Knowledge and Compliance to the Uptake of Malaria Vaccines by Caregivers to under-5 Years at the Mambanda Community Douala Cameroon


Authors : Mbacham Harry Fon; Ndoh Fatima; Abanda Wilfred Chick; Pipa Hilaria Lah; Tengu Belinda Fon; Wirba Didimus Sefela; Agwe Lucas Bami

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3cb4ahme

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5nbkkdey

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25apr1306

PlumX Metrics

Semantic Scholar

ResearchGate

IJISRT Repository

Google Scholar

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 15 to 20 days to display the article.

Abstract : Background: Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa, with Cameroon ranking among the most affected countries. Despite advancements in malaria control strategies, the introduction and uptake of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine face significant challenges, particularly in underserved urban communities. This study assessed the knowledge and compliance of caregivers to the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Mambanda, a densely populated and peri-urban community in Douala, Cameroon.  Materials and method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2024 among 150 mothers of children under five years residing in Mambanda. Participants were selected using a convenient random sampling technique. Data were collected through a semi-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria and its vaccines, and compliance with the RTS,S vaccine schedule. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics was used to evaluate proportions and significance was set at p<0.05.  Results: The study revealed high general awareness of malaria (98%) and the importance of vaccination (79.3%) among participants. However, knowledge of specific malaria vaccines was low, with only 22% and 9.3% of participants aware of the RTS,S and R21 vaccines, respectively. Despite this, 92.7% of participants understood that vaccines help prevent malaria, and 86.7% knew vaccines were accessible in hospitals. The actual uptake of the RTS,S vaccine among children was 44.7%, with most mothers (68.7%) expressing willingness to vaccinate their children. However, compliance with the full four-dose RTS,S schedule was not evaluated due to early stages of rollout. Common barriers included limited knowledge, vaccine myths for example fear of pain (89.3%), and infrastructural constraints.  Conclusions: The findings highlight a significant gap between general malaria knowledge and specific awareness and uptake of the RTS,S vaccine. This study underscores the need for robust, community-centered communication strategies that go beyond traditional media. Recommendations include leveraging community health workers and religious leaders for sensitization, implementing digital reminder systems, enhancing transport infrastructure for better healthcare access, and providing continuous training for healthcare workers on vaccine communication.

Keywords : Knowledge, Compliance, Uptake, Malaria, Vaccine, Mambanda, community, Douala.

References :

  1. Shin, H.-I., Ku, B., Jung, H., Lee, S., Ju, J.-W., Kim, J., & Lee, H.-I. (2024) 2023 World malaria report (status of world malaria in 2022). Public Health weekly report. 17(32):1351-1377.
  2. World Health Organization (2024) Malaria.
  3. MalariaWorld. (2024). Core 2024 Results Report.
  4. Poespoprodjo, J.R., Douglas, N.M., Ansong, D., Kho, S., Anstey, n.m. (2023). Seminar on Malaria. Lancet. 402 (10419): pp. 2328-2345. 
  5. Journal du Cameroun. (2024). Cameroon: Malaria prevalence blamed on funding gaps.
  6. SevereMalaria.org. (2024). Country Profile: Cameroon.
  7. INS Cameroon. (2022). Cameroon Malaria Indicator Survey Final Report.
  8. ALMA 2030. (2024). Cameroon Quarterly Report Q1 2024.
  9. World Health Organization (2024). Global Immunization coverage.
  10. World Health Organization (2023) Malaria vaccines (RTS,S and R21).
  11. AP News. (2024). Cameroon starts world’s first malaria vaccine program for children.
  12. The Guardian. (2024). World first: malaria vaccine rollout begins in Cameroon.
  13. Ajayi, M.Y. & Emeto, D.C. (2023) Awareness and acceptability of the malaria vaccine among caregivers of under-5 children in Northern Nigeria. Malar J.: 22(1):329.
  14. Asante, K.P., Mathanga, D.P., Akech, S., Oduro, A., Mwapasa, V., Moore, K.q. et al. (2024) Feasibility, safety  and the impact oof RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine when implemented through national immunization  programs: evaluation of cluster-randomised introduction of the vaccine in Ghana, Kennya and Malawi. The Lancet. 403 (10437): 1660-1670.
  15. Ansar, F., Azzam, A., Rauf, M.S., Ajimal, Z., Asad, U.G., Akram, R., et al. (2024). Global analysis of RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine acceptance rate and influencing factors: A systematic Review. Curues.; 16(5):e60678.
  16. Ndoula, S.T., Mboussou, F., Njoh, A.A., Nembot, R., Baonga, S.F., Njinkeu, A., et al. (2024). malaria vaccine introduction in Cameroon: Early results 30 days into rollout. vaccines (Basel). 12(4):346.
  17. Cameroon Tribune - Développement de Douala IV: Mambanda quartier pilote.
  18. Douala Today - Mambanda: Quartier en pleine mutation.
  19. Owusu-Agyei, S., Antwi, G. D., & Boamah, E. (2023). Awareness and adherence to malaria vaccination in Ghana. African Journal of Health Sciences, 33(4), 412–420.
  20. Nyarko, S. H., Boateng, J. B., & Owusu, B. (2023). Barriers to malaria vaccine uptake in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country perspective. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 28(2), 189–196.
  21. Otieno, L., Alaii, J., Sifuna, P., & Were, V. (2022). Caregivers’ perceptions of malaria vaccination in Kenya: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 22, 556.
  22. World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Malaria vaccine rollout in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.
  23. Gavi. (2023). RTS,S malaria vaccine implementation update.
  24. PATH. (2023). Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) evaluation report.
  25. Larson, H. J., de Figueiredo, A., Xiahong, Z., Schulz, W. S., Verger, P., Johnston, I. G., & Jones, N. S. (2016). The state of vaccine confidence 2016: Global insights through a 67-country survey. EbioMedicine, 12, 295–301.
  26. UNICEF. (2022). Reaching the unreached: The role of community health workers in vaccine.

Background: Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa, with Cameroon ranking among the most affected countries. Despite advancements in malaria control strategies, the introduction and uptake of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine face significant challenges, particularly in underserved urban communities. This study assessed the knowledge and compliance of caregivers to the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Mambanda, a densely populated and peri-urban community in Douala, Cameroon.  Materials and method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2024 among 150 mothers of children under five years residing in Mambanda. Participants were selected using a convenient random sampling technique. Data were collected through a semi-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria and its vaccines, and compliance with the RTS,S vaccine schedule. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics was used to evaluate proportions and significance was set at p<0.05.  Results: The study revealed high general awareness of malaria (98%) and the importance of vaccination (79.3%) among participants. However, knowledge of specific malaria vaccines was low, with only 22% and 9.3% of participants aware of the RTS,S and R21 vaccines, respectively. Despite this, 92.7% of participants understood that vaccines help prevent malaria, and 86.7% knew vaccines were accessible in hospitals. The actual uptake of the RTS,S vaccine among children was 44.7%, with most mothers (68.7%) expressing willingness to vaccinate their children. However, compliance with the full four-dose RTS,S schedule was not evaluated due to early stages of rollout. Common barriers included limited knowledge, vaccine myths for example fear of pain (89.3%), and infrastructural constraints.  Conclusions: The findings highlight a significant gap between general malaria knowledge and specific awareness and uptake of the RTS,S vaccine. This study underscores the need for robust, community-centered communication strategies that go beyond traditional media. Recommendations include leveraging community health workers and religious leaders for sensitization, implementing digital reminder systems, enhancing transport infrastructure for better healthcare access, and providing continuous training for healthcare workers on vaccine communication.

Keywords : Knowledge, Compliance, Uptake, Malaria, Vaccine, Mambanda, community, Douala.

Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe