All information pertaining to research around the epidemiology and control of both schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in Cameroon is collated via work being carried out by: the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH, the Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology and the COUNTDOWN Project
Operated by the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon, the programme defines and implements the national policy for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis and STH in Cameroon.
COUNTDOWN is an implementation research project that brings together multidisciplinary specialists from the UK, USA and Africa to generate knowledge necessary for the control and elimination of diseases by 2020.
led by Cameroon (Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology) with partners from France and the United Kingdom, uses an ambitious survey to shed new light on the long-term impacts of hybrid schistosomes.
The centre serves as the focus research centre for the epidemiology of schistosomiasis research and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Cameroon.
10 - 14 June 2019, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Under the patronage of the Minister of Health, the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH in conjunction with the COUNTDOWN project and other collaborators, is organising a Schistosomiasis and STH Week in Cameroon.
This unprecedented event will bring together policy makers, NTD partners, researchers from both the national and international NTD community as they gather to discuss the key progress made in the fight against shcistosomiasis and STH.This event is very timely with the current paradigm shift, as Cameroon also tries to move towards the elimination of schistosomiasis.
29 March 2019, Yaoundé, Cameroon
We were pleased to welcome to the centre, G. Woods, J. Oye, M. Engels, and S. Akongo from Sightsavers together with D. Turgeman, and B. Katzir, from the NALA Foundation who were received by our Director, Prof Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté.
During their interaction, they were able to further discuss on opportunities around conducting WASH(Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and behaviour change.
By increasing the momentum around these interventions, we augment the efforts geared towards control and elimination of schistosomiasis and STH in Cameroon.
26 - 28 March 2019, Monrovia, Liberia
The COUNTDOWN Consortium convened in Monrovia, Liberia for the 5th Annual Partners' Meeting. Colleagues in Cameroon, joined consortium members from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, LSTM and FHI360 for the 3-day meeting which offered opportunity for members of partner countries to discuss current status, and findings from the in-country multi-disciplinary research projects around neglected tropical diseases.
The COUNTDOWN Consortium convened in Monrovia, Liberia for the 5th Annual Partners' Meeting. Colleagues in Cameroon, joined consortium members from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, LSTM and FHI360 for the 3-day meeting which offered opportunity for members of partner countries to discuss current status, and findings from the in-country multi-disciplinary research projects around neglected tropical diseases.
he key impact of these findings on programme delivery and health systems strengthening were highlighted, in addition to the challenges faced and lessons learnt during the course of conducting the multi-disciplinary research. A selection of posters were displayed which presented the impact of research findings, highlighting key topics such as stakeholder engagement, improved affordability and cost-effectiveness of NTD interventions; and improved availability and acceptability of interventions.
21 - 25 March 2019, Monrovia, Liberia
The COUNTDOWN Social Science team held a writing workshop ahead of the Annual Partners' Meeting hosted in Liberia.This writing workshop brought together 7 team members from Nigeria, Cameroon and Liberia and was facilitated by Dr Kim Ozano and Laura Dean, colleagues from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.It enabled colleagues to draft policy briefs and papers from the research undertaken in partner countries
12 - 14 March 2019, Kribi, South Region
A three-day workshop was organised in the sea-side town of Kribi, in the Littoral Region which brought together national and regional NTDs teams. This interactive workshop allowed for government and non-governmental development organisations to review the 2018 achievements around neglected tropical diseases, as they plan the 2019 activities for the control and elimination of these NTDs.
27 February - 1 March 2019, Douala, Littoral Region
Our teams in Buea and Yaoundé met together in Douala where they partook in a multidisciplinary team working session. The teams welcomed colleagues, Dr Joseph Turner and Helen Piotrowski from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine who joined them in conducting cross discipline analysis of data collected from epidemiology,social science, parasitology and entomology research.
In so doing, there was a better understanding of the acceptability of Ivermectin and the implications of alternative onchocerciasis treatment with doxycycline on communities concerned. A great output of this workshop was the team's first interdisciplinary paper, around onchocerciasis treatment
25 January 2019, Njombe Penja, Littoral Region
The Official launch of the 2019 National Deworming Campaign was done at the Government Bilingual Primary School Njombe Penja, in the Littoral Region. This monumental event was presided by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Health, Alim HAYATOU and the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Basic Education, Dr KILO Vivian ASHERI.
The active participation of partners such as the World Health Organisation and other non-governmental development organisations at the launch, demonstrated their high-level commitment to the government's fight against Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis. The National Program for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH organises these school-based deworming as they are recognised as the most safe, simple and cost-effective solution to controlling these malaises in school-age children, who typically have the highest burden of worm infection.
Prof Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté, Permanent Secretary for the control program informed the public of the 70% reduction in schistosomiasis prevalence over the national territory, albeit there still being various hotspots such as Njombe Penja, where transmission persists. .
By launching the campaign in this locality, the control program ensured a strong mobilisation of national and local authority who assisted in sensitising the population and advocating for positive behaviour change. The treatment target for this year's campaign is 9.2 million people
14 - 18 January 2019, Yaoundé, Centre Region
As the COUNTDOWN project enters its fifth year, our multidisciplinary teams are focusing on consolidating and analysing research data. In line with their plans research activities for this new year, the Social Science team organised a week-long working session during which they collaborated with their colleague, Dr Kim Ozana from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
18 December 2018, Yaoundé, Centre Region
The National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH organised a working session at the Ministry of Public Health, in preparation for the 2019 National Deworming Campaign.
This meeting which was chaired by the Minister of Public Health brought together key stakeholders such as the Minister of Basic Education and partners engaged in the fight against neglected tropical diseases in Cameroon some of which included Sightsavers, Good Neighbours and Perspective. Prof Tchuem Tchuenté, Program Manager updated participants on the status of schistosomiasis and STH prevalence in the country as STH and schistosomiasis are still significant public health issues.Worms in children interfere with their nutrient uptake, and affect their intellectual and physical development. In order to combat this issue the control program is committed to annually deworming all school-age children (5 - 14years) in all 10 regions of the country. Government and private partners are key players in the success of the national campaigns due to their continuous commitment and support. The 2019 National Deworming Campaign is set to launch late January 2019.
25 July 2018, Yaoundé, Centre Region
The National Committee for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH held its 8th committee meeting at the Ministry of Public Health this Wednesday. Chairing the meeting was the President of the committee, Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda alongside Mrs Youssouf Hadidja Alim, Minister of Basic Education and Vice President of the committee.
In presence was the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Health, representatives from the World Health Organisation and Good Neighbour and other developmental partners and collaborators of the Ministry of Public Health. The Minister of Public Health welcomed all partners and collaborators while expressing his appreciation for all efforts and continues commitment. The Program Coordinator reiterated the recommendation of the 7th meeting, illustrating how they have been met. By presenting the results of the Schistosomiasis and STH Impact surveys, the significant decrease of schistosomiasis and STH prevalence was evident.Female genital schistosomiasis is starting to gain attention due to its debilitating effects to women especially as it accentuates the risk of being infected with HIV. The Minister of Health, Minister of Basic Education and WHO representative all agreed that there is a need for training health professions and further health education and sensitisation especially for children, using the cartoon "Bambo has Bilharzia", developed by the WHO
19 July 2018, Barombi Kotto, South West
COUNTDOWN is investigating best ways to expand interventions to ensure all those vulnerable to schistosomiasis have access to Praziquantel treatment. In so doing, these efforts will require governments, researchers and health stakeholders to gather evidence and, where the need arises, revise existing strategies of control to address these needs.
In Cameroon for example, the government is committed to controlling schistosomiasis through an annual deworming campaign of school-aged children (SAC) organised by the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis.However, other groups in the community such as pre-school aged children (PSAC), out-of-school children (OoSC), and adults who are not targeted can often contribute to the re-transmission cycle of schistosomiasis especially in persistent hotspot areas such as Barombi Kotto in the South West Region of Cameroon
05 - 08 July 2018 Yaoundé, Centre Region
The National Coordinator and personnel at the control program were pleased to welcome Pr Jong-Yil Chai, President of the 2018 International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA 2018) and Korea Association of Health, Pr Keeseon S Eom, Vice President of ICOPA 2018, HooGN Jeoung, Director General of MEDIcheck as well as Good Neighbours officials - Jae Young Lee, Ah Rah Cho and Yoo Sun Chon.
It was a very productive meeting as they discussed how to intensity control efforts for schistosomiasis and STH control in Cameroon, through the implementation of a control project. All the while highlighting the current achievement and progress made by the control program in reducing the burden caused by these diseases.
As the visitors discussed opportunities for partnership, they also got to to visit the Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology which is the reference laboratory for schistosomiasis research in Cameroon and see first hand its diagnostic capacity in research. Albeit all the progress made in reducing schistosomiasis and STH prevalence, challenges still exist.
17 May 2018, Yaoundé, Centre Region
The National Coordinator and personnel at the SCH and STH control program were pleased to welcome the Good Neighbors Project Manager in Cameroon, YooSun Chon who was accompanied by the Country Director, Ah Rah Cho. Good Neighbors is an international humanitarian and development non-governmental organisation and one of the largest in South Korea. One of its missions in Cameroon is centred around improving lives through WASH(Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) education especially in regards to schistosomiasis and STH control.
14 - 25 May 2018, South West and Centre Region
As the COUNTDOWN project nears the end of the first half of Year 4, focus is geared towards data management and analysis. The Social Science teams in Buea and Yaoundé have welcomed their colleague Dr Kim Ozano from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK, for a two week work visit.
During this visit which comprises a working session first with the team in Buea followed by one with the team in Yaoundé, Dr Kim joins both teams in reviewing progress made thus far in planned research activities. She will support the social science research assistants in properly organising and analysing their data by use of Nvivo. In the South West Region, the Social Science team which is based in Buea and led by Dr Theobald Nji focuses around assessing the acceptability, accessibility and availability of Doxycycline.
This drug is being tested as an alternative treatment strategy used to tackle onchocerciasis. Whereas, the team based in Yaoundé and led by Prof Estelle Kouokam, aims to assess the efficiency, equity and sustainability around expanding the access of treatment for Schistosomiasis and STH. Albeit having different research focuses, the Social Science teams in Buea and Yaoundé have shared goals which they continuously strive to attain by the end of the COUNTDOWN project.
06 - 19 May 2018, East and South West Region
As schools prepare to close for the summer holidays, the field team intensified efforts to complete SCH and STH impact surveys in health districts in both the East and South West Regions of Cameroon. These surveys were conducted over a two week period with sample collection beginning first in the East region where 4 health districts - Bertoua, Ndebele, Kette and Doume were sampled.
During the second week, the field team travelled to the South West Region, in which samples were collected from 4 health districts -Buea, Tiko, Muyuka and Kumba. The timely success of these surveys in both regions was due in part to the effective involvement of the Regional NTD Coordinators and Inspectors of Basic Education, not forgetting School Directors who assisted the parasitological team in collecting samples from their respective schools in hard to reach areas.
Prior to sample collection, all school directors participated in a training where they were briefed on the objectives of the SCH and STH Impact Surveys and informed on the accurate procedure for sample collection. It is important to note that, the collaboration of all actors to the success of these surveys reiterates the general commitment from all parties,in controlling and eliminating SCH and STH in Cameroon.
24 April 2018, Yaoundé, Centre Region
Today, the Coordinator and staff at the control program were pleased to welcome Naomi Caplan and Ben Katzir from the NALA Foundation, accompanied by Dr Oye, Sightsavers Cameroon country Director and Serge Akongo.
The NALA - NTDs, Advocacy, Learning and Action - Foundation works to break the poverty cycle of communities around the world by eradicating neglected tropical diseases and other diseases of poverty. Sightsavers along with other civil societies are already actively working with the control program and Cameroon government to alleviate the burden of NTDs in the country.During this visit, the delegation from the NALA foundation discussed opportunities for the foundation to support schistosomiasis and STH control and elimination in Cameroon.
17 - 22 April 2018, North West Region
Up next on the list of regions targeted for the SCH and STH Impacts surveys was the North West, in which three Health districts - Ako, Kumbo East and Ndu were sampled. The North West Region is one of two regions in Cameroon currently affected by some political crisis which have led to insecurity issues.
For this reason, the procedure for sample collection in schools differed from that in the previous regions. Those at the forefront of sample collection were school directors who acted as sample collectors in their respective schools while the parasitological team and lab technicians from CSP proceeded with sample preparation and analysis as per their expertise. Prior to commencement of sample collection, the school directors gathered at Ndu Health District where the Regional NTD Coordinator, NW Region alongside representatives from the CSP briefed and trained them on the appropriate sample collection methodology. This involvement from actors from the Ministry of Basic Education reiterates the commitment across sectors, i
18 – 27 March 2018, Littoral Region
Having concluded with the SCH and STH impact surveys in the West Region, the CSP team proceeded with surveys in the Littoral Region where 4 health districts – Loum, Edea, Njombe Penja and Melong were surveyed. The procedure in the region was no different to that in the West Region, with active involvement from actors across ministries – Ministry of Health and Ministry of Basic Education - at regional, district and community levels.
19 – 22 March 2018, Liverpool, United Kingdom
The 4th COUNDOWN Annual Partners’ Meeting was hosted in Liverpool, United Kingdom where colleagues from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine welcomed over 30 consortium members from partner countries – Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia along with representatives from FHI360 (USA).
The 3-day meeting allowed for an informed update on country research activities across multidisciplines including panel-led discussions and interactive group sessions. Some discussions where around stakeholder engagement and policy influence where colleagues stressed on the importance of building inclusive partnerships and responding to obstacles faced by NTD programmes, in order to influence positive policy change for increased NTDs control and elimination.
The final day of the meeting included presence from representatives of the Department for international Development (DFID) during which synergies from health systems implementation research – with focus on equity and sustainable integration – undertaken by COUNTDOWN and Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases were showcased.
During the photo and poster walk, preliminary research findings were presented from partner countries with colleagues from our team in Buea wining best poster for “Capturing the Essence of COUNTDOWN”. Read more on the panel-led discussions.
19 February – 08 March 2018, West Region
Following several years of national deworming campaigns, there has been a current need to evaluate its impact on reducing the level of schistosomiasis and STH in school-aged children (SAC) in Cameroon.
Through collaboration with partners - Sightsavers/GiveWell and USAID/RTI/HKI- the PNLSHI has organised parasitological surveys to be conducted in schools in selected regions. The Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology (CSP), reference laboratory for schistosomiasis research/diagnosis, has been commissioned to conduct these impact surveys.
Foumbot. Before commencing the surveys, a briefing session was organised at the Regional Delegation of Public Health where representatives for the Delegation of Basic Education and Delegation for Secondary Education along with respective District Medical Officers, and lab technicians from the regional level where informed on the current situation of SCH in the West Region and offered an outline of how the surveys were to be conducted from sample collection to analysis. Continuous collaboration from key actors from the Ministry of Basic Education - Inspectors of Basic Education, School directors and teachers - accounts for the success of the surveys.
29 January – 11 February 2018, Makenene, Centre Region
The health economics field surveyors returned to Makenene, Centre Region where Household Costing surveys were conducted over a 2-week period.
These surveys were aimed at identifying the level of compliance and adherence to MDA treatment in the community. The field team visited 484 households where they completed the Household costing surveys with a coverage of 75%. The main issue or limitation experienced during this fieldwork was the absence of many household members during household visits which hindered a high coverage rate.
10 – 12 January 2018, Yaoundé, Centre Region
The 1st Oncho/LF Elimination Committee Meeting was organised by the Ministry of Public Health in Yaoundé, which brought together both national and international public health experts, senior and junior researchers along with representatives from non-governmental developmental organisations working to curb NTDs in the country.
Our very own experts Prof Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté, Prof Samuel Wanji and Dr Peter Enyong all members of this committee joined participants to discuss strategies for moving from control to elimination of onchocerciass and LF. The importance of local capacity building, adequate infrastructures and community ownership were stressed as Nigeria shared best practices in its success story in the elimination of Onchocersiasis in two states. One of the main challenges which accounts for the continuous high levels of onchocerciasis prevalence in certain regions is the co-endemicity with loasis which leads to severe adverse effects during mass drug administration.