Yaounde Cameroon Research Articles

Emergence of Cardiovascular Diseases and Inclusive Organization of Care in the Health District of Biyem-Assi, Yaounde Cameroon

Healthcare financing is one of the major challenges that faces the emergence of non-communicable diseases. This study describes and analyzes the inclusive organization of cardiovascular disease care in Biyem-Assi Health District. From December 2022 to February 2023, we conducted a qualitative study in the Biyem-Assi Health District. Medical anthropology research techniques were used to collect data through interview guides. The sample consisted of patients admitted and followed during the study period. The epidemiological variables studied included age, sex, diagnosis, length of hospital stay, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, knowledge, and modalities of cardiovascular disease (CVD) management, as well as practices aimed at eradicating this scourge. Cardiovascular disease mortality is currently the highest. It affects a young population, so diagnosis is often made late. Very few international technical and financial partners have a real strategy to support prevention and management programs for non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Faced with the growing incidence of cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in Cameroon, it is urgent to develop a response or rethink a new organization of cardiovascular disease care, involving and mobilizing numerous technical and financial partners, public authorities, and directly concerned healthcare professionals.

Characterization of oral candidiasis according to antiretroviral treatment status, immunological and virological profiles among HIV infected patients in two health facilities in Yaoundé-Cameroon: a cross-sectional and analytical study.

oral candidiasis in HIV-disease generally indicates immune incompetence both among antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive and experienced patients. To optimize oral healthcare among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we sought to evaluate the type and distribution of oral candidiasis with respect to ART-profile and immuno-virological parameters among PLHIV in the Cameroonian context. a cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 patients (51 ART-naïve and 112 ART-experienced) residing in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from February through May 2019. Oral candidiasis was assessed, while viral load (VL) and CD4-count were measured on Abbott m2000rt and Cy-flow counter platforms, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.21 with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. in all, 18 cases of two forms of oral candidiasis were identified (13 erythematous and 5 pseudomembranous), with the majority, 27.7% (11/51), observed among ART-naïve patients against 6.3% (7/112) in ART-experienced (p=0.006). With respect to immuno-virological profile, 77.8% (14/18) and 22.2% (4/18) of cases were identified among participants with CD4<200 cells/mm3 and CD4>200 cells/mm3, respectively (p<0.0001). In the light of viral load, the occurrence of oral candidiasis was largely observed among subjects with VL≥1000 copies/ml, 83.3% (15/18), against 16.7% (3/18), with VL<1000 copies/ml, irrespective of the candidiasis form (p<0.0001). among PLHIV, erythematous and pseudomembranous candidiasis are commonly found in the absence of ART, driven by immunodeficiency and active viral replication. In spite of the protective role of ART, PLHIV experiencing immuno-virological failure should be referred for management of oral candidiasis.

The Mediating Role of the Meaning of Work in the Relationship between Organizational Constraints and Psychological Well-Being at Work

This study examines the mediating role of the meaning of work in the relationship between organizational constraints and well-being at work. A selection of two inductors of the work situation was done in the framework of this study because of their explanatory power related to well - being at worknamely: workload and hierarchical support. Our hypothesis postulates that the meaning of work combines with the characteristics of the work situation to determine well-being at work (BET). In other words, we believe that the meaning of work mediates the effects of organizational inductors on well-being at work. In this perspective, 581 teachers from primary and secondary schools all sectors included (public, private, denominational, etc.) of the city of Yaounde (Cameroon) and aged between 21 and 60 years (M = 35.3, &amp;sigma; = 7.9) were interviewed using a self-report questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses following the procedure of Baron and Kenny (1986) confirm the mediating role of the meaning of work in the relationship between workload, hierarchical support and well-being at work.&amp;nbsp;&#x0D; &amp;nbsp;

High efficacy of microbial larvicides for malaria vectors control in the city of Yaounde Cameroon following a cluster randomized trial

The rapid expansion of insecticide resistance and outdoor malaria transmission are affecting the efficacy of current malaria control measures. In urban settings, where malaria transmission is focal and breeding habitats are few, fixed and findable, the addition of anti-larval control measures could be efficient for malaria vector control. But field evidences for this approach remains scarce. Here we provide findings of a randomized-control larviciding trial conducted in the city of Yaoundé that support the efficacy of this approach. A two arms random control trial design including 26 clusters of 2 to 4 km2 each (13 clusters in the intervention area and 13 in the non-intervention area) was used to assess larviciding efficacy. The microbial larvicide VectoMax combining Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus in a single granule was applied every 2 weeks in all standing water collection points. The anopheline density collected using CDC light traps was used as the primary outcome, secondary outcomes included the entomological inoculation rate, breeding habitats with anopheline larvae, and larval density. Baseline entomological data collection was conducted for 17 months from March 2017 to July 2018 and the intervention lasted 26 months from September 2018 to November 2020. The intervention was associated with a reduction of 68% of adult anopheline biting density and of 79% of the entomological inoculation rate (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.14–0.30, P < 0.0001). A reduction of 68.27% was recorded for indoor biting anophelines and 57.74% for outdoor biting anophelines. No impact on the composition of anopheline species was recorded. A reduction of over 35% of adult Culex biting densities was recorded. The study indicated high efficacy of larviciding for reducing malaria transmission intensity in the city of Yaoundé. Larviciding could be part of an integrated control approach for controlling malaria vectors and other mosquito species in the urban environment.

High Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection, Atrophic Gastritis and Hypochlorhydria in HIV-Positive Cameroonians Tested by Serological Stomach-Specific Biomarkers (GastroPanel®)

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are associated with significant chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Gastric inflammation is a precursor to many gastrointestinal disorders including, peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric cancer (GC). AG is usually accompanied by low hydrochloric acid (hypochlorhydria), low pepsinogens (PG) and high gastrin (G) levels and is the most significant risk condition for GC. Acid-free stomach is a risk factor for impaired drug absorption including anti-retroviral therapy and antibiotics. The role of H. pylori infection in HIV-infected subjects has been conflicting.&#x0D; Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of H. pylori infection, AG and acid-free stomach (hypochlorhydria) amongst HIV/AIDS subjects in Yaounde Cameroon.&#x0D; Methods: HIV/AIDS subjects were recruited during January-May 2018. Clinical and socio-demographic data of the subjects were recorded. An aliquot of 5 ml of blood was aseptically collected for analysis by GastroPanel® biomarker test for PGI, PGII, G-17 and H.pylori IgG antibodies. GastroPanel results were interpreted using the software application GastroSoft®. Statistical analyses were run by Epiinfo7.0. Ethical clearance was obtained from the National Ethics Committee.&#x0D; Results: A total of 84 subjects were recruited, aged between 17-63 years (mean 37.6 ± 8.9 years). H. pylori seropositivity (IgG ≥30 EIU) was detected in 68(81.0%) of the subjects. H. pylori seropositivity was closely associated with low CD4 counts (p=0.01). Altogether, 26(31.0%) of the subjects presented with AG of the corpus while, hypochlorhydria was detected in 32(38.1%) of the patients. AG and hypochlorhydria were associated with low CD4 counts&lt;200μl/l (p=0.01) and (p=0.005), respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: H. pylori infection, AG and acid-free stomach were common among HIV/AIDS patients, associated with an increased risk for GC and impaired absorption of micronutrients and some medicines.

Resistance Profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Isolated at the Yaounde General Hospital and the Yaounde Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital

Introduction: Dissemination of resistant bacteria is responsible for a considerable increase in mortality, morbidity and cost of treatment. Our study aimed to determine the frequency of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in two referral hospitals in Yaounde Cameroon, and to examine the antibiotic resistance profile. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out for a five-month period. Samples were collected from in and out- patients at the Yaounde General Hospital and at the Yaounde Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. The bacteria isolation was done using standard bacteriological procedures and the identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae species was done using API 20E sytem (Biomerieux). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was determined using the disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton media and the interpretation of the antibiogram was performed as recommended by the Comité de l’Antibiogramme de la Société Française de Microbiologie (2019). The data collected were analyzed with Epi Info 7.0 software and Excel 2013. Results: The frequency of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections was 2.48% (52/2096). The majority of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were isolated from urinary tract infections 55.77% (29/52). Most isolates were recovered from in-patients 63.46% (33/52) received at the pediatrics unit 25.0% (13/52). Few isolates were resistant to imipenem and meropenem with a resistance rate of 3.85% (2/52) each, while a considerable number of isolates were highly resistant to antibiotics such as ticarcillin 96.15% (50/52), amoxicillin + clavulanic acid 94.23% (49/52) and piperacillin 86.54% (45/52). The majority of isolates 73.08% (38/52) were multidrug-resistant and one isolate was resistant to all tested antibiotics (superbug). Conclusion: More than half of the isolates were multidrug-resistant and one isolate from an in-patient was found to be resistant to all tested antibiotics. These findings demonstrate the importance of establishing an effective surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance in Cameroon.

Prevalence of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Campylobacter&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; spp. Isolated from Pigs in Three Slaughterhouses of Yaounde Cameroon

Enteric campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter is a real public health problem. It is a typical zoonosis that can be transmitted through direct contact with contaminated animals or animal carcasses, or indirectly through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. WHO1 defines Campylobacter as the first germ responsible for gastroenteritis in developing countries. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in pigs and to identify the most common species found in three slaughterhouses in the city of Yaounde. A descriptive and prospective study was carried out over a period of five months, from July to November 2020. To do this, Campylobacter spp. strains were searched for by culture on specific media, incubated in a micro-aerophilic atmosphere at 37°C and the identification with API campy (BioMerieux, ref 20800). Out of the 266 samples collected, 170 from the rectum and 96 from the carcasses, we obtained a general prevalence of 27%, with a prevalence of 25.88% in the rectum and 29.16% in the carcasses. Pigs intended for consumption by the population of Yaounde come mainly from the North (50%) and the West (49%). The most common species encountered were C. coli (52.77%), C. jejuni spp. jejuni 1 and 2 (30.58%), C. festus spp. festus (11.11%), C. jejuni spp. doley (1.38%), and Campylobacter spp. (4.16%). Bacterial enumeration gave Campylobacter fecal concentrations at 103 CFU2 (52.7%), 104 CFU (33.3%), and 105 CFU (13.8%). The slaughterhouse in the Mvog Ada market was the most involved in Campybacter cases, followed by the 8th market and Essos market. From the above, it is important to notice that the Campylobacter danger remains and that preventive measures are of great interest.

Study of The Cardiac Function of Children Aged from 6 to 59 Months Suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition in Yaounde Cameroon

Study of The Cardiac Function of Children Aged from 6 to 59 Months Suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition in Yaounde Cameroon

High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, atrophic gastritis and hypochlorhydria in HIV-positive Cameroonians

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are associated with significant chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Gastric inflammation is a precursor to many gastrointestinal disorders including, peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric cancer (GC). AG is usually accompanied by low hydrochloric acid (hypochlorhydria), low pepsinogens (PG) and high gastrin (G) levels and is the most significant risk condition for GC. Acid-free stomach is a risk factor for impaired drug absorption including anti-retroviral therapy and antibiotics. The role of H. pylori infection in HIV-infected subjects has been conflicting. We assessed the prevalence of H. pylori infection, AG and acid-free stomach (hypochlorhydria) amongst HIV/AIDS subjects in Yaounde Cameroon. Methods and materials: A total of 84 HIV/AIDS subjects were recruited in Yaounde (Cameroon) during January-May 2018. Clinical and socio-demographic data of the subjects were recorded. An aliquot of 5 ml of blood was aseptically collected for analysis by GastroPanel® (Biohit Oyj, Helsinki, Finland) biomarker test for PGI, PGII, G-17 and H.pylori IgG antibodies. GastroPanel results were interpreted using the software application GastroSoft® (Biohit). Statistical analyses were run by Epi info 7.0. The study was agreed by the Jammot Hospital of Yaounde, and ethical clearance was obtained from the National Ethics Committee. Results: Results: A total of 84 subjects were recruited, aged between 17-63 years(mean 37.6 ± 8.9 years). H. pyloriseropositivity (IgG ≥30 EIU) was detected in 68(81.0%) of the subjects. H. pyloriseropositivity was closely associated with low CD4 counts (p = 0.01). Altogether, 26(31.0%) of the subjects presented with AG of the corpus while, hypochlorhydria (acid-free stomach) was detected in 32(38.1%) of the patients. AG and hypochlorhydria were associated with low CD4 counts<200 μl/l (p = 0.01) and (p = 0.005), respectively. Conclusion: H. pylori infection, AG and acid-free stomach were common among HIV/AIDS patients, associated with an increased risk for GC and impaired absorption of micronutrients and some medicines.

Impact of road geometric design elements on road traffic accidents in the city of Yaounde Cameroon

Impact of road geometric design elements on road traffic accidents in the city of Yaounde Cameroon

The Effects of Logistic Management on Enterprise Performance: A Case of Gas Depot Atem in Yaounde Cameroon

In a global economy, competitive and dynamic environment, logistics managements is an important strategic factor for increasing competitiveness. The significance of logistics management had evolved from a more passive and cost minimization oriented activity to a key success factor for firm competitiveness. There was therefore an emerging consensus about the need for companies to handle logistics issues together with economic and business issues. The performance of logistics systems was typically related to delivery service, logistics cost and tied up capital. Customers increasingly expected shorter delivery times and more accurate services and logistics management was perhaps most easily conceptualized in a third party logistic service provider like Gas Depot Atem. The study also looked at the effect of the logistics performance as the moderating variable on the relationship between logistics management and the firm Performance. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the influence of transport management on firm performance, evaluate the influence of inventory management on firm performance, examine the influence of order processing on firm performance, establish the influence of information flow on firm performance, and evaluate the moderating effect of logistics information system on the relationship between the logistics management and firm performance. The study used both descriptive and explanatory research designs. The target population for this study was the workers of Gas Depot Atem (about a 100). Our sample was about 40 workers of gas depot. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered through the e-mail survey and hand delivery. Secondary data was obtained from both published and unpublished records. The questionnaire was tested for validity and reliability. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to analyses the data with the assistance of SPSS software program version 22. The study found that transport management; inventory management; order process management and information flow management were individually predictors of firm performance with inventory management being the most significant predictor. The study concludes that logistics management has the potential of positively influencing performance on firms in terms of cost reduction, timely delivery, reduced lead time, demand realization, increased market share, quality products and customer service satisfaction. Consequently, this study provides firms‘ managers with insights of how firms can develop a competitive edge through the implementation of logistics management. This study therefore, recommends that factors associated with logistics management need to be considered by firms in their performance strategic plans as they have significant impact on performance.

Dissemination of the resistant forms of intestinal worms in the marshy areas of the city of Yaounde (Cameroon): importance of some abiotic factors of the medium

A study was undertaken from January to June 2016 with the aim of characterizing the environmental forms of intestinal helminths that are present in some marshy areas in Yaounde. Monthly water samplings were carried out on eight different marshy areas which are: Bonamoussadi, Melen, Etoug-ebe, Mvog-betsi, Mokolo-elobie, Tsinga, Ekounou and Damas in the city of Yaounde. The observation of eggs and larvae of helminths was done using an inverted Olympus CK2 microscope with objective 40, after concentration of the samples, following the formol-ether concentration and/or Kato–Katz techniques. The hydrological and physicochemical assessment of the samples reveals a low oxygenation (20.93 ± 9.83%) and a high mineralization (566.16 ± 119.91 μS/cm) of these ecosystems. The biological analysis reveals the presence of eggs belonging to Ascaris sp., Enterobius sp., Ankylostomes sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Trichuris sp., Tænia sp., Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Diphyllobothrium sp., Fasciola sp., Schistosoma sp. and the larvae of Strongyloïdes sp. The statistical analysis presents a significant correlations to the threshold of 5% and 1% between the physicochemical and biological parameters quantified in our study.

Clinical Aspects and Precipitating Factors of Hepatic Encephalopathy Associated with Cirrhosis in a Cameroonian Population

Background: Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE), a common complication of cirrhosis, is associated with a pejorative prognosis. This study aims to describe the clinical presentation, precipitating factors and outcome of HE. Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter inpatient study in cirrhotic patients admitted for HE in four tertiary hospitals in Yaounde (Cameroon) from December 2016 to May 2017. The diagnosis of HE was based on West Haven clinical criteria. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was made using clinical and/or biological, endoscopic and/or ultrasonography signs. Results: A total of 53 patients with HE (mean age: 49.9 ± 18.9 years, 35 Males) were included. The frequency of hospital admission for HE was 4.9%. HE grade III was the most common (37.7%), followed by grades I and II (26.4% and 26.4%, respectively). Grade IV was present in 9.4% of cases. According to the Child-Pugh score, 72.1% of the patients were at stage C and 27.9% at stage B. The main precipitating factors found were: constipation (38.5%), hyponatremia (35.9%), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (31.7%), herbal medicine (28.3%), hypokalemia (25.6%), gastrointestinal bleeding (22.6%) and ascitic fluid infection (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) (13.8%). In 5.7% of cases, no factor was identified. Mortality rate during hospitalization was 45.3% and was significantly associated with stage III (RR = 11.1; 95% CI: 1.9 - 64.5; p = 0.003) and IV (RR = 24; 95% CI: 1.6 - 40.9; p = 0.01) of HE; Child-Pugh C score (RR = 15.2; 95% CI: 1.7 - 30.1; p = 0.003) and hypokalemia (RR = 12.2; 95% CI: 1.3 - 19; p = 0.01). Conclusion: HE is a common complication during cirrhosis with a poor prognosis. In the majority of cases, a precipitating factor could be determined.

Hydraulic parameters in the Neoproterozoic aquifer of Yaounde, Cameroon

In this paper, hydrological properties generally needed to improve all over the world the policy and then the sustainability of groundwater resources are also presented in the Neoproterozoic terrane of Yaounde Cameroon. For this purpose, data collected from 150 boreholes realized in the study area were analysed statistically. The transmissivity (T) and the specific flow (Q/S) have been deduced from the pumping tests interpretation using the Jacob recovery method. The average transmissivity is equal to 2.9 × 10−5 m2/s, and the specific flow is equal to 0.26 m2/s. Wells depth (D) in general ranges from 41 to 80 m with an average of 57 m. The empirical relationship between T and Q/S is T = 0.0158(Q/S)1.01 with the determination coefficient R2 = 0.64. The weathered layer has a thickness (H) ranged from 2.6 to 63.3 m with an average of 16.8 m. Compared to other areas of the crystalline basement, although in the middle of the equatorial forest, the mean specific flow and the mean transmissivity in the Neoproterozoic terrane of Yaounde represent barely half values. Those parameters are of paramount importance in the groundwater management policy.

Editorial Note: Welcome to Volume 21 and the year 2018

African Journal of Nephrology (AJN) has completed a full year of operation as a web-based journal. After addressing a few teething problems, the journal is now running smoothly. I wish to thank reviewers, readers and the members of the editorial board for having participated in this endeavour. On behalf of the editorial board, I wish to thank all colleagues who have chosen to submit their valuable work to our journal. A special welcome and thanks to contributors who have submitted their manuscript in French, with an English abstract. They ensure that AJN remains a representative vehicle for nephrology research output in Africa. Volume 20, for the year 2017, has now given way to Volume 21, which will include publications throughout the year 2018. As a tribute, I wish to summarize few highlights of Volume 20. The story of the African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN) by Prof Rashad Barsoum, the founding president of AFRAN, is a very good record of the development of nephrology in Africa. The review of renal physiology in patients with potassium disorders by Prof Mitch Halperin and the review of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis by Prof John Feehally are excellent updates of the two topics. Original articles and case reports from contributors from various African regions are testament to the active production of nephrology knowledge in Africa. Finally, congress proceedings of the AFRAN Congress in March 2017 in Yaounde (Cameroon) and of the Southern African Transplantation Society Congress in September 2017 in Durban (South Africa) are excellent records of high quality nephrology meetings in Africa. As we are continuing to digitize and preserve our past, I wish to invite everyone to read our archive of publications. I urge everyone who may have copies of old AJN issues or manuscripts that are missing in the archive, to forward them to us to ensure that we make all our past papers available online. In the beginning, AJN started as a newsletter, published by the late Prof Salma Suleiman of Sudan. To complete the AJN archive, we hope to include the past newsletters as a tribute to the late Prof Suleiman. We urge anyone having any copies of the newsletter to forward it to AJN. As in Volume 20 in 2017, Volume 21 will consist of a single issue and include all publications for 2018. They will be added throughout the year as they are accepted for publication. We should expect exciting reviews by experts as in our previous volumes as well as special articles. For our legacy project that was started by Prof Rashad Barsoum, first AFRAN President, we will request the subsequent AFRAN presidents to each submit a review of the period of their tenure. As in the past, we expect to publish original articles as well as interesting case reports, and we encourage regional and national societies to submit the abstracts from their conference proceedings for publication. Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to express my best wishes for the year 2018 to all contributors, reviewers and readers. Alain G Assounga Editor-in-Chief

Restoration of a Dystrophic Lake: The Case of Efoulan Lake in Yaounde Cameroon

Restoration of a Dystrophic Lake: The Case of Efoulan Lake in Yaounde Cameroon

29Si and 27Al MAS NMR Characterization of the Structural Evolution of a Lateritic Clay under Acidic and Alkaline Treatments

In the present work the modifications induced by the geomimetic processing on the environment of silicon and aluminum atoms are finely characterized by solid state MAS NMR. The raw clay (Lat), a lateritic clay from Yaounde (Cameroon), contains kaolinite, quartz, hematite and goethite as major mineral phases. This material is treated under acidic conditions during 24 h (LatAF) and then under alkaline conditions during 18 days, leading to the final consolidated “geomimetic” product (LatAFCH). The samples have been characterized by 29Si and 27Al solid state NMR at each step of the process.The NMR spectra obtained for the starting clay indicate the presence of AlIV and AlVI populations together with silicon Q2 (0 or 1Al) and Q3 (0 or 1Al) environments located at δiso=-83 ppm and δiso=-91 ppm respectively.The acidic reaction during 24 h, does not significantly affect the silicon-rich layers. It induces a conversion of part of AlIV population into AlVI environment mainly related to the occurrence of six-fold organo-aluminum complexes when using fulvic acid. With inorganic acid, Al dissolution prevails.The neutralization (using lime) of the medium, followed by ageing for 18 days, promotes clay interactions with available calcium ions. The newly formed phases are cementitious CSH, CASH and CAH phases.

Atrophic Gastritis and Gastric Cancer Risk amongst Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Subjects and Controls in Yaounde Cameroon Using a Panel of Serum Biomarkers (PGI, G-17)

Atrophic Gastritis and Gastric Cancer Risk amongst Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Subjects and Controls in Yaounde Cameroon Using a Panel of Serum Biomarkers (PGI, G-17)

Assessment of 12 Months Retention in Care among Children living with HIV in a Pediatric Reference Hospital, Yaounde Cameroon

Assessment of 12 Months Retention in Care among Children living with HIV in a Pediatric Reference Hospital, Yaounde Cameroon

Structure of Vegetables Farming and Farmer’s Perception of Soil and Water Degradation in Two Periurban Areas in Yaounde Cameroon

Vegetable farming is an activity sensitive to the dynamism of the population and to the level of intensification in the use of soil resources. A study was conducted in the peri-urban zones of Yaoundé to present the socioeconomic characteristics of vegetable farming and the farmers’ perception of soil and water degradation as a result of this activity. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to this purpose in 2016 in two vegetable farming sites in Yaoundé, namely Nkolbisson and Nkolondom III. Results showed that most vegetable farmers from both sites (around 75%) lack training in agriculture while 74 and 90 didn’t benefit from training on management of pesticides. Spreading and landfilling of amendments are the two most popular ways of applying fertilizers. In fact, while the majority (35.4%) of these fertilizers is applied at planting time, the minority (4.9%) is applied several months before planting. Besides young plots are more exploited (52.4% and 30%) compared to older ones (2.4% and 5%) in Nkolondom III and Nkolbisson respectively, as they are more responsive to fertilizer application. As consequence, high rates of fertilizers are applied to the oldest farms. As for irrigation water, it is altogether polluted. Base on the above, the farmers’ perception of degradation is seen through the degradation of soils properties with time in the order of 14.3% to 60% and 15% to 44% at Nkolbisson and Nkolondom III respectively resulting in a gradual decrease of crop production (up to 50%). It is also seen through the polluted produce obtained from irrigation and cleaning water.