Respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow in survivors of the Nyos disaster.

In August 1986, gases from the Nyos volcanic lake killed 1,746 persons in northwestern Cameroun, but 1,500 others living in the affected area survived. Gas emanations contained carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the delayed respiratory consequences of the inhalation of such volcanic gases. Two groups of subjects living in the same area, exposed (Nyos group; n = 381) or not exposed (control group; n = 128) to Nyos gases, were evaluated with a short questionnaire and by measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF, percent predicted) in March 1991. Eleven percent of the subjects smoked, more often men than women (23% vs 4%; p < 0.001). In the whole population (exposed and unexposed), smoking was associated with a 3.6-fold increase in the frequency of cough (p < 0.001) and with a 6-fold increase in the frequency of sputum production (p < 0.005), but not with a decrease in PEF. There was no difference in the frequency of dyspnea, cough, sputum production, and PEF between Nyos and control groups. We conclude that 55 months after the emanation of gases from Nyos volcanic lake, there was no difference in respiratory symptoms, and PEF between survivors who inhaled volcanic gases and control subjects, whereas smoking was associated with cough and sputum production.

Emanations de l'huile de palme chauffante: facteur de l'asthme

Des asthmatiques consultant en Pneumologie a l'Hopital Jamot de Yaounde se sont plaints de toux et de dyspnee apres inhalation des fumees qui se degagaient du recipient dans lequel chauffait de l'huile de palme rouge; tres utilisee dans la cuisine traditionnelle. Reproduisant les conditions normales d'une cuisine; les auteurs ont expose 59 asthmatiques et 54 non asthmatiques a ces fumees. 47;45 pour cent des asthmatiques ont fait une crise de dyspnee classique. Mesurant le debit expiratoire de pointe (DEP) a l'aide d'un DEP metre avant; 5; 10 et 15 minutes apres l'exposition aux emanations; ils ont constate une diminution significative du DEP chez 16 patients presentant une toux spasmodique ou des rales sibilants soit 27;11 pour cent des asthmatiques. Seulement 24;1 pour cent des non asthmatiques ont presente des troubles mineurs (eternuements). Aucun n'a presente de diminution du DEP superieure ou egale a 20 pour cent; et aucun signe respiratoire n'a ete observe chez les non asthmatiques. Il existe donc une hyperreactivite bronchique de reaction aux emanations de l'huile de palme chauffante chez les sujets asthmatiques

[Effects of iodized salt in the treatment of endemic goiter in school children in a rural environment in Cameroon]. / Les effets du sel iodé dans le traitement du goitre endémique chez les écoliers en milieu rural au Cameroun.

The efficiency of iodized salt in Cameroon has been tested during 7 months in school children living in an endemic goitrous area. The salt contained 150 mg of iodine per kilogramme of salt when it left the production site. The regression rate of goiter was 84.0% and was not different from that obtained with a single oral administration of 240 mg of iodized oil to an age and sex matched population. Excretion of iodine in urine increased significantly (P < 0.05). Eight biochemical cases of thyroid dysfunction (7 cases of hypothyroidism and 1 case of hyperthyroidism) were observed. However these observations do not preclude the use of iodized salt in the prevention and the treatment of goiter in endemic areas.

Gestion du personnel de sante de district au Cameroun : cas du Departement de la Mefou

Afin de determiner si les methodes et procedes de gestion du personnel de sante peripherique sont de nature a favoriser le developpement d'un systeme de sante de district auto-responsable et operationnel; les auteurs ont realise une enquete transversale a passage unique avec renseignement de questionnaires aupres du personnel medico-sanitaire des formations sanitaires publiques dans les huit Arrondissements de la Mefou. Il ressort de cette etude que la gestion du personnel de sante peripherique est caracterisee par une mauvaise utilisation des effectifs disponibles; un encadrement inadequat et une insuffisance de motivation materielle et psychologique du personnel