Current knowledge of human Mpox viral infection among healthcare workers in Cameroon calls for capacity-strengthening for pandemic preparedness.

Introduction: An increased incidence of human Monkeypox (Mpox) cases was recently observed worldwide, including in Cameroon. To ensure efficient preparedness and interventions in the health system, we sought to assess the knowledge of Mpox's transmission, prevention, and response among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among HCWs in Cameroon using 21-item questions adapted from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) standard questionnaire on Mpox. The overall knowledge of Mpox was assessed by cumulative score and categorized as excellent (≥80%, 17/21) or good (≥70%, ≥15/21) knowledge. The regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of Mpox knowledge. Results: The survey enrolled 377 participants, but only responses from 342 participants were analyzed. Overall, 50.6% were female participants, and 59.6% aged 30 years or younger. The majority of the participants were medical doctors (50.3%); most worked in central-level hospitals (25.1%) and had 1-5 years of experience (70.7%). A total of up to 92.7% were aware of Mpox, with social media (58.7%) and radio/television (49.2%) as the main sources. The mean knowledge score was 14.0 ± 3.0 (4 to 20), with only 12.9% having excellent knowledge (≥80%) and 42.1% having good knowledge of Mpox. Younger age (26-30 years old) was associated with good knowledge, while workplace type was associated with excellent knowledge of Mpox (aOR [95% CI]: 4.01 [1.43-11.24]). Knowledge of treatment/management of Mpox was generally poor across the different professional categories. Conclusion: Knowledge of Mpox among HCWs is substandard across different professionals. Thus, for optimal preparedness and immediate interventions for Mpox and similar emerging pathogens, capacity-strengthening programs should be organized for HCWs while encouraging scientific literature and organizational social media websites.

Characterization of oral candidiasis according to antiretroviral treatment status, immunological and virological profiles among HIV infected patients in two health facilities in Yaoundé-Cameroon: a cross-sectional and analytical study.

Introduction: oral candidiasis in HIV-disease generally indicates immune incompetence both among antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive and experienced patients. To optimize oral healthcare among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we sought to evaluate the type and distribution of oral candidiasis with respect to ART-profile and immuno-virological parameters among PLHIV in the Cameroonian context. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 patients (51 ART-naïve and 112 ART-experienced) residing in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from February through May 2019. Oral candidiasis was assessed, while viral load (VL) and CD4-count were measured on Abbott m2000rt and Cy-flow counter platforms, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.21 with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: in all, 18 cases of two forms of oral candidiasis were identified (13 erythematous and 5 pseudomembranous), with the majority, 27.7% (11/51), observed among ART-naïve patients against 6.3% (7/112) in ART-experienced (p=0.006). With respect to immuno-virological profile, 77.8% (14/18) and 22.2% (4/18) of cases were identified among participants with CD4<200 cells/mm3 and CD4>200 cells/mm3, respectively (p<0.0001). In the light of viral load, the occurrence of oral candidiasis was largely observed among subjects with VL≥1000 copies/ml, 83.3% (15/18), against 16.7% (3/18), with VL<1000 copies/ml, irrespective of the candidiasis form (p<0.0001). Conclusion: among PLHIV, erythematous and pseudomembranous candidiasis are commonly found in the absence of ART, driven by immunodeficiency and active viral replication. In spite of the protective role of ART, PLHIV experiencing immuno-virological failure should be referred for management of oral candidiasis.