RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, to palliate to the lockdown and cover academic programs, the faculty of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences (FMPS) of the university of Dschang (UDs) in Cameroon has implemented e-learning using WhatsApp®. AIM: Describe the opinion of students and lecturers after its implementation of e-learning at the FMPS of UDs. METHODS: We designed a uniform teaching scheme using WhatsApp® during the university lockdown. Students and members of the teaching staff of the FMPS of UDs were enrolled after receiving clear information on the study implementation. At the end of the online-teaching period of two and a half months, we surveyed our students and teaching staff. Sociodemographic characteristics and opinions about e-learning were collected using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: We enrolled 229 students and 40 lecturers of the FMPS. Students reported a decremented quality of internet connection (p < 0.001, p-homogeneity < 0.001) despite an increased expenditure related to internet use. Electronic devices were broadly used before the implementation of mobile learning. The use of course materials was significantly more challenging among students because of the size/format of lecture notes and internet connection/cost (all p < 0.05). Perception of discipline compared to classroom-based lessons was not significantly different among students compared to lecturers (all p > 0.05). While lecturers were mainly more comfortable conveying the contents of their lectures, students tended to be less prone to actively participate. The motivation and satisfaction of the latter group toward e-learning were modest compared to classroom-based lectures while their feedback about the organization was positive. CONCLUSIONS: E-learning using WhatsApp® could be an effective alternative to conventional classroom-based lessons in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The use of a blended-learning program including classroom-based sessions could help improve its limitations.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Pandemias , África Subsaariana/epidemiologia , Controle de Doenças Transmissíveis , Humanos , Percepção , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
The 800-m (m) run is part of Physical Education classes in Cameroon, after which arrhythmias may occur during recovery. Hence, this study aimed at determining relationship between 800-m run loads on cardiac autonomic recovery among school adolescents. Forty-two male adolescents (aged [17 â± â1] years) performed 800-m. Post-exercise heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded during 5-min (min) (HRV5-min) and 15-min (HRV15-min) in time: Standard deviation of normal to normal (SDNN); Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and frequency domain (LH: Low frequency, HF: High frequency, TP: Total power). Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and blood lactate concentration (BLa) were measured after exercise. In HRV5-min, RPE was associated with SDNN (r â= â-0.44, p â< â0.01) and RMSSD (r â= â-0.38, p â< â0.05). BLa was correlated with SDNN (r â= â-0.38, p â< â0.05) and RMSSD (r â= â-0.56, p â< â0.001) in the time-domain, LF (r â= â-0.64, p â< â0.001), HF (r â= â-0.58, p â< â0.001) and TP (r â= â-0.61, p â< â0.001) in frequency-domain. Moreover, RPE was correlated with LF (r â= â-0.44, p â< â0.01), TP (r â= â-0.49, p â< â0.01) while exercise duration with HF (r â= â-0.38, p â< â0.05). In HRV15-min, BLa was correlated with RMSSD (r â= â-0.53, p â< â0.001) and SDNN (r â= â-0.68, p â< â0.001). RPE was negatively correlated SDNN (r â= â-0.53, p â< â0.01) and RMSSD (r â= â-0.44, p â< â0.01). BLa was associated with HF (r â= â-0.55, p â< â0.001), TP (r â= â-0.50, p â< â0.01) and RPE with LF (r â= â-0.51, p â< â0.01), HF (r â= â-0.50, p â< â0.01), TP (r â= â-0.49, p â< â0.01). In addition, exercise duration was negatively linked to HF (r â= â-0.36, p â< â0.05). This study outlined that in untrained adolescents an increase of 800-m loads is associated with a slow vagal indexes of HRV during the recovery.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Data on the prevalence and factors associated with low back pain (LBP) in schoolchildren are scarce in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with LBP in schoolchildren in Cameroon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 10 randomly selected schools (public and private) in Douala, Cameroon. Using a self-administrated questionnaire, sociodemographic, usual physical activity, and clinical data were collected and all the schoolbags were weighted. Informed consent was obtained from the parents. Statistical significance was established at P < .05. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with LBP. RESULTS: We included 1075 schoolchildren (543 boys, 50.5%). The prevalence of LBP was 12.3% (132 children: 81 girls and 51 boys). The mean age was 11 ± 1 years (range, 8-14 years). Body mass index was normal in 110 schoolchildren (83.4%). Sixteen schoolchildren had already met a physician for LBP. Among the factors evaluated, those associated with LBP were female gender, doing competitive sport, sitting position, and LBP in at least 1 parent. The mean weight of the schoolbags was 4.9 ± 1.9 kg. We had 99 children with LBP and a schoolbag weight ≥10% of their body weight. No association was found between the weight of schoolbag and LBP. CONCLUSION: LBP is common in Cameroonian schoolchildren, where 12.3% suffer from it. The weight of schoolbags was not associated with LBP. However, female gender, competitive sport, sitting position, and parental history of LBP were significantly associated with its occurrence.
Assuntos
Dor Lombar/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Distribuição por Idade , Fatores Etários , Camarões/epidemiologia , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Dor Lombar/diagnóstico , Masculino , Prevalência , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Sexuais , Postura Sentada , Esportes JuvenisRESUMO
Despite some cases of severe or critical manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) described among children, the prevalence of this infection in the pediatric population is quite low worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Current data suggest indeed that, independent of the population considered overall, severe and critical cases of COVID-19 are rare among children. This observation prompted us to discuss the possible hypotheses which could explain the low prevalence of COVID-19 among children; amongst others, we discuss (1) immunomodulation by the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine or by some parasitic infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and helminthiasis and (2) cross immunization with other coronaviruses commonly found in the sub-Saharan African setting.