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Review
. 2017 Nov 21;13(1):85.
doi: 10.1186/s12992-017-0312-y.

Map of biomedical research in Cameroon; a documentary review of approved protocols from 1997 to 2012

Ebile Akoh Walter  1   2 , Ateudjieu Jerome  3   4   5 , Djuidje Ngounoue Marceline  6   7 , Martin Ndinakie Yakum  3   5 , Watcho Pierre  3
Affiliations
Review

Map of biomedical research in Cameroon; a documentary review of approved protocols from 1997 to 2012

Ebile Akoh Walter et al. Global Health. .

Abstract

Background: Over the last decade, there has been a rapid increase in biomedical research in Cameroon. However, the question of whether these research projects target major health priorities, vulnerable populations and geographic locations at risk remains to be answered. The aim of this paper is to describe the state of biomedical research in Cameroon which is a key determinant that would guide future health care policies and promote equitable access to healthcare.

Methods: A documentary review of all approved protocols (proposals) of biomedical research projects, from 1997 through 2012, at the Cameroon National Ethics Committee. Protocols were reviewed systematically by independent reviewers and data were extracted on a grid. Data were analyzed by calculating proportions at 95% confidence interval, chi-square test (chi2) and p-values.

Results: Two thousand one hundred seventy two protocols were reviewed for data extraction. One thousand three hundred ninety-five (64.7%) were student projects, 369 (17.0%) projects had international sponsors, and 1528 (72.4%) were hospital-based studies. The most targeted domain was the fight against diseases 1323 (61.3%); mostly HIV 342 (25.8%) and Malaria 136 (10.3%). Over half of the studies were concentrated in the Centre region 1242 (57.2%), with the least projects conducted in the Northern region 15 (0.7%). There was strong evidence that international and local sponsors would influence the research site (p-value = 0.01) and population targets (p-value = 0.00).

Conclusion: Although biomedical research targets some important diseases that pose a great burden to Cameroonians, the most vulnerable populations are excluded from research. Biomedical research scarcely addresses other components of the health system and emerging diseases of vital public health importance. We recommend that the government should play a central role, between researchers from academic institutions, sponsors, NGOs and research institutions, to ensure that biomedical research addresses the health priorities of Cameroonians. It should include vulnerable populations, and address other components of the health system for a balance. These recommendations are critical to ensuring that future research informed health policies reflect the health needs of the populations and promote equity in healthcare access.

Keywords: Biomedical research; Cameroon; Documentary review; Map; Protocol.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ information

EAW: MPH, Research Assistant at M.A SANTE (Meilleure Access aux Soins de Santé). JA: MD, PhD. Senior Lecturer, University of Dschang, Head of Clinical Research Unit, Division of Health Operations Research(DROS), Ministry of Health, Cameroon. DNM: PhD. Senior Lecturer, University of Yaoundé I, and member of Research and Health Ethics Committee in Central Africa (CERSAC). MNY: MPH; Research Assistant at M.A SANTE (Meilleure Access aux Soins de Santé in charge for monitoring and Evaluation). WP: PhD. Associate Professor University of Dschang, department of Biomedical Sciences.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Cameroon National Ethics Committee (CNEC) with reference number 2013/11/385/L/CNERSH/SP. Data extraction was anonymous. Personal information about the investigators, sponsors and hosting institution was not collected.

Consent for publication

Not applicable: manuscript does not contain any individual’s data or information.

Competing interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overall distribution of protocols by year
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of protocols by year stratified by origin of sponsor (local versus international)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Trends of biomedical research on malaria and HIV by year
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Cameroon’s national development strategy for 2010-2035. http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/cmr145894.pdf
    1. Gouverment Cameroun. Document De Strategie Pour La Croissance Et L ’ Emploi 169; 2009; https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operat...
    1. Cameroon National Demographic Health Survey ;2011; http://www.statistics-cameroon.org/downloads/EDS-MICS11/DHSMICS_2011_pre...
    1. Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon. Arrete N° 079/A/MSP/DS. For the creation and organization of the Cameroon National Ethics Committee. October 22, 1997. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4589194/#CR11
    1. International Monetary F. Cameroon: poverty reduction strategy paper [monograph on the Internet]. [place unknown]: Washington, DC; 2003. [Cited July 5, 2017]. Available from: ECONIS.

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