ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at examining the vulnerability of Central Africa to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Demographic, health, and socio-economic indicators were used to describe the vulnerability. The study period was from December 31st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020 (i.e. 5 months after the start of the pandemic). RESULTS: According to demographic indicators, African populations appear younger than in Europe, Asia, and North America, where evidence showed a higher lethality of COVID-19 and a higher frequency of hospitalization among the elderly. This highlights the protective effect of the age structure of Central African populations. Their populations face significant vulnerability from high morbidity and a considerable deficit in health care facilities and services. Poverty indicators are not in their favour for a sustainable implementation of effective pandemic control measures. Very low literacy rates in some countries, misinformation, and belief in conspiracy theories could affect the community involvement in the response. Several countries are weakened by other humanitarian crises, including conflicts and other epidemics. The early easing of lockdown restrictions in certain countries could worsen the situation. CONCLUSION: In this sub-region, where the largest proportion of the population lives in poverty, poor sanitary conditions, conflicts, and humanitarian crises, the question of standards of prevention could appear to be a luxurious idea relegated to the background. Central African countries need financial and logistical support for a sustainable and effective response. These observations could be easily extrapolated to other sub-Saharan sub-regions.