Publications

Introduction: In most of the health facilities in Cameroon, the management of patients with diarrhea is based on presumptive diagnosis due to limited laboratory resources. This study aimed to determine germs profile and their susceptibility to antibiotics usually prescribed against pathogenic bacteria associated with diarrheas at the Kousseri Regional Hospital Annex from July to October 2015.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive and cross-sectional study of all consenting individual presenting with diarrhea to the Kousseri Regional Hospital Annex during the study period. Stool samples were collected from each patient. Patient data were collected via anonymous questionnaire with face to face interview. Each stool sample was grown on media for enterobacteria and analyzed following the standard stool culture method. The sensitivity of the isolated strains to the most frequently prescribed antibiotics was assessed and the proportions of patients Read more...

Background: Accidental exposure to blood and body fluids is a public health concern, especially among health workers and constitutes a risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses including HIV, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and the post exposure management of accidental exposures to blood and body fluid among health workers in the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from the 1st to the 30th of September 2013. Self-administered questionnaires to health workers were used to collect data on self-reported accidents, circumstances and post-exposure management. Their knowledge on accidental exposure to blood was also assessed. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info software version 3.5.4. Descriptive analysis was performed to measure the importance of AEB and to evaluate the risk of contamination.

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Introduction: The prevalence of strokes is continuously growing in Africa. Morbidity and mortality related to this disease depend on patients management in the community and health care facilities (FOSAs). The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome and the therapeutic path of patients with stroke admitted to the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (BRH).

Methods: We conducted a cohort non-controlled study of patients who were diagnosed with stroke. Data were collected using two tools such as an anonymous questionnaire among patients or on their pre-hospital management and a grid for the collection of data on patient's outcome during hospitalization. Data were analyzed by describing the frequency distribution of the sources and types of supports solicited prior to and during hospitalization as well as that of patients' outcome at the end of hospitalization including the incidence of complications.

Results: A total Read more...

Background: The cold chain must be monitored continuously in order to guarantee vaccines' quality. From field reports and previous studies, cold chain monitoring for expanded program on immunization (EPI) is still not satisfactory in Cameroon. This study was conducted to evaluate the availability and functioning of cold chain equipment as well as knowledge.

Results: It was a cross-sectional study involving a multistage sampling. 3urban and 5rural districts were selected randomly from the 19 health districts of the North West region. In each district all the health facilities taking part in the EPI were targeted. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered face to face to health personnel and with an observational grid to assess availability, functioning, and monitoring of cold chain equipment and power supply. The data were analyzed using the epi-info software. A total of 70 health facilities were contacted and 65(88.6%) of them i Read more...

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important predictor of newborn survival and development. Given its pathophysiology, malaria is presumed to be one of the risk factors for low birth weight. This study aims to determine the association between malaria in pregnant women (PW) and LBW (weight < 2500 g).

Methods: We conducted a case-control analytical study based on the administration of a questionnaire and an observation chart. We calculated the crude odds ratio (OR) and the adjusted odds ratio to determine this association. Logistic regression was applied to recognize the variables which act as determinants of the issue under discussion.

Results: This study involved 156 women (78 cases and 78 controls). The prevalence of LBW was 12.32% (105/852); 41.02% (64/156) of women had had malaria during pregnancy and 42.14% of parturients had received three doses of IPT (intermittent preventive treatment). A significa Read more...

Purpose: A new vaccine against meningitis A was introduced in Africa meningitis belt in 2010. This study was planned to describe the incidence and types of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) with a new conjugate vaccine against meningitis A (MenAfrivac™) in a Cameroonian vaccination campaign.

Methods: The campaign was conducted in Adamawa and North West regions in December 2012 and the AEFIs enhanced surveillance from December 2012 to January 2013. Incidence rates (IR) of overall and serious AEFIs were estimated as well as AEFI incidence rates by type, age group and region. AEFI symptoms were aggregated in System Organ Class (SOC).

Results: Of 2 093 381 persons vaccinated, 1352 AEFIs were reported. Of these, 228 (16.9%) were excluded because of not meeting inclusion criteria and 1124 (83.1%) included (IR: 53.7/100 000 doses administered/8 weeks). Of the 82 serious AEFIs reported, 52 (63.2%) met the case de Read more...

The risk of cholera outbreak remains high in Cameroon. This is because of the persistent cholera outbreaks in neighboring countries coupled with the poor hygiene and sanitation conditions in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to assess the readiness of health facilities to respond to cholera outbreak in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon.

A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all health facilities in four health districts, labeled as cholera hotspots in Cameroon in August 2016. Data collection was done by interview with a questionnaire and by observation regarding the availability of resources and materials for surveillance and case management, access to water, hygiene, and sanitation. Data analysis was descriptive with STATA 11.