Francis Nde

Prevalence and risk factors for allergic rhinitis in bakers in Douala, Cameroon

Objective To determine the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis among bakers in Douala. Design A cross-sectional study; the logistic regression model was use to find the risk factors of allergic rhinitis. Setting The study was conducted in 42 bakeries randomly selected among a total of 151 bakeries in the city of Douala. Participants All bakers who consented to participate in the study between 1 May and 31 July 2013. Outcome measures Allergic rhinitis was the outcome of interest. It was defined as the presence of the following symptoms: itchy nose, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and sneezing. Results During the study period, a total of 273 bakers were invited and 229 finally agreed to participate in this study. Males were the most represented gender with 222 (96.9%) participants. The mean age of the participants was 36.29±8.9 years. Smoking was found in 55 participants (24.5%). The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were observed in 24.5% of participants. Work related nasal symptoms were present in 15% of participants. Sensitisation to wheat flour and α-amylase was found in 16.6% and 8.3% of participants, respectively. The Prick test was positive for mites in 12.2% of participants. After multivariate analysis, sensitisation to flour (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.85 to 8.47) and storage mites (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.45 to 8.18) were the factors independently associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Conclusions Allergic rhinitis is frequent among bakers in Cameroon. Implementation of preventive measures against inhalation of airborne allergens in bakeries and clinical monitoring of bakers sensitised to wheat flour and mites could help to reduce the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among bakers.

Formal and informal sector workers care in Cameroon : n eed for equitable protection approach based on rational assessment of risks and exposures through carpenters respiratory system assessment.

Weexploredrespiratorysymptomsininformalversusformalsectorworkers,�in� ordertofindoutifthereisrationalreasonforselectivecaretowardsthelatters. Methodology: Thiswasatransversalanalyticstudycomparingspirometry� parametersof�35�carpentersfrominformalsectoractivityto�35�controlsfrom� officialsector,� allmales,� matchedforbodysurfacearea,� inDoualatownin� Cameroon,�fromMarchtoMay�2015.�Weperformedspirometriesandclinical� examinations.�WeanalyseddatawithspssV.22. Results: Thecarpentersandthecontrolsshowedrespectivelythat� :� average� agewas�35�vs�34�years�;�averageyearsspentinfunction� :�13�vs�9�years�;�systolic� bloodpressure�:�120�vs�115�mmHg�(p�<�0.05)�;�diastolicbloodpressure�:�79�vs�96� mmHg�;�onspirometry,�forcedvitalcapacity�:�97�vs�92�;�forcedexpiratoryvolume� persecond�:�101�vs�96�;�Tiffeneauindex�:�108�vs�105�;�andpeakexpiratoryflow� :� 91�vs�87.�Anegativecorrelationwasfoundincarpentersbetweenlenghtofstayin� functioninyearsandpeakexpiratoryflow�(R�=�-�0.34�;�p<0.05).

State of knowledge of Cameroonian drug prescribers on pharmacovigilance

Introduction The present study conducted in Cameroon from June 2013 to February 2014 aimed to estimating the level of pharmacovigilance knowledge and practice of health professionals in Cameroon. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey on 149 health professionals in Cameroon from June to September 2013. Data were analyzed using software IBM SPSS 20.0. We calculated proportions and odd ratio, and confident interval of their values, keeping a threshold of p of 0.05 to determine the level of significance. Results Ninety percent (90%) of declaration of side effects were made to the medical representatives and 4% to the National Pharmacovigilance Centre. Fifty four percent (54%) of physicians were not aware of the existence of a National Pharmacovigilance system. Ten (10%) of prescribers had never heard of pharmacovigilance, however respondents answered unanimously that they need training on pharmacovigilance. A wrong definition was given by most of the nurses and dentists (61,1% and 58,3% respectively) as compared to physicians and pharmacists (respectively 15.2% and 26,5%). Given the results of this study, the establishment of a National Pharmacovigilance system based on a solid legal foundation is necessary in Cameroon. This implementation must go through the involvement of all stakeholders and their awareness raising on the importance of this activity and its positive impact on the health of populations. Conclusion Pharmacovigilance is a public health problem in Cameroon, with due to lack of good knowledge and practice of prescribers, precisely physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and dentists who are not always aware of an existing pharmacovigilance system in Cameroon.

Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function tests among InformalSector Workers Exposed to Wood Dust in Douala, Cameroon

Background: Wood sector is the second source of employment in Cameroon after the public sector and the second Cameroon’s export product after oil. Objective: In order to provide data on the extent of respiratory function related to wood, we assess carpenter from informal sector in Douala. Methods: From March to July 2015, we studied two randomly selected groups: the exposed group (carpenters) and the unexposed group in Douala. After a questionnaire, we when through a clinical examination and performed a respiratory test with a manual portable spirometer. Our data were entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0 for Windows. Results: Respectively Carpenters vs unexposed: Smokers: 23.7%vs16.4%, p=NS; Alcohol consumption: 78.4%; vs 73.8%. Prevalence of symptoms: 51% vs26.2%, p<0.001. Lung function impairments: 24.2 %vs16.4%; Increasing age (P=0.007), smoking status, (P=0.013), length of stay in the job greater than or equal to 21 years (P=0.009) were associated to function impairment in univariate analysis. In a logistic regression age was associated to lung function test impairment: [OR=1.037 (CI 1.000 to 1.070) p=0.006)]. Conclusion: Carpenters have higher function impairment that unexposed subjects. Smoking is associated with respiratory symptoms among carpenters. Age of increases their risk of function impairments. Carpenters need to be included in health at work surveillance system.

Impact of heavy load activity on cardiovascular system: echocardiographic assessment of informal construction workers heart in Cameroon

Introduction Physiological cardiac hypertrophy and dilation are common findings in heavy physical load activity. We carried out this study to investigate the relationship between construction work and cardiac parameters adaptations, by comparing healthy masons to office workers on heart ultrasound. Methods The study was carried out on, 50 construction workers and 50 office workers matched for their weight, height and age. Systolic and Diastolic blood pressures, Left Ventricular diameter and thickness, Septum wall thickness and Left ventricular mass index were measured and calculated Results Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in construction workers, as compared to office workers: respectively 63±7 bpm vs. 75±6 bpm (p = 0.000); 120.1±7 mmHg vs. 130.5±9 mmHg (p = 0.000) and 68.5±7 mmHg vs. 77.0 ±9 mmHg (p = 0.000). Construction workers had a thicker septum and posterior wall: respectively 10.3 ± 1.1 mm vs. 8.9 ± 0.9 mm (p = 0.000); and 9.0 ± 1.2 mm vs. 8.1 ± 0.8 mm (p = 0.000). Conclusion Conclusion We deducted that heavy load work has an impact on the heart mensuration. The past occupational history has to be taken into consideration during initial medical assessing of a worker in for a new job so as to avoid erroneous conclusions.