Suffering for Water, Suffering from Water: Access to Drinking-water and Associated Health Risks in Cameroon

Although many African countries, along the equator, receive a great amount of rainfall and possess a dense hydrographic network, access to drinking-water remains a great challenge. In many households, water is used for various purposes, including domestic and crafts activities. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated four billion cases of diarrheoa occurs worldwide, of which 88% are ascribed to unsafe drinking-water. This study aimed at evaluating health risks in the usage of contaminated drinking-water and its relationship with the prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases in Yaoundé, Cameroon. In this cross-sectional epidemiological design, 3,034 households with children aged less than five years were investigated. Households were selected from among 20 representative neighbourhoods out of 105 that made up the city. The study revealed a diarrheoa prevalence of 14.4% (437 diarrheoa cases out of 3,034 children tested). Among various risk factors examined, water-supply modes and quality of drinking-water were statistically associated with diarrheoa cases. Moreover, levels of diarrheoa attacks varied considerably from one neighbourhood to the other. The spatial analysis helped determine neighbourhoods of higher and lower prevalence of diarrheoa in the city

Étude De La Gestion Des Déchets Hospitaliers Dans Les Structures Sanitaires De Référence De La Région Du Nord-Cameroun

Hospital wastes are solid, liquid or gaseous substances which are produced as a result of diagnostic or non-diagnostic health care procedures in health facilities. These wastes generated in health facilities constitute a risk for environmental pollution and a vector for the propagation of numerous pathologies. This study was aimed at analysing the determinants of the quality of hospital wastes management in health facilities in the North Region of Cameroon. It was a cross-sectional study carried out over a period of two months (1st of July to 31st August 2015) in 13 referral health facilities of the North Region of Cameroon. A census of 12 heads of referral health facilities out of the 13 projected was made using a standardised questionnaire, in which the key items were: the political and institutional organisation, the functioning of the hospital wastes management system, the human resources, materials and finances involved in the management of the hospital wastes. The quality of the scores was calculated using points attributed to keys indicators enabling the appreciation of the level of the quality of hospital wastes management. The results of this study showed that on the political/institutional level, 41.70% of health facilities did not have a hospital hygiene unit, 66.67% did not have a reference document and no health facilities produced any report on activities of hospital wastes management. In material resources, 50% of health facilities had at least one incinerator which is more or less functional, 91.70% of health facilities had a trash can despite their non-conformity. Concerning finances, 91.70% of health facilities did not receive funds from government for hospital wastes management. In total, 92% of health facilities had a poor quality of hospital wastes management. In general, this situation is justified by the inexistence of a hospital wastes management policy. Despite certain efforts, the quality of hospital wastes management in health facilities in the North Region of Cameroun remains low. The implementation of an operational plan which will take into account the national directives and the identified problems is necessary as it, will help in improving the quality of hospital wastes management in these health facilities

Comportements Reproductifs Des Jeunes Femmes A Bafia Au Cameroun

Background: With regard to sexual and reproductive health policies, the young are usually a target population. In fact, reproductive behaviours of young people often constitute a matter of public health concern, as their well-being is hampered by early and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions along with complications, HIV/AIDS. Objective: This study aims at providing a better insight into reproductive behaviours of two groups of women (15-24 years and 25-34 years) in Bafia, and to link them with their cultural, economic, and socio-demographics characteristics. Results: The analyses performed show that women aged 15-24 years enter prematurely the sexual and fertile life more than those aged 25-34 years. For those who are still singles, the mean age at first pregnancy is 17,7 years for women aged 15-24 years versus 20,1years for those aged 25-34 years. And as for married women, the mean age at first pregnancy is respectively of 17,6years versus 19,4 years. However, women aged 15-24 years get married more lately than those aged 25-34 years. Conclusion: Although the level of knowledge of the contraceptive methods of women aged 25-34 years is too high than those aged 15-24 years, it appears that the older age-class (25-34 years) resort less to contraceptive methods than the younger old-class (15-24 years), whatever their matrimonial status. However, the standard of life and level of education act in an indisputable on those indicators

Déterminants de la Diversité Alimentaire des Ménages des Provinces de Muyinga et de Karusi au Burundi

Contexte : Tout comme la plupart des pays africains, la situation du Burundi en matière de l’alimentation n’est pas assez satisfaisante. Le taux de pauvreté monétaire touche plus de la moitié de la population, 51,4% selon les résultats de l’Enquête Intégrée sur les Conditions de vie des ménages de 2020. En d’autres termes, un peu plus de la moitié de la population résidant au Burundi ne parvient pas à satisfaire quotidiennement leurs besoins de base alimentaires et non-alimentaires. Objectifs : L’objectif principal est d’identifier les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire à Karusi et à Muyinga. Au-delà de cet objectif, il sera aussi question de mesurer les niveaux de diversité alimentaire dans les deux provinces et d’Identifier les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire des ménages. Méthodes : Cette étude repose sur une recherches documentaires centrées sur les articles scientifiques et de publications sur la diversité alimentaire, calcul des indicateurs de sécurité alimentaire à partir des approches méthodologiques proposées par l’Organisation Mondiale de l’agriculture et le Programme Alimentaire Mondial et les analyses descriptives bi variées et la régression logistique binaire pour rechercher les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire. Résultats : La faible diversité alimentaire est plus observée dans la province Karusi. L’analyse bivariée prouve qu’à l’exception de la variable Sexe du chef du ménage, dans la province Muyinga, toutes les autres variables sont significativement associées à la diversité alimentaire des ménages. Au niveau multi variée, il ressort des résultats que la taille du ménage, le revenu lié à l’agriculture et le niveau de vie du ménage déterminent la diversité alimente alimentaire des ménages dans les deux provinces. Le district de résidence, le niveau d’instruction et l’âge du Chef de Ménage sont des déterminants spécifiques de à la diversité alimentaire des ménages de la province de Karusi. Conclusion : Les résultats montrent que la diversité alimentaire acceptable est faible à Karusi qu’à Muyinga.  Trois déterminants de la diversité alimentaire sont communs pour les deux provinces et trois déterminants sont spécifiques à la province Karusi.   Context: Like most African countries, Burundi's food situation is not satisfactory enough. The monetary poverty rate affects more than half the population, 51.4% according to the results of the Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey of 2020. In other words, just over half the population residing in Burundi is unable to meet their basic food and non-food needs daily. Objectives: The main objective is to identify the determinants of food diversity in Karusi and Muyinga. Beyond this objective, it will also measure levels of dietary diversity in the two provinces and identify the determinants of household dietary diversity. Methods: This study is based on a literature search focusing on scientific articles and publications on dietary diversity, calculation of food security indicators using the methodological approaches proposed by the World Organization for Agriculture and the World Food Programme, and bi-variate descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression to investigate the determinants of dietary diversity. Results: Low dietary diversity is more prevalent in Karusi province. Bivariate analysis shows that, except for the variable Sex of household head, in Muyinga province all other variables are significantly associated with household dietary diversity. At the multivariate level, the results show that household size, agricultural income, and household standard of living determine household dietary diversity in both provinces. District of residence, level of education, and age of head of household are specific determinants of household dietary diversity in Karusi province. Conclusion: The results show that acceptable dietary diversity is lower in Karusi than in Muyinga.  Three determinants of dietary diversity are common to both provinces and three determinants are specific to Karusi province

Déterminants de la Diversité Alimentaire des Ménages des Provinces Muyinga et Karusi

Contexte : Tout comme la plupart des pays africains, la situation du Burundi en matière de de l’alimentation n’est pas assez satisfaisant. Il ressort des résultats (2) que 44,4% des ménages étaient en insécurité alimentaire dont 9,5% en insécurité alimentaire sévère et 34,9% en insécurité alimentaire modérée avec 44% des ménages en insécurité alimentaire. Le score moyen de diversité alimentaire du ménage (SDAM) était de 4,9 groupes alimentaires. Objectifs : L’objectif principal est d’identifier les facteurs à l’origine de diversité alimentaire à Karusi et à Muyinga. Au-delà de cet objectif pratique il sera aussi question de mesurer les niveaux géographiques de diversité alimentaire dans les deux provinces et d’Identifier les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire des ménages de deux provinces. Méthodes : Recherches documentaires centrées sur les articles scientifiques et de publications sur la diversité alimentaire, calcul des indicateurs de sécurité alimentaire à partir des approches méthodologiques proposées par la FAO et le PAM et les analyses descriptives bi variées et la régression logistiques binaire pour rechercher les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire. Résultats : Les résultats montrent que les niveaux de diversité alimentaire acceptable est faible à Karusi qu’à Muyinga.  Au niveau bi varié à l’exception de la variable sexe du CM dans la province Karusi, toutes les autres variables sont significativement associées à la diversité alimentaire des ménages de la zone étudiée. Au niveau multivariée, six variables (District sanitaire, Niveau de vie, taille du ménage, revenu agricole, l’âge et le niveau d’instruction du CM) sont identifiées comme déterminants de à diversité alimentaire acceptable à Karusi alors que à Muyinga trois variables (Niveau de vie, taille du ménage et revenu agricole) sont identifiées comme déterminants. Conclusion : Au regard de l’indicateur du niveau de sécurité et de diversité alimentaire des ménages, la situation alimentaire des ménages est en dégradation à Karusi alors que Muyinga sort de plus en plus en situation précarité alimentaire.   Background : Like most African countries, Burundi's food situation is unsatisfactory. Results (2) showed that 44.4% of households were food insecure, including 9.5% who were severely food insecure, and 34.9% who were moderately food insecure, with 44% of households being food insecure. The average household dietary diversity score (SDAM) was 4.9 food groups. Objectives : The main objective is to identify the factors behind food diversity in Karusi and Muyinga. Beyond this practical objective, it will also be a question of measuring the geographical levels of dietary diversity in the two provinces and identifying the determinants of dietary diversity in households in the two provinces. Methods : Literature searches focused on scientific articles and publications on dietary diversity, calculation of food security indicators based on methodological approaches proposed by FAO and WFP, and bi-variate descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression to investigate the determinants of dietary diversity. Results : The results show that levels of acceptable dietary diversity are lower in Karusi than in Muyinga.  At the bivariate level, with the exception of the CM gender variable in Karusi province, all other variables were significantly associated with dietary diversity in households in the study area. At the multivariate level, six variables (health district, standard of living, household size, agricultural income, age and education level of the CM) were identified as determinants of acceptable dietary diversity in Karusi, while in Muyinga three variables (standard of living, household size and agricultural income) were identified as determinants. Conclusion : With regard to the indicator of the level of household food security and diversity, the food situation of households is deteriorating in Karusi, while Muyinga is becoming increasingly food insecure

Déterminants de la Diversité Alimentaire des Ménages des Provinces Muyinga et Karusi

Contexte : Tout comme la plupart des pays africains, la situation du Burundi en matière de de l’alimentation n’est pas assez satisfaisant. Il ressort des résultats (2) que 44,4% des ménages étaient en insécurité alimentaire dont 9,5% en insécurité alimentaire sévère et 34,9% en insécurité alimentaire modérée avec 44% des ménages en insécurité alimentaire. Le score moyen de diversité alimentaire du ménage (SDAM) était de 4,9 groupes alimentaires. Objectifs : L’objectif principal est d’identifier les facteurs à l’origine de diversité alimentaire à Karusi et à Muyinga. Au-delà de cet objectif pratique il sera aussi question de mesurer les niveaux géographiques de diversité alimentaire dans les deux provinces et d’Identifier les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire des ménages de deux provinces. Méthodes : Recherches documentaires centrées sur les articles scientifiques et de publications sur la diversité alimentaire, calcul des indicateurs de sécurité alimentaire à partir des approches méthodologiques proposées par la FAO et le PAM et les analyses descriptives bi variées et la régression logistiques binaire pour rechercher les déterminants de la diversité alimentaire. Résultats : Les résultats montrent que les niveaux de diversité alimentaire acceptable est faible à Karusi qu’à Muyinga.  Au niveau bi varié à l’exception de la variable sexe du CM dans la province Karusi, toutes les autres variables sont significativement associées à la diversité alimentaire des ménages de la zone étudiée. Au niveau multivariée, six variables (District sanitaire, Niveau de vie, taille du ménage, revenu agricole, l’âge et le niveau d’instruction du CM) sont identifiées comme déterminants de à diversité alimentaire acceptable à Karusi alors que à Muyinga trois variables (Niveau de vie, taille du ménage et revenu agricole) sont identifiées comme déterminants. Conclusion : Au regard de l’indicateur du niveau de sécurité et de diversité alimentaire des ménages, la situation alimentaire des ménages est en dégradation à Karusi alors que Muyinga sort de plus en plus en situation précarité alimentaire.   Background : Like most African countries, Burundi's food situation is unsatisfactory. Results (2) showed that 44.4% of households were food insecure, including 9.5% who were severely food insecure, and 34.9% who were moderately food insecure, with 44% of households being food insecure. The average household dietary diversity score (SDAM) was 4.9 food groups. Objectives : The main objective is to identify the factors behind food diversity in Karusi and Muyinga. Beyond this practical objective, it will also be a question of measuring the geographical levels of dietary diversity in the two provinces and identifying the determinants of dietary diversity in households in the two provinces. Methods : Literature searches focused on scientific articles and publications on dietary diversity, calculation of food security indicators based on methodological approaches proposed by FAO and WFP, and bi-variate descriptive analyses and binary logistic regression to investigate the determinants of dietary diversity. Results : The results show that levels of acceptable dietary diversity are lower in Karusi than in Muyinga.  At the bivariate level, with the exception of the CM gender variable in Karusi province, all other variables were significantly associated with dietary diversity in households in the study area. At the multivariate level, six variables (health district, standard of living, household size, agricultural income, age and education level of the CM) were identified as determinants of acceptable dietary diversity in Karusi, while in Muyinga three variables (standard of living, household size and agricultural income) were identified as determinants. Conclusion : With regard to the indicator of the level of household food security and diversity, the food situation of households is deteriorating in Karusi, while Muyinga is becoming increasingly food insecure

Étude Rétrospective Des Atteintes Rénales Toxiques Medicamenteuses Au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Yaoundé (2009-2014)

Background: Renal drug toxicity are affections that attacking the renal parenchyma as a result of the consumption of drug substance. In Cameroon, anarchic consumption of medicinal drug subsequent of a growth in unauthorised sales drug increase the risk of developing these pathologies. Objective: This study aims at describing and laying the epidemiological profile of drug-induced toxic renal diseases in Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital over the last 6 years (2009 – 2014). Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out from the 1st of July to the 30th of November 2015, at the polyvalent reanimation service and the haemodialysis unit of the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital. With the aid of a questionnaire, the files of patients consulted and hospitalised in these services over a period of 6 years (1st January 2009 to 31st December 2014) were examined. Included in this study, patients suffering from renal drug toxicity. The data input, treatment and analysis were carried out with the help of Epi Info 7 and SPSS 22 software. Results: Forty-four (44) cases renal drug diseases representing 18.3% of the 240 files examined were noted. The average age of the patients was 48±18 years and varied between 11 and 87 years. The male sex constituted the majority of the suffers cases with a sex ratio of 2.67 (M/F). Acute renal infections with frequency of 65.9%, were most dominant of drug affections. Traditions concoctions (50%), gentamycin (11.4%) and paracetamol (9.1%) were the most incriminating drug in the occurrence of these renal drug affecting. The evolution was noted by a 43% complete recovery against a 14% death. Conclusion: Renal drug toxicities represent a non-negligible proportion of the renal affection ailments in the specialised centres like Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital. The elaboration and putting into action a sensitization plan for populations on the proves necessary, as this would help improve pharmacovigilance and also reduce the consumption of illicit drugs to a greater extent responsible for renal problems

COVID-19 reveals the systemic nature of urban health globally

Statement by the scientific committee* of the International Science Council’s Programme on Urban Health and Wellbeing, on critical elements of urban health action in response to the epidemic

Slum Health: Arresting COVID-19 and Improving Well-Being in Urban Informal Settlements.

The informal settlements of the Global South are the least prepared for the pandemic of COVID-19 since basic needs such as water, toilets, sewers, drainage, waste collection, and secure and adequate housing are already in short supply or non-existent. Further, space constraints, violence, and overcrowding in slums make physical distancing and self-quarantine impractical, and the rapid spread of an infection highly likely. Residents of informal settlements are also economically vulnerable during any COVID-19 responses. Any responses to COVID-19 that do not recognize these realities will further jeopardize the survival of large segments of the urban population globally. Most top-down strategies to arrest an infectious disease will likely ignore the often-robust social groups and knowledge that already exist in many slums. Here, we offer a set of practice and policy suggestions that aim to (1) dampen the spread of COVID-19 based on the latest available science, (2) improve the likelihood of medical care for the urban poor whether or not they get infected, and (3) provide economic, social, and physical improvements and protections to the urban poor, including migrants, slum communities, and their residents, that can improve their long-term well-being. Immediate measures to protect residents of urban informal settlements, the homeless, those living in precarious settlements, and the entire population from COVID-19 include the following: (1) institute informal settlements/slum emergency planning committees in every urban informal settlement; (2) apply an immediate moratorium on evictions; (3) provide an immediate guarantee of payments to the poor; (4) immediately train and deploy community health workers; (5) immediately meet Sphere Humanitarian standards for water, sanitation, and hygiene; (6) provide immediate food assistance; (7) develop and implement a solid waste collection strategy; and (8) implement immediately a plan for mobility and health care. Lessons have been learned from earlier pandemics such as HIV and epidemics such as Ebola. They can be applied here. At the same time, the opportunity exists for public health, public administration, international aid, NGOs, and community groups to innovate beyond disaster response and move toward long-term plans