Cultural Perspectives on COVID-19 Existence, Origins, Preventive Measures and Remedies: A Survey of Selected Communities in the Yaounde Municipality

Abstract

Broadly, this paper is concerned with understanding what participants think about the existence and origins of COVID-19. It also sought their views regarding the barrier measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus; how the virus can be completely eradicated, as well as the preventive measures that they think can be employed or which they have personally or collectively employed to keep safe from the virus in their communities; and whether their knowledge of COVID-19 issues is influenced in any way by their cultural perceptions or worldviews. This study adopted a mixed-method research design. The population was made up of all the inhabitants of ten randomly selected communities within the city of Yaoundé. A mixed sampling method (purposive and snowball) was employed to draw 50 participants from this population. A total of 50 questionnaires were administered. Forty-six were completed and returned, representing a 92 percent return rate. The questionnaire consisted of both close-ended and free response items. The findings have revealed that the majority of the participants, 41 (89.13%), agreed that COVID-19 exists. Nevertheless, some participants, though small in number 4 (8.70%), claimed they had never heard of COVID-19. Although participants could name barrier measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, they did not think the measures had the desired impact. The finding on how to eradicate COVID-19 in Cameroon presents a mixed picture, with participants suggesting prayers and the involvement of herbalists, and the appeasement of ancestors. The findings have further shown that the majority of the participants know of herbal treatments or remedies that can be used or which they have actually used against the COVID-19 disease in their communities. And some think their cultural perceptions about diseases, in general, equally apply to COVID-19. Finally, this study has added to existing voices on why Cameroon is struggling with convincing the population to vaccinate against the COVID-19 virus, at least as far as the participants in the participating communities in this study are concerned. It is concluded that cultural perspectives can affect health-related behaviours. While the biological sciences can help us prevent future pandemics, we argue that understanding individual behaviours, through the social sciences, including education, can improve health practices and prove critical in managing future pandemics.