The lesson of Monsieur Nouma: effects of a culturally sensitive communication tool to improve health-seeking behavior in rural Cameroon.

Objective: To test the effect of patient counseling using educational tools, on rates of return for follow-up in newly diagnosed hypertensive and/or diabetic patients in a rural African context.

Methods: Free screening for hypertension and elevated blood glucose was offered in primary health care centers in central Cameroon during 9 campaigns of 3 days each. Individuals with untreated hypertension and/or diabetes were divided into 2 groups: a control group receiving counseling according to routine procedures, and an intervention group receiving counseling with different educational tools to explain the diagnosis and its implications to the patient.

Improved retention rates with low-cost interventions in hypertension and diabetes management in a rural African environment of nurse-led care: a cluster-randomised trial.

Objective: To compare the effects of low-level facility-based interventions on patient retention rates for cardiovascular (CV) disease in an environment of task shifting and nurse-led care in rural health districts in Central Cameroon.

Methods: This study is an open-label, three-arm, cluster-randomised trial in nurse-led facilities. All three groups implemented a treatment contract.

Task shifting to non-physician clinicians for integrated management of hypertension and diabetes in rural Cameroon: a programme assessment at two years.

Background: The burden of non-communicable chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, increases in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the majority of the rural population does still not have access to adequate care. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of integrating care for hypertension and type 2 diabetes by task shifting to non-physician clinician (NPC) facilities in eight rural health districts in Cameroon.

Early assessment of the implementation of a national programme for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Cameroon and the effects of staff training: a survey in 70 rural health care facilities.

Objectives: To assess the availability of equipment and the staff's knowledge to prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) in rural healthcare facilities recently covered by the national PMTCT programme in Cameroon.

Methods: In eight districts inventories of antiviral drugs and HIV test kits were made on site, using a standardised check-list. Knowledge of HIV and PMTCT was evaluated with a multiple-choice (MC) questionnaire based on typical clinical PMTCT cases.