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Cornerstone Preprints Cornerstone University & Theological Seminary · Cameroon
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Knowledge and Compliance to the Uptake of Malaria Vaccines by Caregivers to Under-5 Years at the Mambanda Community, Douala, Cameroon

Harry Fon Mbacham1, Fatima Ndoh1, Wilfred Chick Abanda1, Hilaria Lah Pipa1, Belinda Fon Tengu1, Didimus Sefela Wirba2, Lucas Bami Agwe3

1 Department of Nursing, Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Limbe, Cameroon

2 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Limbe, Cameroon

3 Department of Computer Science and Technology, Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Limbe, Cameroon

Published in International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2025, 10(4) · doi:10.38124/ijisrt/25apr1306

Reader notice: this is an archived copy of an article that was peer reviewed and published in International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2025, 10(4). The journal remains the version of record.

Abstract

Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa, with Cameroon ranking among the most affected countries. Despite advances in malaria control, the introduction and uptake of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine face significant challenges, particularly in underserved urban communities. This community-based cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and compliance of caregivers to the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Mambanda, a densely populated peri-urban community in Douala, Cameroon. It was conducted from June to July 2024 among 150 mothers of children under five, selected by convenient random sampling, using a semi-structured pilot-tested questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of malaria and its vaccines, and compliance with the RTS,S schedule, analysed in SPSS version 23. Ninety-eight per cent of mothers were aware of malaria and 79.3% knew the role of vaccines, yet only 22% had heard of RTS,S and 9.3% knew about R21. Forty-four point seven per cent of children had received at least one dose of RTS,S, and although willingness to vaccinate was high at 68.7%, barriers included fear of pain, misinformation and access. The study argues for targeted community-based sensitisation beyond mass media, in partnership with community leaders and health workers.

Keywords

malariaRTSS/AS01R21vaccine uptakecaregiversMambandaDoualaCameroon

How to cite

Harry Fon Mbacham, Fatima Ndoh, Wilfred Chick Abanda, Hilaria Lah Pipa, Belinda Fon Tengu, Didimus Sefela Wirba, Lucas Bami Agwe (2025). Knowledge and Compliance to the Uptake of Malaria Vaccines by Caregivers to Under-5 Years at the Mambanda Community, Douala, Cameroon. Cornerstone Preprints, i6bw35u8. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25apr1306

Cite the published version in International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2025, 10(4) where you can.

Declarations

Type
Research article
Competing interests
None declared.
Funding
None declared.

These are the authors' own statements. The repository records them and does not verify them.

Version history

Version 1 · Posted 8 May 2025 · Current versionPublished version, archived from the journal.