Plasma Viral Load of 200 Copies/mL is a Suitable Threshold to Define Viral Suppression and HIV Drug Resistance Testing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence From a Facility-Based Study in Cameroon.

Introduction: In low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), viral suppression is defined as plasma viral load (PVL) below 1000 copies/mL (low-level viremia [LLV]) and threshold for HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) testing. However, there is evidence that drug resistance mutations (DRMs) may emerge at LLV, thus compromising antiretroviral treatment (ART) response We evaluated sequencing success rates (SSR) at LLV, described HIVDR profiles and adequacy with potential efficacy of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals with LLV at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon from January 2020 through August 2021.

Utility of colposcopy for the screening and management of cervical cancer in Africa: a cross-sectional analysis of providers' training and practices.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a public health issue in Africa with devastating socioeconomic consequences due to the lack of organized screening programs. The success of screening programs depends on the appropriate investigation and management of women who test positive for screening. Colposcopic assessment following positive screening results is a noteworthy issue in Africa.

Structural barriers to maternity care in Cameroon: a qualitative study.

Background: The maternal mortality and perinatal mortality rate in Cameroon are among the highest worldwide. To improve these outcomes, we conducted a formative qualitative assessment to inform the adaptation of a mobile provider-to-provider intervention in Cameroon. We explored the complex interplay of structural barriers on maternity care in this low-resourced nation.

Predicting peripartum infection in laboring patients at high risk in Cameroon, Africa.

Objective: To develop a predictive model for peripartum infection among high risk laboring patients in Cameroon, Africa.

Study Design: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Cameroon Antibiotic Prophylaxis Trial (NCT03248297), a multicenter 3-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial of oral azithromycin ± amoxicillin among term pregnancies with prolonged labor or rupture of membranes in Cameroon 1/2018-5/2020. Patients with chorioamnionitis prior to randomization, study drug contraindications, or planned cesarean were excluded.

Inflammatory profile of vertically HIV-1 infected adolescents receiving ART in Cameroon: a contribution toward optimal pediatric HIV control strategies.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the lifespan of people living with HIV. However, their immune system remains in a state of sustained activation/inflammation, which favors viral replication and depletion of helper T-cells with varying profiles according to ART-response. We herein sought to ascertain the inflammatory profile of adolescents living with perinatal HIV-1 infection (ALPHI) receiving ART in an African context.

From Option B+ to Universal "Test and Treat" in Cameroon: Identification and Evaluation of District-level Factors Associated with Retention in Care.

Background And Objective: Retaining women in Option B+ services is crucial for eliminating new pediatric HIV infections. However, there are few studies on factors influencing retention at the district level. This study evaluates the factors associated with retention in two health districts of Cameroon.

Evaluation of plasma viral-load monitoring and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in three health facilities of the Littoral region of Cameroon.

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has reduced HIV incidence among new-borns. However, PMTCT remains concerning in sub-Saharan Africa due to bottlenecks including viral load (VL) monitoring during pregnancy. We assessed VL coverage and materno-foetal outcomes of pregnancy among HIV-infected women within the Cameroonian context.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and perceived risk among pregnant and non-pregnant adults in Cameroon, Africa.

Background: The public health response to the global COVID-19 pandemic has varied widely by region. In Africa, uptake of effective COVID-19 vaccines has been limited by accessibility and vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to compare perceptions of COVID-19 infection and vaccination between pregnant women and non-pregnant adults in four regions of Cameroon, located in Central Africa.

mHealth Phone Intervention to Reduce Maternal Deaths and Morbidity in Cameroon: Protocol for Translational Adaptation.

Purpose: The purpose of this NIH-funded protocol is to adapt (Aim 1) and pilot test (Aim 2) an mHealth intervention to improve maternal and child health in Cameroon. We will adapt the 24/7 University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Information Service via Telephone (MIST) provider support system to mMIST (mobile MIST) for peripheral providers who provide healthcare to pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in Cameroon.

Methods: In Aim 1, we apply qualitative and participatory methods (in-depth interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders) to inform the adaptation of mMIST for use in Cameroon.

Determinants of retention in HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the Cameroon International epidemiology Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) study clinics: the context of the HIV treat all strategy in Cameroon.

Introduction: retaining patients in antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential for successful outcomes. Unfortunately, Cameroon continues to report suboptimal ART retention. This study focused on identifying determinants of ART retention in three HIV clinics in Cameroon within the HIV treat all context.

Single Dose of Oral Azithromycin With or Without Amoxicillin to Prevent Peripartum Infection in Laboring, High-Risk Women in Cameroon: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of single-dose azithromycin, with or without amoxicillin, with placebo to prevent peripartum infection in laboring women.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, three-group, double-blind randomized controlled trial of women with viable term nonanomalous pregnancies with either prolonged labor of 18 hours or longer or rupture of membranes for 8 hours or longer in Cameroon. Women with chorioamnionitis before randomization, study drug contraindications, or planned cesarean births were excluded.

Predictors of antiretroviral therapy interruptions and factors influencing return to care at the Nkolndongo Health District, Cameroon.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy is a lifelong commitment that requires consistent intake of tablets to optimize health outcomes, attain and maintain viral suppression.

Objective: We aimed to elicit predictors of treatment interruption amongst PLHIV and identify motivating factors influencing return to care.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a mixed-method approach in four hospitals in Yaoundé.

Evaluation of quality of life and associated factors among HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in North West region of Cameroon.

Background: There is evidence that Quality of Life (QoL) of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) has a significant role in ART retention, treatment adherence, and survival. As a result, QoL is becoming increasingly important for policymakers, program implementers, and researchers. However, factors associated with QoL, in a culturally diverse country like Cameroon are unknown.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction Among Sexually Active Students of the University of Buea.

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common public health issue. Most studies, especially in the sub-Saharan region are typically carried out in the older married female population, but the post-secondary education period is crucial for the development of the sexuality of young women. Poor awareness and management of FSD may lead to adverse physical and psychosocial complications later on in the lives of these women.

A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve HPV Vaccination Coverage.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Although most HPV infections are transient and asymptomatic, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types may results in diseases. Although there are currently three effective and safe prophylactic HPV vaccines that are used across the world, HPV vaccination coverage remains low.

Clinical profile and factors associated with COVID-19 in Yaounde, Cameroon: A prospective cohort study.

Background: A year after the COVID-19 pandemic started, there are still few scientific reports on COVID-19 in Africa. This study explores the clinical profiles and factors associated with COVID-19 in Cameroon.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we followed patients admitted for suspicion of COVID-19 at Djoungolo Hospital between 01st April and 31st July 2020.

Intestinal parasitic infections in pregnancy - A review.

Intestinal parasitic infections are widespread worldwide and with increased global travel and transport of food, these are not entirely limited to traditionally endemic areas. The prevalence of parasitic infections in endemic areas among pregnant women ranges from 24 to 70 % with approximately 10 % of women having multiple parasites. Pregnancy with its increased nutritional demands and altered immunological defenses is an especially vulnerable time for acquiring parasitic infections, which may be associated with adverse outcomes such as anaemia, which in some cases may even contribute to mortality.

Determinants and aetiologies of postpartum pyrexia; a retrospective analysis in a tertiary health facility in the Littoral Region of Cameroon.

Background: Postpartum febrile morbidity is relatively common, occurring in approximately 5-7% of births. Differentiating between potentially serious and benign causes of postpartum pyrexia (PP) is fundamental in curbing the mortality rate from sinister causes such as sepsis. The paucity of data on PP in Cameroon makes it difficult to access its actual burden.

Risk factors of tubal infertility in a tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting: a case-control study.

Background: Infertility is the inability to sustain a pregnancy in a woman with regular (2-3 times per week) unprotected sexual intercourse for a period of 1 year. This is a major public health problem that remains under-recognised in Cameroon and most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at identifying the risk factors associated with tubal infertility in a tertiary hospital in Douala, Cameroon.

A systematic review of immunogenicity, clinical efficacy and safety of human papillomavirus vaccines in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk of HPV infection. This systematic review evaluates the immunogenicity, clinical efficacy, and safety of prophylactic HPV vaccines in people living with HIV.

Prevalence of group B streptococcus anogenital colonization and feasibility of an intrapartum screening and antibiotic prophylaxis protocol in Cameroon, Africa.

Objective: To evaluate group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization prevalence and feasibility of intrapartum GBS screening/antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) in Cameroon, Africa.

Methods: Prospective cohort in the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services network. Maternity providers collected anogenital swabs from consenting term women in labor for testing by a rapid GBS-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system.

A Community-Based Assessment of Knowledge and Practice of Breast Self-Examination and Prevalence of Breast Disease in Southwest Cameroon.

Introduction: Despite the rising trend in breast cancer incidence and mortality across Sub-Saharan Africa, there remains a critical knowledge gap about the burden and patterns of breast disease and breast cancer screening practices at the population level. This study aimed to identify socioeconomic factors associated with knowledge and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) as well as assess the prevalence of breast disease symptoms among a mixed urban-rural population of women in the Southwest region of Cameroon.

Methods: We conducted a household-level community-based study in Southwest Cameroon between January and March 2017, using a three-stage cluster sampling framework.

Exploring the role of obesity and overweight in predicting postoperative outcome of abdominal surgery in a sub-Saharan African setting: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: Current literature on the role of excess weight in predicting surgical outcome is controversial. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is extreme paucity of data regarding this issue in spite of the increasing rates of obesity and overweight in the region. This prospective cohort study, carried out over a period of 4 months at Limbe Regional Hospital in the Southwest region of Cameroon, assessed 30-day postoperative outcome of abdominal surgery among consecutive adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m.