Loiasis is endemic in the Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon) but does not represent a hindrance to onchocerciasis elimination

Abstract Background: Ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy (PC) is distributed annually to all at-risk populations eligible for ivermectin treatment to control and/or eliminate onchocerciasis. Information on the impact of mass ivermectin administration on onchocerciasis transmission is scanty, and it is tricky to appreciate the progress towards elimination and engage corrective measures. To fill that gap in the Centre Region in Cameroon, the current onchocerciasis endemicity level in the Ndikinimeki Health District after about two decades of mass treatments was assessed. Methods: A cluster-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Ndikinimeki Health District and all volunteers aged ≥ 5 years were (i) interviewed on their compliance to ivermectin over the past five years and (ii) underwent clinical (nodule palpation and visual search for onchocercal lesions) and parasitological examinations (skin snip) for onchocerciasis. Results: The overall Onchocerca volvulus prevalence was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.2–9.3%). The prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in the communities Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 compared to the other communities (highest prevalence in Makénéné Town Water: 8.5%; 95% CI: 2.3–20.4%) (χ2 = 51.314, df = 11, P = 0.0001). The proportion of systematic non-compliers to ivermectin was 23.3% (95% CI: 19.9–27.1%) among individuals interviewed. In the sentinel sites (Kiboum communities), onchocerciasis prevalence decreased from 95.2% (95% CI: 88.3–98.1%) to 23.7% (95% CI: 14.7–36.0%). Conclusions: This study has revealed that the Ndikinimeki Health District is hypo-endemic for onchocerciasis after about two decades of preventive chemotherapy. However, transmission is ongoing, with potential hotspots in the Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 communities, which are known as first-line communities (closest to the breeding sites of the vector). Alternative or complementary strategies to annual ivermectin appear compulsory to accelerate the momentum towards onchocerciasis elimination.

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Point prevalence mapping reveals hotspot for onchocerciasis transmission in the Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32110/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Afor René Aza’ah ◽

Laurentine Sumo ◽

Ngum Helen Ntonifor ◽

Jean Bopda ◽

Rolph Bamou Heumou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Onchocerca Volvulus ◽

Health District ◽

First Line ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Preventive Chemotherapy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

The Past ◽

Centre Region ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy (PC) is distributed annually to all at-risk individuals to control and/or eliminate onchocerciasis. Information on the impact of mass ivermectin administration on onchocerciasis transmission are scanty, and it is tricky to appreciate the progress towards elimination and engage corrective measures. To fill that gap in the Centre Region in Cameroon, the current onchocerciasis endemicity level in the Ndikinimeki Health District after about two decades of mass treatments was assessed. Methods A cluster-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Ndikinimeki Health District and all volunteers aged ≥5 years were (i) interviewed on their compliance to ivermectin over the past five years and (ii) underwent clinical (nodule palpation and visual search for onchocercal lesions) and parasitological examinations (skin snip) for onchocerciasis. Results The overall Onchocerca volvulus prevalence was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.2-9.3). The prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in the communities Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 compared to the other communities (highest prevalence in Makénéné Town Water: 8.5%; 95% CI: 2.3-20.4) (χ2 = 51.314, df = 11, P = 0.0001). The proportion of systematic non-compliers to ivermectin was 23.3% (95% CI: 19.9-27.1) among individuals interviewed. In the sentinel sites (Kiboum communities), onchocerciasis prevalence decreased from 95.2% (95% CI: 88.3-98.1) to 23.7% (95% CI: 14.7-36.0). Conclusions This study has revealed that the Ndikinimeki Health District is hypo-endemic for onchocerciasis after about two decades of preventive chemotherapy. However, transmission is ongoing, with a potential hotspot in the Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 communities, which are known as first-line communities (closest to the breeding sites of the vector). Alternative or complementary strategies to annual ivermectin appear compulsory to accelerate the momentum towards onchocerciasis elimination.

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Measles outbreak investigation in a highly vaccinated community in the Centre region of Cameroon

Journal of Public Health in Africa ◽

10.4081/jphia.2021.1775 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eposi C. Haddison ◽

Randolph A. Ngwafor ◽

Benjamin M. Kagina

Keyword(s):

Action Plan ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Health District ◽

Outbreak Investigation ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Routine Immunisation ◽

Measles Outbreak ◽

Outbreak Investigations ◽

Centre Region ◽

History Of

Background: Measles remains a threat in many African settings due to sub-optimal routine immunisation and catchup campaigns. The Global Vaccine Action Plan goal to eliminate measles by 2020 remains unmet as several countries reported an increase in cases in 2019. In Cameroon, a measles-rubella vaccination campaign was organised in 2019 to reduce the cohort of susceptible children. However, in 2020, eleven suspected cases of measles were notified in the Sa’a Health District and five were confirmed. Objective: This report summarizes a measles outbreak investigation and contact tracing in a highly vaccinated community residing in the Sa’a Health District of Cameroon. Methods: Outbreak investigations were carried out in the Sa’a, Nlong-Onambele and Nkolmgbana health areas from 18 to 21 February 2020. A register review from December 2019 to February 2020 was carried out in all health facilities of the affected health areas. followed by contact tracing in the community. Results: Thirty households were visited in four neighbourhoods. Six missed Epidemiologically-linked cases were discovered in the community, bringing the total number of suspected and confirmed cases to 17. Thirty-five percent of the cases had not received any measles-containing vaccine; 35% of the cases were aged 5 years or older; 53% had history of travel. Community transmission only occurred in the Sa’a health area through a breakthrough case. Conclusions: This outbreak investigation portrayed the role that adequate vaccination coverage plays in preventing widespread outbreaks. Nonetheless, community sensitisation and routine immunisation require strengthening in order to erase pockets of susceptible children.

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Vaccinators' Perception of HPV Vaccination in the Saa Health District of Cameroon

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.748910 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Eposi Haddison ◽

Afizu Tambasho ◽

Gael Kouamen ◽

Randolph Ngwafor

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Negative Influence ◽

Health District ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Group Number ◽

Centre Region ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in Cameroon. In November 2020, the HPV vaccine was introduced into the expanded programme on immunisation. However, uptake of the vaccine has been slow in the Centre region as opposed to other regions in the country. We therefore sought to describe vaccinators' perception of HPV vaccination in Saa health district.Methods: A self-administered questionnaire with both open-ended and closed questions was used to assess the perception of HPV vaccination among 24 vaccinators from the Saa health district. Quantitative data were summarised as proportions while qualitative data were deductively and inductively coded and thematically analysed.Results: Most vaccinators (75%, n = 18) had a good knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. Fourteen (58.3%, n = 14) vaccinators correctly reported the target group, number and spacing of doses for the HPV vaccine. Fourteen (58.3%) vaccinators favoured HPV vaccination while the others (n = 10) were sceptical. Sceptics felt manufacturers hadn't given enough proof of the safety of the vaccine and lacked confidence in government's assessment of the epidemiological situation. The COVID 19 pandemic, fear of infertility and the negative influence of social media were perceived as the main reasons for community hesitancy. Vaccinators criticised health authorities for failing to sensitise the population about the HPV vaccine before its introduction.Conclusion: Vaccinators' perceptions of HPV vaccination may influence the offer of HPV vaccination services. Measures to increase acceptance of HPV vaccination and ownership of the activity among vaccinators have to be put in place.

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<i>Mansonella perstans</i> and <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> Co-infection in the Akonolinga Health District, Centre Region, Cameroon

American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences ◽

10.11648/j.ajbls.20190701.14 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leopold Gustave Lehman

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Health District ◽

Centre Region ◽

Mansonella Perstans

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Point prevalence mapping reveals hotspot for onchocerciasis transmission in the Ndikinimeki Health District, Centre Region, Cameroon

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04387-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

René Afor Aza’ah ◽

Laurentine Sumo ◽

Ngum Helen Ntonifor ◽

Jean Bopda ◽

Rolph H. Bamou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health District ◽

First Line ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Preventive Chemotherapy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

The Past ◽

Centre Region ◽

At Risk Populations ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy (PC) is distributed annually to all at-risk populations eligible for ivermectin treatment to control and/or eliminate onchocerciasis. Information on the impact of mass ivermectin administration on onchocerciasis transmission is scanty, and it is tricky to appreciate the progress towards elimination and engage corrective measures. To fill that gap in the Centre Region in Cameroon, the current onchocerciasis endemicity level in the Ndikinimeki Health District after about two decades of mass treatments was assessed. Methods A cluster-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Ndikinimeki Health District and all volunteers aged ≥ 5 years were (i) interviewed on their compliance to ivermectin over the past five years and (ii) underwent clinical (nodule palpation and visual search for onchocercal lesions) and parasitological examinations (skin snip) for onchocerciasis. Results The overall Onchocerca volvulus prevalence was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.2–9.3%). The prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in the communities Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 compared to the other communities (highest prevalence in Makénéné Town Water: 8.5%; 95% CI: 2.3–20.4%) (χ2 = 51.314, df = 11, P = 0.0001). The proportion of systematic non-compliers to ivermectin was 23.3% (95% CI: 19.9–27.1%) among individuals interviewed. In the sentinel sites (Kiboum communities), onchocerciasis prevalence decreased from 95.2% (95% CI: 88.3–98.1%) to 23.7% (95% CI: 14.7–36.0%). Conclusions This study has revealed that the Ndikinimeki Health District is hypo-endemic for onchocerciasis after about two decades of preventive chemotherapy. However, transmission is ongoing, with potential hotspots in the Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 communities, which are known as first-line communities (closest to the breeding sites of the vector). Alternative or complementary strategies to annual ivermectin appear compulsory to accelerate the momentum towards onchocerciasis elimination.

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Point prevalence mapping reveals hotspot for onchocerciasis transmission in the Ndikinimeki Health District (Centre Region, Cameroon)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32110/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Afor René Aza’ah ◽

Laurentine Sumo ◽

Ngum Helen Ntonifor ◽

Jean Bopda ◽

Rolph Bamou Heumou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health District ◽

River Blindness ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Preventive Chemotherapy ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

The Past ◽

Centre Region ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy is distributed annually to all at risk eligible individuals to fight onchocerciasis. Data reporting the impact of mass ivermectin administration on onchocerciasis transmission are scanty, and it is tricky to appreciate the progress towards elimination and engage adapted corrective measures. To fill that gap in the Centre Region in Cameroon, this study aimed at assessing onchocerciasis endemicity level in the Ndikinimeki Health District after almost three decades of mass treatments. Methods As part of a cluster-based cross-sectional survey, all volunteers aged ≥ 5 years were (i) interviewed on their compliance to ivermectin over the past five years and (ii) underwent clinical (nodule palpation and visual search for onchocercal lesions) and parasitological examinations (skin snip) for onchocerciasis. Results The overall O. volvulus prevalence was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.2–9.3), significantly higher in the communities Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 compared to the other communities (highest prevalence in Makénéné Town Water: 8.5%; 95% CI: 2.3–20.4) (Chi-square = 51.314; df = 11; p = 0.0001). The proportion of systematic non compliers was relatively high (23.3%; 95% CI: 19.9–27.1) among individuals interviewed. In the sentinel sites (Kiboum communities), river blindness prevalence decreased from 95.2% (95% CI: 88.3–98.1) to 23.7% (95% CI: 14.7–36.0) thanks to 28 years of annual ivermectin but was still meso-endemic to onchocerciasis. Conclusions After almost three decades of preventive chemotherapy, onchocerciasis is now hypo-endemic in the Ndikinimeki Health District. However, transmission is ongoing, with a potential hotspot near Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 known as first line communities (closest to breeding sites of the vector). Alternative or complementary strategies to annual ivermectin appear compulsory to accelerate the momentum towards onchocerciasis elimination.

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Interstellar gas in the central region of the Galaxy

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900101032 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 239-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

F. J. Kerr

Keyword(s):

Central Region ◽

Galactic Plane ◽

Neutral Hydrogen ◽

Continuum Emission ◽

Galactic Centre ◽

Interstellar Gas ◽

Hydrogen Recombination ◽

The Galaxy ◽

Centre Region ◽

The Relationship

A review is given of information on the galactic-centre region obtained from recent observations of the 21-cm line from neutral hydrogen, the 18-cm group of OH lines, a hydrogen recombination line at 6 cm wavelength, and the continuum emission from ionized hydrogen.Both inward and outward motions are important in this region, in addition to rotation. Several types of observation indicate the presence of material in features inclined to the galactic plane. The relationship between the H and OH concentrations is not yet clear, but a rough picture of the central region can be proposed.

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