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INTRODUCTION: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are responsible for sexually transmitted infections, and some of these viruses have oncogenic potential. The HPV vaccine is due to be introduced in Cameroon in September 2019. Our study looked at the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of the population and healthcare professionals regarding cervical cancer and its vaccine prevention. This approach provides a solid basis for, among other things, developing a clear communication strategy for the introduction of the vaccine. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of introducing the HPV vaccine in Cameroon among key stakeholders including health workers and parents. METHODS: From March to May 2019, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative descriptive study in six health districts in the Centre Region. A total of 257 study participants were recruited, including 168 parents and 89 health professionals; 60 interviews were also conducted, 30 with parents and 30 with health professionals. The quantitative data collected were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States); for the qualitative analysis, we carried out repeated readings of the transcribed interviews. This work enabled us to identify the significant themes emerging from the interviewees' discourse. RESULTS: The vast majority of healthcare professionals claim to be aware of cervical cancer (93.3%), but only 15.7% of female healthcare professionals claim to have ever carried out a screening test. A significant proportion of these professionals have actual experience of cervical cancer. Among parents, knowledge of this cancer also appears to be relatively high for a lay audience (54.2%), with a low screening rate (7.1%). Awareness of the HPV vaccine as a cervical cancer prevention tool was very low: 14.9% among parents and 44.9% among healthcare professionals. In addition, we found that information about the existence of an HPV vaccine was still very low among parents (83.9% had never heard of it); 43.8% of healthcare professionals had been informed about the vaccine at their training school. As regards acceptance of the HPV vaccine, the quantitative and qualitative results point in the same direction. The majority of parents are in favor of a campaign and access to this new vaccine via the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). However, many of them (94.6%) explained that they wanted more information before making a decision. CONCLUSION: Informing and raising public awareness of cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine, and vaccine safety are essential measures to encourage public support for the HPV vaccination campaign.
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BACKGROUND: Cameroon is a malaria-endemic country. Many control strategies including long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) have been proposed to reduce the burden of malaria. The World Health Organization aims to achieve at least 80% of people sleeping under a LLIN. This study assessed the ownership and use of LLNs in the Mogode Health District (MHD). METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in MHD in September 2021. Data on ownership and LLINs use were collected using structured questionnaires following the Roll Back Malaria guidelines. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the determinants of ownership and failure to LLIN use. RESULTS: A total of 332 households were included from eight health areas. The proportion of households with at least one LLIN was 72.0% (238). However, 232 (70.0%) reported having used LLIN (sleeping under LLIN the previous night). Household heads with higher education were six times more likely to have owned LLINs than those with no education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=6.8; confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 31.0, p< 0.05). Additionally, household heads between the ages of 36-50 were 4.2 times (AOR= 4.2, CI 1.3-13.8, p< 0.05) likely to fail to use LLINs in households. However, households where heads had secondary education (AOR= 0.2, CI 0.1-0.6, p< 0.05), were negatively associated with failure to use LLINs. CONCLUSION: Ownership and use of LLINs in MHD remain challenging. Therefore, this finding will contribute to improving recommendations and updating strategies such as targeted messages aimed at raising awareness of malaria during mass LLIN distribution campaigns.
