Determinants of vaccine coverage and acceptability of malaria RTSS vaccine in children aged 12-23 months in Malawi: a healthcare provider perspective, version 1.0
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Date
2022-07-18
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of research study: The study will use systematic literature review and a qualitative
study design using purposive sampling of 20 healthcare workers at Zomba District Health
Office.
Problem statement: Developing appropriate interventions on immunization in young
children requires a detailed understanding of immunisation levels and factors affecting
coverage among children. Although there has been an increase in overall coverage of DPT3
from 84% to 94% between 2016 and 2020, only 78% of the 28 districts in Malawi had
achieved the targeted coverage of > 80% in 2020. This indicates that there is still a gap in
childhood vaccine coverage within the country. Additionally, understanding the acceptability
of a vaccine before roll out helps in generating appropriate interventions to improve vaccine
coverage. Therefore, this study seeks to understand the healthcare providers’ perceptions
on the factors that will affect coverage and acceptability of the malaria RTSS vaccine before
it is rolled out countrywide in Malawi.
Objectives: The main objective of this research project is to evaluate the determinants of
vaccination coverage and acceptability of the RTSS malaria vaccine in children aged 12-23
months in Malawi. The specific objectives are: to assess the determinants of vaccine
coverage in children aged 12-23 months using systematic review of previously conducted
studies on vaccine coverage and acceptability in Malawi, to determine the perceptions of
healthcare workers on factors that will affect provision of the RTSS malaria vaccine in
children between 12-23 months of age in Zomba, Malawi, and to determine the healthcare
workers’ perception on factors that will affect uptake and acceptability of the 4-dose RTSS
malaria vaccine in addition to routine vaccines for children aged 12-23 months in Zomba,
Malawi. Methodology: Firstly, a systematic review will be conducted using Preferred Reporting
Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to identify
research articles that address acceptability and coverage of vaccines in young children in Malawi. Secondly, a qualitative study design using purposive sampling
of 20 healthcare workers at Zomba District Health Office will be conducted. Data will be
collected using in depth telephonic interviews. Descriptive baseline statistics will be
summarised using proportions. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic content
analysis to establish themes related to factors that affect coverage and acceptability of
malaria RTSS vaccine. Expected findings and dissemination: The expected findings for this study are that the
healthcare providers will describe the determinants of coverage and acceptance of the
malaria RTSS vaccine to be similar to the other previously reported determinants of
coverage and acceptance for vaccines in children aged 12 to 23 months in other studies
conducted in Malawi. Study findings will be disseminated during the researcher’s Master of Vaccinology and Drug Development thesis defense at the University of Siena. Additionally,
findings will be disseminated to COMREC and Zomba DHO. Finally, a manuscript will be
developed which will be submitted for peer review journals for publication.
Description
Type of research study: The study will use systematic literature review and a qualitative
study design using purposive sampling of 20 healthcare workers at Zomba District Health
Office.