Antenatal care providers’ attitudes and beliefs towards maternal vaccination in Kenya

Abstract

Background: Maternal immunization is known to be one of the best strategies to protect both mothers and their infants from infectious diseases. Studies have shown that healthcare providers play a critical role in implementation of maternal immunization. However, little is known about providers’ attitudes and beliefs towards vaccination that can influence their vaccine recommendations, specifically in low to middle income countries (LMIC). Methods: A self-administrated knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) survey was provided to 150 antenatal care providers across four different regions (Nairobi, Mombasa, Marsabit, and Siaya counties) of Kenya. The research staff visited the 150 clinics and hospitals and distributed a quantitative KAB survey. Results: Nearly all of the antenatal care providers (99%) recommended tetanus maternal vaccination. Similarly, 99% of the providers agreed that they would agree to provide additional vaccinations for pregnant women and reported that they always advise their patients to get vaccinated. Between 80 and 90% of the providers reported that religious beliefs, ethnicity, cultural background and political leaders do not affect their attitude or beliefs towards recommending vaccines. Conclusions: Considering the positive responses of healthcare providers towards vaccine acceptance and recommendation, these results highlight an opportunity to work in partnership with these providers to improve coverage of maternal vaccination and to introduce additional vaccines (such as influenza). In order to achieve this, logistical barriers that have affected the coverage of the currently recommended vaccines, should be addressed as part of this partnership.

Contextual Factors, Vaccination Determinants, and Adherence to Covid-19 Inoculation Among Pregnant Women

“…Religion plays a significant role in shaping an individual's perception of health and health needs, particularly among religious groups like Roman Catholics. However, Chander et al (2020) found that religion did not influence attitudes and recommendations around maternal vaccination. Ethnicity is another significant factor in vaccine hesitation, with most respondents being Tagalog (71.02%).…”

Health Systems Determinants of Delivery and Uptake of Maternal Vaccines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Qualitative Systematic Review

“…In Kenya, for example, improper vaccine cold-chain resource management was quoted as being a result of their national devolution process [48], whereas in Tanzania cold-chain limitations were the direct result of power cuts affected by seasonal weather patterns and delayed procurement of fuels such as gas [50]. Furthermore, in Kenya, limited availability of transport for vaccines from county depots to facilities with proper cold storage mechanisms was a barrier to effective vaccine delivery [51]. This meant that despite willingness to be vaccinated, pregnant women reported the limited availability of vaccines to be an issue, impacting on the quality of care received, which was a barrier also described in South Africa [44].…”

“Why has this new vaccine come and for what reasons?” key antecedents and questions for acceptance of a future maternal GBS vaccine: Perspectives of pregnant women, lactating women, and community members in Kenya

“…Related to maternal immunization broadly in Kenya, the only vaccine recommended during pregnancy is tetanus, with coverage still being suboptimal in some areas. 13 According to the last Demographic and Health Survey, 75% of women with a live birth in the two years before the survey received sufficient tetanus toxoid injections to protect their baby against neonatal tetanus. 14 Maternal vaccines are primarily administered at health facilities, including public and private facilities, as well as through faith-based organizations outreach and campaign outreach.…”

“…15 For information about maternal vaccines, pregnant individuals in Kenya tend to trust healthcare providers for education and recommendations. 13 , 16 …”