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Xu MA, Choi J, Capasso A, DiClemente RJ. Improving HPV Vaccination Uptake Among Adolescents in Low Resource Settings: Sociocultural and Socioeconomic Barriers and Facilitators. Adolesc Health Med Ther 2024; 15:73-82. [PMID: 39100520 PMCID: PMC11296371 DOI: 10.2147/ahmt.s394119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately impacted by human papillomavirus (HPV) and would benefit from implementing the HPV vaccine. In the context of competing health priorities, utilizing scarce domestic infrastructure and human resources for HPV vaccination remains challenging for many LMICs. Given the high benefits of the HPV vaccine, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now encouraging for all countries, particularly LMICs, to introduce HPV vaccines into their routine immunization programs. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to HPV adolescent vaccine programs in LMICs may help strengthen how LMICs implement HPV vaccine programs, in turn, increasing HPV vaccine acceptance, uptake, and coverage. Objective To identify and assess barriers and facilitators to implementing adolescent HPV vaccination programs in LMICs. Methods This study comprised a review of literature assessing adolescent HPV vaccination in LMICs published after 2020 from a sociocultural perspective. Results Overall, the findings showed that LMICs should prioritize increasing HPV vaccine availability and HPV vaccine knowledge, particularly focusing on cancer prevention, as knowledge reduces misinformation and increases vaccine acceptance. Evidence suggests that factors promoting HPV vaccine uptake include fostering low vaccine hesitancy, integrating HPV vaccination as a primary school routine vaccination, and vaccinating both genders. A one-dose HPV vaccine may enable many LMICs to increase vaccine acceptance, uptake, and coverage while controlling financial, infrastructure, and human resource costs. Conclusion As HPV is one of the leading causes of death in many LMICs, implementing the HPV vaccine may be highly beneficial. Cohesive national HPV vaccine buy-in and understanding the success and challenges of prior LMIC HPV vaccine implementation is crucial to developing effective, efficient, and sustainable HPV vaccination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Ann Xu
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jasmin Choi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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2
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Lubeya MK, Mwanahamuntu M, Chibwesha CJ, Mukosha M, Kawonga M. Selecting and Tailoring Implementation Strategies to Improve Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Zambia: A Nominal Group Technique Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:542. [PMID: 38793793 PMCID: PMC11126122 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective in cervical cancer prevention. However, many barriers to uptake exist and strategies to overcome them are needed. Therefore, this study aimed to select and tailor implementation strategies to barriers identified by multiple stakeholders in Zambia. The study was conducted in Lusaka district between January and February 2023. Participants were purposively sampled from three stakeholder groups namely, adolescent girls, parents, and teachers and healthcare workers. With each of the stakeholders' groups (10-13 participants per group), we used the nominal group technique to gain consensus to tailor feasible and acceptable implementation strategies for mitigating the identified contextual barriers. The identified barriers included low levels of knowledge and awareness about the HPV vaccine, being out of school, poor community sensitisation, lack of parental consent to vaccinate daughters, and myths and misinformation about the HPV vaccine. The lack of knowledge and awareness of the HPV vaccine was a common barrier across the three groups. Tailored strategies included conducting educational meetings and consensus-building meetings, using mass media, changing service sites, re-examining implementation, and involving patients/consumers and their relatives. Our study contributes to the available evidence on the process of selecting and tailoring implementation strategies to overcome contextual barriers. Policymakers should consider these tailored strategies to mitigate barriers and improve HPV vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mwansa Ketty Lubeya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Women and Newborn Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2017, South Africa; (M.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Mulindi Mwanahamuntu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Women and Newborn Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Carla J. Chibwesha
- Clinical HIV Research Unit, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa;
| | - Moses Mukosha
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2017, South Africa; (M.M.); (M.K.)
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Mary Kawonga
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2017, South Africa; (M.M.); (M.K.)
- Department of Community Health, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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Mirza I, Ameda IM, Ba AE, Traore C, Hagos MT, Gbaya AA, Schreiber B. COVID-19 Vaccination Integration: Efforts in 11 African Countries to Strengthen the Primary Health Care System. GLOBAL HEALTH, SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2024; 12:e2300251. [PMID: 38151298 PMCID: PMC10948128 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-23-00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into the primary health care system in 11 African countries have been initiated through partnerships, collaborations, and leveraging existing infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ida-Marie Ameda
- UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Celestin Traore
- UNICEF Western and Central Africa, Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
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Jennings MC, Sauer M, Manchester C, Soeters HM, Shimp L, Hyde TB, Parashar U, Burgess C, Castro B, Hossein I, Othepa M, Payne DC, Tate JE, Walldorf J, Privor-Dumm L, Richart V, Santosham M. Supporting evidence-based rotavirus vaccine introduction decision-making and implementation: Lessons from 8 Gavi-eligible countries. Vaccine 2024; 42:8-16. [PMID: 38042696 PMCID: PMC10733863 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite the 2009 World Health Organization recommendation that all countries introduce rotavirus vaccines (RVV) into their national immunization programs, just 81 countries had introduced RVV by the end of 2015, leaving millions of children at risk for rotavirus morbidity and mortality. In response, the Rotavirus Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Network (RAVIN) was established in 2016 to provide support to eight Gavi-eligible countries that had yet to make an RVV introduction decision and/or had requested technical assistance with RVV preparations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Nepal. During 2016-2020, RAVIN worked with country governments and partners to support evidence-based immunization decision-making, RVV introduction preparation and implementation, and multilateral coordination. By the September 2020 program close-out, five of the eight RAVIN focus countries successfully introduced RVV into their routine childhood immunization programs. We report on the RAVIN approach, describe how the project responded collectively to an evolving RVV product landscape, synthesize common characteristics of the RAVIN country experiences, highlight key lessons learned, and outline the unfinished agenda to inform future new vaccine introduction efforts by countries and global partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Carol Jennings
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA; International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Molly Sauer
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA; International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
| | | | - Heidi M Soeters
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Lora Shimp
- JSI Research and Training Institute, Arlington, USA
| | - Terri B Hyde
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Umesh Parashar
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | | | - Brian Castro
- JSI Research and Training Institute, Arlington, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel C Payne
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | | | - Jenny Walldorf
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Lois Privor-Dumm
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA; International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Mathuram Santosham
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA; International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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Ahmed ST, Haider SS, Hanif S, Anwar HB, Mehjabeen S, Closser S, Bazant E, Sarker M. A scoping review on integrated health campaigns for immunization in low- and middle-income countries. Health Policy Plan 2023; 38:1198-1224. [PMID: 37699072 PMCID: PMC10752386 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Health campaign integration is a key implementation strategy outlined by the World Health Organization to achieve universal health coverage. This scoping review synthesizes the evidence on Integrated Health Campaigns (IHC) in the field of immunization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) regarding the most common strategies, facilitators and barriers. Four reviewers followed a systematic approach to identify, screen and analyse relevant articles. The team used three search engines (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) to identify peer-reviewed journal articles as well as select institutional websites for grey literature publications. Full-text articles using any study design and across any time frame were included. Data were extracted following a predefined matrix, analysed deductively and presented in a narrative synthesis. Thirty articles (20 academic and 10 grey) were included in the final review. All studies included identified IHCs as effective when planning or implementation is integrated. The common strategies were: using resources efficiently in remote locations; using national immunization days to maximize impact; targeting specific age groups by selecting intervention sites that are frequented by that age group; building community ownership over the integrated program; and integrating programs that already share common elements. The key facilitators were: closing the gap between services and communities; planning, coordination and resource management both before and during integration; cost-effectiveness; and utilization of pre-existing infrastructure. The common barriers included seemingly optimized initial cost to appear feasible only in the short term and additional responsibilities on the field staff. This review finds IHCs a common practice in immunization and identifies gaps in evidence on evaluation; indicating the need for additional research. Strong evidence accounts IHCs to increase coverage, improve community acceptance of health services and strengthen the community models of health service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syeda Tahmina Ahmed
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 6th Floor, Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Bir Uttom A K Khandakar Road, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
| | - Shams Shabab Haider
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 6th Floor, Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Bir Uttom A K Khandakar Road, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
| | - Suhi Hanif
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 6th Floor, Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Bir Uttom A K Khandakar Road, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
| | - Humayra Binte Anwar
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 6th Floor, Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Bir Uttom A K Khandakar Road, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
| | - Saima Mehjabeen
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 6th Floor, Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Bir Uttom A K Khandakar Road, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
| | - Svea Closser
- John Hopkins University, Bultimore, Maryland 21218, US
| | - Eva Bazant
- The Task Force for Global Health, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, US
| | - Malabika Sarker
- BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 6th Floor, Medona Tower, 28 Mohakhali Commercial Area, Bir Uttom A K Khandakar Road, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
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Rosen JG, Guillaume D, Mlunde LB, Njiro BJ, Munishi C, Mlay D, Gerste A, Holroyd TA, Giattas MR, Morgan C, Kyesi F, Tinuga F, Ishengoma J, Sunguya BF, Limaye RJ. Feasibility and sustainability of a school-based platform for integrated delivery of HPV vaccination with adolescent health services in Tanzania: qualitative insights from stakeholders. Health Policy Plan 2023; 38:486-495. [PMID: 36779391 PMCID: PMC10089057 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
To meet lofty human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization goals in Tanzania, the Ministry of Health integrated HPV vaccination with adolescent health services using a school-based approach. A qualitative study was conducted in June-July 2021, examining the feasibility and sustainability of an integrated service package, HPV Plus. In-depth interviews with 46 programme implementers (i.e. health-care workers and teachers) and planning stakeholders (i.e. government officials and school administrators) in Dar es Salaam and Njombe Regions explored enablers and constraints to HPV Plus programme implementation, including resource and staffing requirements. Two facilitators and three barriers to HPV Plus feasibility and sustainability were identified from thematic analysis of interviews. Interviewed stakeholders emphasized the programme's feasibility, especially if the efficiencies offered by a school-based platform were optimized. Implementation facilitators included (1) optimized service delivery efficiency through a school-based platform and (2) resources saved by combining adolescent health services and HPV immunization into a single programme package. Key barriers to HPV Plus feasibility and sustainability were (1) time, space and resource constraints (e.g. commodity stockouts and challenges delivering the complete service package to large cohorts of students within allotted times); (2) human resource gaps and increased workloads within the health workforce and (3) insufficient referral mechanisms linking schools to health facilities. Scaling up HPV Plus will require proactive commodity procurement and security; resource mobilization to reach ambitious service delivery targets and close co-ordination of programme implementation with school administrators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Rosen
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dominique Guillaume
- Department of Community, Global, and Public Health, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Jhpiego, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Linda B Mlunde
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Belinda J Njiro
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Castory Munishi
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Davis Mlay
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Amelia Gerste
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- International Vaccine Access Center, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Taylor A Holroyd
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- International Vaccine Access Center, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Christopher Morgan
- Jhpiego, Baltimore, MD, USA
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Furaha Kyesi
- Immunization and Vaccine Development Program, Ministry of Health, United Republic of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Florian Tinuga
- Immunization and Vaccine Development Program, Ministry of Health, United Republic of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Joseline Ishengoma
- Regional Administration and Local Government, Office of the President, United Republic of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno F Sunguya
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rupali J Limaye
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- International Vaccine Access Center, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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7
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Guillaume D, Waheed DEN, Schlieff M, Muralidharan K, Vorsters A, Limaye R. Key decision-making factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program introduction in low-and-middle-income-countries: Global and national stakeholder perspectives. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2150454. [PMID: 36485172 PMCID: PMC9766470 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2150454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) experience a high burden of cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents high-risk strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer; however, the integration of HPV vaccines into national immunization programs within many LMICs has been suboptimal. Our study evaluated key factors that drive the decision-making process for the implementation of HPV vaccine programs in LMICs. Stakeholder analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with national and global stakeholders. Interview data were analyzed through qualitative descriptive methods. Findings from our study revealed the decision-making process for HPV vaccines requires the involvement of multiple institutions and stakeholders from national and global levels, with decision-making being a country-specific process. Partner considerations, locally driven processes, availability of data, and infrastructure and resource considerations were found to be critical factors in the decision-making process. Future programs should evaluate the best approaches for investing in initiatives to enhance coordination, ensure vaccine introduction is locally driven, increase the availability of data needed for decision-making, and equip countries with the necessary resources to guide country decision-making in the face of increasingly complex decision-making environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Guillaume
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Jhpiego, A Johns Hopkins University Affiliate, Baltimore, MD, USA,School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dur-e-Nayab Waheed
- Center for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium,HPV Prevention and Control Board, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Meike Schlieff
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kirthini Muralidharan
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alex Vorsters
- Center for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium,HPV Prevention and Control Board, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rupali Limaye
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA,CONTACT Rupali Limaye International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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