ABSTRACT
Background: Sleep is a complex phenomenon that plays a pivotal role in ensuring the optimal functioning of the body, especially in adolescence. Poor-quality sleep among adolescents is a major public health problem and the subject of numerous studies in other parts of the world; however, it remains relatively underexplored in our context. This study aimed to assess sleep quality among adolescents attending schools in urban and semi-urban areas. Methods: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over seven months. We included all voluntary adolescents aged 10–19 years who had given their written informed consent or that of their legal guardian(s). Our sampling was convenient and consecutive. Data on socio-demographic features and lifestyle were collected, and we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess each participant. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with sleep quality. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 952 were selected, including 309 in semi-urban areas and 643 in urban areas. The mean age of the population was 16.33 ± 1.70 years, with 52.0% female participation. Drug consumption was found in 25.3% of participants, and psychoactive substance consumption in 49.9% of participants, with the rates of consumption of these substances being significantly higher in urban areas than in semi-urban areas. Sleep quality was poor in 41.0% of students, 46.3% in urban areas, and 29.3% in semi-urban areas, the prevalence of sleep quality being significantly higher in urban areas (p < 0.001). Insomnia, which was identified in 19.4% of study participants, was the most common sleep disorder in our study population. Independent risk factors for poor sleep quality among students included living in urban areas, age between 17 and 19 years, the female sex, being in the first or last year of school,

ABSTRACT
Background: Persons living with epilepsy (PWE) may present with poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population, partly due to the effects of anti-seizure medications (ASM) and challenges related to oral hygiene practices. Gingival enlargement resulting from medication poses a clinically significant threat to oral health and treatment adherence. This study aims; to determine the prevalence of gingival enlargement among PWE compared with healthy controls, to evaluate periodontal status and oral hygiene practices, and to identify factors associated with gingival enlargement. Materials and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study at Yaoundé Central Hospital and Yaoundé General Hospital, Cameroon. Thirty-five PWE receiving ASM were enrolled and matched by age and sex with 35 healthy controls. Gingival enlargement (MB index), calculus index, plaque index, and gingival bleeding index were tools utilized in oral hygiene status assessment. A structured questionnaire was developed to aid in the collection of data on oral hygiene practices and ASM regimens. Bivariate and multivariate analyses permitted the identification of associations between gingival enlargement and clinical variables. Results: Seventy participants were included in the study (mean age 32.44±11.43 years; 64% male). Out of the 70 participants, 10.0% of participants had gingival enlargement, with an increased frequency among PWE compared with controls (17.1% vs 2.9%, p=0.046). All cases were classified as grade 1 enlargement. PWE had a significantly worse periodontal status, as evidenced by a higher plaque index (p=0.009), gingival bleeding index (p=0.003), calculus index (p=0.027), as well as a worse overall oral hygiene status (p=0.012). Gingival enlargement occurred exclusively among participants with the highest plaque index scores and was significantly associated with periodontal indices (p<0.001). No statistically significant associations were observed between gingival en

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Introduction: Acute appendicitis during pregnancy is challenging to diagnose due to anatomical and physiological changes. Delay in diagnosis can increase maternal morbidity and foetal loss. Surgical management is necessary however the use of laparoscopy in pregnancy remains limited despite evidence of safety and advantages. Case Presentation: A 20-year-old primigravida at 19 weeks gestation presented with right-sided abdominal pain and nausea. Clinical examination was equivocal and ultrasound was inconclusive. Had persistence of symptoms despite bowel rest and antibiotics with worsening abdominal pain thus underwent diagnostic laparoscopic which revealed appendicitis thus appendectomy done with appropriate intraoperative precautions. Recovery was uneventful, with no maternal or foetal complications. Discussion: Diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy is hampered by altered pain localization, physiological leucocytosis, and limited ultrasound accuracy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging may improve diagnostic accuracy. Persistence of symptoms with clinical suspicion for appendicitis warrants laparoscopic evaluation and laparoscopic appendectomy offers advantages of faster recovery, lower infection risk, and better visualization of displaced anatomy. Despite guideline endorsements, concerns about foetal safety continue to limit its use. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the role of clinical suspicion of appendicitis during pregnancy and supports wider adoption of laparoscopy as a safe and effective surgical option when performed by an experienced team. This case highlights diagnostic complexities however illustrates successful laparoscopic approach in Tanzania.

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Background: Dolutegravir (DTG) is recommended by the WHO as a first‑line antiretroviral. While its efficacy and tolerability are well established, hepatotoxicity concerns persist due to inconsistent findings, underscoring the need for a comprehensive synthesis of global data. Methods: We performed a systematic narrative review analyzing 19 eligible studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, Mendeley, Cochrane, and Google Scholar using keywords related to dolutegravir and hepatotoxicity alongside comparator antiretroviral agents. Inclusion criteria encompassed adult and pregnant populations with reported hepatic outcomes, while exclusions applied to low‑quality studies, non‑English publications, and participants under 15 years. Bias was assessed using the Newcastle‑Ottawa scale, with one randomized trial showing low bias and most observational studies demonstrating moderate bias. Results: Across cohorts, DTG therapy was associated with hepatotoxicity in 20–30% of patients. Comparative analyses often favored DTG, with lower rates of liver enzyme abnormalities than efavirenz and reduced bilirubin compared to protease inhibitors. Predictors of hepatotoxicity included prior ART exposure and elevated baseline liver enzymes. Conclusion: Dolutegravir demonstrates an acceptable hepatic safety profile, comparing favorably with other antiretroviral regimens. These findings support its continued role as a WHO‑endorsed first‑line therapy. Further randomized studies are warranted to refine risk estimates and guide monitoring strategies.

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Introduction: The objective was to identify certain factors contributing to the poor prognosis of malignant tumours of the limbs. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection spanning eight years, conducted in the paediatric surgery department of Donka National Hospital. The parameters studied were epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: We collected 14 patient files of patients admitted, hospitalised, treated and followed up for malignant bone tumours of the limbs, including 12 cases of osteosarcoma and 2 cases of Ewing's tumour. The frequency of bone tumours compared to other tumours was 4.75%, with a clear predominance of osteosarcoma (85.71%). The average age was 12.5 years (7 to 17 years), with a sex ratio of 1.8. The average time between onset and consultation was 5.6 months (1 to 24 months). The reasons for consultation were dominated by pain and swelling of the limb in all patients. The mode of detection was traumatic fracture in 6 cases (42.86%). The tumour site was the distal femur in 8 cases (57.14%). The left pelvic limb was affected in 8 cases (42.86%). CT scans were performed in 11 cases (78.57%). Biopsies were performed in all patients. Amputation was performed in 8 patients. The 1-year Survival rate was 2 patients (14.28%). Conclusion: Malignant bone tumours of the limbs are a cause for concern due to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Multidisciplinary consultation involving the authorities and partners could improve treatment.

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Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic disease with a very high prevalence in developing countries. While the links between alcohol and epileptic seizures are now well established, the clinical context of alcohol-related seizures remains debated. Several studies carried out in emergency departments and neurology wards have shown that alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with 40% to 50% of seizures observed in adult patients admitted for epileptic seizures, making AUD the main risk factor for seizures in adults. There are few epidemiological studies on the prevalence of epilepsy in patients with alcohol use disorder (PWAUD) and alcoholism in patients living with epilepsy (PWE). Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and aetiologies of epileptic seizures in chronic alcohol abusers in three Yaoundé referral hospitals over the last 10 years (January 2006 to December 2015). Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on Cameroonian chronic alcoholics who presented at least one epileptic seizure and were hospitalised between January 2006 and December 2015 in the internal medicine units of three referral hospitals in Yaoundé. The sampling method was consecutive and exhaustive. Results: We obtained 250 chronic alcoholics aged between 25 and 89 years, with an average age of 54.26 ± 30.27 years. Eighty per cent consumed between 60 and 100g of alcohol per day. The prevalence of epileptic seizures in chronic alcoholics was 16.4%. The majority of seizures were generalised (61%), and mainly tonic-clonic (48.8%). The most common causes were infectious, with cerebral toxoplasmosis being the most frequent infectious aetiology (22%). Other aetiologies included toxic causes (alcohol withdrawal 17.1% and acute intoxication 7.3%); vascular causes (14.6%); traumatic causes (9.8%) and undetermined causes (9.8%). Conclusion: The prevalence of epileptic seizures in chronic alcohol abusers in Cameroon is very high. These seizures have various aetiologies and are

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients admitted for acute leukaemia in paediatric oncology at Donka National Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study. We extracted data from the GFAOP Redcap registry for patients admitted between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023 to the paediatric haematology and oncology unit at Donka National Hospital. Results: There were 331 confirmed cases of cancer and 96 cases of acute leukaemia, representing a frequency of 29%. Children aged 0–4 years were the most represented, with a male predominance and a sex ratio of 1.13. The socioeconomic status was low for 70.83% of patients. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia accounted for 80.2% of patients. 90.62% of patients had already consulted a hospital before coming to the unit. There was a 96.87% mortality rate. Conclusion: Acute leukaemia in children is common at Donka National Hospital. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most prevalent form. Treatment is marked by high rates of loss to follow-up and mortality.