Community awareness, knowledge and perception about malaria vaccine in the Kassena-Nankana East Municipality: A descriptive cross-sectional survey.
Abdulai Mohammed, Victoria Bam, Jerry Armah and 4 others
PMID 39223744WHAT IT FOUND
In Ghana malaria-vaccine pilot communities, 220 of 385 caregivers had heard of the vaccine.
Most aware caregivers viewed it positively, but side-effect worries and cultural beliefs remained common.
Key findings
01220 of 385 caregivers had heard of the malaria vaccine.
02Among the 220 caregivers who were aware, 201 said every child should receive the vaccine.
03Among the 220 caregivers who were aware, 106 agreed the vaccine had side effects and 151 said cultural beliefs influence vaccination decisions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The survey was done in one municipality that was taking part in the vaccine pilot, so views may differ in communities not involved in the pilot. Researchers selected 400 caregivers but analyzed 385 responses, so some selected participants were not included. The study assessed what caregivers said they knew and believed; it did not show that these views led to vaccination. Awareness, knowledge and perception were self-reported with a questionnaire, so answers may reflect what participants thought researchers wanted or what they remembered.
Declared interests
The study was self-funded by the researchers, and the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the positive perceptions as proof that caregivers will vaccinate children or that vaccine education will increase uptake. The study measured self-reported awareness and beliefs in one pilot municipality, not vaccination behaviour or programme outcomes.