Prevalence of the hepatitis B surface antigen in a population of workers in Cameroon

Hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence in populations of blood donors in Cameroon is estimated at 6%-16%. As such, the Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen in a population of bank employees, who represent a sample closer to the general population. In tests carried out both Yaounde and Douala in December 2011, we detected the hepatitis B surface antigen among 267 workers, including 151 men and 116 women of a median age of 37 years. The Results obtained revealed that the overall prevalence stood at 7.1%, with a 9.9% prevalence ratio in men, three times higher than that in women (3.4%). Subjects aged 20-29 years and senior staffs were more affected (each of them recording 8.1%). Potential nosocomial risks were detected mostly at the level of dental care (52.8%). Among the other risks of exposure, scarification (53.6%) was more frequent. A univariate analysis revealed an insignificant relationship with tattoos (OR 2.6, 95% CI 0.5-10.8, p = 0.2). These results led to the Conclusion that Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier prevalence in a population of workers in Cameroon is not different from that of blood donors. It is mainly due to early vertical and horizontal contamination.

Rectal bleeding in adults over 20 years: Endoscopic investigations and results in current hospital practices in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Introduction: In order to identify the modes of investigation and the results of the assessment of rectal bleeding in the Cameroonian adult, we retrospectively analysed the records of 287 patients aged above 20 years diagnosed with rectal bleeding with the aim to know the prescription patterns according to age, the diagnostic performance of tests and the results. Methodology: Between the 1st of January 2009 and the 30th of June 2010, we examined patients at the University Teaching Hospital and the “La Cathédrale” Medical Centre in Yaounde. Age, sex, endoscopic tests and results were evaluated. Results: 287 protocols met our selection criteria, sex ratio (M/F) 2.4/1, median age 46 years interquartile range [36, 55]. Normal tests were 57 (19.2%). Main lesions: haemorrhoids (42.4% CI95 36.7 -48.3), colorectal cancer (10.8% CI95 7.5 -14.9), anal fissure (8.8% CI95 5.8 -12.6) and colorectal polyps (8.4% CI95 5.5 -12.2). The prevalence of significant lesions (polyps and cancer) recorded 7% for those under age 40. 20.5% in those were between 40?-50 years, and 28.9% for those over 50 years. For anoscopies, 44.4% were under 40 years, 39.3% of cases of sigmoidoscopy affected those between 40 -50 years and colonoscopy affected 54% of those over 50 years. For the diagnostic yield, 26.2% had a significant lesion for flexible sigmoidoscopy and only 16.7% and 1.6% for colonoscopy and anoscopy respectively. Conclusion: The study shows that anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are the main initial tests conducted in Cameroon in the assessment of rectal bleeding in adults of less than 50 years and they are quite sufficient. Haemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are the main pathologies.