Background: Child malnutrition is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over 45% of children in Cameroon die each year from malnutrition-related causes, most of which are preventable. Exclusive breastfeeding is a well-acknowledged and cost-effective intervention against malnutrition-related illnesses in children. However, the practice remains low in Cameroon. This study explored perceptions of mothers, care givers and key informants on infant feeding in Cameroon, and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding.Methods: A qualitative methodology was used, comprising key informant interviews and focus group discussions with nursing mothers, grandmothers and health workers; in one urban and one rural area in Cameroon. Participants were selected using convenience, purposive and snowball sampling methods. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Cameroonian mothers were supportive of breastfeeding. However, knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and its benefits was poor. Mothers expressed doubts about its feasibility and showed concerns about satisfying their babies' feeding and health needs. Barriers included factors which either affected women's abilities to breastfeed or their babies' satisfaction, family influences, other responsibilities, cultural and societal factors, and lack of support from the healthcare system.Conclusions: This study highlighted a sizeable gap between mothers' lived experiences and infant feeding recommendations. Living in rural areas was an added disadvantage. Developing effective strategies to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates requires that mothers' needs be understood and that influencing factors be addressed. Supportive environments are also required to promote and protect the rights and abilities of mothers to breastfeed exclusively.

Majority of the population in the Bambui student residential area depend on wells as their source of water supply. Due to increasing complaints from students after using this well water sources, this study was carried out to examine the microbial quality of well water sources in the Bambui student residential area, Bamenda, Cameroon as a way of safe guarding public health against water borne diseases. Water samples from a total of fifteen wells, covered and uncovered were assessed for their bacteriological quality using the multiple tube fermentation technique to determine the coliform count using the most probable number method. Positive tubes of the presumptive test were further cultured on appropriate solid media. The organisms isolated were further characterized using standard procedures. The result of the study revealed that most of the wells were grossly contaminated with bacteria pathogens such as Klebsiella species (95%), Escherichia coli (52%) and Salmonella typhi (32.5%). Comparatively, the uncovered wells were more contaminated with bacteria pathogens than the covered well. All the water samples except three exceeded the standard limit of the most probable number (MPN) per 100 ml set for untreated drinking water by the World Health Organization. This result highlight the fact that most well water sources in the Bambui student residential area metropolis are not safe microbiologically for drinking without additional treatment such as boiling or disinfection and this could lead to outbreak of water borne diseases. Good and proper environmental and personal hygiene must be maintained especially by the users of these wells to prevent their contamination with bacterial pathogens. Wells should also be properly constructed.

Background: Improved capacity for research is a valuable and sustainable means of advancing health and development in Africa. Local leadership in research capacity strengthening is important for developing contextually appropriate programs that increase locally-driven research, and improve Africa's ability to adapt and use scientific knowledge. This study provides an overview of African organisations that aim to strengthen research capacity in Africa, and the major initiatives or approaches being used for this purpose. Methods:A desk review of grey and published literature on research capacity strengthening in Africa was conducted, in addition to panel discussions on the determinants of research capacity in Africa. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and a framework developed by the Collaboration for Research Excellence in Africa (CORE Africa).Results: 11 organisations were identified, spread across South, Central, East and West Africa. The main approaches to improving research capacity were: providing opportunities for academic research and research training. Initiatives to provide research equipment, funding and facilitate research use for policy-making were limited; while strategies to increase research awareness, promote collaboration, and provide guidance and incentives for research were lacking. Most organisations had programs for researchers and academics, with none targeting funders or the general public. Conclusion:Local leadership is essential for improving research capacity in Africa. In addition to providing adequate support to academics and researchers, initiatives that help revitalize the education system in Africa, promote collaboration and engage funders and the general public will be helpful for strengthening research capacity in Africa.

Mentorship provides an opportunity to support skill development, improve research ability, promote interest in research and offer career advice. The need for research mentorship in Africa is well-recognised. However, there is scarce literature on the development of such programmes and their potential impacts on students and young researchers in Africa (SYRIA). This study documents the development of the CORE Africa Research Mentorship Scheme (CARMS), and reports the outcomes and challenges experienced over a two-year period, from 2018 to 2020.41 mentors and mentees from Cameroon, Uganda and Nigeria participated in the programme. Mentors were based in Africa and the UK, while mentees were all based in Africa. Mentees gained knowledge and skills in various research areas including proposal writing, research methods, data analysis, report writing and research publication. Nine mentees gained their first research publication through the CARMS and three successfully completed their first grant proposal. Three mentees were supported by their mentor to develop PhD research proposals and five others gained skills that helped them secure paid research jobs. Eleven mentees have ‘graduated’ from the programme, seven of which are currently enrolled as trainee mentors. Mentees appreciated the opportunity to improve on their research skills and felt that the programme gave them a ‘safe’ environment to freely express their concerns.Main challenges encountered were: difficulty finding suitable mentors, communication barriers, poorly defined mentorship goals, dealing with mentee’s lack of knowledge/experience of ‘basic’ research concepts and funding limitations. This programme had several positive impacts on the knowledge and skills of mentees and demonstrates the importance of mentorship in research capacity strengthening. Sustaining such programmes requires investments in training and development, to ensure that mentees are continuously and adequately supported.

Background This study explored students’ perceptions of COVID-19 risks and preventive measures and assessed the impacts of the national lockdown on students in Uganda. Methods A web-based survey was conducted to explore students’ perceived risks of COVID-19 and preventive measures; sources of COVID-19 information and impacts of the lockdown. Both undergraduate and post-graduate students (n = 398) participated in the study. Data were analysed using IBM-SPSS-26. Results Students acknowledged COVID-19 as a health risk, and their preventive behaviours were influenced by age, gender, marital status and living situation. Most students followed face mask guidelines but did not comply with lockdown restrictions. Social distancing was not always possible due to overcrowding. Students’ main sources of COVID-19 information were local media (e.g., TV, radio) and social media. Most students (especially females) were unable to access online learning platforms due to poor internet connectivity, high costs and no access to computers. Meanwhile, a majority of those who studied online did not enjoy the experience. Students experienced depression, frustration, stress and anxiety during the lockdown; became less physically active and spent most of their time on social media, sleeping, eating or watching movies. Some students indulged in smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs and gambling for their first time, while others did them more often than before. Conclusion The increase in sedentary activity, poor mental health and substance use over the lockdown period puts students at risk of health complications and poses a potential threat to the healthcare system. These risks may also negatively impact their future learning and academic potential. Further research is needed to understand the transitional experiences of students between physical and virtual learning, and how they can be supported. There is also a need to ascertain the feasibility of guidelines such as social distancing in developing countries, to increase compliance.