Awareness of standard precautions, circumstances of occurrence and management of occupational exposures to body fluids among healthcare workers in a regional level referral hospital (Bertoua, Cameroon).

Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) are exposed to infectious agents within biological materials including blood, tissues, other body fluids and on medical supplies, contaminated surfaces within the care delivery environment. Trends in occupational injuries are influenced by the level of awareness and observance of standard precautions (SP) among HCWs. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of SP, exposure to body fluids, reporting pattern and management among HCWs in a Referral Hospital.

Using Community-Level Prevalence of Loa loa Infection to Predict the Proportion of Highly-Infected Individuals: Statistical Modelling to Support Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis Elimination Programs.

Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis (river blindness) constitute pressing public health issues in tropical regions. Global elimination programs, involving mass drug administration (MDA), have been launched by the World Health Organisation. Although the drugs used are generally well tolerated, individuals who are highly co-infected with Loa loa are at risk of experiencing serious adverse events.

Excess mortality associated with loiasis: a retrospective population-based cohort study.

Background: The burden of loiasis has received limited attention and loiasis is still considered a benign condition. To assess whether loiasis bears any excess mortality, we did a retrospective cohort study in Cameroon.

Methods: In 2001, 3627 individuals living in 28 villages were examined for Loa loa infection.

Public awareness, knowledge and practice relating to epilepsy amongst adult residents in rural Cameroon--case study of the Fundong health district.

Introduction: Epilepsy associated stigma remains a main hindrance to epilepsy care, especially in developing countries. In Africa, anti-epileptic drugs are available, affordable and effective. As of now, no community survey on epilepsy awareness and attitudes has been reported from this area Cameroon with a reported high prevalence of epilepsy.

Epilepsy and cysticercosis in Northwest Cameroon: a serological study.

Purpose: The prevalence of epilepsy in Cameroon is higher than that of the industrialized world and other developing countries. Neurocysticercosis due to Taenia solium infestation has been reported as a major cause of epilepsy in some parts of Cameroon although there are some conflicting data. The prevalence of epilepsy is especially high in the Momo division of the North-West Province of Cameroon.

The contribution of community health workers to the control of Buruli ulcer in the Ngoantet area, Cameroon.

Introduction: Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. It is the third most common mycobacterial infection after tuberculosis and leprosy. Community Health Workers (CHWs) hold the potential to support patients and their families at the community level.

The value of the freshwater snail dip scoop sampling method in macroinvertebrates bioassessment of sugar mill wastewater pollution in Mbandjock, Cameroon.

Macroinvertebrates identification and enumeration may be used as a simple and affordable alternative to chemical analysis in water pollution monitoring. However, the ecological responses of various taxa to pollution are poorly known in resources-limited tropical countries. While freshwater macroinvertebrates have been used in the assessment of water quality in Europe and the Americas, investigations in Africa have mainly focused on snail hosts of human parasites.

Hematuria and dysuria in the self-diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis among school-children in Northern Cameroon.

The present study was designed to assess the value of self reported hematuria and dysuria in the diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis at the individual level. A sample of 964 school children of grade 5 and 6 from 15 schools of the French speaking educational system in the Sudano-sahelian zone of northern Cameroon were submitted to a questionnaire related to hematuria and dysuria, and provided a urine sample each. The urine samples were processed using the dip stick and sedimentation methods, and the degree of microhematuria and oviuria determined.

Some social determinants of urinary schistosomiasis in Northern Cameroon: implications for schistosomiasis control.

The present study was designed to assess the perceptions of hematuria, the most conspicuous sign of urinary schistosomiasis, in selected communities of the sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon. Study questionnaires related to knowledge, beliefs and stigma associated with hematuria were administered to 964 pupils from 15 randomly selected schools. In order to ascertain children perceptions, we interviewed 143 adults living less than 2 kilometers from the target school.

Mapping the distribution of Loa loa in Cameroon in support of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control.

BACKGROUND: Loa loa has recently emerged as a filarial worm of significant public health importance as a consequence of its impact on the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC). Severe, sometimes fatal, encephalopathic reactions to ivermectin (the drug of choice for onchocerciasis control) have occurred in some individuals with high Loa loa microfilarial counts. Since high density of Loa loa microfilariae is known to be associated with high prevalence rates, a distribution map of the latter may determine areas where severe reactions might occur.

Rapid assessment method for prevalence and intensity of Loa loa infection.

Objective: To assess the validity of observations on eye worm and Calabar swellings for the rapid assessment of the prevalence and intensity of loiasis at the community level.

Method: A total of 12895 individuals over the age of 15 years living in 102 communities in Cameroon and Nigeria took part in the study. A standardized questionnaire was administered to participants from whom finger-prick blood samples were collected and examined for Loa loa microfilariae.

Testicular dysfunction in BALB C mice with Schistosoma intercalatum bilharziasis.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Schistosoma intercalatum infestation on the testicular function of mice.

Methods: Male BALB C mice were infested by immersion of the tail and hind feet into the water with 50 or 100 cercariae of Cameroon strain S. intercalatum.