British Journal of Medical and Health Research

Vaginal infections represent a major public health issue, particularly in developing countries where access to diagnostic and treatment services remains inadequate. The vagina is a complex microbiological ecosystem, normally dominated by lactobacilli, which play a protective role by maintaining an acidic pH and preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Any disruption to this balance, known as vaginal dysbiosis, promotes the development of infections. These infections are among the most common reasons for gynaecological consultations among women of childbearing age. The aim of this study was to characterise the pathogens isolated from vaginal swabs taken from women attending the Bacteriology Laboratory at the University Hospital Centre for Mother and Child (CHU-ME) in N'Djamena between 15 October and 15 November 2025, and to establish their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. A total of 99 vaginal swabs were collected and analysed using routine microbiological techniques. Women aged 20–29 were the most affected group (61.6%), with a mean age of 26 years. The prevalence of confirmed vaginal infection was 36.4%, with an overall microbiological positivity rate of 60.6%. Candida spp was common, accounting for 40.4% of cases, and co-infection with this organism was found in 32.3% of cases. Escherichia coli accounted for 3% of vaginal infections. According to antifungal susceptibility testing, Candida spp showed 90.9% susceptibility to Miconazole and 97.8% to Econazole, as well as 66.7% susceptibility to Fluconazole. Resistance was observed to Amphotericin B (95.6%) and Griseofulvin (95.7%). According to the antibiotic susceptibility testing carried out, Amikacin showed 100% susceptibility against Staphylococcus spp., making this aminoglycoside the most active agent against the staphylococci isolated in this study. Erythromycin and Gentamicin showed lower susceptibility rates of 67.9% and 60.7% respectively, although a 25.0% resistance rate to Erythromycin limits its use as a first-line treatment. Escherichia coli showed 100% susceptibility to Imipenem and Gentamicin, as well as 50% susceptibility to Ertapenem and Ciprofloxacin. However, it was resistant to Ceftriaxone (100%), Ampicillin (100%) and Nalidixic Acid (100%). Keywords: Vaginal infections, CHU-ME, N'Djamena.

Methodology- A total of 300 subjects aged 25-75 years were selected from reputed hospitals based on inclusion criteria. Data on demographics, medical history, dietary intake through FFQ and 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, inflammatory & nutritional biomarkers were analysed. Results- Nutrient intake analysis showed 270 subjects had inadequate daily intake of protein, essential fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. BMI was normal (21.1±1.21 kg/m²) among subjects n=93 subjects, n=160 were overweight/obese (25.54±1.98 kg/m²), n=24 were undernourished (16.93±1.43 kg/m²). Handgrip strength was weak in 210 subjects, 85 were normal, and only 5 were strong. Clinical signs & symptoms, including joint pain, swelling and stiffness, were mild in males and moderate in females. Nutritional biomarkers showed normal calcium (8.63±0.66mg/dl) and hemoglobin (14.01±0.27g/dl) levels in males but low calcium (7.99±0.12mg/dl) and hemoglobin (11.82±0.08g/dl) levels in females. Inflammatory markers, ESR (76.74±27.26mm/hr) and CRP (36.67±20.24mg/dl), were higher in females compared to males ESR (43±17.51mm/hr) and CRP (25.68±5.20mg/dl). Conclusion- The evidence suggests the need for nutrient-dense diet, focusing more on protective-nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, and essential fatty acids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. A holistic approach combining medical and nutrition therapy is recommended for better RA management and improved quality of life.

Introduction: Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). When combined with other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the effect of physical activity on cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Results: The mean age was 60 ± 12 years. The male-to-female ratio was 0.71. The cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes identified were primarily alcohol consumption (49.7%), physical inactivity (47%), hypertension (43%), and hypercholesterolemia (39.1%). The average duration of diabetes was 7.8 ± 6.4 years. Patients had hyperglycemia in 77% of cases. In this study, 48.0% of diabetic patients had a high cardiovascular risk (≥ 20%). This cardiovascular risk was significantly higher in women compared to men (p=0.048) and in patients over 60 years of age compared to those under 60 (p=0.001). The latter group also had the highest prevalence of low physical activity levels (p < 0.001). Participants engaging in moderate-intensity PA had a lower cardiovascular risk compared to those engaging in high- and low-intensity PA (40.0% versus 56.0% and 48.8%, respectively). Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk remains high among older patients, particularly those who are sedentary and have low levels of physical activity.