Outcomes and Costs of the Transition From a Paper-Based Immunization System to a Digital Immunization System in Vietnam: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The electronic National Immunization Information System (NIIS) was introduced nationwide in Vietnam in 2017. Health workers were expected to use the NIIS alongside the legacy paper-based system. Starting in 2018, Hanoi and Son La provinces transitioned to paperless reporting. Interventions to support this transition included data guidelines and training, internet-based data review meetings, and additional supportive supervision visits. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess (1) changes in NIIS data quality and use, (2) changes in immunization program outcomes, and (3) the economic costs of using the NIIS versus the traditional paper system. METHODS: This mixed methods study took place in Hanoi and Son La provinces. It aimed to analyses pre- and postintervention data from various sources including the NIIS; household and health facility surveys; and interviews to measure NIIS data quality, data use, and immunization program outcomes. Financial data were collected at the national, provincial, district, and health facility levels through record review and interviews. An activity-based costing approach was conducted from a health system perspective. RESULTS: NIIS data timeliness significantly improved from pre- to postintervention in both provinces. For example, the mean number of days from birth date to NIIS registration before and after intervention dropped from 18.6 (SD 65.5) to 5.7 (SD 31.4) days in Hanoi (P<.001) and from 36.1 (SD 94.2) to 11.7 (40.1) days in Son La (P<.001). Data from Son La showed that the completeness and accuracy improved, while Hanoi exhibited mixed results, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data use improved; at postintervention, 100% (667/667) of facilities in both provinces used NIIS data for activities beyond monthly reporting compared with 34.8% (202/580) in Hanoi and 29.4% (55/187) in Son La at preintervention. Across nearly all antigens, the percentage of children who received the vaccine on time was higher in the postintervention cohort compared with the preintervention cohort. Up-front costs associated with developing and deploying the NIIS were estimated at US $0.48 per child in the study provinces. The commune health center level showed cost savings from changing from the paper system to the NIIS, mainly driven by human resource time savings. At the administrative level, incremental costs resulted from changing from the paper system to the NIIS, as some costs increased, such as labor costs for supportive supervision and additional capital costs for equipment associated with the NIIS. CONCLUSIONS: The Hanoi and Son La provinces successfully transitioned to paperless reporting while maintaining or improving NIIS data quality and data use. However, improvements in data quality were not associated with improvements in the immunization program outcomes in both provinces. The COVID-19 pandemic likely had a negative influence on immunization program outcomes, particularly in Hanoi. These improvements entail up-front financial costs.

Changes in on-time vaccination following the introduction of an electronic immunization registry, Tanzania 2016-2018: interrupted time-series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Digital health interventions (DHI) have the potential to improve the management and utilization of health information to optimize health care worker performance and provision of care. Despite the proliferation of DHI projects in low-and middle-income countries, few have been evaluated in an effort to understand their impact on health systems and health-related outcomes. Although more evidence is needed on their impact and effectiveness, the use of DHIs among immunization programs has become more widespread and shows promise for improving vaccination uptake and adherence to immunization schedules. METHODS: Our aim was to assess the impact of an electronic immunization registry (EIR) using an interrupted time-series analysis to analyze the effect on proportion of on-time vaccinations following introduction of an EIR in Tanzania. We hypothesized that the introduction of the EIR would lead to statistically significant changes in vaccination timeliness at 3, 6, and > 6 months post-introduction. RESULTS: For our primary analysis, we observed a decrease in the proportion of on-time vaccinations following EIR introduction. In contrast, our sensitivity analysis estimated improvements in timeliness among those children with complete vaccination records. However, we must emphasize caution interpreting these findings as they are likely affected by implementation challenges. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the complexities of using digitized individual-level routine health information system data for evaluation and research purposes. EIRs have the potential to improve vaccination timeliness, but analyses using EIR data can be complicated by data quality issues and inconsistent data entry leading to difficulties interpreting findings.

Added Value of Electronic Immunization Registries in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Observational Case Study in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest and investment in electronic immunization registries (EIRs) in low- and middle-income countries. EIRs provide ready access to patient- and aggregate-level service delivery data that can be used to improve patient care, identify spatiotemporal trends in vaccination coverage and dropout, inform resource allocation and program operations, and target quality improvement measures. The Government of Tanzania introduced the Tanzania Immunization Registry (TImR) in 2017, and the system has since been rolled out in 3736 facilities in 15 regions. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to conceptualize the additional ways in which EIRs can add value to immunization programs (beyond measuring vaccine coverage) and assess the potential value-add using EIR data from Tanzania as a case study. METHODS: This study comprised 2 sequential phases. First, a comprehensive list of ways EIRs can potentially add value to immunization programs was developed through stakeholder interviews. Second, the added value was evaluated using descriptive and regression analyses of TImR data for a prioritized subset of program needs. RESULTS: The analysis areas prioritized through stakeholder interviews were population movement, missed opportunities for vaccination (MOVs), continuum of care, and continuous quality improvement. The included TImR data comprised 958,870 visits for 559,542 patients from 2359 health facilities. Our analyses revealed that few patients sought care outside their assigned facility (44,733/810,568, 5.52% of applicable visits); however, this varied by region; facility urbanicity, type, ownership, patient volume, and duration of TImR system use; density of facilities in the immediate area; and patient age. Analyses further showed that MOVs were highest among children aged <12 months (215,576/831,018, 25.94% of visits included an MOV and were applicable visits); however, there were few significant differences based on other individual or facility characteristics. Nearly half (133,337/294,464, 45.28%) of the children aged 12 to 35 months were fully vaccinated or had received all doses except measles-containing vaccine-1 of the 14-dose under-12-month schedule (ie, through measles-containing vaccine-1), and facility and patient characteristics associated with dropout varied by vaccine. The continuous quality improvement analysis showed that most quality issues (eg, MOVs) were concentrated in <10% of facilities, indicating the potential for EIRs to target quality improvement efforts. CONCLUSIONS: EIRs have the potential to add value to immunization stakeholders at all levels of the health system. Individual-level electronic data can enable new analyses to understand service delivery or care-seeking patterns, potential risk factors for underimmunization, and where challenges occur. However, to achieve this potential, country programs need to leverage and strengthen the capacity to collect, analyze, interpret, and act on the data. As EIRs are introduced and scaled in low- and middle-income countries, implementers and researchers should continue to share real-world examples and build an evidence base for how EIRs can add value to immunization programs, particularly for innovative uses.

Combining cluster surveys to estimate vaccination coverage: Experiences from Nigeria's multiple indicator cluster survey / national immunization coverage survey (MICS/NICS), 2016-17.

In 2015 immunization stakeholders in Nigeria were proceeding with plans that would have fielded two nationally representative surveys to estimate vaccination coverage at the same time. Rather than duplicate efforts and generate either conflicting or redundant results, the stakeholders collaborated to conduct a combined Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) / National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) with MICS focusing on core sampling clusters and NICS adding supplementary clusters in 20 states, to improve precision of outcomes there. This paper describes the organizational and technical aspects of that collaboration, including details on design of the sample supplement and analysis of the pooled dataset. While complicated, the collaboration was successful; it yielded a unified set of relevant coverage estimates and fostered some novel sub-national results dissemination work.

Redefining vaccination coverage and timeliness measures using electronic immunization registry data in low- and middle-income countries.

Vaccine coverage is routinely used as a performance indicator for immunization programs both at local and global levels. For many national immunization programs, there are challenges with accurately estimating vaccination coverage based on available data sources, however an increasing number of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have begun implementing electronic immunization registries to replace health facilities' paper-based tools and aggregate reporting systems. These systems allow for more efficient capture and use of routinely reported individual-level data that can be used to calculate dose-specific and cohort vaccination coverage, replacing the commonly used aggregate routine health information system data. With these individual-level data immunization programs have the opportunity to redefine performance measures to enhance programmatic decision-making at all levels of the health system. In this commentary, we discuss how measures for assessing vaccination status and program performance can be redefined and recalculated using these data when generated at the health facility level and the implications of the use and availability of electronic individual-level data.

Association between iq'mik smokeless tobacco use and cardiometabolic risk profile among Yup'ik Alaska Native people.

OBJECTIVE: The traditional lifestyle of Yup'ik Alaska Native people, including a diet abundant in marine-based foods and physical activity, may be cardio-protective. However, iq'mik, a traditional form of smokeless tobacco used by >50% of Yup'ik adults, could increase cardiometabolic (CM) risk. Our objective was to characterize the associations between iq'mik use and biomarkers of CM status (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides [TG], systolic blood pressure [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP], glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], fasting blood glucose [FBG], waist circumference [WC], and body mass index [BMI]). DESIGN: We assessed these associations using data from a cross-sectional sample of Yup'ik adults (n = 874). Current iq'mik use, demographic, and lifestyle data were collected through interviews. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, HbA1c, and FBG. SBP, DBP, WC, and BMI were obtained by physical examination. We characterized the association between current iq'mik use and continuous biomarkers of CM status using multiple approaches, including adjustment for measures of Yup'ik lifestyle and a propensity score. RESULTS: Based on either adjustment method, current iq'mik use was significantly and positively associated with at least 5% higher HDL-C, and significantly associated but in an inverse direction with multiple biomarkers of CM status including 7% lower TG, 0.05% lower HbA1c, 2% lower FBG, 4% lower WC, and 4% lower BMI. Observed associations for LDL-C, SBP, and DBP varied by adjustment method. CONCLUSIONS: This inverse association between iq'mik use and cardiometabolic risk status has not been previously reported. Additional research is needed to replicate these findings and explore physiological mechanisms and/or confounding factors.

Bi-cultural dynamics for risk and protective factors for cardiometabolic health in an Alaska Native (Yup'ik) population.

Alaska Native people experience disparities in mortality from heart disease and stroke. This work attempts to better understand the relationships between socioeconomic, behavioral, and cardiometabolic risk factors among Yup'ik people of southwestern Alaska, with a focus on the role of the socioeconomic, and cultural components. Using a cross-sectional sample of 486 Yup'ik adults, we fitted a Partial Least Squares Path Model (PLS-PM) to assess the associations between components, including demographic factors [age and gender], socioeconomic factors [education, economic status, Yup'ik culture, and Western culture], behavioral factors [diet, cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use, and physical activity], and cardiometabolic risk factors [adiposity, triglyceride-HDL and LDL lipids, glycemia, and blood pressure]. We found relatively mild associations of education and economic status with cardiometabolic risk factors, in contrast with studies in other populations. The socioeconomic factor and participation in Yup'ik culture had potentially protective associations with adiposity, triglyceride-HDL lipids, and blood pressure, whereas participation in Western culture had a protective association with blood pressure. We also found a moderating effect of participation in Western culture on the relationships between Yup'ik culture participation and both blood pressure and LDL lipids, indicating a potentially beneficial additional effect of bi-culturalism. Our results suggest that reinforcing protective effects of both Yup'ik and Western cultures could be useful for interventions aimed at reducing cardiometabolic health disparities.

Vaccine wastage in Nigeria: An assessment of wastage rates and related vaccinator knowledge, attitudes and practices.

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of new vaccines highlights concerns about high vaccine wastage, knowledge of wastage policies and quality of stock management. However, an emphasis on minimizing wastage rates may cause confusion when recommendations are also being made to reduce missed opportunities to routinely vaccinate children. This concern is most relevant for lyophilized vaccines without preservatives [e.g. measles-containing vaccine (MCV)], which can be used for a limited time once reconstituted. METHODS: We sampled 54 health facilities within 11 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria and surveyed health sector personnel regarding routine vaccine usage and wastage-related knowledge and practices, conducted facility exit interviews with caregivers of children about missed opportunities for routine vaccination, and abstracted vaccine stock records and vaccination session data over a 6-month period to calculate wastage rates and vaccine vial usage patterns. RESULTS: Nearly half of facilities had incomplete vaccine stock data for calculating wastage rates. Among facilities with sufficient data, mean monthly facility-level wastage rates were between 18 and 35% across all reviewed vaccines, with little difference between lyophilized and liquid vaccines. Most (98%) vaccinators believed high wastage led to recent vaccine stockouts, yet only 55% were familiar with the multi-dose vial policy for minimizing wastage. On average, vaccinators reported that a minimum of six children must be present prior to opening a 10-dose MCV vial. Third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP3) was administered in 84% of sessions and MCV in 63%; however, the number of MCV and DTP3 doses administered were similar indicating the number of children vaccinated with DTP3 and MCV were similar despite less frequent MCV vaccination opportunities. Among caregivers, 30% reported being turned away for vaccination at least once; 53% of these children had not yet received the missed dose. DISCUSSION: Our findings show inadequate implementation of vaccine management guidelines, missed opportunities to vaccinate, and lyophilized vaccine wastage rates below expected rates. Missed opportunities for vaccination may occur due to how the health system's contradicting policies may force health workers to prioritize reduced wastage rates over vaccine administration, particularly for multi-dose vials.

Characterising the reproducibility and reliability of dietary patterns among Yup'ik Alaska Native people.

FFQ data can be used to characterise dietary patterns for diet-disease association studies. In the present study, we evaluated three previously defined dietary patterns--'subsistence foods', market-based 'processed foods' and 'fruits and vegetables'--among a sample of Yup'ik people from Southwest Alaska. We tested the reproducibility and reliability of the dietary patterns, as well as the associations of these patterns with dietary biomarkers and participant characteristics. We analysed data from adult study participants who completed at least one FFQ with the Center for Alaska Native Health Research 9/2009-5/2013. To test the reproducibility of the dietary patterns, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of a hypothesised model using eighteen food items to measure the dietary patterns (n 272). To test the reliability of the dietary patterns, we used the CFA to measure composite reliability (n 272) and intra-class correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability (n 113). Finally, to test the associations, we used linear regression (n 637). All factor loadings, except one, in CFA indicated acceptable correlations between foods and dietary patterns (r>0·40), and model-fit criteria were >0·90. Composite and test-retest reliability of the dietary patterns were, respectively, 0·56 and 0·34 for 'subsistence foods', 0·73 and 0·66 for 'processed foods', and 0·72 and 0·54 for 'fruits and vegetables'. In the multi-predictor analysis, the dietary patterns were significantly associated with dietary biomarkers, community location, age, sex and self-reported lifestyle. This analysis confirmed the reproducibility and reliability of the dietary patterns in the present study population. These dietary patterns can be used for future research and development of dietary interventions in this underserved population.

Overview of global, regional, and national routine vaccination coverage trends and growth patterns from 1980 to 2009: implications for vaccine-preventable disease eradication and elimination initiatives.

BACKGROUND: Review of the historical growth in annual vaccination coverage across countries and regions can better inform decision makers' development of future goals and strategies to improve routine vaccination services. METHODS: Using the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund estimates of annual national third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP3) and third dose of polio vaccine (POL3) coverage for 1980-2009, we calculated the mean absolute annual rate of change in national DTP3 coverage among all countries (globally) and among countries within each WHO region, as well as the number of years taken by each region to reach specific regional coverage levels. Last, we assessed differences in mean absolute annual rate of change in DTP3 coverage, stratified by baseline level of DTP3 coverage. RESULTS: During the 1980s, global DTP3 coverage increased a mean of 5.3 percentage points/year. Annual rate of change decreased to 0.5 percentage points/year in the 1990s and then increased to 0.9 percentage points/year during the 2000s. Mean annual rate of change in coverage across all countries was highest (9.2 percentage points) when national coverage levels were 26%-30% and lowest (-0.9 percentage points) when national coverage levels were 96%-100%. Regional differences existed as both WHO South-East Asia Region and WHO African Region countries experienced mean negative DTP3 coverage growth at lower coverage levels (81%-85%) than other regions. The regions that have achieved 95% DTP3 coverage (Americas, Western Pacific, and European) took 25-29 years to reach that level from a level of 50% DTP3 coverage. POL3 coverage change trends were similar to described DTP3 coverage change trends. CONCLUSIONS: Mean national coverage growth patterns across all regions are nonlinear as coverage levels increase. Saturation points of mean 0 percentage-point growth in annual coverage varies by region and require further investigation. The achievement of >90% routine coverage is observed to take decades, which has implications for disease eradication and elimination initiatives.

Using exploratory factor analysis of FFQ data to identify dietary patterns among Yup'ik people.

OBJECTIVE: An FFQ developed by the Center for Alaska Native Health Research for studies in Yup'ik people includes market foods and subsistence foods such as moose, seal, waterfowl and salmon that may be related to disease risk. Because the FFQ contains >100 food items, we sought to characterize dietary patterns more simply for use in ongoing pharmacogenomics studies. DESIGN: Exploratory factor analysis was used to derive a small number of 'factors' that explain a substantial amount of the variation in the Yup'ik diet. We estimated factor scores and measured associations with demographic characteristics and biomarkers. SETTING: South-west Alaska, USA. SUBJECTS: Yup'ik people (n 358) aged ≥18 years. RESULTS: We identified three factors that each accounted for ≥10 % of the common variance: the first characterized by 'processed foods' (e.g. salty snacks, sweetened cereals); the second by 'fruits and vegetables' (e.g. fresh citrus, potato salad); and the third by 'subsistence foods' (seal or walrus soup, non-oily fish). Participants from coastal communities had higher values for the 'subsistence' factor, whereas participants from inland communities had higher values for the 'fruits and vegetables' factor. A biomarker of marine intake, δ 15N, was correlated with the 'subsistence' factor, whereas a biomarker of corn- and sugarcane-based market food intake, δ 13C, was correlated with 'processed foods'. CONCLUSIONS: The exploratory factor analysis identified three factors that appeared to reflect dietary patterns among Yup'ik based on associations with participant characteristics and biomarkers. These factors will be useful for chronic disease studies in this population.

Validity of vaccination cards and parental recall to estimate vaccination coverage: a systematic review of the literature.

Immunization programs frequently rely on household vaccination cards, parental recall, or both to calculate vaccination coverage. This information is used at both the global and national level for planning and allocating performance-based funds. However, the validity of household-derived coverage sources has not yet been widely assessed or discussed. To advance knowledge on the validity of different sources of immunization coverage, we undertook a global review of literature. We assessed concordance, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and coverage percentage point difference when subtracting household vaccination source from a medical provider source. Median coverage difference per paper ranged from -61 to +1 percentage points between card versus provider sources and -58 to +45 percentage points between recall versus provider source. When card and recall sources were combined, median coverage difference ranged from -40 to +56 percentage points. Overall, concordance, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value showed poor agreement, providing evidence that household vaccination information may not be reliable, and should be interpreted with care. While only 5 papers (11%) included in this review were from low-middle income countries, low-middle income countries often rely more heavily on household vaccination information for decision making. Recommended actions include strengthening quality of child-level data and increasing investments to improve vaccination card availability and card marking. There is also an urgent need for additional validation studies of vaccine coverage in low and middle income countries.

Timing of hepatitis B vaccination and impact of non-simultaneous vaccination with DTP vaccine following introduction of a hepatitis B birth dose in the Philippines.

Timely administration of hepatitis B vaccine beginning at birth prevents up to 95 per cent of perinatally acquired hepatitis B virus infections in infants of infected mothers. The Philippines changed its national HepB schedule in 2007 to include a dose at birth. We evaluated vaccination schedule change by reviewing infant records at selected health facilities to measure completeness and timeliness of HepB administration and frequency of recommended, simultaneous vaccination with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Of 1431 sampled infants, 1106 (77 per cent) completed the HepB series and 10 per cent followed the national schedule. The proportion with timely vaccination declined with successive doses: HepB1 (71 per cent), HepB2 (47 per cent), and HepB3 (26 per cent). Twentysix per cent received HepB2 simultaneously with DTP1 and 34 per cent received HepB3 simultaneously with DTP3. If HepB and DTP vaccination were given simultaneously,10 per cent more infants could have received all HepB doses. Program implementers should monitor vaccination timeliness and increase simultaneous administration to improve vaccination coverage and decrease disease incidence.

Effect of the Expanded Program on Immunization Contact Method of data collection on health behaviors in Mali.

BACKGROUND: The Expanded Program on Immunization Contact Method (EPI-CM) is a proposed monitoring and program management tool for developing countries. The method involves health workers tallying responses to questions about health behaviors during routine immunizations and providing targeted counseling. We evaluated whether asking caretakers about health behaviors during EPI visits led to changes in those behaviors. METHODS: We worked in 2 districts in Mali: an intervention district where during immunization visits workers asked about 4 health behaviors related to bed net use, fever, respiratory disease, and diarrhea, and a control district where workers conducted routine immunization activities without health behavior questions. To evaluate the effect of EPI-CM, we conducted a cross-sectional household survey at baseline and 1 year postintervention. We used multivariate logistic regression to compare between districts the change over 1 year in 4 health behaviors: use of insecticide-treated nets, appropriate fever treatment, care-seeking for respiratory complaints, and appropriate diarrhea treatment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 districts in the change in the 4 health behaviors when controlling for age, sex, maternal education and occupation, immunization history, and wealth. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that EPI-CM increases healthy behaviors. Further evaluation of other potential benefits and costs of EPI-CM is warranted.

Validity of Expanded Program on Immunization Contact Method health behavior estimates in Mali.

BACKGROUND: In the developing world, household surveys provide high-quality health behavior data integral to public health program management. The Expanded Program on Immunization Contact Method (EPI-CM) is a proposed, less resource-intensive method in which health center staff incorporate health behavior questions into routine vaccination activities. No systematic evaluation of EPI-CM validity has yet been conducted. METHODS: We used concurrent household survey and EPI-CM to collect data on 4 infant health behaviors in Mali at 2 time points (8 total comparisons). Studied health behaviors were bednet use, obtaining care for fever, obtaining care for a respiratory complaint, and using oral rehydration solution for diarrhea. Household survey and EPI-CM estimates were considered equivalent if a 95% confidence interval about the difference in estimated proportions fell within the interval (-.10, .10). RESULTS: EPI-CM estimates were higher than household survey estimates for 7 of 8 unadjusted paired estimates; estimates of bednet use in 2009 met a priori equivalence criteria in a setting of high bednet use (90.5%). When we restricted household survey data to infants up-to-date on vaccinations, estimates for behaviors other than bednet use remained substantially different. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to demonstrate that EPI-CM, as implemented, consistently produces data comparable with household survey data.

Community and health worker perceptions and preferences regarding integration of other health services with routine vaccinations: four case studies.

BACKGROUND: Integration of routine vaccination and other maternal and child health services is becoming more common and the services being integrated more diverse. Yet knowledge gaps remain regarding community members and health workers acceptance, priorities, and concerns related to integration. METHODS: Qualitative health worker interviews and community focus groups were conducted in 4 African countries (Kenya, Mali, Ethiopia, and Cameroon). RESULTS: Integration was generally well accepted by both community members and health workers. Most integrated services were perceived positively by the communities, although perceptions around socially sensitive services (eg, family planning and human immunodeficiency virus) differed by country. Integration benefits reported by both community members and health workers across countries included opportunity to receive multiple services at one visit, time and transportation cost savings, increased service utilization, maximized health worker efficiency, and reduced reporting requirements. Concerns related to integration included being labor intensive, inadequate staff to implement, inadequately trained staff, in addition to a number of more broad health system issues (eg, stockouts, wait times). CONCLUSIONS: Communities generally supported integration, and integrated services may have the potential to increase service utilization and possibly even reduce the stigma of certain services. Some concerns expressed related to health system issues rather than integration, per se, and should be addressed as part of a wider approach to improve health services. Improved planning and patient flow and increasing the number and training of health staff may help to mitigate logistical challenges of integrating services.

Impact of integration of hygiene kit distribution with routine immunizations on infant vaccine coverage and water treatment and handwashing practices of Kenyan mothers.

Integration of immunizations with hygiene interventions may improve use of both interventions. We interviewed 1361 intervention and 1139 comparison caregivers about hygiene practices and vaccination history, distributed water treatment and hygiene kits to caregivers during infant vaccination sessions in intervention clinics for 12 months, and conducted a followup survey of 2361 intervention and 1033 comparison caregivers. We observed significant increases in reported household water treatment (30% vs 44%, P < .0001) and correct handwashing technique (25% vs 51%, P < .0001) in intervention households and no changes in comparison households. Immunization coverage improved in both intervention and comparison infants (57% vs 66%, P = .04; 37% vs 53%, P < .0001, respectively). Hygiene kit distribution during routine immunizations positively impacted household water treatment and hygiene without a negative impact on vaccination coverage. Further study is needed to assess hygiene incentives, implement alternative water quality indicators, and evaluate the impact of this intervention in other settings.

Experiences integrating delivery of maternal and child health services with childhood immunization programs: systematic review update.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund promote integration of maternal and child health (MCH) and immunization services as a strategy to strengthen immunization programs. We updated our previous review of integrated programs and reviewed reports of integration of MCH services with immunization programs at the service delivery level. METHODS: Published and unpublished reports of interventions integrating MCH and immunization service delivery were reviewed by searching journal databases and Web sites and by contacting organizations. RESULTS: Among 27 integrated activities, interventions included hearing screening, human immunodeficiency virus services, vitamin A supplementation, deworming tablet administration, malaria treatment, bednet distribution, family planning, growth monitoring, and health education. When reported, linked intervention coverage increased, though not to the level of the corresponding immunization coverage in all cases. Logistical difficulties, time-intensive interventions ill suited for campaign delivery, concern for harming existing services, inadequate overlap of target age groups, and low immunization coverage were identified as challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this review reinforce our 2005 review findings, including importance of intervention compatibility and focus on immunization program strength. Ensuring proper planning and awareness of compatibility of service delivery requirements were found to be important. The review revealed gaps in information about costs, comparison to vertical delivery, and impact on all integrated interventions that future studies should aim to address.

Integration of routine vaccination and hygiene interventions: a comparison of 2 strategies in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Hygiene interventions reduce child mortality from diarrhea. Vaccination visits provide a platform for delivery of other health services but may overburden nurses. We compared 2 strategies to integrate hygiene interventions with vaccinations in Kenya's Homa Bay district, 1 using community workers to support nurses and 1 using nurses. METHODS: Homa Bay was divided into 2 geographical areas, each with 9 clinics. Each area was randomly assigned to either the nurse or community-assisted strategy. At infant vaccination visits hygiene kits were distributed by the nurse or community member. Surveys pre- and post-intervention, measured hygiene indicators and vaccination coverage. Interviews and focus groups assessed acceptability. RESULTS: Between April 2009 and March 2010, 39 158 hygiene kits were distributed. Both nurse and community-assisted strategies were well-accepted. Hygiene indicators improved similarly in nurse and community sites. However, residual chlorine in water changed in neither group. Vaccination coverage increased in urban areas. In rural areas coverage either remained unchanged or increased with 1 exception (13% third dose poliovirus vaccine decrease). CONCLUSIONS: Distribution of hygiene products and education during vaccination visits was found to be feasible using both delivery strategies. Additional studies should consider assessing the use of community members to support integrated service delivery.