Prevalence and Clinical Aspects of Hemophilia in the Western Region of Cameroon

Introduction: Hemophilia is a constitutional defect in blood clotting related to a clotting factor deficiency. Its remains a major public health problem, mainly due to ignorance of the disease, limited screening capacities and access to treatment in sub-Saharan Africa and particularly in Cameroon. It causes heavy bleeding in the absence of adequate management. Few reports are available about the disease in countries with limited resources. This study assess the occurrence of hemophilia in the Western region of Cameroon and clinical aspects with the aim of raising public awareness of the disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out over a period of 04 months in 5 departments of the Western region of Cameroon, in particular Mifi, Ndé, Bamboutos, Haut Nkam and Menoua. The individuals were selected in their houses on the basis of clinical arguments, i.e. bleeding from the gums, traumatic wounds, hematomas. The blood samples taken from the latter were analyzed in the hemostasis laboratory of the Regional Hospital of Bafoussam. The epidemiological characteristics of hemophiliacs identified and suspects hemophiliacs were analyzed. The results obtained were analysed using statistical software R version 4.1.1.

Results: Out of 5995 people selected, 13 (0.22%) cases of hemophilia were identified, 09 confirmed cases and 04 new cases. The mean age of the patients was 14.85 years old (1.5-49). The disease was discovered mainly during circumcision in the months following birth (9/13, 69.23%), and by bleeding of the gums (9/13, 69.23%). Clinical signs were pain of the joints (46%), hematoma and swelling of the joints (38%). Platelets counts and prothrombin rate were normal in all. However, a prolonged Cephalin + Activator Time was found; it was corrected by supplying normal control plasma.

Conclusion: Hemophilia is a pathology little known for the general public. For this, with the help of public authorithies, continuing education sessions must be set up to raise awareness among the population in order to limit the transmission of the disease and to eradicate this scourge which constitutes a real public health problem.