Ouagadougou: Epidemiology plays a central role in the prevention and control of diseases in Burkina Faso. In an interview with AIB, epidemiology specialist Professor Smaila Ouedraogo explains the importance of this discipline for public health, analyzes the main current health threats, and discusses the evolution of diseases observed in the country in recent years.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Professor Ouedraogo describes epidemiology as the science that helps understand why, where, when, and how people become ill. This understanding aids decision-makers in anticipating epidemics, identifying those most at risk, proposing appropriate solutions, implementing them, and evaluating their effectiveness. The discipline is deemed essential for disease prevention and health promotion.
Professor Ouedraogo emphasizes the significance of epidemiology in Burkina Faso, a country facing significant challenges with limited resources. It assists in prioritizing the most pressing health issues, particularly those impacting populations and development. The ability to propose, implement, and evaluate solutions is crucial in achieving maximum health outcomes with minimal resources.
The main health threats in Burkina Faso today are classified into infectious or communicable diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, meningitis, tuberculosis, and HIV, and non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and certain kidney diseases. The latter has seen a notable increase, now affecting younger populations, indicating a significant epidemiological shift.
Professor Ouedraogo notes changes in disease profiles in recent years, with the re-emergence of old diseases and the emergence of new ones, such as Covid-19. The increased contact between humans and nature promotes new pathogens' emergence, leading to severe epidemics of known diseases like dengue fever. Non-communicable diseases, once rare in young people, are now increasingly common, necessitating a review of prevention and care strategies. Rapid intervention becomes vital, especially for diseases like strokes, where age is no longer the sole risk factor.