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Data on HIV prevalence in remote, rural communities of Cameroon are scarce despite the country's high HIV-1 group M diversity. This study assessed HIV seroprevalence and socio-demographic determinants in four regions of the equatorial rainforest location of the country. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5631 individuals in rural com- munities of the Centre, East, Littoral, and South regions. HIV testing was performed, and socio-demographic data were collected. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated using bivariate and multivariate analyses (negative log-binomial model with generalised estimating equations, GEEs). Overall, HIV prevalence was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.9-3.9%) in individuals aged 15-49 years and 4.9% in those aged >=50 years. Women had higher prevalence than men (4.5% vs. 3.0%, aPR equivalent 1.53, 95% CI: [1.12-2.08], p equivalent 0.007) and also higher HIV prevalence among individuals aged 50-54 years compared to those aged 15-19 years (5.5% vs. 1.8%, aPR equivalent 2.76, 95% CI: [1.24-6.15], p equivalent 0.013). The South region recorded the highest prevalence (5.2%, aPR equivalent 1.82, 95% CI: [1.04-3.18], p equivalent 0.035) compared to the Centre region with the lowest (2.3%). Divorced/separated/widowed individuals (10.2%) had increased risk (aPR equivalent 1.70, 95% CI: [0.80-3.58], p equivalent 0.165) compared to single individuals (3.2%). HIV remains a significant public health concern in remote, rural Cameroon, with a disproportionate impact on older adults and women. Surveillance should extend beyond the traditional 15-49-year age range, and targeted prevention is needed for high-prevalence regions and older populations to curb ongoing transmission.

To gain further understanding of the interlinkages between poor water access, household food insecurity, and undernutrition among children, this study used a cross-sectional design with 474 female caretakers of children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) to explore the relationship between limited access to water and diarrheal diseases among children, aged <5 years, experiencing MAM. The mean age of the caretakers was 28.50±6.88 years and that of their MAM children (sex ratio=0.7) was 17.79±9.59 months. The participants reported spending an average of 19.29±15.69 min for one trip to fetch water. A negative correlation was found between mean time spent fetching drinking water and hygiene and handwashing score (r=−0.141, p=0.003). Furthermore, the more severe the food insecurity status of a household, the farther the family member likely had to go to fetch drinking water [F(2, 444)=8.64, p≤0.001]. Results from binary logistic regression showed that children from households practicing open defecation (p=0.008) and/or having inadequate hygiene practices (p=0.004) had increased odds of developing diarrhea. Therefore, ameliorating water access in households with MAM children could contribute to improvements in hygiene and sanitation attitudes with a subsequent increase in the effectiveness of nutrition interventions aiming at reducing acute malnutrition among children.

Abstract Background Hair is valued by all individuals especially women. The perception of beauty is specific to everyone. In order to fulfil their ideal beauty, women use various methods to modify their hair's appearance. Afro hair is particularly fragile, so using these methods can be particularly deleterious for black women's hair. Objectives Describe hair care practices of women living in Yaoundé, determine the prevalence of traction alopecia (TA) and describe its clinical profile. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional study in hairdressing saloon in Yaoundé. A questionnaire was administered and scalp exams were performed to determine Marginal TA severity score. Results We included 223 women with a mean age of 24.9 ± 7 years. The prevalence of TA was 34.5%. Mild and moderate stages were most represented. As far as haircare is concerned, extensions were regularly used by 95.1% of participants. Wigs were regularly worn by 58.7% of participants. Chemical hair straightening was done by 87.9% of women and was performed twice to thrice a year by 43.9%. Almost 76% of women used hair straightener and hair dryer. Hair washing was done monthly by 43.8% of participants and the main cosmetic used was shampoo (75.3%). Conclusion Traction alopecia is a very common disease in women living in Yaoundé. Extensions, wigs and shampooing are their main hair care practices. Traction alopecia is a very common disease in women living in Yaoundé up to 34.5% of the studied population is affected. Extensions, wigs and shampooing are their main hair care practices.

multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a widely used cross-sectional imaging modality despite increasing concerns about radiation exposure and overuse. The aim of this study was to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of MDCT users in an urban city in Cameroon and to assess the clinical indications for appropriateness. we conducted a survey of MDCT users and collected data on demographic attributes and socialization patterns, clinical indications for MDCT and time to obtain MDCT. MDCT appropriateness was assessed using the American College of Radiologists Appropriateness Criteria®. Frequencies, percentages, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to summarize the data. with a response rate of 79%, 511 MDCT users were surveyed. The mean (standard deviation) age was 45(19) years and male to female sex ratio 1:1. Seventy-eight percent (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74-83%) of respondents reported not having any health insurance. Head scans accounted for 52% (95%CI: 47-56%) of all scans with trauma (19% [95%CI: 15-22%]), low back pain (18% [95%CI: 14-21%]) and suspected stroke (10% [95%CI: 7-13%]) being the most frequent indications. Sixteen percent (95%CI: 13-20%) of the scans were judged to be inappropriate. Predictors of MDCT appropriateness after multivariable logistic regression modeling were age (aOR=0.97; P=0.009; 95%CI=0.94-0.99), health insurance ownership (aOR=0.40; P=0.034; 95%CI=0.18-0.94) and being referred by non-specialist physicians (aOR=0.20; P<0.001; 95%CI=0.09-0.47). people from all social strata use MDCT, mostly appropriately and especially for head scans after trauma in this urban setting. However, the proportion of inappropriate studies was considerable suggesting the need for control measures.

Since 1971, Cameroon has been facing an ever-growing series of cholera epidemics; despite all the efforts made by the government to address this substantial public health problem. In 2020, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cameroon recorded a high cholera case fatality rate of 5.3% following epidemics noted in the South, Littoral, and South-West regions which is far higher than the 1% World Health Organization acceptable rate. The Ministry of Public Health organized a reactive vaccination campaign against cholera to address the high mortality rate in the affected health districts. The first round was in August 2020 and the second in March 2021. We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed this vaccination campaign's challenges, best practices, and lessons. The vaccination coverage for the two doses of the oral cholera vaccine was 80.4%, with a refusal rate as high as 67%. People 20 years and above recorded the lowest vaccination coverage. The main challenge was misinformation about the cholera vaccine. The best practice was thorough population sensitization through community actors. Proper communication will always brave the odds of hesitancy and favor mass population vaccination to thwart hesitancy and consolidate herd immunity.

In low- and middle-income countries, trauma is the leading cause of death among youth and it is also a major cause of disability. Globally, more than 1,600 children and adolescents below the age of 19-years die every day from preventable injuries. Traffic-related injuries, falls, sports-related injuries, assaults, burns, and drownings are the most commonly reported causes of traumatic mortality among children. The mechanism of injury is always diverse in different contexts due to the differences in social determinants of health. To determine the epidemiological pattern of trauma among children 0-9 years in Cameroon. This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Cameroon Trauma Registry currently running in 10 pilot sites across seven of the ten regions of Cameroon. We retrieved data for all children aged 0-9 years from June 2022 to August 2023. Data was analyzed with respect to the demographics, injury characteristics and outcomes. Of the 5,439 patients captured in the trauma registry, 267 (4.9%) were children aged 0-9 years. Over 50% (152/267) of the patients were males with 35% (93/267) from rural settings. The top injury mechanism was road traffic injuries (RTI) [137(52.1%)]. These injuries occurred on the streets [142(53.4%)] during leisure activities [205(78.5%)]. Majority of children [104(39%)] involved in RTI injuries were pedestrians and no prehospital care offered to 216(82.8%) of injured children. A total of 39 (16.9%) were discharged with major disability, 111 (48.1%) had limited ability to move and 5 (2.2%) demised or succumbed to their injuries. There was a significant association between injury activity and gender (P = 0.006). Unlike the females, majority of the males were discharged with major disability [21 (53.8%)]. This preliminary analysis highlights the burden of trauma among children aged 0-9 years and its contribution to the proportion of disabled persons in Cameroon. Leisure activities on the streets increased the number of pediatric injuries especially among males. It is therefore imperative to put in place or reinforce environmental interventions to reduce the burden of pediatric injuries.

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a growing public health problem requiring urgent attention in Cameroon where emergency medical services (EMS) are underdeveloped. In other countries, training laypersons to provide prehospital care has been shown to improve injury outcomes, but requires buy-in from the persons being trained to provide care. To inform development of a lay first responder (LFR) program in Cameroon, this study aimed to assess the willingness of community members and associated factors to provide prehospital care for RTIs along the N3 highway, a road linking Cameroon's two largest cities, known to have high incidence of RTIs. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of community members living along the N3 highway, between June 18th and August 16th, 2024. Health district officials and community leaders identified N3 communities across 11 health districts with high rates of RTI. Purposeful sampling was performed in each community to assess exposure to injury and willingness to participate in prehospital care. Trained research assistants verbally administered a structured questionnaire to each consenting household representative; data collected included socio-demographic characteristics, injury exposure, first aid knowledge and attitudes, and willingness to provide prehospital care to victims of RTIs. Associations between demographic factors and willingness to provide prehospital care were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 26.0 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 449 adult community members were surveyed. Most [268 (59.7%)) respondents were male with a median age of 33 years (interquartile range: 26-40). The majority, 333 (74.6%) community members were willing to provide care to injured victims. However, a third [167 (37.2%)] had adequate knowledge (scored ≥ 80%) of first aid and only 23 (5%) had been trained in first aid. Factors independently associated with willingness to provide prehospital care included having adequate first aid knowledge (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.81, p = 0.046), primary education (aOR=4.20, 95% CI: 1.19-4.81, p = 0.026) and secondary education (aOR=4.70, 95% CI: 1.34-16.53, p = 0.016) compared to respondents with no formal education, prior witness of RTI (aOR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.055-2.68, p = 0.028), being aged between 30 and 40 years (aOR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.06-3.14, p = 0.031) and community members being able to call dedicated phone numbers to report RTIs (aOR=3.11, 95% CI: 1.28-7.54, p = 0.012). Most community members living in injury exposed-communities reported willingness to participate in prehospital care. However, first-aid knowledge is currently lacking in these communities. LFR training is needed in these communities to enable willing community members to contribute to prehospital efforts for RTIs along this road network.

The purpose of this prospective, noncomparative consecutive study was to examine active and retired amateur boxers in order to evaluate the nature and incidence of ocular pathologic conditions related to the boxing practice. A total of 35 boxers were included in this study. The mean age of the boxers was 28.09±7.57 years (range 18-52 years). Sixteen (45.7%) boxers had >5 years of boxing experience. Fifteen (42.85%) of the boxers reported wearing protective equipment in the bouts and sparring rounds. The number of bouts ranged from 3 to 103, with a median of 20 (interquartile range [IQR] =7-44). The percentages of wins varied from 25% to 100%, with a median of 68.29% (IQR =50.00-79.54). Most of the eye injuries recorded were minor injuries (66.66%), with subconjunctival hemorrhage being the most common (24.24%). Lid scars were the second most common lesion, accounting for 18.18% of all lesions. Sight-threatening eye lesions accounted for 33.34% of injuries and included cataracts (12.12%), lens dislocation (3.03%), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (3.03%), unilateral glaucoma (3.03%), retinal detachment (3.03%), vitreous opacity (6.06%), and lattice degeneration (3.03%). Boxing-related ocular traumas are common in Cameroon, and ocular surface lesions are the most common injury reported. Severe lesions are indications for premature retirement from boxing practice.

Background Points of Entry (POEs) are at the frontline for prevention, detection and response to international spread of diseases. The objective of this assessment was to ascertain the current level of existing International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities of designated airports, ports and ground crossings in Cameroon and identify critical gaps for capacity building for prevention, early warning and response to public health threats including COVID-19. Methods Data were collected from April to May 2020 in 5 designated POEs: Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport (YIA), Douala international Airport (DIA), Douala Autonomous Port (DAP), Garoua-Boulai ground crossing, Kye-Ossi ground crossing which were all selected for their high volume of passenger and goods traffic. The World Health Organization (WHO) assessment tool for core capacity requirements at designated airports, ports and ground crossings was used to collect data on three technical capacities: (i) communication and coordination, (ii) Capacities at all times and (iii) capacities to respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC). Results All the investigated POEs scored below 50% of capacities in place. YIA recorded the highest percentage for all groups of capacities, coordination and communication and for core capacity at all times with a percentage of 42%, 58% and 32% respectively. For core capacity to respond to PHEIC, all the POEs recorded below 50%. The DAP and all ground crossings lacked trained personnel for inspection of conveyances. Only DIA had a public health emergency plan. There is no isolation/quarantine and transport capacity at the POEs. Conclusion All POEs assessed did not meet IHR standards and need significant improvement to fulfill the IHR requirements. Unstructured communication channels between stakeholders make the implementation of IHR challenging. A coordination mechanism, with clear functions and structure, is necessary for well-coordinated response efforts to health emergencies at POEs. This assessment will serve as a baseline to inform planning and IHR implementation at designated POEs in Cameroon.

The paucity of data on hepatitis' epidemiology in Menoua Division, west region, Cameroon, prompted us to assess the prevalence of viral and non-viral hepatitis in this area. A retrospective exhaustive study based on records of patients from January 2008 to June 2014 was conducted in 9 health centres in Menoua Division. Targeted subjects were patients who did not receive hepatitis vaccines for the past year and have been screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or a blood transaminase. Associations between variables were quantified with odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Cochran-Armitage test of linear trend was used for testing proportions of ordinal variables. Fisher's exact test was used for testing the association between 2 qualitative variables when expected counts were less than 5. The overall prevalence were 9.6% and 6.7% for HBV and HCV respectively. HBV mostly infected people aged 21-30 (12.4%) while the prevalence of HCV increased with age up to 35.4% (p=0.03). A 0.6% co-infection was observed. Thirty percent of positive HBV or HCV had high transaminase while 13% of patients with elevated transaminase showed negative viral serology. These results show that hospital-based prevalence of HCV and HBV in Menoua Division is under the Cameroon's national range but point out the fact that non-viral hepatitis might be a serious case of concern in this area. There is therefore, a need to identify the risk-factors of non-viral hepatitis.