BackgroundAcute respiratory infections (ARI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under-five children worldwide. About 6.6 million children less than 5 years of age die every year in the world; 95% of them in low-income countries and one third of the total deaths is due to ARI. This study aimed at determining the proportion of acute respiratory infections and the associated risk factors in children under 5 years visiting the Bamenda Regional Hospital in Cameroon.MethodsA cross-sectional analytic study involving 512 children under 5 years was carried out from December 2014 to February 2015. Participants were enrolled by a consecutive convenient sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect clinical, socio-demographic and environmental data. Diagnosis of ARI was based on the revised WHO guidelines for diagnosing and management of childhood pneumonia. The data was analyzed using the statistical software EpiInfo™ version 7.ResultsThe proportion of ARIs was 54.7% (280/512), while that of pneumonia was 22.3% (112/512). Risk factors associated with ARI were: HIV infection ORadj 2.76[1.05–7.25], poor maternal education (None or primary only) ORadj 2.80 [1.85–4.35], exposure to wood smoke ORadj 1.85 [1.22–2.78], passive smoking ORadj 3.58 [1.45–8.84] and contact with someone who has cough ORadj 3.37 [2.21–5.14].Age, gender, immunization status, breastfeeding, nutritional status, fathers’ education, parents’ age, school attendance and overcrowding were not significantly associated with ARI.ConclusionThe proportion of ARI is high and is associated with HIV infection, poor maternal education, exposure to wood smoke, passive cigarette smoking, and contact with persons having a cough. Control programs should focus on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ARIs.

BackgroundBacteriuria is associated with significant maternal and foetal risks. However, its prevalence is not known in our community.ObjectivesThis study was carried out to determine the prevalence and predictors of bacteriuria in pregnant women of the Buea Health District (BHD) as well as the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of bacterial isolates. It also sought to determine the diagnostic performance of the nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests in detecting bacteriuria in these women.MethodsAn observational analytic cross-sectional study was carried out amongst pregnant women attending selected antenatal care centres in Buea. We recruited 102 consenting pregnant women for the study. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires. Clean catch midstream urine was collected from each participant in sterile leak proof containers. Samples were examined biochemically, microscopically and by culture. Significant bacteriuria was defined as the presence of ≥108 bacteria/L of cultured urine. Identification and susceptibility of isolates was performed using API 20E and ATB UR EU (08) (BioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France).ResultsSignificant bacteriuria was found in the urine of 24 of the 102 women tested giving a bacteriuria prevalence of 23.5% in pregnant women of the BHD. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was detected in 8(7.8%) of the women. There was no statistically significant predictor of bacteriuria. Escherichia coli were the most isolated (33%) uropathogens and were 100% sensitive to cefixime, cefoxitin and cephalothin. The nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests for determining bacteriuria had sensitivities of 8%, 20.8% and specificities of 98.7% and 80.8% respectively.ConclusionBacteriuria is frequent in pregnant women in the BHD suggesting the need for routine screening by urine culture. Empiric treatment with cefixime should be instituted until results of urine culture and sensitivity are available. Nitrite and leucocyte esterase tests were not sensitive enough to replace urine culture as screening tests.

BackgroundTeenage pregnancy is a high-risk condition that requires skilled antenatal care for good outcome. World estimates in 2008 report about 16 million births to adolescent mothers, most of them occurring in low and middle-income countries. In Cameroon, about 12 % of all births are to adolescent mothers. This study determines the prevalence of hospital teenage deliveries in the Buea Health District and compares the delivery outcomes and demographic characteristics between pregnant teenage mothers (14–19) and adult mothers (20–29 years). We also identify factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.MethodsWe undertook a retrospective study of case files of patients who gave birth in the Buea Regional Hospital during the period 2009–2012, to determine the prevalence of hospital-delivered teenage pregnancies in the BHR. We also undertook a, cross-sectional study to compare the outcomes of 148 singleton adolescent births with 360 adult births in three health facilities in the Buea Health District during the period March 1 to August 31, 2013.ResultsThe prevalence of teenage births was 13.3 %. The adverse fetal outcomes imputable to adolescent births were low birth weight (<2,500 g) (OR, 2.79; 95 % CI, 1.28-6.09), preterm babies (<37 weeks) (OR: 1.85; 95 % CI, 1.01-3.41), low 5 min Apgar score < 7 (OR: 1.66; 95 % CI, 0.91-3.0). Adverse maternal outcomes associated with teenage pregnancies were mainly perineal tear (OR, 1.6; 95 % CI, 0.95-2.7). Teenage births were not discovered in any significant way to cause preeclampsia/eclampsia, episiotomy, premature rupture of membranes and caesarean section. Maternal factors like age and gravidity were discovered to lead to adverse fetal outcomes in adolescents, while maternal factors like age, unemployment, marital status and gravidity were, for their part, directly responsible for adverse maternal outcomes in adolescents.ConclusionTeenage pregnancies are quite prevalent in the Buea Health District, and hospital delivery common. Adolescent pregnancies are more likely to lead to adverse fetal and maternal outcomes than adult pregnancies.

BackgroundEarly initiation of antenatal care visits is an essential component of services to improving maternal and new born health. The Cameroonian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2011 indicated that only 34% of pregnant women start antenatal care in the first trimester. However, detailed study to identify factors associated with late initiation of care has not been conducted in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of late booking first ANC visit amongst attendance of first ANC and the determinants of late first ANC in Douala general hospital.MethodsIt was a cross sectional analytic study over the period of 5 months in Douala general hospital. The study subjects were pregnant women visiting the facilities for the first time during the index pregnancy. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with late first ANC with the level of significance set at 0.05.ResultsA total of 293 women participated in the study; 129 (44.0%) of them came for their first ANC visit late, after 12 weeks of gestation. Most common reasons for coming late for first ANC were financial constraints (34.5%, 45) and long distance to the hospital (34.5%, 45). Factors associated with late start of first ANC after logistic regression were: family size greater than 4 (OR = 2, 95% CI = 1.25–3.19, p value = 0.004), long distance to the hospital (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.1–3.07, p value = 0.02) and low monthly income level less than 200US dollars (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.33–3.54, p value = 0.002).ConclusionAbout half of pregnant women do not start ANC early in the first trimester largely due to large family size, low monthly income and long distance to the hospital.