The Third Wave Afro: How the Black Beauty Blogosphere has Mobilized a New Meaning and Movement

Honors (Bachelor's)Communication StudiesUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98842/1/dorazs.pd

Vaccine coverage and determinants of incomplete vaccination in children aged 12-23 months in dschang, west region, cameroon: a cross-sectional survey during a polio outbreak

Inadequate immunization coverage with increased risk of vaccine preventable diseases outbreaksremains a problem in Africa. Moreover, different factors contribute to incomplete vaccination status. This study wasperformed in Dschang (West Region, Cameroon), during the polio outbreak occurred in October 2013, in order toestimate the immunization coverage among children aged 12–23 months, to identify determinants for incompletevaccination status and to assess the risk of poliovirus spread in the study population.Methods:A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in November-December 2013, using the WHOtwo-stage sampling design. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information fromconsenting parents of children aged 12–23 months. Vaccination coverage was assessed by vaccination card andparents’recall. Chi-square test and multilevel logistic regression model were used to identify the determinants ofincomplete immunization status. Statistical significance was set atp90 %, and 73.4 % children completedthe recommended vaccinations before 1-year of age. In the final multilevel logistic regression model, factorssignificantly associated with incomplete immunization status were: retention of immunization card (AOR: 7.89;95 % CI: 1.08–57.37), lower mothers’utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services (AOR:1.25; 95 % CI: 1.07–63.75),being the≥3rdborn child in the family (AOR: 425.4; 95 % CI: 9.6–18,808), younger mothers’age (AOR: 49.55;95 % CI: 1.59–1544), parents’negative attitude towards immunization (AOR: 20.2; 95 % CI: 1.46–278.9), and poorerparents’exposure to information on vaccination (AOR: 28.07; 95 % CI: 2.26–348.1). Longer distance from the vaccinationcenters was marginally significant (p=0.05).Conclusion:Vaccination coverage was high; however, 1 out of 7 children was partially vaccinated, and 1 out of 4 didnot complete timely the recommended vaccinations. In order to improve the immunization coverage, it is necessary tostrengthen ANC services, and to improve parents’information and attitude towards immunization, targeting youngerparents and families living far away from vaccination centers, using appropriate communication strategies. Finally, theestimated OPV-3 coverage is reassuring in relation to the ongoing polio outbrea

Effects of environmental, living space and climate variability on the utilization of impregnated bed nets in west Cameroon: A community based survey for policy implementation

Background: Despite the fact that Long Lasting Impregnated Mosquito Net (LLIN) represents one of the most effective tools in fighting malaria, its use remains limited. Our study aimed at determining how environmental, household characteristics and climate affect bed net use. Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive and analytic study was carried out from January to April 2014 in Mifi health district. Data collected were collected in households during a face to face interview with standard household questionnaires, entered and analyzed using Epi Info software version 3.5.3. Graphics and tables were obtained using MS Excel and Word. Results: Of the 317 participants interviewed, average age was 33.23 years (SD = 10.80) and female sex predominant (85.2%). Most participants had attended secondary education 53.6% (n= 170), married marital status was most represented (58.1%; n= 185).75.4% (n=239) of households had at least 1 LLIN and average district coverage estimated to 1 LLIN for 3.3 persons. 78% of occupants in households with at least one LLIN had slept under the night before the survey. The presence of a ceiling in a house reduced net usage by 2.5% (p = 0.67) compared to house lacking ceiling. Standing waters around the compound increased net utilization rate to 16.6% (p = 0.03), whereas the presence of a covered well decreased the rate by 1.4% (p = 0.86). The dry season was identified as the period during which 86.8% (n= 239) of respondents sleep less under a net. Heat (57.60% n = 138/239), increased choking (2.5%), reduction in vector breeding sites (39.90%; n = 95) were cited as main reasons. Conclusion: Although classified as zone of continuous transmission, our findings indicate that bed net usage by our study population depends on environmental, household characteristics and climate. There is therefore an urgent need to develop strategic communication and sensitization campaigns coupled to environmental management to help scale up and optimize malaria burden reductio

Prevalence of HIV, HBV and Chlamydia infections in Cameroonian University context: case of the University of Dschang, in the Western Region

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa HIV infection remains largely epidemic, whereas HBV infection is highly endemic (>8%). In Cameroon, HIV prevalence is 4.3%. Concerning HBV and chlamydia infections, their prevalence are both ≥10%. Young adults, including university students, are the population groups mostly affected. Epidemiological data on these infections, among university students could be helpful to implement specific prevention strategies. Methods: A descriptive study was performed in May 2013 among 624 students from the University of Dschang, Cameroon. Participants were screened for HIV, HBV and Chlamydia infections. Data was collected by a standard questionnaire and analyzed by Epi Info. Results: Average age of participants was 23.3 years (σ = 3.2) with female predominance (58.7%). Prevalence of HIV, HBV and Chlamydia infection was 1.1% (7/624), 2.8% (5/176) and 2.0% (2/100) respectively. 83.2% of participants were sexually active. Concerning sexual risk behaviors, participants reported having multi partners (14.8%), using condom occasionally (58.6%) or never (5.0%). 100%, 62.6% and 52.2% reported to be aware on HIV, HBV and Chlamydia infections respectively. In addition, only 5.5% and 21.3% of the participants were aware of their HBV and Chlamydia status respectively, versus 64.4% for HIV. The excessive cost of HBV and Chlamydia tests has been identified as the major barrier to testing (87.6%). Conclusion: Among college Cameroonian students the prevalence of HIV, HBV and Chlamydia infections seems to be relatively low if compared to general population. However, having multiple sexual partners in addition to non-systematic use of condoms during sexual intercourse represents risk behaviors among students. Awareness campaigns and screening facilitation on HBV and chlamydia infections need to be strengthened

Molecular evidence of Plasmodium vivax infection in Duffy negative symptomatic individuals from Dschang, West Cameroon

Background: Plasmodium vivax infection is known to be rare in West/Central Africa, the most accepted explanation being the lack of expression of erythroid Duffy antigen in the local human populations. Duffy negativity prevents the parasite to exploit the entry mechanism on the red blood cell surface. However, there are a growing number of reported vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals. Data on P. vivax circulation in Cameroon are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the P. vivax presence, and its association with the Duffy genotype in West Cameroon. Results: Overall, 484 blood samples were collected consecutively from febrile outpatients attending the Dschang’s Hospital (West Cameroon) during a 3-months period. Plasmodium vivax infection was detected by PCR in 5.6% (n = 27/484) of the cases, representing 38.6% (n = 27/70) of all Plasmodium infections detected. All P. vivax infected individuals showed a Duffy-negative genotype, and the frequency of Duffy-positive individuals in the whole tested population was 1.7%. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the circulation of P. vivax in Cameroon, as well as that the lack of expression of Duffy-antigen does not confer full protection against vivax malaria acquisition

Destruction plasmachimique d’urée et de thiourée par décharge électrique à pression atmosphérique

Le traitement à la pression atmosphérique de solutions aqueuses d’urée et de thiourée par plasma d’arc rampant en atmosphère d’air humide conduit à la dégradation totale de ces composés. Les cinétiques globales d’ordre nul ont des constantes voisines proches de 3•10‑6 s‑1. Le procédé met en jeu les espèces actives créées dans la décharge, les radicaux OH et NO, responsables des caractères chimiques principaux du plasma : oxydation du fait de la présence de OH (E°OH H2O =  2,85 V/ENH) et acidification, provenant de la formation d’acides nitreux et nitrique en solution. Ces résultats sont relatifs à des molécules modèles, mais suggèrent l’extension du procédé à la dégradation de molécules toxiques et d’effluents industriels soufrés.Electric discharges in humid air (i.e., a gliding arc discharge at atmospheric pressure and quasi-ambient temperature) are considered in the context of evaluating new techniques for pollution abatement. An electric discharge in a gas under specific conditions gives rise to a plasma, which involves activated gas species with enhanced reactivity. The main chemical properties of a discharge in humid air are attributed to NO and OH radicals formed in the discharge, which are able to react with solutes at the plasma/liquid interface. These activated species are formed in advanced oxidation processes and are respectively responsible for acid and oxidizing effects in the target solution: NO gives rise to nitrous and nitric acids, and OH is strongly oxidising [E°(OH/H2O) =  2.85 V/NHE].To examine the degradation power of the plasma treatment on molecules of the same family and to evaluate the ability of the gliding arc system to oxidize sulphur-containing solutes (2 x 10‑3 M) in batch conditions, aqueous urea and thiourea were selected as suitable target solutions. The solutes were completely degraded within 180‑200 minutes of treatment and the concentrations decreased linearly with increasing exposure times in the discharge. This trend accounts for overall zero-order kinetic schemes with the relevant rate constants of kurea = 5.28 x 10‑6 s‑1 and kthiourea = 2.03 x 10‑6 s‑1.The evolution of solutes with time was followed by total organic carbon (TOC) measurements for urea, and by the conductometric titration of the sulphate ions formed in the case of thiourea. Spectrophotometric measurements of the treated solutions at the solute absorption peaks were found to be unsuitable for analysis purposes due to the formation of nitrite/nitrate ions which absorb in the same wavelength range.The extension of a gliding arc system from the laboratory level to an industrial scale for pollution abatement of industrial effluents is considered

Nutritional outcomes in HIV Exposed Infants in the Mingha Program, Dschang-Cameroon (2003-2011)

Background: Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) is a set of interventions that contribute in reducing the risk of HIV transmission from mother (parents) to the child. The infant feeding choice in the HIV context remains a key item of PMTCT. This study aimed at evaluating the nutritional status of children followed by the Mingha / PMTCT program in the Dschang Health District (DHD) during 09 years of activities. We used a descriptive study based on retrospective data from an intervention conducted at the DHD between 2003 and 2011 on a group of mother-child pairs in the PMTCT (Mingha/PMTCT) facilitation program. The intervention was the formula feeding given to the children from birth till 18 months. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS Version 18 software. Results: Among 328 children accessed, we had a sex ratio of 0.83 with more boys than girls. Severe wasting was found only within 11 boys (3.26%) and only <6 months old children were concerned. Moderate wasting was found among 6 girls (1.74%) and 5 boys (1.52%) and <6 months old children were highly concerned 10 (3.17%). Overweight (3.26%) was highly predominant among 8 boys (2.24%) and except those of <6 months, all the other age groups were concerned. There were no cases of obesity or stunting. Conclusions: The nutritional status of the Mingha/PMTCT program children was quite satisfactory. It characterizes the hope for a suitable nutritional follow up of children in HIV context. Therefore programs like Mingha/PMTCT should be promoted and transferred to other Health Districts and even resource-limited countries

Diagnostic en vue de l’élaboration d’une stratégie municipale concertée pour l’accès à l’eau potable et l’assainissement : Cas de la commune de Kye-Ossi au Sud-Cameroun

L’approvisionnement en eau potable dans de nombreuses communes Camerounaises reste un défi permanent à relever ; c’est le cas pour la commune de Kye-Ossi qui ne possède pas de réseau publique de distribution d’eau, ni un service d’assainissement. La présente étude menée dans cette ville visait à y réaliser un diagnostic de l’alimentation en eau potable et de l’assainissement de base. Pour se faire, nous avons réalisé une analyse documentaire du cadre institutionnel, des interviews semi structurés, les « focus group » et des enquêtes ménages. Il ressort de ce travail que l’insuffisance des fonds et l’absence de l’énergie électrique sont les principaux problèmes des acteurs de l’offre et la demande. 71% des populations consomment sans traiter l’eau des forages, 47% des ménages utilisent les latrines à fond perdu aménagées. Bien que 69% des ménages soient satisfaits de l’assainissement de base, 74% ne sont pas satisfaits de l’approvisionnement en eau potable. 36% des forages équipés de pompes à motricité humaine sont non fonctionnels. Tous les puits modernes sont fonctionnels. Des sept latrines publiques recensées, quatre sont privées et trois appartiennent à la commune. La mauvaise gestion et la mauvaise qualité des équipements sont les principales causes des pannes sur les ouvrages

HIV and HBV infection in Cameroonian university context: Case of the University of Dschang

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