Training needs of health researchers in research ethics in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Researchers are responsible for the protection of health research participants. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the training needs of researchers involved in human health research in Cameroon. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in all the Cameroon regions in the last quarter of 2020. It targeted researchers involved in human health research selected by systematic stratified sampling from health and training institutions, and health facilities. Data were collected using a face-to-face administered questionnaire deployed in Smartphones via the ODK-collect. The distribution of participants' exposure to research ethics training was described as well as their knowledge on the related regulatory texts. A score was used to rank the training needs identified by the participants. RESULTS: Of 168 reached participants, 134 (79.76%) participated in the study. A total of 103 (76.87%) researchers reported having received training in human health research ethics and 98 (73.13%) perceived need of training in research ethics. Of those involved in clinical, vaccine, and field trials, 63.64, 33.33, 52.53% have been exposed respectively to related training regarding participants' protection. Having received at least one training in research ethics significantly increase the proportion of researchers systematically submitting application for ethical evaluation prior to implementation (OR = 3.20 (1.31-7.78)). Training priorities identified by researchers include: guidelines and regulations on health research ethics and research participant's protection in Cameroon, procedures for evaluating research protocols, protection of research participants in clinical trials, and fundamental ethics principles. CONCLUSION: The coverage of researchers in training regarding research participant protection remains limited in a number of areas including those related to clinical trial participant protection and research participant protection in Cameroon. Improving this coverage and addressing perceived needs of researchers are expected to contribute in improving their ability in playing their role in research participant protection.

Drug Safety Monitoring in Health Programs of Cameroon.

Background: Data are needed to serve as evidence in planning the strengthening of pharmacovigilance in health programs administering drugs to populations. The present study was proposed to map the distribution of pharmacovigilance units in health programs, assess the availability of key resources, the implementation of key pharmacovigilance activities and identify needs of involved actors. Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study targeting all health programs of the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health administering drugs/vaccines to the population. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire administered face to face to key persons in charge of drug safety monitoring or drug management in health programs. Results: Out of the 09 health programs involved in drug distribution, 07 consented to participate. Five out of them (71.4%) claimed to have existing pharmacovigilance units. Office space, computers, operating budget, data analysis software and a trained staff were available in 28.6%, 42.9%, 42.9%, 14.3%, 00.0%, and 42.9% of the health programs respectively. One of the 7 health programs (14.3%) declared conducting detection/notification of adverse events following exposure drugs, 2 (28.6%) conduct causality assessment and 3 (42.8%) conduct analysis of pharmacovigilance data. All health programs proposed to prioritize the allocation of budget and qualified personnel and the training of existing personnel as key interventions to improve drugs/vaccines safety monitoring in health programs. Conclusion: The study reports limited coverage of Cameroon health programs with activities leading to drugs and vaccine safety monitoring. Suggested actions have to be taken into account when attempting to improve the situation.