Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net Ownership and Use in Mogode Health District, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Cameroon is a malaria-endemic country. Many control strategies including long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) have been proposed to reduce the burden of malaria. The World Health Organization aims to achieve at least 80% of people sleeping under a LLIN. This study assessed the ownership and use of LLNs in the Mogode Health District (MHD). METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in MHD in September 2021. Data on ownership and LLINs use were collected using structured questionnaires following the Roll Back Malaria guidelines. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the determinants of ownership and failure to LLIN use. RESULTS:  A total of 332 households were included from eight health areas. The proportion of households with at least one LLIN was 72.0% (238). However, 232 (70.0%) reported having used LLIN (sleeping under LLIN the previous night). Household heads with higher education were six times more likely to have owned LLINs than those with no education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=6.8; confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 31.0, p< 0.05). Additionally, household heads between the ages of 36-50 were 4.2 times (AOR= 4.2, CI 1.3-13.8, p< 0.05) likely to fail to use LLINs in households. However, households where heads had secondary education (AOR= 0.2, CI 0.1-0.6, p< 0.05), were negatively associated with failure to use LLINs. CONCLUSION: Ownership and use of LLINs in MHD remain challenging. Therefore, this finding will contribute to improving recommendations and updating strategies such as targeted messages aimed at raising awareness of malaria during mass LLIN distribution campaigns.

SARS-CoV-2 active infection and antibodies amongst health personnel during the outbreak in Cameroon: Strengthening the health system for response to future public health emergencies.

BACKGROUND: Health personnel (HP) are on the frontlines during response to public health emergencies like COVID-19. This risk of exposure suggests the need for safety in responding to any pandemic. Therefore, to ascertain the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity, and their determinants amongst HP become relevant. METHODS: A cross sectional health facility-based study was carried-out amongst HP in the Centre Region of Cameroon from 1st February to 30th June 2021. Characteristics and access to preventive tools were collected using face-to-face administered questionnaire. Nasopharyngeal swabs and whole blood were collected for PCR, IgG and IgM testing respectively. STATA version 17 software was used for data analysis. Determinants of COVID-19 infection were explored by estimating crude and adjusted Odd Ratio. RESULTS: Out of 510 HP reached, 458 were enrolled with mean age of 35 (±10) years. Thirty-four (7.4%) were PCR-positive to SARS-CoV-2 with 73.5% being clinicians versus 9 (26.4%) non-clinicians (p = 0.05). Sero-positivity to SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM was 40.2% (184/458), with 84.2% being clinicians versus 29 (15.8%) non-clinicians (p = 0.733). Amongst the 34 HP with PCR-positivity, 16 (47%) had no antibodies, while, 15 (44%) were IgG only. An estimate of HP (43.7%) had at least an evidence of PCR, IgG or IgM contact to COVID-19. Determinants of PCR-positivity was being clinical staff (AOR = 0.29, P = 0.039); and that of IgG/IgM were being non clinical staff (AOR = 0.41, p = 0.018) and regular use of face masks (AOR = 0.44, p = 0.001). HP trained on IPC (24%) were mainly from peripheral level (74.7%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Active infections were within the range of pandemic control (<10%). However, around two-fifths of participants have had contact with the virus, indicating that HP remains a population at risk of COVID-19 and other similarly-transmitted epidemic prone diseases, and also an important source of transmission. There is need of vaccine to achieve protectiveness, and optimal response also requires capacity building to improve the health system when challenged by a future pandemic.

Mapping water sources and access to drinking water in the Lake Chad region of Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: people's access to quality water resources significantly improves their health. In Cameroon, access to drinking water is still limited and unequally distributed over the national territory with alarming figures in the northern part of the country. This study aimed to assess the distribution of water points and characterise water storage and treatment practices in households of the Lake Chad region of Cameroon. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in Goulfey, Mada, and Makary health districts of the Far North Region of Cameroon from December 2013 to February 2014. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire to assess household water behaviour and an observational grid for the characterisation of water points. Results: we identified a total of 303 water points, out of which 288 were assessed. Of these, 29.5% (85/288) were non-functional with functional failure observed as the main reason (47.6%). Of the 531 households reached, 527 (99.2%) were interviewed. Most households (70.2%) used boreholes as their main water source and only 3% of households used lakes as drinking water. The majority of households (90.4%) used clay pots for water storage within their homes. Buckets with covers are used in 21 (4.0%) while only 1 (0.2%) household used buckets without covers. Only 138 (26.2%) households treat their water and the main treatment method used is chlorination (89.1%). Conclusion: this study provides further evidence that access to safe water remains a real problem in the Lake Chad Basin. Therefore, interventions are needed to address the problem, but further studies are needed to strengthen its implementation.

Assessing Training Needs of Health Personnel on the Process of Selecting Blood Donors and Transfusion in the West Region of Cameroon.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is a health care procedure that can expose the donor and receiver to risks. The knowledge and practices of healthcare personnel on blood transfusion are necessary to anticipate and/or prevent the occurrence of avoidable transfusion risks. The aim of this study was to assess the training needs of health personnel on blood donor selection procedure. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting health personnel in health facilities that reported contributing in offering blood transfusion services in the West region of Cameroon between March and May 2022. A questionnaire administered face to face was used to collect data from the targeted health personnel exhaustively included from health facilities. Knowledge and practices were assessed by estimating the rate of correct answers. STATA software was used to analyze the data. Results: Of the 41 health facilities that reported offering blood transfusion services, 35 (85.3%) were covered. Category 5 and 4 health facilities were respectively 23 (65.7%) and 9 (25.7%). Among the 325 health personnel involved in transfusion, 302 (92.9%) were reached among which, 201 (66.6%) were female and 127 (42.1%) were nurses. Two hundred and ten (69.5%) had already received training on blood transfusion and 268 (88.7%) expressed a need for training on blood transfusion of which 139 (51.8%) on blood donors' selection. Sixteen (5.3%) knew how to identify blood donor and 116 (38.4) knew the minimum required tests to be performed on the donors' blood before the transfusion. Six (2.0%) out of 302 health personnel were able to select blood donors and identify minimum tests to be performed on donors' blood. Conclusion: There is a real need for training of health personnel on the blood donor selection process. Health authorities should ensure that all health personnel involved in blood transfusion receive a minimum of training in blood donor selection and testing.