Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with personal health care on urticaria in peripheral health facilities of Yaoundé, Cameroon (Sub-Saharan Africa).

BACKGROUND: Urticaria is an acute or chronic inflammatory dermatosis that is characterized by erythematous, edematous, itchy, and transient urticarial plaques that cover the skin and mucous membranes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of consulting staff on urticaria in Yaoundé, Cameroon, as well as the attitudes and practices resulting from it. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. The participants were enrolled from January to April 2017 in 25 health facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The sample consisted of health personnel including doctors, nurses, and nursing aids. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire; the evaluation scores for each heading were established. Data processing was done using the SPSS software Version 21. RESULTS: We recruited 101 participants, with a sex ratio of 0.4 (73/101 were female); 44.6% of the participants were doctors, and 50% of our participants had less than 5 years of professional experience. The level of knowledge on urticaria was insufficient for 40.6% of the staff enrolled. Attitudes towards urticaria were incorrect for 36.6% of staff, and 95% of our sample had harmful practices. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that skills of the health care provider regarding urticaria are generally poor and do not enable them to ensure an adequate management of the disease.

Epidemiology and clinical features of keloids in Black Africans: a nested case-control study from Yaoundé, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Keloids are a common presenting complaint in Black Africans but remain poorly documented in these populations. The aim of our study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of patients with keloids seen at dermatology outpatient consultations in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and to determine driving factors of keloid occurrence. METHODS: This was a 1 : 2 case-control study conducted from February to May 2016 at the dermatology unit of five health facilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Cases were patients with black skin and diagnosed with keloids while controls had no keloid scar, paired to cases according to age and sex. The diagnosis of keloid was based on clinical history and findings. RESULTS: Of 2,940 patients seen during the study period, 102 (54.9% females) had keloids, hence a prevalence of 3.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-4.2). The most affected age group was ≥25 years (69.6%). Lesions at the origin of keloids were mostly traumatic (66.7%). In 68 patients (66.7%), keloid scars were associated with pruritus. The presternal region was the predominant localization (26.5%). Existence of a family history of keloids was significantly associated with presence of keloids (adjusted odds ratio: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.4-7.2; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Keloids commonly affect black skin as recorded during dermatology consultations in Yaoundé, Cameroon. More often, they are secondary to skin trauma and seem to occur among those with a family history of keloids. Therefore, these people should be closely monitored accordingly.

Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Drug Eruptions among Antiretroviral Therapy-Exposed HIV Infected People in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence and incidence of drug eruptions vary around the world and are influenced by some key factors including HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to find the peculiarities of drug eruptions in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and on antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study including ART-taking PLHIV, aged 15+ years, followed up between January 2010 and December 2014 at the day-care unit of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, and who presented with drug eruptions after ART initiation. RESULTS: Of 6,829 ART-experiencing PLHIV, 41 presented with drug eruptions, giving a prevalence of 0.6%. The M/F sex ratio equaled 0.17. The mean age was 41.07 ± 11.36 years. Benign drug eruptions accounted for 83.3%. Milder forms were essentially maculopapular exanthema (36.6%), fixed pigmented erythema (7.3%), and urticaria (4.9%). Severe forms were represented by multiform erythema (4.9%), toxic epidermal necrolysis (2.4%), and drug hypersensitivity syndrome (2.4%). The Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Efavirenz ART-protocol was received by 48.8% of patients and 69% of patients were receiving Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Nevirapine, Efavirenz, Zidovudine, and Cotrimoxazole were suspected as the potential causes in 43.7%, 4.8%, 2.4%, and 26.8% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Drug eruptions seem infrequent among ART-exposed HIV infected adult Cameroonians.

Skin whitening among Cameroonian female university students: knowledge, attitudes, practices and motivations.

BACKGROUND: Lack of data on skin whitening (SW) among Cameroonian female university students prompted us to undertake the present study which aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices and motivations of female university students vis-a-vis SW. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January to April 2013 in 4 university campuses of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Any female student regularly registered in one of the study sites, who was present at the campus when the investigator visited and volunteered to participate in the study was enrolled. RESULTS: Overall, we recruited 620 female students, their ages ranging from 16 to 46 years with a mean of 21.3 ± 2.9 years. Only 87 participants (14%) found that SW was a good practice. One hundred and sixty nine respondents (27.3%) were currently practicing SW with no age difference when compared to their counterparts (p = 0.09). The desire to have a uniform body skin color was the prevailing reason motivating the practice of SW (39.1%), followed by the need to have a soft skin (29%). Assessment of levels of knowledge regarding advantages of the black skin and deleterious effects of SW showed excellent scores (≥75% of good answers) only in 6.1 and 0.5% of cases respectively, with no difference between those practicing SW or not (all p values > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The practice of SW is common among Cameroonian female university students who should therefore be educated on the advantages of the black skin and the harmful effects of SW.

Clinical Outcome of a Portosplenomesenteric Venous Thrombosis in Necrotizing Acute Pancreatitis with Protein C and S Deficiency Treated by Anticoagulation Therapy Alone.

Cases of splanchnic venous thrombosis have not been described in Cameroon. Their prevalence in acute pancreatitis is variable. With the emergence of acute intra-abdominal infections including typhoid fever and peritoneal tuberculosis in situations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, these cases will become frequent. We report the case of a portosplenomesenteric venous thrombosis related to necrotizing acute pancreatitis associated with proteins C and S deficiency, in a 46-year-old Cameroonian man, without particular past medical history. He was admitted for abdominal pain which had been evolving for 3 weeks and accompanied by vomiting. In the absence of hemorrhagic risk factor, the patient received low molecular weight heparin followed by oral warfarin. The abdominal ultrasound check on the 12th day showed a partial recanalization of venous thrombosis. The abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scanner at day 30 on oral anticoagulation therapy showed collateral vessels and small bowel edema. At the same time the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed grade II esophageal varices. We have maintained oral anticoagulation therapy. This case highlights that an early effective anticoagulation heparin therapy is needed for a clear benefit in case of suspected PSMVT. It is certain that the sooner the treatment is given, the better outcome will be.

Statut vaccinal contre le virus de l'hepatite virale B et portage de l'antigene HBs chez les etudiants en medecine et Pharmacie de l'Universite de Douala au Cameroun

Objectif Le but de notre etude etait de determiner la prevalence de l'Ag HBs chez les etudiants en medecine et pharmacie de l'universite de Douala -Cameroun. Methodes Il s'agit d'une etude transversale; descriptive et analytique qui a porte sur les etudiants de la faculte de medecine et des sciences pharmaceutiques de l'universite de Douala-Cameroun. Nous avons inclus tout etudiant regulierement inscrit et acceptant de participer a l'etude. Les prelevements etaient traites par un test rapide puis par ELISA (automatic diagnostic). Les variables qualitatives ont ete comparees par un test de Chi-2; du test de Fischer et de l'Odds ratio. Resultats Cinq cent etudiants ont ete preleves. L'age median etait de 22 ans avec des extremes allant de 16 a 31 ans. Le sex ratio etait de 1;36 en faveur du sexe feminin. L'antigene HBs etait positif chez 28 etudiants soit 5;6. 88 etudiants soit 17;6 etaient vaccines contre l'hepatite virale B. Les etudiants qui avaient recu une; deux et trois doses de vaccin representaient respectivement 5 (n=25); 7;6(n=38) et 17;6(n=88). Huit etudiants soit 4;45 avait fait un dosage de l'anticorps anti HBs pour verifier l'efficacite vaccinale. Conclusion :La prevalence de l'Ag Hbs est de 5;6 chez les etudiants en medecine et pharmacie a Douala

La gale humaine : profil sociodemographique; distribution lesionnelle et types de lesions

Introduction : La gale humaine est une ectoparasitose due a Sarcoptes scabiei; parasite humain obligatoire. Son diagnostic est essentiellement clinique. Plusieurs auteurs ont recemment decrit sa recrudescence. Ainsi avons-nous voulu etablir un profil socio-demographique; ressortir la distribution lesionnelle et le type de lesions de la scabiose rencontree au cours de nos consultations de Dermatologie a Yaounde (Cameroun). Methodologie : Nous avons mene une etude descriptive et analytique a Yaounde pendant 12 mois (Octobre 2011 a Septembre 2012). Les patients avec un diagnostic de gale humaine pose durant la consultation initiale etaient inclus dans cette etude ouverte au tout venant. Les donnees recoltees prospectivement etaient saisies et analysees sous le logiciel Epi infos version 3.5.3. Resultats : 255 patients etaient retenus dont 158 (62) de sexe masculin et 97 (38) de sexe feminin. L'age variait de 0 a 80 ans avec une mediane de 18; 151 (59.2) etaient contamines par un proche ; 176 (69) signalaient une notion de contage et on notait 42 cas (16;5) de recidive. Une a huit personnes dans l'entourage avait un prurit. Les lesions siegeaient aux plis sous fessiers (71;8); aux poignets (70;2); aux plis inter fessiers (56;5). Les points crouteux (82;4); les papules (69;8) et les papulo-vesicules (68;6) etaient observes. Conclusion : La scabiose reste d'actualite et sa tendance a la propension necessite une sensibilisation aussi bien des populations que des praticiens au diagnostic precoce et a la prise en charge dans un bref delai

Indications, résultats et rendement de la coloscopie dans un environnement économique défavorable: le cas du Cameroun

OBJECTIF : le rendement diagnostique de la coloscopie dépend de plusieurs facteurs, notamment les indications. La pertinence de ces indications est influencée par l'environnement économique et les structures locales. Le but de notre étude était d'analyser les indications et les résultats des coloscopies, et d'évaluer leur rendement diagnostique afin de juger de la pertinence de ces indications. MATÉRIELS ET MÉTHODES : un recueil rétrospectif de données de coloscopies réalisées de janvier 2001 à juin 2011 dans trois hôpitaux universitaires de Yaoundé a été effectué. Les variables enregistrés étaient l'âge, le sexe, les indications et les résultats. RÉSULTATS : un total de 908 protocoles de coloscopie ont satisfait à nos critères de sélection (dont 622 hommes (68,5%)). L'âge médian était de 48 ans (IQR 36-59 ans). Les indications principales étaient les rectorragies 281 patients (30,9%), les douleurs abdominales 267 patients (29,4%) et les diarrhées chroniques 107 patients (11,8%). L'examen était normal 451 fois (49,7%). Les lésions retrouvées étaient les polypes colorectaux 110 cas (12,1% ; IC 95% : 10,1-14,5), les hémorroïdes 104 cas (11, 5% ; IC 95% : 9,5-13,7), la diverticulose 71 cas (7,8% ; IC 95% : 6,2-9,8) le cancer colorectal 64 cas (7,0% ; IC 95% : 5,5-9,0) et les colites 64 cas (7,0% ; IC 95% : 5,5-9,0). Le rendement diagnostique de la coloscopie pour le cancer colorectal selon les indications était élevé en cas d'image radiologique suspecte (27,7%), de masse abdominale (25%) et d'anémie ferriprive (22,2%). les douleurs abdominales et/ou TFI non accompagnées de perte de sang macroscopique ou occulte, la constipation et le dépistage du cancer colorectal avaient un rendement faible. CONCLUSION : le rendement diagnostique de la coloscopie dans la détection des principales lésions coliques n'est pas différent dans un environnement économique défavorable malgré les indications peu pertinentes. Les symptômes digestifs avec une valeur prédictive positive élevée pour le diagnostic de cancer colorectal sont retrouvés. Les polypes et les hémorroïdes constituent les principales lésions colorectales au Cameroun. Le cancer colorectal a une prévalence élevée et inattendue méritant notre attention