Conference abstract
Travel agencies awareness and application of COVID-19 preventive measures in Cameroon
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2023:18(13).03
Oct 2023.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2023.18.13.2058
Archived on: 03 Oct 2023
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: COVID-19, travel agencies, transport, prevention
Oral presentation
Travel agencies awareness and application of COVID-19 preventive measures in Cameroon
Ketina Hirma Tchio-Nighie1,&, Imelda Sonia Nzinnou Mbiaketcha1, Sen Claudine Henriette Ngomtcho2, Etienne Guenou1, Jerome Ateudjieu1
1M.A. SANTE, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2National Public Health Laboratory, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: the movement of people is known to contribute to the propagation of inter-person transmitted diseases and was confirmed in the case of COVID-19. In Cameroon like in many other countries, the movement of population is mainly by public bus transports. The objective was to map the knowledge of COVID-19 prevention measures in travel agencies and their practices regarding the implementation of these measures.
Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study targeting travel agencies in the main towns of the West region including Bafoussam, Dschang, Mbouda, Bangangte, Foumban, and Foumbot. Data were collected in June 2022 by a semi-structured questionnaire from heads of travel agencies by trained surveyors. Data were collected to assess the awareness of heads of travel agencies regarding COVID-19 preventive measures and the application of these measures.
Results: of the 61 travel agencies reached, 55 (90.2%) consented to participate. Most of the respondents were heads of travel agencies. All travel agencies were aware of the existence of recommendations on COVID-19 preventive measures, 46 (83.6%) were informed via the local authorities and 35 (63.6%) via media. The most known preventive measures were the obligation of face-mask wearing by travelers (54[98.2%]) and the setting up of a hand washing or disinfection station in travel agencies (53[96.4%]). Of the travel agencies, 27 (49.1%) implemented at least one of the recommended preventive measures.
Conclusion: during the pandemic, the implementation of the recommendations to limit the transmission of the disease was not fully implemented by travel agencies. A monitoring system should be set up to ensure appropriate implementation.
Travel agencies awareness and application of COVID-19 preventive measures in Cameroon
Ketina Hirma Tchio-Nighie1,&, Imelda Sonia Nzinnou Mbiaketcha1, Sen Claudine Henriette Ngomtcho2, Etienne Guenou1, Jerome Ateudjieu1
1M.A. SANTE, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2National Public Health Laboratory, Yaoundé, Cameroon
&Corresponding author
Introduction: the movement of people is known to contribute to the propagation of inter-person transmitted diseases and was confirmed in the case of COVID-19. In Cameroon like in many other countries, the movement of population is mainly by public bus transports. The objective was to map the knowledge of COVID-19 prevention measures in travel agencies and their practices regarding the implementation of these measures.
Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study targeting travel agencies in the main towns of the West region including Bafoussam, Dschang, Mbouda, Bangangte, Foumban, and Foumbot. Data were collected in June 2022 by a semi-structured questionnaire from heads of travel agencies by trained surveyors. Data were collected to assess the awareness of heads of travel agencies regarding COVID-19 preventive measures and the application of these measures.
Results: of the 61 travel agencies reached, 55 (90.2%) consented to participate. Most of the respondents were heads of travel agencies. All travel agencies were aware of the existence of recommendations on COVID-19 preventive measures, 46 (83.6%) were informed via the local authorities and 35 (63.6%) via media. The most known preventive measures were the obligation of face-mask wearing by travelers (54[98.2%]) and the setting up of a hand washing or disinfection station in travel agencies (53[96.4%]). Of the travel agencies, 27 (49.1%) implemented at least one of the recommended preventive measures.
Conclusion: during the pandemic, the implementation of the recommendations to limit the transmission of the disease was not fully implemented by travel agencies. A monitoring system should be set up to ensure appropriate implementation.
