Identification of priority areas for cholera control, Cameroon

Abstract

Objective: To identify priority areas for multisectoral interventions for cholera control in Cameroon. Methods: and the National Public Health Laboratory. We entered these data into the Global Task Force on Cholera Control tool to determine a priority index for districts based on four cholera indicators: incidence, mortality, persistence and test positivity. We calculated a vulnerability index based on 12 vulnerability factors. We categorized districts with a priority index ≥ 9 and districts with a priority index < 9 but with ≥ 9 vulnerability factors as priority areas for multisectoral interventions. Findings: Between 2016 and 2023, Cameroon reported 24 813 suspected cholera cases in nine regions. Of 200 health districts, we identified 48 (24.0%) as priority areas for multisectoral interventions, 35 based on a priority index ≥ 9 and 13 based on vulnerability factors. These priority areas were home to 40.4% (11 488 089/28 433 067) of the country's population in 2023 and accounted for 91.3% (22 668/24 813) of the cholera cases between 2016 and 2023. Centre, Littoral, South-West and Far North regions account for 85.4% (41/48) of the priority areas for multisectoral interventions. Conclusion: Identification of priority areas for multisectoral interventions provided evidence for decision-making to enhance cholera preparedness and prevention. The availability of data facilitated this classification, and the ownership and leadership of the main governmental stakeholders were essential.