Mali relies heavily on agriculture and requires an annual growth rate of 6% or more in this sector to achieve sustainable development overall. However, the contamination of essential cereals and legumes—key to reducing food insecurity in Africa—exacerbated by the proliferation of toxigenic fungi, represents a major constraint to the availability of safe food. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cereal and legume vendors regarding mycotoxins and toxigenic molds in Mali. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2024, involving 240 cereal and legume vendors across key production areas. Data were collected using questionnaires administered to the vendors. Among the respondents, 42.5% were aged between 36 and 45 years, with a minimum age of 15 and a maximum age of 75. Males made up the majority, accounting for 87.92%. Most vendors had a primary education level (24.16%), while 3.33% had higher education. Knowledge of fungi and mycotoxins was reported by 65% and 49% of respondents, respectively. Storage facilities were available for 96% of respondents, with 90% storing products for more than three months. Additionally, 52% of respondents dried their harvests directly in the field. Comprehensive, multisectoral approaches are needed to address the complex issues of fungi and mycotoxins, improve health outcomes, and enhance the incomes and livelihoods of farmers, farming households, and Malian consumers.
Journée d’étude « Artisanat minier et développement rural » Iram et UMR-PRODIG Paris/Sorbonne, 26 juin 2024
Pediatric anesthesia is a sensitive area of medicine, particularly in low-resource countries where infrastructure, staff qualifications, and care organization challenges are significant. This study aimed to assess the quality of anesthesia care in pediatric surgery at the Gabriel Touré University Hospital (CHU) in Bamako, Mali. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods descriptive study was conducted from January 2022 to February 2023. It included 70 patients aged 0 to 15 years who underwent surgery under anesthesia and 7 anesthesiologists from the department. The tools used included closed-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and direct observations. The analysis focused on adverse events, companion satisfaction, pain management, and organization of care. The results revealed a male predominance (63%). Emergency interventions accounted for 94% of cases, highlighting gaps in planning. Urological surgery and neurosurgery were the most frequent specialties (21.4% each). Intraoperative complications were noted in 44% of children, reflecting organizational vulnerability. Despite this, 73% of accompanying persons reported overall satisfaction with anesthesia care. However, postoperative pain management and infrastructure hygiene remained insufficiently satisfactory (40% and 36% respectively). These results highlight major structural and human challenges. Improving quality requires strengthening staff skills, improving communication with families, and sustained investment in infrastructure and equipment. A patient-centered approach, incorporating ongoing assessment and professional training, is essential for safe and effective pediatric anesthesia in Mali.
In sub-Saharan Africa, livestock farming in general, and cattle farming in particular, is a source of income for many people. This activity tends to intensify in urban and peri-urban areas. Like many other livestock-raising countries, Mali faces several constraints, including African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT), which affects herd productivity and thus threatens food security. Several factors can influence the transmission of this disease, including the host-parasite-vector relationship, animal phenotypes, and climate. In Mali, the susceptibility of cattle breeds to trypanosome infection has been poorly documented. This study was aimed to determine the factors influencing the transmission of AAT in the sub-humid zone of Mali. Bi-seasonal sampling was carried out in 2011 on 720 cattle taken in a stratified and random fashion. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein and the WOO diagnostic technique was used. Factors such as phenotype, season, prophylactic treatment, and infection rate were considered. The results showed that among these variance factors, phenotype, prophylactic treatment, and haematocrit level were positively correlated with the infection rate of cattle (P<0.05%). The variation in the infection rate recorded during the different seasons was not significant (P>0.05%).
Aims: To assess the microbiological quality of beef marketed in commune I of Bamako district to determine its level of contamination and identify the main pathogens present. This study is based on the hypothesis that the microbiological quality of meat sold in the markets studied is influenced by storage conditions, hygiene practices and the infrastructure of the points of sale. Therefore, a thorough assessment of these factors could identify the main sources of microbiological contamination and propose practical solutions to improve the quality and safety of meat products. Study Design: A descriptive and analytical study was conducted between [from July to November 2023]. It involved meat samples collected from different points of sale in commune I. Methodology: Beef samples were collected randomly from markets, butcher shops and street stalls. Microbiological analyses were performed according to standardized protocols to enumerate total mesophilic flora, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, as well as to detect specific pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results: The results showed high microbiological contamination in [65,68%] of the samples analyzed, exceeding the thresholds set by food safety standards. Total and faecal coliforms were present in [23,35%]. Pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in [26,39%]. Contamination rates were higher in informal outlets compared to licensed butchers. Conclusion: Beef marketed in Commune I has a worrying microbiological quality, constituting a potential risk to public health. There is an urgent need to strengthen hygiene measures throughout the production and sales chain, as well as to increase awareness of food safety among stakeholders.
