Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis in a patient with psoas abscess complicated by septic pulmonary emboli and severe tricuspid regurgitation in Cameroon: challenges in the diagnosis and management in a resource limited setting (a case report).

Infective endocarditis of the tricuspid valve is rare in non-intra-venous drug abusers. Few cases of psoas abscess complicated by tricuspid infective endocarditis have been reported. A 61-year-old man underwent a laminectomy. Three weeks later he developed persistent fever, abdominal pain, back pain and hip pain, weight loss, gradually and abdominal distension. Abdomino-thoracic computed tomographic scan showed a left psoas muscle abscess and cavitary pulmonary lesions suggestive of septic pulmonary emboli. Two dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed an oscillating mass on the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve compatible with a vegetation. There was severe tricuspid regurgitation with right atrial and right ventricular dilatation. Secondary psoas abscess though rare is an important cause of bacteremia and there is a potential of bacteremia progressing to serious systemic infection like tricuspid endocarditis which can be fatal without prompt and appropriate treatment.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction Among Sexually Active Students of the University of Buea.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common public health issue. Most studies, especially in the sub-Saharan region are typically carried out in the older married female population, but the post-secondary education period is crucial for the development of the sexuality of young women. Poor awareness and management of FSD may lead to adverse physical and psychosocial complications later on in the lives of these women. AIM: To determine the prevalence of the risk of having FSD and the factors associated with having FSD among sexually active students of the University of Buea. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the University of Buea involving 405 sexually active students; 16 years of age and above. Quantitative data on sociodemographic, biological, interpersonal and psychosocial characteristics were collected. A validated Japanese modified version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-J) was used to assess the risk of having female sexual dysfunction. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, binary and multivariate logistic analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of risk of having FSD and its associated factors among students of the University of Buea. RESULTS: A total of 171 (42.0%) out of 405 students showed a risk of having at least one form of FSD. The commonest forms of dysfunction were problems of sexual pain (46.9%), orgasm (42.0%), desire (29.1%) and arousal (21.2%). Participants who were unmarried but in a relationship (P = .002) were less likely to experience FSD. Lower levels of education (first year [P = .005], second year [P = .001]), having a history of sexual assault (P = 0.012) and poor health (P = .012) were all independently associated with a higher risk of having FSD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of students at risk of having FSD was high with 4 out of every 10 students showing a risk of having at least one form. Lower levels of education, having a history of sexual assault and poor health were independent risk factors of FSD. Being unmarried but in a relationship was the sole protective factor against FSD. Halle-Ekane GE, Timti LF, Tanue EA, Ekukole CM, Yenshu EV. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction Among Sexually Active Students of the University of Buea. Sex Med 2021;9:100402.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Douala, Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a disease that originated from Wuhan in December 2019. It rapidly spread across the globe causing high mortality especially among the elderly. Africa though not spared has limited studies regarding its effects on its population. We therefore sought to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in Douala, Cameroon. METHODS: we conducted a single-centre, retrospective, and observational study by reviewing records of patients managed for COVID-19 between the 8th March 2020 and 31st, May 2020. Cases were confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction and were analysed for epidemiological, demographic, clinical, and radiological features. Outcomes were either clinical improvement by Day-28 or in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: we analyzed 282 case files, 192 were males (M: F=2: 1). The mean age was 52 (+/- 15) years. Hypertension and diabetes accounted for 75% of the chronic medical conditions identified. Main presenting complaints were dyspnea, cough, asthenia, and fever (55-60%). Radiographic analysis showed a ground-glass appearance in 85% of cases. Chloroquine/Hydroxychloroquine was the most (91.8%) frequently used drug in management protocols, 35% needed oxygen supplementation while 6 patients were intubated. Severe pneumonia (11.3%) was the commonest complication. They were 91 admissions in the intensive care unit. The average length of hospital stay was 10 (+/- 5) days. The mortality rate was 32%. CONCLUSION: our findings are concordant with universally reported data of COVID-19 hospitalised patients. These parameters are essential in designing effective prevention and control programs aimed at reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in countries with limited resources.