Introduction This study aimed to establish pre-/post Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis/treatment symptoms, ownership/utilisation of face masks (FMs), as well as vaccine hesitancy (VH) amongst patients recovering from COVID-19. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April - October 2021. Data was collected with structured self-administered questionnaires. Multinomial regression was used to determine associations between ownership/utilisation of FMs with respondents’ characteristics. Results Unproductive cough and fatigue were prevalent before and after treatment. Pre-/Post COVID-19 symptoms severity ranged from mild to moderate. There was a COVID-19 VH rate of 492 (74%). The prevalence of FM ownership and utilisation were, respectively, 613 (92.2%) and 271 (40.8%). One main factor was associated with FM ownership; respondent’s sex (p; 5.5x10-2, OR; 0.5, 95%C.I; 0.3 – 1.0). The main reasons for irregular utilisation were; inability to be consistent, only used outdoors, and boredom. Conclusion The treatment of COVID-19 does not mean immediate recovery as mild to moderate grade severity still persists. Face mask availability and ownership does not mean appreciable utilisation. This study advocates for an intensification of COVID-19 preventive practices, as well as elaborate education on the importance of vaccination.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has and is greatly affecting the global community. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards Covid-19 among a convenient sample of the general public in the Bamenda Health District (BHD) of Cameroon. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the BHD, from 1st March to 30th April 2021. Participants were sampled from three Health Areas in Bamenda. Data collection was performed using a self-administered questionnaire. The Pearson Chi square (χ2) and regression analysis were used to determine associations between KAP and demographic characteristics. We studied 404 participants with the following demographic characteristics: 237 (58.7%) aged 25 – 49 years, 233 (57.7%) females, and 197 (48.8%) with tertiary level of education. Of the 404 participants, 182 (45.0%) were knowledgeable about Covid-19 (79 males and 103 females), 42.5% had positive attitudes towards Covid-19 (63 males and 109 females), and 122 (30.2%) were adherent to practicing public health preventive measures (48 males and 74 females). Compared to females, males were more adherent to practicing public health preventive measures (OR, 1. 3; 95% CI, 0.8 – 2.1), and had positive attitudes towards directives and guidelines (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 – 2.8). This study shows that public health prevention efforts should be directed to closing the identified gaps in KAP among residents to halt the spread of Covid-19 in the health district as well as the Region.

Introduction: The incidence of hepatotoxicity is life-threatening and can result to an end-stage liver disease in long-term patients on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Our study sought to evaluate the incidence and predictors of cART-induced hepatotoxicity (CIH) among long term users on cART in a rural District hospital. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study in the Bali District Hospital. Spectrophotometric method was use for the quantitative measurement of alanineaminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) levels. Patients with elevations of both ALT and AST were considered CIH. The Chi (χ2) square test, ANOVA and Kaplan Meier log-ranked/ Yayah Emerencia Ngah et. al.

IntroductionThe incidence of hepatotoxicity is life-threatening and can result to an end-stage liver disease in long-term patients on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Our study sought to evaluate the incidence and predictors of cART-induced hepatotoxicity (CIH) among long term users on cART in a rural District hospital.MethodsThis was a hospital-based cross-sectional study in the Bali District Hospital. Spectrophotometric method was use for the quantitative measurement of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) levels. Patients with elevations of both ALT and AST were considered CIH. The Chi (χ2) square test, ANOVA and Kaplan Meier log-ranked/ survival analyses were used to analyse the data.ResultsOf the 350 participants enrolled [156 (44.6%) males and 194 (55.4%) females], aged 43.87 ± 0.79 years (range 20 – 84 years) included in this analysis, 26 (4.4%) experienced moderate CIH. We observed 57 (16.3%), 62 (17.7%) and 238 (68%) elevated levels ALT + AST, ALT and AST respectively. Two independent predictive factors of CIH were, the male sex and alcoholism during the study period.ConclusionThe prevalence of CIH in HIV-infected patients in Bali was lower than that observed in previous studies. The duration of therapy had no influence on the frequency of CIH. Alcoholism and smoking showed significant differences in the development of CIH.

Collaborative partnerships are key components to reinforce biomedical and clinical research capacity and are characterized by enormous challenges though important in promoting the institutional exchange of ideas and capacities that potentially fill knowledge and research gaps. An observational analysis was conducted from 2014 to 2022 between the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and the Centre for the Study of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Despite constraints, affiliations with institutes from developed economies are often established within the framework of North-South collaborations. Since 2014, a strong bilateral South-South research partnership between the two institutions has been developed and consolidated for sustainable coexistence. In this paper, we report on qualitative research within our leading collaborative scientists involved in major institutional research, our views on South-South collaboration, and the factors that consolidate our decision-making about joining and participating actively in research networks. Keywords South-South collaboration, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon.