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Background: Voluntary depigmentation (VD) is a cosmetic practice with potentially local and systemic complications such as hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to find determinants of hyperglycemia in women who practices VD. Methodology: we carried out a retrospective cohort study with from February to August 2020 in four hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This study included two groups of women: one made up of women who practices VD (exposed group) and the other of women who does not practices VD (group of “unexposed”). Data were collected on CSPro 7.4 software and analyzed on SPSS 25 software. The association between hyperglycemia and VD was measured using Chi-square test. Results: We recruited 181 women: 60 exposed and 121 unexposed. Prevalence of hyperglycemia in the exposed group was 43.3% versus 27.3% in the unexposed group. After logistic regression, the relative risk was significantly higher (RR=5.7; 95% CI: 2.04-15.60) in women practicing DV (p=0.001). The second determinant significantly associated with hyperglycemia was the presence of metabolic syndrome (RR=16.5; 95% CI: 4.82-56.04; p<0.001). Conclusion: VD is a risk factor for the occurrence of hyperglycemia in our context. Key words: Voluntary depigmentation; Hyperglycemia; Diabetes; Cameroon

Background Hair is valued by all individuals especially women. The perception of beauty is specific to everyone. In order to fulfil their ideal beauty, women use various methods to modify their hair's appearance. Afro hair is particularly fragile, so using these methods can be particularly deleterious for black women's hair. Objectives Describe hair care practices of women living in Yaoundé, determine the prevalence of traction alopecia (TA) and describe its clinical profile. Methods We carried out a cross‐sectional study in hairdressing saloon in Yaoundé. A questionnaire was administered and scalp exams were performed to determine Marginal TA severity score. Results We included 223 women with a mean age of 24.9 ± 7 years. The prevalence of TA was 34.5%. Mild and moderate stages were most represented. As far as haircare is concerned, extensions were regularly used by 95.1% of participants. Wigs were regularly worn by 58.7% of participants. Chemical hair straightening was done by 87.9% of women and was performed twice to thrice a year by 43.9%. Almost 76% of women used hair straightener and hair dryer. Hair washing was done monthly by 43.8% of participants and the main cosmetic used was shampoo (75.3%). Conclusion Traction alopecia is a very common disease in women living in Yaoundé. Extensions, wigs and shampooing are their main hair care practices.

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A retrospective study was carried out at Douala General Hospital, Cameroon, between July 2007 and July 2011, to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among the pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) patients and to compare epidemiological profiles with respect to TB/HIV co-infection. The cases of all patients aged 15 years and above and diagnosed with pTB during the study period were reviewed. Sociodemographic data, sputum examination for acid-fast bacilli, previous TB-treatment status, and HIV status were recorded. The chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the proportions. The independent sample t-test was used to compare means for the quantitative data. Of the 383 pTB patients included, 56.1% were males. The mean age was 38.9 ± 13.9 years (range 15-95). The age group 25-44 years was most represented, with 55.6% of the patients, while the least represented age group was that of patients over 65 years. The mean age of the females (36.2 ± 13.6 years) was statistically lower than that of the males (41.1 ± 13.8 years). Smear-positive pTB was diagnosed in 208 cases (54.6%). All the patients were tested for HIV infection. The overall prevalence of HIV among the pTB patients was 50.4%. There were no significant differences between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups with respect to age, sex, sputum examination for acid-fast bacilli, and previous TB-treatment status. The results suggest that the TB/HIV co-infection rate in Cameroon is high. Intensification of the screening of HIV infection in the general population and early management of HIV disease, especially in young women, could reduce the incidence of TB.