Compliance with transmission-based precautions, and associated factors among healthcare providers in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Transmission-based precautions (TBP) and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and in controlling the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study, therefore, aimed to determine healthcare providers' compliance with TBP and its determinants in healthcare settings to help curb the burden of HAIs and AMR.

Method: This study was a cross-sectional, hospital-based research conducted among healthcare providers at four health facilities in the Fako division of Cameroon, from January 1 to May 31, 2024.

Effect of steam cooking and particle size on the nutritional composition, phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of oyster mushroom () powder.

In this study raw and steamed were dried and ground and fractionated by sieving into four granulometric classes (< 200 µm, 200-250 µm, 250-355 µm and > 355 µm) and unsieved powders. The combined steam cooking and sieving improved the content of total polyphenols (+ 59.45%), flavonoids (+ 76.

Triple-crises-induced food insecurity: systematic understanding and resilience building approaches in Africa.

The triple crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and climate change have severely impacted food systems, leading to socio-economic consequences and undermining food and nutrition security across Africa. To address the malnutrition and poverty affecting approximately 700 million people in Africa, there is potential for the One Health approach implementation and operationalization to bring together multidisciplinary solutions for tackling food insecurity and ensuring food safety net. However, there is limited documentation on the potential of the One Health approach system thinking implementation to guide responses to triple crises-induced food insecurity.

Molecular detection of trypanosomes of the Trypanosoma livingstonei species group in diverse bat species in Central Cameroon.

Bats are hosts for diverse Trypanosoma species, including trypanosomes of the Trypanosoma cruzi clade. This clade is believed to have originated in Africa and diversified in many lineages worldwide. In several geographical areas, including Cameroon, no data about trypanosomes of bats has been collected yet.

Risk Factors and Outcome Associated With Fungal Infections in Patients With Severe Burn Injury: 10-year Retrospective IFI-BURN Study.

Background: In burn patients, skin barrier disruption and immune dysfunctions increase susceptibility to invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) like invasive candidiasis (IC) and invasive mold infections (IMI). We provide an in-depth analysis of IFD-related factors and outcomes in a 10-year cohort of severe burn patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes adult patients admitted to the burn intensive care unit (BICU) between April 2014 and May 2023 with total burn surface area (TBSA) ≥15%.

African leadership is critical in responding to public health threats.

The African continent demonstrated decisive leadership throughout its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging lessons learned from previous outbreaks and acting quickly to limit the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We propose a framework to build on these successes that calls for greater collaboration between African leaders, and greater inclusion of African voices in the global health ecosystem.

Hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant effects of granulometric classes and decoction of Mildbread leaves powders against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

is a plant from the Moraceae family commonly used in African countries for its nutritional value and its believed medicinal properties. Its antioxidant in vitro capacity and its richness in phenolic compounds have been previously demonstrated. This work aimed at evaluating the hepatoprotective and in vivo antioxidant activities of different granulometric fractions of the leaves against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Ab-initio and density functional theory (DFT) computational study of the effect of fluorine on the electronic, optical, thermodynamic, hole and electron transport properties of the circumanthracene molecule.

In this paper, a systematic study of the electronic, optical, thermodynamic, optoelectronic, and nonlinear optical properties with RHF, B3LYP, wB97XD and BPBE methods using the cc-pVDZ basis set have been described to investigate the influence of fluorine (F) atom, which is an electron donor, on the circumanthracene (CH). Global reactivity descriptors, hole and electron transport properties were also calculated and compared with other studies on the same molecule. DFT/B3LYP results show that the undoped CH molecule (Egap = 2.

Beyond the numbers: An in-depth look at Cameroon's fifth national COVID-19 vaccination campaign through geographical and gender lenses.

Background: Cameroon has been struggling with low Covid-19 vaccination coverage, with only 4.5 % of the population receiving the primary series as of November 2022. The COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (CoVDP) conducted a high-level mission to Cameroon to assess progress and advocate for actions to address bottlenecks.

[Epidemiological and clinical profile of cannabis users at the Addiction Care and Prevention Centre of the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon].

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. It is consumed by age groups, the main ones being adolescents and young adults. Its consumption leads to somatic, psychiatric and social complications.

and (Haemosporida) parasite infections of bats in the Central Region of Cameroon.

Mammalian haemosporidian parasites are classified in ten genera, including Plasmodium, Hepatocystis and Nycteria. A high diversity of haemosporidian parasites has been described from bats, but our understanding of their prevalence, distribution and use of hosts remain fragmented. The haemosporidian parasites of bats in Cameroon have been largely understudied, but here, bats, sampled from different habitat types of the Central Region of Cameroon, were investigated for haemosporidian infections with a combination of microscopic and molecular phylogenetic analysis.

Using Deep Learning to Automate the Detection of Flaws in Nuclear Fuel Channel UT Scans.

Nuclear reactor inspections are critical to ensure the safety and reliability of a nuclear facility's operation. In Canada, ultrasonic testing (UT) is used to inspect the health of pressure tubes that are part of Canada's Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor's fuel channels. Currently, analysis of UT scans is performed by manual visualization and measurement to locate, characterize, and disposition flaws.

Hepatoprotective effects of extracts, fractions and compounds from the stem bark of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth: Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies.

Aim: To identify the bioactive hepatoprotective components of the ethanol extract of Pentaclethra macrophylla stem bark using in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Methods: The bioguided-fractionation of the ethanol extract was based on the substances' capacity to prevent in vitro, the lipid peroxidation of hepatocytes' membranes induced by hydrogen peroxide. For the in vivo hepatoprotective test, mice were treated orally with the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of the ethanol extract at doses of 50 and 75 mg/kg/day for one week and subjected to d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GaIN/LPS)-induced hepatotoxicity.

[Assessment of pertinence and cost of preoperative examinations prescriptions by surgeons for programmed surgery].

Objective: To assess the pertinence and the cost of preoperative examinations prescriptions by surgeons at CHU-YO for programmed surgery.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective and observational study of 145 patients received in preanesthetic consultations between February 4 and April 4, 2016 in the department of anesthesiology, intensive care unit and emergency of CHU-YO. It consisted of an evaluation of 1106 preoperative examinations prescribed by the surgeons of this hospital compared to the formalized recommendations of French experts.

Efficacy of Schweinf methanolic extract against induced liver injury in mice.

The roots of Schweinf are used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal helminthiasis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of roots methanolic extract (OPME) on liver injury induced by in mice. A preliminary phytochemical study of OPME was conducted.

Prevalence of viral and non-viral hepatitis in Menoua Division, West Region, Cameroon: a retrospective hospital-based study.

Introduction: The paucity of data on hepatitis' epidemiology in Menoua Division, west region, Cameroon, prompted us to assess the prevalence of viral and non-viral hepatitis in this area.

Methods: A retrospective exhaustive study based on records of patients from January 2008 to June 2014 was conducted in 9 health centres in Menoua Division. Targeted subjects were patients who did not receive hepatitis vaccines for the past year and have been screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or a blood transaminase.

Evaluation of the schistosomicidal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethyl acetate fraction from Ozoroa pulcherrima Schweinf. Roots on Schistosoma mansoni-induced liver pathology in mice and its phytochemical characterization.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ozoroa pulcherrima Schweinf. (syn.: Heeria pulcherrrima Schweinf.

Impact of maternal ART on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV at six weeks postpartum in Rwanda.

Background: In 2010, Rwanda adopted ART for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV from pregnant women living with HIV during pregnancy and breasfeeding period. This study examines rates of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV at 6-10 weeks postpartum and risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) among HIV infected women on ART during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted between July 2011-June 2012 among HIV-exposed infants aged 6-10 weeks and their mothers/caregivers.

Using the PMTCT Cascade to Accelerate Achievement of the Global Plan Goals.

Background: Development of country plans for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), including expansion of comprehensive, integrated services, was key to Global Plan achievements.

Approaches: Use of the PMTCT cascade, an evolving series of sequential steps needed to maximize the health of women and HIV-free survival of infants, was critical for development and implementation of PMTCT plans. Regular review of cascade data at national/subnational levels was a tool for evidence-based decision making, identifying areas of greatest need at each level, and targeting program interventions to address specific gaps.

Systematic reviews in context: highlighting systematic reviews relevant to Africa in the Pan African Medical Journal.

Health research serves to answer questions concerning health and to accumulate facts (evidence) required to guide healthcare policy and practice. However, research designs vary and different types of healthcare questions are best answered by different study designs. For example, qualitative studies are best suited for answering questions about experiences and meaning; cross-sectional studies for questions concerning prevalence; cohort studies for questions regarding incidence and prognosis; and randomised controlled trials for questions on prevention and treatment.

The Impact of SMS-Based Interventions on VMMC Uptake in Lusaka Province, Zambia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Zambia has high HIV prevalence and low voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) rates, heightening the need for effective VMMC demand generation strategies for HIV prevention.

Methods: A 3-arm randomized controlled trial measured the impact of 2 short message service (SMS) campaigns on self-reported and verified VMMC uptake over 6 months in Lusaka Province. The study enrolled 2312 uncircumcised males aged 15-30 previously subscribed on Zambia U-Report, an existing SMS platform providing confidential, free counseling services relevant to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Schistosomicidal, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the methanolic fraction from Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir leaves aqueous extract in Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice.

Background: The intensive use of Praziquantel for the treatment of schistosomiasis has raised concerns about the possible emergence of drug-resistant schistosomes. As drug treatment is an important feature of schistosome control programs, the search for alternative drugs is therefore a priority. The aim of this study was to assess the schistosomicidal, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the methanolic fraction from Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir leaves aqueous extract.

Public sector services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection: a micro-costing survey in Namibia and Rwanda.

Objective: To assess the costs associated with the provision of services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus in two African countries.

Methods: In 2009, the costs to health-care providers of providing comprehensive PMTCT services were assessed in 20 public health facilities in Namibia and Rwanda. Information on prices and on the total amount of each service provided was collected at the national level.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral regimens and feeding options in Rwanda.

Background: Rwanda's National PMTCT program aims to achieve elimination of new HIV infections in children by 2015. In November 2010, Rwanda adopted the WHO 2010 ARV guidelines for PMTCT recommending Option B (HAART) for all HIV-positive pregnant women extended throughout breastfeeding and discontinued (short course-HAART) only for those not eligible for life treatment. The current study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of this policy choice.