BackgroundAnemia is common in diabetic patients and increases morbidity and mortality, but its burden has been less well characterized in sub-Saharan Africans. We determined the prevalence of anemia and investigated the related factors, with a particular focus on the role of declining renal function, in type 2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary health care institution in Cameroon.MethodsHemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured in a consecutive sample of patients with type 2 diabetes, who reported for annual review at the outpatient section of the Douala General Hospital in 2013. Patients were classified as anemic according to the World Health Organisation criteria (Hb < 12 g/dl for females and Hb < 13 g/dl for males). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Group formula. Determinants of Hb concentration and anemia were investigated using multivariable logistic regressions.ResultsA total of 636 patients were examined including 263 (prevalence rate 41.4 %) who had anemia. The prevalence of anemia increased significantly with deteriorating kidney function, although up to 31.9 % of patients with normal kidney function had anemia. Compared with their non-anemic counterparts, anemic diabetic patients were older, had longer duration of diabetes, lower eGFR, higher prevalence of proteinuria and diabetic retinopathy (all p < 0.05). In multivariable logistic regressions, eGFR (p = 0.001) and presence of retinopathy (p = 0.023) were the independent determinants of prevalent anemia.ConclusionsThe prevalence of anemia is high in type 2 diabetic patients attending referral institutions in Cameroon, including among those without chronic kidney disease. Routine screening for anemia in all diabetic patients may aid early identification and correction as appropriate.

BackgroundChildhood overweight/obesity is increasing rapidly in developing countries. There is a need to provide more evidence on its burden in sub-Saharan Africa, and to identify associated factors in order to set preventive measures. We aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and assess its association with the socioeconomic status in nursery and primary school children in urban Cameroon.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we included by multi-staged cluster random sampling 1343 children from high (HSES, n = 673) and low (LSES, n = 670) socioeconomic status schools in Douala. Parent/child demographic data were collected, and children’s anthropometric parameters were measured using validated methods. The World Health Organization body mass index-for-age reference curves were used.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight/obesity was 12.5% (13.2% in girls, 11.8% in boys). The risk of overweight/obesity was 2.40 (95% CI 1.70, 3.40) higher in HSES children compared to LSES after adjusting for age and gender. However this association was attenuated to 1.18 (95% CI 0.59, 2.35) once adjustment had been made for a range of potential confounders.ConclusionsOverweight/obesity is relatively common in sub-Saharan African children and prevalence is associated with HSES. However, this association may be mediated by sweet drink consumption, passive means of travel to school and not doing sport at school. We suggest that these potentially modifiable behaviors may be effective targets for obesity prevention. Further studies should specifically focus on unhealthy behaviors that mediate overweight/obesity as well as other non communicable diseases in children.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40608-017-0146-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundObesity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and is growing rapidly globally including in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We aimed to assess the trend in adiposity markers in Cameroonian university students, and investigated their associations with hypertension.MethodsFrom 2009 to 2012, we annually measured weight, height, blood pressure, waist (WC) and hip circumferences, and calculated the body mass index (BMI) and other indices of adiposity in consecutive students aged 18 years or above, during their registration. Time-trends in prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated, and their associations with prevalent hypertension investigated.ResultsAmong the 2726 participants, the overall prevalence of obesity, overweight and obesity combined, and hypertension was 3.5%, 21.0% and 6.3% respectively. From 2009 to 2012, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in men only, from 13.1% to 20.9% (p-trend = 0.002), whereas prevalent abdominal obesity increased in women only, from 6.5% to 11.7% (p-trend = 0.027). The BMI and the WC were independent predictors of hypertension; each kg/m2 higher BMI was associated with 11% higher odds of hypertension, and each centimeter higher WC was associated with 9% higher odds of hypertension.ConclusionOur results show that overweight and obesity are rapidly increasing in this population of young sub-Saharan African adults, and are contributing to an increasing burden of hypertension.