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Research Article
Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 of 2030 Agenda: An Evaluation of Universal Health Coverage Level Achievement in Cameroon
Albert Ze*
,
Fleurine Paola Njanga Tsele
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
154-164
Received:
10 June 2025
Accepted:
27 June 2025
Published:
16 July 2025
Abstract: The Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key concept of SDG 3, is a critical issue for global health improvement. In Cameroon, this objective is part of the priorities outlined in the President’s political agenda. However, its realization remains uncertain. It’s within this context that this work aims to assess the level of progress towards UHC in Cameroon over the past 9 years. The study was conducted in Cameroon and evaluates the Universal Health Coverage level achievement until 2025. For this purpose, a synthetic index was designed to measure the level of UHC attainment, based on a set of 10 individual indicators. Each individual indicator is assigned a weight proportional to its importance in the process of achieving UHC. These weights and the scores for each indicator were determined through interviews with key stakeholders involved in the UHC process, as well as the population. The calculation of the index shows that the level of UHC attainment in Cameroon is 6.4%. This shows that the issue of UHC in Cameroon remains a major concern, as the process has not made any substantial progress over the past 9 years. The level of achievement is very low compared to the expected result, with only 5 years remaining before the target deadline. Contribution: This study has highlighted the real level of progress in the UHC process in Cameroon. Unlike other analyses that focus solely on the availability of specific health services within the population, the index developed in this study allows for a comprehensive evaluation of all efforts made towards achieving UHC.
Abstract: The Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key concept of SDG 3, is a critical issue for global health improvement. In Cameroon, this objective is part of the priorities outlined in the President’s political agenda. However, its realization remains uncertain. It’s within this context that this work aims to assess the level of progress towards UHC in Ca...
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Research Article
Factors Associated with Malaria in Children Aged 3 to 59 Months Under Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention with Direct Observation Therapy in Two Districts in Burkina Faso, 2020: A Quasi-Experimental Trial
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
165-178
Received:
27 May 2025
Accepted:
23 June 2025
Published:
18 July 2025
Abstract: The seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) represents one of the key interventions for malaria elimination in seasonal malaria transmission settings. However, though the SMC was implemented in Burkina Faso since the last ten years, the incidence of malaria in children of 3 to 59 months under seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) remains high in the country. To enhance the intervention's effectiveness in its routine system, strategies are being explored, including a new delivery approach in which community health workers directly supervise the administration of the three doses of SMC therapy (3DOT), compared to the standard delivery approach in which only the first dose is directly observed therapy (1DOT) and the remaining two doses are given to the child's guardians or parents, who must administer them to the child over the following two days. While the search for the most effective delivery strategy for SMC continues, our study aimed to identify factors associated with malaria under the 3DOT and 1DOT delivery of SMC in children aged 3 to 59 months in 2 districts in Burkina Faso. We identified factors associated with malaria in 2440 children included in a quasi-experimental cluster randomized trial, before-after with a control group design. Four health and social promotion centers were randomly selected in the Boromo health district (1DOT) and 3 in the Gaoua health district (3DOT) to receive a monthly four rounds of SMC with Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus Amodiaquine. A survey logistic regression calculated the odds ratios of association between variables and malaria with significance threshold ɑ= 0.05. The results revealed, lack of optimal supervision (aOR = 2.466 [1.650–3.686], p < 0.0001), lack of optimal coverage (aOR = 4.881 [2.454–9.708], p < 0.0001), total vomiting/rejection (aOR = 14.016 [2.169–90.552], p = 0.0055), residence in the health district of Gaoua (3DOT) (aOR = 2.057 [1.425–2.970], p = 0.0001) and past history of fever (aOR = 3.045 [1.630–5.686], p = 0.0005) were significantly associated with malaria in children under five years of age under SMC. The factors associated with malaria under SMC identified in this study support the conclusion of the superiority of 3DOT compared to 1DOT to reduce the prevalence of malaria. Addressing these factors would make the strategy more relevant for the elimination of malaria by 2030.
Abstract: The seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) represents one of the key interventions for malaria elimination in seasonal malaria transmission settings. However, though the SMC was implemented in Burkina Faso since the last ten years, the incidence of malaria in children of 3 to 59 months under seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) remains high in th...
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Research Article
A Multidimensional Approaches Linking Nutrition, Public Health, and Community-Based Health Intervention for Adolescents at the Rural Level of Bangladesh
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
179-185
Received:
30 May 2025
Accepted:
23 June 2025
Published:
21 July 2025
Abstract: Adolescence represents a critical window of opportunity for shaping long-term health behaviors and development outcomes, especially in resource-limited rural contexts. This study explores the interconnected roles of nutrition, public health, and community-based health interventions in promoting adolescent empowerment in rural Bangladesh. Guided by a multidimensional framework, the research focuses on how communication and the practice of Nutritional Knowledge, Health, and Behavior (NKHB) can influence adolescent well-being. A total of 159 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years participated in the study, with 87 boys and 72 girls included in the sample. Anthropometric analysis revealed that 51.6% of respondents were underweight, 40.9% had a normal BMI, and a small but significant proportion were either overweight or obese. Notably, underweight adolescents reported a higher frequency of common illnesses such as colds, fevers, and skin infections highlighting the link between nutritional deficits and weakened immunity. The findings also identified significant disparities in social interactions and communication patterns. Girls were found to spend more time with mothers and siblings, while boys interacted more with peers and community members. These communication patterns are closely associated with knowledge dissemination and behavioral shaping, suggesting that targeted interventions must address gendered pathways of influence. Despite various national efforts, the research confirms a critical gap in localized and integrated health education strategies for adolescents in rural areas. The study proposes a strategic framework that integrates community-based workshops, school-based monitoring, and adolescent friendly health services to improve NKHB. By aligning this framework with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDG 2 & SDG 3 the research offers a practical pathway for improving adolescent health outcomes. Ultimately, empowering adolescents through nutrition and behavior change is essential not only for individual development but also for achieving broader public health and development goals in Bangladesh.
Abstract: Adolescence represents a critical window of opportunity for shaping long-term health behaviors and development outcomes, especially in resource-limited rural contexts. This study explores the interconnected roles of nutrition, public health, and community-based health interventions in promoting adolescent empowerment in rural Bangladesh. Guided by ...
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Research Article
Comparative Study of Two Malaria Diagnostic Techniques in the Context of Transfusion Safety in Blood Donors at the Yaoundé University Hospital
Géneviève Danièle Ongok Ongonekal,
Cédric Gueguim*,
Marie Julie Manga Sipewa,
Baiye William Abange,
Corine Yvonne Ngweha Biock,
Carole Christèle Egono Ndeme,
Evrard Mvele MvomoEvrard Mvele Mvomo,
Mariama Kaba Cherif,
Magloire Biwole Sida
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
186-191
Received:
22 March 2025
Accepted:
21 June 2025
Published:
21 July 2025
Abstract: Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Screening is not systematic in blood banks although malaria is endemic in Africa and mainly in Cameroon. The reference diagnostic test for malaria is the thick smear but its performance is complex. More suitable tests for screening malaria in blood banks have been proposed including rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and thick smear drop. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in comparison with thick smear (TS) using thick smear as the reference test. This comparative, descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study took place from January 6, 2023 to June 29, 2023, a period of 6 months at the Yaoundé University Hospital. The target population consisted of volunteer and family blood donors from this hospital who met the selection criteria set by the blood bank. Two hundred volunteers donors were included in the study. The SD Bioline malaria Ag p. f/pan RDT Kit and the Malaria Ag P. f/pan RDT Kit were used to perform the immunochromatographic tests and microscopy was used to read the thick smear and stained smears. The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria carriage in blood donors was 39.5%. Plasmodium falcifarum was the most prevalent species (97.5%) followed by Plasmodium malariae (2.5%), almost half of the donors had parasitemia greater than 200 parasites/μL. The factor that was significantly associated with parasitemia was the absence of use of long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN). Compared with the thick smear as the reference test, both RDTs had a sensitivity of 49.4% and a specificity of 95.06%. The positive predictive value was 84.8% and the negative predictive value 50.6%. The results of this study show that the prevalence of asymptomatic carriage of plasmodium in voluntary blood donors was high, thus constituting a significant risk of transmission of the parasite to recipients often in poor general condition. The thick smear remains the gold standard for the reference technique in the diagnosis of malaria.
Abstract: Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Screening is not systematic in blood banks although malaria is endemic in Africa and mainly in Cameroon. The reference diagnostic test for malaria is the thick smear but its performance is complex. More suitable tests for screening malaria in blood banks have been proposed including ...
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Research Article
Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Uptake of HIV Services Among Youth In Kenya: A Non- randomized Trial
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
192-200
Received:
17 June 2025
Accepted:
1 July 2025
Published:
24 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.15
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Abstract: HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. Youth in sub-Saharan Africa are primarily affected by the HIV epidemic. Despite the availability of HIV prevention options, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 56% between 2015 and 2021. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among youth with little or no assessment of their effects on risky sexual behavior. The objective of the study was to investigate effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on uptake of HIV prevention services among youth in Kenya. A non-randomized control trial was conducted with Kakamega and Kericho as intervention and Comparison County respectively. The pretest questionnaire was administered in December 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package. Quantitative data was analyzed using chi square and t-test. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed thematically. The youth significantly utilized HIV prevention services (83.6%) and information on, abstinence, consistent and correct condom use (t = 12.248, df=2, p = 0.0001). The intervention significantly increased utilization of HIV testing services from 60.1% to 83.0% (t = 6.547, df = 2, p = 0.023). There was a significant difference in number of youths in Kakamega than Kericho who plan to use condoms in future (χ2 = 100.236, P = 0.0001). The comprehensive HIV prevention information package increased uptake of HIV services. The findings will inform national rollout of the intervention to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among youth.
Abstract: HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. Youth in sub-Saharan Africa are primarily affected by the HIV epidemic. Despite the availability of HIV prevention options, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 56% between 2015 and 2021. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented a...
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Research Article
Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
201-209
Received:
20 June 2025
Accepted:
7 July 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.cajph.20251104.16
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.
Abstract: HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive hea...
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