TIOTSIA TSAPI ARMAND1,2,*, DEFO TAMGNO ERIC3,4, FOSSI MARTIN1, MAGNE TAMOUFE GAELLE4, ETHGEN OLIVIER3, NGUEFACK-TSAGUE GEORGES5 and JULES ROGER KUIATE1,6
1Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Evangelical University Institute of Cameroon, P.O. Box 127 Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon.
2Department of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Public Health; University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
3Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liege, 13 Hippocrate Avenue, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
4Association HEADA Cameroon, P.O. Box 1085 Mduf-Fouda Ada CRESAR Yaounde, Cameroon.
5Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 1364 Kribi Road, Yaounde, Cameroon.
6Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 154 Dschang, Cameroon.
*Corresponding author: tiotsatsapi.armand@uecam.org, tsapi.armand@gmail.com
Received: 27 Oct 2025, Reviewed: 27 Feb 2026, Revised: 06 Mar 2026, Accepted: 22 Jul 2026, Published: 22 Aug 2026
https://doi.org/10.63342/cjbbs2025.26.34.033.en
ABSTRACT
Malaria is a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon, where children under 5 years of age are disproportionately affected. The WHO recommends seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) for children aged 3-59 months in areas of high seasonal transmission. Conducted in northern Cameroon from December 2021 to June 2022, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess SMC acceptability among parents of children under 5. Structured questionnaires collected data from 58 households on sociodemographic, malaria and SMC knowledge, insecticide-treated net (ITN) utilization, child malaria positivity, and SMC acceptability. Logistic regression identified predictors of SMC acceptability. Respondents from 58 households, mostly with secondary education, showed high awareness of malaria and SMC and good preventive knowledge. ITN utilization varied. A total of 68.97% of the children tested for malaria were negative. Overall, 67.24% accepted SMC, with education and SMC knowledge as significant predictors. This study highlights the acceptability of SMC among parents of children under 5 in northern Cameroon. Achieving full SMC coverage and adherence remains challenging despite widespread awareness. Considering factors such as education and SMC knowledge, targeted interventions are crucial for reducing the malaria burden in this vulnerable population.
Keywords: Malaria, Seasonal Malaria chemoprevention, Cameroon, Children under 5. Acceptability.
RÉSUMÉ
Le paludisme constitue un défi majeur en Afrique subsaharienne, en particulier au Cameroun, où les enfants de moins de 5 ans sont touchés de manière disproportionnée. L’OMS recommande la chimioprévention saisonnière du paludisme (CSP) pour les enfants âgés de 3 à 59 mois dans les zones à forte transmission saisonnière. Menée dans le Nord du Cameroun de décembre 2021 à juin 2022, cette étude transversale visait à évaluer l’acceptabilité de la CSP auprès des parents d’enfants de moins de 5 ans. Des questionnaires structurés ont permis de recueillir des données auprès de 58 ménages, notamment les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, les connaissances relatives au paludisme et à la CSP, l’utilisation des moustiquaires imprégnées d’insecticide (MII), la prévalence du paludisme chez les enfants et l’acceptabilité de la CSP. Une régression logistique a permis d’identifier les facteurs prédictifs de l’acceptabilité de la CSP. Les personnes interrogées issues de 58 ménages, pour la plupart ayant suivi des études secondaires, ont fait preuve d’une forte sensibilisation au paludisme et à la CSP, ainsi que de bonnes connaissances en matière de prévention. L’utilisation des MII était variable. Au total, 68,97 % des enfants testés pour le paludisme se sont révélés négatifs. Globalement, 67,24 % des parents acceptaient la CSP; le niveau d’éducation et les connaissances sur cette approche constituant des facteurs prédictifs significatifs. Cette étude met en évidence l’acceptabilité de la CSP chez les parents d’enfants de moins de 5 ans. Atteindre une couverture et une observance complètes de la CSP reste un défi malgré une sensibilisation généralisée. Compte tenu de facteurs tels que le niveau d’éducation et les connaissances sur cette intervention, des actions ciblées sont essentielles pour réduire le fardeau du paludisme au sein de cette population vulnérable.
Mots-clés: Paludisme, chimioprévention saisonnière contre le paludisme, Cameroun, enfants de moins de 5 ans, acceptabilité.
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