Adolescent pregnancies are a growing public health problem in Cameroon. We sought to study the outcome of such pregnancies, in order to inform public health action.

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are increasingly common in population within Africa. We determined the rate of coincident diabetes and hypertension and assessed the levels of co-awareness, treatment and control in a semi-urban population in Cameroon.

Although disordered sleep patterns predispose to hypertension (HTN), little is known on the effect of the latter on sleep patterns in sub-Saharan Africa. This study therefore sought to generate preliminary data on the likelihood (risk) of Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in hypertensive patients, with the aid of sleep questionnaires. This case–control study, age-and-sex-matched HTN patients with normotensive participants, and compared sleep patterns in either group determined with the aid of the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Overall, 50 HTN and 54 age- and sex-matched normotensive participants were enrolled. The prevalence of snoring was higher in participants with hypertension compared to normotensives (58.0% versus 44.0% respectively), though not significantly, (p = 0.167). However, the hypertensive cases (aged on average 54.78 ± 8.79 years and with mean duration since diagnosis of 4.46 ± 4.36 years) had a significantly higher likelihood of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) than the controls (aOR = 5.03; 95% CI, 1.90–13.33, p = 0.001) and but no significant resulting daytime sleepiness (p = 0.421). There was no clear trend observed between both the risk of OSA and daytime sleepiness and HTN severity. Although not significant, participants with controlled hypertension had lower rates of risk of OSA compared to those with uncontrolled HTN (50.0% versus 63.2%, p = 0.718). Preliminary findings of this study (the first of its kind in Cameroon) suggests that hypertension is positively associated with likelihood of OSA in Cameroon. Further studies are required to investigate this further and the role of sleep questionnaires in our setting, cheap and easy to use tools which can be used to identify early, patients with hypertension in need for further sleep investigations. This will contribute to improving their quality of life and adherence to anti-hypertension treatment.

Background Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has been observed to be common among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Sleep scales can be used to screen patients at increased “risk” of OSA who can benefit from polysomnography. This study therefore sought to generate preliminary data on this often unattended complication of HIV Infection in Cameroon. Methods A case control study carried out at the Yaoundé Central Hospital in which 82 participants were enrolled: 39 PLWHA age- and sex-matched with 43 controls. The Berlin sleep questionnaire was used to assess the likelihood of OSA in both groups. Results Participants were aged 20 to 59 years with a mean age of 34.27 ± 9.29 (35.72 ± 10.09 and 32.92 ± 8.41 respectively for cases and controls, p = 0.180). Cases (PLWHA) compared to controls had higher likelihood of OSA (43.6% versus 14.0%, AOR 3.93 95% CI 1.12–13.80 on adjusting for socioeconomic status, depression and smoking) as well as 10 times higher rates of daytime somnolence (23.1% versus 2.3%, p = 0.005). Significant differences were found between PLHWA at “risk” of OSA and those without only with regards to rate of compliance to Highly Active anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), and mean abdominal and waist circumferences. Conclusions The likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in PLHWA is higher than in HIV negative controls. Integration of screening for OSA in HIV/AIDS care with the aid of sleep scales would permit timely diagnosis and management and reduce the incidence of chronic cardiorespiratory co-morbidities in PLWHA.

Populations affected by humanitarian crises and emerging infectious disease outbreaks may have unique concerns and experiences that influence their perceptions toward vaccines. In March 2021, we conducted a survey to examine the perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines and identify the factors associated with vaccine intention among 631 community members (CMs) and 438 healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the 2018–2020 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of vaccine intention. Most HCWs (81.7%) and 53.6% of CMs felt at risk of contracting COVID-19; however, vaccine intention was low (27.6% CMs; 39.7% HCWs). In both groups, the perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, general vaccine confidence, and male sex were associated with the intention to get vaccinated, with security concerns preventing vaccine access being negatively associated. Among CMs, getting the Ebola vaccine was associated with the intention to get vaccinated (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05–1.94). Among HCWs, concerns about new vaccines’ safety and side effects (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57–0.91), religion’s influence on health decisions (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34–0.61), security concerns (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37–0.74), and governmental distrust (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35–0.70) were negatively associated with vaccine perceptions. Enhanced community engagement and communication that address this population’s concerns could help improve vaccine perceptions and vaccination decisions. These findings could facilitate the success of vaccine campaigns in North Kivu and similar settings.