This cross-sectional study assesses the quality of maternal and newborn health care in Niger using a nationally representative sample of 110 public facilities (integrated health centres, district hospitals and mother–child hospitals) and 2,153 women. A quality-of-care tool, co-developed with the Ministry of Health, combined five components: health facility survey, partograph review, healthcare provider knowledge tests, client exit interviews, and direct observation of antenatal and postnatal consultations. Findings show important structural gaps, with incomplete access to electricity, water and transport, and uneven availability of key tests and medicines. Partographs are used for most deliveries but are often poorly completed. Screening and integrated management of preeclampsia, anaemia and infectious diseases (HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis, malaria) remain suboptimal, especially in postnatal care. While overt mistreatment is rare, communication gaps are frequent: results and diagnoses are not consistently explained to women. The authors call for targeted investments in supplies, competency-based training, respectful care and stronger integration of services at each contact with pregnant and postpartum women.

Governance, Women, Health, Enfant

As of March 2022, only about 1% of Chad’s population was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and no prior data existed on vaccine hesitancy in the country. This cross-sectional study in N’Djamena (August–October 2021) surveyed 508 adults—patients, community members and healthcare workers—using a 25-item questionnaire and an adapted WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Scale. Overall, 52% said they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine, with higher acceptance among patients (67%) than community members (44%) and healthcare workers (47%). The mean hesitancy score was 29/50, and more than one-third of respondents were classified as highly hesitant. Knowing someone who died from COVID-19, trusting the government, perceiving local healthcare worker support, having comorbidities and higher socioeconomic status (electricity at home) were all associated with lower hesitancy. Main concerns focused on side effects, efficacy, safety, the pharmaceutical industry and distrust of government. Qualitative analysis highlighted four themes: information, trust, clinical concerns, and misinformation/false beliefs.

Governance, Security, Poverty, Health

This article examines the real impact of United Nations peacekeeping missions on conflict resolution in Sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on liberal institutionalism and conflict transformation theory, the study uses a qualitative, case-based approach relying on secondary data. It evaluates four major missions: MONUC/MONUSCO in the DRC, UNMISS in South Sudan, MINUSMA in Mali, and MINUSCA in the Central African Republic. Findings indicate mixed outcomes: although UN missions contributed to reducing open hostilities, protecting civilians, and facilitating humanitarian aid, they often failed to address root causes of conflict, foster political reconciliation, or establish sustainable peace. Key challenges include ambiguous mandates, limited resources, weak local ownership, and complex political environments. The study concludes that while UN peacekeeping remains essential for stabilisation, its effectiveness is constrained by structural and operational limitations. It recommends clearer mandates, stronger collaboration with the African Union, greater investment in peacebuilding, and enhanced local participation.

Governance, Peace, Conflict, Crisis management, Mediation, Crisis

This study assesses the impact of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and identifies the challenges it faces. Using a descriptive methodology based on secondary data (books, journals, UN documents, online materials), the authors rely on content analysis and institutional theory. Findings show that MINUSMA has contributed to peacebuilding by enabling the return of many internally displaced persons, improving relative stability in northern Mali and reducing civilian casualties. The mission also supported the peace process culminating in the 2015 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and assisted in organizing the 2013 and 2016 elections. However, MINUSMA is one of Africa’s most expensive peacekeeping missions (approximately USD 600 million annually) and among the deadliest due to high casualty numbers. Major challenges include authority conflicts, task allocation issues, insufficient personnel, logistical constraints and weaknesses in the implementation of peace agreements. The study recommends a full and credible implementation of the current peace agreement.

Peace, Conflict, Crisis management, Stabilisation

This article evaluates the impact of Senegal’s free health insurance programme for poor households, implemented through the National Family Security Scholarship Programme (PNBSF). Using 2019–2020 data from the rural area of Niakhar, the study assesses whether free enrollment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) improves healthcare utilisation and financial protection. Despite the programme’s intentions, the findings reveal major implementation failures: limited awareness among beneficiaries, unintentional or “virtual” enrollments, weak communication, and structural shortcomings within CBHI schemes. As a result, free insurance did not increase healthcare consultations during illness, antenatal care visits, or protection against catastrophic health expenditures. The only significant positive effect observed was an increase in facility-based deliveries. The authors conclude that the limited impact stems from implementation gaps rather than the concept of free insurance itself, stressing the need for stronger government commitment and measures to reduce barriers to accessing covered services.

Governance, Inequality, Gender, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Health, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Politique publique, Protection

The article examines the evolution of assisted deliveries in community health centres (CsCOM) in the Malian districts of Mopti and Bandiagara amid rising insecurity. Using a mixed-methods design combining spatial analyses, health centre performance indicators, and qualitative interviews, the study highlights strong territorial disparities. While most communes show declining or stagnant assisted delivery rates, some centres located near areas of violence experience increasing numbers. This paradox is explained by large-scale population displacement toward perceived safer areas hosting better-performing health centres, often supported by NGOs providing free maternal care and awareness campaigns. Conversely, remote centres show reduced utilisation due to the departure of qualified staff, reduced household income, and fear of travelling during insecurity. The findings demonstrate that conflict does not affect all services or territories equally and emphasise the need for fine-scale analyses to accurately assess how insecurity shapes maternal healthcare utilisation.

Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

This article offers a systematic and reflexive review of 656 publications (1958–March 2022) on intra-West African migration, sourced from Scopus using PRISMA and Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. It documents a sharp rise in output since the 2000s, with research clustered on Ghana and Nigeria, followed by Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Dominant topics are work/labour, social/family relations, and ethnicity/identity, while environment and climate change have recently gained traction. Studies focus more on outcomes than drivers of migration and tend to privilege urban destinations (the “urban trap”). Women and youth remain underrepresented, and translocal approaches are still uncommon. In terms of knowledge production, authors’ affiliations are predominantly in the US and Europe, reflecting postcolonial hierarchies; the authors call for decolonizing research agendas and strengthening West Africa-based scholarship.

Migration, Gender, Climate change, Environment, Youth, Women

Cross-sectional study in Dakar (December 2021) among 301 adults (20–69 years) assessed ultra-processed food (UPF) intake using NOVA and quantified contributions to NCD-related critical nutrients. UPFs provided 17.4% of total energy, 43% of free sugars, 26.9% of total fat, 24.4% of sodium and 24% of potassium. Individuals in the highest UPF tercile consumed more total energy (~1,996 kcal), total fat, free sugars, potassium and protein than those in the lowest tercile. Greater UPF share was positively associated with exceeding recommended total fat intake (OR = 2.58; p = 0.002) and negatively associated with non-recommended intakes of potassium (OR = 0.01; p < 0.001) and protein (OR = 0.43; p = 0.009). Authors conclude UPFs substantially shape diet quality in urban Senegal and may be a major determinant of NCD incidence and prevalence.

Governance, Food security, Health, Santé publique

This paper assesses Senegal’s mpox epidemiological surveillance from 14 July to 10 November 2024. Using a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical design, it includes all cases sampled during the period. One hundred suspected cases were reported (~6 per million), all sampled, with zero confirmations. Alternative viral diagnoses were identified in 32% (mostly varicella-zoster) and 4 co-infections were recorded (12.5%). The median time from symptom onset to result availability was 7 days; the median consultation-to-result interval was 2 days, with longer delays in remote areas. Of 48 preparedness activities, 56.25% were completed and 10.42% were ongoing. System strengths included adaptation to the IDSR kit, multi-level staff training, surveillance procedures, focal points, a diversified reference-laboratory network, and electronic case notification (DHIS2/4S). The authors call for strengthened logistics and laboratory/response capacity in border and hard-to-reach regions to reduce delays and sustain readiness.

Governance, Health, Santé publique