Suivi de la qualité physico-chimique et bactériologique des eaux des cours d’eau de Ngaoundéré, au Cameroun

Dans le souci d’évaluer l’influence possible des activités anthropiques sur les eaux de surface à Ngaoundéré, des analyses des paramètres physico-chimiques et bactériologiques indicateurs de pollution ont été effectuées sur dix sept (17) points d’échantillonnage retenus en fonction de leur sollicitation par les populations et leur exposition aux sources probables de pollution. Les paramètres physico-chimiques (température, pH, conductivité, turbidité, matière organique en suspension, oxydabilité au permanganate de potassium, fer, bicarbonates, nitrates, phosphates et ammonium) et bactériologiques (streptocoques fécaux et vibrions) ont été analysés et comparés aux normes internationales. Les résultats montrent des fortes concentrations en matière organique (9,30 à 10,56 mgO<sub>2</sub>/L), Fer (1,69 à 5,57 mg/L), Phosphates (1,73 à 3,09 mg/L), ammonium (1,78 à 2,19 mg/L) et une de turbidité 63,32 à 64,05 NTU dans ces eaux. En plus ces eaux hébergent d’importantes communautés microbiennes parmi lesquelles les streptocoques fécaux et les vibrions. Les teneurs de ces polluants diffèrent d’un point à un autre et selon la période de prélèvement. Une approche statistique multi-variée des résultats montre que l’activité anthropique reste la source majeure des rejets polluants dans les eaux.Mots-clés: pollution, physico-chimie, bactériologie, eaux de surface, Ngaoundéré, Cameroun. Survey of physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of water along the Ngaoundere stream (Cameroon)To evaluate the possible influence of human activities and nature on Ngaoundere stream, some physicochemical and bacteriological pollution indicators were analyses carried out on 17 sites selected on the basis of their probable exposure to pollution. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, suspended matter, organic matter, iron, bicarbonates, nitrogen, phosphates and ammonium) and bacteriological parameters (fecal streptococcus and vibrio) were determined and compared to international standards.  Results obtained showed a high concentration in organic matter (9.30 to 10.56 mgO<sub>2</sub>/L), iron (1.69 to 5.57 mg/L), phosphates (1.73 to 3.09 mg/L), ammonium (1.78 to 2.19 mg/L) and turbidity of 63.32 to 64.05 NTU. The presence of high quantities of test micro-organisms was noted in these water samples, that is fecal streptococcus and vibrio. The levels of these pollutants in the different water samples varied from one site to another and with sampling period. A multivariate statistical approach demonstrated that human activities remained the major sources of pollutants in surface water.Keywords: pollution, physicochemical, bacteriological, surface water, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Qualité microbiologique du kilishi (produit carné séché) produit dans la ville de Ngaoundéré (Cameroun)

Microbiological Quality of Kilishi (Traditional Dried Beef) Produced in Ngaoundere, Cameroon. In order to verify the hypothesis that the total microbial load of kilishi samples and the strain of micro-organism they contain would have an influence on their hygienic quality, twenty-four samples of spiced and non spiced kilishi, a traditional sun-dried beef were collected from seven production and sales points in Ngaoundere (North Cameroon). In this regard, aerobic mesophilic flora, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp., sulphito-reducing Clostridium, yeast and moulds were counted on kilishi samples that were diluted serially (ten-fold) and inoculated on selective media. Results obtained showed that 33.34% and 50% of the spiced kilishi samples were contaminated by B. cereus and Salmonella spp., respectively, whereas 83.34% of the non spiced kilishi samples were contaminated by these two micro-organisms. Furthermore, the other investigated micro-organisms were found in all kilishi samples, independent of the type of product. The ratio A/B expressed as the mean level of contamination of spiced kilishi (A) to that of non spiced kilishi (B) was determined for each type of micro-organisms counted. The mean value was 0.43 for sulphito-reducing Clostridium, while the highest value was 0.63 for Salmonella spp. and the lowest 0.27 for Bacillus cereus. This confirms that samples of non spiced kilishi were more contaminated by foodborne pathogens than those of spiced kilishi (P< 0.05). The mean levels of contamination by B. cereus and Salmonella spp. found in some kilishi samples (> 102 CFU/g) were higher than the recommended microbiological standards for cooked meat products (absence in 25 g of product), thus presents a risk of foodborne intoxication for consumers

Is drinking water from 'improved sources' really safe? A case study in the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon).

Within a cooperation project coordinated by the Association for Rural Cooperation in Africa and Latin America (ACRA) Foundation, water supplies were sampled across the villages of the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon) mostly from boreholes, open wells, rivers and lakes as well as from some piped water. Microbiological analyses and sanitary inspections were carried out at each source. The microbiological quality was determined by analysis of indicators of faecal contamination, Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Salmonellae, using the membrane filtration method. Sanitary inspections were done using WHO query forms. The assessment confirmed that there are several parameters of health concern in the studied area; bacteria of faecal origins are the most significant. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) classification and E. coli measurement are not sufficient to state water safety. In fact, in the studied area, JMP defined 'improved sources' may provide unsafe water depending on their structure and sources without E. coli may have Enterococci and Salmonellae. Sanitary inspections also revealed high health risks for some boreholes. In other cases, sources with low sanitary risk and no E. coli were contaminated by Enterococci and Salmonellae. Better management and protection of the sources, hygiene improvement and domestic water treatment before consumption are possible solutions to reduce health risks in the Logone valley

Evaluation de la pollution physico-chimique et microbienne des eaux de puits de Dang-Ngaoundéré (Cameroun)

A Dang (Ngaoundéré-Cameroun), l’insuffisance de la distribution publique d’eau potable oblige la majorité de la population à recourir à l’eau de puits. La consommation d’eau impropre expose les habitants à denombreuses maladies d’origine hydrique. Le but de ce travail est d’effectuer des caractérisations physicochimique et microbiologique des eaux de vingt puits de la localité de Dang afin d’établir d’éventuels risquessanitaires pour la population qui les consomme. La caractérisation microbiologique de ces eaux a porté sur la recherche et le dénombrement des bactéries sur des milieux de culture sélectifs par la technique de filtration sur membrane et celles des kystes et oeufs de parasites selon la méthode de concentration formol-éther. Les résultats obtenus montrent que la densité des micro-organismes dépend des paramètres physico-chimiques de ces eaux de puits, notamment la teneur en fer, en matières organiques, en matières en suspension et en azote ammoniacal influence leur charge microbienne. Ces eaux hébergent de nombreux germes parmi lesquelles figurent les bactéries (Salmonella sp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coliformes fécaux, streptocoques fécaux, Clostridium sulfito-réducteurs) et les parasites (kystes d’Entamoeba histolytica et de Giardia lamblia, oeufs de Cryptosporidium et d’Ascaris lombricoïdes). L’origine de la pollution fécale de ces points d’eau diffère selon les sites et peut être humaine, animale ou mixte. Ces résultats confirment les risques sanitaires à court terme, à moyen terme ou à long terme liés à la consommation d’eau et permettent d’expliquerla prévalence des maladies gastro-entériques fréquentes dans les résidences du campus universitaire de Dang-Ngaoundér

Factors associated with mortality among premature babies admitted at Bugando medical centre, Mwanza - Tanzania

Background: Prematurity, birth asphyxia and infections are the leading causes of neonatal mortality globally. This study was conducted to determine the mortality and associated factors among premature neonates at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza-Tanzania.Methods: One hundred and three premature neonates delivered at Bugando Medical Centre and other health facilities but referred to Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) were recruited for this study between February and May, 2012. Questionnaires were used to obtain clinical and demographic data from neonates and their mothers. Neonates were followed up for seven days to determine complications and mortality.Results: Neonatal mortality within seven days of life was noted to be 39.4% (39/99).At least one episode of hypothermia was noted in 43/99 (43.4%), 37/99 (37.4%) hadrespiratory distress syndrome and 32/99 (32.3%) had infection. Significantly higher mortality was noted in neonates born to younger mothers (p=0.02) and those with primary education level (p< 0.047). Mortality was significantly lower for twin neonates (p=0.001) and those delivered by caesarean section (p=0.013).Among the independent predictors of mortality noted in this study were extremely low birth weight (ELBW)[OR 24; 95% CI 4.6-125.8 (p < 0.01)] and presence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) [OR 31.5; 95% CI 6.5-152.6 (p < 0.001)].Conclusions: High mortality was noted among premature neonates in the first week of life. Maternal age, extremely low-birth weight and presence of RDS were noted to be predicators of mortality

Factors associated with mortality among premature babies admitted at Bugando medical centre, Mwanza - Tanzania

Background: Prematurity, birth asphyxia and infections are the leading causes of neonatal mortality globally. This study was conducted to determine the mortality and associated factors among premature neonates at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza-Tanzania.Methods: One hundred and three premature neonates delivered at Bugando Medical Centre and other health facilities but referred to Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) were recruited for this study between February and May, 2012. Questionnaires were used to obtain clinical and demographic data from neonates and their mothers. Neonates were followed up for seven days to determine complications and mortality.Results: Neonatal mortality within seven days of life was noted to be 39.4% (39/99). At least one episode of hypothermia was noted in 43/99 (43.4%), 37/99 (37.4%) had respiratory distress syndrome and 32/99 (32.3%) had infection. Significantly higher mortality was noted in neonates born to younger mothers (p=0.02) and those with primary education level (p< 0.047). Mortality was significantly lower for twin neonates (p=0.001) and those delivered by caesarean section (p=0.013). Among the independent predictors of mortality noted in this study were extremely low birth weight (ELBW) [OR 24; 95% CI 4.6-125.8 (p < 0.01)] and presence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) [OR 31.5; 95% CI 6.5-152.6 (p < 0.001)].Conclusions: High mortality was noted among premature neonates in the first week of life. Maternal age, extremely low-birth weight and presence of RDS were noted to be predicators of mortalit

Is drinking water from 'improved sources' really safe? A case study in the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon).

Within a cooperation project coordinated by the Association for Rural Cooperation in Africa and Latin America (ACRA) Foundation, water supplies were sampled across the villages of the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon) mostly from boreholes, open wells, rivers and lakes as well as from some piped water. Microbiological analyses and sanitary inspections were carried out at each source. The microbiological quality was determined by analysis of indicators of faecal contamination, Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Salmonellae, using the membrane filtration method. Sanitary inspections were done using WHO query forms. The assessment confirmed that there are several parameters of health concern in the studied area; bacteria of faecal origins are the most significant. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) classification and E. coli measurement are not sufficient to state water safety. In fact, in the studied area, JMP defined ‘improved sources’ may provide unsafe water depending on their structure and sources without E. coli may have Enterococci and Salmonellae. Sanitary inspections also revealed high health risks for some boreholes. In other cases, sources with low sanitary risk and no E. coli were contaminated by Enterococci and Salmonellae. Better management and protection of the sources, hygiene improvement and domestic water treatment before consumption are possible solutions to reduce health risks in the Logone valley

Is drinking water from ‘improved sources’ really safe? a case study in the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon)

Within a cooperation project coordinated by the Association for Rural Cooperation in Africa and Latin America (ACRA) Foundation, water supplies were sampled across the villages of the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon) mostly from boreholes, open wells, rivers and lakes as well as from some piped water. Microbiological analyses and sanitary inspections were carried out at each source. The microbiological quality was determined by analysis of indicators of faecal contamination, Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Salmonellae, using the membrane filtration method. Sanitary inspections were done using WHO query forms. The assessment confirmed that there are several parameters of health concern in the studied area; bacteria of faecal origins are the most significant. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) classification and E. coli measurement are not sufficient to state water safety. In fact, in the studied area, JMP defined 'improved sources' may provide unsafe water depending on their structure and sources without E. coli may have Enterococci and Salmonellae. Sanitary inspections also revealed high health risks for some boreholes. In other cases, sources with low sanitary risk and no E. coli were contaminated by Enterococci and Salmonellae. Better management and protection of the sources, hygiene improvement and domestic water treatment before consumption are possible solutions to reduce health risks in the Logone valley