Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) has become a serious public health problem for healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in developing countries. This exposure increases the risk of contracting blood-borne infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of BBF exposure among HCWs in Cameroon. Relevant research reports were systematically searched and collected using online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct, as well as unpublished studies from the national library. Out of 539 records, only 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The I2 tests were employed to assess the heterogeneity of the included studies. Random-effects meta-analysis model was employed to estimate the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of BBF exposure among HCWs in Cameroon. The model indicated that the estimated overall pooled prevalence of 12-month and lifetime BBF exposure among HCWs in Cameroon was 55.44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.20 – 69.68, I2 = 97.5%, p<0.001) and 57.27% (95% CI: 42.43 – 72.10, I2 = 97.7%, p<0.001), respectively. The highest 12-month pooled prevalence was observed in intermediate-level health facilities (84.73%, 95% CI: 85.55 – 88.50), whereas the highest lifetime prevalence was observed in the North-West and South-West regions (77.96%, 95% CI: 57.39 – 93.19). HCWs in Cameroon face a significant risk of BBF exposure, with a high prevalence of exposure over their lifetime and within a 12-month period. This study highlights the urgent need to enhance and implement effective occupational safety and health policies to protect HCWs in Cameroon.

The Cameroon Health Sector Strategy (HSS) aims to foster a healthy and productive population, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. This retrospective study assesses progress toward the objectives of the HSS and key health indicators in the Center Region and nationally, providing a critical sub-national benchmark. In April 2023, we collected data for the period up to 2022 from the national DHIS2 database, online documents, and surveys, including the Demographic and Health Survey and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. Data underwent rigorous validation for completeness and accuracy before analysis. Nationally, performance was highest for antenatal antiretroviral therapy coverage (99%) and lowest for the reduction of chronic malnutrition among children under five (63% of target). The Center Region achieved the national malnutrition target (11% prevalence) but showed the lowest coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets among children. A key infrastructural finding was the disparity in health facility density, which exceeded the national target (2.3/10,000) overall but remained below this target in the Center Region (1.4). In the Center Region, vaccination coverage for tracer antigens (Pentavalent 3, Bacille Calmette–Guérin) declined over 5 years, falling below the 95% target in 2022, although it remained above the national average. Similarly, antenatal care attendance and intermittent preventive treatment coverage remained persistently low from 2018 to 2022. While significant progress has been made in strengthening the health system, these findings highlight the need for targeted efforts to prevent malaria, improve routine immunization and antenatal care utilization, and address the underlying causes of nutritional insecurity in lagging regions. This analysis offers crucial evidence for strategic health planning and resource allocation.

Background & aims of the study During the 2022-2023 multi-country mpox outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) and key stakeholders implemented a global surveillance system to collect aggregated and case-based information on mpox cases. We describe the mpox cases reported through this system from January 2022 to early June 2023. Methods & results We analyzed demographic, clinical and transmission characteristics of reported mpox cases and identified risk factors for hospitalization using binary logistic regression. As of 11 June 2023, 87,979 mpox cases including 147 related deaths have been reported from 111 countries. The median age of affected individuals was 34 (IQR 29-41) years and most cases (96.2%; 78,150/81,201) were male, most of whom (84.1%; 25,949/30,858) self-identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). Sexual contact was reported as the primary route of transmission (82.0%, 16,435 /20,041). Among cases with available HIV status, 51.9% (16,601/15,360) were living with HIV, and of those with available data, 80.0% (4,078/5,119) were reported to be immunosuppressed. Among cases (n=34,332) where at least one symptom was reported, the most frequently reported symptoms were any rash (80.6%), fever (59.2%), genital rash (44.0%), headache (30.9%) and any lymphadenopathy (29.1%). Among cases with hospitalization information, 3,590 were hospitalized. Factors associated with higher odds of hospitalization included age <5 years (aOR [95% CI]= 1.94.23 [1.20-3.15]) or ≥65 years (aOR= 1.43 [0.98-2.08]); female sex (aOR= 1.64 [1.39-1.94]); living with HIV without immunosuppression (aOR=1.42 [1.03-1.95]; persons reported as immunosuppressed by their clinician (aOR= 4.13 [2.20-7.77]); and those with HIV and immunosuppression (aOR= 1.77 [1.47-2.13]). Implications The analysis of the WHO global surveillance data yielded key insights for the ongoing mpox outbreak. These have guided the response by emphasizing risk communication for MSM, raising awareness of early disease signs, and highlighting the risk for immunosuppressed individuals, including those with HIV or other conditions.

Annual reports have indicated a progressive decline in immunization coverage in Yaoundé. This study aimed to identify knowledge gaps and organizational deficiencies in the implementation of routine immunization in health facilities (HFs) in the Efoulan health district (HD) of Yaoundé. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Efoulan, an urban HD of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, in May 2022. A self-administered questionnaire and an observation grid were used to collect knowledge-related data. A total of 46 healthcare workers (HCWs) providing vaccinations in the nine health areas of the HD were enrolled in the study. Almost all participants (93.5%) were unable to name all the diseases that the pentavalent vaccine protects against. More than half of the respondents (59%) were aware of the 15-month booster dose of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine included in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Half of the respondents were aware of the type of antigen contained in the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine (52%). More than two-thirds of the respondents (72%) had not identified the 6-month MR vaccine as recommended for HIV-positive children. Almost all the respondents (87%) had poor knowledge of vaccination norms and standards. Most of the visited HFs did not follow the monthly EPI monitoring curve (87%), did not store vaccines according to standards (80%), or lacked an EPI case reporting form (93%). There are still significant deficiencies in the implementation of routine immunization in most HFs in Efoulan HD, which correlate with the staff’s lack of knowledge of EPI norms and standards. Strengthening the capacity of HCWs through ongoing training and supervision is necessary.