[Falciparum malaria in French residents in Yaounde]

In South Cameroon, malaria is a disquieting problem. It represented 2.6% of consultants and concerned each year 10% among French residents. We have included 310 cases of Falciparum malaria between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1990. There were 207 adults and 103 children with a mean age of 26 years. The duration of the stay was over one year in 137 cases and lower than 1 year in 183 patients. The chemoprophylaxis was correct in 194 patients according to the dose and duration. Forty-nine patients followed a combination of chloroquine and proguanil. Malaria attack was observed in 272 patients. Among them, there were 95 children. A severe malaria occurred in 38 cases. Mean parasitemia was of 0.24% (range: 0.002-7.5%). Therapy regimen was quinine: 36 cases, halofantrine: 266 cases, amodiaquine: 7 cases and association MFP (Fansimef) in 12 patients. The study shows the importance of malaria in an endemic area among expatriates despite the observance of chemoprophylactics regimens including proguanil.