Prevalence, risk factors and management of common mental health disorders in Cameroon: a systematic review.

Objectives: This review aimed to synthesise evidence on (1) the prevalence of common mental health disorders (MHDs) in Cameroon; (2) the effectiveness of mental health management interventions; (3) the risk factors for common MHDs in Cameroon and (4) map the state of research on common mental disorders in Cameroon.

Design: A systematic review.

Data Sources: We performed a comprehensive search for articles in major public health databases including PubMed, Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL from inception of each database to June 2022.

Generating the evidence to support the establishment of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus surveillance system in Cameroon: A study protocol.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the major pathogens frequently associated with severe respiratory tract infections in younger children and older adults globally. There is an unmet need with a lack of routine country-specific databases and/or RSV surveillance systems on RSV disease burden among adults in most low- and middle-income countries, including Cameroon. We aim to estimate the adult RSV burden needed to develop a framework for establishing an RSV surveillance database in Cameroon.

Prevalence of prolonged otitis media with effusion among 2 to 3 years old Cameroonian children in the era of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.

Objectives: There is data scarcity on the overall effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on otitis media (OM) in low- and middle-income countries. The impact of the 13-valent PCV (PCV13) program on OM was evaluated in Cameroon where infant vaccination was implemented in July 2011 using a 3-dose primary series at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age.

Methods: Through community-based surveillance, we used a retrospective cohort study design to assess OM prevalence among PCV13-vaccinated children aged 24 to 36 months in 2015.

Prevalence, risk factors and management of common mental health disorders in Cameroon: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Mental health disorders (MHDs) are considered a serious public health concern globally. The burden of mental health conditions is estimated to be higher in low-income and middle-income countries, including Cameroon, where reliable estimates are lacking. This review aims to synthesise evidence on the prevalence of MHDs, the effectiveness of mental health management interventions and identify risk factors for MHDs in Cameroon.

Antimicrobial stewardship in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review protocol on the opportunities and challenges for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the leading threats to global public health and this may increase following COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly the case in Africa where regulations on antimicrobial usage are weak. This protocol outlines the steps to undertake a systematic review to synthesize evidence on drivers of AMR and evaluate existing approaches to strengthening antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal meningitis and purulent meningitis among children ˂5 years in Cameroon, 2011-2018.

Background: The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) entered Cameroon's childhood national immunization programme (NIP) in July 2011 under a 3-dose schedule (6, 10, 14 weeks of age) without any catch-up. We described the impact of PCV13 onserotype distribution among pneumococcal meningitis cases over time.

Methods: We used laboratory-based sentinel surveillance data to identify meningitis cases among 2- to 59-month-old children with clinically-suspected bacterial meningitis (CSBM) admitted to hospitals in Yaoundé (August 2011-December 2018).

Prevalence of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization and serotypes circulating in Cameroonian children after the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a major contributor to childhood infections and deaths globally. In Cameroon, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was introduced in July 2011, using a 3-dose Expanded programme on immunization (EPI) schedule administered to infants at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. To evaluate PCV13 effects, we assessed pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization and serotype distribution among Cameroonian children after PCV13 introduction.

Assessing the causes of under-five mortality and proportion associated with pneumococcal diseases in Cameroon. A case-finding retrospective observational study: 2006-2012.

Background: Vital registration data outlining causes of deaths (CoD) are important for a sustainable health system, targeted interventions and other relevant policies. There is data paucity on vital registration systems in developing countries. We assessed the leading causes and proportions of under-five deaths, and particularly those related to pneumococcal infections in Yaoundé, Cameroon, using hospital registration data.

The prevalence of otitis media in 2-3 year old Cameroonian children estimated by tympanometry.

Background: Acute otitis media is a common illness in children under-five years of age and associated with major health care resources in high-income countries. However, there is paucity of data on its epidemiology and clinical presentation in low-income countries. We estimated the prevalence of otitis media and assessed risk factors among children in Cameroon.

Predictors to parental knowledge about childhood immunisation/EPI vaccines in two health districts in Cameroon prior to the introduction of 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCV-13).

Introduction: Pneumonia is vaccine-preventable, but the increasing death toll resulting from the disease in Sub-Saharan Africa is alarming. Several factors account for vaccine failing to reach every child, besides incomplete vaccine coverage. Most of these include the perceptions of parents/guardians and healthcare providers.