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CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Volume 25, No 5, September/October 2014
252
AFRICA
to be aware of the prevalence of PPCMP,
and the multidisciplinary approach
to the condition, involving at least a
cardiologist, obstetrican–gynaecologists
and anaesthesiologists. An intensive
discussion followed on the appropriate
referral algorithm and risk stratification
for women in low-income countries, such
as Cameroon.
Research methodology
This session was co-chaired by Profs
Sliwa-Hahnle and Henry Luma, and
Dr Mbatchou Hugo. Prof Luma gave
a lecture on the current opportunities
and challenges for research at DGH.
The main difficulties were linked to
lack of team spirit, and the absence
of adequate infrastructure and limited
funding for research. Collaboration with
other institutions and universities at
national and international levels were
the proposed solutions for capitalising on
opportunities.
In an educational lecture on
epidemiological studies with emphasis
on study design, delivered by Dr
Julius Atashili (lecturer and clinical
epidemiologist at the Faculty of Health
Sciences, University of Buea), he
enlightened participants on the variation
in classification of epidemiological studies
and outlined the pros and cons of various
study types and designs.
Dr Temfack Elvis presented on the
process of formulating and implementing a
researchquestionaswell as studyhypothesis.
This was followed by a lecture on ethical
issues in research by Dr Doualla Marie
Solange and the importance of ethical and
administrative approval prior to conducting
research. Dr Armand S Nkwescheu from
the Unit of Scientific Networks and Ethics
Promotion at the Cameroon Ministry of
Public Health highlighted the fact that the
establishment of a formal ethics committee
is urgently needed to be formalised at all
health institutions, so as to enable good
research practices.
The session ended with a presentation
by Dr Anastase Dzudie (a member of
the CRENC, assistant PASCAR general
secretary of the central region and
regional editor for the
Cardiovascular
Journal of Africa
) on the art, essence
and significance of scientific writing and
publishing. He also elaborated on the
challenges faced by authors and journal
editors in the publication process.
Young researcher awards
The following were laureates for the top
abstracts: for the oral communications,
Dr Tianyi Tianyi Frank won the price
for the best presentation, followed by Dr
Mapoh Sylvester and third was Dr Tchente
Nguefack. For the poster presentations, Dr
Nganda Malea and Dr Aminde Leopold
won prices for the best presentations.
Conclusion
This first scientific and research day
achieved its objective of bringing together
students, clinicians and junior researchers
in Cameroon. It is hoped that this will
serve as a catalyst for greater collaboration
as well as re-ignite the quest for research
and dissemination of research findings in
Cameroon and beyond. However, there
are some important aspects that need to be
urgently formalised in this setting, including
the establishment of a formal ethics
committee, implementation of a recognised
good clinical practice (GCP) course, as
well as a dedicated programme for trainees
to learn about research methodology.
It is hoped that the partnerships forged
between DGH and other institutions will
provide opportunities for such training and
collaborative research as well as student
exchange.
Anastase Dzudie, Leopold Aminde, Marcelin
Ngowe Ngowe, Noah Takah
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea,
Buea, Cameroon
Anastase Dzudie
(aitdzudie@yahoo.com),
Henry Namme Luma, Marie Solange Doualla,
Yacouba Mapoure, Hugo Mbatchou, Theophile
Nana Njamen, Eugene Belley Priso
Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon
Andre Pascal Kengne
South African Medical Research Council, Cape
Town, South Africa
Anastase Dzudie, Andre Pascal Kengne, Karen
Sliwa-Hahnle
Department of Medicine, University of Cape
Town, South Africa
Armand S Nkwescheu
Scientific Networks and Ethics Promotion Unit,
Division of Health Operations Research at the
Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
Albert Mouelle Sone
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical
Sciences,University of Douala,Cameroon
Karen Sliwa-Hahnle
Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in
Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
1.
Tantchou Tchoumi JC, Butera G. Profile of
cardiac disease in Cameroon and impact on
health care services.
Cardiovasc Diagn Ther
2013;
3
(4): 236–243.
2.
Lane R. Profile. Karen Sliwa: cardiology
from the heart of South Africa.
Lancet
2014;
384
: 123.
Group picture.
Poster session 2.