Burden and predictors of M-pox suspected cases in a rural setting of Cameroon: implications for developing countries
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 res...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/18397 |
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| Summary: | 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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| ISSN: | 1972-2680 |