COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours in Cameroon: A Six-Month Online National Survey

Abstract

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.

COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and Influencing Factors in the Thai Population: A Web-Based Survey

“…Age influenced COVID-19 preventive behaviors, consistent with previous studies that higher age was a predictor for higher adherence of COVID-19 preventive behaviors ( 24 ). Another study also found that older people were also likely to embrace protective behaviors ( 25 ).…”

“…Experiencing flu-like symptoms influenced COVID-19 preventive behaviors, consistent with previous study that experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence of COVID-19 preventive behaviors ( 24 ). Individuals who experience flu-like symptoms may be more at risk of becoming infected; therefore, continued compliance with preventive behaviors is recommended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.…”

Psychosocial Factors Associated With Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Low-Middle- Income Countries, December 2020 to February 2021

“…Target groups to improve overall adherence to the preventive measures should therefore include younger and less educated individuals, particularly in Brazil, Thailand, and the five African countries. In contrast to some previous studies [ 7 , 8 , 10 ], which reported differences in adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures across genders and living status, our study did not find such disparities. However, in a country-stratified analysis, we found that living with other people in Malaysia increased the odds to adherence to more preventive measures.…”

“…The study found that sociodemographic factors (country, Malaysia, Bangladesh; older age and higher education) increased the odds for adhering to more COVID-19 preventive measures. The increased adherence with increasing age and higher education is consistent with previous research [ 1 – 3 , 8 , 10 ]. As older age is an important risk factor for the severity of COVID-19 illness, it is important to protect older adults from getting infected with COVID-19.…”

“…COVID-19 health protective behaviours may be based on an understanding of various sociocultural, cognitive, and psychosocial factors [ 9 ]. Sociocultural and health factors associated with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in low- and middle-income countries include sociodemographic factors, such as older age [ 2 , 3 , 10 ], gender/sex [ 2 , 7 , 10 ], being married [ 7 , 10 ], higher education [ 2 , 10 ], higher socioeconomic status [ 8 , 10 ], living with other people [ 7 ], urban residence [ 2 , 11 , 12 ], and being a health care worker [ 2 , 3 ]. Other factors associated with higher adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures include comorbidity [ 2 ], not having flu-like symptoms [ 7 , 11 ], having flu-like symptoms [ 3 ], being tested for COVID-19 [ 9 ], obtaining COVID-19 information from a health care worker [ 3 , 9 , 12 ], correct COVID-19 knowledge [ 13 ], and concern about own health [ 12 ].…”