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IntroductionInjury is a significant and increasingly common cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa; however, the social and economic factors underlying these trends are not well understood. We evaluated the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and trauma outcomes using a prospective registry of patients presenting to the largest trauma hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon.MethodsTrauma patients (n=2855) presenting to the emergency ward at Central Hospital, Yaoundé between April 15 and October 15, 2009 were surveyed regarding demographic and socioeconomic background, nature and severity of injuries, treatment, and disposition. A wealth score was estimated for each patient, corresponding to an SES index constructed using principle components analysis of the urban Cameroonian Demographic and Health Survey. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the effects of SES on care-seeking behaviour, injury severity, and treatment outcome.Main outcome measuresSES wealth score, care-seeking prior to visiting hospital, injury severity, treatment outcome.ResultsPatients aged 1-89 presented with road traffic injuries (59.83%), falls (7.76%), and penetrating trauma (6.16%), and had higher SES than the broader urban Cameroonian population. Within the Yaoundé sample, being in the lowest SES quintile was associated with an increased likelihood of having sought care elsewhere before presenting to the hospital (aOR=3.28, p

BackgroundRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major cause of death and disability worldwide. In Cameroon, like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, more data on RTI patterns and outcomes are needed to improve treatment and prevention. This study analyses RTIs seen in the emergency room of the busiest trauma centre in Yaoundé, Cameroon.MethodsA prospective injury surveillance study was conducted in the emergency room of the Central Hospital of Yaoundé from April 15 to October 15, 2009. RTI patterns and relationships among demographic variables, road collision characteristics, injury severity, and outcomes were identified.ResultsA total of 1686 RTI victims were enrolled. The mean age was 31 years, and 73% were male. Eighty-eight percent of road collisions occurred on paved roads. The most common user categories were 'pedestrian' (34%) and 'motorcyclist' (29%). Pedestrians were more likely to be female (p

IntroductionInjury rates in sub-Saharan Africa are among the highest in the world, but prospective, registry-based reports from Cameroon are limited. We aimed to create a prospective trauma registry to expand the data elements collected on injury at a busy tertiary center in Yaoundé Cameroon.MethodsDetails of the injury context, presentation, care, cost, and disposition from the emergency department (ED) were gathered over a 6-month period, by trained research assistants using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate models were built to explore variable relationships and outcomes.ResultsThere were 2,855 injured patients in 6 months, comprising almost half of all ED visits. Mean age was 30 years; 73 % were male. Injury mechanism was road traffic injury in 59 %, fall in 7 %, penetrating trauma in 6 %, and animal bites in 4 %. Of these, 1,974 (69 %) were discharged home, 517 (18 %) taken to the operating room, and 14 (1 %) to the intensive care unit. The body areas most severely injured were pelvis and extremity in 43 %, head in 30 %, chest in 4 %, and abdomen in 3 %. The estimated injury severity score (eISS) was 25 in 2 %. Mortality was 0.7 %. In the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of mortality were eISS ≥9 and Glasgow Coma Score ≤12. Road traffic injury was an independent predictor for the need to have surgery. Trauma registry results were presented to the Ministry of Health in Cameroon, prompting the formation of a National Injury Committee.ConclusionsInjuries comprise a significant proportion of ED visits and utilization of surgical services in Yaoundé. A prospective approach allows for more extensive information. Thorough data from a prospective trauma registry can be used successfully to advocate for policy towards prevention and treatment of injuries.

BackgroundData on the epidemiology of trauma in Cameroon are scarce. Presently, hospital records are still used as a primary source of injury data. It has been shown that trauma registries could play a key role in providing basic data on trauma. Our goal is to review the present emergency ward records for completeness of data and provide an overview of injuries in the city of Limbe and the surrounding area in the Southwest Region of Cameroon prior to the institution of a formal registration system.MethodsA retrospective review of Emergency Ward logs in Limbe Hospital was conducted over one year. Records for all patients over 15 years of age were reviewed for 14 data points considered to be essential to a basic trauma registry. Completeness of records was assessed and a descriptive analysis of patterns and trends of trauma was performed.ResultsInjury-related conditions represent 27% of all registered admissions in the casualty department. Information on age, sex and mechanism of injury was lacking in 22% of cases. Information on vital signs was present in 2% (respiratory rate) to 12% (blood pressure on admission) of records. Patient disposition (admission, transfer, discharge, or death) was available 42% of the time, whilst location of injury was found in 84% of records. Road traffic injury was the most frequently recorded mechanism (36%), with the type of vehicle specified in 54% and the type of collision in only 22% of cases. Intentional injuries were the second most frequent mechanism at 23%.ConclusionThe frequency of trauma found in this context argues for further prevention and treatment efforts. The institution of a formal registration system will improve the completeness of data and lead to increased ability to evaluate the severity and subsequent public health implications of injury in this region.

BackgroundInjuries are quickly becoming a leading cause of death globally, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where reports on the epidemiology of injuries are extremely limited. Reports on the patterns and frequency of injuries are available from Cameroon are also scarce. This study explores the patterns of trauma seen at the emergency ward of the busiest trauma center in Cameroon's capital city.Materials and methodsAdministrative records from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed; information on age, gender, mechanism of injury, and outcome was abstracted for all trauma patients presenting to the emergency ward. Univariate analysis was performed to assess patterns of injuries in terms of mechanism, date, age, and gender. Bivariate analysis was used to explore potential relationships between demographic variables and mechanism of injury.ResultsA total of 6,234 injured people were seen at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé's emergency ward during the year 2007. Males comprised 71% of those injured, and the mean age of injured patients was 29 years (SD = 14.9). Nearly 60% of the injuries were due to road traffic accidents, 46% of which involved a pedestrian. Intentional injuries were the second most common mechanism of injury (22.5%), 55% of which involved unarmed assault. Patients injured in falls were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (p

Background: Little is known about attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa, where immunisation coverage is the lowest in the world., Aim: The study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake in Cameroon, and assess changes in these factors over a period of time., Setting: The study was conducted in the ten regions of Cameroon., Methods: The authors conducted a two-phase cross-sectional survey in the 10 regions of Cameroon, from July 2021 to August 2021 (Phase one) and from August 2022 to September 2022 (Phase two). We analysed reasons for vaccine hesitancy descriptively and used logistic regression to assess factors associated with hesitancy., Results: Overall, we enrolled 12 109 participants: 6567 (54.23%) in Phase one and 5542 (45.77%) in Phase two. Of these, 8009 (66.14%) were not interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine ( n = 4176 in Phase one, n = 3833 in Phase two). The refusal rate increased significantly in the northern region from 27.00% in Phase 1 to 60.00% in Phase two. The leading contributor to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was fear that the vaccine was dangerous, which was significantly associated (95% confidence interval [CI], p < 0.05%) with vaccine refusal in both phases. Overall, 32.90% of participants ( n = 2578) perceived the COVID-19 vaccine to be dangerous. Advanced age, male gender, Muslim religion and low level of education were associated with vaccine acceptance. Participants reported that healthcare workers were the most trusted source of information about the COVID-19 vaccine by 5005 (42.84%) participants., Conclusion: Despite the investment of the Ministry of Health and its partners in community engagement, focussing on communication about the vaccine efficacy, tolerance and potential adverse events, fear of the vaccine remains high, likely leading to vaccine hesitancy in Cameroon between 2021 and 2022., Contribution: The study highlight regional variations in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Cameroon, with factors age, gender, religion and education influencing willingness to vaccine. Trust in health workers was high, indicating that, tailored, community-led vaccination strategies are key for improving vaccine uptake, not only for COVID-19 but also for future epidemics., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article., (© 2024. The Authors.)