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Innovative strategies such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) are useful for identifying hard-to-reach people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), especially in developing settings where considerable gaps still exist in reaching the first 95% UNAIDS target. We evaluated the effectiveness of HIVST in Cameroon using several distribution models and investigated the predictors of HIV seropositivity among self-testers. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 in three regions in Cameroon. HIVST kits were distributed according to 5 distribution models: antenatal, postnatal, maternal and child clinics (ANC/PNC/MCH); partners of PLHIV; workplace; community and HIV-testing services (HTS). Overall, 42,687 people received oral HIVST kits, among whom 15.6% were HIV first-testers. Approximately 85% reported on the test outcome; 2.3% ( n  = 825) were reactive, and 75.8% came for test confirmation. After the confirmation test, a concordance of 85% was found with the national algorithm. Overall, the HIV seroprevalence was 1.5% [95% CI: 1.4–1.6]; ANC/PNC/MCHC: 1.9%, partners of PLHIV: 6.9%, workplace: 0.5%, community: 0.1% and HTS: 7.0%, p  < 0.001. The positivity rate among first-testers was 1.2%. Youths < 25 years had a lower seroprevalence (0.4%) than older people (2.6% and 2.7% for those aged 25–39 and those aged ≥ 40 years, respectively), p  < 0.001. Seropositivity was negatively associated with secondary distribution, workplace model, community model and age < 25 years. On the other hand, partners of PLHIV model, HTS model, female sex and first-time-testers were positively associated with seropositivity. In Cameroon, oral HIVST is an effective approach for identifying undiagnosed PLHIV, especially when using ANC/PNC/MCHC, partners of PLHIV and HTS distribution models. However, to ensure the successful scale-up of HIVST in Cameroon, guidelines should be revised to fine-tune the target populations for HIVST and optimize the use of resources.

Background In September 2023, fifty cases of chronic limb ulcers of unknown origin were reported in six Health Districts (HDs) in Northern Cameroon. This disease, locally called “Ladde”, was described as of mystical origin, transmitted by insect bites. We aimed to describe the cases, identify the cause and socio-anthropological considerations. Methodology We conducted a mixed descriptive cross-sectional study in November 2023. A case was any person that had presented a skin ulcer on any of the four limbs for at least 4 weeks any time during the study period, suspected of infectious cause or contamination, associated or not to other conditions and residing in the study area from January 2018 to October 2023. After active case-finding in health facilities and within the community, we featured sociodemographic (sex, age, occupation), clinical (location, signs/symptoms, ulcer occurrence), and therapeutic data (itinerary, treatment and outcome). We collected blood samples, ulcer swabs and skin biopsies to test for pathogens ( Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium ulcerans , Mycobacterium leprae , Leishmania ), performed an entomological survey to search for potential vectors and conducted a socio-anthropological survey (individual interviews and focus group discussions) to explore community perceptions. Results We identified 153 cases in total: 119 (77.8%) were men. The median age was 38.5 years (9 months to 94 years). Farmers ( n  = 63, 41.2%), followed by housewives ( n  = 24, 15.7%) were the most affected. The lower limbs ( n  = 138, 90.2%) were the preferred location. Pain ( n  = 130, 85.0%), swelling ( n  = 113, 73.9%), ulceration ( n  = 43, 28.1%) and fever ( n  = 42, 27.5%) were the most frequent signs/symptoms at the beginning. In 79 (51.6%) cases, the ulcers occurred spontaneously and 67 (43.8%) after trauma (road injuries, blunt objects ulcers). For treatment, 129 (84.3%) cases visited a traditional healer who ordered decoctions ( n  = 98, 64.1%) and poultices ( n  = 95, 62.1%) using powder; 81 (52.9%) cases visited a health facility and received Cloxacillin ( n  = 78, 51%) and diclofenac ( n  = 70, 45.8%). Ten (6.5%) cases were completely cured. Six out of ninety-four (6.4%) cases tested were HIV positive, 8 (8.5%) were syphilis positive, all referred for appropriate care. Dermohypodermatitis ( n  = 14 out of 28, 50%) and pyogenic granuloma ( n  = 12 out of 28, 43%) were the main anatomopathological findings. No patient was positive for Mycobacterium ulcerans, Haemophilus ducreyi or Treponema pallidum pertenue. The entomological investigation did not reveal any potential insect vectors for leishmaniasis. Socio-anthropological survey mostly reported that “Ladde” is a disease of diabolic origin caused by a spirit which comes from a demon-possessed animal or tree. Conclusion Posttraumatic leg ulcers and dermohypodermatitis were the predominant clinical and anatomopathological patterns. Traditional practitioners were the main point of care. Strengthening the capacity of health and laboratory personnel in the diagnosis and management of chronic skin ulcers pathogens is recommended to improve the outcome of chronic ulcers.

Metodos Se recopilaron datos sobre casos de colera desde enero de 2016 hasta septiembre de 2023 en las 10 regiones de Camerun, procedentes del software DHIS-2, listados nacionales de casos de colera, informes de situacion y bases de datos del Centre Pasteur du Camerun y del Laboratorio Nacional de Salud Publica. Estos datos se introdujeron en la herramienta del Grupo de Trabajo Mundial para el Control del Colera con el fin de determinar un indice de prioridad por distritos basado en cuatro indicadores de colera: incidencia, mortalidad, persistencia y positividad de las pruebas. Se calculo un indice de vulnerabilidad basado en 12 factores de vulnerabilidad. Se clasificaron como areas prioritarias para intervenciones multisectoriales los distritos con un indice de prioridad [greater than or equal to]9 y los distritos con un indice de prioridad <9 pero con [greater than or equal to]9 factores de vulnerabilidad.

To identify priority areas for multisectoral interventions for cholera control in Cameroon. We collected data on cholera cases from January 2016 to September 2023 in all 10 regions of Cameroon sourced from the DHIS-2 software, national cholera line lists, situation reports and databases of the and the National Public Health Laboratory. We entered these data into the Global Task Force on Cholera Control tool to determine a priority index for districts based on four cholera indicators: incidence, mortality, persistence and test positivity. We calculated a vulnerability index based on 12 vulnerability factors. We categorized districts with a priority index ≥ 9 and districts with a priority index < 9 but with ≥ 9 vulnerability factors as priority areas for multisectoral interventions. Between 2016 and 2023, Cameroon reported 24 813 suspected cholera cases in nine regions. Of 200 health districts, we identified 48 (24.0%) as priority areas for multisectoral interventions, 35 based on a priority index ≥ 9 and 13 based on vulnerability factors. These priority areas were home to 40.4% (11 488 089/28 433 067) of the country's population in 2023 and accounted for 91.3% (22 668/24 813) of the cholera cases between 2016 and 2023. Centre, Littoral, South-West and Far North regions account for 85.4% (41/48) of the priority areas for multisectoral interventions. Identification of priority areas for multisectoral interventions provided evidence for decision-making to enhance cholera preparedness and prevention. The availability of data facilitated this classification, and the ownership and leadership of the main governmental stakeholders were essential.

COVID-19 is an infectious and contagious disease declared as public health emergency of international concern in 2020. Given its high morbidity and mortality, one of the responses to this pandemic is vaccination, which has posed a serious problem of acceptance among the population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Cameroon in particular. Thus, the purpose of this study was to contribute to a better response to the pandemic in Cameroon by measuring the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. We carried out a comparative analysis of morbidity and mortality in vaccinated COVID-19 patients versus unvaccinated COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the three most affected regions of Cameroon. we conducted a Case-control study with patients vaccinated against COVID-19 as Cases and patients not vaccinated against COVID-19 as controls. We observed the occurrence of severe clinical manifestations in vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 patients during hospitalization to study the influence of vaccination on the outcome of these patients over the period from May 01, 2021, to March 31, 2022; in the COVID management units of Yaoundé Central Hospital, Douala General Hospital, Douala Laquintinie Hospital and Bafoussam Regional Hospital. we conducted our study in 218 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 109 vaccinated and 109 unvaccinated patients, 51.4% of whom were women. Arterial hypertension (60.6%) and diabetes (27.5%) were more prevalent in unvaccinated patients. The median length of hospital stay was 07 days for vaccinated patients and 05 days for unvaccinated patients. Coma (0.7% in vaccinated patients and 79.8% in unvaccinated patients), consciousness disorders (8.3% in vaccinated patients and 57.8% in unvaccinated patients), headaches (46.8% in vaccinated patients and 18.3% in unvaccinated patients), pneumonia (78% in vaccinated patients and 78.9% in unvaccinated patients), malaria (31.2% in vaccinated patients and 19.3% in unvaccinated patients), pulmonary embolism (14.7% in vaccinated patients and 22% in unvaccinated patients) and venous thromboembolism (1.1% in vaccinated patients and 14.7% in unvaccinated patients) were the main severe clinical manifestations. The prevalence of mortality was 1.8% in vaccinated patients and 79.8% in unvaccinated patients. four out of 1000 vaccinated patients were less likely to die during hospitalization compared to unvaccinated patients. This reinforces the importance of vaccination in controlling COVID-19 infection.