Epidemiology of the Acceptance of Anti COVID-19 Vaccine in Urban and Rural Settings in Cameroon

Djuikoue, Cécile Ingrid; Wouambo, Rodrigue Kamga; Pahane, Majeste Mbiada; Fenkeng, Blaise Demanou; Nana, Cedric Seugnou; Nzenya, Joelle Djamfa; Kamgne, Flore Fotso; Toutcho, Cedric Ngalani; Pokam, Benjamin D. Thumamo; Apalata, Teke

doi:10.3390/vaccines11030625

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…Kamga et al in 2018 in the same study site reported a similar female predominance of 68.63% (105/153) and their mean age was 30.4 years ±5.63 years [ 25 ]. While several studies in community settings in Cameroon have also found similar women predominance trend [ 26 – 29 ], contrary results were more or less reported in rural area of foreign countries including Congo [ 30 ], Egypt [ 31 ], China [ 32 ], in the USA [ 33 ]. In fact, the Cameroonian demographics reflects in general more women than men and also a relative young population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Anti-hepatitis C antibody carriage and risk of liver impairment in rural-Cameroon: adapting the control of hepatocellular carcinoma for resource-limited settings

Kamga Wouambo,

Panka Tchinda,

Kagoue Simeni

et al. 2023

BMC Infect Dis

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Background The Viral hepatitis elimination by 2030 is uncertain in resource-limited settings (RLS), due to high burdens and poor diagnostic coverage. This sounds more challenging for hepatitis C virus (HCV) given that antibody (HCVAb) sero-positivity still lacks wide access to HCV RNA molecular testing. This warrants context-specific strategies for appropriate management of liver impairment in RLS. We herein determine the association between anti-HCV positivity and liver impairment in an African RLS. Methods A facility-based observational study was conducted from July-August 2021 among individuals attending the “St Monique” Health Center at Ottou, a rural community of Yaounde,Cameroon. Following a consecutive sampling, consenting individuals were tested for anti-HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV antibodies (HIVAb) as per the national guidelines. After excluding positive cases for HBsAg and/or HIVAb, liver function tests (ALT/AST) were performed on eligible participants (HBsAg and HIVAb negative) and outcomes were compared according to HCVAb status; with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Out of 306 eligible participants (negative for HBsAg and HIVAb) enrolled, the mean age was 34.35 ± 3.67 years. 252(82.35%) were female and 129 (42.17%) were single. The overall HCVAb sero-positivity was 15.68%(48/306), with 17.86% (45/252) among women vs. 5.55%(3/54) among men [OR (95%CI) = 3.69(2.11-9.29),p = 0.04]. HCVAb Carriage was greater among participants aged > 50 years compared to younger ones [38.46%(15/39) versus 12.36% (33/267) respectively, OR(95%CI) = 4.43(2.11-9.29), p < 0.000] and in multipartnership [26.67%(12/45)vs.13.79%(36/261) monopartnership, OR (95%CI) = 2.27(1.07-4.80),p = 0.03]. The liver impairment rate (abnormal ALT+AST levels) was 30.39%(93/306), with 40.19%(123/306) of abnormal ALT alone. Moreover, the burden of Liver impairment was significantly with aged> 50 versus younger ones [69.23% (27/39) versus 24.72%(66/267) respectively, p < 0.000). Interestingly, the burden of liver impairment (abnormal AST + ALAT) was significantly higher in HCVAb positive (62.5%, 30/48) versus HCVAb negative (24.42%, 63/258) participants, OR: 3.90 [1.96; 7.79], p = 0.0001. Conclusions In this rural health facility, HCVAb is highly endemic and the burden of liver impairment is concerning. Interestingly, HCVAb carriage is associated with abnormal liver levels of enzyme (ALT/AST), especially among the elderly populations. Hence, in the absence of nuclei acid testing, ALT/AST are relevant sentinel markers to screen HCVAb carriers who require monitoring/care for HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma in RLS.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Anti-hepatitis C antibody carriage and risk of liver impairment in rural-Cameroon: adapting the control of hepatocellular carcinoma for resource-limited settings

Kamga Wouambo,

Panka Tchinda,

Kagoue Simeni

et al. 2023

BMC Infect Dis

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“…This table presents liver impairment according to hepatitis C antibodies carriage (HCVAb) [26]. While several studies in community settings in Cameroon have also found similar women predominance trend [27,28,29,30], contrary results were more or less reported in rural area of foreign countries including Congo [31], Egypt [32],…”

Section: Liver Impairment According To Hepatitis C Antibodies Carriag...mentioning

confidence: 96%

Anti-Hepatitis C Antibody Carriage and Risk of Liver Impairment in Rural-Cameroon: Adapting the Control of Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Resource-Limited Settings

Kamga Wouambo,

Panka Tchinda,

Kagoue Simeni

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background: The global Viral hepatitis elimination by 2030 is uncertain in resource-limited settings (RLS), due to high burdens and poor diagnostic coverage. This sounds more challenging for hepatitis C virus (HCV) given that antibody (HCVAb) sero-positivity still lacks wide access to HCV RNA molecular testing. This warrants context-specific strategies for appropriate management of liver impairment in RLS. We herein determine the association between anti-HCV positivity and liver impairment in an African RLS. Methods: A facility-based observational study was conducted from July-August 2021 among individuals attending the St Monique Health Center at Ottou, a rural community of Yaounde,Cameroon. Following a consecutive sampling, consenting individuals were tested for anti-HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV antibodies (HIVAb) as per the national guidelines. After excluding positive cases for HBsAg and/or HIVAb, liver function tests (ALT/AST) were performed on eligible participants (HBsAg and HIVAb negative) and outcomes were compared according to HCVAb status; with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 306 eligible participants (negative for HBsAg and HIVAb) enrolled, the mean age was 34.35±3.67 years. 252(82.35%) were female and 129 (42.17%) were single. The overall HCVAb sero-positivity was 15.68%(48/306), with 17.86% (45/252) among women vs. 5.55%(3/54) among men [OR (95%CI)=3.69(2.11-9.29),p=0.04]. HCVAb Carriage was greater among participants aged >50 years compared to younger ones [38.46%(15/39) versus 12.36% (33/267) respectively, OR(95%CI)=4.43(2.11-9.29), p<0.000] and in multipartnership [26.67%(12/45)vs.13.79%(36/261) monopartnership, OR (95%CI)= 2.27(1.07-4.80),p=0.03]. The liver impairment rate (abnormal ALT+AST levels) was 30.39%(93/306), with 40.19%(123/306) of abnormal ALT alone. Moreover, the burden of Liver impairment was significantly with aged>50 versus younger ones [69.23% (27/39) versus 24.72%(66/267) respectively, p<0.000). Interestingly, the burden of liver impairment (abnormal AST+ALAT) was significantly higher in HCVAb positive (62.5%, 30/48) versus HCVAb negative (24.42%, 63/258) participants, OR: 3.90 [1.96; 7.79], p=0.0001. Conclusions: In this rural health facility, HCVAb is highly endemic and the burden of liver impairment is concerning. Interestingly, HCVAb carriage is associated with abnormal liver levels of enzyme (ALT/AST), especially among the elderly populations. Hence, in the absence of nuclei acid testing, ALT/AST are relevant sentinel markers to screen HCVAb carriers who require monitoring/care for HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma in RLS. Keywords Hepatitis C Virus antibodies (HCVAb), ASAT/ALAT, liver impariment, hepatotoxicity, Cameroon.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in Cameroon: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Cheuyem,

Amani,

Nkodo

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: The development of effective vaccines was a promising tool for ending the pandemic. However, the success of a vaccination programme depends heavily on achieving significant community acceptance. In Cameroon, numerous studies have investigated the level of acceptance, hesitancy and perception of COVID-19 vaccines, with mixed results. To provide a comprehensive understanding of these parameters, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and perception in Cameroon. Methods: A systematic search of online databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, was conducted to identify relevant research articles. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The extracted data were compiled in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using R statistical software (version 4.3.3). The pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and perception was calculated using random effects meta-analysis. Funnel plots, Egger and Begg tests were used to assess publication bias. Results: Of the 1243 records identified through the database search, 20 research articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed that the that approximately 31.21% (95% CI: 23.49-38.94) of the Cameroonian population was willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. More than two-thirds of the population (68.49%; 95% CI: 60.65-76.34) were vaccine hesitant. Half of the participants (51.81%; 95% CI: 42.70-60.93), had a negative perception of the COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance rate progressed from the first semester of 2021 (27.21%; 95% CI: 10.38-44.05) to the first semester of 2022 (45.56%; 95% CI: 25-66.12). The pooled vaccine acceptance rate was 29.29% (95% CI: 19.86-38.72) for the general population and 39.24% (95% CI: 22.84-55.64) for healthcare workers. The pooled vaccine hesitancy rate was 70.39% (95% CI: 61.30-79.80) for the general population and 57.42 % (95% CI: 4.05-71.80) for healthcare workers Conclusion: Despite progress in vaccine acceptance, targeted interventions are still needed to address vaccine hesitancy in the country. Strategies such as improving access to accurate information, building trust in institutions, and strengthening community engagement are crucial to increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

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Epidemiology of the Acceptance of Anti COVID-19 Vaccine in Urban and Rural Settings in Cameroon

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Anti-hepatitis C antibody carriage and risk of liver impairment in rural-Cameroon: adapting the control of hepatocellular carcinoma for resource-limited settings

Anti-hepatitis C antibody carriage and risk of liver impairment in rural-Cameroon: adapting the control of hepatocellular carcinoma for resource-limited settings

Anti-Hepatitis C Antibody Carriage and Risk of Liver Impairment in Rural-Cameroon: Adapting the Control of Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Resource-Limited Settings

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in Cameroon: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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