Audit of HIV counselling and testing services among primary healthcare facilities in Cameroon: a protocol for a multicentre national cross-sectional study.

Introduction: HIV testing is an invaluable entry point to prevention, care and treatment services for people living with HIV and AIDS. Poor adherence to recommended protocols and guidelines reduces the performance of rapid diagnostic tests, leading to misdiagnosis and poor estimation of HIV seroprevalence. This study seeks to evaluate the adherence of primary healthcare facilities in Cameroon to recommended HIV counselling and testing (HCT) procedures and the impact this may have on the reliability of HIV test results.

Pediatric multi-drug resistant-tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in a resource-limited setting: a case report.

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries. The diagnosis and treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in children remain a major limitation in this setting, largely due to difficulties in isolating Mycobacterium tuberculosis from pediatric specimens, management with toxic second line drugs, and practically the inexistence of contact tracing. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a standardized 9-month regimen for adults and children in zones which are highly endemic for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Chronic kidney disease in sugarcane workers in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Agricultural workers especially in sugarcane plantations have a high risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little is known about CKD among sugarcane plantation workers in Cameroon. This study sought to evaluate the prevalence and identify factors associated with CKD in sugarcane plantation workers in Cameroon.

Low birthweight in rural Cameroon: an analysis of a cut-off value.

Background: Low birthweight (LBW) is a major predictor of early neonatal mortality which disproportionately affects low-income countries. WHO recommends regional definitions for LBW to prevent misclassifications and ensure appropriate care of babies with LBW. We conducted this study to define a clinical cut-off for LBW, and to determine the predictors and adverse foetal outcomes of LBW babies in a rural sub-division in Cameroon.

Why do pregnant women present late for their first antenatal care consultation in Cameroon?

Background: Early initiation of antenatal care visits is an essential component of services to improving maternal and new born health. The Cameroonian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2011 indicated that only 34% of pregnant women start antenatal care in the first trimester. However, detailed study to identify factors associated with late initiation of care has not been conducted in Cameroon.

Global incidence and case fatality rate of pulmonary embolism following major surgery: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition common after major surgery. Although the high incidence (0.3-30%) and mortality rate (16.

Delayed diagnosis of transanal prolapse of an ileo-colic intussusception in a 10-month-old infant in rural Cameroon: a case report.

Background: Transanal protrusion of intussusception is a complication of intussusception which involves the exteriorization of the apex of the intussusceptum through the anus. However, it is rarely reported and its confusion with rectal prolapse often leads to a diagnostic delay.

Case Presentation: A 10-month-old female with no significant past history from a rural area in the Extreme North region of Cameroon  was referred from a local health centre to our emergency deparment for an irreducible mass.

Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the three major causes of cardiovascular diseases worldwide after ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Knowledge on the global epidemiology of this condition is deficient in Africa. Accurate data are needed to evaluate the burden of VTE in Africa to design effective preventive and treatment strategies.

Adolescent deliveries in rural Cameroon: an 8-year trend, prevalence and adverse maternofoetal outcomes.

Background: Adolescent deliveries remain a global public health concern especially in low- and middle-income countries where 95% of these deliveries occur. In Cameroon, adolescent pregnancies have a high disease burden due to their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to evaluate the prevalence, trend and adverse maternofoetal outcomes of adolescent deliveries in a rural community in Cameroon.

Prevalence, incidence and associated mortality of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease in low- and middle-income countries: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) being the major cause of mortality in these patients. Despite a high burden of CKD among patients in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), evidence on the distribution of CVD among these patients is lacking. This review seeks to determine the prevalence, incidence and mortality risks of CVD in patients with CKD in LMICs.

Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism in Africa: a systematic review.

Unlabelled: Essentials Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the three main causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide. This review is the first to summarize the epidemiology of VTE in African populations. The prevalence of VTE in Africa is high following surgery, in pregnancy and post-partum.

Adolescent deliveries in semi-urban Cameroon: prevalence and adverse neonatal outcomes.

Objectives: Adolescent pregnancies are high risk due to the increased probability of adverse outcomes; as adolescents are usually considered to be ill-equipped to deal with the burden of pregnancy. We sought to determine the prevalence of adolescent deliveries in a secondary-level care hospital in semi-urban Cameroon-Bamenda, the adverse neonatal outcomes and to assess if previous obstetric history could preclude adolescents from having adverse outcomes in their present pregnancy.

Results: The prevalence of adolescent deliveries was 8.

Risk factors of lower limb cellulitis in a level-two healthcare facility in Cameroon: a case-control study.

Background: Cellulitis is a common infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is associated with significant morbidity from necrosectomies and amputations especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed at identifying the risk factors and burden of lower limb cellulitis to inform preventive strategies in Cameroon.

Calcium supplementation and cardiovascular risk: A rising concern.

Over the past decade, the number of individuals taking calcium supplementation worldwide has been on the rise, especially with the emergence of new pharmaceutical companies specialized in the marketing of dietary supplements; with calcium supplementation being their main business axis. This is mostly because of the established role of calcium in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and, to a lesser extent, its role in the prevention of fractures. Recently, a rising body of evidence on the adverse effect of calcium supplementation on nonskeletal, especially cardiovascular, health has been a cause for concern.

Motorbike-handlebar hernia - a rare traumatic abdominal wall hernia: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Handlebar hernias are very rare and arise following a sudden force from a handle-like object impacting a focal area of the abdomen, which results in a disruption of the underlying abdominal muscle and fascia without necessarily disrupting the overlying skin. Other than a reducible swelling on the abdominal wall, the physical examination of such patients is usually unremarkable and the diagnosis could easily be missed.

Case Presentation: An 8-year-old Cameroonian boy with no significant past history presented to our emergency service with a tender left flank swelling following a road traffic accident.

Metoclopramide induced acute dystonic reaction: a case report.

Background: Metoclopramide is a commonly used anti-emetic drug known to cause extrapyramidal symptoms as adverse effects, amongst which are dystonic reactions. These reactions are more frequent at high doses of metoclopramide, in female patients, children and adults less than 30 years of age. We hereby present the case of a 16 year old female who had dystonic reactions from metoclopramide, highlighting its unpredictable nature and the shortcomings of the management in resource-limited settings.

Difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of severe secondary Raynaud's phenomenon in a Cameroonian woman: a case report.

Background: Raynaud's phenomenon is a microvascular disorder that results in exaggerated vasoconstriction over vasodilatation secondary to an alteration in autonomic control. Though benign, it can result in severe ulceration and ultimately gangrene associated with disfiguration and permanent deformity. We present a case of severe secondary Raynaud's phenomenon in a black-African patient from a resource-limited setting, with focus on the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis and treatment.