Formal and informal sector workers care in Cameroon. Need for equitable protection approach based on rational assessment of risks and exposures through carpenters respiratory system assessment

We explored respiratory symptoms in informal versus formal sector workers, in order to find out if there is a rational reason for selective care towards the latters.Methodology:This was a transversal analytic study comparing spirometry parameters of 35 carpenters from informal sector activity to 35 controls from official sector, all males, matched for body surface area, in Douala town in Cameroon, from March to May 2015. We performed spirometries and clinical examinations. We analyzed data with SPSS V.22. ResultsThe carpenters and controls showed respectively: average age was 35 vs 34 year; average years spent in function: 13 vs 9 years; systolic blood pressure: 120 vs 115 mmHg (p<0.05); diastolic blood pressure: 79 vs 76 mmHg; on spirometry, forced vital capacity: 92 vs 91; VEMS: 101 vs 96; VEMS/CVF: 108 vs 101; and PEF 91 vs 87. A negative correlation was found between duration on work in years and blood pressure in carpenters (R=-0.37; p=0.029). A negative correlation was found in carpenters between length of stay at work in years and peak expiratory flow (R=-0.34; p=0.048).ConclusionThe spirometry parameters are more altered in the carpenters compared to controls. There are no abnormalities exclusively present in formal sector workers that could justify their selective care. This study highlights the need for real attention to all workers in terms of preventing their health problems by authorities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Formal and Informal Sector Workers Care in Cameroon-Need for Equitable Protection Approach based on Rational Assessment of Risks and Exposures through Carpenter?s Respiratory System Assessment

We explored respiratory symptoms in informal versus formal sector workers, in order to find out if there is a rational reason for selective care towards the latters.Methodology: This was a transversal analytic study comparing spirometry parameters of 35 carpenters from informal sector activity to 35 controls from official sector, all males, matched for body surface area, in Douala town in Cameroon, from March to May 2015. We performed spirometries and clinical examinations. We analyzed data with SPSS V.22.Results: The carpenters and controls showed respectively: average age was 35 vs 34 year; average years spent in function: 13 vs 9 years; systolic blood pressure: 120 vs 115 mmHg (p<0.05); diastolic blood pressure: 79 vs 76 mmHg; on spirometry, forced vital capacity: 92 vs 91; VEMS: 101 vs 96; VEMS/CVF: 108 vs 101; and PEF 91 vs 87. A negative correlation was found between duration on work in years and blood pressure in carpenters (R=- 0.37; p=0.029). A negative correlation was found in carpenters between length of stay at work in years and peak expiratory flow (R=-0.34; p=0.048).Conclusions: The spirometry parameters are more altered in the carpenters compared to controls. There are no abnormalities exclusively present in formal sector workers that could justify their selective care. This study highlights the need for real attention to all workers in terms of preventing their health problems by authorities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests among informal sectors workers exposed to wood dust in Douala, Cameroon.

AbstractBackground: Wood sector is the second source of employment in Cameroon after the public sector and thesecond Cameroon’s export product after oil.Objective: In order to provide data on the extent of respiratory function related to wood, we assess carpenterfrom informal sector in Douala.Methods: From March to July 2015, we studied two randomly selected groups: the exposed group (carpenters)and the unexposed group in Douala. After a questionnaire, we when through a clinical examination and performed arespiratory test with a manual portable spirometer. Our data were entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0for Windows.Results: Respectively Carpenters vs unexposed: Smokers: 23.7%vs16.4%, p=NS; Alcohol consumption: 78.4%;vs 73.8%. Prevalence of symptoms: 51% vs26.2%, p<0.001. Lung function impairments: 24.2 %vs16.4%; Increasingage (P=0.007), smoking status, (P=0.013), length of stay in the job greater than or equal to 21 years (P=0.009) wereassociated to function impairment in univariate analysis. In a logistic regression age was associated to lung functiontest impairment: [OR=1.037 (CI 1.000 to 1.070) p=0.006)].Conclusion: Carpenters have higher function impairment that unexposed subjects. Smoking is associated withrespiratory symptoms among carpenters. Age of increases their risk of function impairments. Carpenters need to beincluded in health at work surveillance system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Évaluation et spatialisation du carbone stocké dans le massif forestier de Ngog-Mapubi (Cameroun)

International audienceL’étude explore le potentiel du massif forestier de Ngog-Mapubi/Dibang en contexte de la préparation du Cameroun à la REDD+. Elle a pour objectif global d’étudier les variations spatiales du carbone stocké dans la végétation de ce massif forestier et d’esquisser quelques perspectives au regard des changements d’utilisation des terres. Elle se fonde sur l’hypothèse que l’interprétation des images Landsat disponibles et exploitables complétée par une collecte de données de biomasse sur le terrain permettront d’évaluer et de spatialiser les stocks de carbone. La méthodologie s’est appuyée ainsi d’abord sur la télédétection, à travers le traitement et l’interprétation des images Landsat de 2007 et de 2018. Après la stratification, la biomasse a été collectée dans des parcelles de 50 x 50 m délimitées dans différents types d’utilisation des terres du massif. Les échantillons récoltés, séchés à poids constant au laboratoire, ont permis de calculer les stocks de carbone des différents types d’utilisation des terres. Les résultats indiquent que les stocks de carbone totaux varient d’une strate à l’autre soit respectivement de 177,42 à 12,84 tC/ha pour les forêts matures et les cultures. Ces stocks varient aussi suivant les pools de carbone considérés quelle que soit la strate considérée. Les stocks de carbone totaux du massif et de sa zone périphérique sont estimés à 24 086 528,6 tC et à 2 136 016,55 tC pour le massif forestier lui-même. Les forêts matures sont celles qui stockent le plus avec 17 989 374 tC (massif et zone périphérique) et 1 798 795,47 tC pour le massif forestier; Les grandes infrastructures projetées que sont le barrage du Grand Eweng et l’autoroute Yaoundé-Douala conduiront à la perte de plus de 20 000 ha de forêt dont moins de 1500 ha dans la forêt communale proprement dite à l’horizon 2025

Perception and adaptation strategies of forest dwellers to climate variability in the tropical rainforest in eastern Cameroon: The case of the inhabitants of the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest

The design of appropriate adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change requires a contextual study of local perceptions due to the non-homogeneity of climate in a given agro-ecological area. The research objective of the current study aims to examine the evolution of climate parameters from 1983 to 2019 linked to the perceptions of local populations and appropriate adaptation measures in the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest of Cameroon. The methodological approach includes collecting and analyze climate data from 1983 to 2019; and surveying existing local perceptions and adaptive strategies among 540 households using semi-structured questionnaires. A significant increase in temperature of about 1 °C over 36 years (1983–2019) and a non-significant decrease in precipitation (95.36 mm) over the same period were observed. Local perceptions related to climate change vary according to the sector of activity and are mainly associated with more heat in the dry season (90%), late onset of rains (84%), drought recurrence (82%), less rainfall during the year (80%), and increase in the duration of drought (80%). For 82–100% of households, according to the activity sector, no appropriate adaptation measures to climate change were applied depending on activities. The adaptation measures used by less than 0–20% of respondents, include mainly the abandonment or change of activity, and modification of the agricultural calendar. With the lack of appropriate and adequate adaptation measures by the riparian populations, this study appears necessary to inform policy-makers of the need to develop and implement more appropriate strategies to enable the riparian people living in forest area of Cameroon to better adapt to these effects of climate changes