Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study

Abstract Background Data on the prevalence of celiac disease are scarce in Cameroon; however, it has been demonstrated that the effectiveness of self-reported questionnaires as a tool for identifying individuals at risk of celiac disease has been established. This study was therefore designed to ass...

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Main Authors: William Djeukeu Asongni, Julien Armel Assiéné Agamou, Vanessa Boudjeka Guemkam, Adelaide Demasse Mawamba, Fabrice Fabien Dongho Dongmo, Evariste Fongnzossie Fedoung, Fernande Christine Nyangono Biyegue, Inocent Gouado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Gastroenterology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04073-w
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author William Djeukeu Asongni
Julien Armel Assiéné Agamou
Vanessa Boudjeka Guemkam
Adelaide Demasse Mawamba
Fabrice Fabien Dongho Dongmo
Evariste Fongnzossie Fedoung
Fernande Christine Nyangono Biyegue
Inocent Gouado
author_facet William Djeukeu Asongni
Julien Armel Assiéné Agamou
Vanessa Boudjeka Guemkam
Adelaide Demasse Mawamba
Fabrice Fabien Dongho Dongmo
Evariste Fongnzossie Fedoung
Fernande Christine Nyangono Biyegue
Inocent Gouado
author_sort William Djeukeu Asongni
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Data on the prevalence of celiac disease are scarce in Cameroon; however, it has been demonstrated that the effectiveness of self-reported questionnaires as a tool for identifying individuals at risk of celiac disease has been established. This study was therefore designed to assess the risk of celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) using self-reported questionnaires. Methodology For this purpose, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among individuals over 18 who visited district hospitals. Data were collected through a questionnaire, with scores assigned to calculate risk levels. Associations between risk levels and socio-demographic and health history parameters were analyzed using multivariate methods. Results Based on the questionnaires results, results 36.6% of urban respondents were classified as moderate risk compared to 75.3% in semi-rural areas. Conversely, 63.4% of urban participants were high risk, while only 0.7% of semi-rural participants fell into this category. Symptoms like vomiting, heartburn, and headaches were linked to a transition from moderate to high risk. Factors such as diarrhea-constipation alternation, enamel hypoplasia, and frequent wheat consumption significantly influenced risk levels. Conclusion These findings represent potential risk of celiac disease based on symptoms and risk factors. This questionnaire-based risk assessment study highlights that a significant proportion of the Cameroonian population could be at risk of developing celiac disease. Therefore, proper diagnostics such as serological testing should be urgently conducted in further studies to confirm these observations.
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spelling doaj-art-e52695414f514f4c911d49a87d727abc2025-08-20T03:03:28ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2025-07-0125111210.1186/s12876-025-04073-wEvaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based studyWilliam Djeukeu Asongni0Julien Armel Assiéné Agamou1Vanessa Boudjeka Guemkam2Adelaide Demasse Mawamba3Fabrice Fabien Dongho Dongmo4Evariste Fongnzossie Fedoung5Fernande Christine Nyangono Biyegue6Inocent Gouado7Department of Home Economic, Advanced Teacher’s Training College for Technical Education, University of DoualaDepartment of Home Economic, Advanced Teacher’s Training College for Technical Education, University of DoualaResearch Laboratory of Biotechnology, University Institute of Technology, University of DoualaDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of DoualaDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of DoualaDepartment of Home Economic, Advanced Teacher’s Training College for Technical Education, University of DoualaDepartment of Home Economic, Advanced Teacher’s Training College for Technical Education, University of DoualaDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of DoualaAbstract Background Data on the prevalence of celiac disease are scarce in Cameroon; however, it has been demonstrated that the effectiveness of self-reported questionnaires as a tool for identifying individuals at risk of celiac disease has been established. This study was therefore designed to assess the risk of celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) using self-reported questionnaires. Methodology For this purpose, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among individuals over 18 who visited district hospitals. Data were collected through a questionnaire, with scores assigned to calculate risk levels. Associations between risk levels and socio-demographic and health history parameters were analyzed using multivariate methods. Results Based on the questionnaires results, results 36.6% of urban respondents were classified as moderate risk compared to 75.3% in semi-rural areas. Conversely, 63.4% of urban participants were high risk, while only 0.7% of semi-rural participants fell into this category. Symptoms like vomiting, heartburn, and headaches were linked to a transition from moderate to high risk. Factors such as diarrhea-constipation alternation, enamel hypoplasia, and frequent wheat consumption significantly influenced risk levels. Conclusion These findings represent potential risk of celiac disease based on symptoms and risk factors. This questionnaire-based risk assessment study highlights that a significant proportion of the Cameroonian population could be at risk of developing celiac disease. Therefore, proper diagnostics such as serological testing should be urgently conducted in further studies to confirm these observations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04073-wGastro-intestinal diseaseGluten freeRisk levelDiagnostic
spellingShingle William Djeukeu Asongni
Julien Armel Assiéné Agamou
Vanessa Boudjeka Guemkam
Adelaide Demasse Mawamba
Fabrice Fabien Dongho Dongmo
Evariste Fongnzossie Fedoung
Fernande Christine Nyangono Biyegue
Inocent Gouado
Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study
BMC Gastroenterology
Gastro-intestinal disease
Gluten free
Risk level
Diagnostic
title Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study
title_full Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study
title_fullStr Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study
title_short Evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi-rural and urban areas (Moungo and Wouri) in Cameroon: a questionnaire based study
title_sort evaluation of the risk level for celiac disease among adults in semi rural and urban areas moungo and wouri in cameroon a questionnaire based study
topic Gastro-intestinal disease
Gluten free
Risk level
Diagnostic
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04073-w
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