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Political instability and hiv/aids response in the south west and north west regions of Cameroon: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health · 10 authors, 7 centres

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A qualitative study interviewed frontline healthcare workers in two conflict-affected regions of Cameroon to understand how political instability since 2018 has impacted HIV/AIDS services.

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This qualitative study conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 purposively selected frontline healthcare providers in Cameroon's North West and South West regions between July and August 2022. The interviews were thematically analyzed to understand perceptions of how political instability since 2018 has affected the local HIV/AIDS response.

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other

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public health

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10625251

Political instability and hiv/aids response in the south west and north west regions of Cameroon: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Politically motivated violence and insecurity continue to be a major threat to progress in HIV epidemic control and a significant contributor to health inequality. Despite a decreasing HIV/AIDS disease burden, the Republic of Cameroon in West Africa is experiencing ongoing political instability in her North and South West Regions. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand key frontline health care providers’ (fHCP) perceptions of the effects of political instability on HIV/AIDS response gains in Cameroon since 2018, as well as lessons learned for overcoming them. Methods Between July and August 2022, semi-structured, in-depth key informant interviews involving 10 purposively selected participants were conducted in the two regions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded thematically, and analyzed manually. Results Six overarching themes emerged from the transcribed key informant interviews. They were as follows: Challenge with access to and availability of health care services (HIV care, commodity supply chain) in the smaller communities; Impact on continuity of treatment; Increased risk of new HIV infections; The socioeconomic impact of the crisis on the quality of life; The impact of the crisis on fHCPs’ physical and mental health and the health system’; and Coping mechanisms. Conclusions Frontline healthcare workers have acknowledged the significant impact the current political instability has had in hindering the development and advancement of a successful local response to HIV/AIDS in the two impacted regions of Cameroon. Coordinated efforts must be made to strengthen the health sector in areas such as HIV healthcare decentralization, supply chain, and protecting frontline healthcare workers from political quagmires in order to lessen the impact of the nation’s socio-political crisis on the HIV/AIDS response and, more generally, on the entire health sector. Keywords: Cameroon, HIV/AIDS, Political instability, Global health, Qualitative health research

CITATION EXPORT

Julius Enongene Mekolle, Katayi Edouard Tshimwanga, Niba Juste Ongeh et al.. Political instability and hiv/aids response in the south west and north west regions of Cameroon: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16994-w

AUTHORS

10 · 7 CENTRES

Julius Enongene Mekolle, Katayi Edouard Tshimwanga, Niba Juste Ongeh, Agbor Nyenty Agbornkwai, Omeichu Agwenam Amadeus, Ismaela Esa, Keshia Ebude Mekolle, Ndung Ako Forbinake, Claude Ngwayu Nkfusai, Pascal Nji Atanga

1Family Health International, Bafoussam, Cameroon
2Africa Center for HIV/AIDS Management, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
3Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Bamenda, Cameroon
4Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy (CRENC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
5Universite Catholic d`Afrique Centrale, Yaoundé, Cameroon
6World Health Organization, Buea, Cameroon
7School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu- Natal, Durban, South Africa