obtained during marriage and must be divided fairly after divorce. The legal process in court submits authentic evidence that has an important role in proving ownership of the division of marital property. Authentic evidence has higher legal force than other evidence so that it can provide legal certainty for the disputing parties. In addition, inconsistencies in evidence can cause a court decision to be detrimental to one of the parties because the evidence must ensure the validity of legal documents. As in dispute Number 1176 / Pdt.G / 2021 / PA.Lmj, the plaintiff submitted imitation authentic evidence in the trial process. This research method uses a normative legal research type using a case approach, a conceptual approach, and a statutory approach with a study of primary and secondary legal materials. The conclusion of this analysis is that the fake deed shown by the plaintiff does not have perfect evidentiary power because it is considered not attached to the deed itself, whereas in the Ratio legis as a reason for considering the judge's decision regarding the strength of authentic evidence, this fake can help the judge to make a fair decision based on the actual facts and provide legal certainty regarding the validity of the deed that is the object of the dispute.

Fishing activities often yield a bycatch of low-value fish (trash fish) that typically remains underutilized. This study aimed to identify the most effective preparation technique to improve the physical and chemical quality of fillets from three types of trash fish: Orangefin ponyfish (Leiognathus bindus), chacunda gizzard shad (Anodontostoma chacunda), and sardine (Sardinella fimbriata). A Randomized Block Design (RBD) was used with two factors: fish species and preparation technique, including mechanical treatment, blanching, immersion in 1% acetic acid, and immersion in 1% papain enzyme. Data were statistically analyzed and presented descriptively in tables and graphs. The results showed that treatment with 1% papain enzyme yielded the highest fillet yield (47.5% to 63.2%) and the shortest processing time. Additionally, the enzymatic treatment produced fillets with favorable chemical characteristics: moisture content (77.46% to 80.13%), protein (7.39% to 9.29%), fat (8.01% to 9.49%), and ash (1.55% to 2.83%). This study demonstrates that enzymatic preparation is effective in enhancing both the efficiency and quality of trash fish fillets, potentially increasing the added value of fishermen's catches.

Orthodontic treatment can have a significant impact on patient's quality of life. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of orthodontic therapy on the quality of life of Malagasy patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 106 individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment in Antananarivo and Mahajanga, Madagascar, between April and June 2024. Sampling was exhaustive: all patients present during the survey period were included. The independent variables were age and gender, while the dependent variable was the reported change in quality of life. Data were collected using a pre-established, tested, and validated questionnaire. The tools used to assess quality of life included the OHIP-14 (Oral Health Impact Profile), GOHAI (General Oral Health Assessment Index), and CPQ (Child Perception Questionnaire). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.0 for Windows. More than two-thirds of participants (77.4%) reported a change in their quality of life during treatment. The most frequently reported effects included stress (41.5%), feelings of self-consciousness (41.5%), sleep disturbances (45.3%), difficulties with speech (74.5%), chewing (86.8%), and pain. Orthodontic treatment appears to affect the quality of life of Malagasy patients negatively. Orthodontists should consider these impacts to enhance patient management and comfort throughout the treatment process.

Optimal preservation of tissues from the field to long-term cryo-storage is paramount to securing genetic resources for research needs. DNA preservation techniques vary, with flash freezing currently considered the gold standard in tissue preservation. However, flash freezing tissue samples in the field presents challenges, necessitating a more comprehensive understanding of the quantity and quality of preserved DNA from different techniques in archival collections. We compared metrics from DNA extractions from field-collected amphibian, squamate and bird tissues from archival collections that were flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen or fixed in either ethanol or tissue lysis buffer prior to archival cryopreservation. We also included DNA extracted from tissues of known liquid nitrogen tank failures to provide a baseline of DNA degradation under the very worst-case scenario. Flash-frozen tissues often preserved higher yields of DNA, but peak fragment size, the percentage of fragments larger than 10 kb and DNA integrity numbers were all significantly reduced compared to tissues first preserved in fixative buffers. This pattern was observed across independent samples and between flash-frozen and buffer-preserved pair replicates. Degradation seen in flash-frozen tissues was also distinct to tissues from known tank failures. We suggest that degradation in flash-frozen tissues occurred during shipping, sample sorting/accession or during subsequent subsampling when tissues may partially or fully thaw, exposing DNA to damaging freeze-thaw processes. By contrast, tissues in fixative buffers were likely protected from freeze-thaw damage. This study highlights that using multiple field preservation methods and minimising freeze-thaw cycles for flash-frozen tissues may provide the most robust protection against the DNA degradation sources encountered by field collections.