Impact of two dual active ingredient long-lasting insecticidal nets on pregnancy birth outcomes in Benin.

Background: The WHO recently recommended the widespread use of new classes of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) to control malaria, but there is little evidence of their efficacy in pregnant women. This study aimed to assess the impact of two dual active ingredient (AI) LLINs on poor birth outcomes under pragmatic conditions.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted during March-May 2023 in 1644 women of reproductive age who delivered in the 3 y following net distribution.

Ecological drivers of malaria vector habitat and transmission over 1 year of long-lasting insecticidal net intervention in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in at-risk populations, especially in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite reductions in malaria burden owing to the scale-up of effective interventions, there are concerns that long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) effects may not be sustained owing to widespread insecticide resistance and differential impacts of LLIN on vector species. In this study, we aimed to test the effect of different LLIN products and other environmental factors on the ecological niche of three mosquito vector species using state-of-the-art ecological niche modelling approaches.

Characteristics of malaria vector populations and transmission before a randomised controlled trial assessing the efficacy of next-generation insecticide-treated nets in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mass distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to prevent malaria transmission. Unfortunately, resistance to pyrethroids affects the efficacy of standard ITNs. To overcome this resistance and continue to protect the population, the WHO has recommended new types of ITNs that combine a pyrethroid insecticide with either a synergist (PBO) or a second insecticide, such as chlorfenapyr.

Evaluation of household coverage with long-lasting insecticidal nets in central Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: To reduce malaria burden in Côte d'Ivoire, the Ministry of Health aims for 90% of its population to possess one long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) for every two persons by 2025. This study evaluated LLIN coverage two years after a mass distribution in central Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods: A census was conducted in 43 villages.

Integration of HIV Testing in a Community Intervention for Tuberculosis Screening Among Household Contacts of Patients with Tuberculosis in Cameroon and Uganda.

Introduction: People living with HIV are considered at higher risk of developing severe forms of tuberculosis (TB) disease. Providing HIV testing to TB-exposed people is therefore critical. We present the results of integrating HIV testing into a community-based intervention for household TB contact management in Cameroon and Uganda.

Efficacy of chlorfenapyr-pyrethroid and piperonyl butoxide-pyrethroid long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) compared to pyrethroid-only LLINs for malaria control in Côte d'Ivoire: a three group, cluster randomised trial.

Background: The massive scale-up of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) has led to a major reduction in malaria burden in many sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued a strong recommendation for the use of chlorfenapyr-pyrethroid LLINs compared to standard pyrethroid-only LLINs in areas of high insecticide resistance intensity. However, there is still a lack of conclusive evidence on the efficacy of piperonyl butoxide-pyrethroid (PBO-py) LLINs, especially in West Africa, where vector composition and resistance mechanisms may be different from vectors in East Africa.

Evidence for an enhanced HIV/AIDS policy and care in Cameroon: proceedings of the second Cameroon HIV Research Forum (CAM-HERO) 2021.

To attain the HIV 95-95-95 goals by 2030 in Cameroon, high quality research to inform policy and patient care is of utmost importance. In the context of limited workforce and resources, collaborations, sharing of locally-adapted strategies and other field experience, leveraging on existing and innovative platforms would facilitate a coordinated and optimal AIDS response at country level. The second edition of the Cameroon HIV Research Forum (CAM-HERO) conference took place both physically and virtually on November 18 and 19, 2021 in Kribi, on the theme "Research for Policy and Care".

Validation of Two Asian Noninvasive Risk Models for Predicting Prevalent Undiagnosed Chronic Kidney Disease in Diabetic Patients Receiving Care at a Reference Hospital in A Sub-Saharan African Country: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in people with diabetes mellitus. Validated noninvasive risk models are an attractive CKD screening option in diabetic patients to identify patients who are more likely to be diagnosed with CKD via biological tests. The study aimed to validate the Korean and Thai noninvasive CKD risk prediction models in African Type 2 diabetic patients.

Incidence and impact of hospital-acquired complications in an internal medicine unit of a reference hospital in Cameroon: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Hospital-acquired complications (HACs) contribute to increased morbidity, mortality and hospital costs. However, their burden is often overlooked in resource-limited settings. We sought to determine the incidence, risk factors and effects of HACs on direct medical costs.

Evaluation of the accuracy of two point-of-care haemoglobin meters used in sub-Saharan African population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Point-of-care haemoglobin meters are attractive solutions to improve timely diagnosis of anaemia in resource-limited settings. However, concerns regarding the accuracy of these meters may affect their adoption. The accuracy of two hand-held point-of-care haemoglobin meters was evaluated against reference full blood count analyser.

Accuracy and precision of four main glucometers used in a Sub-Saharan African Country: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: capillary glucose measurement using point-of-care glucometers is an essential part of diabetes care. We determined the technical accuracy, clinical accuracy and precision of commonly available glucometers against standard spectrophotometry in Cameroon.

Methods: a sample of four glucometers was selected.

Qualitative Assessment of Face Validity and Cross-Cultural Acceptability of the Faces Pain Scale: "Revised" in Cameroon.

The Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) is a self-report pain scale validated in numerous countries, but not in Cameroon. We postulated that while cultural factors influence pain perception and expression, the FPS-R should remain culturally acceptable for pediatric use. A convenience sample of 36 pediatric patients, aged 4 to 16 years, representing three primary language groups, was enrolled at Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH).