Biomedical subjects

Robert Leke

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Leke.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Risk factors for placental malaria and its effect on pregnancy outcome in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Between 1996 and 2001, the prevalence of placental malaria in pregnant women living in Yaounde, Cameroon and its effect on pregnancy outcome were evaluated with respect to gravidity and maternal age. Results showed that 19.9% of the women had placental malaria at delivery. After adjusting for relevant covariates, the major risk factor for placental malaria was an age < 25 years old. Placental malaria significantly increased the prevalence of anemia in women regardless of gravidity or age. In addition, the mean infant birth weight was lower and the percentage of pre-term deliveries (PTDs) and low birth weight (LBW) babies were higher in primigravidae and women < 20 years of age who had placental malaria. However, in a multivariate regression model taking relevant covariates into consideration, the major risk factor for PTDs was maternal anemia, and maternal anemia as well as first and second pregnancies were important risk factors for LBW babies.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Low rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 after nevirapine intervention in a pilot public health program in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of infected children for whom nevirapine (NVP) was used to prevent peripartum mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in Yaoundé, Cameroon. DESIGN: The study was a prospective Public Health Pilot Program covering a 3-year period (January 2000-December 2002). METHODS: Counseled and consenting HIV-1-positive pregnant women were given a single dose of NVP at the onset of labor. Babies were given 2 mg/kg NVP syrup within the first 72 hours of life. NVP-treated children were regularly followed up and examined for HIV-1 infection at 6-8 weeks and 5-6 months through plasma viral load (VL) quantification with the bDNA system. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three children were diagnosed with perinatal HIV-1 infection at 6-8 weeks and 5-6 months. Thirteen children (10.6% [13/123]; 95% confidence interval, 5.1-16) were infected and presented with high VLs, in general >500,000 copies/mL. Two children had intermediate VLs (between 50 and 3500 copies/mL) at both time points. One hundred seven children (87%) were considered not infected at 6-8 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the HIV-1 MTCT rate 6-8 weeks after NVP administration was not >13% (16/123), thus demonstrating the effectiveness of NVP for lowering the risk of HIV-1 MTCT in real-life settings.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

PubMed2003

Ectopic pregnancy in African developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: We have reviewed the scientific literature on ectopic pregnancy (EP) in African countries published over the past 20 years and available from several databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, POPLINE, and Cochrane Fertility Regulation Group), with the aim of painting a complete picture of the situation (incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and complications). RESULTS: Although hospital-based African studies indicate EP incidence has probably increased in Africa in recent decades, major methodological limitations in the published literature make it impossible to draw formal conclusions concerning the incidence of EP in Africa in recent years. As in industrialized countries, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) must be considered as the most important risk factor for EP in developing countries. In African developing countries, a majority of hospital-based studies have reported EP case fatality rates of around 1-3%, 10 times higher than that reported in industrialized countries. Late diagnosis, leading in almost all cases to major complications, and emergency surgical treatments are key elements accounting for such high fatality rates in women suffering from EP in Africa. CONCLUSION: EP should be considered a relevant public health indicator in developing countries, providing an overall picture of the capacity of a health system to deal with the diagnosis and treatment of emergency situations, especially in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

Africa↗

PubMed2002

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant Cameroonian women.

Between 1995 and 1998, a longitudinal study was conducted at 2 health centers in Cameroon to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnant women. There were 520 pregnant women enrolled at a rural clinic in the village of Etoa and 199 enrolled at the Biyem Assi Clinic in the city of Yaounde. In Etoa, pregnant women were younger, fewer took prophylaxis, and malaria prevalence was higher compared with pregnant women in the Biyem Assi Clinic. The prevalence of malaria infection peaked during the fourth month of pregnancy at both sites. Age was identified as a major risk factor because women < or = 20 years old were 1.8 and 3.4 times more likely to have malaria infection than women > 20 years old at Etoa and the Biyem Assi Clinic after adjusting for gravidae and other factors. The use of chemoprophylaxis and seasonality did not have a major effect.

Adolescent↗