Knowledge of Healthcare Workers Regarding Dengue and Chikungunya in Some Health Facilities of the City of Yaoundé(Cameroon) and Its Neighbourhood

Background: Good knowledge of diseases’ epidemiology, diagnostic methods and treatment schemes are critical for early detection and effective management of dengue and chikungunya outbreaks. Here, we assessed knowledge and practices regarding dengue and chikungunya among health care workers of some health facilities of Yaoundé and its surroundings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to August 2020 in 35 health facilities of Yaoundé and its surroundings. Structured pre-tested questionnaire including 11 questions was used to assess healthcare workers’ (i) knowledge on dengue and chikungunya (pathogen, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms) and, (ii) management practices (diagnosis, prevention and treatment measures). Face to face interviews were conducted with healthcare workers including medical doctors, nurses, medical assistants and laboratory assistants. Findings: A total of 232 healthcare workers were interviewed. Despite that 40.95% (n = 95) of respondents had heard about dengue and chikungunya, only 4.74% (n = 11) of them were aware of the fact that both diseases are caused by virus. Also, 9 out of 232 (3.88%) knew that these diseases were transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. About 15.52% (n = 36) were able to give at least 1 clinical symptom related to dengue and chikungunya. The main diagnostic method they knew was Polymerase Chain Reaction (3.02%;n = 7). For prevention, many participants indicated vector control by using insecticide treated bednets or destroying potential breeding sites (14.23%;n = 33). Only few participants 3.88% (n = 9) knew how to manage dengue or chikungunya cases. To improve the management of both diseases, a significant proportion of healthcare workers (37.93%;n = 88) reported being in need of additional training. Conclusion: The poor knowledge regarding dengue and chikungunya among healthcare workers in Yaoundé and its neighbourhood raises the need to intensify sensitization campaigns and training activities towards this personnel.

Spatial distribution of Anopheles gambige sensu lato larvae in the urban environment of Yaounde,Cameroon

Background:The rapid and unplanned urbanization of African cities is considered to increase the risk of urban malaria transmission.The present study objective was to assess factors influencing the spatio-temporal distribution of Anopheles gombioe s.l.larvae in the city of Yaounde,Cameroon.Methods:All water bodies were checked once every 2 months for the presence of mosquito larvae from March 2017 to May 2018 in 32 distrias of Yaounde.Physico-chemical characteristics including the size,depth,turbidity,pH,temperature,conductivity,sulfates,organophosphates,hydrogen peroxide(H2O2),conductivity,iron and calcium were recorded and analyzed according to anopheline larvae presence or absence.High resolution satellite images from landsat sentinel Enhanced Thematic Mapper were used for spatial mapping of both field and environmental variables.Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify variables closely associated with anopheline larvae distribution.Results:A total of 18696 aquatic habitats were checked and only 2942 sites(15.7%)contained anopheline larvae.A high number of sites with anopheline larvae(>69%)presented late instar larvae(L3,L4 and pupae).Anopheline mosquito larvae were sampled from a variety of breeding sites including puddles(51.6%),tire prints(12.9%),wells(11.7%)and drains(11.3%).Bivariate logistic regression analyses associated anopheline larvae presence with the absence of predators,absence of algae,absence of vegetation and depth of less than 1 m.Conductivity,turbidity,organophosphates,H2O2 and temperature were significantly high in breeding sites with anopheline larvae than in breeding sites without these larvae(P<0.1).Anopheline species colleaed included An.coluzzii(91.1%)and An.gombioe s.s.(8.9%).GIS mapping indicated a heterogeneous distribution of anopheline breeding habitats in the city of Yaounde.Land cover analysis indicated high variability of the city of Yaounde's landscape.Conclusions:The data confirms adaptation of An.gombioe s.l.to the urban domain in the city of Yaounde and calls for urgent actions to improve malaria vector control.