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From COVID-19 to Mpox, How Can We Engage Communities in Cameroon?

10 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2024

See all articles by Nadia Jacqueline Mandeng

Nadia Jacqueline Mandeng

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Linda Endalle Esso

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Moustapha Nsangou

University of Yaounde I

Nasser Bangai Tizi

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Ingrid Kenko

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Rodrigue Ntone

Homegrown Solution of Health

Dominique Olomo Nama

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Luc Thierry Bihina

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Maidey Hamadama

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Edgard Lekeufack

University of Dschang

Danielle Sandra Yopa

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Armelle Viviane Ngomba

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Marie Lumière Ntyam Mbo

University of Yaounde I

Erick Tandi

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Philomène Zintsem

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Stella Wilfried Tameu

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Thaddée Onana

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Sandrine Belinga

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Diana Atongapai

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Yap Boum

University of Yaounde I

Hassan Ben Bachire

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon

More...

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic exposed major challenges for involving communities in Cameroon through risk communication. To solve these problems and improve responses to future epidemics including Mpox, national study was carried out to identify the most appropriate communication channels and tools for involving communities during health emergencies.


Methodology: Convergent mixed-methods study was conducted over three months across all region. Quantitative component involved a stratified cluster sampling of participants aged 18 and above who resided in Cameroon since March 2020, with data collected via an electronic form on KoboCollect. Data analysis used Python 3.12 and Excel, with a significant threshold set at p< 0.05. Qualitative component included semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, transcribed and analyzed using NVivo.

Findings: A total of 10,400 participants were surveyed, and 5,141 households visited. Television (23.56%), radio (21%), and social media (15.91%) were most frequently used communication channels. Visual materials like posters (42.97%) being particularly attractive. Statistical analysis revealed significant influences on channel used based on comorbidities (P < 0,001; OR =-0, 44 [-0,64 - - 0,24]); secondary education level (P< 0,001; OR =0,42 [0,24 – 0,59]) and university level (P < 0,001; OR=0,42 [0,20 – 0,65]). Health information provided by health leaders (34.12%) and community leaders (22.20%) was deemed most reliable.

Interpretation: Television and radio remain essential communication channels, while visual media are highly appealing to diverse populations. Contextualising Risk Communication and Community Engagement, using trusted community and health leaders, will strengthen response to current Mpox epidemic and future outbreaks.

Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Declaration of Interest: None to declare. 

Ethical Approval: This study was approved by the National Ethics Committee of Cameroon under reference number Nº 2023/10/1593/CE/CNERSH/SP. It was also approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta as a public health activity. No changes to the protocol were made after ethical clearance was obtained.

Keywords: Risk Communication and Community Engagement, COVID-19, Mpox

Suggested Citation

Mandeng, Nadia Jacqueline and Endalle Esso, Linda and Nsangou, Moustapha and Tizi, Nasser Bangai and Kenko, Ingrid and Ntone, Rodrigue and Nama, Dominique Olomo and Bihina, Luc Thierry and Hamadama, Maidey and Lekeufack, Edgard and Yopa, Danielle Sandra and Ngomba, Armelle Viviane and Mbo, Marie Lumière Ntyam and Tandi, Erick and Zintsem, Philomène and Tameu, Stella Wilfried and Onana, Thaddée and Belinga, Sandrine and Atongapai, Diana and Boum, Yap and Ben Bachire, Hassan and Mballa, Georges Alain Etoundi, From COVID-19 to Mpox, How Can We Engage Communities in Cameroon?. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4971474 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4971474

Nadia Jacqueline Mandeng (Contact Author)

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Linda Endalle Esso

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Moustapha Nsangou

University of Yaounde I ( email )

Nasser Bangai Tizi

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Ingrid Kenko

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Rodrigue Ntone

Homegrown Solution of Health ( email )

Dominique Olomo Nama

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Luc Thierry Bihina

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Maidey Hamadama

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Edgard Lekeufack

University of Dschang ( email )

Dschang
Dschang
Dschang, 96
Cameroon

Danielle Sandra Yopa

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Armelle Viviane Ngomba

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Marie Lumière Ntyam Mbo

University of Yaounde I ( email )

Yaounde
Cameroon

Erick Tandi

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Philomène Zintsem

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Stella Wilfried Tameu

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Thaddée Onana

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Sandrine Belinga

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Diana Atongapai

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Yap Boum

University of Yaounde I ( email )

Yaounde
Cameroon

Hassan Ben Bachire

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa

Government of Cameroon - Ministry of Public Health Cameroon ( email )

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