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Introduction: lack of adequate sanitation facilities remain a major concern in developing countries. While around 41% of Cameroonians lack access to improved sanitation facilities, the 2011 National Survey revealed a diarrhoea incidence rate of 21% in children under five years, two weeks before interview. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of latrine coverage and usage on diarrhoeic disease outcomes among children under 5. Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in March 2016 in pre-selected slums areas of Douala 5th district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from one consenting adult per household. Data analysis was carried out using Epi Info version 7.1.4.0. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher exact test were used to estimate the influence of latrine coverage on the incidence of diarrhoea. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: of the 384 households enrolled, 69.01% had latrine facilities, while 30.99% shared latrines with neighbouring households. Sixty point sixteen percent (60.16%) (231/384) of all households used pit latrines. Although consistent use of latrines by all adults was reported, 20.05% of children under 5 practiced open-air defecation. The incidence of diarrhoea among children under 5 years 2 weeks before interview was 29.25%, of which 26.35% were bloody stools. Diarrhoea outcome was significantly associated with use of pit latrines (p < 0.01); lack of cover on latrines hole (p < 0.0001) and proximity of latrines to household (p=0.01). Conclusion: poor faecal waste management and lack of improved sanitation facilities contribute significantly to diarrhoeal episodes among children under 5. A structured strategy to improve community-based sanitation considering urban planning and sanitation campaigns would promote safer environment and reduce outcome of water-borne and diarrhoeic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At least 2.1 billion people around the world use contaminated drinking water, causing 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year, mostly among children under 5 years old. A study conducted 10 years ago in Bafoussam (West Cameroon) recorded concentrations of bacteria among surface and groundwater. High levels of bicarbonates, phosphates, chlorides and suspended matters were also found. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological and chemical qualities of domestic water sources in 5 localities of the West region of Cameroon. Water samples from 22 water sources (wells, springs, water drilling and river) were aseptically collected in plastic bottles and transferred in 50 ml sterile tubes. For chlorinated water sources, 1 ml of Thiosulfate was added to the water sample; immediately placed in an ice box and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Water temperature and pH were measured on site. The microbiological quality of water was determined by testing Total Coliforms (TC) using the Micro Biological Survey method. 1 ml of each water sample was inoculated in the MBS vial initially rehydrated with 10 ml of sterile distilled water. The initial color of the vials is red. Color changes were monitored at three different time intervals (12h, 19h and 24h), corresponding to three levels of contamination. The chemical quality of water was assessed using micronucleus (MN) test in selected Vicia faba seeds secondary root tips permanently mounted in Dibutylphthalate Polystyrene Xylene mountant for histology after 72 hours of direct exposition in water samples and in dark. The mitotic indices and MN frequencies were evaluated in 10 root tips per site analysing 5000 cells per tip. Statistical analyses were done using Stata IC/15.0 software. The Student t-test was used for mean comparison and the significance level was set at 1%. The majority of samples were collected from wells (63.6%). The mean water pH ranged from 5.5 to 8.3 and the temperature varied from 23 to 26°C. A very high concentration of TC [>103 CFU/ml] was found in 8 (36.4%) samples. 10 (45.5%) and 2 (9.1%) samples turned yellow at 19 and 24 hours respectively after incubation corresponding to TC concentration of [10

Awareness is a preventive action to instill in individuals certain concepts to improve their health. It is an essential element in the prevention of sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV and early pregnancies among adolescents. In 2012, the prevalence of HIVin Cameroon was estimated at 4.3%. The young population appear to be the most affected (3.2%); very close to that of the Dschang Health District (Cameroon; 3.1%) in the 15-19 years age group. Theaimof this study was to evaluate the contribution of the Mobile Caravan project on the preventive aspect of STI/HIV/AIDS among youths of Dschang in 10 secondary schools within three years. 2029 students joined the project's activities and 58.55% of them belonged to the age group of 16-21 years. Most students attended private schools. Nearly 3/4 of students (1515/2029) had an acceptable level of knowledge regarding STI/HIV/AIDS, which increased in number each year (from 641 to 716 students between 2012 and 2014). The Level of knowledge was significantly determinedby the study cycle (P=0.0004), the type of school (P=0.0027) and the year ofimplementation of activities (P=0.0026). The caravan project has greatly contributed to improving young peoples' awareness on STI/HIV/AIDSin Dschang Municipality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: lack of adequate sanitation facilities remain a major concern in developing countries. While around 41% of Cameroonians lack access to improved sanitation facilities, the 2011 National Survey revealed a diarrhoea incidence rate of 21% in children under five years, two weeks before interview. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of latrine coverage and usage on diarrhoeic disease outcomes among children under 5., Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in March 2016 in pre-selected slums areas of Douala 5 th district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from one consenting adult per household. Data analysis was carried out using Epi Info version 7.1.4.0. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher exact test were used to estimate the influence of latrine coverage on the incidence of diarrhoea. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05., Results: of the 384 households enrolled, 69.01% had latrine facilities, while 30.99% shared latrines with neighbouring households. Sixty point sixteen percent (60.16%) (231/384) of all households used pit latrines. Although consistent use of latrines by all adults was reported, 20.05% of children under 5 practiced open-air defecation. The incidence of diarrhoea among children under 5 years 2 weeks before interview was 29.25%, of which 26.35% were bloody stools. Diarrhoea outcome was significantly associated with use of pit latrines (p < 0.01); lack of cover on latrines hole (p < 0.0001) and proximity of latrines to household (p=0.01)., Conclusion: poor faecal waste management and lack of improved sanitation facilities contribute significantly to diarrhoeal episodes among children under 5. A structured strategy to improve community-based sanitation considering urban planning and sanitation campaigns would promote safer environment and reduce outcome of water-borne and diarrhoeic diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Rodrigue Biguioh Mabvouna et al.)