South West Region Of Cameroon Research Articles

Non-timber forest incomes and economic welfare in the South-West region of Cameroon: The incidence of rural income inequality

Abstract. With the aim of answering the question whether or not Non-Timber Forest Products can contribute in reducing rural income inequality in the South-West region of Cameroon, the study used primary data collected from a survey on 408 rural household heads. The Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. We adopted three different methodologies – The Gini Coefficient, The Lorenz curve, and The Income Decomposition by income sources to obtain identical results. The results revealed that incomes from non-timber forest products reduces rural income inequality in the rural parts of the region significantly, and occupy an important position amongst the different income sources which were investigated. We therefore recommend improved value-added for Non-Timber Forest Products through processing. A better management of the forest in general and the forest resources in particular will ensure improved benefits to the community as a whole especially in the areas of total income and income inequality.. Keywords. Economic Welfare, Rural Income Inequality, Non-Timber Forest Incomes, Gini Coefficient Income Decomposition by income sources and Cameroon. JEL. O11, E20, Q13, C30.

Gryllotalpa weisei Simeu-Noutchom amp; Kekeunou sp. nov. and the first record of Gryllotalpa microptera (Chopard 1939) (Orthoptera, Gryllotalpidae) from Cameroon with redescription of the species.

Gryllotalpa weisei Simeu-Noutchom Kekeunou sp. nov. was collected only in Tombel in the South-West region of Cameroon, during a survey conducted from March 2016 to March 2018 in the West, South-West and Centre regions of Cameroon. This species is close to Gryllotalpa microptera, collected for the first time in Cameroon during these investigations, only in the West region. G. weisei is different from G. microptera due to the hind wings that are vestigial; average fore wings length of 5.85±0.56 mm in male and 5.34±0.45 mm in female, not reaching the fifth abdominal segment; anal end of fore wings slightly concave; a stridulatory file with 54±8.02 teeth (47-71) in average, fairly spaced, with an average of 30±5.06 teeth per millimeter; hind tibia bearing 11 spines; internal process of ectophallus quite short. G. weisei abounds in mixed crop fields, followed by cocoa agro-forests; it is scarce in grassy fallows and in forest undergrowth. G. microptera was present in all types of vegetations in Bafoussam, Babeté and Bangoulap in the West region where it has been abundant in mixed crop fields, grass-fallow and coffee agro-forest but rare in forest undergrowth.

The anglophone problem in Cameroon yesterday and today in search of a definition

Since September 2017, the English-speaking peoples of the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon have been subjected to unprecedented repression of genocidal dimension by the Biya regime that needs to be unpacked. What precisely led to this ugly situation which has come to be known as “the Anglophone problem?” This article sets out to lucidly capture the Anglophone problem in such a way that it is seen as a legitimate, legal, authentic and concrete statehood problem deserving national and international attention. I therefore posit cogently that the Anglophone problem is a nationhood issue that emerged after unification with the Francophone Cameroun Republic in 1961. The problem is caused by the systematic and unilateral attempts by the hegemonic Francophone regime, within the Jacobin logic, to dismantle the statehood identity of Anglophone Cameroon since 1961. By steadily destroying the Anglophone state through multiple dubious mechanisms, Anglophone fell prey to Francophone colonization, militarization, marginalization and assimilation. The birth of the self-proclaimed Anglophone state of Ambazonia in 2017 is the apotheosis of the statehood crisis.

Improving cocoa beans value chain using a local convection dryer: A case study of Fako division Cameroon.

Cocoa production in south west region of Cameroon, Fako, is faced with several quality challenges. These challenges affect the value of the final cocoa beans produced and the entire cocoa beans value chain. Cocoa harvesting period clashes with the peak wet season in Fako and farmers’ only means to dry the produce is to use artificial local dryers. Most farmers’ dried cocoa beans suffer deficiencies such as smoke taints, burnt cocoa beans, cracked beans and most abnormal higher than required moisture content of the cocoa beans etc. which in turn affect the cocoa beans value in local and international markets. This paper focuses on optimizing the cocoa beans value chain by using convection dryer to improve moisture content and eliminate defects. Using one-on-one interview, factorial design and design of experiment, a new convention dryer was setup and experimentation carried out. The results showed that setting the convention dryer to these parameters: Temperature 35 °C, Time 96 h, Aeration rate 15 m3/s and Space/quantity ratio 12 m2/50 kg, the required world standard of 7.0% moisture content of dried cocoa beans is achieved under the prevailing weather conditions. This improves the value of dried cocoa beans by $2.8/kg in the local and international market as compared to the surveyed values.

Availability, cost and affordability of essential cardiovascular disease medicines in the south west region of Cameroon: Preliminary findings from the Cameroon science for disease study.

More than 80% of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) occur in low- and middle-income countries. However, access to, and affordability of medications remain a challenge in these countries. To assess the availability, cost and affordability of essential cardiovascular medicines in the South West region of Cameroon. In an audit of 63 medicine outlets, twenty-six essential medicines were surveyed using the World Health Organisation (WHO) /Health Action International methodology. Availability, costs and the ratio of the median price to the international reference price were evaluated in public, confessional, private facility medicine outlets, and community pharmacies. Affordability was assessed by calculating the number of days' wages it will cost the lowest-paid unskilled government worker to purchase a month worth of chronic treatment. Availability ranged from 25.3% (public facility outlets) to 49.2% (community pharmacies) for all medicines. This was higher in urban and semi-urban compared to rural outlets. Cost of medicines was highest in community pharmacies and lowest in public facility outlets. Aspirin, digoxin, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide and nifedipine were affordable (cost a day's wage or less). Medicines for heart failure and dyslipidaemia (beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and statins) required 2-5 days and 6-13 days wages respectively for one month of chronic treatment. Overall availability of CVD essential medicines was lower than WHO recommendations, and medicines were largely unaffordable. While primary prevention is pivotal, improving availability and affordability of medicines especially for public facilities would provide additional benefit in curbing the CVD burden.

Les médias sociaux comme champ de bataille et le problème anglophone au Cameroun

Anglophones have been making progress in their political agenda since October 2016, the beginning of the crisis they have been facing in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon. Their claim is not new. It dates back to the abolishment of the federal regime. Historically, the Southern Cameroons, their State, joined the Republic of Cameroon, that of the Francophones, in 1961 through a referendum. Many fraudulent activities in favor of the Francophones happened during that vote and the negotiations initiated for the reunification prompting denunciations of the other party. Thus, the two States reunified by agreements formed the Federal Republic of Cameroon. However, the amendment of the Constitution through a presidential decree, following another referendum in 1972 and which led to the advent of the United Republic of Cameroon, paved the way for a deliberate annexation of Southern Cameroons by Ahmadou Ahidjo, the then president from the French-speaking part. Since then, the anger of Anglophones rose to the point of becoming a secessionist movement in the 1980s. This paper argues that lack of improvement in communication infrastructure limited the Anglophone plea to Cameroon. It contends that the advent of social media has created new opportunities to reach instantly a worldwide audience, and as a result, the Anglophones’ struggle is happening both on the ground in the English-speaking regions and on social media.

Levels of Heavy Metals in Banana, Cocoa and Oil Palm Farming Systems in Cameroon

The potential accumulation of heavy metals in soils due to rapid urban and industrial development, and increasing reliance on agrochemicals in the last several decades has been of public concern. Excessive heavy metal accumulation in soils may not only result in environmental contamination, but excessive heavy metal uptake by crops may affect food quality and safety. The heavy metal concentrations of soils in banana, cocoa and oil palm farming systems in Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon were studied. For soil quality assessment, soil samples were collected at two depths: 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm and analyzed for seven heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Cd levels in these soils were below the limits of detection (LOD) at both depths. Average contents of Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in mg/kg ranged in the order: Cd (< LOD) < Pb (10.7 -17.1) < Cu (59.7-112.7) < Ni (100.2 -174.5) < Zn (129.7-180.4) < Cr (192.7-685.3) < Mn (2731.5-5053.5) for both depths. The soils were all acidic (pH; 4.2-5.5). There were significant variations (p≤0.05) in Cu, Cr, Mn and Zn concentrations within different farming system(s). The soils of the studied farming systems had heavy metal levels within the allowable limits for agriculture. However, the levels of Cu, Cr and Ni were higher in some samples. Although these soils are considered to be unpolluted, care should be taken to avoid high concentrations of heavy metals.

Teachers' Quality and Graduates Employability The Case of Public Universities in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon

Teachers' Quality and Graduates Employability The Case of Public Universities in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon

Supply Chain Quality Management (SCQM); A Tool for Financial Performance of Brewery Companies in the South West Region of Cameroon

Purpose: The goal of every business is long term profitability. The outcomes of the 21st century have greatly influenced this goal. In reaction, companies now resort to indirect competition through Supply Chain Quality Management. This paper sort to examine the effect of such practices on the financial performance of the brewery companies in the South West Region of Cameroon. Method: The study made use of primary data collected using a five point likert scale questionnaire administered to 224 employees and 112 distributors of the four major brewery companies in the South West Region of Cameroon. The survey method was applied in a case study design. The ordinary least squares technique was used to assess the effect of supply chain quality management on the financial performance while the Levene statistic was used to test for homogeneity of the responses following the employees and the distributors of the companies. Findings: While surprisingly establishing that information sharing and top management commitment had an insignificant effect and that top management commitment had a negative influence on the financial performance of the companies. Customer relationship management, continuous improvement and innovation and strategic supplier partnership revealed significant positive effects on the financial performance of the companies. However, continuous improvement and innovation and strategic supplier partnership did not portray differences in the responses between employees and distributors while top management commitment and information sharing portrayed variances in the responses and customer relationship management did not show any clear conclusion. Managerial implications (contributions) : The managerial implications rest on the partial implementation of supply chain quality management practices between employees and distributors. Efforts towards continuous improvement and innovation and strategic supplier partnership need to be applied evenly between distributors and employees while emphasis need should not be placed on top management commitment and information sharing. This will give room for improvement and innovation leading to increase in customer satisfaction, sales and other financial parameters of the companies.

The Anglophone Crisis: The Birth of Warlords, the Impact of Warlords Activity on the People of North West and South West Region of Cameroon

Things are falling apart in Cameroon, as the marriage of inconvenience between the Former British Southern Cameroon (West Cameroon) and The Republic of Cameroon (East Cameroon) is about to explode into a violent crisis. Cameroon which is a member of the Central African community (CEMAC), shares borders with Nigeria which has an ongoing Boko Haram crisis, Chad is suffering from not only droughts but also Boko Haram crisis, the Republic of Central Africa also has political tensions, and Gabon amongst others. This article overviews the Cameroon Anglophone crisis and the Birth of warlords. The main objective of this study is to analyze the birth of Warlord, the impact of the Warlords on the people of (NW and SW), possible solutions to the crisis. In the process, the article also highlights gang violence by warlords and the Military of Cameroon, which includes: 1) Displacement of thousands of people (internal and external displacement), 2) imprisonment of thousands of civilians both those allegedly concerned and those innocent, 3) heavy loss of property by government and civilians not only in the two English speaking regions but the entire country as a whole. This article is a sociological analysis of the phenomenon, the birth of Warlords and the intensification of gang violence on the people of Northwest and Southwest of Cameroon. Using a qualitative case study based research strategy, this research investigates and analyzes the different system of government and other factors which can be used as a solution to the Anglophone crisis. The solution includes: 1) Federalism, 2) Unitary system, 3) Secession, 4) Dialogue, 5) United Nations and African Union, as actors and strategies that can be implemented in Cameroon.

Prescription of pharmacotherapy and blood pressure control among hypertensive outpatients in two semi-urban hospitals in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Introductionseveral international guidelines are available on drug treatment for hypertension, but the control of hypertension remains very poor in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We investigated the commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs and their association with blood pressure (BP) control in adult Cameroonians.Methodswe consecutively recruited hypertensive outpatients attending the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals (southwest region of Cameroon). Controlled BP was defined as BP < 140/90mmHg in hypertensive patients aged 60 years or younger, diabetics or patients with chronic kidney disease or a BP < 150/90mmHg in non-diabetic hypertensive patients older than 60 years of age (JNC8).Resultsof the 408 participants included (mean age 61.1 years), 67% were female. The median duration of hypertension was 6 years and the median duration of the current treatment was 22 weeks. Commonly prescribed antihypertensives were calcium channel blockers (CCB, 35.1%), thiazide/thiazide-like diuretics (TD/TLD, 26.1%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI, 19.5%). The median monthly cost of antihypertensive was 10279.6 CFA (approximately equal to US$ 172). Seventy percent (70%) of participants were receiving at least 2 drugs, with ACEI+TD/TLD, CCB+TD/TLD, and ACEI+CCB+TD/TLD being the most frequent combination. The rate of BP control was 52% overall, and 60% in participants on monotherapy.ConclusionCCBs were the most prescribed single antihypertensive drugs in this setting while ACEI+TD/TLD was the most common combination. About half of patients were at target BP control levels Improving availability and affordability of these medications may improve hypertension management and control.

Predictors of Malaria Prevalence and Coverage of Insecticide-Treated Bednets among Under-Five Children in the Buea Health District, South West Region, Cameroon

Introduction: Cameroon is a hyperendemic country to malaria where it remains a major public health concern, especially amongst children under-five. Insecticide-treated bednets (ITBNs) is the main control strategies. This study aimed at determining the predictors of malaria prevalence and coverage of ITBNs among under-five children in the Buea Health District (BHD), South West Region of Cameroon in other to reduce the morbidity and mortality of malaria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the BHD which is a malaria-hyperendemic area. Every head (female/male) of the household who was present at home at the time of data collection was randomly interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Under-five children were ascertained for malaria using microscopy, with a temperature of ≥37.50°C. Results: Out of 391 children (mean age = 19.7 month, SD = 2.5) who were selected and ascertained for malaria, the overall malaria prevalence was 13.04% (95% CI: 10.04 - 16.78). In a multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounders, female parents/guardians (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29 - 0.91) was associated with low risk of malaria while parents/guardians with no formal/primary educational (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.76 - 4.04) and children who did not use ITBN (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.08 - 2.51) were associated with an increased risk of malaria. Out of the selected children, 84.4% possessed ITBN (95% CI: 80.4 - 87.7) while 72.6% (95% CI: 67.9 - 76.8) used ITBN. In a multivariate after adjusting for confounders, Bova health area showed a significantly lower usage of ITBNs (χ 2 = 14.053, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The findings indicate that increased ITBN usage, increased parents/guardians’ educational level and good knowledge of ITBN is required to lower the risk of under-five children being infected with malaria. Health area of residence greatly influences the direct relationship between bednets possession and usage. These, therefore, indicates the possession of ITBN doesn’t mean their usage. The Cameroon National malaria control programs should consider the realities of the living conditions of the population for the implementation of better policies.

An Assessment of Humanitarian Response to Internally Displaced Persons: The Case of South West Region of Cameroon

An Assessment of Humanitarian Response to Internally Displaced Persons: The Case of South West Region of Cameroon

Epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases related admissions in a referral hospital in the South West region of Cameroon: A cross-sectional study in sub-Saharan Africa.

BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing an epidemic of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as a result of a rapid epidemiological transition. Little is known about the admission for CVD and outcome in rural and semi-urban settings in Cameroon in this era of epidemiological transition. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the pattern of CVD admissions in the South West region of Cameroon.MethodsThis retrospective descriptive study included all adult patients admitted for CVD in the medical unit of the Buea Regional Hospital between Jan 2016 and December 2017.ResultsOut of the 3140 patients admitted, 499(15.9%) had CVD. There were 304(60.9%) females. The mean age was 58.7±16.2 years. There was no age difference between men and women (59.7 years vs 58.1years, p = 0.29). The most commonly affected age group was those aged 50–59 years (22%). Heart failure (38.5%), stroke (33.3%) and uncontrolled hypertension (22.4%) were the most prevalent CVDs. The length of hospital stay ranged from 1 to 37 days with a median length of hospital stay of 7 days. In-hospital case fatality was 78(15.8%). Mortality was higher in women compared to men (9% vs 7%, p = 0.43). The case fatality for stroke was higher compared to case fatality for heart failure (21.7% vs 16.7%, p = 0.23).ConclusionCVDs are a common cause of hospital admission in this semi-urban setting, dominated by heart failure. Women were disproportionately affected and it was associated with high mortality. Prevention, early detection and management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease are imperative given the growing burden of CVD in SSA to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality.

Efficiency differentials in resource-use among smallholder cassava farmers in southwestern Cameroon

ABSTRACT Cassava has been identified as one of the staples that can reduce food security and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of “zero hunger”. This article aims to estimate the efficiency levels of cassava producers in the Southwest region of Cameroon and to identify factors that account for efficiency differentials. The results show that, on average, cassava farmers are 64% technically efficient under the constant returns to scale and 96% under the variable returns to scale assumptions. The difference between the two models suggests the existence of scale inefficiency. Results also show that variables such as farm size, experience and land-use intensity are factors that significantly enhance the efficiency of cassava producers. A key recommendation is the need for policies that ensure increased access to agricultural land as well as secure tenure for cassava producers.

Aquatic Hemiptera in Southwest Cameroon: Biodiversity of Potential Reservoirs of Mycobacterium ulcerans and Multiple Wolbachia Sequence Types Revealed by Metagenomics

Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is a neglected tropical disease associated with freshwater habitats. A variety of limnic organisms harbor this pathogen, including aquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), which have been hypothesized to be epidemiologically important reservoirs. Aquatic Hemiptera exhibit high levels of diversity in the tropics, but species identification remains challenging. In this study, we collected aquatic bugs from emerging foci of BU in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, which were identified using morphological and molecular methods. The bugs were screened for mycobacterial DNA and a selection of 20 mycobacteria-positive specimens from the families Gerridae and Veliidae were subjected to next-generation sequencing. Only one individual revealed putative M. ulcerans DNA, but all specimens contained sequences from the widespread alpha-proteobacterial symbiont, Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Wolbachia sequences into supergroups A, B, and F. Circularized mitogenomes were obtained for seven gerrids and two veliids, the first from these families for the African continent. This study suggests that aquatic Hemiptera may have a minor role (if any) in the spread of BU in Southwest Cameroon. Our metagenomic analysis provides new insights into the incursion of Wolbachia into aquatic environments and generated valuable resources to aid molecular taxonomic studies of aquatic Hemiptera.

Genetic diversity and antiretroviral resistance-associated mutation profile of treated and naive HIV-1 infected patients from the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.

BackgroundAntiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the survival of HIV infected persons. However, rapid scale-up of ART and the high HIV-1 genetic variability, has greatly influenced the emergence of drug-resistant strains. This constitutes a potential threat to achieving the UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals by 2020. We investigated the prevalent HIV-1 genotypes, drug resistance-associated mutations and assessed some predictors of the occurrence of these mutations.MethodsThis was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted between October 2010 and June 2012. Participants were consecutively enrolled from selected HIV treatment centers of the Southwest and Northwest regions of Cameroon. Viral load was determined with the automated Abbott Real-time HIV-1 m2000rt System. HIV genotyping and antiretroviral resistance mutations analysis were performed using Bayer’s HIV-1 TRUGENE™ Genotyping Kit and OpenGene DNA Sequencing system. The drug resistance mutation was interpreted with the Stanford HIV database. Epidemiological data were obtained using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires.ResultsOf the 387 participants, 239 were successfully genotyped. The median age of these participants was 33 years (interquartile range, IQR: 28–40 years), and a majority (65.7%) were female. A total of 29.3% of the participants were receiving ART. The median duration of ART was 10.5 months (IQR: 4–17.25 months). The median CD4 count and log10 viral load of study participants were 353.5 cells/ml (IQR:145–471) and 4.89 copies/ml (IQR: 3.91–5.55) respectively. CRF02 (A/G) (69%) was the most prevalent subtype followed by G (8.2%) and F (6.7%). Overall, resistance mutations were present in 37.1% of ART-experienced and 10.7% of ART-naive patients. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) mutations occurred in 30% of ART-experienced and 2.4% of ART-naïve patients, while non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) mutations occurred in 34.2% of ART-experienced and 10.1% of -naïve patients. M184V (8.4%, 20/239) and K103N (5.4%, 13/239) were the most prevalent mutations. Major protease inhibitor mutations occurred in 3 (1.3%) out of the 239 sequences. The duration of ART independently predicted the occurrence of resistance mutation among ART-experienced patients.ConclusionThe high resistance to NNRTIs, which are the main support to the backbone (NRTIs) first-line antiretroviral regimen in Cameroon, has prompted the need to rollout an integrase strand transfer inhibitor regimen (containing Dolutegravir) with a higher genetic barrier to resistance as the preferred first line regimen.

Seroprevalence of rubella virus antibodies among pregnant women in the Center and South-West regions of Cameroon.

Rubella infection in early pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, fetal death, or birth of an infant with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). In Cameroon, like in many developing countries, rubella surveillance is not well-established. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rubella virus specific antibodies among pregnant Cameroonians. We conducted a cross-sectional study for rubella infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Center and South-West regions of Cameroon. Demographic data and blood were collected and tested for rubella specific antibodies (IgG and IgM), and for the IgM positive cases, IgG avidity and real time PCR was done. From December 2015 to July 2017, 522 serum samples were collected and tested from pregnant women. The seroprevalence of rubella specific IgG was 94.4%, presumably due to immunity induced by wild-type rubella virus. The seroprevalence of rubella specific IgM was 5.0%, possibly indicating rubella infection. However, IgG avidity testing of the IgM positive cases detected high avidity IgGs, ranging from 52.37% to 87.70%, indicating past rubella infection. 5.6% (29/522) of the participants had negative results for IgG to rubella virus, indicating susceptibility to rubella infection. None of the participants had received a rubella containing vaccine (RCV), but 51% (266/522) of the pregnant women lived in a house with a child with records of at least one dose of RCV. Rubella virus RNA was not detected in the urine of any IgM positive case. Findings from this study show that rubella infection is significant in Cameroon. Some pregnant women are still susceptible to rubella infection. For a better management of rubella infection in pregnancy in Cameroon, consideration should be taken to investigate for IgG-avidity test in cases with positive rubella IgM result to distinguish between recent from past rubella infection.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among adults in a rural setting: the case of Ombe, Cameroon.

IntroductionHigh blood pressure is the most common cardiovascular disorder affecting approximately one billion people globally and remains a major contributor to the global burden of non-communicable diseases and mortality. Hypertension, once rare in traditional African societies, is now a major public health problem probably because of a rise in its risk factors. In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 74.7 million individuals live with hypertension. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with hypertension in adults aged 21 years and above in Ombe village, a rural Cameroonian setting in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional community based survey from March to September 2016 (seven months) in the village of Ombe, a rural community in the southwest region of Cameroon. Following ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea and administrative authorization, 243 participants (141 males and 102 females) through multi-stage sampling were randomly selected to take part in the study following consent which was voluntary and without any form of coercion. The principal research instrument was a questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance- Instrument v2.1 which was administered to participants. The self-administered questionnaire collected socio-demographic information, data related to knowledge and practices related to hypertension, anthropometric data (weight and height from which the body mass index (BMI) was calculated). The blood pressure of study participants was measured. Data was entered using Microsoft Excel, then imported and analysed in SPSS v22.0. Frequencies and percentages were determined for categorical variables. Means and standard deviations (mean ± SD). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate factors associated with high blood pressure (hypertension).ResultsThe results showed that 19.8% of the adult population had hypertension. Of the 243 respondents, 77.7% understood what is hypertension, 85% indicated that they could tell some consequences of high blood pressure (they indicated hypertension affects the heart, brain and kidneys) and 63.3% of study participants had never checked their blood pressure. Age greater than 40 years, harmful alcohol intake for more than 10 years, physical inactivity and obesity (BMI ≥ 25Kg/m2) were variables associated with hypertension on univariate analysis. Following multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for hypertension in our study were: physical inactivity (Adj. OR 2.6, 95%CI: 1.3-4.4, p = 0.021), regular alcohol consumption for more than 10 years (Adj. OR 2.9, 95%CI: 1.6-5.1, p = 0.014) and being older than 40 years of age: Adj. OR 2.5, 95%CI: 1.02-4.1, p = 0.002 in age category 41-60 years and this age related risk was even higher in persons older than 60 years of age Adj. OR 4.5, 95%CI: 2.1-6.3, p = 0.002.ConclusionThe findings of this study showed the prevalence of high blood pressure among adults in Ombe (a rural community in Cameroon) was 19.8%. Old age, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity were independent risk factors for hypertension. Despite the population demonstrating knowledge about hypertension and its possible poor consequences on health, less than half had ever gone for blood pressure checks. Interventions to improve physical activity, reduce alcohol consumption and boost health seeking (high blood pressure screening) behaviour will be beneficial as preventive measures in combatting hypertension.

Ethnobotany and Language Revitalisation: The Case of Plants in Isubu of Cameroon

This paper presents the outcome of ethnobotanical documentary research conducted among the Isubu community of the South West Region of Cameroon. Due to destruction of the ecosystem and biodiversity and the fact that the language has been identified as endangered (Atindogbé 2010, Akum 2013), there is a need to conserve indigenous knowledge on plants in this language. The study adopted an ethnographic interview survey. Fifteen language consultants were interviewed residing in from the speech community using Cameroon Pidgin English and the data were transcribed and annotated in ELAN. The article comprises four sections. In section one background information on the Bimbia people and language, the ecology of the region, and the research methodology employed in this research will be presented. Section two discusses the Isubu botanical folk taxonomy that is the way the people classify plants. In section three l will provide details of medicinal and other uses of a sample of 27 plants but the quantitative analysis will be drawn from a wider corpus of 92 plants. The focus in section four is on the role of such a study to the pressing need to safeguard, and maintain endangered languages and enhance the interrelatedness of language, culture, and biodiversity. We expect that the outcome of this research will benefit the local community and contribution to the preservation and possible revitalisation of the language. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Revitalisation, Endangered language, Preservation DOI : 10.7176/JLLL/62-05 Publication date: November 30 th 2019