Knowledge, attitudes, practices and epidemiological profile of Muslim faithful receiving Covid-19 vaccines in Yaounde, Cameroon

Author(s): AMANI Adidja, Yauba SAIDU, EFIETNGAB ATEMBEH-Noura, CHEUYEM LEKEUMO Fabrice Zobel, TANDJEU NENEDA HILLARY Nellie Gladys, EBOGO BELOBO Jean Thierry, Moussa SOUAIBOU, Georges NGUEFACK-TSAGUE, Joseph KAMGNO

In the response strategy against the Covid-19 pandemic, Cameroon has used until July 2021, two types of vaccine namely: Sinopharm, Covishield/AstraZeneca. The objective of this study was to determine the KAP and the epidemiological profile of Muslim faithful receiving the Covid-19 vaccine at Mosque Biyem-Assi, Yaoundé-Cameroon. Data on COVID-19, vaccination, and clinical characteristics were collected. A total of 58 participants took part in the first survey and equally received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine of their choice. The majority of the participants were females (n =32, 55.2%), 37.9% were 50 years and over and 43.1% had a university degree. Overall score was 78.41% for knowledge, 92.8% for perceptions and 48.3% for practices. Despite the availability and gratuity only half of the Participants reported to have carried out their COVID-19 test ever since the pandemic started. Out of 40 (69.0) participants who have heard stories concerning the vaccines, 39.7% suggested that they COVID-19 vaccines can protect us from the disease. Also, out of the 58 participants who received their first dose of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, 36 of them came for their second shot amounting for a 62% complete vaccination rate. Headache, pain and heaviness of the injected arm were the most frequently reported side effects following participants first shot. Bringing the vaccines to the communities, in their milieu could be the best solution to increase vaccine uptake in Cameroon.