Background: Translating research findings into health policy often encounters numerous challenges... more Background: Translating research findings into health policy often encounters numerous challenges in many African countries, including Cameroon. One of these challenges is the lack of standard tools and procedures to connect researchers to policy makers. A tool such as the Target Policy Profile (TPoP) can help to close this gap, since it is designed to optimize dialogue around the evidence needed to effect a change in policy. In this paper, we assessed the policy making process in Cameroon and suggest how the process can be optimized using the TPoP. Methods: This study reports on qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews of purposively selected individuals, and quantitative data extracted from strategic plans and reports of 17 vertical health programs in Cameroon. Results: The majority (10/17) of our respondents were males and had an average of 6.5 years’ experience in policy making in Cameroon. A relatively small number of interventions/policies (19) were introduced by t...
Texila International Journal of Public Health, 2017
Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs result... more Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs resulting to poor performance and increased morbi-mortality. Many studies related to retention are focused on adults including pregnant women, leaving out children, especially in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of this study is to assess 12 months retention and determine factors associated with retention among children on ART. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a pediatric reference in Yaounde, Cameroon. Registers of children enrolled on antiretroviral therapy from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016 were reviewed for retention. Factors associated with retention in children were determined for future improvement. A total of 416 children were enrolled and after 12 months follow up, 398 (90.9%) were found to be alive and still on treatment. Young age (age less than 1 year) of start on ART and CD4% were the factors associated with poor retention & attrition at 12 months after initiation. Twelve months...
Although infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) remains a global public health problem, little is... more Although infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) remains a global public health problem, little is known about its epidemiology in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to determine the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity among pregnant women in the Buea Health District (BHD) in rural Cameroon. We also assessed pregnant women's knowledge about hepatitis B. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken. Participants were evaluated using a structured questionnaire with clinical examination and were then screened for HBsAg using a commercial rapid diagnostic test. Assessment of knowledge was done using a hepatitis B basic knowledge summary score. Of the 176 pregnant women studied, 9.7% (95% CI: 5.7%, 15%) tested positive for HBsAg. None of the risk factors assessed was significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. The hepatitis B knowledge summary score ranged from 0 to 12 with a mean of 1.5 (SD = 3....
Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs result... more Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs resulting to poor performance and increased morbi-mortality. Many studies related to retention are focused on adults including pregnant women, leaving out children, especially in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of this study is to assess 12 months retention and determine factors associated with retention among children on ART. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a pediatric reference in Yaounde, Cameroon. Registers of children enrolled on antiretroviral therapy from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016 were reviewed for retention. Factors associated with retention in children were determined for future improvement. A total of 416 children were enrolled and after 12 months follow up, 398 (90.9%) were found to be alive and still on treatment. Young age (age less than 1 year) of start on ART and CD4% were the factors associated with poor retention & attrition at 12 months after initiation. Twelve months retention in care for children living with HIV is near optimal (90.0%) with a high chance of long term survival. Age less than 1 year and CD4% were baseline risk factors for poor retention. Given that children rely on their caregivers for optimal retention, there is need for robust prevention of mother to child transmission programs and pediatric case finding & linkage to care strategies. Quality data will help improve strategies and procedures to boost long term retention required for viral suppression needed end the HIV pandemic.
Background: Translating research findings into health policy often encounters numerous challenges... more Background: Translating research findings into health policy often encounters numerous challenges in many African countries, including Cameroon. One of these challenges is the lack of standard tools and procedures to connect researchers to policy makers. A tool such as the Target Policy Profile (TPoP) can help to close this gap, since it is designed to optimize dialogue around the evidence needed to effect a change in policy. In this paper, we assessed the policy making process in Cameroon and suggest how the process can be optimized using the TPoP. Methods: This study reports on qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews of purposively selected individuals, and quantitative data extracted from strategic plans and reports of 17 vertical health programs in Cameroon. Results: The majority (10/17) of our respondents were males and had an average of 6.5 years’ experience in policy making in Cameroon. A relatively small number of interventions/policies (19) were introduced by t...
Texila International Journal of Public Health, 2017
Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs result... more Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs resulting to poor performance and increased morbi-mortality. Many studies related to retention are focused on adults including pregnant women, leaving out children, especially in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of this study is to assess 12 months retention and determine factors associated with retention among children on ART. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a pediatric reference in Yaounde, Cameroon. Registers of children enrolled on antiretroviral therapy from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016 were reviewed for retention. Factors associated with retention in children were determined for future improvement. A total of 416 children were enrolled and after 12 months follow up, 398 (90.9%) were found to be alive and still on treatment. Young age (age less than 1 year) of start on ART and CD4% were the factors associated with poor retention & attrition at 12 months after initiation. Twelve months...
Although infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) remains a global public health problem, little is... more Although infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) remains a global public health problem, little is known about its epidemiology in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to determine the prevalence of, and identify factors associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity among pregnant women in the Buea Health District (BHD) in rural Cameroon. We also assessed pregnant women's knowledge about hepatitis B. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken. Participants were evaluated using a structured questionnaire with clinical examination and were then screened for HBsAg using a commercial rapid diagnostic test. Assessment of knowledge was done using a hepatitis B basic knowledge summary score. Of the 176 pregnant women studied, 9.7% (95% CI: 5.7%, 15%) tested positive for HBsAg. None of the risk factors assessed was significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. The hepatitis B knowledge summary score ranged from 0 to 12 with a mean of 1.5 (SD = 3....
Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs result... more Poor retention in HIV care is a known main challenge for antiretroviral treatment programs resulting to poor performance and increased morbi-mortality. Many studies related to retention are focused on adults including pregnant women, leaving out children, especially in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of this study is to assess 12 months retention and determine factors associated with retention among children on ART. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a pediatric reference in Yaounde, Cameroon. Registers of children enrolled on antiretroviral therapy from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016 were reviewed for retention. Factors associated with retention in children were determined for future improvement. A total of 416 children were enrolled and after 12 months follow up, 398 (90.9%) were found to be alive and still on treatment. Young age (age less than 1 year) of start on ART and CD4% were the factors associated with poor retention & attrition at 12 months after initiation. Twelve months retention in care for children living with HIV is near optimal (90.0%) with a high chance of long term survival. Age less than 1 year and CD4% were baseline risk factors for poor retention. Given that children rely on their caregivers for optimal retention, there is need for robust prevention of mother to child transmission programs and pediatric case finding & linkage to care strategies. Quality data will help improve strategies and procedures to boost long term retention required for viral suppression needed end the HIV pandemic.
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