Introduction adherence to preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 depends on the people´s knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. Living in rural areas may be associated with poor KAP towards COVID-19. This study compares the KAP regarding COVID-19 of people living in rural and urban areas in Cameroon. Methods this was a comparative cross-sectional study, using data obtained through an online survey of 1,345 Cameroonians amongst which were 828 urban and 517 rural dwellers. The survey questionnaire consisted of; demographic characteristics, 10 questions on Knowledge, 4 on attitudes and 3 on practices. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results overall, about two-thirds of participants had correct knowledge of COVID-19. The mean knowledge score for urban dwellers was about twice that of rural dwellers (15.77 ± 5.25 vs 8.86 ± 7.24 respectively, p < 0.001). Furthermore, when compared to people who live in urban areas, rural inhabitants are less optimistic about COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon (OR = 3.43, P<0.001), less likely to accept a trial vaccine for COVID-19 (OR = 1.14, P<0.05), less likely to avoid going to crowded places (OR = 7.42, P<0.01), less likely to wear face mask outdoor (OR = 11.84, P<0,001), and less likely to practice hand hygiene (OR = 1.13, P<0.05). Conclusion our findings suggest a big gap in COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, and practices between rural and urban inhabitants in Cameroon. This highlights the need for increase sensitization of Cameroonians, especially rural dwellers on COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes and appropriate practices.

Background This study was aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its drivers among recreational drug users, compared to non-users using WHOQOL-BREF. Methods A total of 246 recreational drug users and 141 non-recreational drug users were recruited using consecutive sampling of adults in the community. Socio-demographic data, data related to recreational drug use and HRQoL were collected. Data were compared using t-test, analysis of variance and chi-square test. Determinants of HRQoL were obtained using multivariate regression models. Results The mean overall quality of life (OQOL) score was significantly higher for non-recreational drug users compared to users (75.89 ± 22.64 vs 61.08 ± 23.94, respectively, p < 0.001), non-users as well had significantly higher mean scores across all four domains of WHOQOL-BREF. After multivariable adjustment, use of recreational drugs negatively affected the psychological domain (β=-4.17, 95% CI -8.22 to -0,13) and the environmental domain (β=-4.47, 95% CI -8.48 to -0.45). Years of recreational drug use affected the social relationship domain (β=-0.55, 95% CI -0.88 to -0.22), OQOL (β=-0.57, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.19), and general health satisfaction (β=-0.71, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.35). Number of recreational drugs used contributed to poorer physical health (β=-1.45, 95% CI -2.57 to -0.33), psychological domain (β=-2.04, 95% CI -3.18 to -0.91), social relationship domain (β=-1.87, 95% CI -3.39 to -0.35) as well as overall quality of life (β=-2.13, 95% CI -3.89 to -0.37). Besides recreational drugs, monthly income also affected physical health (β = 5.17, 95% CI 2.96 to 7.38), psychological domain (β = 3.34, 95% CI 1.10 to 5.58), environmental domain (β = 2.64, 95% CI 0.42 to 4.85) and also the OQOL (β = 4.16, 95% CI 0.70 to 7.62). Conclusions Our findings suggest that, recreational drugs significantly negatively affect the health-related quality of life of its users. People who use multiple recreational drugs and longer years of recreational drug use had a more widespread effect across the health domains. Higher monthly income could improve the HRQoL of recreational drug users.

Introduction: Most data on predictors of mortality in acute kidney injury (AKI) derives from high income economies where AKI is mainly hospital-acquired and occurs in previously ill elderly patients with a high burden of cardiovascular disease. In Cameroon like other sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, AKI is mainly community-acquired occurring in previously healthy young adults. We aimed at identifying predictors of fatal outcome in hospitalized patients with AKI under nephrologist care in two tertiary hospitals in Cameroon. Methods: Medical records of adults with confirmed AKI, managed by the nephrology units of two referral and teaching hospital from January 2018 to March 2020 were retrieved. Files with missing data were excluded. The outcomes of interest were: in-hospital deaths, and presumed causes of death. Data was managed using SPSS version 22 software and we used multiple logistic regression modelling to identify predictors of death. The study was approved by the ethics board of both hospitals. Value were considered significant for a p value <0.05 Results: We included a total of 285 patient records (37.2 % females). The mean (SD) age was 50.1(19.0) years. Hypertension (n=97, 34.0%), organ failure (n=88, 30.9%), diabetes (n=60, 21.1%) and HIV/AIDS (n=60, 21.1%) were the most frequent comorbidities. Majority of patients had community-acquired AKI (78.6%, n=224), were KDIGO stage 3 (88.8 %, n=253) and needed dialysis (52.6%, n=150). Up to 16.7% (n=25) did not receive when needed due to futility or lack of funds. The in-hospital mortality rate was 29.1% (n=83) and with no statistical difference with sex. Lack of access to dialysis (OR=27.8; p<0.001) hypotension (OR=11.8; p <0.001) and ICU admission (OR=5.7; p <0.001) were predictors of mortality. Presence of co-morbidities or underlying diseases (n=46, 55%) were the main causes of death. Complications of AKI were less frequently associated with death (n=21, 25.3%).Conclusions: The in-hospital AKI mortality is high, as in other low middle income economies. Lack of access to dialysis and severity of underlying illness are major predictors of death.