Burden and predictors of M-pox suspected cases in a rural setting of Cameroon: implications for developing countries

Authors

  • Flaure Rasana P Nganmegni Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde, Cameroon https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3723-3061
  • Julienne Louise L Ngo Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • René G Essomba National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Philippe S Nguwoh National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5839-5987
  • Franck S Metomb Delegation of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health, Centre Region, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Emilienne Epee Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Nadia Mandeng National Public Health Emergency Operations Coordination Centre, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Georges-Alain E Mballa National Public Health Emergency Operations Coordination Centre, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Yap Boum II Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Marie Claire A Okomo National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Christian N Taheu National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4781-0225
  • Joseph Fokam Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1501-2763

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18397

Keywords:

burden, predictors, M-pox, suspected, cases, rural, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: M-pox is a re-emerging pathogen that is spreading rapidly in developing countries, presenting a serious health risk. Data are scarce on M-pox and its determinants in endemic countries such as Cameroon. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological burden and factors linked to the resurgence of M-pox in high-risk communities in Cameroon.

Methodology: A community-based surveillance was conducted from April to October 2022, among 88 individuals at the Ayos Health District (AHD). Participants were interviewed, and cases of M-pox were defined based on World Health Organization (WHO) clinical criteria. Data were analyzed using CSPro v.6.0 and SPSS v.20.0, with p < 0.05 as the statistical significance level.

Results: The overall suspected M-pox cases rate was 25% (22/88). Following logistic regression, history of chickenpox (OR 0.14, p = 0.05); history of smallpox (OR 9.14, p < 0.001), vaccination against poxviruses (p < 0.001), skin infection (OR 210, p < 0.001), upper respiratory infection (p < 0.001), atypical dermatitis (OR 144, p < 0.001), skin allergy (OR 68.57, p < 0.001), contact with an individual suffering from M-pox in the last 14 days before symptoms onset (OR 9.14, p < 0.001), contact with animals in the last 14 days before symptom onset (OR 12.68, p  0.001), regular meal consumption (OR 0.35, p = 0.04), meal-sharing, and handling of bushmeat (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with M-pox infection.

Conclusions: The clinical features of M-pox were common in rural Cameroonian setting, suggesting the need for active surveillance in these high-risk communities.

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Published

2024-11-30

How to Cite

1.
Nganmegni FRP, Ngo JLL, Essomba RG, Nguwoh PS, Metomb FS, Epee E, Mandeng N, Mballa G-AE, Boum II Y, Okomo MCA, Taheu CN, Fokam J (2024) Burden and predictors of M-pox suspected cases in a rural setting of Cameroon: implications for developing countries. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:1756–1763. doi: 10.3855/jidc.18397

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 11: November 2024

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Flaure Rasana Panta Nganmegni, Julienne Louise Likeng Ngo, René Ghislain Essomba, Philippe Salomon Nguwoh, Franck Steve Metomb, Emilienne Epee, Nadia Mandeng, Georges-Alain Etoundi Mballa, Yap Boum II, Marie Claire Assoumou Okomo, Christian Ngounouh Taheu , Joseph Fokam

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