Fobang Foundation

This paper explores the intersection of masculinity, emotional suppression, and socio-economic responsibility in shaping men’s mental health outcomes in Cameroon. Drawing inspiration from the lyrical works of Daniel Nwosu Jr aka Dax ('From a Man’s Perspective', 'Lonely Dirt Road', and 'To Be a Man'), we conduct a thematic analysis linking artistic expression to psychosocial constructs such as provider-role strain, isolation, and emotional inhibition. This conceptual analysis examines how expectations of strength, provision, and emotional stoicism contribute to stress, anxiety, and potentially unaddressed mental health issues within the Cameroonian socio-cultural context. These lyrical insights are examined in relation to empirical research on emotional suppression and health consequences Chapman et al. (2013), Tyra (2024), economic stress Ridley et al. (2020), and masculine norms in African sociocultural contexts Ezeugwu (2020), Baranov et al. (2024). We integrate Cameroonian health-system data and suicide case series Keugoung (2013), World Health Organization. (2020) to highlight gaps in service delivery and male vulnerability. Findings suggest that normative expectations of stoicism and financial provision amplify stress, inhibit help-seeking, and contribute to elevated risks of depression and suicide. Policy implications include culturally sensitive mental health interventions, a re-evaluation of harmful masculine norms in the Cameroonian context, promoting gender-sensitive outreach, integrating mental-health care into primary care systems, and addressing economic determinants of distress. This interdisciplinary synthesis bridges art, psychology, and sociology to illuminate men s lived mental-health struggles in sub-Saharan Africa.

The study aimed to investigate the physiochemical properties, heavy metals, total aflatoxins, and solvent residues in soybean oils produced in some parts of the Makurdi metropolis. The oil samples were collected from “Seraph” and “Hule and Sons” vegetable oil factories in Makurdi. Samples include: Seraph crude soybean oil (A1), Seraph Refined soybean oil (A2), Hule and Sons crude soybean oil (B1), and Hule and Sons refined soybean oil (B2). Analysis showed that the physicochemical properties varied between the refined and unrefined samples. Specific gravity increased from 0.807 to 0.923, 0.822 to 0.931 for A1 and A2 and B1 and B2 respectively. The peroxide value reduced from 9.71 to 9.6 (mEq.O2kg-1) after refining. Iodine value and moisture content also reduced with refining. Cadmium, arsenic, and lead were detected only in the crude soybean oil (A1 and B1) copper content reduced from 5.3 to 2.6 mg/kg, and nickel decreased from 0.55 to 0.01 mg/kg upon refining. Crude soybean oil content (A1 and B1) total aflatoxins of 6.05 ppm and 7.10 ppm respectively. No aflatoxin was detected in the refined oil samples. Major chemical compounds and solvent residues in refined soybean oil (A2) composed of 21.10% 2,4–Decadienal, 18.16% n-Hexadecanoic acid, 4.66% Bicyclo [3.1.1] heptane, 4.45% 1,6,10,14–Hexadecatetraen-3-ol, 4.17% p-xylene, 4.22% cyclohexane, 5.05% cyclopentane, 1.69% 9-Eicosyne and 3.88% toluene. While B2 composed mainly of 2,4-decadienal (27.92%), 2-pentene (17.42%), Bicyclo [3.1.1] heptane (2.10%), 9-octadecyne (1.45%), 2-methyl-E-7-octadecane (1.31%), 2-Heptenal (2.17%), Cyclohexane (2.33%) and Hexanal (2.90%). Refining has a significant role in the physicochemical properties of soybean oil. Refining greatly reduces heavy metal content and aflatoxin in crude vegetable oils.

Introduction: Fractures over venous sinuses (FOVS) are associated with difficulties in diagnosis, and treatment resulting in a high level of morbidity, and mortality. Despite its importance, there is limited aggregate data to guide the management of these fractures ultimately inflicting a major challenge to neurosurgeons. This protocol describes the methodology of a scoping review that aims to synthesise contemporary evidence on the management and outcomes of FOVS. Methods and analysis: The proposed study will be conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O Malleys framework for scoping reviews. The research question, eligibility criteria and search strategy were developed based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome strategy. The following electronic bibliographic databases will be searched without restrictions on language, and date of publication: PubMed, WHO Global Index Medicus, African Journals Online, SCOPUS, Embase. All peer-reviewed studies of primary data reporting on the management and outcomes of FOVS will be included. The data extracted from included articles will be presented through descriptive statistics, pooled statistics, and a narrative description. Ethics and dissemination: Because this study did not directly involve human individuals, ethical approval was not necessary. Dissemination strategies will include publication in a peer-reviewed journal, oral and poster presentations at local, regional, national and international conferences and promotion over social media.

This study investigated the effect of work stress on obesity in the Bamenda Municipality. We administered work stress test to 1,052 individuals aged 20 and above resident in the Bamenda Municipality. The model was estimated using the multiple regression analysis while the ANOVA and Correlation analysis were used to confirm the findings. From the analysis, it was realized that work stress level had a negative and statistical significant influence on obesity. It was thus concluded that, work stress statistically significantly influenced obesity in the Bamenda Municipality. From this finding, workers especially those who sit while working were advised to make out time for physical exercises and use standing desks when and where possible. Workers were also advised to make sure that, their work schedules did not leave them eating junk food especially at the wrong time. The wrong time here referred to eating while working and/or eating heavy meals late at night because they did not eat all day. Many small meals were found to be healthier than one heavy meal worse of all eating it late at night. Eating late gave individuals no time to be able to use the energy gotten from the food before sleeping. This thus forced their body to convert the food to fat and store thus adding their body weight in the long term. Lastly, we recommended that, the government of Cameroon should institute one compulsory day of the week for workers sports.

Helicobacter pylori-infection associated gastritis is known to be a significant risk factor of gastric cancer. Serum levels of Gastrin-17 and Pepsinogen1which are respectively biomarkers of gastric antral and corpus mucosal activity are well known parameters of atrophic gastritis. To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and atrophic gastritis amongst dyspeptic patients and to compare the production of PGI and G-17 in the various atrophic stages. A total of 139 dyspeptic patients aged 46.68±15.50 years [females 106 aged47.23±15.51years, males 33 aged 44.48±14.62] were included during the one year period, March 2008-april 2009 at the district hospital Tombel. The degree of atrophy was determined by the levels of serum pepsinogen1, and gastrin-17 and the presence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies detected by an enzyme immunoassay. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 79.82% and that for atrophic gastritis was 6.6%. A decrease in mean serum levels of gastin-17 along with increasing antral atrophy was observed; the mean serum levels of pepsinogen1 were reduced during progression of corpus atrophy. A weak reverse correlation(r =-0.036) was found between Gastrin-17 and Helicobacter pylori antibodies.