Denis M B A K O Jato (original) (raw)

Papers by Denis M B A K O Jato

Central African Journal of Public Health

African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009

Calotropis procera has been reported to be medicinal and toxic in animals. A toxicological evalua... more Calotropis procera has been reported to be medicinal and toxic in animals. A toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of its fresh leaves was conducted in female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Low levels of phytochemicals (alkaloids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids) were found while 0.23, 0.03, 0.82 and 9.5 mg/g of iron, lead, sodium and potassium, respectively, were detected. Acute toxicity study was conducted with oral administration of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of the extract once to groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. Four rabbits died within 24 h and LD50 was estimated (940 mg/kg). 80, 40 and 20 mg/kg of the extract were administered daily to groups I, II, and III, respectively, during sub-acute toxicity study for 14 days. All controls were given water. Statistical analysis of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and protein showed no significant changes at P eosinophils, he...

Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

Despite the achievements of Anti-retroviral Treatment (ART) scale-up programmes for HIV/AIDS, ret... more Despite the achievements of Anti-retroviral Treatment (ART) scale-up programmes for HIV/AIDS, retention remains a challenge. Achievements of the "90-90-90" HIV targets for the sustainable development goals hinges on adherence. Despite the importance of indefinite retention of patients in care, 33% of HIV patients in Cameroon are still lost-to-follow-up, thereby compromising scale-up initiatives. This study analyses data of patients on ART in Treatment Centres (TCs) and the associated loss-to-follow-up factors and proposes measures to address them. This research was a retrospective analysis of data from selected HIV/AIDS TCs. After obtaining consent, questionnaires were filled by participating TCs. Collected data were analysed using SPSS and figures were expressed as bar charts, and histograms. Five out of seven TCs participated, giving a participation rate of 71.4%. Of the 12,165 patients, 11,852 (97.4%) were adults (28.0% males and 69.4% females) while 313 (2.6%) were children. A total of 232 (1.9%) were lost-to-follow-up and 38 died within six to twelve months. Possible causes of loss-to-follow-up included poor treatment and adherence counselling, ignorance, stigmatisation, financial hardship and traditional and religious beliefs. All TCs reported transfer into and out of their centre, caused by distance, nature of job, and overcrowding. Concerns of attrition rates throughout the continuum of care from diagnosis to long-term retention are corroborated by other studies. Such attrition compromises gains from ART scale-up, leading to poorer health outcomes and wastage of limited resources. Therefore, instituting sustained counselling and education services, addressing social determinants and building on social support factors provide measures to improve retention

Central African Journal of Public Health, 2017

Despite 66 percent reduction in mortality between 2000 and 2015, malaria remains a major global p... more Despite 66 percent reduction in mortality between 2000 and 2015, malaria remains a major global public health problem, affecting mostly Sub-Saharan Africa. Cameroon remains endemic to malaria, with about 41 percent suffering at least one episode of malaria, annual overall mortality of 30 to 35 percent and 67 percent childhood mortality. Cameroon government's subsidy on artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) for uncomplicated malaria, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women (IPTp), free distribution of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) to pregnant women and under-fives have been more of a top-down approach, with the affected communities mainly at the receiving end. Challenges of failed adherence to test results, drug and insecticide resistance, substandard and self-medication, low ITN ownership and utilisation have been identified, especially in the rural areas. This study reviews malaria prevention in Cameroon and proposes community based context-specific complementary interventions strategies that will promote community participation in prevention and mitigate the effects of poverty towards achievement of the sustainable development goals targets for malaria. The study involved an in-depth review of secondary data from electronic and non-electronic documents. Electronic search was done in Global Health, PubMed, governmental and non-governmental organisation websites, journals and google scholar. Non-electronic documents from the University of Leeds and World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva libraries were also used. A conceptual framework on integrated community-based approach on intervention to prevent neglected tropical diseases and infectious diseases of poverty was adapted and used, while different intervention strategies were analysed. A total of 96 publications were eligible for inclusion. Analysis of the factors influencing malaria prevention in Cameroon, reveals that current measures alone are insufficient. Therefore, a combination of multiple delivery strategies using an integrated community-based approach is likely to be more effective in breaking the transmission cycle than single programme interventions. Concurrent implementation of community mobilisation through social groups and Village Development Committees, education on house screening, training of mothers and caregivers and health promotion through environmental management were recommended as the best and most feasible strategies to complement current interventions in Cameroon.

Article, 2010

Internet crime is a worldwide problem and all nations are susceptible. Rumour holds it that the i... more Internet crime is a worldwide problem and all nations are susceptible. Rumour holds it that the incidence is high in some parts of Cameroon. We were able to find out the extent to which students are involved in internet crimes and its present and future impacts on Cameroonian youths and the nation, in addition to proposing civil society intervention strategy to re-enforce existing initiatives to fight against scamming. Questionnaires were administered to 500 students (respecting gender balance) of 3 populated schools in Bamenda randomly and 386 students provided responses. Students (91%) were aware of internet crimes and frauds commonly referred to as "scamming". Students (53%) were informed by friends some of whom (15%) were scammers, even in Form 1 (5%). Students (95%) made friends with scammers for financial and material reasons. Scammers (65%) lost focus on education and eventually dropout of school when attempts to corrupt teachers failed. Scamming tarnishes the image of a country while increasing crime rates, madness and mysterious deaths. Concerted efforts of government and the civil society are needed to avoid future damages. Scamming is a common practice in Bamenda Cameroon with unacceptable consequences both to youths and the nation; however, future damages can be avoided.

Article, 2021

Malaria continues to be a public health challenge in Ghana, especially among children under five ... more Malaria continues to be a public health challenge in Ghana, especially among children under five years. World Health Organization recommends 80% usage of insecticide treated nets as it is one of the most effectiveness means of preventing malaria. However, usage of insecticide treated nets is only 47% among this vulnerable group in Ghana, which is below the recommended rate. This in-depth review aims to explore factors contributing to low net utilization among under-fives in Ghana and analyze interventions that have improved utilization in countries of similar context and discuss their applicability in Ghana. This review was based on secondary data. Using a conceptual framework, factors leading to low net usage among under-fives and interventions that have proved to increase usage in other countries were obtained from databases such as Global Health, Medline, PubMed and Web of Science and websites of organisations such as Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Education and World Health Organization. A feasibility assessment tool was applied in analysing each intervention identified and appraised based on their feasibility in Ghana. Increasing age of a child, lack of mechanisms for monitoring net usage at home, large family size, negative perception and attitude towards its usage and lack of education on its correct usage emerged as factors contributing to low net usage among children under five in Ghana. Having analysed these factors, in addition to feasible interventions in addressing low usage, malaria stakeholders in Ghana need to evaluate these interventions to assess how appropriate and applicable they are in Ghana to increase net usage among under-fives.

Article, 2020

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends human resource development as a key strategy to pr... more The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends human resource development as a key strategy to promote global mental health. The optimal approach to building capacity in global mental health care requires partnerships between professional resources in high-income countries and promising health-related institutions in low- and middle-income countries. In this paper, we briefly describe the objectives of one of such initiatives, the Australia Awards Short Course titled, ‘Mental Health Care in a Public Health Context’, sponsored by the Australian Government, share our experience and reflections as participants in the program, and highlight key lessons relevant for scale-up of mental health care in low-middle income countries in Africa.

Article, 2021

Calotropis procera has been reported to be medicinal and toxic in animals. A toxicological evalua... more Calotropis procera has been reported to be medicinal and toxic in animals. A toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of its fresh leaves was conducted in female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Low levels of phytochemicals (alkaloids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids) were found while 0.23, 0.03, 0.82 and 9.5 mg/g of iron, lead, sodium and potassium, respectively, were detected. Acute toxicity study was conducted with oral administration of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of the extract once to groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. Four rabbits died within 24 h and LD 50 was estimated (940 mg/kg). 80, 40 and 20 mg/kg of the extract were administered daily to groups I, II, and III, respectively, during sub-acute toxicity study for 14 days. All controls were given water. Statistical analysis of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and protein showed no significant changes at P<0.05. Changes in packed cell volume, white blood cells, haemoglobin, platelets, and differential leucocyte count (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, heterophils/neutrophils and basophils) were equally statistically not significant at P<0.05. It is concluded that the extract had no statistical significance on blood parameters when administered orally at tolerable doses since the values were in the range of control values.

Vaccine preventable diseases contribute to about 20% of all under-five deaths globally. Annually,... more Vaccine preventable diseases contribute to about 20% of all under-five deaths globally. Annually, about 10% of un-immunized children die of measles globally. Developing countries continue to experience frequent Measles outbreaks despite numerous preventive measures. Measles is one of the vaccine preventable diseases targeted by the World Health Organization for elimination by 2020. Measles remains the top killer among children in Sub-Saharan Africa despite global progress to eliminate the disease through vaccination. Even though there is a vaccine against this disease, most countries still report low measles immunization coverages. The main aim of this review is to analyse the determinants of low measles uptake in Lawra district and recommend appropriate measures to solve this problem. An in-depth review was conducted using literature, both peer-reviewed and grey literature from 2000. The literature was retrieved from databases (PubMed, Global health, Popline) and also through the Google scholar search engine. A conceptual framework was adapted to guide the analysis of the factors affecting measles immunization coverage in Lawra district. Inadequate data from the district for comparison was a major limitation and thus further research is recommended. Out of the ninety five studies (95) that met the inclusion criteria, 85 (89%) were peer reviewed. The main factors influencing low measles immunization coverage in Lawra include the quality of immunization services, attitude of health workers, inaccessibility to services and the social class of the caregivers. Feasible intervention strategies recommended include mass media, home visits, effective supervision and partnership between the health system and the communities.

Artitcle, 2016

Background: obesity is a major and growing health problem that affects developed, and developing ... more Background: obesity is a major and growing health problem that affects developed, and developing countries. It has many health, financial, and social consequences. Therefore, addressing obesity tops the World Health Organization’s public health agenda. In Egypt, there is a remarkable increase in obesity with more than one third of the whole population being obese. A particular issue in Egypt is that prevalence of obesity is more than double among females (46%) as compared to males (22%). Moreover, there is no national program to address the problem, and 95% of females are not taking any measures to change their weight. Despite the major gender gap in obesity prevalence, little research has examined gender differences in its determinants. Therefore, this study aims to analyse determinants of adult Egyptian female obesity.
Methods: this study is an in-depth review based on secondary data collection. A conceptual framework was developed to analyse the determinants. Data is obtained from different resources such as key health databases such as PubMed, Global health, and websites of relevant institutions such as World Health Organization, and Egypt’s Ministry of Health.
Findings: the study has revealed the huge burden of obesity among women in Egypt. It shows that obesity among Egyptian females increases with age, wealth, urban residency, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. It revealed the growing trend of obesity among poor and rural people. It also discussed other sectors of influence that lead to higher obesity rates such as urbanization, and levels of education.

Calotropis procera is an evergreen perennial shrub, which is found mainly in the arid regions and... more Calotropis procera is an evergreen perennial shrub, which is found mainly in the arid regions and produces copious latex when cut. It has been reported to possess medicinal properties but equally pose deleterious effect in animals. In a bid to exploit its pharmacological properties, it was necessary to ascertain its level of safety. A toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of fresh leaves of the plant was therefore conducted in the more sensitive female rabbits of the same weight range. Low levels of phytochemicals (alkaloids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and flavonoids) were found, while elemental analyses showed traces of iron, lead, sodium, and potassium in concentrations of 0.23, 0.03, 0.82 and 9.5 mg/g, respectively. Acute toxicity study was conducted with oral administration of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of the extract once to groups I, II, III and IV, respectively with a 24 h observation period. Clinical signs such as mouth chewing, photophobia, bradycardia, coughing, vomiting and convulsion amongst others were noticed. Four rabbits died within 24 h and LD 50 was estimated (940 mg/kg). 80, 40 and 20 mg/kg of the extract were administered daily to groups I, II, and III, respectively, during sub-acute toxicity study for 14 days. Grossly, catarrhal enteritis and mesenteric congestion of the small intestines, congestion of the lungs, hepatization and paleness of the liver, congestion and pallor of the kidney cortex, and congestion of the meninges were noticed. Histopathological examination of the tissues revealed mild pulmonary oedema and peribronchial lymphocytic infiltration of the lungs, hepatization of the liver, disruption of cardiac architecture, generalised cell necrosis and erosion of the villi of the small intestine. All the rabbits that survived gained weight, which is indicative of some nutrient value in the extract. It was concluded that the extract had dose-dependent deleterious effects on the tissues as higher dose groups were more affected. Hence, it is evident that sub-chronic toxicity studies would reveal greater lesions to better ascertain extent of damage.

Book Reviews by Denis M B A K O Jato

Central African Journal of Public Health

African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009

Journal of AIDS and HIV Research

Central African Journal of Public Health, 2017

Article, 2010

Article, 2021

Article, 2020

Article, 2021

Calotropis procera has been reported to be medicinal and toxic in animals. A toxicological evalua... more Calotropis procera has been reported to be medicinal and toxic in animals. A toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of its fresh leaves was conducted in female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Low levels of phytochemicals (alkaloids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids) were found while 0.23, 0.03, 0.82 and 9.5 mg/g of iron, lead, sodium and potassium, respectively, were detected. Acute toxicity study was conducted with oral administration of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg of the extract once to groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. Four rabbits died within 24 h and LD 50 was estimated (940 mg/kg). 80, 40 and 20 mg/kg of the extract were administered daily to groups I, II, and III, respectively, during sub-acute toxicity study for 14 days. All controls were given water. Statistical analysis of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and protein showed no significant changes at P<0.05. Changes in packed cell volume, white blood cells, haemoglobin, platelets, and differential leucocyte count (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, heterophils/neutrophils and basophils) were equally statistically not significant at P<0.05. It is concluded that the extract had no statistical significance on blood parameters when administered orally at tolerable doses since the values were in the range of control values.

Artitcle, 2016