Training needs of health researchers in research ethics in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Researchers are responsible for the protection of health research participants. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the training needs of researchers involved in human health research in Cameroon.

METHODS

It was a cross-sectional study conducted in all the Cameroon regions in the last quarter of 2020. It targeted researchers involved in human health research selected by systematic stratified sampling from health and training institutions, and health facilities. Data were collected using a face-to-face administered questionnaire deployed in Smartphones via the ODK-collect. The distribution of participants' exposure to research ethics training was described as well as their knowledge on the related regulatory texts. A score was used to rank the training needs identified by the participants.

RESULTS

Of 168 reached participants, 134 (79.76%) participated in the study. A total of 103 (76.87%) researchers reported having received training in human health research ethics and 98 (73.13%) perceived need of training in research ethics. Of those involved in clinical, vaccine, and field trials, 63.64, 33.33, 52.53% have been exposed respectively to related training regarding participants' protection. Having received at least one training in research ethics significantly increase the proportion of researchers systematically submitting application for ethical evaluation prior to implementation (OR = 3.20 (1.31-7.78)). Training priorities identified by researchers include: guidelines and regulations on health research ethics and research participant's protection in Cameroon, procedures for evaluating research protocols, protection of research participants in clinical trials, and fundamental ethics principles.

CONCLUSION

The coverage of researchers in training regarding research participant protection remains limited in a number of areas including those related to clinical trial participant protection and research participant protection in Cameroon. Improving this coverage and addressing perceived needs of researchers are expected to contribute in improving their ability in playing their role in research participant protection.

Safety profile of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menafrivac™) in clinical trials and vaccination campaigns: a review of published studies

The study aimed to assess the capacity of AEFI surveillance during vaccination campaigns with the new conjugate meningitis vaccine (MenAfrivac). A systematic review of studies on MenAfrivac™ published in English during 2001-2016 was done.AEFIs incidence (I) was estimated and compared between MenAfrivac™ clinical trials and immunization campaigns using incidence difference (Id). Nine studies were included with an overall local AEFI I of 11,496/100,000 doses administered per week in clinical trials and 0.72/100,000 doses in immunization campaigns. An Id of 11,497.92 [11,497.91-11,497.93] and 17,243.20 [17,241.80-17,245.90] per 100,000 doses administered per week for overall local and systemic AEFI, respectively, were observed with highest from clinical trials. The incidence of AEFIs after MenAfrivac™ vaccination was far lower in campaigns than in clinical trial studies. Current capacity of AEFI surveillance during vaccination campaigns requires extensive re-assessment of its structure and capacity.

[Xeroderma pigmentosum and its ocular manifestations. The first case in Cameroon]

We report a case of xeroderma pigmentosum in a 9-year-old back Cameroonian boy. The diagnosis was based on typical clinical presentation of the disease: cutaneous atrophy, hypepigmented macules, and areas of depigmentation on sun exposed regions of the skin. Multiple tumoral lesions were localized on the head. Ocular findings were also present: conjunctival hyperemia, peripheral corneal opacification. Excision of the tumors and potoprotection was proposed for this patient. The role of tribal black African marriage traditions in disease transmission is discussed.