Browsing by Author "Mbukwa, Kettie"

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    Acceptability of covid-19 vaccine and its associated factors among the elderly aged 65 and above in Machinga district
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2022-02-02) Mbukwa, Kettie
    This is a cross-sectional study aimed at exploring the acceptability of COVID 19 vaccine and its associated factors among elderly aged 65 years above in Machinga and it will employ qualitative methods. For its thematic analysis, the study will use a Health Belief Model to analyze the factors that influence the acceptance of COVID 19 vaccine among elderly and which beliefs should be targeted in communication campaigns to cause positive health behaviors. Problem: COVID 19 remain a crucial global pandemic and leading cause of high morbidity and mortality rate among higher risk population. With the development of multiple effective vaccines, reducing the global morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 will depend on the distribution and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, while studies generally indicate a low uptake of COVID 19 vaccine among various population, Vaccine hesitancy and refusal are global concerns. According to World Health Organization (WHO) it has been identified as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019. Available data for Machinga District by July 2021 it shows that only 3637 received COVID 19 vaccine and only 408 elderly 65 years and above received the vaccine, since the roll out however the vaccine acceptance among elderly is still low. The correct and comprehensive beliefs of the target groups regarding the benefits and barriers of the vaccination must be raised. Various effective social strategies must be adopted to trigger the intention of COVID-19 vaccination. Objectives. – The main objective is to explore the acceptability of Covid 19 vaccine among elderly (aged 65 years above) in Machinga district. Specifically, the study seeks to assess the perceptions, attitude towards Covid 19 vaccine, to assess contextual factors that facilitate and impede the acceptance of Covid 19 vaccine, to assess the health system factors that influence the acceptance of Covid 19 vaccine. Methodology. - A qualitative study design will be used to explore the acceptability of COVID19 vaccine and its associated factors among the elderly people of 65 years above in Machinga District. Study population will include the elderly 65 years and above, residing in both urban and rural communities, both male and female. The sample size will be 36 and the study participants will be purposively selected. The study will collect data in participants own setting using in depth interviews (IDIs) and Key informant Interviews (KII). Collected data will be stored securely in computer data base that have a pass word and only limited access to key study team will be provided. Data analysis will be done using deductive and inductive thematic content analysis. Informed consent will be obtained from each and every study participant before enrollment in the study. Confidentially will be ensured throughout the study and thereafter. Ethical approval will be sought from the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC). Expected findings. –The study anticipates to identify the factors that act as barriers as well as factors that act as facilitators to the uptake of COVID -19 vaccine among the elderly at individual, social as well as health system levels. Dissemination of Expected findings: Research results will be disseminated in writing and presentations as feedback made to the District Health Management Team (DHMT) for Machinga and to COMREC. Recommendations will be made to various level of decision makers, DHOs office and key implementing partner on improvements that need to be made to optimize uptake of COVID 19 vaccine.