A postpartum intervention for vaccination promotion by midwives using motivational interviews reduces mothers' vaccine hesitancy, south-eastern France, 2021 to 2022: a randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundDespite childhood vaccine mandates imposed in 2018 in France, parental vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains frequent. Interventions in Quebec, Canada, applying motivational interviewing (MI) techniques have successfully reduced parents' VH for childhood immunisations.AimTo determine whether MI intervention for mothers in maternity wards in the days after birth in France could significantly reduce VH, increase intentions to vaccinate (VI) their child at 2 months and reduce VH social inequalities.MethodsWe conducted a parallel-arm multicentre randomised controlled trial from November 2021 to April 2022 to compare impacts of MI performed by MI-trained midwives (intervention) vs a vaccination leaflet (control). We included 733 mothers from two maternity hospitals in south-eastern France, randomly assigned either arm. The validated Parents Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines questionnaire was used before and after MI or leaflet to assess mothers' VH (13 items, 0-100 score) and VI (1 item, 1-10 score). Difference-in-difference (D-I-D) models were used to estimate net impact of MI vs leaflet for the entire sample and stratified by VH and education level.ResultsMotivational interview intervention reduced mothers' VH score by 33% (p < 0.0001) and increased VI by 8% (p < 0.0001); the effect was largest for the highest initial VH levels. D-I-D analyses estimated net VH decrease at 5.8/100 points (p = 0.007) and net VI increase at 0.6/10 points (p = 0.005). Net VH decrease was highest for high initial VH levels and low education levels.ConclusionsOur results show positive effects of MI intervention, and means of its implementation should be investigated in France.

Motivational interview training improves self-efficacy of GP interns in vaccination consultations: A study using the Pro-VC-Be to measure vaccine confidence determinants.

Immunization-specific motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered communication style used to encourage internal motivation for attitudinal and behavioral change, can provide healthcare professionals (HCPs) with the skills and practice required to respond to patients' doubts and concerns related to vaccines. We sought to assess the impact of an MI-training of General Practitioner (GP) interns on the psychosocial determinants of their vaccine confidence and behaviors. French GP interns participated in a virtual three-day MI-workshop in southeastern France. We used the validated Pro-VC-Be questionnaire - before and after the MI-workshop spanning over three months - to measure the evolution of these determinants. Scores before and after workshop trainings were compared in pairs. Participants' scores for commitment to vaccination (+10.5 ± 20.5, P = .001), perceived self-efficacy (+36.0 ± 25.8, P < .0001), openness to patients (+18.7 ± 17.0, P < .0001), and trust in authorities (+9.5 ± 17.2, P = 0.01) significantly increased after the training sessions, but not the score for confidence in vaccines (+1.5 ± 11.9, P = .14). The effect sizes of the four score improvements were moderate to large, with self-efficacy and openness to patients having the largest effect sizes (P = .83 and 0.78, respectively). This study provides evidence that certain determinants of overall vaccine confidence in HCPs, reflected respectively in the openness to patients and self-efficacy scores of the Pro-VC-Be, improve after immunization MI-training workshops. Incorporating immunization-specific MI-training in the curriculum for HCPs could improve several necessary skills to improve HCP-patient relationships and be useful for vaccination and other healthcare services.

Assessment of training of general practice interns in motivational interviews about vaccination.

The effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) for reducing vaccine hesitancy (VH) has been demonstrated in Quebec. We conducted a study to evaluate the acquisition of MI skills after MI training via videoconferencing for interns training as general practitioners (GPs) in southeastern France. A vaccination-specific MI training workshop was offered to interns in 2021, consisting of two separate Zoom videoconference sessions. Participants completed the Motivational Interviewing Skills in Immunization questionnaire before and after the training to measure skills acquisition. We used pairwise exact Wilcoxon-Pratt signed rank tests for the analysis. Among 45 GP interns enrolled in the first MI session, 34 (75.6%) attended both sessions and completed the questionnaire at 3 different time points. After the first session, MI knowledge scores improved significantly (+21.1 ± 21.6; P < .0001), as did application of MI skills (+36.8 ± 36.7; P < .0001), and MI practice confidence (+21.2 ± 11.1; P < .0001). The second MI session maintained the skills developed after the first session without further improvement. Participant satisfaction was high. This is the first study in France assessing the impact of a vaccination-specific MI training for GP interns. It shows a substantial improvement in knowledge, application of MI skills, and self-confidence in the practice of MI. GP interns were highly satisfied with the training despite the videoconference format. These promising results will allow the integration of MI training in GP medical curricula in order to prepare future GPs for communication in the field of vaccination.

Promoting vaccination in maternity wards ─ motivational interview technique reduces hesitancy and enhances intention to vaccinate, results from a multicentre non-controlled pre- and post-intervention RCT-nested study, Quebec, March 2014 to February 2015.

BackgroundMany countries are grappling with growing numbers of parents who delay or refuse recommended vaccinations for their children. This has created a need for strategies to address vaccine hesitancy (VH) and better support parental decision-making regarding vaccination.AimTo assess vaccination intention (VI) and VH among parents who received an individual motivational-interview (MI) based intervention on infant immunisation during post-partum stay at a maternity ward between March 2014 and February 2015.MethodsThis non-controlled pre-/post-intervention study was conducted using the results from parents enrolled in the intervention arm of the PromoVaQ randomised control trial (RCT), which was conducted in four maternity wards across the Province of Quebec. Participants (n = 1,223) completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires on VI and VH using Opel's score. Pre-/post-intervention measures were compared using McNemar's test for categorical variables and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for continuous variables.ResultsPre-intervention: overall VI was 78% and significantly differed across maternity wards (74%, 77%, 84%, 79%, p = 0.02). Post-intervention: VI rose significantly across maternity wards (89%, 85%, 95%, 93%) and the overall increase in VI was 12% (78% vs 90%, p < 0.0001). VH corroborated these observations, pre- vs post-intervention, for each maternity ward (28% vs 16%, 29% vs 21%, 27% vs 17%, 24% vs 13%). Overall, VH was curbed post-intervention by 40% (27% vs 16%; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsCompared with pre-intervention status, participants who received the MI-based intervention on immunisation displayed lower hesitancy and greater intention to vaccinate their infant at 2 months of age.

Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Quebec: a large population-based survey.

Objectives: Vaccine hesitancy is a global phenomenon that needs to be measured and addressed. This study aimed to identify the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among a large regional population.Methods: A structured telephone survey was administered to a random digit sample in Quebec's Eastern Townships region. In addition to socioeconomic information, respondents were asked questions on several health topics such as knowledge and beliefs about immunization, medical consultations, health status, and life habits. Data were weighted according to age, sex, and territories. Statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis were introduced into a multivariate logistic regression model to determine independent factors for vaccine hesitancy (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] and 95% confidence intervals).Results: A total of 8,737 interviews were conducted (participation rate 48.3%). Among all respondents, 32.2% were vaccine-hesitant. Several beliefs were significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy: belief that children receive too many vaccines (aOR = 2.72; 2.32-3.18), belief that a healthy lifestyle can eliminate the need for vaccination (aOR = 2.48; 2.09-2.93), and belief that the use of alternative medicine practices can eliminate the need for vaccination (aOR = 1.39; 1.16-1.68). Other determinants associated with vaccine hesitancy were having consulted a massage therapist (aOR = 2.34; 1.46-3.75), not being vaccinated against influenza (aOR = 1.80; 1.49-2.16), having a low (<$30,000) (aOR = 1.58; 1.24-2.02) or moderate ($30,000-$79,000) (aOR = 1.37; 1.12-1.67) household income, distrust in public health authorities (aOR = 1.40; 1.21-1.63), perceived insufficient knowledge about immunization (aOR = 1.26; 1.04-1.51), and smoking (aOR = 1.22; 1.01-1.47).Conclusions: Many determinants are related to vaccine hesitancy. These determinants should be taken into account when health professionals engage with vaccine-hesitant individuals.

A complementary approach to the vaccination promotion continuum: An immunization-specific motivational-interview training for nurses.

AIM: To develop and validate immunization-specific motivational-interview (MI) training for immunization nurses. BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that a MI-based intervention on immunisation, performed during postpartum by MI-trained healthcare workers at the hospital maternity ward, reduced parental vaccine hesitancy (VH) and increased vaccine coverage of their children. In this study, we propose immunization-specific MI training for immunization nurses. Together, MI-based training and interventions provide complementary approaches to existing strategies along the vaccination promotion continuum. DESIGN: Multiple pretest/posttest design with questionnaires self-administered before and after each training days (4 time points). METHODS: We developed an in-person immunization-specific MI-training workshop for immunization nurses, held on two days three months apart, with 7 h of MI-training dispensed on day 1, and 4 h on day 2. The self-administered Motivational Interviewing Skills in Immunization (MISI) questionnaire was used at four time points (before and after each of the 2 training days) to evaluate three core aspects of participant MI training: (1) MI-knowledge acquisition; (2) MI-skills application and (3) self-rated self-confidence in applying MI knowledge and skills in vaccination clinical practice. Between November 2016 to December 2017, 34 immunization nurses enrolled in our MI-training workshops. RESULTS: The immunization-specific MI-training improved the three core areas evaluated in participants i.e. MI-knowledge acquisition, MI-skills application, and self-rated self-confidence in applying these in vaccination clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Our immunization-specific MI-training enabled immunization nurses to significantly improve MI knowledge, skills and self-confidence in applying MI in the clinic. These results, taken together with those on the MI-based intervention for parents that we previously reported, support the notion of proposing validated immunization-specific MI training for immunization nurses in order to curb parental VH. IMPACT: Immunization-specific MI-training would be easily amenable for the training of other health professionals in the field of immunization to help promote vaccination and curb parental VH.

Development of motivational interviewing skills in immunization (MISI): a questionnaire to assess MI learning, knowledge and skills for vaccination promotion.

Objective: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex problem. We previously demonstrated that motivational interviewing (MI) could be helpful to enhance parents' motivation to vaccinate their child. The aim of this study is to develop a new, simple and robust evaluation tool that is suitable for evaluating MI learning of vaccination health professionals. Methods: We designed the Motivational Interviewing Skills in Immunization (MISI), a short written questionnaire to evaluate the MI knowledge and skills of participants in an immunization context. It covers three key areas: knowledge of MI, ability to apply MI-related skills, participant self-confidence in using MI. Questionnaire content and face validity were assessed by MI experts and internal consistency, reliability and effect size were analyzed using a multiple pretest-posttest design. Results: Psychometric measures showed good to excellent internal consistency of the questionnaire for all three areas (Cronbach's and KR coefficient: 0.70 to 0.88). Test-retest reliability showed good measurement stability (ICC: 0.53). Good sensitivity to change was also obtained (Cohen's d: 0.80 to 1.66). Conclusion: The MISI questionnaire is the first paper/pencil evaluation method to assess MI training specific to immunization. Psychometric measures showed high reliability. Practice implications: This questionnaire could provide a convenient and inexpensive method to evaluate knowledge and competencies following immunization-specific MI training.

Promoting vaccination in the province of Québec: the PromoVaQ randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination has a huge public health impact. Maintaining vaccine coverage is key to avoid the devastating consequences of resurgence. In the Province of Québec, vaccine coverage in young children are sub-optimal, mostly due to ambivalence toward vaccine safety and efficacy. We previously conducted a regional study in the Québec's Eastern Townships region, the PromoVac Study, to test a new educational intervention, based on motivational interviewing techniques, aimed at promoting infant vaccination. This first study evidenced that the intervention led to a marked increase in mothers' intention to vaccinate, and vaccine coverage in their infants. The current study protocol aims at scaling up these results at a provincial level using a randomized controlled trial design. METHODS: This pragmatic, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of the motivational interviewing to an educational intervention, including the distribution of an information flyer as standard of care on vaccination coverage in four maternity wards across the Province of Québec (PromovaQ). Adult mothers of children born in participating maternity wards were recruited between March 2014 and February 2015. Vaccination coverage will be assessed at 3-years of age, thus the trial is expected to be completed in March 2019. Statistical analyses will be conducted under the intention-to-treat principle. Vaccine coverage will be analyzed using Chi-squared distribution testing and logistic regression to identify determinant factors. Secondary outcomes will include vaccine hesitation and intention scores, mother's knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about immunization, and psychosocial determinants of intention to vaccinate. DISCUSSION: In the case results of this Provincial RCT be confirmed, serious consideration should then be given by Ministry of Health authorities to the possible implementation of MI-based strategies across provincial maternity wards. To ensure adequate input and secure implementation, study design and results will be reviewed with relevant stakeholders, including the children's families, and provincial and regional decision-makers. Results will be adapted and shared with all stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02666872 (Retrospectively registered as January 28, 2016).

Overview of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, vaccine hesitancy and vaccine acceptance among mothers of infants in Quebec, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is a growing problem. The first step in addressing VH is to have an understanding of who are the hesitant individuals and what are their specific concerns. The aim of this survey was to assess mothers' level of vaccine hesitancy and vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. METHODS: Mothers of newly-born infants in four maternity wards in Quebec (Canada) completed a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included items to assess VH and intention to vaccinate. VH scores were calculated using the Parents Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine variables associated with intention to vaccinate (OR; 95% CI). RESULTS: Overall, 2645 questionnaires were included in this analysis and 77.5% of respondents certainly intended to vaccinate their infant at 2 months of age. Based on the PACV 100-point scale, 56.4% of mothers had a 0 to ˂30 score (low level of VH); 28.6% had a 30 to ˂50 and 15.0% had a score of 50 and higher (high level of VH).The main determinants of mothers' intention to vaccinate were the perceived importance of vaccinating infants at 2 months of age (OR = 9.2; 5.9-14.5) and a low score of VH (OR = 7.4; 5.3-10.3). DISCUSSION: Although the majority of mothers held positive attitudes toward vaccination, a large proportion were moderately or highly vaccine hesitant. Mothers' level of VH was strongly associated with their intention to vaccinate their infants, showing the potential detrimental impact of VH on vaccine uptake rates and the importance of addressing this phenomenon.

Impact of a vaccination promotion intervention using motivational interview techniques on long-term vaccine coverage: the PromoVac strategy.

BACKGROUND: Delayed vaccinations at 2, 4, and 6 months are associated with a higher probability of delayed age-appropriate vaccination during childhood. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an information session on immunization during infancy. METHODS: An individual educational information session with motivational interview techniques for immunization of infants was conducted (experimental group) or not conducted (control group) during postpartum stay in a quasi-experimental cohort study. Immunization data were collected from the Eastern Townships Public Health registry at 3, 5, 7, 13, 19, and 24 months of age. Logistic regressions with repeated measures were performed to assess the intervention's impact. Relative risks (RR) were estimated. A multivariate model was obtained adjusted for confounding factors. RESULTS: The experimental and control groups included 1140 and 1249 families, respectively. In per protocol analysis, a significant increase in VC of 3.2, 4.9, 7.3, 6.7, 10.6, and 5.1% was observed at 3, 5, 7, 13, 19, and 24 months. Children from experimental group had 9% more chance at a complete vaccination status between 3 and 24 months compared to children from control group (RR (95% CI): 1.09 (1.05-1.13), p < .001). Children with complete vaccination status at 3 months were more likely to have a complete vaccination status at 24 months (82.3 vs. 48.1%, RR (95% CI): 2.72 (2.28-3.24), p < .001). After adjustment, the estimated RR of the intervention's impact was 1.05 (1.02-1.07), p < .001. CONCLUSIONS: An educational information session about immunization based on motivational interview techniques conducted during postpartum hospitalization could improve immunization during infancy.

A postpartum vaccination promotion intervention using motivational interviewing techniques improves short-term vaccine coverage: PromoVac study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing number of vaccine-hesitant parents, new effective immunization promotion strategies need to be developed to improve the vaccine coverage (VC) of infants. This study aimed to assess the impact of an educational strategy of vaccination promotion based on motivational interviewing (MI) techniques targeting parents and delivered at the maternity ward, for the VC of infants at 3, 5, and 7 months of age. METHODS: An individual educational information session, administered using MI techniques, regarding immunization of infants aged 2, 4, and 6 months was (experimental group) or was not (control group) proposed to parents during the postpartum stay at the maternity ward. Immunization data were obtained through the Eastern Townships Public Health registry for infants at 3, 5, and 7 months of age. Absolute VC increases at 3, 5, and 7 months in the experimental group were calculated and the relative risks with the respective 95% confidence intervals were computed using univariate logistic regression with the generalized estimating equations (GEE) procedure. Multivariate regression using GEE was used to adjust for confounding variables. RESULTS: In the experimental and control groups, 1140 and 1249 newborns were included, respectively. A significant increase in VC of 3.2, 4.9, and 7.3% was observed at 3, 5, and 7 months of age (P < 0.05), respectively. The adjusted relative risk of the intervention's impact on vaccination status at 7 months of age was 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.14) (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: An educational strategy using MI techniques delivered at the maternity ward may be effective in increasing VC of infants at ages 3, 5, and 7 months. MI could be an effective tool to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Determinants of influenza vaccination among a large adult population in Quebec.

OBJECTIVES: Very low uptake has been noted for influenza vaccination in the province of Quebec. This study aimed to identify the determinants of influenza vaccination among a large regional population. METHODS: A telephone survey was administered to a random digit sample in the Eastern Townships region (Quebec, Canada). Respondents were asked questions on several health topics such as perceived knowledge and beliefs about influenza immunization, medical consultations, perceived health status and life habits. Significant variables in the univariate analysis were introduced into a multivariate logistic regression model to determine independent factors for having received the influenza vaccine (aOR and 95% CI) among adults aged ≥60 years and younger adults with ≥1 chronic condition. RESULTS: A total of 4,620 interviews were analyzed. Among the target groups, 55.4% of adults aged ≥60 and 32.2% of adults aged 18-59 with at least one chronic disease had received the influenza vaccine during the 2013-2014 season. Several determinants were significantly associated with influenza vaccination in both groups such as having received a recommendation from a healthcare professional. Among adults aged ≥60, not having consulted a chiropractor over the last 12 months (aOR = 2.37; 1.09-5.19), non-smokers (aOR = 1.78; 1.22-2.59) and self-perceived poor health status (aOR = 1.45; 1.01-2.06) were significantly linked to flu vaccination. In the younger group, influenza vaccination was independently associated to low alcohol consumption (aOR = 2.14; 1.13-4.05) and being overweight (aOR = 1.63; 1.12-2.38). CONCLUSIONS: Many determinants influence the decision to get vaccinated against influenza. Specific messages should be tailored for high-risk groups to effectively increase influenza vaccine coverage.

Trends in severe gastroenteritis among young children according to socio-economic characteristics before and after implementation of a rotavirus vaccination program in Quebec.

OBJECTIVES: Following implementation of a publicly funded rotavirus immunization program in Quebec (Canada) in 2011, its impact on gastroenteritis hospitalization rates, a proxy for severe gastroenteritis, was assessed. METHODS: Using a tertiary hospital database and a regional vaccination registry, temporal trends in rates of hospitalization for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and rotavirus gastroenteritis before the age of five years and rotavirus vaccine coverage were examined from June 2004 through May 2014 in a large retrospective birth cohort in the Eastern Townships region. The mean annual AGE hospitalization rate in post-program years (2011/2012-2013/2014) was compared with that in pre-program years (2004/2005-2010/2011) overall and according to the characteristics of the children, families and residential neighbourhoods at birth. RESULTS: The AGE hospitalization rate significantly decreased from 81/10,000 in the pre-program period to 46/10,000 in the post-program period (relative reduction = 43%). Following implementation of the program, vaccine coverage rapidly increased and reached 81%. All socio-economic categories showed a reduced hospitalization rate in the post-program period, but the lowest relative reductions were observed in children living in neighbourhoods with higher rates of unemployment, low-income families and single mothers. However, these disadvantaged subgroups did not have lower vaccine coverage. CONCLUSIONS: Three years following its introduction in a universal vaccination program, rotavirus vaccine significantly reduced severe gastroenteritis in young children. Despite similar vaccine coverage among all children, disadvantaged socio-economic groups appeared to have a less pronounced AGE reduction, suggesting that factors other than vaccination could partially influence the reduction of gastroenteritis morbidity in young children.

Effectiveness of rotavirus vaccine in preventing severe gastroenteritis in young children according to socioeconomic status.

In 2011, the monovalent rotavirus vaccine was introduced into a universal immunization program in Quebec (Canada). This retrospective cohort study assessed vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) hospitalizations among children <3 y living in the Quebec Eastern Townships region according to socioeconomic status (SES). Data were gathered from a tertiary hospital database paired with a regional immunization registry. Three cohorts of children were followed: (1) vaccinated children born in post-universal vaccination period (2011-2013, n = 5,033), (2) unvaccinated children born in post-universal vaccination period (n = 1,239), and (3) unvaccinated children born in pre-universal vaccination period (2008-2010, n = 6,436). In each cohort, AGE and RVGE hospitalizations were identified during equivalent follow-up periods to calculate VE globally and according to neighborhood-level SES. Using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios (OR) were computed to obtain VE (1-OR). Adjusted VE of 2 doses was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 37%-77%) and 94% (95%CI: 52%-99%) in preventing AGE and RVGE hospitalization, respectively. Stratified analyses according to SES showed that children living in neighborhoods with higher rates of low-income families had significantly lower VE against AGE hospitalizations compared to neighborhoods with lower rates of low-income families (30% vs. 78%, p = 0.027). Our results suggest that the rotavirus vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe gastroenteritis in young children, particularly among the most well-off. SES seems to influence rotavirus VE, even in a high-income country like Canada. Further studies are needed to determine factors related to lower rotavirus VE among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.