Accuracy of Alternative PHQ-9 Scoring Algorithms to Screen for Depression in People Living With HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Screening for depression remains a priority for people living with HIV (PLWH) accessing care. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a widely used depression screening tool, but has limited accuracy when applied across various cultural contexts. We aimed to evaluate the performance of alternative PHQ-9 scoring algorithms in sub-Saharan African PLWH.

Exposure to bovine livestock and latent tuberculosis infection in children: Investigating the zoonotic tuberculosis potential in a large urban and peri-urban area of Cameroon.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a neglected zoonotic disease, is endemic in cattle in many Sub-saharan African countries, yet its contribution to tuberculosis (TB) burden is understudied. Rapid urbanisation and increase in demand for animal proteins, including dairy products, increases the risk of spill over. This study compared the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) risk in children, a proxy-measure for recent TB infection, in children living in high cattle density areas to children from the general population in Cameroon.

Accuracy of nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire against psychiatric diagnosis for depression among people with HIV.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) against psychiatrist diagnosis in people with HIV (PWH).

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected between January 2018 and July 2022 across five sites in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, and the Republic of Congo. Participants were ≥18 years and receiving HIV care at the participating site.

Factors influencing integration of mental health screening and treatment at HIV clinic settings in Cameroon: a qualitative study of health providers' perspectives.

Background: Mental disorders are common among people with HIV (PWH) and are associated with poor HIV outcomes. Despite high unmet mental health needs among PWH, use of evidence-based mental health screening and treatment protocols remains limited at HIV treatment facilities across low-resource settings. Integrating mental health services into HIV care can reduce this gap.

Prevalence and determinants of health-related quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a pilot study.

Introduction: the present study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and identify the factors associated with poor quality of life, among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study at Jamot Hospital and Polymere Medical Center, Yaoundé, from February 1 to June 30, 2020. All consent adult COPD patients who were followed in both centers during the recruitment period were included.

Plasma IL-33 levels and immune activation in HIV-TB coinfection: a cross-sectional study in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Introduction: HIV-1 and Mtb are characterized by immune activation and unbalances production of cytokines, but the expression of IL33 in HIV/TB coinfection remain understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the level of IL-33 in plasma of HIV and M. tuberculosis (HIV/TB) coinfected patients compared to patients with respective mono infections in Yaoundé.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Cameroon: Prevalence and Predictors-A Multisetting Community-Based Study.

Objective: Little is known concerning chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the disease remains underdiagnosed. We aimed to estimate its prevalence in Cameroon and look for its predictors.

Methods: Adults aged 19 years and older were randomly selected in 4 regions of Cameroon to participate in a cross-sectional community-based study.

Prevalence, knowledge and factors associated with shisha smoking among university students in Cameroon.

Young adults consider (water-pipe) less harmful than other smoking methods, but it has been reported to expose its users to excess levels of tobacco. This study sought to determine the prevalence, knowledge and factors associated with shisha use among university students in Buea, Cameroon. Consenting participants were included in a cross-sectional study.

MCP-1-2518 (A>G) polymorphism and asthma risk: a pilot case-control study in Cameroon.

Introduction: there is little data on the genetic determinants of asthma in Cameroon and sub-Saharan Africa, yet the involvement of genetics in the pathogenesis of this disease has been reported in the literature for several years. This study aims to investigate the possible role of MCP-1 2518 for the risk of asthma in Cameroonians.

Methods: we performed a case-control study on 30 volunteers suffering from asthma, matched by aged and sex to 30 healthy subjects.

On-Field Test of Tuberculosis Diagnosis through Exhaled Breath Analysis with a Gas Sensor Array.

Tuberculosis (TB) is among the more frequent causes of death in many countries. For pulmonary TB, early diagnosis greatly increases the efficiency of therapies. Although highly sensitive tests based on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TB-LAMP) are available, smear microscopy is still the most widespread diagnostics method in most low-middle-income countries, and the true positive rate of smear microscopy is lower than 65%.

Viral etiology of lower respiratory tract infections in adults in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era: A cross-sectional study in a single center experience from Cameroon.

Background And Aims: Respiratory viruses are responsible for the majority of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) worldwide. However, there is a gap on the epidemiology of viral LRTIs in adults in sub-Saharan African countries. In Cameroon, like in other countries, the role of viral respiratory pathogens in the etiology of LRTIs in adults is helpful for clinical management.

Prevalence of potentially traumatic events and symptoms of depression, anxiety, hazardous alcohol use, and post-traumatic stress disorder among people with HIV initiating HIV care in Cameroon.

Background: This study explored the relationship between specific types of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and symptoms of mental health disorders among people with HIV (PWH) in Cameroon.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 426 PWH in Cameroon between 2019-2020. Multivariable log binominal regression was used to estimate the association between exposure (yes/no) to six distinct types of PTE and symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score > 9), PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 score > 30), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale score > 9), and hazardous alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score > 7 for men; > 6 for women).

HIV-Related Stigma, Social Support, and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders Among People with HIV Initiating HIV Care in Cameroon.

HIV-related stigma has been associated with poor mental health among people with HIV (PWH). Social support is a potentially modifiable factor that may buffer negative mental health sequelae of HIV-related stigma. Little is known about the extent to which the modifying effect of social support differs across mental health disorders.

Evidence for an enhanced HIV/AIDS policy and care in Cameroon: proceedings of the second Cameroon HIV Research Forum (CAM-HERO) 2021.

To attain the HIV 95-95-95 goals by 2030 in Cameroon, high quality research to inform policy and patient care is of utmost importance. In the context of limited workforce and resources, collaborations, sharing of locally-adapted strategies and other field experience, leveraging on existing and innovative platforms would facilitate a coordinated and optimal AIDS response at country level. The second edition of the Cameroon HIV Research Forum (CAM-HERO) conference took place both physically and virtually on November 18 and 19, 2021 in Kribi, on the theme "Research for Policy and Care".

Coping Strategies and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders Among People with HIV Initiating HIV Care in Cameroon.

Little is known about the coping strategies used among people with HIV (PWH), especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and the extent to which adaptive or maladaptive coping strategies are associated with symptoms of mental health disorders. We interviewed 426 PWH initiating HIV care in Cameroon and reported the prevalence of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, overall and by presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Log binominal regression was used to estimate the association between each type of coping strategy (adaptive or maladaptive) and symptoms of each mental health disorder, separately.

Age-varying Associations of Depressive Symptoms and Heavy Episodic Drinking Throughout Adulthood Among People with HIV and Receiving care in Cameroon Within a National "treat all" Policy.

Comorbid depression and heavy episodic drinking (HED) may threaten the success of "treat all" policies in sub-Saharan Africa as the population of people with HIV (PWH) ages. We investigated associations between depressive symptoms and heavy episodic drinking (HED) and the extent the relationship differed across ages among PWH receiving HIV care in Cameroon. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 18-60-year-old PWH on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon from January 2016 to March 2020.

Psychiatric comorbidity and psychosocial stressors among people initiating HIV care in Cameroon.

Background: Psychiatric comorbidity, the presence of two or more mental health disorders, has been associated with suboptimal HIV treatment outcomes. Little is known about the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among people with HIV (PWH) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We conducted interviews with PWH initiating HIV care in Cameroon between June 2019 and March 2020.

Clinical presentation of COVID-19 at the time of testing and factors associated with pre-symptomatic cases in Cameroon.

Objectives: To describe the clinical features at time of testing and explore factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-symptomatic cases in Cameroon.

Methods: Data was collected on people in Cameroon who participated in COVID-19 testing by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction between 1 March and 5 October 2020. After descriptive analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-symptomatic cases.

Prevalence of stressful life events and associations with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder among people entering care for HIV in Cameroon.

Background: Exposure to stressors increases the risk of mental health disorders. People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly affected by poor mental health which can contribute to adverse HIV treatment outcomes.

Methods: We estimated the prevalence of recent stressful life events (modified Life Events Survey) among a cohort of PLWH entering HIV care at three public health care facilities in Cameroon and quantified the association of seven types of stressful life events with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores>9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores>9), and PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores>30) using separate log-binomial regression models.

Effectiveness and safety of artesunate-amodiaquine versus artemether-lumefantrine for home-based treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria among children 6-120 months in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a randomized trial.

Background: Many studies have reported high efficacy and safety of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) when administered under direct observation in Cameroon. There is paucity of data to support their continuous use in home-based treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Cameroon. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of AS-AQ versus AL for home-based treatment of uncomplicated P.

Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Prevalence and Comorbidity with Other Non-communicable Diseases and HIV Infection, among Hospitalized Patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), a growing public health threat, is an emerging condition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Related SSA studies have so far used an incomplete definition. This study is aimed at assessing SAS using an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) complete definition and at exploring its relationship with comorbidities, among patients hospitalized in a Cameroonian tertiary hospital.

Outcomes of the first meeting of the CAMEROON HIV RESEARCH FORUM (CAM-HERO).

Research is a vital component for the development of any country. In Cameroon, HIV Operational research is rapidly growing, however, it faces some intractable problems which can only be solved through an urgent, strategic, efficient, and collaborative approach involving key stakeholders. The Kribi meeting (09 and 10 December 2020) brought together under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Health leading HIV research organisations and connected HIV researchers and actors from different sectors.

Mental health and initiation of antiretroviral treatment at enrolment into HIV care in Cameroon under a national "treat all" policy: a cross-sectional analysis.

Introduction: Rapid antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation reduces time from HIV infection to viral suppression, decreasing HIV transmission risk. Mental health symptoms may influence timing of ART initiation. This study estimated the prevalence of ART initiation at enrolment into HIV care and the relationship between mental health and ART initiation at enrolment into HIV care.

Spirometric reference equations for Cameroonians aged 4 to 89 years derived using lambda, mu, sigma (LMS) method.

Background: Spirometric reference values are well known in several ethnic groups but the normative spirometric values of blacks living in Africa have been less studied. The purpose of this study is to establish normative spirometric equations from a representative population of Cameroonian children and adults and compare these equations with those developed by the Global Lung Initiative (GLI) and in Nigerians.

Methods: Spirometric data from healthy Cameroonians aged 4-89 years randomly collected between 2014 and 2018 were used to derive reference equations using generalized additive model for location (mu), shape (lambda) and scale (sigma).

Heavy episodic drinking and HIV disclosure by HIV treatment status among People with HIV in IeDEA Cameroon.

Background: Heavy alcohol use is common among people with HIV (PWH), leading to sub-optimal HIV care outcomes. Yet, heavy episodic drinking (HED) is not routinely addressed within most HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV disclosure may provide social support, potentially reducing HED to cope with HIV.