Evaluation of strategies for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Cameroon: a mixed qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional analysis from the Adamawa region of Cameroon.

Background: To accelerate the fight against HIV/AIDS and eliminate the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the virus, Cameroon has implemented and intensified several strategies despite which numerous children continue to be born infected with HIV. This study aimed to evaluate these strategies put in place for the prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) in Cameroon.

Methods: A qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional analysis was conducted in seven PMTCT care units situated in the Adamawa region of the country.

Sustaining the community dispensation strategy of HIV antiretroviral through community participation.

Background: The advent and widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has remarkably changed the paradigm of HIV infection, increasing substantially the lifespan and quality of life of people affected. Accordingly and responding to policy makers and international directives, many strategies were put in place in Cameroon to accelerate ART uptake, including the community dispensation of ART through community-based organizations (CBOs).

Main Body: In its strategic plan to curb the burden of HIV/AIDS and as part of accelerating and reinforcing the provision of ART to all people living with HIV (PLWH), Cameroon opted for different strategies including the dispensation of ART in the community through well identified and tutored CBOs.

Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Drug Eruptions among Antiretroviral Therapy-Exposed HIV Infected People in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: Prevalence and incidence of drug eruptions vary around the world and are influenced by some key factors including HIV infection.

Objective: This study aimed to find the peculiarities of drug eruptions in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study including ART-taking PLHIV, aged 15+ years, followed up between January 2010 and December 2014 at the day-care unit of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, and who presented with drug eruptions after ART initiation.

Burden and spectrum of bacterial infections among sickle cell disease children living in Cameroon.

Background: Although sickle cell disease (SCD) children are highly susceptible to bacterial infections (BIs), there is a dreadful lack of data related to the burden and spectrum of BIs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the highest affected region with SCD. This study aimed to determine the burden and spectrum of BIs among SCD children hospitalized in a pediatric reference hospital in Cameroon, a SSA country.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of records of children hospitalized from November 2012 to August 2015 in the SCD unit of the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Cameroon.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the medical personnel regarding atopic dermatitis in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing and pruritic inflammatory skin disease whose management remains unclear to most non-dermatologists. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the medical staff regarding AD in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January to April 2014 in 20 health facilities located in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon.

Obstetrical, maternal characteristics and outcome of HIV-infected rapid progressor infants at Yaounde: a retrospective study.

Background: Rapid progressors are exposed to HIV infection at an early stage of life, and the prognosis is poor without treatment. Reducing the proportion of infants who are rapid progressors, require strengthening strategies to achieve the highest level of performance for the PMTCT program.

Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out on HIV infected infants aged less than 12 months, clinically classified stage 4 (WHO) or having CD4 count <25%.

Spectrum of heart diseases in children: an echocardiographic study of 1,666 subjects in a pediatric hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Background: Children's health programs in Sub-Saharan Africa have always been oriented primarily to infectious diseases and malnutrition. We are witnessing in the early 21(st) century an epidemiological transition marked by the decline of old diseases and the identification of new diseases including heart disease. Therefore, it is necessary to describe the spectrum of these diseases in order to better prepare health workers to these new challenges.

The Acute Chest Syndrome in Cameroonian children living with sickle cell disease.

Background: Although sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is particularly affected by sickle cell disease (SCD), there is dearth of research on this topic in the region, specifically targeting the magnitude of SCD-related complications. We therefore conducted this study to determine the burden of acute chest syndrome (ACS) and describe its clinical and therapeutic aspects among SCD children in Cameroon, a SSA country.

Methods: This was a retrospective study carried-out from September 2013 to June 2014 at the SCD unit of the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, a pediatric reference centre in Yaoundé, Cameroon.