Plasmodium vivax Infections Detected in a Large Number of Febrile Duffy-Negative Africans in Dschang, Cameroon

The Duffy blood group is a critical receptor for Plasmodium vivax (Pv) invasion of red blood cells, and consequently, Pv infections were considered rare in sub-Saharan Africa where the prevalence of Duffy-negativity is high. However, recently, Pv infections have been found in Duffy-negative Africans throughout the malaria transmission area of sub-Saharan Africa, raising important questions concerning the molecular composition of these Pv clones and the red blood cell receptors that facilitate their invasion. Here, we describe an unusually high number of Pv infections in febrile Duffy-negative Africans in Dschang, Cameroon (177 of 500 outpatients), as compared with Santchou (two of 400 outpatients) and Kye'-Ossi (two of 101 outpatients), other areas in Cameroon. In the discussion, we speculate on the possible reasons why Dschang might account for the unusually large numbers of Pv infections in Duffy-negative individuals living there

Determinants of adherence to ARVs in HIV+ women enrolled in the PMTCT program in the West and North Regions of Cameroon

Background: According to UNAIDS 2019, 52% of people worldwide living with HIV is on antiretrovirals (ARVs), HIV positive women representing 80% of them. This study aimed at highlighting the determinants of adherence to ARVs for HIV positive women enrolled in PMTCT programs in the West and North Regions of Cameroon. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was carried out from February to September 2019 in three treatment centres in the West (Bafoussam Regional Hospital and Dschang District Hospital) and North (Garoua Regional Hospital) regions in Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered face to face and encoded in Excel 2013, then analyzed using SAS version 7.8. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant Results: One thousand (1000) women were interviewed. The mean age was 17 ±2 years (Range: 12 – 67 years); 231 (23.1%) were single. Overall, the prevalence of ART-adherence was 68.6%. After multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression; having one HIV-infected children (aOR=60.9; 95%CI=[7.6; 489.1]; P=0.001), non-disclosure of serological status with the spouse/boyfriend (aOR=25.2; 95%CI=[9.2; 68.9]; P<0.001), not being educated (aOR=7.7; 95%CI=[4.4; 13.3]; P<0.001); and taking ARVs once or less daily (aOR=50; 95%CI=[20.0; 100.0]; P<0.001) were four risk factors for non-adherence. Conclusion: ART-adherence among Cameroonian pregnant women is still very far below UNAIDS target (95%), with four potential key determinants identified. As we are progressively moving towards the elimination of HIV vertical transmission in 2030 as advocated by UNAIDS, local policies should be reinforced in order to consolidate the strides made so far. Keywords: HIV, PMTCT, Pregnancy, Adherence, option B+, Cameroon

The Problem of Lost to Follow-up of Mother-child Pairs Enrolled in the PMTCT Program in Dschand District Hospital: Cameroon

Background: High rates of lost to follow-up (LTFU) in the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs in Cameroon will only contribute in hindering the successful implementation of the program. The objective of this study was to determine the causes of LTFU of mother-child pairs enrolled in the PMTCT program in Dschang District Hospital (DDH): Cameroon Method: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in HIV-exposed children delivered at the DDH from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2014, being aged ≥ 18 month at the study period (1st August – 30th September 2016) and whose mothers were enrolled in the PMTCT program for at least 3 months. Children were considered LTFU if they did not return to the hospital for the establishment of their HIV status at 18 months of age. A complementary cross-sectional study was done whereby a structured question was administered to the LTFU group via telephone calls, in order to determine the causes of LTFU. Data was collected from hospital registers and logistic regression analyses done using Epi info 7.1.3.3 software Results: A total of 141 mother-child pairs were eligible for the study, 76 were reachable via phone calls and 36 (47.37%) met the case definition of LTFU. The causes of LTFU of HIV-exposed children identified were the following: lack of information 19 (65.5%); lack of support from male partners 4 (11.1%); poor behavior of health personnel 2 (5.5%); forgetfulness, negligence/time wasting, in-availability of results, fear of child being infected, and family problems were all listed at equal proportions of 3 (6.9%); financial problem 1 (2.8%). Conclusion: The education of health personnel on the importance of communication and information dispersal should be considered as an important element for better results as far as PMTCT is concerned, also, additional measures should be taken to involve male partners in the disease management

Knowledge on STIs / HIV / AIDS, Stigma-Discrimination and sexual behaviors AMONG students of the University of Dschang, in Cameroon

This study reports the results of a survey conducted among students of the University of Dschang, on STI/HIV/AIDS, the Stigma-Discrimination pair and sexual behaviors. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted during the months of January and February 2017. We collected data by a face to face questionnaire administered to students of the University of Dschang. The codification, process and analysis have been done using the software EPI-Info 7.3.1.1, with the threshold of significance set at 0.05. A total of 520 individuals participated in this survey, with more than half (62.7%, n = 326/520) aged between 20-30 years, with a male/female sex ratio of 1,031. The vast majority (83%, n = 418/520) of them were in the undergraduate cycle. The main modes of transmission cited included: the combination of items such as blood transfusion / soiled objects / Mother-to-child transmission/ unprotected sex for 36.3% of respondents (n = 186/516) although 21.9 % (n = 112/516) of them admitted not knowing any modes of transmission of STIs / HIV. Also, 74.2% (n = 386/520) of respondents were sexually active, with the estimated age of sex debut being over 18 years (53.9%; 208/386) for half of them. Of the 36.2% (n = 186/514) respondents who reported knowing someone with STI / HIV and AIDS, the first feeling they had with regards to them was pity (86.6%; n = 386/446), followed by fear in 11.7% (n = 52/446) of respondents but yet 40.2% (n = 208/518) admitted they have never heard of discrimination. Stigma and discrimination in the student milieu remains a major barrier to students' development who, becoming sexually active at a very early age, are more exposed to the risk of contracting STI / HIV. Sensitization actions should be implemented within university campuses and reproductive health courses for young adults, included in the academic curriculum for a significant reduction in the number of new infections

Knowledge on STIs / HIV / AIDS, Stigma-Discrimination and sexual behaviors AMONG students of the University of Dschang, in Cameroon

This study reports the results of a survey conducted among students of the University of Dschang, on STI/HIV/AIDS, the Stigma-Discrimination pair and sexual behaviors. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted during the months of January and February 2017. We collected data by a face to face questionnaire administered to students of the University of Dschang. The codification, process and analysis have been done using the software EPI-Info 7.3.1.1, with the threshold of significance set at 0.05. Results: A total of 520 individuals participated in this survey, with more than half (62.7%, n = 326/520) aged between 20-30 years, with a male/female sex ratio of 1,031. The vast majority (83%, n = 418/520) of them were in the undergraduate cycle. The main modes of transmission cited included: the combination of items such as blood transfusion / soiled objects / Mother-to-child transmission/ unprotected sex for 36.3% of respondents (n = 186/516) although 21.9 % (n = 112/516) of them admitted not knowing any modes of transmission of STIs / HIV. Also, 74.2% (n = 386/520) of respondents were sexually active, with the estimated age of sex debut being over 18 years (53.9%; 208/386) for half of them. Of the 36.2% (n = 186/514) respondents who reported knowing someone with STI / HIV and AIDS, the first feeling they had with regards to them was pity (86.6%; n = 386/446), followed by fear in 11.7% (n = 52/446) of respondents but yet 40.2% (n = 208/518) admitted they have never heard of discrimination. Conclusion: Stigma and discrimination in the student milieu remains a major barrier to students’ development who, becoming sexually active at a very early age, are more exposed to the risk of contracting STI / HIV. Sensitization actions should be implemented within university campuses and reproductive health courses for young adults, included in the academic curriculum for a significant reduction in the number of new infection