ABSTRACT

Background: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of highly diverse, enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses. Over the last 20 years, the world has faced two novel CoVs, severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), which cause severe human diseases. Method: It was a cross-sectional community based study with a sample size of 95 individuals . Result: A total of 95 individuals were included in the study. The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the level of awareness of COVID-19 preventive measures, to assess the practice of covid-19 preventive measures; to determine the hesitancy of covid-19 vaccine, to determine the factors associated with the hesitancy. Result: Majority of the participants in the Bolifamba community had insufficient knowledge on the level of awareness of COVID-19 preventive measures. Up to 94.7% could said washing hands regularly prevent the pandemic, 89.5% stating wearing of face masks prevent it with up to 87.4% stating that the taking of antibiotics prevent the disease conditions and up to 76.8% said avoiding the hospital was a preventive measure. Based on the practice of the preventive measures of covid-19, the participants were seen to be moderately practicing the measures with up to 68.4% who constantly wash their hands, 56.8% who wore face masks when in public and only35.8% that change their face mask once used and removed. With respect to the level of vaccine hesitancy, up to 85.26% of the participants had not been vaccinated which demonstrate a high rate of hesitancy, 75.8% stating even if the vaccine was given for free , they would not take. Finally, findings based on the factors determining vaccine hesitancy, it was observed that 71% of the participants said stated there were no advanced reasons of safety concerning the vaccine.

Keywords: Awareness, Prevention, Practice, Hesitancy, Covid-19.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1 Background of the Study

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of highly diverse, enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses. Over the last 20 years, the world has faced two novel CoVs, severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), which cause severe human diseases. Coronaviruses cause severe respiratory, enteric, hepatic, and neurological system diseases among humans and animals. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2) that was discovered in Wuhan, China by the end of 2019 and causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging zoonotic coronavirus.  Further analysis revealed that SARS-Cov-2 was found in frozen food packaging and cold chain products that were supplied from China. Like other countries, Cameroon was affected by COVID-19 in early 2020 as travelers returned to their home country. In Cameroon, the first case of COVID-19 was identified on 6 March 2020, when a French national returning from Europe tested positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Thereafter, a COVID-19 task force was formed, and international borders were closed for incoming passengers by 18 March 2020. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, several preventive measures were instituted nationally to contain the local COVID-19 outbreak. These included: closure of all schools and training institutions, forbiddance of any gathering of more than fifty persons, closure of entertainment spots by 18:00 daily, strong discouragement of urban and inter-urban travel, consumer flow to be regulated in markets and shopping centres, postponement of sports competitions, and observance of hygiene measures such as regular hand washing with soap, avoiding close contacts with other persons, covering one’s mouth when coughing/sneezing, and other measures as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). As the epidemic continued gaining ground, the national COVID-19 response equally ramped up with the institution of additional measures, including mandatory face mask use in public places. From 13 April 2020 To date, there have been 182,229,823 confirmed cases and 3,946,481 deaths around the world, while in Cameroon there has been a total of 107,148 confirmed cases and 1,804 deaths from COVID-19 (world meter, 2021). COVID-19 spreads by droplets from an infected person’s mouth or nose when he/she coughs, sneezes, or talks, and are launched into the air and eventually land in the mouths or noses or inhaled into the lungs of people nearby. Recently, studies indicated that people who are infected but do not exhibit any symptoms are likely to spread COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to maintain precautionary measures like staying at least 1 to 2 meters away from each other even if people do not have any symptoms. Keeping this safe distance between people who are not from the same household is known as “physical distancing”. It is particularly very important for those who are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. However, physical distancing should not be practiced solely but in combination with other preventive measures like wearing masks, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, and frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As this is the first pandemic event that has happened in the country which requires all residents and nationals to practice quarantine and physical distancing, there could be certain issues related to cultural values and community that affect the practice of these measures.

Several scientists in the recent past repurposed several drugs for the COVID-19 management. Some have shown slight effectiveness in reducing mortality, but the morbidity and incidence of the cases were unchanged. Long-term COVID-19 control will depend on the potential vaccine and its successful delivery to a large portion of the population to prevent and control COVID-19. The containment of the ongoing community spread of COVID-19 is only possible with adequate vaccine coverage to develop herd immunity within the community. Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions to prevent infectious diseases. The vaccines against COVID-19 are of great importance to avoid disease morbidity and mortality.5 The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy has defined vaccine hesitancy as “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccine services”. As per the WHO, the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate threatens the progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases, and it is 1 of the top 10 public health problems in the world. The government has made a robust plan to distribute to their public at the earliest to control this COVID-19 pandemic. Through mass media and non-governmental agencies like the WHO, the governments are continuously working to build vaccine literacy among the public to accept the vaccine when it is available and appropriate. Anti-vaccination activists are already campaigning in multiple countries against the need for a vaccine. Some are denying the vaccine because of the nonexistence of COVID-19 altogether. Therefore, this study is going to explore the population’s knowledge, practices and beliefs about physical distancing during a pandemic event.

1.2 Problem Statement

Healthcare professionals and public health authorities have a central role in discussing vaccination against COVID-19 with their patients. Vaccines play a critical role in preventing deaths, hospitalization caused by infectious diseases. Emerging data on effectiveness indicates that licensed COVID-19vaccines are contributing to controlling the spread of the disease. Until widespread vaccination has been achieved, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people need to be aware of the additional protective behaviors required to control the pandemic locally.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented level of public interest in vaccines. This includes a focus on the development of vaccines and their regulatory review and safety monitoring. Much of this coverage has taken place through mass and social media.  Reports of adverse events (side effects) have led some people to express concerns about getting vaccinated, delay getting vaccinated or even be strongly opposed to vaccination.  There are also differences in individual confidence in national safety monitoring systems. Another challenge in communicating the importance of COVID-19 vaccination is that younger adults are typically less clinically affected by COVID-19 infection and so may see limited value in getting vaccinated, including until further data confirms that vaccines prevent transmission and that vaccines are effective against variants. Clear and consistent communication is therefore essential to support people in making the choice to be vaccinated.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the level of awareness of COVID-19 preventive measures among the inhabitants of the Bolifamba community?
2. Do inhabitants of Bolifamba community implement COVID-19 preventive measures?
3. What is the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among inhabitants of Bolifamba community?
4. What are the factors determining COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the inhabitants in Bolifamba community?

1.4 Research Objectives

1.4. 1 General Objectives

To assess the level of awareness and practice of COVID-19 preventive measures and to determine the factors influencing COVID-19’s vaccine hesitancy amongst inhabitants of the Bolifamba Community. 

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

1. To determine the level of awareness of COVID-19 preventive measures among the inhabitants of the Bolifamba community
2. To assess the extent to which inhabitants of Bolifamba community implement COVID-19 preventive measures
3. To evaluate the level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among inhabitants of Bolifamba community
4. To determine the factors determining COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the inhabitants in Bolifamba community