Identification of priority areas for cholera control, Cameroon

To identify priority areas for multisectoral interventions for cholera control in Cameroon.

We collected data on cholera cases from January 2016 to September 2023 in all 10 regions of Cameroon sourced from the DHIS-2 software, national cholera line lists, situation reports and databases of the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun 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.

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.

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.