Background: Dyslipidemia in childhood contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life. This study sets out to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and describe the associations between selected variables and dyslipidemia in Cameroon urban children. Methods: This crosssectional hospital-based study included 415 children (188 boys and 227 girls) between the ages of 5 and 16 years. Dyslipidemia was defined as an abnormal value of one or more of the following lipids: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated using bio-electric impedance analysis. A structured questionnaire was used by parents to report physical activity, screen time and eating habits of the children. Relationships between predictors and dyslipidemia were assessed using multiple binary logistic regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 46.0%. Dyslipidemic children had significantly higher %BF, TG and LDL-C and lower HDL-C than the normal children (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, obesity (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.7 -11.2, p = 0.004), short stature (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1 -6.8, p = 0.041), physical activity < 60 minutes/day (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.3 -7.5, p < 0.001) and never/occasional consumption of fruits/ vegetables (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2 -7.1, p = 0.017) independently predicted dyslipidemia after adjusting for different variables. Conclusion: This study confirms that obesity, short stature, physical activity < 60 minutes/day and never/occasional consumption of fruits/vegetables were associated with dyslipidemia. Also, a high proportion of children had one or more lipid disorders.

Background: Breast self-examination (BSE) is an individual check-up to identify any health problem in the breast, especially breast cancer. However, though the university is the place of high education, the level of the student knowledge about breast cancer and BSE remains not quite known. This study aimed to identify awareness on breast cancer and BSE among the student population of The University of Bamenda, Cameroon.Methods: A well designed descriptive study was carried out using a structured questionnaire to look at the awareness about breast cancer, its possible risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as the awareness on BSE among the students.Results: Out of the studied population of 255 participants who completed the questionnaire, a good portion (91.76%) of the respondents have heard about breast cancer. Only 38.43% respondents knew some signs and symptoms of breast cancer while 44.31% had an idea of the treatment. The population pointed alcohol consumption and smoking, use of contraceptives and exposure to pesticides as possible risk factors of breast cancer. BSE was practiced by only 23.92% and only 20.39% of the participants suggested a monthly screening frequency. Across age ranges, 20 to 24 years old and 25-29 years old participants had almost 5 times more chances to have heard about BSE than younger people.Conclusions: Summarily, the present study demonstrated that the general had poor  knowledge of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the BSE practice, though  the  population  aged  20-29  years  old  has relatively heard about breast cancer and BSE.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the methanol extract of M. foetida (MEMf) on high fat diet-induced obese male rats. Results: HFD induced an increase (P<0.05) in the body and liver weights and the relative abdominal fat pad of the animals in the experimental groups as compared to those in the normal diet group. Also, HFD in the experimental groups reduced (P<0.05) superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, glutathione levels and increased lipid peroxidation in the liver, heart and kidney as well as altered lipid profile (increased serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C), decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), increased atherogenic index and coronary risk index), when compared to the normal diet animals. All altered parameters were subsequently normalized when obese rats received either MEMf (50 or100 mg/kg) or the reference drug Atorvastatin. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of MEMf to normalize hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and animal visceral organ weights increased by HFD in rats. Thus, M. foetida is an interesting medicinal plant that could be exploited as sources of anti-obesity agents.

Spices and herbs are groups of vegetables with important properties for human health and food industries. They are generally consumed in cooked recipes and such treatment may affect the content of vital components such antioxidants. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the cooking temperatures on total phenolics, flavonoids and vitamin C of some spices and herbs used in the locality of Bamenda, Cameroon. Briefly, the most consumed spices and herbs were selected through structured questionnaires administered to individuals involved in their consumption and selling. Thereafter, samples were collected and subjected to different boiling treatments and the levels of the antioxidants (flavonoids, phenols and vitamin C) were determined. Results showed that almost half the participants (48%) used Parsley, Basil, White pepper, Njansa, Mint and African nutmeg mainly for flavoring and medicinal purposes. The cooking temperature of 65°C increased total phenolics and flavonoids in spices (Mint, White pepper, Njangsa and African nutmeg) and herbs (Parsley, Basil) while higher heat treatments (75 and 85°C) lowered the content of these pytochemicals. Boiling of spices or herbs significantly and temperature dependently reduced the vitamin C content in all spice and herb samples with respect to the control raw samples. Summarily, the moderate boiling (65°C) treatment used by the local populations favors release of total phenolics and flavonoids though with some reducing effect on vitamin C.