SOME RISK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG THE BEEF CATTLE FARMERS OF THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE OF CAMEROON: EFFECT ON TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION

The North West Province of Cameroon is one of the four provinces that account for 90 % of Cameroon's estimated 6 million cattle heads. The cattle production in the area involves the rural poor population who are associated with a reluctance to take risks, presumably because risk taking would jeopardize their subsistence. That being the case, it becomes imperative to know what risk management methods they use. The overall objective of this study was to identify and examine the risk management practiced by the beef cattle farmers in the North West Province of Cameroon so as to determine their effects on technology dissemination. The beef cattle farmers were selected for the survey on the basis of their involvement in beef cattle farming. The researchers visited the selected farmers at their homesteads / farmsteads to collect the required information using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics while qualitative ones were analyzed using percentages and frequency counts. Eighty one percent of the respondents followed a mixed agro pastoral strategy in which cattle production was combined with crop farming. More than 90 % of the respondents had secondary economic activities other than crop farming. This is a major means of spreading risk across economic sectors and geographical space, and securing alternative sources of income. Sixty five percent of the respondents go on transhumance during the dry season for search of water and pasture for their animals. The cattle farmers relied on the use of their traditional cattle species that are more drought and disease resistant. Cattle and small ruminants were kept by more than 60 % of the respondents, subdivided into herds for risk avoidance, proper management and hand deticking.Livestock Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

Model for Assessment of Endothelial Cell Function and Viability Using the MTT Dye Test and {3H}

A CAJM article on Model for assessment of endothelial cell function and viability.A highly specialised cell layer made of vascular endothelial cell (EC) lines all blood vessels and lymphatics.1 The function of this cell layer appears to vary according to anatomical site and size of the vessel.2 However, the basic function of supporting either anticoagulant orprocoagulant activities, depending on the local conditions and circumstances, are essentially similar. Any disruption of the equilibrium that exists between the endothelial cell and the circulating blood may result in clinically significant thrombosis or haemorrhage.3'4 Such pathophysiological insults include bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which may induce endotoxic septicaemia associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation,5 as well as the infusion of a variety of drugs into the vascular component.6 To investigate the effect of such agents and toxins on the endothelial cells, it is necessary to monitor metabolic and functional aspects of the cells’ behavior. This may provide an in vitro model for studying clinical conditions

Cohort profile: the DASH (determinants of adolescent social well-being and health) study, an ethnically diverse cohort

No abstract available

Monitoring antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited settings: CD4 counts or total lymphocyte counts?

SummaryObjectiveIn order to improve the monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic effectiveness in the management of HIV/AIDS in a resource-limited setting, this study was carried out to establish a correlation between total lymphocyte counts (TLC) and CD4 lymphocyte counts in HIV-1 infected/AIDS adults in Yaoundé, Cameroon.MethodsFull blood counts, differential white, and CD4 counts were measured in 149 patients using standard methods. The correlation coefficient established correlation between values. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated as required.ResultsThe mean TLC, CD4 count, and CD4% as well as CD4/CD8 ratios were 1.932±0.895×109/L, 268±183cells/mm3, 14.51±15.9%, and 0.34±0.25, respectively. Only a weak correlation was observed between TLC and CD4 counts (r=0.41, p=0.05). As a predictor of CD4 count, TLC cut-offs <2.0 and <1.0×109/L were unable to predict these values reliably, but showed that at TLC cut-offs of <1.0×109/L there was a high chance of CD4 counts being under 200cells/mm3.ConclusionsThese data suggest that TLC are of limited value in predicting CD4 counts and should not be substituted for CD4 counts whenever possible. However, TLC may be reliably used in designing algorithms and programs for initiating patient management and follow-up in this setting

Effects of increasing levels of cow dung application associated with spraying of Light Matrix Organic (probiotic) on the forage production of Tripsacum laxum

Guatemala grass (Tripsacum laxum) originating from Tropical America was introduced to Cameroon as an attempt to solve the problem of low forage availability during the dry season. Tripsacum laxum forage production under cow dung fertilization associated with the probiotic Light Matrix Organic (LMO) was evaluated at Bambui, North-West Cameroon. The study was carried out during the raining season (July-November) 2011 in plots established in 2010 using a factorial design with 4 cow dung application levels (0, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 t/ha) each with or without LMO (10ml/l water). Growth was evaluated monthly while forage yield and nutritive value evaluation were done after 120 days of regrowth. The results showed that cow dung application appeared to have an ameliorating effect on the growth and fresh yield while the association of cow dung with LMO improved the dry matter yield and nutritive value of the forage. The cow dung application level of 15t/ha associated with LMO recorded the best output in terms of productivity (5.2 ±0.6 DM t/ha) and nutritive value (9% DM Crude Protein).Keywords: Tripsacum laxum, organic fertilization, growth, productivity, nutritive value, cow dung, probioticJOURNAL OF THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Vol. 11 No. 1 (2013

Recombinant Human Insulin in Global Diabetes Management – Focus on Clinical Efficacy

Biosynthetic human insulin and insulin analogues are the mainstay of insulin therapy for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes although access to human insulin at affordable prices remains a global issue. The world is experiencing an exponential rise in the prevalence of diabetes presenting an urgent need to establish effective diabetes therapy in countries burdened by inadequate health care budgets, malnutrition and infectious diseases. Recombinant human insulin has replaced animal insulins and animal-based semisynthetic human insulin thereby available in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices able to provide global access to insulin therapy. In many patients, analog insulins can offer additional clinical benefit, although at a considerably higher price thus severely restricting availability in low income countries. The approval process for recombinant human insulins (i.e. biosimilars) and analogue insulins is highly variable in the developing countries in contrast to Europe and in North America, where it is well established within a strict regulatory framework. This review aims to discuss the future access to human insulin therapy in a global context with an ever increasing burden of diabetes and significant economic implications

Portage de l’antigène HBs et des anticorps anti-VHC chez le drépanocytaire homozygote à l’Hôpital Central de Yaoundé

Introduction: La drépanocytose est un problème de santé publique en Afrique subsahérienne où le portage hétérozygote varie de 20 et 25%. Elle se manifeste essentiellement par des crises vaso-occlusives et/ou hémolytiques et nécessite souvent une thérapeutique transfusionnelle, nonobstant un risque demeuré élevé dans les pays en développement. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer le portage de l'Ag HBs et de l'Ac anti HCV chez les drépanocytaires homozygotes à l'hôpital central de Yaoundé (HCY). Méthodes: Pendant une période allant d'août 2008 à janvier 2009, nous avons recruté les patients drépanocytaires régulièrement suivi dans le service d'hématologie de l'HCY. Pour chaque individu, un prélèvement de 5 ml de sang veineux a été effectué. Le sérum était conservé à -20°C jusqu'à l'utilisation pour le dépistage de l'antigène HBs et des anticorps anti-VHC. Résultats: 108 patients drépanocytaires homozygotes ont participé à cette étude. Selon le sexe, 57 soit 52,80% étaient de sexe masculin et 51 soit 47,20% de sexe féminin. Les patients étaient âgés de 5 à 47 ans avec un âge moyen de 21,45 ± 9 ans. Sept (7) patients soit 6,48% étaient positif pour l'Ag HBs, 18 patients soit 16,67% étaient positifs pour l'Ac anti-HCV. Le nombre de patient ayant reçu au moins une transfusion antérieurement était de 93 soit 86.1%. Le nombre de patients ayant reçu plus de 10 transfusions était de 14 soit 13%. Nous avons une prévalence de 42,86 % de positivité de l'Ac anti-HCV pour la population drépanocytaire ayant reçu plus de 10 transfusions contre 12,77 % pour celle ayant reçu moins de 10 transfusions (P &lt; 0,01). Conclusion: La prévalence de l'antigène HBs, de l'Ac anti-VHC chez les drépanocytaires homozygotes à Yaoundé est élevée. Cette prévalence croît avec le nombre de transfusions reçues, surtout chez les patients ayant reçu plus de 10 transfusions sanguines. Ces résultats posent le problème de la sécurité transfusionnelle qui doit utiliser les méthodes modernes comme dans les pays développés où le risque résiduel de transfusion sanguine est quasi nul. Les politiques sanitaires des pays africains subsahariens dont le Cameroun, doivent systématiser la vaccination contre l'HVB chez toutes les personnes à risque dont les drépanocytaires.Pan African Medical Journal 2013; 14:4

Recherche et Titrage des Hémolysines Anti-A et Anti-B Chez Les Femmes en periode du postpartum immédiat au Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Yaoundé

But de l’étudeLes hémolysines apparaissent suite à une immunisation ABO et peuvent causer, à titre élevé, une hémolyse chez le receveur de sang ou chez le nouveau-né. Cette étude avait pour but de déterminer la fréquence et le titre des hémolysines anti-A et anti-B chez les femmes en période du post-partum immédiat ainsi que les facteurs de risque associés au Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Yaoundé.Patients et MéthodesUne étude descriptive et transversale a été menée chez les mères et leurs nouveau-nés. Les groupes sanguins ABO ont été déterminés chez tous les participants. Chez les mères, la recherche et titrage des hémolysines a été faite par la technique d’hémolyse en présence ducomplément à 37°C pendant 30 minutes. Les Khi carrés de Pearson et de Mentel-Haenszel ont servis pour des tests statistiques. Une valeur p&lt;0,05 représentait une différence statistiquement significative. RésultatsSur 251 cas, après groupage sanguin ABO, Cinq mères de groupe AB ont été exclues et 246 retenues pour la recherche d’hémolysines. La fréquence de l’incompatibilité foeto-maternelle ABO était de 22,76% et celle des hémolysines était de 26,8%. Les hémolysines anti-A, anti-B et anti-AB ont été retrouvées respectivement dans 15%, 18,7% et 6,9% des cas. Les titres les plus élevés étaient ceux d’hémolysines anti-A. Les facteurs de risque comprenaient le mariage (p=0,01), la multiparité (p=0,02), le groupe sanguin des mères (p=0,02) et l’incompatibilité foeto-maternelle ABO (p&lt;0,001).ConclusionCes résultats suggèrent la nécessité d’introduire la recherche systématique des hémolysines parmi les tests de suivi immunohématologique des femmes enceintes camerounaises.Mots Clés: Hémolysines anti-A et anti-A, Incompatibilité foeto-maternelle ABO, Maladie hémolytique du nouveau-né, Période du post-partum immédiate

Patterns and correlates of objectively measured free-living physical activity in adults in rural and urban Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa is changing lifestyles and raising non-communicable disease burden. Understanding the underlying pattern of physical activity and its correlates may inform preventive interventions. We examined correlates of objectively-measured physical activity in rural and urban Cameroon. METHODS: Participants were 544 adults resident in rural (W-156, M-89) or urban (W-189, M-110) regions. Physical activity was measured using individually-calibrated combined heart rate and movement sensing over seven continuous days. Sociodemographic data were collected by self-report. Independent associations of sociodemographic correlates with physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were analysed in multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Rural dwellers were significantly more active than their urban counterparts (PAEE: 58.0 vs 42.9 kJ/kg/day; MVPA: 107 vs 62 min/day; MVPA of 150 min/week in >10 min bouts: 62 vs 39%) and less sedentary (923 vs 1026 min/day); p<0.001. There was no significant seasonal difference (dry vs rainy) in activity in urban dwellers whereas in rural dwellers activity was higher during dry seasons compared to rainy seasons (p<0.001). Age, obesity and education showed significant inverse associations with activity. Urban dwellers who considered themselves adequately active were only as active as rural dwellers who thought they were not adequately active. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study providing data on sociodemographic patterning of objectively-measured physical activity in rural and urban sub-Saharan Africa. Age, urban residence, obesity and higher educational level are important correlates of lower levels of physical activity. These suggest targets for public health interventions to improve physical activity in Cameroon.This research was supported by the Wellcome Trust (074786/Z/04/Z) and the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit (MC_UU_12015/3).This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2015/04/03/jech-2014-205154.long

The burden of high blood pressure and related risk factors in urban Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidences from Douala in Cameroon

Objective: To provide the current burden of high blood pressure and related risk factors in urban setting in Cameroon. Methods:We used the WHO STEPS approach for Surveillance of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors to collect data from 2,559 adults aged 15-99 years, residing at Cite des Palmiers in Douala, Cameroon. Results: The level of education was low with up to 60% of participants totalizing less than primary school. Smoking habits were 6 times more frequent in men (