social ecological model ( individual level ) about HIV/Aids in Cameroon

Awuba, J., & Macassa, G. (2008). HIV/AIDS in Cameroon: Rising gender issues in policy-

making matters. African Journal Of Health Sciences, 14(3). Retrieved from.

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/article/view/30857/62548

This study investigates gender differentials in HIV/AIDs infection in Cameroon. In

addition to that, the study also investigates the extent to which gender has taken into account in

the nation’s policy towards HIV and AIDs. The findings from this publication are that women in

Cameroon are at a higher risk of getting infected with HIV and AIDs as compared to men. This

difference was in regard to women’s biological vulnerability, economic, as well as social-cultural

factors. The research also states that the Cameroonian government has drawn great plans aimed

at reducing the high HIV/AIDs prevalence among women. Although great policies have been put

up by the government to reduce the gender differential in HIV/AIDs infection, this research also

states that very little has so far been done towards implementation of these policies. A policy that

is in place is aimed at empowering women since most of them lack financial security and end up

exchanging sexual favors for financial or physical resources. To effectively curb feminization of

HIV and AIDs infection in Cameroon, the study suggests the need to implement the already

passed policies and the need to explore multi-sectorial approaches.

This publication indicates that women are at higher risk of getting infected with HIV and

AIDs and brings about a need to do a further research on what exactly makes women more

vulnerable to HIV/AIDs infection that men. To add on that, from this study, other governments

can learn that they should not only focus on passing good policies but implementing them is the

most important thing.

Nubed, C., & Akoachere, J. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding

HIV/AIDS among senior secondary school students in Fako Division, South West

Region, Cameroon. BMC Public Health, 16(1). Retrieved from.

https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3516-9

The primary aim of this study is to assess practices, attitude, and knowledge about HIV

and AIDs in southern parts of Cameroon, particularly so in Kribi city. To conduct this research, a

questionnaire was administered to 250 participants. With the help of 200 students from

Biomedical Science Department of the University of Dschang, random participants in this

questionnaire exercise were selected. These participants included; motorcycle taxi drivers, local

traders, high school students, as well as tourist personnel such as staff working in nightclubs,

hotels, restaurants, and bars. Within the studied population, the practice, attitude, and knowledge

about HIV and AIDs infection were found to be fragmentary. According to the publication, about

6.5 percent of the population use condoms systematically, and about 59 percent believe the

HIV/AIDs can be cured by traditional means as well as through religious means. The study also

found out that about 40.9 percent of the population had developed stigmatizing behaviors

towards HIV and AIDs. The study concludes by recommending the need to have continuous and

strategic awareness campaigns across the country.

In case one chooses to undergo HIV/AIDs research, this publication offers a good starting

point and one can get to know the exact place to start from. For instance, one can get a good start

by getting his/her information from nightclub stuffs, those working in tourist industry, hotels as

well as in bars. By stating how some people believe HIV/AIDs can be cured through traditional

ways, the publication is relevant as it actually shows how people are ignorant of the dangers

associated with the HIV/AIDs infection.

L’akoa, R., Noubiap, J., Fang, Y., Ntone, F., & Kuaban, C. (2013). Prevalence and

correlates of depressive symptoms in HIV-positive patients: a cross-sectional study

among newly diagnosed patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon. BMC Psychiatry, 13(1).

Retrieved from. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3849101/

In this literature review, depression is noted to be among the most common

neuropsychiatric complications related to HIV/AIDs. This study reports a prevalence of

depressive symptoms among the newly HIV infected patients living in Yaounde Cameroon.

While conducting this research, 100 newly HIV infected patients participated in an interview that

took place in three different referral hospitals located in Yaounde. The researchers made use of a

nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression among the newly infected

HIV patients. Since the PHQ-9 recorded values higher than 9, a positive depression was defined.

As a result of the publication, the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was recorded to be

at 63 percent. Most of those who participated in the research had symptoms that corresponded to

moderate depression. The findings of this study indicated that newly HIV infected patients had a

high prevalence of depressive symptoms. Most of these newly infected patients claimed alcohol

abuse to be the cause of these symptoms.

The study suggests the importance of integrating mental health interventions during

routine clinical care. By offering a wide variety of information, this document offers a great

source of information to those who would like to do a further research on how HIV has affected

the people of Yaounde Cameroon. In addition to that, the study done on this research raises the

need to find better ways to help newly infected HIV patients have decreased depressive

symptoms. The publication is also relevant in showing how people react to the shock of being

infected with HIV –some turn to excessive drinking of alcohol.