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.
14 December 2017, Yaoundé, Centre Region
The 7th Meeting of the National Committee for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH in Cameroon was held at the Ministry of Public Health. This meeting which was chaired by the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda (President of the Committee), had as participants, the Minister of Basic Education, Youssouf Hadidja Alim (Vice President of the NCCSIH), the Secretary of State to the Ministry of Public Health in charge of the fight against epidemics and pandemics,
Alim Hayatou in addition to other members of the NCCSIH, partners and key stakeholders. Decisions from the 6th NCCSIH meeting were reviewed and the National Control Program and its partners were applauded for their relentless efforts in the progress made in SCH and STH control in Cameroon. One of the highlights of this meeting was the presentation of the Atlas of SCH transmission in Cameroon, by Prof Tchuem Tchuenté, the National coordinator of the SCH control program which offers an elaborate evolution of the SCH situation in the various regions. The challenge now faced by the NCCSIH and the control program is the abrupt stop of USAID support for SCH and STH control in Cameroon, however, through the continuous commitment from the government and key partners such as Sightsavers, deworming campaigns will be ongoing for school-aged children in all regions of the country as its interruption will be very detrimental.
04 – 18 December 2017, Matta, West Region
Following the completion of parasitological surveys in Matta, results produced served as the sampling frame for health economics surveys as participants were selected on the basis of their schistosomiasis status. Two surveys were conducted in Matta: Poverty and neglected tropical diseases survey; and a program costing survey.
The former survey captured data around general household information such as demographics, level of education, household income and assets etc, with 184 households being surveyed with a response rate of 86.38%. While the latter survey gathered information around costs and implementation of MDA in the area as it was administered to key informants such as Chief of Post, community leaders, school principals, head of health committee in addition to volunteers – community drug distributors, schools teachers and community health workers. 24 program costing surveys were administered. Some issues which affected the response rate of the surveys included: absence of household members during home visits and refusals to offer consent.
27 November - 03 December 2017, Matta , West Region
Evaluation surveys were conducted in Matta, Malantouen Health District, in order to evaluate the effect of deworming campaigns in the region as well as provide information needed for health economics sampling framework for the COUNTDOWN project.
These parasitological surveys were conducted firstly in schools, through the assistance from school directors and teachers wo are key players in the control of schistosomiasis and STH, as they act as drug distributors during deworming campaigns in schools.
Subsequently, community-based parasitological surveyors were conducted through assistance from the Chief of Post along with community drug distributors who accompanied the field team into the community. This emphasizes community ownership of activities. All samples for the surveys were collected and analyzed by the team from the Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology.
17 November 2017, Yaoundé, Centre Region
Professor Louis-Albert Tchuem-Tchuenté's mandate as an Ambassador for the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) with specialism on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has been extended to 2020.
This is in recognition of his extensive contributions to research and control of NTDs in sub-Saharan Africa, which is no surprise given how tirelessly he has worked in the last three decades to improve policies relating to NTDs at home in Cameroon and internationally.
His LSTM association as Ambassador since early 2016 continues to strengthen as he collaborates on various UK & USA projects, with the aim to control/eliminate NTDs and work towards achieving the endgame of reducing poverty.
17 November 2017, Yaoundé, Centre Region
A health economics training workshop was organized in Yaoundé during which 15 field surveyors were trained around the best practices and techniques for effectively administering health economics surveys using the SurveyCTO software.
The surveys developed for COUNTDOWN research will capture data required for the analysis of the economic burden of NTDs at household level; data to study the value for money of the investment in NTD interventions; as well as identify opportunities for planning, upscaling and integrated implementation at the national, district and community levels.
Through interactive role playing, surveyors were able to improve their survey-administering skills as well as experience scenarios of dealing with challenging personalities son the field. This workshop was facilitated by Dr Michèle Estelle Ndonou Health Economics lead alongside Dr Maame Woode, LSTM.
22 - 26 October 2017, Centre Region
Parasitological and epidemiological surveys which were undertaken in schools in Ndikinimeki Health District, recorded a high prevalence of schistosomiasis in some areas in the district.
This led to the decision of a district-wide community based mas drug administration of PZQ and ALB. The district is composed of 6 health areas: Makenene, Nitoukou, Nyokon, Ndokowanen, Ndikinimeki, and Boutourou. Prior to this MDA, a training session was organized for supervisors and CDDs which was facilitated by the District Medical Officer and the Chief of Health Bureau. The MDA was conducted over a week with community sensitization being done using various channels such as religious settings – church and mosque – and via megaphone.
11 – 16 October 2017, Yaoundé, Centre Region
The National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH organized a National SCH Technical Meeting in Yaoundé, chaired by the Coordinator of the control programme, Prof Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté.
Participants were briefed on the current situation of SCH in the country and results from COUNTDOWN related research activities served to guide some discussions around plans moving forward (from control to elimination) and to reinforce the need for more effective efforts from all participants, in the control of SCH and STH with emphasis on the use of multidisciplinary approaches for better impact.
In attendance were the Regional NTD Coordinators from all 10 regions of the country as well as representatives from civil society organisations – HKI, Sightsavers, Perspectives and International Eye Foundation.
*Through the interactive working session, the national database for schistosomiasis and STH activities in Cameroon was updated.
10 - 19 August 2017, South West Region
The Barombi crater lakes are renowned foci for schistosomiasis transmission and thus have been selected as study sites for the COUNTDOWN schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis-focused research.
. The church played an invaluable role in community sensitisation, as well as opinion leaders - traditional leaders, quarter heads, church leaders, women leaders and youth leaders - who positively influenced community adherence. However,the group charged with the ultimate success of MDA were CDDs who worked enthusiastically and effortlessly to rid the community of the burden of schistosomiasis and intestinal worms.
In line with planned COUNTDOWN activities, mass treatment with praziquantel against schistosomiasis and mebendazole for intestinal worms took place in Barombo Kotto and Barombi Mbo communities.This 2 week activity consisted training of community drug distributors and sensitisation of opinion leaders which was facilitated by the Regional NTD Coordinator, SW , the District Medical Officer and Chief of Post at the Health Centre.
In addition to MDA, the health economic team carried out household surveys while the social scientists captured perceptions around control interventions via key informant interviews and focused group discussions with variety of community groups - women, elders, youth, farmers etc.
August 2017, Yaoundé
Prior to mass treatment of communities in Barombi Crater lakes in the South West Region, a work plan meeting was organised at the COUNTDOWN country office in Yaoundé. Participants included the Regional NTD Coordinator, South West Region, Mrs Bea Mukete and personnel from the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH.
The work plan guiding the implementation of the community-wide mass drug administration in both Barombi Kotto and Barombi Kotto were reviewed and finalised through guidance from Mrs Mukete. All community drug distributors training manuals and distribution tools – registration forms, dose pole - were revised. Each theme – parasitology, epidemiology, health economics and social science – offered insight into planned activities for said location resulting to clear integration of activities.
03 July 2017, Yaoundé
Colleagues in Yaoundé got together for a working session during which they reviewed work plans and finalised action plans moving forward. This session allowed for better synergy between the parasitology and social science disciplines. Clear action plans and timelines for planned field activities were set enabling close collaboration and effectiveness of activities. Social science colleagues informed on preliminary findings from data collected thus far, through engagement with various stakeholders both at Regional and District level. These findings will guide future research activities and community engagement
31 May - 04 June 2017, Makenene
Completion of COUNTDOWN baseline studies continues as the team visited Makenene, Centre Region for community-based sample collection. This was in accordance with planned activities for the Integrated complementary strategy theme -2.
An initial community cross-sectional study is required to assess the baseline infection and morbidity status of both schistosomiasis and STH in the community. Makenene is one of the study sites selected for extended treatment of praziquantel (for schistosomiasis) and mebendazole (for STH). The success of activities in the community was due in part to local collaboration from community drug distributors who were at the forefront of community sensitisation. The community working for the community emphasises the idea of community ownership which in turn allows for full engagement and adherence of community members to the schistosomiasis control activities.
22 - 30 May 2017, Barombi Kotto
The Chief understands first hand the burden which schistosomiasis causes to his people and he expressed his total commitment and support to working with the COUNTDOWN project to curb this debilitating diseases. The whole community was fully engaged and adhered to all aspects of the various research activities and this was due for the most part, to the proper sensitization offered before commencement of activities.
Accompanying the CSP team for planned COUNTDOWN activities, the team from LSTM travelled to Barombi Kotto village, in the South West Region.The Chief of Barombi Kotto and his village elders were very welcoming as usual and before any work could commence, an introduction and sensitization session was organized at the community hall for the entire community.LSTM Masters students offered overviews of their research, highlighting the objectives and how the samples collected from the community will be utilized.
All samples collected were analysed on the ground at the community Health Centre. Furthermore, Christine Makia made advances around social science-related aspect of the COUNTDOWN research by capturing the perceptions of stakeholders and lay people around schistosomiasis control interventions. She carried out in-depth-interviews and focus group interviews with some stakeholders being the Chief of Barombi Kotto, Head of the Nigerian community, Community Youth Leader, traditional leader and the Chief of the Health Centre.
18 -19 May 2017, Yaoundé
The COUNTDOWN Social science team in Yaoundé organised a two-days working session with Dr Martyn Stewart around resources for analysis and paper writing.The team consisted Prof Estelle Kouokam, Marlene Siping, Marlene Ntshinda and Christine Makia
During the course of this intensive working session which took place at the COUNTDOWN country office, colleagues presented findings obtained from preliminary research carried out in Edea, Littoral Region. This study also served to test data collection tools and Dr Martyn shared knowledge around qualitative analysis, equipping the team with the ability to succinctly analyse qualitative data.
17 May 2017, Yaoundé
Growing partnership between CSP and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has led to numerous opportunities for mutual capacity development and knowledge exchange.
This was recently the case, as Prof Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté and team at CSP welcomed colleagues and Masters students from LSTM for further collaboration around schistosomiasis research.
LSTM team consisted Drs James LaCourse and Martyn Stewart alongside students, Grace Macklin, Lisa O'Halloran and Zickmund Bartonicek. The main aim of the visit was to further the research agenda around schistosomiasis control, as the Masters students partnered with the CSP to conduct field studies in line with their final research projects.
27 March - 14 May 2017, Centre Region
It has been a very busy period for the team at CSP, which are progressively finishing off the COUNTDOWN schistosomiasis baseline studies in school-aged children and in communities. These studies will offer information on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the selected COUNTDOWN study sites and will guide work around the alternative interventions to be carried out. x
It has been a very busy period for the team at CSP, which are progressively finishing off the COUNTDOWN schistosomiasis baseline studies in school-aged children and in communities. These studies will offer information on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the selected COUNTDOWN study sites and will guide work around the alternative interventions to be carried out. Study Sites are located in Four Regions - Centre, Littoral, West and South West. The collection of urine and stool samples from school-aged children is highly facilitated by school Directors and teachers, who are key players in the control of schistosomiasis. These efforts further highlight the commitment of partners - the Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of Secondary Education - to the tripartite partnership signed with the Ministry of Public Health, and the Union of United Cities and Councils of Cameroon, for the control of schistosomiasis and STH. For more information about this COUNTDOWN research
20 April 2017, Buea
The COUNTDOWN team in Buea alongside our partners -the University of Buea, hosted a Regional Advocacy and Stakeholders meeting which brought together government officials and officials from civil society organisations - Helen Keller International and Sightsavers. In addition were Deans from the University of Buea, teachers and students all interested in combatting NTDs in the South West Region.
In her welcome word, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea who presided the meeting, stressed and encouraged researchers to ensure that research information is always relayed back to the communities concerned. The Director of Disease Control, Ministry of Health reiterated the government's commitment on NTDs control and fortified youths to be proactive in this fight. The COUNTDOWN team in Buea led by Prof Samuel Wanji, offered elaborate narratives of the overall COUNTDOWN project with emphasis placed on the alternative strategies for the acceleration of Onchocerciasis in Cameroon. Before officially launching the COUNTDOWN activities in the South West Region, the Governor informed on his "unconditional support" to all COUNTDOWN activities. A highlight of the meeting was the onchocerciasis exhibition where participants where enlightened around onchocerciasis.
28-30 March 2017, Yaoundé
The 3rd COUNTDOWN Annual Partners' Meeting was hosted in Yaoundé, Cameroon at Mont Fébé Hotel. The team in Cameroon welcomed partners from Liberia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom, while partners from Ghana were unfortunately unable to attend the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances. The 3-day intensive and interactive meeting allowed COUNTDOWN colleagues to review progress on work carried out thus far, all the while planning actions for research activities moving forward.
24 March 2017, Yaoundé
Following the unprecedented Towards Elimination of Schistosomiasis (TES) Conference, the organising committee convened an open Paper Writing and Training workshop, which brought together junior researches and students from international and national levels for capacity strengthening.
This workshop offered participants a platform to expand knowledge on scientific writing and peer-review publication, as well as Molecular Epidemiology, Diagnostics and Bioinformatics which serves for more effective disease surveillance. It was facilitated by Conference Chair, Prof Louis-Albert Tchuem Tchuenté, alongside Prof Russell Stothard, Dr Suzy Campbell, Dr Niel Young and Dr Bonnie Webster
22-23 March 2017, Yaoundé
The 1st International conference organised on Schistosomiasis in Cameroon was held from Wednesday, 22nd March 2017 to Thursday, 23 March 2017 at Mont Fébé Hotel, Yaoundé.
This conference titled Toward Elimination of Schistosomiasis (TES) brought together over 80 experts, scientists, donors, policy makers, non-governmental development organisations and students from all over the world to share and learn from each other's experiences and perspectives.
07-10 February 2017, Yaoundé
The COUNTDOWN team in Yaounde have welcomed colleagues from Buea and Nigeria for a 4-Day Evidence Synthesis Workshop which aims to enable participants to understand, appraise and use systematic reviews in neglected tropical diseases .
This workshop is facilitated by Prof Pierre Ongolo-Zogo, Dr Villyen Nkengafac and Patrick Owen from the Centre for the Development of Best Practices in Health.
27 January 2017, Yaoundé
The Head of State, Grand Master of National Orders, raised Professor Louis-Albert TCHUEM TCHUENTÉ to the dignity of Commander of the National Order of Valour, on the occasion of the National Day of 20 May 2016. The Minister of Higher Education officially awarded the decoration during the presentation ceremony of New Year 2017 wishes held on 27 January 2017 at the Amphitheater 700 of the University of Yaoundé I.
24-25 January 2017, Yaounde
The COUNTDOWN team in Yaounde hosted colleagues from Buea, for a 2-day Social Science meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to review research activities against the timelines, review data collection tools and ensure reflection and co-ordination with both the Yaoundé and Buea research teams.