Contesting land and identity: the case of women cultivators and Fulani cattle herders in Wum, northwest region of Cameroon

In Cameroon as elsewhere in Africa, the subject of ownership and access to land among different groups has been an issue of major concern. The arrival of the nomadic Fulani alongside with herds of cattle by the 1920s into Wum Central Subdivision did not only bring about profound changes in the political economy of the area but also introduced new ways of cohabiting, land use patterns and different perceptions about land and resources. This was partly so because the Aghem and Bu people who historically had exclusive ownership rights and access to land were compelled to compete and negotiate these rights and access on the same fertile lands that had abundant pastures for cattle with Fulani herders. With the presence of the Fulani, the issue of equal access and control of land and resources has constituted a contentious and perennial problem. Despite their long presence in the area, they are still considered as 'strangers' and/or 'intruders'. The objective of the research was to investigate why the conflicts between women cultivators and Fulani cattle herders are persistent. The outcome of this research reveals that the conflicts are more complicated than they appear and are embedded in gender relations and cultural practices where respect for tradition is optimal and exacerbated by a weak and out dated statutory land law. The law proscribes customary tenure system and does not guarantee women's ownership land rights but helps in the alienation and dispossession of women from their ancestral land. In addition, it is also a lever for rich domestic elites who now acquire huge tracts of land at the detriment of the rural poor. Constrained by this, they turn their frustration towards the Fulani by invoking ethnic sentiments as the legitimate strategy for their land claims. With increasing population and competition over diminishing resources and the sedentarisation of the Fulani, this research advocates for a new and more inclusive land law where all stakeholders would have security over their land and property.ASC – Publicaties niet-programma gebonde

Status of large mammals: case study of gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehi), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer), Menchum South, NW Cameroon

This study entitled status of large mammals: case study of gorilla, chimpanzee and buffalo, was carried out in the Black Bush Area of Waindow (BBAW), Menchum South, NW Cameroon from January-March, 2014. The general objective was to determine the status of large mammal's species and to investigate the presence of gorilla, chimpanzees and buffalo reported by the indigenous people in order to contribute to the conservation of these species in the region. The recce- survey method was used for species inventory whereby direct and indirect observations of bio-indicators of these species and human signs were recorded. From the result, the encounter rates of buffalo and chimpanzee were 0.35 and 0.26 signs per km respectively with no gorilla sign observed. Spatial distribution maps revealed great concentration of these species in the northern zone. Hunting recorded the highest encounter rate of 0.42 signs per km of anthropogenic activities. As such, one could deduce that the pressures exacerbated on these animals due to human activities and encroachment by Nigeria traders, and grazers placed the remaining species under intense threat of disappearing within the study areas. It is therefore necessary to intensify conservation efforts so as to urgently address these species concerns

Propose Strategies to Enhance the Biodiversity Status and Traditional Knowledge Systems Relevant for the Conservation of Pan Troglodytes Ellioti in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park and Kom-Wum Forest Reserve

This study entitle propose strategies to enhance the biodiversity status and traditional knowledge systems relevant for the conservation of Pan troglodytes ellioti was undertaken in the Kimbi-Fungom National Park (KWFR) and Kom-Wum Forest Reserve (KWFR) Northwest region of Cameroon. The main objective was to investigate sustainable tactics that will contribute to trim down pressure on Pan troglodytes ellioti and other flagship species around the study areas. Data collections were undertaken with the help of interviewed administered questionnaires, informal interview using interview guide, group discussion and direct observations activities. Following interviewees response, sixty eight (68%) of the respondents were confident that they could take up effective management of the K-FNP and K-WFR. Equally, 92% of respondents agreed to the fact that increasing population, poverty increment, insufficient modern health facilities, influx of new cultural activities due to loss of traditional taboos and totemic beliefs, remains greater threat to chimpanzees in the study areas. Most of the interviewees (74%) agreed that updating of knowledge on the abundance and distribution of chimpanzee, identifying location of all human activities especially huts, farms, shortcuts and illegal market in the park/reserve through regular patrols with eco-guards to reinforce order and ensure a better protection for chimpanzees is vital. Much more, 95% of respondent accepted the fact that old and new traditional knowledge of conservation such as taboos/law, totemic beliefs, sacred forests, royal species, automatic spiritual sanction, harvesting seasons should be revived and encourage through traditional institutions/council to better protect chimpanzees. Furthermore, 85% of interviewees accepted the suggestion that to get rid of poor traditional practices that uses chimpanzee's body parts/meat for medicine and rituals, can be replace with goats, sheep, pig, fouls body parts/meat. To reduce over dependent and conflicts on chimpanzees products and other natural resources, 97% of the respondents were in favour that income generating micro-projects such as fish farming, animal rearing, and market gardening should be promoted. Providing jobs through ecotourism activities such as forest clearance and excursions, construction of adequate and equip infrastructures were highly welcome by 99% of interviewees. To attain all these, regular conservation educational programmes in schools, meeting places and in “ngumba” houses should be promoted to well sensitize population on chimpanzee's conservation

Rehabilitation and Reintroduction of wild born orphan chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within the pongo and okokong islands of the douala-edea wildlife reserve, Littoral Region Cameroon

This study had as main objective to document on the reintroduction of chimpanzees in the Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve which appears to be the first case of chimpanzee reintroduction in Cameroon. The study was carried out in the South East zone of the Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve which holds a small chimpanzee sanctuary under the auspices of “Papaye France” association. Data was collected on the field using semi structured questionnaires, interviews and direct observations alongside a participatory action approach at the sanctuary. Data from discussion guide and questionnaires were descriptively analysed and discussed with respect to our objectives. There were 24 orphan chimpanzees all together present in the zone and being cared for by the association PAPAYE France. This association has released 16 chimpanzees on two Islands of the reserve, the first group made of 9 chimpanzees (6 males and 3 females) were released in 2008 on the Pongo Island and a second group made of 6 chimpanzees (4 males and 2 females) were released on the Okokong Island in 2010; one female was later introduced to this group early 2015. These chimpanzees were released after a rehabilitation process not in line with IUCN guidelines for reintroduction of great apes and not following any developed scientific approach or methodology. Despite this, the released chimps are faring well as new births have been recorded on either Islands, chimps feed, nest, movement and vocalize indicating there have gotten adapted to live on the Islands. It was also noted that the sizes of these islands may not maintain a viable, nutritionally self-sustaining population in the long run hence could better serve as a semi naturalistic sanctuary. It is necessary that the carrying capacities of the islands be determined while larger potential release sites be assessed and prepared for an eventual transfer/reintroduction of these apes in the future

Status of Blue Duiker (Cephalophus monticola) and Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) in Kom -Wum Forest Reserve, North West Region, Cameroon

The study titled “Status of Blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola) and Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, North West Region-Cameroon, was realized from the 15th of January to March 31st, 2015. The general objective was to contribute to the conservation of Blue duiker and Bushbuck by establishing a baseline data in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve which will serve as guide for management decisions. The methodology used was “reconnaissance walk, questionnaires, semi structured interviews and focused group discussions. Results obtained indicated that twelve species of mammals were recorded through direct and indirect bio-indicators. The family of Cercopithecidae was the most represented (41.7%) (Putty nosed (Cercopithecus nictitans), Vervet (Cercopithecus aethiops), Patas (Erythrobus patas), Mona (Cercopithecus mona) monkeys and Olive Baboon (Papio Anubis). The results equally revealed that Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti), Red duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), Blue duiker and Bushbuck were the most abundant animals with encounter rates of 3.8, 2.91, 2.41 and 1.93signs per km respectively. The GIS distribution maps showed that Blue duikers and Bushbucks were more in the North East and South West potions of the reserve respectively. The mean encounter rate of anthropogenic activities (hunting, agriculture and logging) stood at 0.94 sign per kilometer. Hunting was most preponderant with an E.R of 1.41 sign per km (50%), followed by agriculture 1.0 sign per km (36%) and lastly logging 0.41 sign per km (14%). Encounter rates of anthropogenic activities plotted against those of mammals gave a coefficient of determination (R2) =0.058 hence, mammal distribution is only slightly affected by human activities. Up to 65% of the respondents expressed negative attitudes towards conservation of resources in the reserve for the fact that it is their natural heritage and they should not be restrained from exploiting them. A majority (80%) of the respondents however agreed that the reserve is owned and controlled by the government. Though plagued by human interference, the reserve still harbours some Bushbuck and Blue duiker. We therefore recommend that the council, government, NGOs and the local community to step up conservation efforts

Facteurs influençant l’initiation au traitement antirétroviral des personnes vivant avec le VIH dans les Centres de Traitement Agréés de Bamenda et de Bertoua au Cameroun

Introduction: : L'objectif de ce travail était de déterminer les facteurs influençant l'initiation au  traitement antirétroviral des personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH) dans les centres de traitements  agrées (CTA) de Bamenda et de Bertoua au Cameroun. Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, analytique réalisée de Janvier à Avril 2011, dans les CTA de Bamenda et de Bertoua. Pour cette étude, nous avons obtenu une clairance éthique.Résultats: Nous avons étudiés 460 dossiers de patients séropositifs en phase d'initiation au traitement antirétroviral dans lesCTA de Bamenda et de Bertoua, 53,9% et 46,1% respectivement. L 'âge médian   était de 36 ans. La plupart des séropositifs à Bertoua (41) avaient fait un dépistage volontaire du VIH par rapport à ceux de Bamenda (22) (p= 0.008). Il y 'avait plus de VIH de type 1 et 2 dans le CTA de Bamenda (15) par rapport à Bertoua (3) (p= 0.011). La majorité des patients était classé au stade clinique II à Bamenda (54,0%) tandis qu 'à Bertoua le stade clinique III était prédominant (52,4%) (p=0,000). Le  taux médian de CD4 était de 133 cellules/mm3 dans le CTA de Bamenda et de 175 cellules/mm3 à Bertoua (p=0,008). La Zidovudine était plus prescrit à Bamenda et le Ténofovir à Bertoua (p=0,000). L 'Efavirenz était plus prescrit à Bertoua tandis que la Névirapine l 'était plus à Bamenda (p=0,000). Le Lopinavir/r était plus prescrit à  Bamenda qu 'à Bertoua (p=0,017).Conclusion: Il apparait urgent de standardiser la prise en charge des PVVIH dans les CTA du Cameroun.Key words: VIH, Personnes vivant avec le VIH, Traitement antirétroviral, Bamenda, Bertoua; Centre de traitement agrée, Cameroun

Awareness of breast cancer and breast self-examination among female undergraduate students in a higher teachers training college in Cameroon

Introduction: The incidence of breast cancer (BCa) in Cameroon is on the rise and accounts for a leading cause of mortality. An understanding of the knowledge and practices on breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) among teachers are important first steps which will guide the designing of interventions aimed at raising awareness across the general population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in April 2016 involving 345 consenting female undergraduate students in the Higher Teachers Training College, Bambili, Cameroon. Data was collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analysed using descriptive methods. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 22.5±3.2years and a vast majority (n = 304, 88.1%) had heard about BCa primarily from the television/radio (n=196, 64.5%). Overall, less than a quarter (n=65, 21.4%) of respondents who had heard about BCa had sufficient knowledge on its risk factors and signs/symptoms. A plurality (53.3%) thought BCa can be prevented via vaccination while over a third (38.7%) opined that BCa can be treated spiritually. Less than half (47%) of respondents who had heard about BCa had heard about BSE amongst which only 55 (38.5%) had ever practiced it. Conclusion: Though most students are aware of the existence of breast cancer, their overall knowledge on its risk factors and clinical presentation is insufficient with a concomitant low practice of BSE. These highlighted gaps warrants intensification of sensitization campaigns and educational programmes in order to raise knowledge levels and enhance prevention strategies that would aid in reducing the burden of breast cancer in Cameroon

Improving Maternal Health: The Safe Childbirth Checklist as a Tool for Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development. The UN’s adoption of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in September 2015 reaffirmed the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality as global priorities in the coming decade. The World Health Organisation Safe Childbirth Checklist has been developed to ensure the delivery of essential maternal and perinatal care practices. The Safe Childbirth Checklist aims to help frontline health workers to prevent avoidable childbirth-related mortality and morbidity. The Checklist addresses the major causes of maternal death (haemorrhage, infection, obstructed labour and hypertensive disorders), intrapartum-related stillbirths (inadequate intrapartum care), and neonatal deaths (birth asphyxia, infection and complications related to prematurity). Successful completion of checklist items by healthcare workers will help keep the woman and baby safe as the checklist catalogues a core set of practices that are proven to reduce maternal and newborn harm. The practices described in the checklist items should be conducted at every birth. This chapter utilises experiences gained in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia during the Pfizer Independent Grant for Learning and Change supported Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria Improving Maternal Health in sub-Saharan Africa project to describe the checklist and how it can be used to deliver lifesaving midwifery care and enhance maternal health

Human Activity and Forest Degradation Threaten Populations of the Nigeria–Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) in Western Cameroon

Increased human activities such as commodity-led deforestation, extension of agriculture, urbanization, and wildfires are major drivers of forest loss worldwide. In Cameroon, these activities cause a loss of suitable primate habitat and could ultimately threaten the survival of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). We derived independent estimates of the population size of the Endangered Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) in Kom-Wum Forest Reserve, Cameroon, and surrounding unprotected forest areas through 1) direct observations, 2) camera trapping, 3) distance sampling, 4) marked nest counts, and 5) standing crop nest counts. In addition, we georeferenced signs of chimpanzee and human activity along line transects. We used a generalized linear mixed model to predict the occurrence of chimpanzees in response to edge length (measured as the perimeter of core forest patches), core area of forest patches (measured as area of forest patches beyond an edge width of 100 m), habitat perforation (measured as the perimeter of nonforested landscape within core forest patches), patch size(measured as area of forest patches), and forest cover. Chimpanzee density estimates ranged from 0.1 (direct observation) to 0.9 (distance sampling) individuals km−2 depending on estimation method with a mean nest group size of 7 ± 5.4 (SD). The mean encounter rate for signs of chimpanzee activity was significantly higher in mature forests (2.3 signs km−1) than in secondary forests (0.3 signs km−1) and above 1000 m elevation (4.0 signs km−1) than below 1000 m (1.0 signs km−1). The mean encounter rate for signs of human activity was significantly higher in secondary (8.0 signs km−1) than in mature forests (0.9 signs km−1). Secondary forests, habitat perforation, and edge length had a significant negative effect on the occurrence of chimpanzee signs. Overall, human activity and forest degradation affected the number of observed chimpanzee signs negatively. Regular antipoaching patrols and reforestation programs in degraded areas could potentially reduce threats to populations of endangered species and may increase suitable habitat area.Projekt DEALPeer Reviewe