Trends in blood donations, blood donors' knowledge, practices and expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by a novel coronavirus, has already affected over 99 062 people in 53 African countries and killed 3082. The pandemic threatens blood supply but we do not yet know its impact on blood donations or on the perceptions and expectations of donors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in four hospital-based blood services in Cameroon, using a survey design and focusing on the subjective and cultural aspects of donors. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, we collected the participants' responses as to their understanding of COVID-19 and of current protection measures, and their expectations. Data on trends of blood donations were collected retrospectively for the period from 1st January to 30th April 2019 and the same period in 2020. RESULTS: Of 494 donors included, 432 (87·4%) were enrolled from fixed blood collection sites and 62 (12·6%) were contacted by phone. A total of 464 (93·9%) participants believed that the COVID-19 is a lung disease, but some declared it to be imaginary (7·7%), a foreign disease (8·3%) or a blood-borne disease (3·2%). The participants reported that the distribution of face masks and hydroalcoholic solutions (92·5%), social distancing and hygiene (6·3%) are the most important measures that need to be in place for safe donation. The number of blood donations dropped by 21·5% between 2019 and 2020. CONCLUSION: Most of the donors know COVID-19, its transmission routes and manifestations. In the absence of barrier measures, they perceive blood donation as a threat to their health. Distribution of masks and hydroalcoholic solution might motivate more donors and improve the blood supply.

Susceptibility to colistin of multi-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in Douala Laquintinie Hospital, Cameroon

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a germ of hospitalism responsible for nosocomial infections; it is naturally resistant to many antibiotics and has a high susceptibility to the acquisition of acquiring new resistance. The observation of strains highly resistant to antibiotics; has led us to look for possible alternative therapeutics. This study was a descriptive and cross-sectional one; conducted from October 2010 to March 2011. All patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours and showing sign of infection were included after obtaining their consent. Forty nine of 150 samples were positive to the cultivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showing a prevalence of 32.66%. For the antibiotic susceptibility; we obtain amikacin 57.14%; netilmicin 59.20%; ceftazidime 52.60%; imipenem 33%; colistin 97.95%; and ciprofloxacin 51%. Seven strains were resistant to all antibiotics tested other than colistin. One strain was resistant to colistin. Colistin retains high sensitivity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However; there are some strains multiresistant to antibiotics