Vaccine hesitancy in Malawi: a threat to already-made health gains

COVID-19 prevention strategies and compliance among postnatal adolescent mothers with postnatal depression and generalised anxiety in rural Malawi: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the relationship between adolescent mothers' mental health problems (postnatal depression and generalised anxiety) and adherence to COVID-19 public health prevention strategies in rural Malawi. It is part of a larger previously published study investigating the impact of social and cultural factors on the mental health in adolescent mothers.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to March 2022. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to identify the risk of postnatal depression (PND) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), respectively. Participants also responded to questions about their perception of COVID-19 and how they practiced the recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a rural hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescent postnatal mothers aged 19 years and below, with children aged less than 1 year, who understood the study and could consent.

RESULTS

Adolescent mothers (n=395) completed the researcher-administered survey. The mean age was±17 (SD 1.157). Most participants had recently given birth to their first child (91%, n=358). Almost half (45%, n=113) of participants agreed with the COVID-19 prevention strategies recommended by the Malawian government. However, overall adherence to public health COVID-19 prevention strategies, including hand hygiene practices, was low among adolescent mothers. Participants with probable GAD and probable PND were more likely to practice COVID-19 prevention strategies than participants with low GAD-7 or EPDS scores, except for restrictions on religious gatherings.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent perception of the potential threats or risks of COVID-19 was low. However, adolescents with probable PND and probable GAD reported higher adherence to some COVID-19 prevention strategies than adolescents without PND and GAD. The findings support the need for policies that integrate mental health within the public health response due to the potential direct and indirect effects the pandemic might have on perinatal mothers' mental health. Additionally, recommended pandemic responses should be appropriate and relevant to the social environment.

Social media influence on COVID-19 vaccine perceptions among University students: a Malawi case study

INTRODUCTION

The global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic relies significantly on vaccination. The collective international effort has been massive, but the pace of vaccination finds hindrance due to supply and vaccine hesitancy factors. Understanding public perceptions, especially through the lens of social media, is important. This study investigates the influence of social media on COVID-19 vaccine perceptions among university students in Malawi.

METHODS

The study utilized a quantitative methodology and employed a cross-sectional study design to explore the relationship between social media dynamics and COVID-19 vaccine perceptions among 382 randomly sampled students at MUBAS. Data, collected by use of a Likert-scale questionnaire, was analyzed using IBM SPSS 20 for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests.

RESULTS

The findings reveal crucial correlations. Specifically, trust in online vaccine information shows a positive correlation (r = 0.296, p < 0.01) with active engagement in social media discussions. Conversely, a negative correlation surfaces concerning individuals' reactions to vaccine availability in Malawi (r = -0.026, p > 0.05). The demographic overview highlights the prevalence of the 16 to 30 age group, representing 92.9% of respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified correlations emphasize the need for careful communication strategies tailored to combat misinformation and enhance vaccine acceptance among the younger demographic in Malawi. The positive correlation between trust in online vaccine information and social media engagement underscores digital platforms' potential for disseminating accurate information. Conversely, the negative correlation with vaccine availability reactions suggest the presence of complex factors shaping public perceptions.