COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The development of effective vaccines was a promising tool for ending the pandemic. However, the success of a vaccination programme hinges on achieving substantial community acceptance. In Cameroon, numerous studies have investigated the level of acceptance, hesitancy, and percep...

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Main Authors: Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem, Adidja Amani, Iyawa Clarisse Alma Nkodo, Lionel Bethold Keubou Boukeng, Michel Franck Edzamba, Ariane Nouko, Edwige Omona Guissana, Christelle Sandrine Ngos, Chabeja Achangwa, Christian Mouangue
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22195-4
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author Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem
Adidja Amani
Iyawa Clarisse Alma Nkodo
Lionel Bethold Keubou Boukeng
Michel Franck Edzamba
Ariane Nouko
Edwige Omona Guissana
Christelle Sandrine Ngos
Chabeja Achangwa
Christian Mouangue
author_facet Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem
Adidja Amani
Iyawa Clarisse Alma Nkodo
Lionel Bethold Keubou Boukeng
Michel Franck Edzamba
Ariane Nouko
Edwige Omona Guissana
Christelle Sandrine Ngos
Chabeja Achangwa
Christian Mouangue
author_sort Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The development of effective vaccines was a promising tool for ending the pandemic. However, the success of a vaccination programme hinges on achieving substantial community acceptance. In Cameroon, numerous studies have investigated the level of acceptance, hesitancy, and perception of COVID-19 vaccines, with mixed results. To provide a comprehensive understanding of these parameters, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and perception in Cameroon. Methods A systematic search of online databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, was conducted to identify relevant research articles. This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The extracted data were compiled in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using R statistical software (version 4.3.3). The pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and perception was calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Funnel plots, Egger’s, and Begg’s tests were used to assess publication bias. Results Of the 1,346 records identified through the database search, 20 research articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed that approximately 31.21% (95% CI: 23.49–38.94) of the participants was willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. More than two-thirds of the population (68.49%; 95% CI: 60.65–76.34) were vaccine hesitant. Half of the participants (51.81%; 95% CI: 42.70-60.93), had a negative perception of the COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance rate progressed from the first semester of 2021 (27.21%; 95% CI: 10.38–44.05) to the first semester of 2022 (45.56%; 95% CI: 25.00-66.12). The pooled vaccine acceptance rate was 29.29% (95% CI: 19.86–38.72) for the general population and 39.24% (95% CI: 22.84–55.64) for healthcare workers. The pooled vaccine hesitancy rate was 70.39% (95% CI: 61.30–79.80) for the general population and 57.42% (95% CI: 4.05–71.80) for healthcare workers. Conclusion Although progress in vaccine acceptance, targeted interventions remain necessary to address vaccine hesitancy in the country. Strategies such as enhancing access to accurate information, fostering trust in institutions, and strengthening community engagement remain crucial for increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
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spelling doaj-art-262a939e839f4a94b3fbd1f3f8df146c2025-08-20T02:41:26ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-0125111210.1186/s12889-025-22195-4COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysisFabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem0Adidja Amani1Iyawa Clarisse Alma Nkodo2Lionel Bethold Keubou Boukeng3Michel Franck Edzamba4Ariane Nouko5Edwige Omona Guissana6Christelle Sandrine Ngos7Chabeja Achangwa8Christian Mouangue9Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde IDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde IMinistry of Public HealthDepartment of Public Health and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of EbolowaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde IDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde IMinistry of Public HealthDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde IQueens Elisabeth Commonwealth Scholar (QECS Scholar), University of the West IndiesMinistry of Public HealthAbstract Background The development of effective vaccines was a promising tool for ending the pandemic. However, the success of a vaccination programme hinges on achieving substantial community acceptance. In Cameroon, numerous studies have investigated the level of acceptance, hesitancy, and perception of COVID-19 vaccines, with mixed results. To provide a comprehensive understanding of these parameters, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and perception in Cameroon. Methods A systematic search of online databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, was conducted to identify relevant research articles. This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The extracted data were compiled in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using R statistical software (version 4.3.3). The pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and perception was calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Funnel plots, Egger’s, and Begg’s tests were used to assess publication bias. Results Of the 1,346 records identified through the database search, 20 research articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed that approximately 31.21% (95% CI: 23.49–38.94) of the participants was willing to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. More than two-thirds of the population (68.49%; 95% CI: 60.65–76.34) were vaccine hesitant. Half of the participants (51.81%; 95% CI: 42.70-60.93), had a negative perception of the COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance rate progressed from the first semester of 2021 (27.21%; 95% CI: 10.38–44.05) to the first semester of 2022 (45.56%; 95% CI: 25.00-66.12). The pooled vaccine acceptance rate was 29.29% (95% CI: 19.86–38.72) for the general population and 39.24% (95% CI: 22.84–55.64) for healthcare workers. The pooled vaccine hesitancy rate was 70.39% (95% CI: 61.30–79.80) for the general population and 57.42% (95% CI: 4.05–71.80) for healthcare workers. Conclusion Although progress in vaccine acceptance, targeted interventions remain necessary to address vaccine hesitancy in the country. Strategies such as enhancing access to accurate information, fostering trust in institutions, and strengthening community engagement remain crucial for increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22195-4COVID-19 vaccineAcceptanceHesitancyPerceptionCameroon
spellingShingle Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem
Adidja Amani
Iyawa Clarisse Alma Nkodo
Lionel Bethold Keubou Boukeng
Michel Franck Edzamba
Ariane Nouko
Edwige Omona Guissana
Christelle Sandrine Ngos
Chabeja Achangwa
Christian Mouangue
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Public Health
COVID-19 vaccine
Acceptance
Hesitancy
Perception
Cameroon
title COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort covid 19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in cameroon a systematic review and meta analysis
topic COVID-19 vaccine
Acceptance
Hesitancy
Perception
Cameroon
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22195-4
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