The impact of Schistosoma haematobium infection and of praziquantel treatment on the growth of primary school children in Bertoua, Cameroon

The association between urinary schistosomiasis and anaemia among infected children remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of schistosoma haematobium infection and treatment with praziquantel on hemoglobin levels among male children aged 6-15 years in Bertoua. Urine examination of 2665 children revealed an infection rate of 23.9 per cent. Children with moderate infection were randomly selected into treatment (238) and placebo (198) groups. Among uninfected children; 174 were randomly selected to serve as controls. Malaria; geohelminth infections and hemoglobin levels were determined before and six months after praziquantel/placebo intervention

Drug abuse among women

Drug abuse is a problem in Cameroon which has not been looked into depth in as it should be. The extent of drug abuse is immense involving children; women and men. The most common drugs used are licit drugs; such as tobacco; which is grown as a cash crop and used in the cigarette industry of the country; palmwine (alcohol); from the oil palm tree or raffia palm tree; commonly called white wine; matango; or palm tree mimbo; or distilled alcoholic drinks extracted from white wine; cocoa; corn; cassava; ripe plantain; beers made by licensed breweries and imported wines and distilled alcoholic drinks