3 research outputs found
Smartphone Use and the Occurrence of Spine Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Students at a University Institute in the City of Bafoussam, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground: Excessive use of smartphones can cause musculoskeletal disorders of the spine (MSDs). The objective was to determine the impact of smartphone addiction in the occurrence of MSDs in students of the University Institute and Strategic Estuary (IUEs /INSAM) of the city of Bafoussam.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study among students of IUEs /INSAM Bafoussam. Data on the demographics, physical activity was collected. Smartphone Assessment Score-Short Version (SAS-SV) was used to determine smartphone addiction and the Nordic questionnaire to determine the occurrence of MSDs. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Associations were ascertained by a logistic regression analysis.
Results: We enrolled 636 participants; the median age was 22 years (Inter-quartile rate (IQR) 16- 37); 69.8% participants were females. About 314 of the respondents practiced physical activity (49.4%) and 567(89.2%) owned smartphones. The prevalence of spinal MSDs in the past 12 months was 67%, with the cervical spine being the most affected (38%). The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 65.1%. Female gender (adjustable odd ratio (aOR): 1.88; confidence interval (CI): 1.29-2.63; p=0.001), smartphone ownership (aOR: 1.75; CI: 1.036-2.98; p=0.037), and smartphone addiction (aOR: 2.32; CI: 1.62-3.33; p=0.00) were significantly associated with occurrence of spinal MSDs. Physical activity (aOR: 0.56; CI: 0.39-0.80; p=0.002) was associated with a lower occurrence of MSDs in smartphone users.
Conclusion: Smartphone addiction is quite high among University students in Bafoussam and is a risk factor for MSDs and regular physical activity is associated to a lower occurrence of these MSDs. There is need to take measures for smartphone addiction prevention and safe withdrawal among University students in Bafoussam
Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Management of Surgical Emergencies at the Yaounde Emergency Centre
No full textThe current corona virus pandemic (COVID-19) has put the world into an unprecedented global crisis. Health systems have been faced with an enormous challenge to provide the necessary care for this vast burden of patients. As a result, emergency and scheduled care for non-COVID patients has been affected. Objective: Evaluate the effect of the COVID19 pandemic on the management of surgical emergencies at the Yaoundé Emergency Centre. Method: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with an exhaustive sampling. The data of all patients consulted in surgical emergencies from March to September 2019 and 2020were collected using a review grid inside the registers of surgical emergencies. The analysis was done in Epi-info version 7.2.2.6 and Microsoft Excel software 2016.Results: Data were collected from 2584 patients in surgical emergencies. COVID-19 pandemic has eventually increase the rate of surgical emergencies [aOR=1.13, 95%CI=1.03-1.24, P=0,01] with statistically significant results but didn’t impact significantly the rate of mortality [aOR=0.95, 95%CI=0.64-1.41, P=0,79]. In surgical emergencies, Road Traffic Accidents remained the first cause of consultations 56.94% (2019) against 52,30% (2020) and mortality 79,91% (2019) compared to 69,23% (2020). Conclusion: It emerges from this study that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the attendance in surgical emergencies but didn’t affect significantly the rate of mortality
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Utilization of Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Private Facilities: A Study in Five Selected Health Areas of the Dschang Health District
No full textBackground: Malaria in pregnancy (MiP) poses significant risks to maternal and fetal health, particularly in endemic regions like sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Intermittent Preventive Treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) is a key intervention, yet its uptake remains suboptimal in many settings, including Cameroon. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of IPT-SP among pregnant women attending private antenatal clinics in the Dschang Health District (DHD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women selected through multistage sampling across five health areas. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, covering socio-demographics, IPT-SP knowledge, attitudes, and utilization. Key indicators included awareness, compliance, and optimal uptake (≥3 doses). X2-test was used to describe the distribution of categorical variables meanwhile logistic regression identified predictors of poor IPT-SP uptake, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 344 pregnant women included, 35.8% were aged 15-24 years and 51.7% were married. Health providers were the major source of information about IPT-SP (87.9%). While awareness (99.1%) and compliance (98.8%) were high, only 51.7% achieved optimal IPT-SP uptake. Poor knowledge (aOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.6–4.9), fewer than four Antenatal Care (ANC) visits (aOR = 14.54, 95% CI: 1.1–9.6), and lower provider qualifications (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.05–4.97) were associated with higher odds of poor IPT-SP uptake. Conclusion: Targeted interventions such as enhanced health education, increased ANC attendance, and improved provider training are needed to boost IPT-SP coverage in private facilities. Addressing these barriers will contribute to reducing malaria-related adverse pregnancy outcomes and advancing maternal health goals in Cameroon
