South West Region Of Cameroon Research Articles

Students' Classroom Participation during Mathematics and Its Effect on Their Analytical Skills in Problem-solving in Secondary Schools in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon

In today's scientific and technological age, for any nation to meet up with the current global challenges, it needs to consider the study of mathematics very seriously. This makes mathematics pivotal in reshaping the future and students' attitude towards mathematics an area of concern. The objective of the study is to determine if students' classroom participation during mathematics has an effect on their analytical skills in problem-solving. The mixed research method with convergent parallel design was used.

Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 6-59 Months Before and After the Institution of the Malnutrition Treatment Centre in the Regional Hospital Limbe, Southwest Region of Cameroon

Background: Malnutrition occurs when nutrient and energy intake do not meet, or exceed an individual’s requirements to maintain growth, immunity, and organ function. In 2020, among children 0-59 months worldwide, 21.3% (144 million) were stunted and 6.9% (47 million) were wasted. The Malnutrition Treatment Centre’s (MTC) establishment in the Regional Hospital Limbe in 2019 brought major changes in management such as free and continuous supply of therapeutic food and basic drugs, the expertise of a nutritionist and closer follow up of patients after discharge. The aim of this research was to evaluate the outcome of children with severe acute malnutrition aged 6-59 months treated at the MTC differed from those treated before the MTC’s creation. Methodology: An analytic cross sectional retrospective study was conducted from February to March 2022. The study period was from March 2016 to February 2019 (before the MTC) and March 2019 to February 2022 (after the MTC). A predesigned data extraction form was used to obtain sociodemographic data of the children and their parents, clinical findings on admission and hospital outcome. The data was entered into CDC Epi info 2.4 and analysed using SPSS. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 129 files included in the study, 35 were pre-MTC and 94 after its creation. The hospital prevalence of SAM increased from 4% to 7% after the MTC’s creation. The mean MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) was 11.1 ± 0.98 cm. Marasmus was the most common form of SAM (90.7%). The most common admission symptoms were fever (74.4%), diarrhoea (47.2%) and vomiting (32.6%). The most common comorbidities were malaria (29.5%), gastrointestinal infection (20.9%), sepsis (18.6%) and pulmonary infection (14%). There was an increase in the recovery rate (from 71.4% to 76.6%) and the rate of weight gain (from 3.5 g/kg/day to 8.7 g/kg/day). There was also a reduction in the death rate (from 14.3% to 9.6%) and length of in-hospital admission (from 10.24 ±5.4 days to 7.3 ±3.6 days) Conclusion: The MTC led to an increase in the influx of patients with SAM at the RHL, marasmus was the most common form of SAM. There was an increase in the rate of weight gain, a decreased mortality rate and decreased length of hospital stay, thus revealing the pertinent relevance of the MTC in the management of SAM.

Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 6-59 Months Before and After the Institution of the Malnutrition Treatment Centre in the Regional Hospital Limbe, Southwest Region of Cameroon

Background: Malnutrition occurs when nutrient and energy intake do not meet, or exceed an individual’s requirements to maintain growth, immunity, and organ function. In 2020, among children 0-59 months worldwide, 21.3% (144 million) were stunted and 6.9% (47 million) were wasted. The Malnutrition Treatment Centre’s (MTC) establishment in the Regional Hospital Limbe in 2019 brought major changes in management such as free and continuous supply of therapeutic food and basic drugs, the expertise of a nutritionist and closer follow up of patients after discharge. The aim of this research was to evaluate the outcome of children with severe acute malnutrition aged 6-59 months treated at the MTC differed from those treated before the MTC’s creation. Methodology: An analytic cross sectional retrospective study was conducted from February to March 2022. The study period was from March 2016 to February 2019 (before the MTC) and March 2019 to February 2022 (after the MTC). A predesigned data extraction form was used to obtain sociodemographic data of the children and their parents, clinical findings on admission and hospital outcome. The data was entered into CDC Epi info 2.4 and analysed using SPSS. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 129 files included in the study, 35 were pre-MTC and 94 after its creation. The hospital prevalence of SAM increased from 4% to 7% after the MTC’s creation. The mean MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) was 11.1 ± 0.98 cm. Marasmus was the most common form of SAM (90.7%). The most common admission symptoms were fever (74.4%), diarrhoea (47.2%) and vomiting (32.6%). The most common comorbidities were malaria (29.5%), gastrointestinal infection (20.9%), sepsis (18.6%) and pulmonary infection (14%). There was an increase in the recovery rate (from 71.4% to 76.6%) and the rate of weight gain (from 3.5 g/kg/day to 8.7 g/kg/day). There was also a reduction in the death rate (from 14.3% to 9.6%) and length of in-hospital admission (from 10.24 ±5.4 days to 7.3 ±3.6 days) Conclusion: The MTC led to an increase in the influx of patients with SAM at the RHL, marasmus was the most common form of SAM. There was an increase in the rate of weight gain, a decreased mortality rate and decreased length of hospital stay, thus revealing the pertinent relevance of the MTC in the management of SAM.

Enhancing residential energy access with optimized stand-alone hybrid solar-diesel-battery systems in Buea, Cameroon

This study examined the optimal size of an autonomous hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) for a residential application in Buea, located in the southwest region of Cameroon. Two hybrid systems, PV-Battery and PV-Battery-Diesel, have been evaluated in order to determine which was the better option. The goal of this research was to propose a dependable, low-cost power source as an alternative to the unreliable and highly unstable electricity grid in Buea. The decision criterion for the proposed HRES was the cost of energy (COE), while the system’s dependability constraint was the loss of power supply probability (LPSP). The crayfish optimization algorithm (COA) was used to optimize the component sizes of the proposed HRES, and the results were contrasted to those obtained from the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), sine cosine algorithm (SCA), and grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA). The MATLAB software was used to model the components, criteria, and constraints of this single-objective optimization problem. The results obtained after simulation for LPSP of less than 1% showed that the COA algorithm outperformed the other three techniques, regardless of the configuration. Indeed, the COE obtained using the COA algorithm was 0.06%, 0.12%, and 1% lower than the COE provided by the WOA, SCA, and GOA algorithms, respectively, for the PV-Battery configuration. Likewise, for the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration, the COE obtained using the COA algorithm was 0.065%, 0.13%, and 0.39% lower than the COE provided by the WOA, SCA, and GOA algorithms, respectively. A comparative analysis of the outcomes obtained for the two configurations indicated that the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration exhibited a COE that was 4.32% lower in comparison to the PV-Battery configuration. Finally, the impact of the LPSP reduction on the COE was assessed in the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration. The decrease in LPSP resulted in an increase in COE owing to the nominal capacity of the diesel generator.

Mind the data gaps: Comparing the quality of data sources for maternal health services in Cameroon

BackgroundNumerous sources of routine data exist but there is limited information on how they relate or complement each other to improve data availability and the quality of data collected. This paper compares data coverage and completeness on selected maternal health service indicators between (1) a performance-based financing(PBF) database, (2) the national health information system, and (3) health facility registers in selected districts in Cameroon. MethodData on antenatal care, skilled birth delivery and family planning were collected from 2010 to 2020 in three purposively selected districts (Buea, Limbe and Tiko) in the southwest region of Cameroon. The coverage and completeness of data from the performance-based financing database, the district health information system (dhis2, a national system) and health facility registers were compared. Data sources for the performance-based financing database and the district health information system are based on data generated from health facilities. ResultsAmong the 90 health facilities in the three districts, 13 (14.5 %) facilities could not be accessed due to ongoing political conflict. Therefore, data were collected from 77 health facilities. Of the 77 facilities, half were public, a third private, and the remainder para-public (13 %) or confessional (5 %). Approximately seven registers at each health facility included data on maternal and child health. Problems of these data included incomplete coverage, misplacement of records, and incomplete data in the records identified. There was inconsistency across all sources. dhis2 collected antenatal care only for the first and fourth visits and PBF collected data for any antenatal care visits without specifying the visit number and health facility collected data for all antenatal care visits. ConclusionThe introduction of dhis2 and PBF programs has strengthened the availability of data in electronic format. Generally, we noted important gaps and heterogeneity in data reporting as well as incomplete data across health sectors and districts. There is need to transform the way data are collected at health facilities and there is also need for capacity building and better data governance to improve data quality and use. This will ensure that reliable, consistent, accurate, and actionable data are available to inform policy towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Enhancing Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata) production with Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae) in the south-west region of Cameroon

The study was designed to determine the effect of Thymus vulgaris leaf meal on the production of Archachatina marginata. Two hundred and twenty-four adults’ snails were divided into four treatments of 14 snails and four replicates. Treatment T0 received only the experimental diet while three other treatments received diet with different inclusion level of T. vulgaris leaf meal at 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. Feed and leave were quantified using an electronic weighing scale daily. The results obtained show that, feed intake was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in animals receiving 0.75% T. vulgaris compared to other treatments. Likewise, the values of heart, pedal mass were higher in animals receiving 0.25% inclusions of T. vulgaris in the diet. Low relative weight variations in the internal organs across treatments were observed but significant differences occurred regarding only the shell weight and ovotestis. The proximate analysis of snail flesh results obtains shows that dry matter was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in animals receiving 0.25% T. vulgaris in the diet. Minerals analyzed were also significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the inclusion of T. vulgaris in the diet. In conclusion, incorporation of T. vulgaris leaf powder at 0.25% can be recommended in the diet of snails.

Traffic and Mobilty Challenges in Mamfe-Manyu Division, South West Region of Cameroon

Increase in private and commercial car ownership in Cameroon like in most developing countries of the world have not kept pace with road infrastructural development. As a consequence, traffic disorder, congestion, late arrival at job sites and increasing number of accidents are some of the social costs road users have to pay. It is against this background that this study sets out to investigate traffic and mobility challenges in Mamfe municipality. This study made use of secondary and primary data sources. The secondary data were gleaned from published and unpublished documents. Primary data were sourced using a convenient sampling technique where 136 questionnaires were administered to 8 sampled communities in Mamfe municipality. Supplementary data were obtained via field observations, interviews and collection of way points using a GPS. After processing and presenting the data, results revealed that key causes of mobility challenges in Mamfe were; traffic jam (25%) inaccessibility to neighbourhoods (19.8%) and insecurity (15.2%). Also, consequences of mobility challenges, were noted to be; drop in transporters incomes (31%) resulting from traffic jam and increase fuel prices, late arrival at work (27%) and a slow turn-over of economic activities (trade and commerce) representing 33% of respondents scores. More so, traffic jam was notice to be very high in the rush hours of the morning between 7:20am to 10:05am. In the evening rush hours between 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Strategies to reduce mobility challenges were basically infrastructural-base (increase road sizes, construct more roads and rehabilitation of dilapidated ones, and a proper road designation). This study recommends private sector participation in the development, provision, maintenance, public-private partnership and modernisation of transport infrastructure and services. These are all lacking in the study area which if effectively implemented will boost urban mobility in the town of Buea and beyond.

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Associated Factors among HIV Seropositive Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy at the Regional Hospital, Buea, Cameroon

Introduction: Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients and HIV which infects CD4 cells causes immune suppression which can further be worsened by poor nutrition. More than 37.7 million people are living with HIV in the world out of which about 36 million are adults. Aims: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive adults on antiretroviral therapy at the HIV care and treatment center of the Buea Regional hospital, Cameroon. Study Design: A Hospital-based Cross sectional study design. Place and duration of study: Buea regional hospital at the HIV care and treatment centre, South West Region of Cameroon between April 2022 to June 2022. Materials and method: We included 139 HIV seropositive individuals (17 men, 177 women age range 26 to 59 years). Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric and clinical methods. A 24-hour dietary diversity was assessed using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among the participants were 1.4 %, 38.8%, and 24.4% respectively. In the bivariate analysis, sex of the participants (χ2 = 4.715, p = 0.030) and attendance to HIV-related counseling sessions (χ2 = 4.512, p = 0.034) were significantly associated with malnutrition. The mean dietary diversity score of the study respondents was 4.97±1.6 with only 37% of the respondents achieving a minimum dietary diversity. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds of those who received HIV-related counselling being malnourished(overweight) was 3.29 times more than those who did not receive HIV-related counselling (AOR=3.29, p=0.036). Conclusions: There is a high burden of overweight and obesity in the HIV population of the Regional Hospital Buea. The only factor independently associated to malnutrition(overweight) was uptake of nutrition related counselling. Majority of the HIV seropositive patients in the Regional Hospital Buea had a poor dietary diversity. Nutritional counseling should be an important part of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) routine follow-up.

Exposure to Ionizing Radiation from Initial Brain Computed Tomography for Injuries in the South-West Region of Cameroon

The increasing use of computed tomography (CT) in injury management is a growing concern as ionizing radiation (IR) is associated with cancer-related risks especially in young persons, who are most affected by injuries. This study aimed to assess ionizing radiation exposure from head CT in patients with injuries and to propose CT dose age-specific diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Data was extracted from two prospectively collected CT registries over a period of 5 years at two community-based university-affiliated hospitals from 2019 to 2024. The linear relationship between CT dose (dose-length product; DLP) and age was assessed using Pearson’s correlation whilst linear regression was used to determine the strength of the relationship. The 75th percentiles and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the DLP were determined. Eligible initial head CT scans for patients with injuries were 1,155. There were 685 (59.31%) males (sex ratio of 1.5:1) and overall median age of 33 years (interquartile range: 21 to 46). Road traffic injuries were the source of injury in 1090 individuals (94.37%; 95% CI: 92.88 - 95.63%), followed by falls (50 cases; 4.33%; 95% CI: 3.23 - 5.67%) and assaults (10 cases; 0.87%; 95% CI: 0.42 – 1.59). The median DLP was 1,062 mGy.cm (range: 264 to 1,954 mGy.cm). There was a positive linear relationship between the DLP and the age of the patients (Pearson’s rho = 0.38, p<0.001). DRLs were comparable to international values. Measures to curb the rising incidence of injuries and the continuous implementation of CT optimization techniques will reduce IR exposure.

Predictors, motives, sources and patterns of nonmedical use of prescription drugs among youths in Buea, Southwest region of Cameroon: A mixed method analysis

BackgroundThe non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is an emerging phenomenon of serious public health concern among young people globally. This study seeks to determine the predictors, motives, sources, patterns of use of NMUPD among youths in the Buea Health District of the South west region. Materials and MethodsA mixed-method community-based, cross-sectional study conducted from May to June 2018, enrolled participants aged 15 - 29 years from schools and community. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to capture data and focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed with SPSS version 24 and ATLAS.ti version 7 respectively. Logic regression analysis were carried at 5 % significance level. ResultsThe study enrolled 464 participants (median age of 21 years, IQR: 18 – 23.8 years) into the quantitative study, 63 % were females. Forty-nine participants were enrolled for the qualitative study. A total of 90 (19.6 %; CI: 15.9 – 23.3 %) participants accepted they have used prescriptions medications in the last 12 months for non-medical purposes. Opioids (74.4 %) particularly tramadol (60.1 %) were the most common drugs used. Male gender (p = 0.001), the age group 20–24-year, smoking (p = 0.043) and use of illicit substances (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of NMUPD. Prominent motivations were:- curiosity (31.1 %) and enhancement of work performance (30 %). Unregistered pharmacies and private health facilities were the main sources of these drugs which are acquired mainly without prescription. ConclusionMale gender, young adults, smoking and use of illicit substances were independent predictors of NMUPD. Motives were hinged to enhancement of performance in various domains of social life. Opioids, particularly tramadol was the predominant drug used, acquired without prescription from unregistered pharmacies. Findings of this study provide baseline evidence that could guide policies on drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction interventions.

Analysis of Human Rights Needs of Internally Displaced Persons and the Role of Social Work Practice: The Case of the Northwest, Southwest, and Littoral Regions of Cameroon

The scourge of internal displacement has continued unabated despite efforts from the international community to address its root causes. Ironically, the so-called Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon has been widely ignored on the world stage despite the toll and misery it has caused the local people, many of whom have been internally displaced. The purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore the human rights situation of internally displaced victims of this violent insurgency and reflect on the role social work practice can play to alleviate the suffering of displaced people. A quantitative research approach was employed through the use of a questionnaire in collecting data from 529 respondents in the Northwest, Southwest, and Littoral regions of the country. The major finding of the study is that most of the internally displaced respondents live under immense fear of either losing a family member or being killed themselves. Moreover, they have been deprived of their basic freedoms and live in indignity as there is hardly water, food, or other means of subsistence. The greatest aspiration of most of the respondents is to reunite with their families and return to their livelihoods. An important implication from this study is the potential contribution that social work professionals can make in the rehabilitation of IDPs. This study contributes to literature on forced migration and human rights, and practical suggestions on how to improve the human rights situation of internally displaced persons.

Flowing Through Change: Investigating the Impacts of Human Activities on Urban River Water Quality in the Kumba River, South West Region of Cameroon

Flowing Through Change: Investigating the Impacts of Human Activities on Urban River Water Quality in the Kumba River, South West Region of Cameroon

TEACHERS’ CHARACTERISTICS AND ITS IMPACT ON STUDENTS' PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN THE TEACHERS' TRAINING COLLEGES IN FAKO DIVISION, CAMEROON

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers’ characteristics and their impact on students’ professional training in some teacher training schools in Fako Division, the south west region of Cameroon. This study employed a descriptive survey research design with a target population of 100 teachers in two teachers’ training colleges as respondents. Three research objectives were formulated for that purpose which was later transformed into research questions. Data was gathered through the use of questionnaires and was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The findings reveal there was a positive relationship between teachers’ content mastery, communication, motivation, and personality on student’s professional training. Thus, based on the findings the following recommendations were made; teachers should communicate instructions in simple and clear language so that students will be able to understand also government should constantly organize seminars that will enable teachers to upgrade their knowledge, learn new skills, and become productive.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0214/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

SCHOOL SAFETY AND TEACHERS’ EFFECTIVENESS IN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MANYU DIVISION, SOUTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

This study investigated the effect of school Safety on Teachers’ Effectiveness in Government Primary Schools in Manyu Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The study sought to find out the extent to which School Safety affect Teachers’ Effectiveness in Government Primary Schools in Manyu Division. The methodology used in this study was the descriptive survey research design. The area of the study was Manyu Division, South West region of Cameroon. The target population of the study was all the teachers in Government Primary Schools in Manyu Division. The accessible population was teachers in 22 Government Primary Schools in Mamfe Central, Eyumojock and Upper Bayang Sub Divisions. The sample population was 114 teachers (22 head teachers and 92 teachers). Purposive sampling and convenience sampling techniques were used in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data for teachers and constructed in a 4 responds likert scale. Interview guide was used for head teachers. Data was analysed using SPSS software and presented on tables. The hypothesis were tested using Pearson product moment correlation. The validity focused on face, content and construct. The reliability of the instrument was conducted using a pilot test of 15 teachers who were not part of the study. Findings revealed that school safety to a greater extent affects teachers’ effectiveness in government primary schools in Manyu Division. Finally, it was concluded that school safety has an effect on teachers’ effectiveness in government primary schools in Manyu Division. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government and educational managers should encourage a school environment that is physically, cognitively and emotionally safe so that teachers can be effective.

Effect of Stress Management Techniques on Employees’ Performance: A Case Study of Microfinance Institutions in Buea, South-west Region of Cameroon

Work stress is on the rise in Buea microfinance institutions due to a variety of factors, such as poor working conditions, political uncertainty, unfavorable environmental conditions, and high levels of poverty. The crisis in Cameroon's South-West and North-West regions has aggravated the situation. These institutions' management has implemented stress management techniques to address this issue and improve employee performance. The primary goal of this research was to investigate the effect of these techniques on employee performance in a sample of microfinance institutions in Buea, Cameroon. Stress management training, flextime arrangements, psychological support, relaxation, and counseling were all considered stress management techniques. The descriptive survey research design was used, and data were collected through questionnaires from 220 employees of 30 microfinance institutions in Buea. Purposive sampling was used in this study. The data were analyzed with the Ordinary Least Squares regression model. The study's findings revealed that stress management training, flextime arrangements, and counseling had a positive and significant effect on employee performance. Psychological support and relaxation, on the other hand, had little or no impact. Based on these findings, it is suggested that management in these institutions prioritize stress management training, flextime arrangements, and counseling as effective stress-reduction and performance-improvement strategies. Other techniques can be enhanced and developed further.

Teacher Preparation and the Implementation of Official Bilingualism in Anglophone Primary Schools in Cameroon: A Study of Some Teacher Training Colleges in the Buea Municipality

Since the reunification of the two Cameroons in 1961, successive modes of application of official bilingualism have been adopted geared toward empowering every child leaving school with communication competencies in English and French. Despite the noble intentions, the pedagogic implications of the implementation remain uncertain. With the current Anglophone crisis, the much talked about ‘living together’ is threatened by a linguistic divide which, undeniably, has a huge toll on the cultural heritage of the two linguistic communities in the country. One wonders why after more than half a century; official bilingualism is not yet a living reality among school leavers. In teacher training institutions responsible for laying the foundation for the achievement of the policy, language curriculum still leaves much to be desired. This research investigates teacher preparation as a crucial link in implementing the official bilingualism policy in Anglophone primary schools. It focuses on language curriculum as the basis for teacher training to establish its adequacy in the achievement of official bilingualism. The paper examines official bilingualism in the professional preparation of teachers in some public, confessional and lay private teacher training institutions in the Buea municipality of the South West Region of Cameroon. The findings reveal that, though most teachers have a good working experience of over 10 years, their deficient bilingualism levels do not reflect effectiveness in bilingualism teaching. They cannot plan, implement and evaluate French and bilingualism training lessons. They lack exposure in terms of content knowledge and pedagogic skills and have limited time allocation for bilingual training. Finally, teachers do not master the French language subject matter they are expected to teach.

Economic and Environmental Implications of Wood Exploitation in the Mangrove Ecosystem in Tiko, South West Region of Cameroon

Mangroves are vital ecosystems performing myriad functions and providing critical ecological goods and services. However, over the years, population growth and land use mutations have significantly reduced the ecological capacity of mangroves. This study aimed at identifying the economic and environmental implications of wood exploitation in the mangrove ecosystem. Data were collected from the field through the administration of questionnaires and field observations. This study examined the different drivers of wood exploitation which have resulted in the gradual destruction and degradation of mangrove ecosystem. Anthropogenic activities relating to the utilization of mangroves have significantly reinforced the rate of degradation within the study area. The results also show that the exploitation of mangrove forest for wood and fishery resources, fish smoking and charcoal production have also contributed to the daily and monthly income of the exploiters, making them essential to poverty alleviation. However, mangrove exploitation for various economic motives identified in the study have contributed enormously to ecological disequilibrium which has aggravated mangrove degradation. Some of the environmental consequences identified during field observations include loss of biodiversity, reduction in fish quantity and water pollution amongst others. To address these issues, it is necessary to promote environmental education, carry out reforestation, and establish community corporation in the wise use of mangroves. This falls in line with Cameroon’s 1994 Forestry and Environment Law relating to sustainable exploitation of forest resources and 1972 Ramser Convention on Wetlands as Water Fowl Habitats.

Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Outcome of Gunshot Injuries in South West Region of Cameroon

Gunshot injuries have been on the rise in the south west region of Cameroon for the past 6 years due to the current socio-political crisis. With the increasing violence in the South West Region of Cameroon due to the socio-political crisis, proper management of Gunshot injuries at the local referral health facilities is very crucial. The outcome of management varies depending on factors such as firearm used, injury site, clinical presentation, and the time between injury and medical intervention. There is limited data on the management and outcome gunshot injuries in Cameroon, especially in the South West region .The aim was to provide data on the characteristics, management and outcome of gunshot injuries. We had as objective to describe the characteristics, treatment and outcome of gunshot injuries in South West, Cameroon

Collaborative Team Teaching as a Correlate of Teachers’ Effectiveness in an Inclusive Context in Public Primary Schools in South West Region of Cameroon

The main objective of the study was to determine whether there exists a relationship between collaborative team teaching and teachers’ effectiveness in an inclusive context in public primary schools in South West Region of Cameroon. The descriptive correlation design was used for the study and the sample was drawn using multi-stage sampling, purposive and simple random techniques. The sample consists of 248 respondents comprising 4 Regional Pedagogic Inspectors of Basic Education (RPIs), 40 teacher trainers from Government Teacher Training Colleges (GTTCs), 40 head teachers and 168 teachers of public primary schools in Meme and Fako Divisions of South West Region. The instruments used were four scale Likert questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 12. Furthermore, descriptive statistics were used to analyze data to answer questions while the Spearman’s two tailed correlation was used to test the hypothesis. The qualitative data were analyzed using themes drawn for thematic analysis of open-ended questions and structural interview guide. This study revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between Collaborative Team Teaching and teachers’ effectiveness in an inclusive context in public primary schools in Fako and Meme divisions in South West Region of Cameroon (ɼxy-cal = .330**) greater than the critical value (ɼxy-crit = .113) at 0.05 level of significance. Based on this finding it was recommended that school administrators should ensure that teachers should practice collaborative team teaching in order to be effectiveness in an inclusive context.

The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Coping Mechanisms for Depression among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis at the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Background: Depression frequently occurs among hemodialysis patients and it is associated with various adverse outcomes. Objective: This study sought to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on the coping mechanisms for depression among hemodialysis patients having depression. Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional interventional study which investigated the effect of education on the patients’ knowledge and practice regarding coping mechanisms for depression. Purposive and consecutive convenient sampling methods were used to select the study site and enroll participants to the study respectively. The study was conducted in the Hemodialysis Center at the Buea Regional Hospital (BRH) in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The study participants were made up of 63 hemodialysis patients aged 21years and above who met the inclusion criteria and gave their consent to participate in the study. The intervention was education on coping mechanisms for depression that was administered after a pretest. A semi-structured questionnaire made up of 10 questions was used to collect data on knowledge and practice of coping mechanisms for depression before and after the intervention to compare results. Each patient level of depression was noted. Patients with physical and cognitive impairment were excluded. Those who scored 7 and above were said to be knowledgeable and practiced depression coping mechanisms. Data was collected from May 13 to June 15, 2019, data collected was coded and entered into EPI and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Results: The majority (80.6%) of the participants knew and had used one or more of the depression coping mechanisms, but 41.8% of them did not know if it could manage depression effectively. Educating hemodialysis patients on depression coping mechanisms significantly decreased their levels of depression x2 =39.688; (p&lt;0.00). Conclusion: Some patients undergoing hemodialysis were not knowledgeable on the coping mechanisms for depression and did not know if these could manage depression effectively. Therefore, education is vital in decreasing levels of depression amongst hemodialysis patients. This study was conducted in only one health facility hence, the results may not generalized to the entire nation