West Cameroon Research Articles

Semi-Automatic Fracture Mapping Using Cellular Neural Networks Applied to ALOS PALSAR 2 Images of the Western Highlands of Cameroon

In Cameroon in general and in the Highlands of Cameroon in particular, there is no fracture map since its realization is not easy. The region’s harsh accessibility and climatic conditions make it difficult to carry out geological prospecting field missions that require large investments. This study proposes a semi-automatic lineament mapping approach to facilitate the elaboration of the fracture map in the West Cameroon Highlands. It uses neural networks in tandem with PCI Geomatica’s LINE algorithm to extract lineaments semi-automatically from an ALOS PALSAR 2 radar image. The cellular neural network algorithm of Lepage et al (2000) is implemented to enhance the pre-processed radar image. Then, the LINE module of Geomatica is applied to the enhanced image for the automatic extraction of lineaments. Finally, a control and a validation of the expert by spatial analysis allows elaborating the fracture map. The results obtained show that neural networks enhance and facilitate the identification of lineaments on the image. The resulting map contains more than 1800 fractures with major directions N20° - 30°, NS, N10° - 20°, N50° - 60°, N70° - 80°, N80° - 90°, N100° - 110°, N110° - 120° and N130° - 140° and N140° - 150°. It can be very useful for geological and hydrogeological studies, and especially to inform on the productivity of aquifers in this region of high agro-pastoral and mining interest for Cameroon and the Central African sub-region.

Mineralogy and Texture of the Weathered Products from Silicic Lavas in the Sabga Area, North West Cameroon

Products of weathering usually clay minerals, are commonly characterized through mineralogical, chemical and geochemical analysis, emphasizing their implications in industrial applications, initiation of landslides and their impact on surface water geochemistry. In this study the vertical variations in textural characteristics and clay mineral type within weathered profiles in the Sabga area were investigated. Two exposed weathered profiles were logged from bed rock to topsoil and each horizon was sampled separately. Granulometric analysis on the samples indicated mixtures of clay, silt and sand size particles in all horizons. Smectite and kaolinite were identified by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The two logs show that the lower horizons display whitish colors with fine laminations, middle horizons are brownish and the upper horizons display dark brown colors. Graphic mean values for both sections gave values that range between 2.02 - 3.7f with an average standard deviation value of 1.9f, indicating that the grains are poorly sorted sand, silt and clay. SEM micrographs show laths of smectite in the lower horizons, flakes of kaolinite and laths of smectites in the middle horizons while the upper horizons show flakes of kaolinite with microlites of quartz + feldspars. XRD patterns show broad basal reflections for kaolinite at 2θ 36.8° (3.15 ?), smectite at 2θ 33.5° (3.34 ?), both contaminated with quartz at 2θ 36.5° (3.32 ?) typical for these minerals.

Effectual behaviour and frugal innovations: Learning from women cocoa farmers in South West Cameroon

Effectual behaviour and frugal innovations: Learning from women cocoa farmers in South West Cameroon

GESTATION LENGTH AND AGE AT FIRST CALVING OF CROSSBRED COWS IN CAMEROON

Data on 139 crossbred cows obtained from the database of the Bambui Centre of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) in the Sudano-Guinean altitude zone of West Cameroon were used to evaluate the effect of calf’s sex, parity and season on gestation length and age at first calving. These animals, reared between 1985 and 1995, were crosses between the imported Jersey (J) and Holstein (H) bull semen with local White Fulani (WF) and Gudali (G) cows. Gestation length (GL) varied significantly between the different genetic crossbred groups, whereas no effect of genetic composition was observed on AFC. These traits were affected by the lactation number, but not by calf sex and season. 50%Hx50%G recorded the shortest GL (279.87±2.66 days) with 40% of cows calving between 24-28 months. 87.5%Jx12.5%WF registered the longest (289.14±3.89 days) gestation period. The highest (30.63±8.21 months) age at first calving was in75%Jx25%WF group. Performances obtained for both GL and AFC with Holstein-Gudali (50%Hx50%G) crossbreed as compared to Jersey crossbreed revealed their high reproductive potential through their adaptability capacity to harsh conditions of tropics.

Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Exploitation and Household Uses in Bui Division, North West Cameroon

Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Exploitation and Household Uses in Bui Division, North West Cameroon

Reconceiving the Theology of Procreation in Response to Stigmatisation of Childlessness1

Abstract This article, based on the author’s doctoral research, offers a theological response to the traditional attitudes towards childlessness within the Bakossi community of South West Cameroon. Research reveals a prevalent negative attitude towards those—both men and women—who do not have children. This stigmatization is often reinforced within Christian communities by a reading of scripture that interprets the command to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ as referring exclusively to biological reproduction. In contrast to this, an African cultural feminist hermeneutic can be used to argue for a more holistic interpretation of scripture, one that draws out God’s concern for family, community and creation.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Quality Assessment of Surface Water in an Agricultural Area in Equatorial Africa: The Mungo River Basin, South West Cameroon, Central Africa

The Mungo River and its tributaries represent the major sources of water supply for agriculture and drinking purposes for the Douala city and the south western agricultural region of Cameroon. In this study, the surface water hydrochemistry was investigated at 12 locations to determine the hydrochemical and heavy metals characteristics and to assess the suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes. Results of water samples collected along the main channel and tributaries showed that the major ions were dominated by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > NH4+ and > HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > F- > PO43- , with concentrations varying between 0 to 60 mg/l. Heavy metal concentrations were relatively weak, dominated by Fe > Mn > As > Cd > Zn > Se. The main hydrochemical facies types revealed primarily 52% Ca-Na-HCO3 and 48% Ca-Mg-HCO3. Base on Gibbs diagram and relative ion ratios, the hydrochemical characteristics are derived from weathering of silicate rocks and atmospheric source. The influence of anthropogenic factors including agro-industrial activities on the hydrochemical characteristics was less marked. The chemical composition of the water samples was compared with the drinking water standards and only the concentration of Fe was above the WHO guide limits in a single sample at Passi. The evaluation of the water quality for irrigation showed that 95% of water samples are suitable for irrigation in almost all soil types. According to the water quality index (HPI, HEI and Cd), this water is considered of excellent quality for consumption. The results provide a preliminary database for sustainable management of water resource in the Mungo River basin.

Tracking and providing ART Services to internally displaced PLHA into West Region Cameroon, January–June 2019; daunting task, wonderful commitment

Tracking and providing ART Services to internally displaced PLHA into West Region Cameroon, January–June 2019; daunting task, wonderful commitment

Diversity and conservation of traditional African vegetables: Priorities for action

AbstractAimTraditional African vegetables have high potential to contribute to healthy diets and climate resilience in sub‐Saharan African food systems. However, their genetic resources are likely at threat because they are underutilized and under the radar of agricultural research. This paper aims to contribute to a conservation agenda for traditional African vegetables by examining the geographical diversity and conservation status of these species.LocationSub‐Saharan Africa.Methods126 traditional annual and perennial African vegetables were selected for their food and nutrition potential. Food uses and species’ areas of origin were recorded from literature. Species’ presence records were collected from open‐access databases of genebanks and herbaria. These records were used to determine geographical patterns of observed and modelled richness, to distinguish geographical clusters with different compositions of vegetables, to assess species’ ex situ and in situ conservation status and to prioritize countries for conservation actions.ResultsOf the 126 species, 79 originated in sub‐Saharan Africa. High levels of observed and modelled species richness were found in: (a) West Tropical Africa in Ghana, Togo and Benin; (b) West‐Central Tropical Africa in South Cameroon; (c) Northeast and East Tropical Africa in Ethiopia and Tanzania; and (d) Southern Africa in Eswatini. South Sudan, Angola and DR Congo are potential areas of high species richness that require further exploration. In general, ex situ conservation status of the selected species was poor compared to their in situ conservation status.Main conclusionsAreas of high species richness in West Tropical Africa, South Cameroon and Ethiopia coincide with centres of crop domestication and cultural diversity. Hotspots of diversity in Tanzania and Eswatini are especially rich in wild vegetables. Addressing the conservation of vegetable diversity in West Tropical Africa and South Cameroon is of most urgent concern as vegetable genetic resources from these locations are least represented in ex situ collections.

Community Development in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon: A Socio-analytic insight of self-Development at the dawn of Decentralization

The coming together in an attempt to take collective actions and generate solutions to common problems has shaped the lives of inhabitants of the grassroots and tropical forest areas in Cameroon, especially in the North West and South-West Regions. The United Nation defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." It is a broad concept, applied to the practices of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens, and professionals to improve various aspects of communities, typically aiming to build stronger and more resilient local communities.
 British rule in the Southern Cameroons and for more than a decade into the existence of the West Cameroon state of the Cameroon Federation, many reflections were brought on board to enhance the level of economic development of the territory. This became the crux behind the creation of the Southern Cameroons Development Agency (S.C.D.A) which was transformed to the West Cameroon Development Agency (W.C.D.A) in 1961. The Development Agency from its inception in 1956 contained a lofty blueprint for the development of the territory, especially, in the agro-industrial and commercial domains. Nevertheless, the manner in which the Agency collapsed in the early seventies could be attributed to the merger in diverse proportion of unapprised state-centric practices and some corporate cultures shocks. The era of decentralization that came without its effective implementation in 1996 did not help in the development of local communities and their populations because of its slow, poor implementation and interpretation by the communities. However the full implementation measures of the decentralization process with legal and institutional framework will serve as a catalyst to community development.
 The community well-being spree has demonstrated its bright face in the socio-economic, cultural and environmental prisms. The range of these interactions is measured from small initiatives within small groups to large groups with broader community-development nexus. Community development has been the beacon and the citadel of community engagement in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon through common initiative groups enhanced by agricultural and livestock farming, socio-economic and cultural development. But the story has changed with the new dynamics with Decentralization where competencies are transferred to territorial collectivities for local councils to handle their affairs. The objective of this study is to explore the various ways community development inter-twined with self-development entertained in the English speaking regions of Cameroon and how it has changed today. But how was self-development given credence in these regions before the socio-political crises and before Decentralization? It is in an attempt to answer these that we decided to examine the activities that undergird these regions as well as promoting oneness and how it will change with Decentralization. A comparative analysis of forms of decentralization and its effects and growth in some countries has also been examined. Some studies on Decentralization have acknowledged that community development will have a better and coordinated way of presenting their cooperative projects for optimum attention by the decentralized services. It is only at this stage that, we can measure the impact of Decentralization on the people of these regions with a contemporary approach in their community engagements.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C and Associated Risk Factors among HIV-1 Infected Patients in a High Risk Border Region of South West Cameroon

Coinfection of HIV with human retroviruses such as hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) has been associated with adverse liver disease outcomes including reduced survival, cancer and antiretroviral induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) among HIV-infected individuals diagnosed within six months in South West Cameroon and identified risk factors of coinfection.

Linking soils and human health: geospatial analysis of ground-sampled soil data in relation to community-level podoconiosis data in North West Cameroon.

BackgroundPodoconiosis is a form of leg swelling, which arises when individuals are exposed over time to red clay soil formed from alkaline volcanic rock. The exact causal agent of the disease is unknown. This study investigates associations between podoconiosis disease data and ground-sampled soil data from North West Cameroon.MethodsThe mineralogy and elemental concentrations were measured in the soil samples and the data were spatially interpolated. Mean soil values were calculated from a 3 km buffer region around the prevalence data points to perform statistical analysis. Analysis included Spearman's rho correlation, binary logistic regression and principal component analysis (PCA).ResultsSix elements, barium, beryllium, potassium, rubidium, strontium and thallium, as well as two minerals, potassium feldspar and quartz, were identified as statistically related to podoconiosis. PCA did not show distinct separation between the spatial locations with or without recorded cases of podoconiosis, indicating that other factors such as shoe-wearing behaviour and genetics may significantly influence podoconiosis occurrence and prevalence in North West Cameroon.ConclusionSeveral soil variables were statistically significantly related to podoconiosis. To further the current study, future investigations will look at the inflammatory pathway response of cells after exposure to these variables.

Urbanization and Development of Market Spaces in Bafoussam, West Cameroon

Cameroon, like the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, is characterized by rapid urbanization. At the same time, the proliferation of commercial spaces continues to grow because they fulfill a crucial economic and social function. Their development leads to an explosion in the number of traders making the trading infrastructure insufficient. Wholesalers, retailers, lifeguards and other hawkers struggle to occupy spaces while local elected officials struggle to develop and organize them. The objective of this article is to describe the relationship between urbanization and the organization of commercial spaces. The hypothesis put forward poses that urbanization and underemployment lead to their saturation and overflow. To demonstrate this, a survey was conducted among 435 traders, 7 interviews were conducted with resource persons to whom observations were added. Statistical processing and data analysis made it possible to understand that the urban disorder in Bafoussam reveals the lack of infrastructure that can overwhelm traders. The operations of construction and rehabilitation of markets set up in a mode of regulation of the merchant space by the CTDs have not been able to solve the problem. This results in anti-social behavior, poor infrastructure maintenance and the poor image of retail spaces.

Perception of Climate Variability along the Slopes of Mount Bamboutos, West Cameroon

This study analyzes the impact of current climate variability on the southern slope of the Mount Bamboutos. Our objective is to contribute to the knowledge in the domain of climate variability in tropical high-altitude environments based on peasant perceptions. The guiding premise is that, in the face of current climate variability, the climate of tropical high-altitude regions is constantly changing. Based on climate data and surveys of 100 peasant farmers; this analysis shows that rainfall is very irregular and interrupted with frequent dry spells. Farmers have a particular way of reading or interpreting the climate or the weather. Their perceptions of climate variability anchors on the position and color of the clouds, the intensity of the sun, the direction and / or the speed of the wind. Climatic trends from 1980 to 2009 and variations in the cumulative number of rainy days and rainfall averages demonstrated great decadal anomalies. The comparative analysis of climatological data between these decades (1980-1989; 1990-1999 and 2000-2009), show that precipitation has more or less decreased along the southern slopes of Mount Bamboutos. In this same time interval, there has been an overall increased in temperatures. The late onset and early end of rainfall have had remarkable impacts on the agricultural calendar. Adaptation options need to be improved upon and indigenous knowledge integrated into adaptation policy.

Transplacental Transmission of Filarial Infections and Its Impact on Oxidative Stress and Immune Responses during Foetal Life in Bamenda, North West Cameroon

Background: Women commonly harbour filarial infections during their childbearing years, raising the possibility that the developing foetus may be exposed to filarial antigens in the uterus and thereby have altered immunity and susceptibility to infection during early childhood. However, there are no concrete proofs to justify the risk of infections in infants born from mothers having filarial infections during pregnancy.
 Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of microfilariae in umbilical cord blood and respective mothers and to evaluate the relationship between the cord blood filarial infection and the oxidative stress status and concentration of IL-2, IL-10, IL-13, INF-γ and IgG in umbilical cord blood.
 Methods: This was a nested case–control study of cords and mothers of normal gestational age (>250 days of gestation). A total of 316 pairs of umbilical cords and mothers were examined. The presence of microfilariae was assessed by microscopy in mothers and cords. Oxidative stress status (total oxidative stress and total oxidative defence) and nitric oxide of umbilical cord and mother’s blood were investigated by the colorimetric method. ELISA was carried out for IL-2, IL-10, IL-13, INF-γ in umbilical cord and mother’s blood. Equally, umbilical cords were subjected to ELISA for total IgG.
 Results: Results obtained showed that microfilariae had a prevalence of 32.9% and 29.7% in umbilical cord blood and women at time of delivery respectively. High levels of total oxidative stress (TOS) with low total oxidative defence (TAD) was found in filarial infected (Mf +ve) umbilical cord and mother’s blood compared to controls or uninfected (Mf -ve) cords and mothers blood. IL-2 was lower in the blood of microfilariae infected cords and mothers, while INF-γ, IL-13 and IL-10 were higher as compared to microfilariae negative cords and mothers. Equally, plasma total IgG concentration was higher in microfilariae positive cords compared to the negative cords and positively correlated with IL-10.
 Conclusions: There is high frequency of transplacental transmission of microfilariae. Cord blood filarial infections were associated with a high TOS, a protective immune response with low IL-2 and high INF-γ, and a typical Th2 immune response that was associated with higher concentration of immune total IgG regulatory cytokine IL-10 and IL-13 in neonate.

The Pan-African High-K I-Type Granites From Batié Complex, West Cameroon: Age, Origin, and Tectonic Implications

The Batié granitic massif in western Cameroon is NE-SW elongated, following the regional foliation and parallel to the Kekem-Fotouni shear zone, south-western extension of the Tcholliré-Banyo Fault (TBF). This massif comprises two petrographic units: biotite granite and amphibole granite. Major, trace, REE, Sr-Nd isotopic and new U-Pb data, are used to constrain their nature and origin. The results indicate that they are high-K alkali- calcic with shoshonite affinity. The amphibole granite is metaluminous, whereas biotite granite is weakly peraluminous. Both granites are high temperature I-type granites and crystallized under oxidizing conditions. Initial (87Sr/86Sr)620Ma ratios (0.706-0.708) and εNd620Ma (-12.58 to -8.89) indicate the parental magmas were produced by partial melting of deep old Paleoproterozoic crust and were mixed with felsic magma from upper continental crust. Their TDM typically vary from 1.68 to 1.96 Ga. The massif was mostly emplaced between 630 and 547 Ma; during the transitional period between the crustal thickening (ca. 630-620 Ma) and the development of the shear zones, which began with sinistral movements (613-585 Ma) and continued with dextral movements (585-540 Ma). Plutonism continued during the dextral movements. The Batié granite is geochemically and isotopically similar to other post-collisional pan-African granitic massifs located along TBF.

Palynology and palynofacies analyses in the Douala sub-basin: Implications on palaeoenvironment evolution of the Souellaba Formation/ west Cameroon.

Investigations were carried out on the Tertiary sedimentary sequences from west Cameroon, namely the Mamiwater well (from 268 to 828 m), the Pungo well (from 731 to 1338 m) and the Yatou well (from 700 to 1402 m). These intervals correspond to the Souellaba Formation (SFm) of the Douala sub-basin according to the well final report produced by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation of Cameroon (NHC). The aim of this study was to characterize the lithofacies, the palynological zones, and characterize the depositional environments based on palynomorphs and palynofacies. The studied intervals are dominated by shale interbedded with limestone and siltstone; a few beds of claystone, fine to medium and coarse-grained sandstone (limited to the Pungo well) and rare marl layers are also observed. Three main palynozones were identified in each well and each zone is named. The palynological composition of the assemblages is marked by the abundance of spores and pollen grains and several stratigraphic markers in the three wells such as Cicatricosisporites dorogensis, Perigrinipollis nigericus, Proteacidites cooksonii, Zonocostites ramonae, Magnastriatites howardi, Loranthacidites nataliae, Brevicolporites molinae, Triporotetradites hookenii, Marginipollis concinnus and Adhenantheridites simplex. The dominance of the latter over dinoflagellate cysts in the Souellaba Fm indicates a high continental influence. The high percentage of angiosperms pollens grains, which are dominant in the assemblages, indicates the proximity of terrestrial sources associated with oxygenated environments. Moreover, the dominance of terrestrial palynomorphs and the relative abundance of marine palynomorphs are interpreted as indicating shallow marine environments of deposition close to terrestrial source. This marine condition is confirmed by the presence of foraminiferal test linings. The abundance of plant debris within the palynofacies indicates a climatic control on the parent vegetation and suggests the proximity to fluvial inputs. The organic matter analysis reveals type III kerogen. The relatively high number of opaque phytoclasts suggests combustion events.

Profiling Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Markers of Enterovirulent <italic>Escherichia Coli</italic> from Fecal Isolates of Adult Patients with Enteric Infections in West Cameroon

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify virulent and antimicrobial resistant genes in fecal E. coli in Mbouda, Cameroon.MethodsA total of 599 fecal samples were collected from patients with enteric infections who were ≥ 20 years old. E. coli was isolated on the MacConkey agar and virulent genes were detected by multiplex/simplex PCR. Isolates in which ≥ 1 virulent gene was detected were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The resulting resistant isolates were subjected to PCR, followed by sequencing for resistant genes detection.ResultsThere were 119 enterovirulent E. coli identified, amongst which 47.05% were atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), 36.97% enterotoxigenic E. coli, 10.08% Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and 5.88% were enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC). The occurrence of the eae gene (47.06%) was higher compared with CVD432 (33.61%), aaic (13.45%), stx2 (10.08%) and stx1 (0.84%). High resistance rates were noted for ampicillin (94.64% EPEC, 91.67% STEC, 59.09% EAEC, and 57.14% EIEC) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (100% EPEC and 83.33% STEC, 81.82% EAEC and 71.43% EIEC). sul2 (71.43%), tetB (64.71%), tetA (59.94%) and blaTEM (52.10%) were detected. A double mutation (S83L; D87N) was seen in gyrA and a single mutation (S80I) was observed in parC.ConclusionThese findings suggested that measures should be taken to reduce the harm of E. coli to public health.

Structural characterization of the Pan-African Ndieki area in the Foumban-Bankim Shear Zone (West Cameroon): constraints from field observations and microstructures

The Ndieki area displays elongated NE-SW hill which crop out along the Foumban-Bankim Shear Zone. In petrographic point of view, it is made up of amphibolites, biotite-hornblende gneisses, and two-mica granites, all of which are wrapped by mylonites. Structural data indicate (1) NE-SW (N30°E) to ENE-WSW (N70°E) trending foliation, dipping moderately (50°–60°) towards NW; (2) stretching lineation striking NNE-SSW (N12E-N25E) and moderately (25°–35°) plunging towards SSW in mylonite and biotite-hornblende gneisses. It strikes NE-SW (N40E) and plunges strongly (66°–81°) towards SW in the two-mica granites; and (3) asymmetric folds (NE-SW) and σ-type displaying dextral kinematics evolution in mylonites and biotite-hornblende gneisses, and N-S sinistral shear planes in mylonites and biotite-hornblende gneisses respectively correlated to the dextral transpressive and sinistral transcurrent deformation. All these rocks show that microstructures were acquired from the sub-magmatic to the solid-state deformation. The structural features show that the mylonitization was initiated in the early NE-SW dextral deformation event which has favored the evolution of fractures in pull-apart structures that induce the upwelling of magma and the emplacement of the Ndieki pluton, followed by the N-S trend sinistral shearing. Structural, kinematic features of the Ndieki pluton characterized deep crustal deformation, probably at the ductile-brittle boundary structural level during a major dextral shear deformation.

The Impact of Forest Conservation on Agricultural Land Use Change and Alternatives for Livelihood Sustainability in Ngongbaa Community, North West Cameroon

The Impact of Forest Conservation on Agricultural Land Use Change and Alternatives for Livelihood Sustainability in Ngongbaa Community, North West Cameroon