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

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Extracts from the Bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var sativa (Dioscoreaceae) in Mice and Rats

The aqueous and methanol extracts from the dry bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera L. var sativa (Dioscoreaceae)—evaluated orally at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg against pain induced by acetic acid, formalin, pressure and against inflammation induced by carrageenan, histamine, serotonin and formalin in mice and rats, showed a dose dependant inhibition of pain and inflammation with a maximum effect of 56.38%, 73.06% and 42.79% produced by the aqueous extract, respectively on pain induced by acetic acid, formalin and pressure while the methanol extract at the same dose respectively inhibited these models of pain by 62.70%, 84.54% and 47.70%. The oral administration of aqueous and methanol extracts caused significant anti-inflammatory activity on paw oedema induced by histamine, serotonin and formalin. The present results show that the bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera var sativa possess potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities may results from the inhibition of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, serotonin and prostaglandins. Thus, the analgesic activity of the bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera may be at least partially linked to its anti-inflammatory activity

Reproductive effects of Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) in female rats

The reproductive effects of Ficus asperifolia in female rats were investigated in the present study. Sperm-positive adult female rats were orally administered (P.O.) either the aqueous and methanol extracts of Ficus asperifolia (100 and 500mg/kg), distilled water (10ml/kg) or 5%Tween 80 (10ml/kg) for seven days. On day 10 of pregnancy, the implantation sites were recorded. In the fertility study, adult female rats received the same test substances for 21 days and, the fertility index and litter size determined. In the uterotrophic test, normal and ovariectomized immature rats were treated for seven days with the dry extract of Ficus asperifolia (100 and 500mg/kg) in the absence and presence of 17â-estradiol benzoate 1μg/animal/day, s.c. On day 8, the uterine growth index was measured. Results of the study showed a significant increase (

Influence du chlorpyriphos-ethyl sur quelques paramètres de reproduction chez le rat mâle albinos exposé pendant le développement post-natal

Les effets du chlorpyriphos-ethyl (CE) sur le poids des organes reproducteurs, l\'histopathologie des testicules, les caractéristiques des spermatozoïdes épididymaires et sur les performances de reproduction ont été étudiés. A cet effet, 3 doses de CE à savoir 3,50 ; 5,25 et 10,50 mg.kg-1 ont été administrées par voie orale, chacune quotidiennement à 6 animaux prépubères (30 jours) pendant 90 jours. Les animaux du lot témoin ont reçu de l\'eau distillée. A l\'issu de ce traitement, le poids relatif des testicules significativement (

Effects plasmog&#233niques des extraits aqueux et au m&#233lange m&#233thanol/chlorure de m&#233thyl&#233ne(1:1) des feuilles de Gmelina arborea (Verb&#233nac&#233e) sur la motricit&#233 intestimale de rat.

No Abstract.Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology Vol. 2(1) 2002: pp. 31-3

Effects of pirimiphos-methyl (an organophosphate insecticide) on the fertility of adult male rats

Background: Organophosphate insecticides represent one of the most widely used classes of pesticides with high potential for human exposure in both rural and residential environments. Objective: In the present study, we investigated the effects of pirimiphos-methyl (0, 2-diethylamino-6-methylpirimidin-4-yl O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate), an organophosphothioate pesticide, on male rat reproductive performances. Methods: A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each and orally treated with 0, 41.67, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg of pirimiphos-methyl for 90 days. Results: Results from the study showed a significant increase (

Influence De La Gestation Sur Les Taux De Calcium, Sodium, Potassium Et Magnesium Seriques Chez La Truie

A total of 112 local “Bamileke” breed sows (22 pregnant and 90 non pregnant) from Cameroon were used to study the effect of pregnancy on the level of serum minerals: calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). The quantity of minerals in the serum of individual sow was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The level of studied minerals was relatively higher in gravid sows as compared to non gravid. However, the difference was significant only for the sodium. Gestation length and the foetus sex-ratio did not affect significantly the serum minerals level. Positive and significant correlations were found between litter size and the studied minerals rate. Highly positive correlations was also recorded between the number of cyclic corpus lutea and the level of Na (r = +0,85) in one hand, and in other hand the number of gestative corpus lutea and the serum Ca (r = +0,75). The level of Ca, Na and K increased during the luteal phase as compared to the follicular phase; the contrary was found for the Mg level. These results show that the serum level of Na could be used to diagnose the pregnancy and also to estimate the ovulation rate; while the K level could contribute to the estimation of the number of gestative corpus lutea.De Juin à Septembre 2002, l'influence de la gestation sur les taux de calcium (Ca), de sodium (Na), de potassium (K) et de magnésium (Mg) sériques a été étudiée chez 112 truies de race « Bamiléké » dont 90 vides et 22 gravides issues des élevages traditionnels de l'Ouest du Cameroun. Le dosage des minéraux a été fait au spectrophotomètre à absorption atomique à partir de sérums de truies minéralisés. Le taux de minéraux étudiés a paru plus élevé chez les truies gravides comparé à celui des vides. Cependant, cette élévation n'a été significative (P =0,05) que pour le taux de sodium. La durée de gestation et le sex-ratio des foetus n'ont pas affecté significativement (P=0,05) la teneur sérique en minéraux étudiés. Des corrélations positives mais faibles (p=0,05) ont été trouvées entre la taille de la portée et la teneur sérique en minéraux considérés. En outre, des corrélations positives et fortes (P=0,05) ont été enregistrées entre le nombre de corps jaunes cycliques et le taux de Na (r = + 0,85) d'une part, et entre le nombre de corps jaunes gestatifs et la teneur sérique en Ca (r = 0,75) d'autre part. Les taux de Ca, Na et K ont augmenté pendant la phase lutéale comparé à la phase folliculaire, à l'inverse du taux de Mg ; aucune différence significative (P=0,05) n'a toutefois été relevée. Ces résultats montrent que chez la truie, la teneur sérique en Na pourrait permettre de diagnostiquer la gestation d'une part, et d'estimer le taux d'ovulation d'autre part ; alors que le taux de K permettrait d'estimer le nombre de corps jaunes gestatifs.Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 54 (4) 2006: pp. 278-28