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Observational Study
. 2021 Jul 15;21(1):356.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-021-03323-x.

Fear and depression during the COVID-19 outbreak in Cameroon: a nation-wide observational study

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo  1   2 , Leonard Ngarka  2 , Wepnyu Y Njamnshi  2   3 , Leonard N Nfor  2 , Michel K Mengnjo  2 , Edwige Laure Mendo  2 , Samuel A Angwafor  2 , Jonas Guy Atchou Basseguin  2 , Cyrille Nkouonlack  2 , Edith N Njit  2 , Nene Ahidjo  2 , Eric S Chokote  2 , Fidèle Dema  2 , Julius Y Fonsah  2 , Godwin Y Tatah  2 , Nancy Palmer  2 , Paul F Seke Etet  2 , Dennis Palmer  2 , Dickson S Nsagha  2 , Daniel E Etya'ale  3 , Stephen Perrig  3 , Roman Sztajzel  3 , Jean-Marie Annoni  3 , Anne-Cécile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek  4 , Rose G F Leke  2 , Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa Obama  2 , John N Nkengasong  5 , Robert Colebunders  1 , Alfred K Njamnshi  6   7
Affiliations
Observational Study

Fear and depression during the COVID-19 outbreak in Cameroon: a nation-wide observational study

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant psychological and social distress worldwide. We investigated fear and depression among adults in Cameroon during different phases of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: An online survey was conducted in Cameroon from June-December 2020 using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic data and information regarding COVID-19 history were obtained. Fear and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 score (FCV-19S) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Responses were clustered in weeks to better appreciate their evolution over time.

Results: Overall, 7381 responses from all ten regions of Cameroon were analysed (median age: 30 years, 73.3% male). The prevalence of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) was 8.4%, and that of high fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S scores ≥19) was 57.4%. These rates were similar across genders, age-groups, and region of residence. While mean weekly PHQ-9 scores remained fairly stable throughout the study period (range: 2.53-3.21; p = 0.101), mean FCV-19S scores were highest during the early weeks but decreased significantly thereafter (from 20.31 to 18.34; p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that having a postgraduate degree, a history of quarantine, flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days, and higher FCV-19S scores were associated with more severe depressive symptoms, while obtaining COVID-19 information from various sources reduced the odds for depression.

Conclusion: Depression amidst the COVID-19 crisis is less prevalent in Cameroon than in other countries. Prompt and widespread dissemination of adequate COVID-19 information may reduce the risks for depression by dispelling fear and anxiety among Cameroonians.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cameroon; Depression; FCV-19S; Fear; PHQ-9.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Weekly evolution of COVID-19 incidence and: A Fear scores; B PHQ-9 scores
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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