"Build back the confidence": qualitative exploration of community experiences with polio vaccination in the Covid-19 context in Cameroon and Ethiopia.
BMC Public Health
; 24(1): 2532, 2024 Sep 18.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39289677
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative worked to address outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus Type 2, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Covid-19 pandemic suspended routine immunization campaigns worldwide. There were concerns about how Covid-19 - and the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines - might influence uptake of the oral polio vaccine (OPV). To inform communications strategies, we conducted a qualitative study to explore insights from community stakeholders into how Covid-19 influenced perceptions of OPV and vaccination campaigns.METHODS:
We conducted 32 focus group discussions with caregivers of children under 5 and polio frontline workers as well as 22 in-depth interviews with healthcare practitioners and social influencers in Cameroon and Ethiopia. In each country, we purposively sampled stakeholders per discrete eligibility criteria from one urban (Yaoundé and Addis Ababa) and one peri-urban site (Bafia and Adama).RESULTS:
We found that the Covid-19 pandemic and related precautionary measures introduced new challenges for OPV campaigns in Cameroon and Ethiopia, including reduced caregiver confidence in routine immunizations and an erosion of trust between caregivers and frontline workers. A salient concern among caregivers was that Covid-19 vaccines might be delivered in place of OPV. When asked how to maximize community support for future OPV campaigns, stakeholders suggested to rebuild caregiver trust for frontline workers; use a variety of information sources to ensure consistent messaging on vaccination reaches caregivers in a timely manner; increase remuneration, resources, and training for frontline workers; and leverage existing community influencers and groups.CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the challenges to vaccination campaigns experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was anticipated that the Polio Programme would continue to experience community support for OPV with appropriate messaging and community coordination. These efforts would "build back the confidence" among caregivers and other community stakeholders regarding community-based vaccination campaigns. Social and behavior change approaches that leverage clear, consistent messaging from multiple trusted platforms could address caregiver trust and dismantle mis/dis-information that creates confusion surrounding vaccines.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Poliomielitis
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Grupos Focales
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Investigación Cualitativa
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COVID-19
Límite:
Adult
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos