Prevalence and associated factors of HIV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Yaoundé central hospital

Background: HIV infection affects millions of people worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Transmission occurs by several means including the transmission from mother to child. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with HIV infection in women attending antenatal care at the Yaoundé Central Hospital.Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study at the Obstetrics and Gynecologic Unit of the Yaoundé Central Hospital from 6th October 2015 to 30th June 2016. The sampling was consecutive. We included 360 pregnant women. Testing was done by a sensitive test and a specific test if the first was positive. Data analysis was done through Excel 2007 software EpiData Analysis Version 3.2 and STATA version 12.0 (Texas USA 2001). Statistical significance was accepted for a value of P <0.05.Results: The average age of our population was 27.99±5.63 years, ranging from 15 and 47 years. HIV prevalence in this population was 13.1% (47/360). Factors associated with HIV were the primary level of study (OR=7.97; 95% CI=2.23 to 28.49, P=0.001) and multiple sexual partners (OR=4.82; CI 95%=2.24 to 10.38, P=0.002).Conclusions: HIV prevalence in pregnant women at the Maternity of HCY is 13.1%. The low level of education and multiple sexual partners were significantly associated with HIV infection. We suggest the education of the girls who is a key factor in the empowerment of women

Dysmenorrhea among students in Yaounde, Cameroon: associated factors and socio-cultural aspects

Background: Dysmenorrhea is very common disorder. It affects the quality of life and is the main cause of school absenteeism’s among teenagers. The goal of this study was to determine socio-cultural aspects of dysmenorrhea among students in Yaounde and factors associated with it.Methods: Authors carried out a cross sectional analytic study in 2 secondary schools and a higher institute in Yaounde, from December 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 (7 months). Authors included all students aged at least 15, in form 5 and above. In the higher institute, sampling was consecutive, while it was stratified into 2 clusters in the secondary schools.  Odds ratios were determined to assess association between variables and P-value ˂0.05 was considered significant.Results: Of the 1059 participants, 800 had dysmenorrhea (prevalence: 75.5%). Mean age was 18.88±3.62 years (range: 15-45 years). Family history of dysmenorrhea (OR: 4.20 (95% CI: 3.02-5.83)) and stress ((OR: 2.16 (95% CI: 1.55 - 3.02)) were significantly associated with dysmenorrhea. A duration of menses ≤3 days was protective ((OR: 0.31 (95% CI: 0.12-0.82)). Dysmenorrhea remains a taboo for 23.6% of participants.Conclusions: Family history of dysmenorrhea and stress are risk factors for dysmenorrhea which remains a taboo for almost a fourth of affected women. Authors recommend educating women about dysmenorrhea and control psycho-social stress

Situation actuelle de la schistosomiase dans l’aire de santé de Santchou, (District de santé de Santchou, Région de l’Ouest-Cameroun)

Introduction: Schistosomiasis, the second endemic parasitic infection in the world, is a parasitosis caused by trematodes from the genus Schistosoma. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of different species of schistosomes (Schistosoma mansoni, haematobium and intercalatum) among schoolchildren and to identify risk factors, clinical signs of schistosomiasis, and schistosomiasis intermediate host snails in stagnant water. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study over a three months period. The study consisted of sociodemographic and clinical data recording, collection of stool samples and urine, molluscan research and treatment of positive students for other helminths. Laboratory tests were performed at the Medical Research Institute and the study of Medicinal Plants in Yaounde where stool samples and urine were examined using KATO KATZ and centrifugation technique respectively, and shellfish species were determined by a malacologist. Results: A total of 400 students aged between 8-16 years, 223 (55.7%) girls and 177 (44.3%) boys attending 4 elementary school were enrolled in the study. The social survey revealed that 154 students out of 400 (or 38.5%) were in contact with the river water at least once a week, 58% from around noon. All students had at least one symptom of schistosomiasis although nonspecific and dominated by abdominal pain in 72% of cases (n = 288 of 400). Biologically, no schistosomiasis eggs were detected. Cercaria releasing rate was negative in the 100 watery species found. Conclusion: The Santchou health area is not an active outbreak of schistosomiasis, but remains a risk area because of rice cultivation and stagnant water. The intensification of health education campaigns among the general population would delay the onset of this infection in the locality.The Pan African Medical Journal 2016;2