Dataset Information

Health facility preparedness for cholera outbreak response in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon: a cross sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The risk of cholera outbreak remains high in Cameroon. This is because of the persistent cholera outbreaks in neighboring countries coupled with the poor hygiene and sanitation conditions in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to assess the readiness of health facilities to respond to cholera outbreak in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all health facilities in four health districts, labeled as cholera hotspots in Cameroon in August 2016. Data collection was done by interview with a questionnaire and by observation regarding the availability of resources and materials for surveillance and case management, access to water, hygiene, and sanitation. Data analysis was descriptive with STATA 11.

Principal findings

A total of 134 health facilities were evaluated, most of which (108/134[81%]) were urban facilities. The preparedness regarding surveillance was limited with 13 (50%) health facilities in the Far North and 22(20%) in the Littoral having cholera case definition guide. ORS for Case management was present in 8(31%) health facilities in the Far North and in 94(87%) facilities in the littoral. Less than half of the health facilities had a hand washing protocol and 7(5.1%) did not have any source of drinking water or relied on unimproved sources like lake. A total of 4(3.0%) health facilities, all in the Far North region, did not have a toilet.

Conclusions

The level of preparedness of health facilities in Cameroon for cholera outbreak response presents a lot of weaknesses. These are present in terms of lack of basic surveillance and case management materials and resources, low access to WaSH. If not addressed now, these facilities might not be able to play their role in case there is an outbreak and might even turn to be transmission milieus.

SUBMITTER: Ateudjieu J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6615310 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Health facility preparedness for cholera outbreak response in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon: a cross sectional study.

Ateudjieu Jerome J Yakum Martin Ndinakie MN Goura Andre Pascal AP Nafack Sonia Sonkeng SS Chebe Anthony Njimbia AN Azakoh Joliette Nguefack JN Chukuwchindun Benjamin Azike BA Bayiha Eugene Joel EJ Kangmo Corine C Tachegno Gnodjom Victorin Boris GVB Bissek Anne-Cécile Zoung Kanyi AZK

BMC health services research 20190708 1

<h4>Background</h4>The risk of cholera outbreak remains high in Cameroon. This is because of the persistent cholera outbreaks in neighboring countries coupled with the poor hygiene and sanitation conditions in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to assess the readiness of health facilities to respond to cholera outbreak in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon.<h4>Methodology</h4>A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all health facilities in four health districts, labeled as c ...[more]

PMID: 31286934

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Dataset Information

Health facility preparedness for cholera outbreak response in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon: a cross sectional study.

Background

Methodology

Principal findings

Conclusions

Publications

Health facility preparedness for cholera outbreak response in four cholera-prone districts in Cameroon: a cross sectional study.

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