Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique
Abstract Background Malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique, with nearly three-quarters of the country’s malaria-related deaths occurring in children younger than five years. A malaria vaccine is not yet available, but planning is underway for a possible introduction, as...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:75ed06232cd6465b8997f34b9b1c7c01 2023-05-15T15:16:08+02:00 Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique Bingham Allison Gaspar Felisbela Lancaster Kathryn Conjera Juliana Collymore Yvette Ba-Nguz Antoinette 2012-11-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-394 https://doaj.org/article/75ed06232cd6465b8997f34b9b1c7c01 EN eng BMC http://www.malariajournal.com/content/11/1/394 https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2875 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-11-394 1475-2875 https://doaj.org/article/75ed06232cd6465b8997f34b9b1c7c01 Malaria Journal, Vol 11, Iss 1, p 394 (2012) Formative studies Vaccination Malaria Children Communities Health communications Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 article 2012 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-394 2022-12-31T08:51:49Z Abstract Background Malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique, with nearly three-quarters of the country’s malaria-related deaths occurring in children younger than five years. A malaria vaccine is not yet available, but planning is underway for a possible introduction, as soon as one becomes available. In an effort to inform the planning process, this study explored sociocultural and health communications issues among individuals at the community level who are both responsible for decisions about vaccine use and who are likely to influence decisions about vaccine use. Methods Researchers conducted a qualitative study in two malaria-endemic districts in southern Mozambique. Using criterion-based sampling, they conducted 23 focus group discussions and 26 in-depth interviews. Implementation was guided by the engagement of community stakeholders. Results Community members recognize that malaria contributes to high death rates and affects the workforce, school attendance, and the economy. Vaccines are seen as a means to reduce the threat of childhood illnesses and to keep children and the rest of the community healthy. Perceived constraints to accessing vaccine services include long queues, staff shortages, and a lack of resources at health care facilities. Local leaders play a significant role in motivating caregivers to have their children vaccinated. Participants generally felt that a vaccine could help to prevent malaria, although some voiced concern that the focus was only on young children and not on older children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Probed on their understanding of vaccine efficacy, participants voiced various views, including the perception that while some vaccines did not fully prevent disease they still had important benefits. Overall, it would be essential for local leaders to be involved in the design of specific messages for a future malaria vaccine communications strategy, and for those messages to be translated into local languages. Conclusions Acceptance of ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Arctic Malaria Journal 11 1 |
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Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
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Formative studies Vaccination Malaria Children Communities Health communications Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 |
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Formative studies Vaccination Malaria Children Communities Health communications Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 Bingham Allison Gaspar Felisbela Lancaster Kathryn Conjera Juliana Collymore Yvette Ba-Nguz Antoinette Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique |
topic_facet |
Formative studies Vaccination Malaria Children Communities Health communications Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine RC955-962 Infectious and parasitic diseases RC109-216 |
description |
Abstract Background Malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique, with nearly three-quarters of the country’s malaria-related deaths occurring in children younger than five years. A malaria vaccine is not yet available, but planning is underway for a possible introduction, as soon as one becomes available. In an effort to inform the planning process, this study explored sociocultural and health communications issues among individuals at the community level who are both responsible for decisions about vaccine use and who are likely to influence decisions about vaccine use. Methods Researchers conducted a qualitative study in two malaria-endemic districts in southern Mozambique. Using criterion-based sampling, they conducted 23 focus group discussions and 26 in-depth interviews. Implementation was guided by the engagement of community stakeholders. Results Community members recognize that malaria contributes to high death rates and affects the workforce, school attendance, and the economy. Vaccines are seen as a means to reduce the threat of childhood illnesses and to keep children and the rest of the community healthy. Perceived constraints to accessing vaccine services include long queues, staff shortages, and a lack of resources at health care facilities. Local leaders play a significant role in motivating caregivers to have their children vaccinated. Participants generally felt that a vaccine could help to prevent malaria, although some voiced concern that the focus was only on young children and not on older children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Probed on their understanding of vaccine efficacy, participants voiced various views, including the perception that while some vaccines did not fully prevent disease they still had important benefits. Overall, it would be essential for local leaders to be involved in the design of specific messages for a future malaria vaccine communications strategy, and for those messages to be translated into local languages. Conclusions Acceptance of ... |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Bingham Allison Gaspar Felisbela Lancaster Kathryn Conjera Juliana Collymore Yvette Ba-Nguz Antoinette |
author_facet |
Bingham Allison Gaspar Felisbela Lancaster Kathryn Conjera Juliana Collymore Yvette Ba-Nguz Antoinette |
author_sort |
Bingham Allison |
title |
Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique |
title_short |
Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique |
title_full |
Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique |
title_fullStr |
Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique |
title_full_unstemmed |
Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique |
title_sort |
community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of mozambique |
publisher |
BMC |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-394 https://doaj.org/article/75ed06232cd6465b8997f34b9b1c7c01 |
geographic |
Arctic |
geographic_facet |
Arctic |
genre |
Arctic |
genre_facet |
Arctic |
op_source |
Malaria Journal, Vol 11, Iss 1, p 394 (2012) |
op_relation |
http://www.malariajournal.com/content/11/1/394 https://doaj.org/toc/1475-2875 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-11-394 1475-2875 https://doaj.org/article/75ed06232cd6465b8997f34b9b1c7c01 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-394 |
container_title |
Malaria Journal |
container_volume |
11 |
container_issue |
1 |
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1766346429089972224 |