Covid-19 Preventive Behaviours in Cameroon

A Six-Month Online National Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID15467773
AuthorsJoseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo (0000-0003-3544-1239, University of Antwerp), Leonard Ngarka (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Wepnyu Yembe Njamnshi (0000-0001-5082-7960), Leonard N Nfor (0000-0002-0887-0831, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Michel K Mengnjo (0009-0009-7610-6585, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Edwige Laure Mendo, Samuel A Angwafor (0000-0003-4135-8167, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Jonas Guy Atchou Basseguin (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Cyrille Nkouonlack (0000-0002-4455-6532, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Edith N Njit (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Nene Ahidjo (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Eric Samuel Chokote (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Fidèle Déma (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Julius Y Fonsah (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Godwin Y Tatah (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Nancy Palmer (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Paul F Seke Etet (0000-0003-2715-3317, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Dennis Palmer (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Dickson Shey Nsagha (0000-0002-7519-0991), Daniel Etya’ale, Daniel E Etya’ale (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), 1226 Geneva, Switzerland), Stephen Perrig (0000-0002-1891-3911, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), 1226 Geneva, Switzerland), Roman Sztajzel (0000-0002-3269-3329, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), 1226 Geneva, Switzerland), Jean-Marie Annoni (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), 1226 Geneva, Switzerland), Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek (Ministry of Public Health), Rose G F Leke (0000-0002-5973-1145, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), Marie-Thérèse Obama, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa Obama (Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon), John Nkemngong Nkengasong (0000-0001-6047-0184, African Union), Robert Colebunders (0000-0002-1919-1340, University of Antwerp), Alfred K Njamnshi (0000-0003-0052-1511, Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN), Yaoundé, Cameroon, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue5
Pages2554-2554
Publication date2021-03-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18052554
PMID33806495
OpenAlexW3131388872
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited15

Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one's face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0-5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Environmental health · Face masks · Hygiene · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Logistic regression · Ordered logit · Pandemic · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · Demography · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts

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