Prevalence of pregnancy, unintended pregnancy, poor pregnancy outcome and its associated factors among female sex workers in Cameroon.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of pregnancy among female sex workers (FSWs). Understanding FSWs' pregnancy intentions and how they affect pregnancies can help prevent unintended pregnancies (UP) and poor pregnancy outcome. This study investigates factors associated with pregnancy and outcomes among FSWs in Cameroon.

Pre- and Post-Vaccination Measles Antibody and Persistence Up to 5 Years of Age Among Early ART-Treated HIV-Infected, HIV-Exposed Uninfected and HIV-Unexposed Children in Cameroon.

Background/objective: Variations in measles vaccine antibody response by age and HIV status have been reported. This study assessed measles pre-vaccination status and compared humoral response durability over the first five years of life among HIV-infected (HI) children on early treatment, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU), and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children within the ANRS 12225-Pediacam III cohort in Cameroon.

Methods: Measles vaccine (MCV) was administered at 6 and 9 months for HIV-exposed infants and at 9 months for HIV-unexposed infants, followed by a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) dose at 15 months for all.

Effectiveness of community-based peer facilitated psychological and social support interventions on improving mental health in Cameroonian adolescents with perinatal HIV: the IAS-CIPHER-2021/1214-ATE SMAVI controlled randomized trial (November 2021-May 2023).

Background: Psychological and social support to adolescents living with HIV remains undocumented and unaddressed in Central Africa. This study aimed to assess effectiveness of a peer-facilitated community-based support in improving mental health among Cameroonian adolescents living with vertically acquired HIV (ALHIV).

Setting: The study was conducted in a national referral hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Deferred recovery of health expenditures for pediatric life-threatening emergencies in a resource-limited setting: Alternative before achieving universal health coverage in Cameroon in Central Africa.

The lack of health cover in low-income countries is a real barrier to emergency care. The objective of our study was to evaluate the immediate management of pediatric emergencies by deferred recovery of the costs of care at Douala Laquintinie Hospital. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st February to 30 June 2020 on patients admitted for life-threatening emergencies to the pediatric emergency department.

Confirmed virological failure following enhanced adherence counseling among virally unsuppressed children and adolescents on dolutegravir-based versus other regimens: Evidence from a cohort analysis in Cameroon.

Achieving and maintaining viral suppression (VS) in pediatric populations remain suboptimal in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), calling for the optimized management approaches. We compared the rate of confirmed virological failure (cVF) and associated factors among virally non-suppressed (VnS) children and adolescents after enhanced adherence counseling (EAC) on dolutegravir-based versus other regimens. A multicentre and prospective cohort study was conducted among ART-experienced children (<10 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) with VnS followed-up for confirmatory viral load (VL) after EAC.

IMMUNOLOGICAL AND VIROLOGIC OUTCOMES WITHIN TEN YEARS OF COMBINED ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY INITIATED BEFORE ONE YEAR OF AGE IN CAMEROONIAN CHILDREN WITH PERINATAL HIV.

Background: We reported immunological and virologic outcomes within 10 years of combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) initiated no later than age one year and associated factors in children with perinatal HIV in Cameroon.

Setting: This study was conducted in 3 referral hospitals in Cameroon.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study, using time-to-event analysis.

Frequency and Factors Associated To School Delay among HIV-infected and Uninfected Children Followed in the ANRS 12,225-PEDIACAM III Cohort in Cameroon.

Many studies have shown that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and/or exposure to antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy can influence a child's neurocognitive development. Moreover, the family and social challenges experienced by some HIV-infected children may have a negative impact on their academic performance. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of school delay among HIV-infected adolescents followed up in the ANRS 12225-Pediacam III cohort in Cameroon and identify associated factors.

A community-based peer-facilitated psychological and social support model to improve retention in care among Cameroonian adolescents perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Psychological and social support for adolescents living with HIV remains undocumented and unaddressed in Central Africa. This study aimed at assessing effectiveness of a peer-facilitated community-based support model in improving retention in care among adolescents living with HIV and attending care in Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Materials And Methods: We conducted an analysis of adolescents aged 10-19 years old, perinatally infected with HIV, on follow-up in the Day Care Unit of a reference hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon, and enrolled in the IAS-CIPHER-2021/1214-ATE-SMAVI, a individually randomized controlled trial.

Optimising Paediatric HIV Treatment: Recent Developments and Future Directions.

Treatment options for children living with HIV have historically been less effective, less practical and more difficult to implement compared with those for adults, as the research and development of new drugs for children has lagged behind. Significant progress has been achieved in response to the paediatric HIV epidemic over the last decade. Several optimised paediatric antiretroviral formulations are currently available or in development, including fixed-dose combination tablets containing a complete World Health Organization-recommended regimen.

Association between mental disorders with detectable viral load and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on follow-up at Chantal Biya Foundation, Cameroon.

Introduction: Perinatally HIV-Infected Adolescents (HIVIA) are more likely to have mental health problems than their uninfected peers. In resource-limited settings, mental health disorders are rarely taken into account in the care offered to HIVIA and have an impact on their routine follow-up. The objective of this study was to assess the baseline socio-demographic factors and mental health conditions associated with detectable viral load or poor ART adherence in HIVIA on ART followed at the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaoundé (CME-FCB), Cameroon.

Inflammatory profile of vertically HIV-1 infected adolescents receiving ART in Cameroon: a contribution toward optimal pediatric HIV control strategies.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the lifespan of people living with HIV. However, their immune system remains in a state of sustained activation/inflammation, which favors viral replication and depletion of helper T-cells with varying profiles according to ART-response. We herein sought to ascertain the inflammatory profile of adolescents living with perinatal HIV-1 infection (ALPHI) receiving ART in an African context.

Mental health troubles among Cameroonian adolescents perinatally infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Introduction: Adolescents living with HIV are more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to their peers who do not have HIV. However, there is a lack of data regarding the mental health of adolescents living with HIV in Cameroon. Understanding risk factors and protective factors that influence mental health amongst adolescents is critical for effective programming.

Rate of virological failure and HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-infected adolescents in routine follow-up on health facilities in Cameroon.

The objective of this study was to determine the rates of virological failure (VF) and HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) amongst adolescents on antiretroviral Therapy (ART). A retrospectively designed study was conducted in 10 healthcare centers for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in the two main cities of Cameroon (Yaoundé and Douala), from November 2018 to May 2019. Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and laboratory parameters were collected from medical records.

Rapid Increase of Community SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence during Second Wave of COVID-19, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

We conducted 2 independent population-based SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys in Yaoundé, Cameroon, during January 27-February 6 and April 24-May 19, 2021. Overall age-standardized SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence increased from 18.6% in the first survey to 51.

Tuberculosis Diagnosis in HIV-Infected Children: Comparison of the 2012 and 2015 Clinical Case Definitions for Classification of Intrathoracic Tuberculosis Disease.

Background: There is no gold standard for tuberculosis diagnosis in children. Clinical Case Definitions for Classification of Intrathoracic Tuberculosis in Children were proposed by international experts in 2012 and updated in 2015. We aimed to compare the 2012 and 2015 Clinical Case Definitions in HIV-infected children with suspected tuberculosis.

Long-term outcomes of early initiated antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan children: a Cameroonian cohort study (ANRS-12140 Pediacam study, 2008-2013, Cameroon).

Background: In most studies, the virological response is assessed during the first two years of antiretroviral treatment initiated in HIV-infected infants. However, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy exposes infants to very long-lasting treatment. Moreover, maintaining viral suppression in children is difficult.

Virological failure and antiretroviral resistance among HIV-infected children after five years follow-up in the ANRS 12225-PEDIACAM cohort in Cameroon.

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the virological failure (VF) and drug resistance among treated HIV-infected children after five years follow-up in the ANRS-Pediacam cohort in Cameroon.

Methods: From November 2007 to October 2011, HIV-infected children born to HIV-infected mothers were included in the ANRS-PEDIACAM study and followed-up for more than 5 years. Plasma viral load (VL) was measured at each visit (every three months until month 24 and every 6 months thereafter).

COVID-19 mimics endemic tropical diseases at an early stage: a report of two symptomatic COVID-19 patients treated in a polymerase chain reaction void zone in Cameroon.

At the end of December 2019, they emerged a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), triggering a pandemic of an acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19) in humans. We report the relevant features of the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded from the 29 April 2020 in the Far North Region of Cameroon. We did a review of the files of these two patients who were admitted to the internal medicine ward of a medical Centre in Maroua Town, Far North Region.

A Treatment-Decision Score for HIV-Infected Children With Suspected Tuberculosis.

Background: Diagnosis of tuberculosis should be improved in children infected with HIV to reduce mortality. We developed prediction scores to guide antituberculosis treatment decision in HIV-infected children with suspected tuberculosis.

Methods: HIV-infected children with suspected tuberculosis enrolled in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, and Vietnam (ANRS 12229 PAANTHER 01 Study), underwent clinical assessment, chest radiography, Quantiferon Gold In-Tube (QFT), abdominal ultrasonography, and sample collection for microbiology, including Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert).

Early treated HIV-infected children remain at risk of growth retardation during the first five years of life: Results from the ANRS-PEDIACAM cohort in Cameroon.

Background: Long-term growth in HIV-infected infants treated early in resource-limited settings is poorly documented. Incidence of growth retardation, instantaneous risk of death related to malnutrition and growth parameters evolution during the first five years of life of uninfected and early treated HIV-infected children were compared and associated factors with growth retardation were identified.

Methods: Weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ), and length-for-age (LAZ) Z-scores were calculated.

Low rate of early vertical transmission of HIV supports the feasibility of effective implementation of the national PMTCT guidelines in routine practice of referral hospitals in Cameroon.

: Vertical (VT) transmission of HIV remains a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. : To investigate the VT rate and factors associated with transmission in routine practice in three referral hospitals in Cameroon. : All HIV-infected mothers who delivered in maternity wards or sought paediatric services during the first postnatal week from November 2007 to October 2010 were invited to participate in the ANRS-Pediacam cohort.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in HIV-infected and uninfected African children.

Objective: HIV infection is associated with cognitive impairments, but outcomes are poorly explored in children starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) early or in those exposed but uninfected.

Design: Nested cross-sectional evaluation of the neurocognitive and behavioural outcomes of HIV-infected, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed (HUU) Cameroonian children at age 4-9 years prospectively followed.

Methods: Cognitive development was assessed in 127 HIV-infected, 101 HEU, 110 HUU children using the KABC-II, neurologic dysfunction using the Touwen examination and behavioural difficulties using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Mortality and its determinants in antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV-infected children with suspected tuberculosis: an observational cohort study.

Background: Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected children, but is difficult to diagnose. We studied mortality and its determinants in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive HIV-infected children presenting with suspected tuberculosis.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, HIV-infected children aged 13 years or younger with suspected tuberculosis were followed up for 6 months as part of the ANRS 12229 PAANTHER 01 cohort in eight hospitals in four countries (Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, and Vietnam).

Virologic Response to Early Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-infected Infants: Evaluation After 2 Years of Treatment in the Pediacam Study, Cameroon.

Introduction: Little is known about virologic responses to early antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected infants in resource-limited settings. We estimated the probability of achieving viral suppression within 2 years of ART initiation and investigated the factors associated with success.

Methods: We analyzed all 190 infants from the Cameroon Pediacam who initiated ART by 12 months of age.