Conference abstract
Community risk assessment of covid-19 using the who infection prevention and control scorecard tool in Cameroon
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:23(53).26
Nov 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.23.53.2814
Archived on: 26 Nov 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Infection prevention and control, community, risk
Poster
Community risk assessment of covid-19 using the who infection prevention and control scorecard tool in Cameroon
Boris Arnaud Kouomogne Nteungue1,&, Tandi E2, Abanda L3, Bissouma-Ledjou T1, Bilounga Ndongo C2, Campbell J4, Yap Boum II5, Cihambanya L6, Etoundi Mballa GA2, Habimana Phanuel1
1World Health Organization, Cameroon office, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 3South Regional Delegation of Public Health, Ebolowa, Cameroon, 4Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA, 5Institut Pasteur Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic, 6World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
&Corresponding author
Introduction: during epidemics, ineffective Infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies in communities may lead to high community transmission, which may sustain outbreaks. Despite available guidelines and assessment tools, data are scarce regarding implementing IPC at district and community levels.The southern region of Cameroon was at risk of multiple infectious diseases in 2023, including COVID-19, Marburg, and Cholera. The co-occurrence of these epidemics highlighted the need to improve community IPC and empower people to avoid contracting diseases. The study aims to evaluate the level of compliance of communities to IPC.
Methods: a cross-sectional study occurred in the South Region of Cameroon from January to February 2023. The study consisted of the administration of a 33-item questionnaire with 66 indicators, designed by the WHO regional office of Africa and validated by the Ministry of Public Health.The MoH provided the administrative approval and as the study did not rely on patient data, no ethics approval or patient consent was needed.
Results: among the 63 communities evaluated, the mean community IPC score was 55% (SD ± 17%) with a community transmission risk being either high or medium as 87% of the community had a score lower than 74%. Adherence with the IPC core components was found to be: (a) 51% (SD 27%) for hand washing stations in the community, (b) 40% (SD 40%) for the practice of hand washing, (c) 25% (SD 29%) for mask use, (d) 28% (SD 35%) for physical distancing, € 69% (SD 30%) for natural ventilation, (f) 63% (SD 24%) for WASH perception and communition, (g) 57% (SD 24%) for sociocultural and economic activities, and (h) 74% (SD 26%) for IPC community. We noted a lack of sufficient resources to improve IPC within communities. The IPC focal persons usually performed community evaluation during routine supervision activities.
Conclusion: the increased risk of infection transmission found within communities in the South region highlights the need to invest more in IPC and the monitoring of related activities so as to empower populations to effectively prevent and respond to outbreaks.
Community risk assessment of covid-19 using the who infection prevention and control scorecard tool in Cameroon
Boris Arnaud Kouomogne Nteungue1,&, Tandi E2, Abanda L3, Bissouma-Ledjou T1, Bilounga Ndongo C2, Campbell J4, Yap Boum II5, Cihambanya L6, Etoundi Mballa GA2, Habimana Phanuel1
1World Health Organization, Cameroon office, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 3South Regional Delegation of Public Health, Ebolowa, Cameroon, 4Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, USA, 5Institut Pasteur Bangui, Bangui, Central African Republic, 6World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
&Corresponding author
Introduction: during epidemics, ineffective Infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies in communities may lead to high community transmission, which may sustain outbreaks. Despite available guidelines and assessment tools, data are scarce regarding implementing IPC at district and community levels.The southern region of Cameroon was at risk of multiple infectious diseases in 2023, including COVID-19, Marburg, and Cholera. The co-occurrence of these epidemics highlighted the need to improve community IPC and empower people to avoid contracting diseases. The study aims to evaluate the level of compliance of communities to IPC.
Methods: a cross-sectional study occurred in the South Region of Cameroon from January to February 2023. The study consisted of the administration of a 33-item questionnaire with 66 indicators, designed by the WHO regional office of Africa and validated by the Ministry of Public Health.The MoH provided the administrative approval and as the study did not rely on patient data, no ethics approval or patient consent was needed.
Results: among the 63 communities evaluated, the mean community IPC score was 55% (SD ± 17%) with a community transmission risk being either high or medium as 87% of the community had a score lower than 74%. Adherence with the IPC core components was found to be: (a) 51% (SD 27%) for hand washing stations in the community, (b) 40% (SD 40%) for the practice of hand washing, (c) 25% (SD 29%) for mask use, (d) 28% (SD 35%) for physical distancing, € 69% (SD 30%) for natural ventilation, (f) 63% (SD 24%) for WASH perception and communition, (g) 57% (SD 24%) for sociocultural and economic activities, and (h) 74% (SD 26%) for IPC community. We noted a lack of sufficient resources to improve IPC within communities. The IPC focal persons usually performed community evaluation during routine supervision activities.
Conclusion: the increased risk of infection transmission found within communities in the South region highlights the need to invest more in IPC and the monitoring of related activities so as to empower populations to effectively prevent and respond to outbreaks.
