COVID-19 preventive social-behavioural practices and exposure to SARS-CoV-2 among residents in the city of Yaounde: Lessons from the early phase of the pandemic in Cameroon

• Main Authors: Joseph Fokam (Author), Alex Durand Nka (Author), Jeremiah Efakika Gabisa (Author), Kene Nwosu (Author), Franck Wanda (Author), Lucien Mama (Author), Aude Christelle Ka'e (Author), Yagai Bouba (Author), Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue (Author), Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket (Author), Désiré Takou (Author), Aurelie minelle Kengni Ngueko (Author), Willy Pabo (Author), Samuel Martin Sosso (Author), Olivia Keiser (Author), Carlo-Federico Perno (Author), Vittorio Colizzi (Author), Edie-Gregory Halle Ekane (Author), John Otshudiema Otokoye (Author), Alexis Ndjolo (Author), Laura Ciaffi (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2767-3375
• Keywords: Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: PLOS Global Public Health, Vol 3, Iss 8 (2023)

Non-pharmaceutical interventions remain key in mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We sought to assess COVID-19 preventive, social-behavioural practices, and SARS-CoV-2 exposure through IgG rapid tests. This was a cross-sectional survey among 971 respondents residing in 180 households within the "Cite Verte" health district of Yaounde-Cameroon, from October-November 2020. Using a structured questionnaire, data on SARS-CoV-2 preventive and social behavioural practices were collected, while exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was determined by IgG profiling. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, 971 participants were enrolled, among whom 56.5% were females. The age group 15-29 (33.5%) and those with a secondary level of education (44.7%) were most represented. Regarding preventive/social behavioural practices, the least respected measure was "stopped work", 49.1%, while the most respected was "Respect of hygiene rules", 93.8%. Women obeyed preventive measures more than men, with 87.6% vs 81.0% adhering to the lockdown, (p = 0.005) and 95.5% vs 91.7% to hygiene rules (p = 0.017). The age range 45-64 years was the least adherent to the lockdown rule, with 75.2% (38/153), p<0.0001. Only 24.7% (73/295) and 6.1% (59/295) of the symptomatic individuals reported having sought medical consultation and Covid-19 testing respectively. In addition, up to 69.8% (555/795) felt healthcare facilities were high-risk sites for getting infected, p = 0.002. Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 by IgG positivity was 31.1% (302/971), with men recording a higher proportion of viral exposure, 51.0% (154/302), p = 0.021. After adjusting for gender, age, education, and occupation; salaried worker (p = 0.029; OR: 0.29), and trading (p = 0.001; OR: 0.23) least complied with lockdown rule. In this community of Cameroonian residents highly exposed to COVID-19, many perceived healthcare facilities as high-risk zones for SARS-CoV-2 infection and consequently did not seek medical interventions. Thus, in the context of such a pandemic, advocacy on risk communication and community engagement for health-seeking attitudes should preferentially target men and those afraid of pandemics.