Using the COMMVAC taxonomy to map vaccination communication interventions in Mozambique

Abstract

Background: Improved communication about childhood vaccination is fundamental to increasing vaccine uptake in low-income countries. Mozambique, with 64% of children fully vaccinated, uses a range of communication interventions to promote uptake of childhood immunisation. Objectives: Using a taxonomy developed by the ‘Communicate to Vaccinate’ (COMMVAC) project, the study aims to identify and classify the existing communication interventions for vaccination in Mozambique and to find the gaps. Methods: We used a qualitative research approach to identify the range of communication interventions used in Mozambique. In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with key purposively selected personnel at national level and relevant documents were collected and analysed. These data were complemented with observations of communication during routine vaccination and campaigns in Nampula province. We used the COMMVAC taxonomy, which organises vaccination communication intervention according to its intended purpose and the population targeted, to map both routine and campaign interventions. Results: We identified interventions used in campaign and routine vaccination, or in both, fitting five of the seven taxonomy purposes, with informing or educating community members predominating. We did not identify any interventions that aimed to provide support or facilitate decision-making. There were interventions for all main target groups, although fewer for health providers. Overlap occurred: for example, interventions often targeted both parents and community members. Conclusions: We consider that the predominant focus on informing and educating community members is appropriate in the Mozambican context, where there is a high level of illiteracy and poor knowledge of the reasons for vaccination. We recommend increasing interventions for health providers, in particular training them in better communication for vaccination. The taxonomy was useful for identifying gaps, but needs to be more user-friendly if it is to be employed as a tool by health service managers.

Stakeholder perceptions of communication about vaccination in two regions of Cameroon: A qualitative case study

“…For instance, they suggested that mobile health (mHealth) communication strategies, such as appointment reminders via text message, are acceptable and potentially preferred methods of communication. Related COMMVAC studies in Nigeria and Mozambique found a preference for text message reminders, especially amongst urban populations [ 20 , 21 ]. Other studies have found that text messages are acceptable amongst parents for receiving health information and reminders [ 35 – 38 ].…”

“…In order to plan and deliver effective communication about childhood vaccination, we need to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of communication and explore their preferences for delivering and receiving information. It is particularly important to explore these perceptions in LMIC settings [ 19 – 21 ] such as Cameroon, where there is little research on this topic [ 4 ].…”

40 years of immunization in Mozambique: a narrative review of literature, accomplishments, and perspectives

“…The 80-80 goals set in 2000 by the GAVI and the WHO, which objectives were reaching: (i) ≥ 80% of coverage of DTP3; (ii) in every district of more than 80% of developing countries by 2005, culminating with the creation of the Reaching Every District (RED) strategy in 2002 19 . With the start of the GAVI support in the country in 2001, gradually, new vaccines (hepatitis B, followed by Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) in 2008, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in 2013, and rotavirus, injected polio, and measles second dose in 2015 were included in the national immunization schedule 18,20 ( Figure 1). In 2014, the country conducted a demo pilot for HPV vaccine for pre-teen girls in three districts, as a preparation for a national scale vaccination, but this vaccine is not yet included in the country schedule 18 .…”

“…In 2008, strategies such as RED and National Health Week -where several immunization activities (vaccination in primary schools, health services to child and women in childbearing age, vaccine education, and mobilization) are carried out -, were implemented in order to increase coverage and reduce inequities related to the provision of vaccination services 20,21 . Moreover, community health workers (CHW) have supported many health programs, including EPI by extending its services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged population, thus achieving more satisfactory public health 16 .…”

Značaj Komunikacije Zdravstvenih Djelatnika U Promociji Cijepljenja

“…Druga istraživanja nisu identificirali nijednu intervenciju koja je imala za cilj podršku ili olakšavanje donošenja odluka. Došlo se do zaključka da su intervencije često bile usmjerene i na roditelje i na članove zajednice (30). Javni zdravstveni djelatnici moraju imati više sofisticirane komunikacijske metode za prijenos poruka u vezi cjepiva za roditelje kako bi se spriječio pad cjepivo pokrivenost stopa, uzimajući u obzir razinu povjerenja i zdravstvene pismenosti (31).…”