Monamele Chavely Gwladys, Messanga Landry, Njintang Yanou Nicolas, Simo Gustave, Eboumbou Moukoko Carole Else, Moumbeket Henri, Modyinyi Abdou Fatawou, Mohamadou Ripa, Foupouapouognigni Yacouba, Abdou Armand, Akoachere Jane-Francis Tatah Kihla, Dani Pallavi, Hoppe Anne, Njouom Richard
Department of Virology, Centre Pasteur Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Sep 3;112(4_Suppl):84-91. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0744. Print 2025 Apr 1.
Robust testing strategies are an essential aspect of COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response. In 2022, most regions of Cameroon were still below the WHO's recommended level of 10 COVID-19 tests per 10,000 population. This study aimed to detect SARS-CoV-2 cases in university settings in Cameroon using antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) to increase national testing capacity and assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of this population regarding COVID-19 infection. Six universities in Buea, Douala, Dschang, Maroua, Ngaoundere, and Yaounde participated in this study from June to October 2022. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from participants and tested for COVID-19 using Ag-RDTs. For all positive cases, high-risk contacts were also tested by Ag-RDT. Participants were administered a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19. A total of 7,006 participants were recruited, and 54 (0.8%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among close contacts, three of 62 (4.8%) tested positive. The University of Maroua was the only site to consistently report satisfactory testing capacity, achieving the study target of 30 tests/10,000 in 94.1% of cases. Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 was moderate to good (≥50%). However, 28% were unsure about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Two main factors were identified that could facilitate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in university settings, namely the lack of restrictions on entering campus without a mask (36%) and the non-respect of social distancing on campus (42.7%). The results of this study will guide future policies to better control diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential by targeting educational institutions.
强有力的检测策略是新冠疫情防范与应对的重要方面。2022年，喀麦隆的大多数地区仍低于世界卫生组织建议的每万人口10次新冠检测水平。本研究旨在通过使用抗原快速诊断检测（Ag-RDT）在喀麦隆的大学环境中检测新冠病毒病例，以提高国家检测能力，并评估该人群对新冠感染的知识、态度和行为。布埃亚、杜阿拉、贾格、马鲁阿、恩冈代雷和雅温得的六所大学于2022年6月至10月参与了本研究。从参与者中采集鼻咽拭子，并使用Ag-RDT检测新冠病毒。对于所有阳性病例，其高风险接触者也通过Ag-RDT进行检测。向参与者发放了一份结构化问卷，以评估他们对新冠病毒的知识、态度和行为。总共招募了7006名参与者，其中54人（0.8%）新冠病毒检测呈阳性。在密切接触者中，62人中有3人（4.8%）检测呈阳性。马鲁阿大学是唯一持续报告检测能力令人满意的地点，在94.1%的情况下达到了每万人30次检测的研究目标。参与者对新冠病毒的了解程度中等至良好（≥50%）。然而，28%的人不确定新冠疫苗的有效性。确定了两个可能促进新冠病毒在大学环境中传播的主要因素，即进入校园不戴口罩没有限制（36%）和校园内不遵守社交距离（42.7%）。本研究结果将指导未来的政策，通过针对教育机构更好地控制具有流行或大流行潜力的疾病。
