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Background: Infertility is a major reproductive health care problem that affects the wellbeing of women. Although views vary between cultures, infertility is seen almost exclusively as a woman's problem in Africa with secondary infertility being the most prevalent while sexually transmitted infections the most investigated cause of infertility. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of female infertility in the Limbe and Buea Regional hospitals of the Southwest region of Cameroon from 2015-2019. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive design was used which involved studying clinical files of women within the reproductive age group (15 -49) with infertility problems, at the gynaecological and maternity units of the selected hospitals in the Southwest region of Cameroon over a period of five years (2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019). Data were collected from all files included in the study. Results: A total of 4609 females visited the two hospitals for investigation and 1111 files were identified with infertility giving prevalence of 24 %. Three hundred and forty-three (343; 31%) presented with primary infertility while seven hundred and sixty-eight (768; 69%) had secondary infertility. The average age of affected female was 31.5 making age the predisposing factor of infertility because after the peak of 25 years, infertility started decreasing. Employment with salary and the association between diagnosis and age had a p-value < 0.005 which was considered significant in this study. Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of infertility in Southwest Cameroon is high with secondary infertility being most predominant among infertile women with a prevalence of 69% caused principally by sexually transmitted infection (STIs). Age and occupation were significantly associated with infertility. Routine laboratory screening of women of reproductive age may reduce the high prevalence of infertility in the study area.

Abstract:This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of serum sodium, potassium and chlorine disorders on anaemic patients and to assess their effects and measures of managing it. A prospective study was conducted on 110 patients at the Biyem-Assi District Hospital (Yaounde, Cameroon). Normal serum concentrations of sodium, potassium and chlorine were considered as 136 -145 mEq/l, 3.5 -5.0 mEq/l and 96 -106 mEq/l respectively. The variables were considered significant when P < 0.005. Out of the total number of people recorded, there were 81 females (73.64 %) and 29 males (26.36 %). The prevalence of sodium imbalance hyponatremia, and hypernatremia are 20 (18.18 %) and 0 (0 %) respectively. The prevalence of potassium imbalance hypokalemia and hyperkalemia were 12 (10.91 %) and 14 (12.73 %) respectively. The prevalence of chloride disturbance, hypochloremia and hyperchloremia were 2 (1.82 %) and 21 (19.09 %) respectively. Amongst the variables chosen, only three variables had p-values that were significant that is sodium and level of education, potassium and occupation, and potassium and diarrhoea, but some were not significant for the study. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia were highly prevalent in anemic patients. The severity of serum sodium, potassium and chlorine disturbances on anemic patients remains a significant predictor of mortality. Thus, correcting electrolyte disturbances in these anemic patients is important. Serum chloride levels showed no particular pattern or significant difference on the various variables.