Humanization of care: a geospatial analysis of key indicators of quality and safety of health care and service in the Centre region, Cameroon

@article{cheuyem2026humanization,
  title = {{Humanization of care: a geospatial analysis of key indicators of quality and safety of health care and service in the Centre region, Cameroon}},
  author = {Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem and Adidja Amani and Brian Ngongheh Ajong and Lionel Berthold Keubou Boukeng and Christian Mouangue and Martine Golda Mekouzou Tsafack and Esther Andriane Bitye Bi Mvondo and Ariane Nouko and Claude Axel Minkandi and Christelle Sandrine Ngos and Edwige Omona Guissana and Raissa Katy Noa Otsali and Djoulay-Hatou and Adam Yaya and Pamela Sonfack and Florence Kissougle Nkongo},
  journal = {BMC Health Services Research},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s12913-026-15247-x},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15247-x},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Humanization of care: a geospatial analysis of key indicators of quality and safety of health care and service in the Centre region, Cameroon
AU  - Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem
AU  - Adidja Amani
AU  - Brian Ngongheh Ajong
AU  - Lionel Berthold Keubou Boukeng
AU  - Christian Mouangue
AU  - Martine Golda Mekouzou Tsafack
AU  - Esther Andriane Bitye Bi Mvondo
AU  - Ariane Nouko
AU  - Claude Axel Minkandi
AU  - Christelle Sandrine Ngos
AU  - Edwige Omona Guissana
AU  - Raissa Katy Noa Otsali
AU  - Djoulay-Hatou
AU  - Adam Yaya
AU  - Pamela Sonfack
AU  - Florence Kissougle Nkongo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - BMC Health Services Research
DO  - 10.1186/s12913-026-15247-x
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-15247-x
AB  - Background Integrating the principles of humanized care into healthcare systems is critical to promoting optimal well-being. In a context of limited resources, improving quality of care means identifying priority sites to optimize cost-effectiveness. The objective was to measure key indicators of quality and safety in health facilities and map priority health districts (HDs) for effective implementation of high-impact interventions in the Centre Region. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional analysis of retrospective data from 32 HDs in the Centre Region for the period 2018–2022. Data were extracted from the national District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) database in April 2023 and checked for completeness. The health indicators assessed were those defined in the Cameroon Health Sector Strategy for 2020–2030. Data were analyzed using R statistics version 4.2.3. Results The density of the qualified healthcare workers was 13.7 per 10 000 inhabitants in 2022. Over the five-year study period, the density of doctors in rural areas declined by almost 20% by 2020, whereas urban areas experienced a concurrent increase. The Odza HD had the highest inpatient mortality rate over the five-year study period (49%). In rural areas, the Esse HD had the highest mortality rate (32.4%). Esse (18.8%) and Odza (6.7%) HDs had the highest perioperative mortality rates in rural and urban areas, respectively. Most of the urban HDs (5/8 = 62.5%) had a neonatal mortality rate higher than the regional median (RM = 3.1). Half of the rural HDs had a maternal mortality ratio higher than the RM = 118 per 1000 live births and the Mbandjock (357/1,000) and Mvog-Ada (285/1,000) HDs carried the highest burden in rural and urban areas respectively. More than two thirds of urban HDs recorded a proportion of free malaria treatment cases below the RM (14%). Conclusions Efforts to humanize healthcare in the Centre Region are hindered by persistent disparities in care quality and inconsistent policy implementation. Addressing these challenges requires timely implementation of a National Strategic Plan to Improve the Quality of Healthcare and Service Delivery, emphasizing on capacity building through training and supervision.
SN  - 1472-6963
ER  -