The effect of the ongoing civil strife on key immunisation outcomes in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon

Abstract

Background Civil strife has long been recognized as a significant barrier in the fight against vaccine preventable diseases in several parts of the world. However, little is known about the impact of the ongoing civil strife on the immunisation system in the Northwest (NW) and Southwest (SW) regions of Cameroon, which erupted in late 2016. In this paper, we assessed the effect of the conflict on key immunisation outcomes in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. Methods Data were obtained from the standard EPI data reporting tool, the District Vaccine and Data Management Tool (DVDMT), from all the districts in the two regions. Completed forms were then reviewed for accuracy prior to data entry at central level. Summary statistics were used to estimate the variables of interest for each region for the years 2016 (pre-conflict) and 2019 (during conflict). Results In the two regions, the security situation has deteriorated in almost all districts, which in turn has disrupted basic healthcare delivery in those areas. A total of 26 facilities were destroyed and 11 healthcare workers killed in both regions. Reported immunisation coverage rates for key antigens including, BCG, DPT-3 and MR, witnessed a dramatic decline between 2016 and 2019, ranging from 22% points decline for BCG in the NW and to 42% points decline for DPT-3 in the SW. Similarly, the proportion of districts with DPT-3 coverage of at least 80% dropped from 75% in 2016 to 11% in 2019 in the NW. In the SW this proportion dropped from 16% in 2016 to 0 % in 2019. Conclusion Our data demonstrates the marked negative impact of the ongoing civil strife on key immunisation outcomes in the two regions and the country at large. This decline could amplify the risk of vaccine preventable diseases vaccine preventable diseases outbreaks in the two regions. Besides the ongoing actions to contain the crises, effective strategies for reaching children in the conflict zones as well as the internally displaced population are needed. There is also the need to rebuild destroyed facilities as well as to protect health facilities and staff from targeted violence.

Urogenital schistosomiasis burden in school-aged children in Tiko, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study on prevalence, intensity, knowledge and risk factors

“…It is therefore vital to monitor the variation of intensity of infection and associated morbidity in Likomba and another closer neighbourhood like Upper Costen in the same Health District suspected for UGS, due to the migration of individuals from the conflict-hit areas of Muyuka and Ikata-Likoko, endemic with UGS [18,19]. The consequences of the ongoing civil strife in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon have been enormous [19,20], with over half a million people displaced the majority of whom are women and children [21]. The main objective of this study was to generate baseline data on the prevalence of UGS in SAC in Tiko; raise awareness through evaluation of knowledge of the disease as well as identify risk factors to enable strategic planning of control programmes in this endemic focus.…”

Doctors’ experiences providing sexual and reproductive health care at Catholic Hospitals in the conflict-affected North-West region of Cameroon: a qualitative study

“…It also complicates issues such as health record management, which could pose problems if post-operative complications emerge. Moreover, patient referral may be the solution doctors highlight, but given the transportation challenges in the North-West region and the insecurity linked to moving around, it is not likely that women are able to seek public services that offer the sexual health services they require [ 25 , 46 ].…”

Doctors’ Experiences of Providing Sexual and Reproductive Health Care at Catholic Hospitals in the Conflict-Affected North-West Region of Cameroon

“…It also complicates issues such as health record management, which could pose problems if post-operative complications emerge. Moreover, referral of patients may be the solution that doctors highlight but given the challenges with regards to transportation in the North-West region and the insecurity linked to moving around it is likely that women were unable to seek public services that offer the sexual health services they would have required (25,46).…”