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Cameroon: North West - «Menyanga» Health Hazard to Children
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Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
26 February 2008
Posted to the web 26 February 2008
Regina Liengu Etaka
Bamenda (Mezam): In the past palm kernel oil or Menyanga was used on children so as to treat skin rashes (jeti-jeti), reduce temperature in cases of high fever and convulsion. It was also used in the anus, ears and nostrils in cases of abnormality in these areas. At times adults used it for one reason or the other.
Today, the trend has changed, most women visiting ante-natal and post-natal clinic in Bamenda are being sensitized on the dangers of this most cherished oil which was believed be the panacea of many disease in children. But why this sudden changed? Of recent, it has been proven that Menyanga contains Candida Albicans which is the main cause of Fungi rashes in children, as well as adults.
According to a research carried out by Dr Daniel Mfonfu an independent researcher, there exits a relationship between skin rashes in children and Menyanga. The research which involved 251 children drowned from two Infant Welfare Clinic (IWC), in Bamenda revealed that 204 children who rub Meyanga had skin rashes. The magnitude of Menyanga use was 81.3% while the prevalence rate of skin rashes at IWC was 71.3% and the relationship between rashes in children and and Menyanga was 83.8%.
Dr Daniel, Mfonfu disclosed that the rashes in the children sampled responded to anti fungal treatment while discontinuing the use of Menyanga. Thus, the hypothesis that the is a relation between skin rashes in children and Menyanga.
He urged mothers to stop using Menyanga on children so as to avoid skin rashes as well as other infections like diarrhea. He called on people to avoid using Menyanga be it white or black.
Sampling the opinion of some mothers at the IWC they acknowledged having heard the message and discontinue the use of Menyanga. For Florence Mekike she used it for her first child adding that while using it the child had skin rashes but after sensitization she stopped it. "My second child doesn't have rashes because am not using Menyanga on her" she said. For Yabou Ndula, she used it for her first child although he never had rashes. She said after sensitization at the IWC she was not using it on her second child.
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Meanwhile another mother said her child had diarrhea while consuming Menyanga but when discontinued the diarrhea stops.
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