Background The subjective assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) using Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) has shown some limits. This study aimed to assess the validity of the Yaoundé Sleepiness Scale (YSS), a new tool for EDS screening, using ESS as reference. Methodology A 6-item questionnaire was assessed for validity features. The content validity was based on sleep physiology. Four sleep specialists approved the initial draft for face validity. A cross-sectional study was led in Lille University Hospital to assess the criterion and construct validity. Baseline data, full night recording, and sleepiness scales (YSS, ESS) were recorded. The criterion validity was assessed using the Pearson correlation between YSS and ESS and the area under the receiver operator characteristics (AUROC) curve. A graphical method was used to find the YSS threshold. We used a simple linear regression to seek the association between YSS and EDS predictors for construct validity. Results A total of 566 patients (mean age ± standard deviation = 53.1 ± 14.6 years, female = 47%) were enrolled. The mean ± standard deviation YSS and ESS were 9.8 ± 4.7 and 9.1 ± 5.3, respectively. The Pearson correlation between YSS and ESS was 0.74% (p<0.0001). The AUROC curves (95% confidence interval, 95CI) for ESS-based EDS and severe EDS prediction were 0.856 (0.829 – 0.889) and 0.871 (0.829 – 0.913), respectively. The YSS thresholds for EDS and severe EDS were 9 and 15, respectively. Using ESS as gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity for EDS and severe EDS were 92.3 (88.7 - 95.9)% and 60.6 (55.3 - 65.9)%, and 60.3 (49.0 - 71.5)% and 90.2 (87.5 - 92.9)%. The YSS significantly increased with the use of psychotropic drugs and psychiatric conditions, and significantly decreased with age. Conclusion We found a good criterion validity and an acceptable construct validity of the YSS compared with ESS. This questionnaire could be proposed as an alternative to ESS. However, these data should be confirmed by other studies, notably based on objective sleepiness tests.

Introduction:the present study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and identify the factors associated with poor quality of life, among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods:we conducted a cross-sectional study at Jamot Hospital and Polymere Medical Center, Yaoundé, from February 1 to June 30, 2020. All consent adult COPD patients who were followed in both centers during the recruitment period were included. The Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to assess HRQL. Poor quality of life was defined by an SGRQ score ≥30. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA) software. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with poor quality of life. The statistical significance threshold was set at 0.05. Results:of the 63 patients invited to participate in the study, only 29 were finally included. Almost 3/5 (58.6%) were males, and their median age (interquartile range, IQR) was 68.0 (57.0 - 74.5) years. The median HRQL score (IQR) was 44.2 (23.2 - 65.0). The prevalence (95% confidence interval, 95% CI) of poor HRQL was 65.5% (48.3 - 82.8) %. The history of exacerbations during the last 12 months [odds ratio (95% CI) = 12.3 (1.1 - 136.7); p=0.04] emerged as the sole independent predictor of poor HRQL. Conclusion:the prevalence of poor health-related quality of life was high in these COPD patients. The presence of exacerbations in the past 12 months was an independent factor associated with poor HRQL in patients with COPD.

Objective:Little is known concerning chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the disease remains underdiagnosed. We aimed to estimate its prevalence in Cameroon and look for its predictors.Methods:Adults aged 19 years and older were randomly selected in 4 regions of Cameroon to participate in a cross-sectional community-based study. Data were collected in the participant's home or place of work. Spirometry was performed on selected participants. COPD was defined as the postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) < lower limit of normal, using the global lung initiative (GLI) equations for Black people. Binomial logistic regression was used to seek COPD-associated factors. The strength of the association was measured using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR).Results:A total of 5055 participants (median age (25th-75th percentile) = 43 (30-56) years, 54.9% of women) were enrolled. COPD prevalence (95% confidence interval (95% CI)) was 2.9% (2.4, 3.3)%. Independent predictors of COPD (aOR (95% CI)) were a high educational level (4.7 (2.0, 11.1)), living in semiurban or rural locality (1.7 (1.4, 3.0)), tobacco smoking (1.7 (1.1, 2.5)), biomass fuel exposure (1.9 (1.1, 3.3)), experience of dyspnea (2.2 (1.4, 3.5)), history of tuberculosis (3.6 (1.9, 6.7)), and history of asthma (6.3 (3.4, 11.6)). Obesity was protective factor (aOR (95%CI) = 0.3 (0.2, 0.5)).Conclusion:The prevalence of COPD was relatively low. Alternative risk factors such as biomass fuel exposure, history of tuberculosis, and asthma were confirmed as predictors.

Background . Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), a growing public health threat, is an emerging condition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Related SSA studies have so far used an incomplete definition. This study is aimed at assessing SAS using an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) complete definition and at exploring its relationship with comorbidities, among patients hospitalized in a Cameroonian tertiary hospital. Methods . This cross-sectional study was conducted in cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology departments of the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Patients aged 21 and above were consecutively invited, and some of them were randomly selected to undergo a full night record using a portable sleep monitoring device, to diagnose sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). SAS was defined as an apnea − hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5/h, associated with either excessive daytime sleepiness or at least 3 compatible symptoms. Moderate to severe SAS (MS-SAS) stood for an AHI ≥ 15/h. We used chi-square or Fisher tests to compare SAS and non-SAS groups. Findings . One hundred and eleven patients presented a valid sleep monitoring report. Their mean age ± standard deviation (range) was 58 ± 12.5 (28–87) years, and 53.2% were female. The prevalence (95% confident interval (CI)) of SAS was 55.0 (45.7, 64.2)% and the one of MS-SAS 34.2 (25.4, 43.1)%. The obstructive pattern (90.2% of SAS and 86.8% of MS-SAS) was predominant. The prevalence of SAS among specific comorbidities ranged from 52.2% to 75.0%. Compared to SAS free patients, more SAS patients presented with hypertension (75.4% vs. 48.0%, p = 0.005 % ), history of stroke (36.7% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.756), cardiac failure (23.0% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.213), and combined cardiovascular comorbidity (80.3% vs. 52.0%, p = 0.003). Similar results were observed for MS-SAS. Metabolic and neuropsychiatric comorbidities did not differ between SAS and SAS-free patients. Conclusion . The SAS diagnosed using modified AASM definition showed high prevalence among patients hospitalized for acute medical conditions, as it was found with SDB. Unlike HIV infection, metabolic and brain conditions, cardiovascular comorbidities (hypertension and cardiac failure) were significantly more prevalent in SAS patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major public health problem with societal and economic consequences on a worldwide scale thereby having a significant impact on all aspects of our lives. Because of the great number of visits they face, supermarkets are an important space for the spread of the virus to both customers and employees. In order to remedy this, numerous rearrangements are observed in these areas. Thus, a simplified and applicable prevention plan at the individual and collective levels is necessary in the process of progressive recovery of the economy.This manuscript presents an example of the functioning of a supermarket in the capital city of Cameroon and the risks of contracting the Coronavirus infection. It proposes some solutions to reduce the risk of infection with SARS-CoV 2 and thus, to curb its spread thereby enabling a better safety for the workers and customers in supermarkets. The proposal for this response plan was inspired by some failures observed in a mini supermarket in Cameroon. However, these solutions can be adapted and better improved depending on the context.

PURPOSE:Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is poorly documented in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the hospital setting. The aim of this study was to determine its prevalence and to investigate the associated factors in patients admitted in a tertiary referral hospital in Cameroon.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study conducted in the Cardiology, Endocrinology and Neurology departments of the Yaounde Central Hospital; all patients aged 21 and older were included consecutively. A sample of randomly selected patients was recorded using a portable sleep monitoring device (PMD). OSAHS was defined as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5/hour (with > 50% of events being obstructive) and moderate to severe OSAHS as an AHI > 15/hour. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated to OSAHS.RESULTS:Of the 359 patients included, 202 (56.3%) patients were women. The mean age (standard deviation) was 58 (16) years. The prevalence of OSAHS assessed by PMD (95% CI) was 57.7% (48.5-66.9%), 53.8% in men and 62.7% in women (p = 0.44). The median (25th-75th percentiles) AHI, body mass index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of OSAHS patients were 17 (10.6-26.9)/hour, 27.4 (24.7-31.6) kg/m2 and 7 (5-9) respectively. The only factor associated to moderate to severe OSAHS was hypertension [odds ratio (95% CI)]: 3.24 (1.08-9.72), p = 0.036.CONCLUSION:OSAHS is a common condition in patients in this health care centre of Cameroon. In the hospital setting, screening for OSAHS in patients with hypertension is recommended.

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a frequent and serious condition, given the cardiovascular and accidental risks.1–5 Data on OSAHS come mainly from developed countries, where diagnostic and therapeutic tools are codified and accessible for the majority. In low-income country (LIC) and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) especially, the condition remains unknown by the population and most of the caregivers, while the epidemiological transition leads to an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases.6,7 Diagnostic devices can be found only in specialized centers of large cities. The few studies available in sub-Saharan Africa have focused on the high risk of OSAHS (HR-OSAHS), based on easy-to-use screening tools.8–10 This study was designed to enrich fundamental and epidemiological data on OSAHS in SSA. The aim was to assess the prevalence of OSAHS symptoms and high-risk based on the STOPBANG questionnaire, and to search for its associated factors in a Cameroonian urban population.

Background: air quality is a public health issue and air pollution is a major cause of morbidity and excess mortality.According to the World Health Organization, the consequences of air pollution are increasing in developing countries.Respiratory manifestations are among these consequences.Our aim was to assess the prevalence of respiratory manifestations among non-itinerant street vendors in Douala, the economic capital and headquarters of industries in Cameroon.Materials and Methods.It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of non-itinerant street vendors selected from certain main streets in the city of Douala.From April 1 st to May 31 st , 2019, we enrolled vendors who were at least 18 years old and willing to participate in the study.General characteristics (age, sex, educational level), professional (professional category, seniority, daily working time,) and clinical data (respiratory symptoms and others) were collected, as well as the wearing of personal protection (use of a mask).Results: we recruited 64 non-itinerant street vendors (57.8% women; sex ratio = 0.7).The average age was 29.8 ± 6.7 years, with extremes of 19 and 53 years.The 25 to 35 age group represented approximately 2/3 (68.8%) of the workforce.More than half of salespeople (51.6%) had a higher level of education.Work experience of 1 to 5 years was mentioned for 30 of them (46.9%).The daily working time was more than 8 hours per day for 59 (92%) sellers.As for the professional category, 44 (68.7%) worked for their own account (self-employed).The clinical presentation was dominated by upper airway symptoms: nasal obstruction (67.2%), rhinorrhea (65.6%), laryngeal irritation (56.3%) and nasal pruritus (42.2%).Symptoms of the lower respiratory tract were dominated by cough (18.8%) and dyspnea (18.8%).Other symptoms: fatigue (89,1%); headache (84,4%) and dizziness (46,9%) occurred at the end of the day.None of our sellers used a protective mask.Conclusion: the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was high in this sample of non-itinerant street vendors in Douala.A correlation between these manifestations and air pollution should be sought given the high risk of pollution in this industrial city.

INTRODUCTION:the STOPBANG score is an easy-to-use screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which has not been validated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We sought to evaluate its diagnostic performance in Cameroun. METHODS:this community-based study took place in a sub-urban area, from November 2015 to April 2016. Adults aged ≥19 years underwent a clinical assessment, including the STOPBANG and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaires. A respiratory polygraph (RP) was performed on a randomly selected sample. Diagnosis performance included sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). An association was sought between STOPBANG and OSA features. RESULTS:a total of 3033 were interviewed, of whom 102 had a RP. Their mean age was 49.1±17.9 years, the sex ratio was 1 and the mean body mass index 29.1±6.1 kg/m2. For OSA screening (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5), the STOPBANG score at threshold 3 obtained: Se=82.9%, Sp=34.4%, PPV=45.9% and NPV=75.0%. For moderate-to-severe OSA (IAH ≥15), these values were 93.3%, 31.1%, 18.9% and 96.4% respectively. Furthermore, STOPBANG-based high risk of OSA correlated with AHI (9.1±10.7/hr vs 3.8±3.5/hr, p=0.0003) and oxygen desaturation index (6.4±7.9/hr vs 2.6±2.1/hr, p=0.0004). There was a non-significant association with ESS (6.3±5.3 vs 4.5±3.5, p=0.06). CONCLUSION:in this Cameroonian population, the STOPBANG diagnostic performance did not differ from the original Caucasian one. It could therefore be proposed on a larger scale, since obesity and other OSA risk factors are increasing in SSA.

Le score STOPBANG, développé au Canada, est validé dans le dépistage du syndrome d’apnées-hypopnées obstructives de sommeil (SAHOS). Nous nous sommes proposés d’en évaluer les performances dans une population communautaire d’Afrique sub-saharienne. L’étude était transversale, menée au sein d’une communauté semi-urbaine de l’Ouest Cameroun, sur un recrutement aléatoire stratifié à 3 niveaux. Le score STOPBANG et les données anamnestiques et cliniques étaient recherchés. Un polygraphe ventilatoire était réalisé à un sous-groupe. L’enregistrement, l’analyse et l’expression des résultats étaient effectués grâce aux logiciels epidata 3,1 et SPSS Statistics 20. Des 3033 sujets enquêtés, 102 ont bénéficié d’une polygraphe ventilatoire. Ils avaient un âge moyen (écart-type extrêmes) de 49,3 ans (17,6 19–78) ans, un sex-ratio hommes/femmes de 1,08, un indice de masse corporelle moyen (écart-type extrêmes) de 29,2 (6,0 17,7–47,2) kg/m2. Aux seuils de 3 pour le STOPBANG et 5 pour l’index d’apnées-hypopnées (IAH), nous avons obtenu une sensibilité de 82,9 %, une spécificité de 34,4 %, une valeur prédictive positive de 45,9 % et une valeur prédictive négative de 75 %. Pour un seuil d’IAH à 15, ces valeurs étaient respectivement de 93,3 %, 31,0 %, 18,9 % et 96,4 %. La sensibilité et la valeur prédictive négative du STOPBANG sont acceptables pour le dépistage communautaire du SAHOS et particulièrement du SAHOS modéré à sévère son usage à large échelle pourrait être encouragé dans cette région où l’obésité et les autres facteurs de risque de SAHOS sont croissants.