Knowledge, Compliance and Effects of the Oral Cholera Vaccine at the Hill Top of the Ndobo Community, Littoral Region, Douala, Cameroon

Abstract

Developing an effective and safe cholera vaccine is a global public heath necessity in the cholera epidemic. Vaccination compliance maybe a major concern with cholera vaccine due to some factors. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the compliance, knowledge and effects of cholera vaccine in the Hill top Ndobo community in the littoral region Douala, Cameroon.  Methods: A cross sectional community-based survey was carried out at the Hill top Ndobo community in Douala. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect data after authorization was granted. The data collected was coded, analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 then presented on tables and figures. The statistical significance was set p < 0.05.  Results: A total of 300 participants were recruited into the study, and it was revealed that, majority had a good knowledge about cholera (67.0%), the vaccine (57.7%) and the mode of transmission (55.5%). 14.0% of the total population had received the vaccine at the time of sampling, and among those who didn’t received the vaccine, students (60.1%) significantly (p = 0.023) made up the population, and 95.0% of the study population attested that they were not comfortable taking the vaccine.  Conclusion: The population had a good knowledge about the cholera vaccine, but majority had not received the vaccine. A vaccination campaign at the Hill top Ndobo community in the littoral region Douala, Cameroon is recommended.