ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Africa South of the Sahara/epidemiology , Communicable Disease Control , Humans , Perception , SARS-CoV-2Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Child Health/statistics & numerical data , Disease Outbreaks , Cameroon , Child , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic reached Cameroon in March, 2020. The aim of this study was to unveil the consequences of this pandemic on hospitalizations and on mortality in a pediatric hospital. Methods: A descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out using hospitalization and death statistics collected from a pediatric hospital. We compared the data before and after the pandemic and made predictions for the next 12 months. Results: A drastic drop in hospitalizations was noted coinciding with the partial lockdown in Cameroon. Paradoxically, at the same time, the number of deaths per month doubled though the causes remained the same as in the past. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was marked by drop in hospitalizations and paradoxically, an increase in child mortality. These deaths were probably due not to SARS-Cov-2 infection, but rather due to the usual illnesses whose management was delayed, a probable consequence of the confinement.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/mortality , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals, Pediatric/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Cameroon/epidemiology , Child , Communicable Disease Control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Le personnel soignant en première ligne dans la riposte contre l’infection à COVID-19 et les familles des défunts au COVID-19 vivent pour certains des troubles anxieux, des burn-outs et des troubles dépressifs caractérisés, suite à la perte soit d’un patient soit un proche. Ces troubles sont relevés dans la littérature mondiale. Le sujet africain vit dans un environnement culturel plus communautaire qu’individualiste. Il peut donc souffrir davantage lorsqu’il est privé de ses commémorations culturelles au cours de la mise en terre des morts, dans un contexte de mesures barrières physiques et communautaires des gouvernements. Notre cas clinique se propose de montrer une autre affection « psychiatrique » étiquetée de deuil pathologique, qui pourrait se développer dans notre continent, contrairement à d’autres dans les mois avenir. Nous montrerons ainsi l’intérêt de l’accompagnement psychologique à long terme dans les centres de crise.