Population knowledge, attitudes and practice towards Yellow Fever among nomadic populations: A cross-sectional study in Yellow Fever outbreak Communities in Ghana

Abstract

Despite the government and Global health initiatives toward yellow fever epidemic control in Ghana, the country continues to witness sporadic outbreaks of yellow fever mostly among the unvaccinated population and suspected migrates(nomadic) who enter the country through the porous borders. Little is known about nomadic knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding this communicable disease in Ghana.We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey in 22 yellow fever outbreak communities to assess nomadic household heads’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding yellow fever after the November, 2021 outbreak. Our study results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate logistics regression with dichotomous outcomes.About 90% of the nomadic had poor knowledge of the signs and symptoms of yellow with only 16% knowing the vector that transmits yellow fever. The most common source of information on yellow fever was the health campaign.Over 80% of household heads surveyed had positive attitudes regarding yellow fever with about 84% worried about the disease outbreak in their community. In a multivariate analysis, Age group, gender ideology, occupation, source of health information, duration of in the community and Nationality were associated with positive attitudes towards yellow fever.Close to 74% have a positive practice, with 97.3% adopting a strategy to control mosquitoes in their household. Nationality, duration of stay in the community, and age group were associated with Positive practices.Our findings show that yellow fever epidemic control can be improved in hard-to-reach communities through locally-tailored education and health promotion campaigns to improve knowledge and preventive practices against this infectious disease.

Active case finding of tuberculosis among nomads and semi-nomads in Puducherry

“…The most common source of health information is through health campaigns as because of low socio-economic conditions majority would be exposed to information shared on television/digital media. [ 23 ]…”

Yellow fever vaccination coverage among nomadic populations in Savannah region, Ghana; a cross-sectional study following an outbreak

“…A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February to March 2022 among nomadic households in the 22 yellow fever outbreak communities in the West Gonja Municipal of the Savanna Region of Ghana. The Municipal has a population of 63,449 and is one of the seven districts of the Savanna region, and also serves as the administrative capital of the region (15). It is close to the borders of the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.…”

“…Efforts are also made to continue the catch-up vaccination campaigns using the routine immunization system. This study is part of the research efforts collating observations around knowledge, attitudes and practices towards yellow fever prevention and management in these communities (15). Here, the analyses cover YF vaccination coverage among nomadic groups in the West Gonja districts of the savannah of Ghana.…”