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

Molecular Evidence of Plasmodium Vivax Infection in Duffy-Negative Symptomatic Autochthones Individuals from West Cameroon

Background: Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) is considered as absent in West/Central Africa because of the high prevalence of Duffy antigen negativity in the local human population. Duffy antigen on red blood cells is the only well-known receptor allowing the entry of P.vivax. However, in recent years, several studies reported P. vivax infections in sub-Saharan Africa among Duffy negative individuals, including two studies performed in the southern part of Cameroon (Centre, South, Littoral, North-West and East Regions). Our research aims to assess the possible circulation of P. vivax and its association with the Duffy genotype among outpatients reporting fever and attending health facilities in Santchou and Dschang Health Districts (West-Cameroon), located at 700 and 1,400 meters above the sea level respectively. Material and methods: Samples collection was performed using dried blood spots during the dry season(December-February) in Dschang andrainy season in Santchou (August-December). All samples were analyzed by molecular conventional methods (PCR) and the Duffy genotyping was assessed for all the P. vivax positive samples. Results: In total, 884 samples were collected and malaria parasite DNA was detected in 247 (27.9%)samples. In particular, 241 cases of Plasmodium mono-infections (212 P. falciparum, 26P. vivax, 2 P. ovale, 1 P. malariae) and 6 cases of co-infections (3 falciparum/vivax,2 faciparum/ovale, 1 falciparum/malariae) were detected. Globally, P. vivaxhas been detected in 29 cases (11.7% of positive samples), mainly from Dschang (n=27) than Santchou (n=2). All the P. vivaxpositive cases have shown a Duffy-negative genotype (-33CC). Conclusions: Our data show, for the first time to our knowledge, the circulation of P.vivax in the West Region of Cameroon among Duffy-negative authoctonous individuals, with a prevalence possibly dependending from altitude and seasonality. Further data are necessary in order to assess the real P. vivax local circulation, as well as to identify Duffy-independent P. vivax erythrocyte invasion pathway. Furthermore, in a public health point of view, it is necessary to improve the local microscopic diagnostic capacity in order to ensure a more effective and safer therapeutic management of vivax malaria attacks and relapses

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal: A Community-Based Study in the Menoua Division in Cameroon

COVID-19, which was named in March 2020 as a global pandemic by the WHO, remains a serious public health threat worldwide. Despite the adoption of vaccines as an effective strategy to counter this pandemic, the vaccination rate in Cameroon is far lower than that planned by the Cameroonian government and its partners. The main objective of this study was to determine the factors limiting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the Menoua Division in the West Region of Cameroon. A community-based cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted between March and April 2022 in the Menoua Division. A pre-tested questionnaire was filled out by willing participants of more than 18 years old, and data were further expressed in order to estimate the knowledge of participants on COVID-19, vaccine status, and the factors associated with vaccine refusal. A Pearson test was performed in order to identify the associated factors, with a p-value p < 0.05) with gender and education level. The vaccination rate was 10%, which was six times less than the national target. A lack of information, confidence, and medicinal plant use were all factors significantly associated with vaccine refusal. This pioneer community-based study in Cameroon identified a lack of knowledge, confidence, and medicinal plant use as the leading factors limiting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Cameroon. Health authorities should therefore strengthen sensitization in order to tackle the lack of information and the misinformation among the target groups

Determinants, prevalence and trend of use of medicinal plants among people living with HIV: a cross‑sectional survey in Dschang, Cameroon

People living with HIV (PLHIV) in Cameroon often seek care from traditional health practitioners (THPs) and use medicinal plants (MP). Most MP, however, still lacks evidence for their efficacy and safety, and their use, often undisclosed to referring physicians, may interfere with standard therapies. Therefore, we conducted a survey of 247 PLHIV in Dschang to assess the determinants, prevalence and trend of MP use. Besides, we surveyed 16 THPs about the use of MP in PLHIV and HIV-related knowledge. 54.9% PLHIV declared using in total 70 plants, 91.3% users were satisfied with MP, and unwanted effects were reported in 2 cases. MP users were less educated than nonusers, had longer disease duration and were more often unemployed. Only 3 THPs used MP in PLHIV, and most of them had insufficient knowledge of HIV. Results may be useful for education on HIV and integration of traditional medicines with conventional therapeutics

Connaissance et attitudes de la population vivant dans les zones rurales et semi-rural face à la COVID-19 : Cas du département de la Menoua, Cameroun

Background: The pandemic situation the world is facing caused by the new SARS-Cov-2 continues to evolve and still represent a real problem. With more than eight thousand reported cases infection, Cameroon stands as the seventh most affected country in Africa. Prevention remains the best way to fight against this zoonosis. However, the limited information available about this infection is a great barrier to stopping the propagation of the virus within the population, especially in rural and semi-rural areas, where the lack of financial and material resources is a reality. This study aimed to assessing Awareness and attitudes of the population of the Menoua Division on COVIL-19 infection. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 9 to April 15 2020 amongst the populations of rural and semi-rural areas of the Menoua Division. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered face to face to each participant. The analysis was carried out using the Statistical Analysis System software (SAS version 9.4). The significance threshold was set at a P value of less than 0.05. Results: A total of 434 participants of which male majority(sex ratio 1.07) were included in this study. The most represented age group was [21F 40] years old representing 40.29% of the participants. Approximately all participants (98.57%) were aware of the world emergency state due to Coronavirus. 75.56%, 91% and 90.93% of the participants knew respectively that having close contacts, kissing and touching the face with the hands could favor the transmission of the virus. However, nearly 91.14% were not aware of the clinical symptoms of the disease. Moreover, 85.02% responded that they would not be able to comply with the confinement measures if they were applied at national level. The level of awareness varied significantly according to the occupation(p=0.038) and the educational level (p<0.001) of the participants. Conclusion: The average level of awareness of the population of the Menoua Division on COVID-19 infection was relatively low. Overcoming this pandemic disease means ensuring the flow of the correct information towards the population. Community outreach activities focus on clinical manifestations and what to do in case of COVID-19 infection as well as material and financial support should be help the population to protect themselves effectively against pandemic, particularly in rural areas and surrounding

Determinants, Prevalence and Trend of Use of Medicinal Plants Among People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Dschang, Cameroon

8nonePeople living with HIV (PLHIV) in Cameroon often seek care from traditional health practitioners (THPs) and use medicinal plants (MP). Most MP, however, still lacks evidence for their efficacy and safety, and their use, often undisclosed to referring physicians, may interfere with standard therapies. Therefore, we conducted a survey of 247 PLHIV in Dschang to assess the determinants, prevalence and trend of MP use. Besides, we surveyed 16 THPs about the use of MP in PLHIV and HIV-related knowledge. 54.9% PLHIV declared using in total 70 plants, 91.3% users were satisfied with MP, and unwanted effects were reported in 2 cases. MP users were less educated than nonusers, had longer disease duration and were more often unemployed. Only 3 THPs used MP in PLHIV, and most of them had insufficient knowledge of HIV. Results may be useful for education on HIV and integration of traditional medicines with conventional therapeutics.noneMabou Tagne, Alex*; Biapa Nya, Prosper Cabral; Tiotsia Tsapi, Armand; Edingue Essoh, Annick Kevin; Pembouong, Gynette; Ngouadjeu Ngnintedem, Michael Alliance; Marino, Franca; Cosentino, MarcoMabou Tagne, Alex; Biapa Nya, Prosper Cabral; Tiotsia Tsapi, Armand; Edingue Essoh, Annick Kevin; Pembouong, Gynette; Ngouadjeu Ngnintedem, Michael Alliance; Marino, Franca; Cosentino, Marc

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 &lt;6 months old children were concerned.Moderate wasting was found among 6 girls (1.74%) and 5 boys (1.52%) and &lt;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 &lt;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.</p

Determinants of adherence to ARVs in HIV+ women enrolled in the PMTCT program in the West and North Regions of Cameroon

Background: According to UNAIDS 2019, 52% of people worldwide living with HIV is on antiretrovirals (ARVs), HIV positive women representing 80% of them. This study aimed at highlighting the determinants of adherence to ARVs for HIV positive women enrolled in PMTCT programs in the West and North Regions of Cameroon. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was carried out from February to September 2019 in three treatment centres in the West (Bafoussam Regional Hospital and Dschang District Hospital) and North (Garoua Regional Hospital) regions in Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered face to face and encoded in Excel 2013, then analyzed using SAS version 7.8. P-values &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant Results: One thousand (1000) women were interviewed. The mean age was 17 ±2 years (Range: 12 – 67 years); 231 (23.1%) were single. Overall, the prevalence of ART-adherence was 68.6%. After multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression; having one HIV-infected children (aOR=60.9; 95%CI=[7.6; 489.1]; P=0.001), non-disclosure of serological status with the spouse/boyfriend (aOR=25.2; 95%CI=[9.2; 68.9]; P&lt;0.001), not being educated (aOR=7.7; 95%CI=[4.4; 13.3]; P&lt;0.001); and taking ARVs once or less daily (aOR=50; 95%CI=[20.0; 100.0]; P&lt;0.001) were four risk factors for non-adherence. Conclusion: ART-adherence among Cameroonian pregnant women is still very far below UNAIDS target (95%), with four potential key determinants identified. As we are progressively moving towards the elimination of HIV vertical transmission in 2030 as advocated by UNAIDS, local policies should be reinforced in order to consolidate the strides made so far. Keywords: HIV, PMTCT, Pregnancy, Adherence, option B+, Cameroon

Dengue and Chikungunya virus circulation in Cameroon and Gabon: molecular evidence among symptomatic individuals

We report the molecular evidence of dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in symptomatic individu- als in Cameroon and Gabon, respectively. Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are distributed in the tropical or subtropical regions, with DENV having the highest burden. The morbidity and mortality related to arboviral diseases raise the concern of timely and efficient surveillance and care. Our aim was to assess the circulation of arboviruses [DENV, CHIKV, Zika virus (ZIKV)] among febrile patients in Dschang (West Cameroon) and Kyé-ossi (South Cameroon, border with Gabon and Equatorial Guinea). Dried blood spots were collected from 601 consenting febrile patients, and 194 Plasmodium spp.-negative samples were tested for the molecular detection of cases of DENV, CHIKV and ZIKV infection. Overall, no case of ZIKV infection was found, whereas one case of DENV infection and one case of CHIKV infection were detected in Dschang and Kyé-ossi, respectively, with the CHIKV-infected patient being resident in Gabon. Our findings suggest the need to establish an active surveillance of arbovirus transmission in Cameroon and bordering countries