Northwest Region Of Cameroon Research Articles

Perceptions of Agriculture by Elementary School and College Students in Mezam Division of North West Cameroon: A Qualitative Analysis

The study explored the perceptions of primary school pupils, secondary, and high school students in the Mezam Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Existing literature points to declining youth interest in agriculture grounded on a largely negative perception of the sector, however, there is scant data on youth perception of agriculture in Cameroon. In the face of rising youth unemployment, there is a need to generate relevant data that can inform policies relating to youth entry and participation in the country’s agriculture. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 7 primary, secondary, and high schools respectively. The data were analyzed using the thematic approach, leading to the emergence of themes. The findings of the study indicate that pupils and students have largely positive perceptions of agriculture which are however not translated into high aspirations for career development in the sector, suggesting a need for targeted actions at various levels of the educational system. Further research that addresses perceived determinants of youth attraction to agriculture in the country, will contribute to informing youth-specific policy towards agriculture.

PREVALENCE OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN THE NORTHWEST REGION OF CAMEROON

This article investigates the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among healthcare professionals in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, a region marked by armed conflicts and unique challenges. A cross-sectional study involving 90 healthcare professionals from three selected hospitals revealed that 27.8% met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Nurses exhibited the highest prevalence, followed by doctors and support staff. Exposure to traumatic events, particularly those related to armed conflict and life-threatening illnesses, was significantly associated with an increased risk of PTSD. This study establishes a strong association between exposure to traumatic events, particularly those related to armed conflict and life-threatening illnesses, and an elevated risk of developing PTSD. The findings emphasize the urgent need for mental health support and tailored interventions to address the well-being of healthcare professionals in this region, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided to the community.

Farmer’s Perception on the Use of Beneficial Microorganism Fertilizer for the Growth of Crops in the Northwest Region of Cameroon

Farmer’s Perception on the Use of Beneficial Microorganism Fertilizer for the Growth of Crops in the Northwest Region of Cameroon

Political instability and hiv/aids response in the south west and north west regions of Cameroon: a qualitative study

BackgroundPolitically motivated violence and insecurity continue to be a major threat to progress in HIV epidemic control and a significant contributor to health inequality. Despite a decreasing HIV/AIDS disease burden, the Republic of Cameroon in West Africa is experiencing ongoing political instability in her North and South West Regions. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand key frontline health care providers’ (fHCP) perceptions of the effects of political instability on HIV/AIDS response gains in Cameroon since 2018, as well as lessons learned for overcoming them.MethodsBetween July and August 2022, semi-structured, in-depth key informant interviews involving 10 purposively selected participants were conducted in the two regions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded thematically, and analyzed manually.ResultsSix overarching themes emerged from the transcribed key informant interviews. They were as follows: Challenge with access to and availability of health care services (HIV care, commodity supply chain) in the smaller communities; Impact on continuity of treatment; Increased risk of new HIV infections; The socioeconomic impact of the crisis on the quality of life; The impact of the crisis on fHCPs’ physical and mental health and the health system’; and Coping mechanisms.ConclusionsFrontline healthcare workers have acknowledged the significant impact the current political instability has had in hindering the development and advancement of a successful local response to HIV/AIDS in the two impacted regions of Cameroon. Coordinated efforts must be made to strengthen the health sector in areas such as HIV healthcare decentralization, supply chain, and protecting frontline healthcare workers from political quagmires in order to lessen the impact of the nation’s socio-political crisis on the HIV/AIDS response and, more generally, on the entire health sector.

Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease Among Undergraduate Students of the University of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon

Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease Among Undergraduate Students of the University of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon

The Role of ICT in Effective Dissemination of Extension Information among Women Livestock Farmers in North West Region of Cameroon

Over the past years, extensive efforts have been made throughout the world to provide female farmers with effective, suitable technology, training, and information. As a result, positive effects are beginning to show in agricultural production and family welfare. But the successes are limited at a time when public sector investments in agricultural research and extension are under pressure, when ever-greater demands are being placed on rural women in the face of rapid social transformation and in an increasing number of areas, when evidence of environmental degradation is growing. ICTs are now being used to provide basic solutions to farmers and are increasingly being supported by extension practitioners for use in agricultural production and marketing systems. This paper is intended to investigate the role played by ICT in the dissemination of effective extension information among women livestock farmers in the North West Region of Cameroon. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires, observations, focus groups and interview guides. Secondary data were obtained from books, journals, research projects and scientific articles. These provided the necessary quantitative and qualitative data that were used to draw conclusions. Multi stage sampling techniques were used to select the female farmers for the study. Four hundred (400) questionnaires were administered randomly to collect data from the communities. The women were examined using different channels like media, phone calls, friends, and agricultural technicians. The results from the study shows that, the media seemingly are doing a great job in disseminating of appropriate agricultural information. Therefore, 40.5% of the farmers get information from the media or magazines but only (7.8%) get information through phone calls. The findings of this study can go a long way to help policy makers in planning and designing need-based information infrastructural system for rural farmers.

Analysis of wind regimes for energy estimation in Bamenda, of the North West Region of Cameroon, based on the Weibull distribution

The modelling and prediction of wind characteristics in a region is a primary requirement to the development of the corresponding wind energy system. This paper studies the wind energy potential for Bamenda in the North-West Region of Cameroon, with geographical coordinates: latitude 5.96°N, longitude 10.12°E and an elevation of 785 m. The analysis is based on data obtained from NASA surface meteorology and solar energy dataset for 11 years 1983 to 1993 through the RETScreen software tool provided by CANMET Canada. Through an analysis using the Weibull distribution function, the Weibull shape k, and scale c, parameters are determined using the least square graphical method to be 6.938 and 2.022 respectively. The mean wind speed, the variance, the standard deviation, the most probable /speed and the wind power density are also estimated characterising the wind regime of Bamenda. Comparing these results with the measured ones, it is shown that the Weibull distribution can be used with acceptable statistical accuracy for prediction of wind energy potential of Bamenda.

From displacement to empowerment: How women found their voice and claimed their power

abstract The narrative on women within war and displacement contexts focuses a great deal on their vulnerability, presenting them as passive victims. This perpetual projection of women as victims of violence veils their capacity to take positive action, assert their power and claim agency over their lives. Based on research on the experiences and challenges of internally displaced women in the Bamenda subdivisions, North West Region of Cameroon, the feminist standpoint theory, and the capacities and vulnerabilities analysis framework, this article emphasises the importance of challenging dominant narratives that cast women as victims and passive recipients of aid, and spotlights their ability to survive in adversity. This research used a qualitative design, unstructured interviews, and content analysis with verbatim transcriptions. Findings indicate while in a new environment, displaced women develop relevant coping strategies over time, and some have a better life compared to that experienced before the move. Over 91% of respondents reported having ventured into income-generating activities, including small trading, house help, online marketing, baking and farming. Income generated is primarily channeled towards food, shelter, health and education for both women and their children, as some women have enrolled in school since being displaced to Bamenda. The study concludes that despite the challenges faced with displacement, the process provides exposure for displaced women, offering them a chance to rise above the limitations of cultural/social norms and practices, giving them a better chance of discovering and realising their dreams.

Apprenticeship Learning and Adolescents’ Acquisition of Social and Cognitive Skills in Tailoring Workshops in Bamenda: Implications for Situated Learning

This study aimed at investigating situated learning and adolescents’ acquisition of social and cognitive skills in Bamenda in the North West Region of Cameroon. In this regard the researchers sought to provide answers to two important research questions namely: 1) How does modeling influence the acquisition of Social and Cognitive Skills in Tailoring Workshops in Bamenda?; 2) How does coaching influence the acquisition of Social and Cognitive Skills in Tailoring Workshops in Bamenda? The study anchored on three theories which are: Lave and Wenger’s (1991) situated Learning theory, Brown, Allan Collins and Paul Duguid’s (1989) Situated learning cognition and Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural perspective of learning. A concurrent nested mixed method design with the help of questionnaire and interviews was used for data collection from some 20 adolescent apprentices learning their trade at tailoring workshops in Bamenda. Findings of the study revealed that modeling influences adolescents’ acquisition of social and cognitive skills. It was also revealed that coaching had a significant influence on the acquisition of social and cognitive skills among adolescent apprentices. A number of recommendations were made to masters/expert tailors, apprentices and the government. As far as master/expert tailors are concerned, they should understand that learning within such an informal context does not always require direct instruction but that it is usually accidental. In this regard, the onus is on them to ensure that they demonstrate clearly the tasks they would eventually expect the novice apprentices to perform so that they can keenly pay attention, observe and eventually perform to the best of their abilities.

Assessing the status and spatial-temporal dynamics of the Bamenda Mountains (BM), North West region of Cameroon.

Change in land use and land cover (LULC) contributes in worsening ecological issues. Studying the trends of change in land use is highly significant to deal with global climate change and sustainable development. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the spatial-temporal dynamics of LULC of the Bamenda Mountains (BM) in the North West region of Cameroon, over a period of 34 years (1988-2022) and predict 34 years (2022-2056) future land use scenario of this site using time series satellite imagery (MSS, TM, ETM+, and OLI-TIRS) and ancillary data and to comprehend the driving forces of land use/land cover change (LULCC). The trends of LULCC were quantified; LULC maps were derived by classifying time series satellite images. Six LULC categories were identified during the study period (1988-2022). The research revealed a significant LULCC of the BM which can be justified by increase in the human population observed in the study area and the desire to extend agricultural lands to sustain the growing population. Overall, cultivated area 5684 ha (10.47%), 10680 ha (19.57 %), and 15163 ha (27.78%) and built-up area 449 ha (0.83%), 996 ha (1.83%), and 3242 ha (5.94%) for the study years 1988, 2003, and 2022, respectively, were all on the increase throughout the study period at the expense of other land cover types. The predicted figures of 2056 showed a continuous reduction of montane forest and savanna: 2401.92 ha (4.40%) and 25,862.67 ha (47.39%), respectively. Bare area is expected to drop in 2056 (2905.92 ha (5.32%)). The above decrease, when compared to 2022 figures, represents a loss of 3.97%, 4.53%, and 0.57%, respectively. The losses observed are gained by built-up and cultivated land (5.72% and 3.39%, respectively), covering surfaces areas of 6364.89 ha (11.66%) and 17,008.56 ha (31.17%), respectively. The above findings suggest that population growth is likely the major menace to the natural environment. It is thus safe to say that substantial LULCC was observed throughout the study period and will undoubtedly continue if nothing is done. This necessitates urgent measures such as reforestation and afforestation, encouraging off-farm activities and even improving technologies to combat the rate of forest degradation of the BM. Additionally, rebuilding trust between the French and English Cameroons through dialogue is premodial, to end the curent conflictual civil war and lessen the landscape configuration in Bamenda.

The effect of the anglophone crisis on youth sexual and reproductive health in the Northwest region of Cameroon: a qualitative study

Background The ongoing armed conflict in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon, named the “Anglophone crisis”, has had a deleterious impact on the health and wellbeing of the populations inhabiting these regions, especially adolescents and youth, but there is sparse evidence on the effect of the crisis on adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This study aimed to describe the effects of the crisis on adolescent SRH and identify stakeholder recommendations for strategies to address the SRH of youth in their crisis-impacted communities. Methods This was a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected during discussion forums with 316 community stakeholders, including parents (n=63), youths (n=81), religious leaders (29), neighborhood leaders (n=23), secondary school teachers (n=28), health professionals (n=37), pharmacists (n=5), local drug vendors (n=13), media representatives (n=12), and non-governmental organization representatives (n=29), in Bamenda, northwest region, Cameroon. A total of 12 homogenous discussion groups of 5 to 41 participants in each were conducted between May and July 2020. Session recordings were transcribed and then analyzed using Dedoose qualitative data management software and a text analysis approach. Results The results indicate that the crisis led to internal displacements and idleness among adolescent and youth, which increased their social and economic vulnerabilities, including to sexual violence and transactional sex. Resulting SRH effects were unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted Infections, unsafe abortions, maternal mortality, and psychosocial distress. Community stakeholders recommended that strategies to improve adolescent and youth SRH outcomes in these conflict-hit regions focus on spreading information about SRH, providing SRH services, and addressing issues of idleness. Conclusions The armed conflict in the Northwest region of Cameroon has had consequences on adolescent and youth’s adverse SRH outcomes, such as unintended pregnancies, transactional sex, rapes, unsafe abortions, and maternal death. The findings of this study highlight the importance of raising awareness on SRH risks of adolescents and youth and the necessity of adopting a community approach in developing interventions and policies to improve adolescent and youth SRH in regions affected by armed conflicts.

Challenges to Rural Infrastructural Development and Coping Strategies in Mezam Division, North West Region of Cameroon

Despite efforts made to improve rural infrastructural development over time, many rural infrastructural projects in the rural Mezam Division have remained of poor quality. This paperset out t make an evaluation of the challenges faced by the local population in the Mezam Division and the coping strategies they have adopted to cope with the rural under development. 260 questionnaires were distributed and 210 were obtained. 30 interviews were conducted with rural dwellers, NGOs, community-Based Associations, and state administrators three focus group discussions were organized with 8 members, bringing the total to 24 participants. Multivariate analysis was utilized to establish the framework for judging the quality of rural infrastructural projects and to identify the various coping strategies in the Rural Mezam Division.Data have been analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively; and have been presented on figures, tables, and photos.Findings revealed that rural infrastructure projects in the Rural Mezam Division are often implemented in challenging environments such as a poor administrative system, scarcity of skilled labour force, low institutional capacity, and high levels of mismanagement. The various development sectors such as agriculture, transport, education and health sectors are affected negatively which has led to rural underdevelopment. As such, the rural people who are the main beneficiaries of rural infrastructure have adopted different coping strategies in the different development sectors in order to sustain their lives. Furthermore, the paper holds that the way forward is for the ruralcouncils to be made autonomous so that they can raise revenue through taxes and use the finances for rural development.

Processes of the Sedentarisation of the Mbororo in North West Region-Cameroon

Objective: It is to analyse the processes of the pastoral Mbororos’ transition from nomadism to sedentarisation in the North-West Region of Cameroon. Methods: From observations, all the cultural core surrounding the pastoral Mbororo have had a tendency which has faced changes and has “obliged” the Mbororo to transit from their mobile (nomadic) way of life a sedentarised one, including their principal activity, cattle rearing. The study was carried out in a period of four years including twenty seven (27) months of data collection in the field. Succinctly put, this study covered the wide and extensive culture of the Mbororo in the North-West Region of Cameroon with particular focus on the transition process from nomadism to sedentarisation. Results: The major findings can be summarized as follows: Sedentarization is usually accompanied by larger cultural change. Despite ties with the pastoral communities, the settled pastoral Mbororos are undergoing dramatic changes in customs and relationships. This includes a departure from communal and kin-based relations in the nomadic period to a more individualized identity in the sedentarised system. Sedentarization represents an alternative economic strategy as part of a larger set of diversification strategies. A mechanism connecting the ‘government’ of the Steppe Empire and pastoral tribes was the institution of the Gift Economy. By manipulating gifts and distributing them among comrades-in-arms and tribal chiefs, the ruler of the Steppe Empire strengthened his potential influence and prestige as the ‘generous khan’. Simultaneously, he bound the persons receiving gifts by the ‘liability’ of the ‘return gift’. Concerning the plight of the pastoral Mbororo, the government of Cameroon has ventured into several policy areas on nomadic pastoralism. These include plans aimed at improving the well-being of the Mbororo and those of their animals. The successes or failures of this model and its assumptions are debatable.

Evolution, Safety and Security Challenges of the Public Road Transportation Sector in the North West Region of Cameroon, 1961-1989

The paper investigates the evolution and the safety and security challenges that plagued the public road transport sector in the North West Province of Cameroon from 1961 to 1989. Though there has been growing interest and increased activities in the sector since independence, security and safety concerns has become some of the major setbacks to the endeavours of actors in that domain. Using mostly primary and secondary sources, and the thematic and qualitative method of analyses, the study argues chaos and disorder characterized the road transport sector and exposed not only passengers, but also other road users due to inadequate safety and security measures from drivers and conductors of vehicles involved in the sector. Besides, different government agencies in charge of transport management made things worse by abandoning their responsibilities in favour bribes and other financial benefits from drivers, thus giving a blind eye to the safety and security needs of commuters. Reckless driving, over aging, poor state of vehicles and the absence of the maintenance tradition, poor state of road infrastructure and the absence of safety road sings all made the road transport sector a nightmare in the North West Region of Cameroon. it is a result of this factors that crimes and squashing punctuated the security of public road transport users

Phenotypical characterization, and antibiotics susceptibility patterns of skin bacteria found in podoconiosis patients in the North West Region of Cameroon

BackgroundPodoconiosis, a non-infectious disease originating from long-term exposure of bare feet to irritant red clay soil is a lifelong, disabling disease with no specific diagnostic tool, classified into 5 stages based on the severity of leg swelling (lymphoedema). Secondary bacterial infections have been suggested to cause acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) attacks and drive disease progression. Although the North West Region of Cameroon has a proven history of podoconiosis endemicity, the bacterial composition of lymphoedema due to this condition has not been studied. Thus, this study investigated the leg bacterial diversity of patients who suffered from the lymphoedema and their susceptibility pattern to selected antibiotics.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in which podoconiosis affected and non-lymphoedema individuals living in the same community were purposively selected. Samples were collected by swabbing the skin between the toes and around the anklebone, then cultured and sub-cultured on nutrient agar to obtain pure isolates. The cultured isolates were then morphologically and biochemically classified using microscopy and analytic profile index test kits, respectively. The disk diffusion technique was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility.ResultsThirty-three participants were recruited, and 249 bacterial isolates were characterized into 29 genera, 60 species; with 30 (50%) being gram positive rods, 19 (31.7%) gram positive cocci, and 11 (18.3%) gram negative rods. Thirteen gram positive rods, fifteen gram positive cocci, and eight gram negative rods of bacterial species were found only in podoconiosis individuals among which Cellulomonas spp / Microbacterium spp. (2.8%), Staphylococcus lentus (3.3%), and Burkholderia cepacia (4.0%) dominated. 90% (90%) of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to doxycycline, whereas ampicillin had a high level of intermediate resistance, and penicillin G had the greatest resistant profile.ConclusionOur findings show that 94 (37.8%) out of 249 described bacterial isolates were exclusively found in the legs of podoconiosis individuals, and their susceptibility pattern to antibiotics was similar to that of others.

DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG TEACHERS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BAMENDA, NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between distributive justice and the psychological well-being of teachers in the Archdiocese of Bamenda North West Region of Cameroon. The main research question for the study was to find out the effect of distributive justice on the psychological well-being of teachers in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon. The study employed a cross sectional survey research design. The sample for the study comprised of 270 male and female teachers working in Catholic nursery, primary and secondary schools within the Mankon and Bambui Deaneries of the Archdiocese of Bamenda. Data was analysed using descrpive and inferential statistics. Quantitative data were analyzed using the linear regression technique. Findings revealed that 65% of teachers’ responses indicated dissatisfaction with distributive justice in the Catholic Education Agency of the Archdiocese of Bamenda and also that there was no relationship between distributive justice and the psychological well-being of teachers and thus no significant effect of distributive justice on the psychological well-being of teachers of the Archdiocese of Bamenda. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the government should effectively follow-up, monitor and audit the channels of paying subvention funds to beneficiary private sector teachers to ensure that the money reaches the intended beneficiaries uncompromised. The study further recommended that private sector education employers should uphold honesty, accountability and transparency in the management of subventions and payment of salaries to teachers and that they allow private sector education teachers to exercise their right to form trade union to defend their labour interests.

A comparative study of the anthropometric status of adults and children in urban and rural communities of the North West Region of Cameroon

BackgroundCameroon, like many other developing countries, is experiencing a double burden of malnutrition. With increasing urbanization, communities are exposed to high calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles, which contribute to overnutrition. However, the nutritional status of the communities may vary with geographic location. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of underweight, overweight and abdominal obesity among adults as well as overweight, underweight, stunting and wasting among children in selected urban and rural communities of the North West Region (NWR) of Cameroon. The study also compared these parameters between selected urban and rural areas.MethodsCross-sectional study design was used to investigate the anthropometric status of adults (18–65 years) and children (1–5 years) from two rural (Mankon and Mendakwe) and two urban (Mankon and Nkwen) communities in the NWR of Cameroon. The study included 156 adults and 156 children per study site from different households. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants and study sites Anthropometric measurements were taken using standardised methods for selected indices: weight, height, waist circumference and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsAdults from Nkwen (urban) were either overweight (n = 74; 47.4%) or obese (n = 44; 28.2%) with 43.6% (n = 68) from urban Mankon obese, whilst adults from rural Mankon were normal weight (49.4%; n = 77), 2.6% (n = 4) from Mendakwe (rural) were underweight and 64.1% (n = 100) were normal weight. Children in the rural areas were severely underweight (n = 45; 14.4%), while children in the urban areas were either normal (n = 158; 50.6) or overweight (n = 43; 13.8%). More females in the urban sites (n = 39; 53.4% in Nkwen and n = 43; 69.4% in urban Mankon) had a large waist circumference (WC) compared to those in the rural sites (n = 17; 22.1% in Mendakwe and n = 24; 38.1% in rural Mankon). Males in the urban areas had large WC compared to those in the rural sites (n = 19; 24.4% in Nkwen; n = 23; 24.7% in urban Mankon; n = 15; 16.1% in rural Mankon and n = 2; 2.6% in Mendakwe). Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) values indicated that most children in both urban (n = 147; 94.2% in Nkwen; n = 152; 97.4% in urban Mankon) and rural areas (n = 142; 91.0% in rural Mankon; n = 154; 98.7% in Mendakwe) were not acutely malnourished.ConclusionsThis study found a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children in the urban areas of Nkwen and Mankon, compared to rural Mankon and Mendakwe. Thus, there is a need to investigate and address the causes of the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in these urban areas.

Stakeholder’s Domestic Water Harvesting Infrastructure: Resultant Conflicts and Management Strategies in the Upper Noun Valley, North West Region of Cameroon

Stakeholder’s Domestic Water Harvesting Infrastructure: Resultant Conflicts and Management Strategies in the Upper Noun Valley, North West Region of Cameroon

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Adult Malaria Patients Co-Infected with Opportunistic Intestinal Coccidian Parasites in Fundong Health District, Northwest, Cameroon: A Cross Section Study Design

Introduction: Malaria and intestinal coccidian parasitic co-infections, are becoming a public health emergency affecting millions of people around the world. They are among the leading cause of socio-economic problems, long suffering and death especially in developing countries like Cameroon. Introducing new appropriate preventive and control measures to the population requires thorough assessment of community and patient-based knowledge, attitude and preventive practices towards malaria and pathogenic intestinal coccidian parasites is crucial. Our study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices and the risk factors among adult malaria patients co-infected with intestinal parasitic infections in the Fundong Health District, a locality in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between February and December, 2022 involving sixteen (16) health facilities in Fundong Health district. A total number of 330 patients participated in the study. Normal saline wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques were employed in coccidian parasitic detection. Blood samples were subjected to Giemsa stained and viewed microscopically to detect the Plasmodium parasites. Pretested structured questionnaires were administered to collect information on patient’s socio-demographic factors and determine patients’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria and intestinal coccidian parasites, as well as their prevention and control. The Pearson’s Chi-Square (χ2) and Student T-test were performed a part of the statistical analysis to check for associations between malaria, infection and between malaria-coccidian co-infection and demographic factors. Statistical significance was set a P-value&lt;0.05. Results: Participants main sources of information on malaria were: Television (TV) and radio 111/330 (34%), community health workers 109/330 (33%), and Hospitals (37%). Participants had good knowledge of mosquito bite as the malaria transmission route, 296/330 (90%), night time is the frequent biting time for the mosquito 296/330(90%), dark corners 229 (69%) and dirty areas 175(53%) as mosquito resting places. Knowledge score was also good on cleaning of the house surroundings, 281/330(85%), clearing the bushes 180/330(55%), poor knowledge score on drainage of stagnant water113/330 (34%) as ways to prevent the mosquito from multiplying. Participants had good knowledge of insecticide treated bed nets 295/330 (89%) as the best way to prevent mosquito bites. However, participants also expressed poor knowledge on edges of the river or streams 7(20%), and animal shed 20/330 (6%) as mosquito hiding places, and Plasmodium specie as malaria causative agent 8/330 (2%) (P-value=0.011). Poor scores were recorded on knowledge of opportunistic intestinal coccidian parasites (19.4%) (P=0.427), and was significantly low on unsafe water (47.2%) (P-value=0.036) as possible transmission routes for coccidian parasites. The knowledge score was also low on the at-risk population for malaria and intestinal coccidian infection (31.9%) P-value=0.009. Participants who had poor knowledge about coccidian transmission routes were less likely to drink from protected water source with an odds of 0.713(95% CI: 0.297-1.711) P value=0.449, compared to those who were more knowledgeable and who were 2.981(95% CI: 1.367-6.115) P value=0.005, more likely to use protected source of drinking water. Participants who had hand washing facility in the household were 3.488 (1.760-6.912) value=0.001 times more likely have better knowledge of coccidian transmission routes compared to those who did not have 0.748 (95% CI: 0.406-1.376) P value=0.350. Poor knowledge score of poor hygiene as major cause of coccidian infection significantly associated with poor practice score of sometime or not at all disinfecting animal shed to prevent coccidian infection among study participants (P =0.039). Conclusion: The overall knowledge scores, attitude and practices level of participants towards malaria and opportunistic intestinal coccidian parasites were relatively good. A significant proportion of the participants still have misconceptions about cause, modes of transmission and practices towards malaria and coccidian prevention methods. A combined health education programmes for malaria and intestinal coccidian parasites aimed at raising community awareness needs to be evidence based and requires innovative approaches, to address the gaps identified in the study.

CAMEROON: LEOPARD AND CONFLICT BETWEEN ARDO SABGA AND FON OF BABANKI TUNGO, 1937-1946

This paper discusses the nature of disagreement over the treatment of leopards between Ardo Sabga and the Fon of Babanki Tungo between 1937 and 1946 in the North-West Region of Cameroon. It argues that this was a result of differences in the cultural bac