Use of m-Health in polio eradication and other immunization activities in developing countries

IntroductionReaching the children that are chronically missed by routine immunization services has been a key pillar of success in achieving progress toward polio eradication. The rapid advancement and accessibility of mobile technology (“mHealth”) in low and lower middle income countries provides an important opportunity to apply novel, innovative approaches to provide vaccine services. We sought to document the use and effectiveness of mHealth in immunization programs in low and lower middle income countries. We particularly focused on mHealth approaches used in polio eradication efforts by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to leverage the knowledge and lessons learned that may be relevant for enhancing ongoing immunization services.MethodsIn June 2016, the electronic database PubMed was searched for peer reviewed studies that focused on efforts to improve immunization programs (both ongoing immunization services and supplemental immunization activities or campaigns) through mobile technology in low and lower middle income countries.ResultsThe search yielded 317 papers of which 25 met the inclusion criteria. One additional article was included from the hand searching process. mHealth was used for reminder and recall, monitoring and surveillance, vaccine acceptance, and campaign strategic planning. Mobile phones were the most common mobile device used. Of the 26 studies, 21 of 26 studies (80.8%) reported that mHealth improved immunization efforts.ConclusionmHealth interventions can effectively enhance immunization services in low and lower middle income countries. With the growing capacity and access to mobile technology, mHealth can be a powerful and sustainable tool for enhancing the reach and impact of vaccine programs.     

Parents’ preferences for interventions to improve childhood immunization uptake in northern Nigeria

BackgroundRoutine childhood immunization coverage has been low in northern Nigeria. While local authorities and international partners have been working hard to improve coverage, population preferences for interventions have not been documented. This study aimed to understand parents’ preferences and identify possible interventions to improve uptake of childhood immunization.MethodsPreferences for immunization interventions were elicited using a best-worst scaling (BWS) instrument among parents with children under five. We explored the value of six program attributes (each varying across three levels) identified through a literature review and engagement with local stakeholders. In each of 18 hypothetical programs identified through a main effect orthogonal design, respondents selected the best and worst attributes that may facilitate vaccination of children. Assuming sequential best-worst responses, we used conditional logit to estimate preferences. We employed latent class analysis (LCA) to categorize and examine respondents’ preferences across interventions.Results97 men and 101 women in 198 households were surveyed. The most preferred level for each attribute included door-to-door vaccinations, free food supplements, bundling with nutritional support programs, involvement of religious leaders, information dissemination through media campaigns, and strengthening of health services by the government. Three types of preferences were recognized in the LCA. The value-driven group (14%) characterized by youngest age, predominantly female, and lower education perceived bundled services with food and nutritional programs as the most important feature of an intervention. Convenience and information seekers (28%) characterized by oldest age and the lowest employment preferred door-to-door vaccinations and media campaigns. The remaining complacent group (58%), characterized by highest education and highest employment, did not show strong preferences to any intervention compared to the other two groups.ConclusionsRoutine immunization programs should consider joining forces with food and nutritional programs to improve vaccination uptake. Incorporating door-to-door visits and media campaigns to target older and unemployed populations may increase childhood immunization uptake in northern Nigeria.     

Strengthening functional community–provider linkages: Lessons from the Indore urban health programme

Abstract

Weak linkages between health providers and slum communities hinder the improvement of health services for India's urban poor. To address this issue, an urban health programme is implementing two approaches in Indore city, Madhya Pradesh, the demand–supply linkage approach and ward coordination approach. The former is based on the premise that building social capital, i.e. norms and networks within a community facilitating collective action, helps improve the demand and supply of health services for the urban poor. The latter focuses on encouraging local stakeholders to function in a coordinated manner to ensure better health service coverage in underserved slum areas. Findings suggest that the programme has enhanced utilization of services among Indore's slum communities and helped improve immunization coverage and other maternal and child health indicators.     

Factors associated with incomplete or delayed vaccination across countries: A systematic review

BackgroundDespite the significant decline in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases as a result of increased vaccination coverage worldwide, there are many children with delayed vaccination and a marked heterogeneity in vaccination coverage.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to review factors that influence the adherence to childhood immunization schedule in different countries, especially related to socioeconomic conditions and health care system characteristics.MethodsPubmed and Web of Science databases were searched systematically for observational studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English, Spanish and Portuguese languages from January 1992 to June 2014. We included original articles that assessed vaccination schedule with at least three diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis, three polio and one measles vaccines in children aged 0–24 months.Results491 articles were identified and 23 met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The most cited factors reported by countries with distinct characteristics were higher birth order (9 articles, 39.1%), and low maternal education/socioeconomic status (7 articles each one, 30.4%). Irregular monitoring by the health care services was reported by countries with “mainly private” health care system. Out-of-hospital birth, no reminder(s) about the next follow-up visit, and mother working outside the home were cited by countries with low/medium Human Development Index (HDI). Ethnicity, use of private health care services, and no health insurance were cited by countries with very high HDI. The role of migration on vaccination coverage was reported by three studies conducted in countries with distinct characteristics.ConclusionsThe factors are complex and driven by context. Overall, strengthening the contacts and relationships between the health care services and mothers with several children and families with low educational level/low socioeconomic status appear to be an important action to improve vaccination coverage.     

Equity and immunization supply chain in Madagascar

Vaccination rates have improved in many countries, yet immunization inequities persist within countries and the poorest communities often bear the largest burden of vaccine preventable disease. Madagascar has one of the world’s largest equity gaps in immunization rates. Barriers to immunization include immunization supply chain, human resources, and service delivery to reflect the health system building blocks, which affect poor rural communities more than affluent communities. The Reaching Every District (RED) approach was revised to address barriers and bottlenecks. This approach focuses on the provision of regular services, including making cold chain functional. This report describes Madagascar’s inequities in immunization, its programmatic causes and the country’s plans to address barriers to immunization in the poorest regions in the country.MethodsTwo cross-sectional health facility surveys conducted in November and December 2013 and in March 2015 were performed in four regions of Madagascar to quantify immunization system barriers.FindingsOf the four regions studied, 26–33% of the population live beyond 5 km (km) of a health center. By 2015, acceptable (fridges stopped working for less than 6 days) cold chains were found in 52–80% of health facilities. Only 10–57% of health centers had at least two qualified health workers. Between 65% and 95% of planned fixed vaccination sessions were conducted and 50–88% of planned outreach sessions were conducted. The proportion of planned outreach sessions that were conducted increased between the two surveys.ConclusionMadagascar’s immunization program faces serious challenges and those affected most are the poorest populations. Major inequities in immunization were found at the subnational level and were mainly geographic in nature. Approaches to improve immunization systems need to be equitable. This may include the replacement of supply chain equipment with those powered by sustainable energy sources, monitoring its functionality at health facility level and vaccination services in all communities.     

Social Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening in Urban Primary Care Practices: A Community-Engaged Formative Study

BackgroundThe recent decline in the breast cancer mortality rate can be attributed to intensive screening and early detection efforts. However, studies have documented a decline in self-reported recent mammography use and interventions to enhance mammography utilization have yielded modest improvements. To address the root causes of breast cancer disparities and improve mammography use, interventions need to address multiple layers of patient, provider, and health system factors.ObjectiveUsing community-based participatory research principles, we sought to learn from women receiving care through urban primary care practices about issues surrounding mammography screening and strategies to increase screening.MethodsWe conducted five focus groups among 41 eligible women who were predominantly African American, recruited using nonprobability purposive sampling methods from urban community health centers in Baltimore, Maryland. Data are reported from three focus groups (n = 28) that provided usable data. We used the social determinants of health perspective to conduct a qualitative content analysis and interpretation of the data.ResultsMajor obstacles to obtaining a screening mammogram were individual-level (i.e., pain from the procedure) and structural-level factors (i.e., cost, geography, convenience). Strategies to overcome obstacles could include the creation of structural mechanisms whereby women can receive a host of services during one visit to a healthcare professional’s office. Important promoters of screening behavior included social-level factors such as social support, hope, and positive treatment outcomes.ConclusionThe social determinants of health perspective provided a unique perspective to frame barriers and promoters of mammography utilization and insights to develop interventions aimed at improving cancer control among women receiving care at urban primary care health centers.     

The effect of mass vaccination campaigns against polio on the utilization of routine immunization services: A regression discontinuity design

BackgroundIn most low and middle-income countries (LMIC), vaccines are primarily distributed by routine immunization services (RI) at health facilities. Additional opportunities for vaccination are also provided through mass vaccination campaigns, conducted periodically as part of disease-specific initiatives. It is unclear whether these campaigns are detrimental to RI services, or wether they may stimulate the utilization of RI.MethodsUnobserved confounders and reverse causality have limited existing evaluations of the effects of mass vaccination campaigns on RI services. We explored the use of a regression discontinuity design (RDD) to measure these effects more precisely. This is a quasi-experimental method, which exploits random variations in birth dates to identify the causal effects of vaccination campaigns. We applied RDD to survey data on a nationwide vaccination campaign against Polio conducted in Bangladesh.ResultsWe compared systematically the children born immediately before vs. after the vaccination campaign. These two groups had similar background characteristics, but differed by their exposure to the vaccination campaign. Contrary to previous studies, exposure to the campaign had positive effects on RI utilization. Children exposed to the campaign received between 0.296 and 0.469 additional doses of DPT vaccine by age 4 months than unexposed children.ConclusionsRDD constitutes a promising tool to assess the effects of mass vaccination campaigns on RI services. It could be tested in additional settings, using larger and more precise datasets. It could also be extended to measure the effects of other disease-specific interventions on the functioning of health systems, in particular those that occur at a discrete point in time and/or include age-related eligibility criteria.     

Socioeconomic patterns in the use of public and private health services and equity in health care

Background  

Several studies in wealthy countries suggest that utilization of GP and hospital services, after adjusting for health care need, is equitable or pro-poor, whereas specialist care tends to favour the better off. Horizontal equity in these studies has not been evaluated appropriately, since the use of healthcare services is analysed without distinguishing between public and private services. The purpose of this study is to estimate the relation between socioeconomic position and health services use to determine whether the findings are compatible with the attainment of horizontal equity: equal use of public healthcare services for equal need.     

Determinants of maternal immunization in developing countries

BackgroundMaternal immunization is an effective intervention to protect newborns and young infants from infections when their immune response is immature. Tetanus toxoid vaccination of pregnant women is the most widely implemented maternal vaccine in developing countries where neonatal mortality is the highest. We identified barriers to maternal tetanus vaccination in developing African and Asian countries to identify means of improving maternal immunization platforms in these countries.MethodWe categorized barriers into health system, health care provider and patient barriers to maternal tetanus immunization and conducted a literature review on each category. Due to limited literature from Africa, we conducted a pilot survey of health care providers in Malawi on barriers they experience in immunizing pregnant women.ResultsThe major barriers of the health system are due to inadequate financial and human resources which translate to inadequate vaccination services delivery and logistics management. Health care providers are limited by poor attendance of Antenatal Care and inadequate knowledge on vaccinating pregnant women. Patient barriers are due to lack of education and knowledge on pregnancy immunization and socioeconomic factors such as low income and high parity.ConclusionThere are several factors that affect maternal tetanus immunization. Increasing knowledge in health care providers and patients, increasing antenatal care attendance and outreach activities will aid the uptake of maternal immunization. Health system barriers are more difficult to address requiring an improvement of overall immunization services. Further analyses of maternal immunization specific barriers and the means of addressing them are required to strengthen the existing program and provide a more efficient delivery system for additional maternal vaccines.     

Comparative Distributional Impact of Routine Immunization and Supplementary Immunization Activities in Delivery of Measles Vaccine in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

ObjectivesIn many countries, measles disproportionately affects poorer households. To achieve equitable delivery, national immunization programs can use 2 main delivery platforms: routine immunization and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). The objective of this article is to use data concerning measles vaccination coverage delivered via routine and SIA strategies to make inferences about the associated equity impact.MethodsWe relied on Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys multi-country survey data to conduct a comparative analysis of routine and SIA measles vaccination status of children by wealth quintile. We estimated the value of the angle, θ, for the ratio of the difference between coverage levels of adjacent wealth quintiles by using the arc-tangent formula. For each country/year observation, we averaged the θ estimates into one summary measurement, defined as the “equity impact number.”ResultsAcross 20 countries, the equity impact number summarized across wealth quintiles was greater (and hence less equitable) for routine delivery than for SIAs in the survey rounds (years) during, before, and after an SIA about 65% of the time. The equity impact numbers for routine measles vaccination averaged across wealth quintiles were usually greater than for SIA measles vaccination across country-year observations.ConclusionsThis analysis examined how different measles vaccine delivery platforms can affect equity. It can serve to elucidate the impact of immunization and public health programs in terms of comparing horizontal to vertical delivery efforts and in reducing health inequalities in global and country-level decision-making.     

Availability,accessibility and utilization of post-abortion care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

Abstract

At the 1994 ICPD, sub-Saharan African (SSA) states pledged, inter alia, to guarantee quality post-abortion care (PAC) services. We synthesized existing research on PAC services provision, utilization and access in SSA since the 1994 ICPD. Generally, evidence on PAC is only available in a few countries in the sub-region. The available evidence however suggests that PAC constitutes a significant financial burden on public health systems in SSA; that accessibility, utilization and availability of PAC services have expanded during the period; and that worrying inequities characterize PAC services. Manual and electrical vacuum aspiration and medication abortion drugs are increasingly common PAC methods in SSA, but poor-quality treatment methods persist in many contexts. Complex socio-economic, infrastructural, cultural and political factors mediate the availability, accessibility and utilization of PAC services in SSA. Interventions that have been implemented to improve different aspects of PAC in the sub-region have had variable levels of success. Underexplored themes in the existing literature include the individual and household level costs of PAC; the quality of PAC services; the provision of non-abortion reproductive health services in the context of PAC; and health care provider-community partnerships.     

Equity and Coverage in the Continuum of Reproductive,Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services in Nepal-Projecting the Estimates on Death Averted Using the LiST Tool

Introduction

The third Sustainable Development Goal, focused on health, includes two targets related to the reduction in maternal, newborn and under-five childhood mortality. We found it imperative to examine the equity and coverage of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) interventions from 2001 to 2016 in Nepal; and the death aversion that will take place during the SDG period.

Methods

We used the datasets from the Nepal Demographic Health Surveys (NDHS) 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016. We calculated the coverage and equity for RMNCH interventions and the composite coverage index (CCI). Based on the Annualized Rate of Change (ARC) in the coverage for selected RMNCH indicators, we projected the trend for the RMNCH interventions by 2030. We used the Lives Saved Tools (LiST) tool to estimate the maternal, newborn, under-five childhood deaths and stillbirths averted. We categorised the interventions into four different patterns based on coverage and inequity gap.

Results

Between 2001 and 2016, a significant improvement is seen in the overall RMNCH intervention coverage-CCI increasing from 46 to 75%. The ARC was highest for skilled attendance at birth (11.7%) followed by care seeking for pneumonia (8.2%) between the same period. In 2016, the highest inequity existed for utilization of the skilled birth attendance services (51%), followed by antenatal care (18%). The inequity gap for basic immunization services reduced significantly from 27.4% in 2001 to 5% in 2016. If the current ARC continues, then an additional 3783 maternal deaths, 36,443 neonatal deaths, 66,883 under-five childhood deaths and 24,024 stillbirths is expected to be averted by the year 2030.

Conclusion

Nepal has experienced an improvement in the coverage and equity in RMNCH interventions. Reducing inequities will improve coverage for skilled birth attendants and antenatal care. The current annual rate of change in RMNCH coverage will further reduce the maternal, neonatal, under-five childhood deaths and stillbirths.

     

Educational videos to address vaccine hesitancy in childhood immunization

BackgroundAs one of the essential programs that have been developed for decades, childhood immunizations are mandatory to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite its availability and accessibility, immunization coverage has not reached the intended goals. Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 pandemic may threaten immunization coverage in children. This study aimed to evaluate the tailored educational videos to reduce vaccine hesitancy and analyze the changes in childhood routine immunization status.MethodsThis was an interventional quasi-experimental study in three subdistricts of North Jakarta, Indonesia. Participants were allocated into educational videos exposures (intervention group, n = 116) or to the digital version of the maternal and child health handbook (control group, n = 104). We administered a pre- and post-intervention vaccine hesitancy survey using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire with cut-off scores of 50.ResultsA total of 220 parents were recruited in this study from June 18, 2021, to December 10, 2021. The pre-intervention PACV survey showed that 19 (8.6%) parents were vaccine-hesitant from both groups: 12 (10.3%) and 7 (6.7%) of parents among intervention and control groups. After the interventions, there were 8 (6.9%) and 8 (7.7%) vaccine-hesitant parents in the intervention and control groups, respectively. We found a significant difference in the post-intervention PACV median score between the intervention and control groups (17 vs 23; p = 0.035). Around 25% of parents have not completed their children’s immunization status: 22.4% and 28.8% in the intervention and control groups, respectively. There was a significant difference between the proportion of PACV hesitancy on the immunization status within intervention and control groups (p = 0.001).ConclusionThere was a reduction in vaccine hesitancy after interventions. Educational videos intervention distributed through WhatsApp group was associated with lower vaccine hesitancy and can be used as health education tools among Indonesian parents in the community.     

Efficacy and feasibility of nonpharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia in long term care: a systematic review

BackgroundNonpharmacological therapies are often recommended as a first-line treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of dementia in long term care (LTC); however, little is known about which nonpharmacological interventions are most effective for NPS in LTC or the feasibility of interventions, given the availability of resources in typical LTC environments.MethodsWe searched the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO (1980–2010), the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar using keywords and medical subject headings for randomized, controlled trials evaluating nonpharmacological interventions for NPS conducted in LTC settings. Change in severity of NPS symptoms was evaluated through the NPS outcomes measures reported in studies. We assessed study quality and described the feasibility of interventions based on various aspects of study design.ResultsA total of 40 studies met inclusion criteria. Sixteen (40%) of 40 included studies reported statistically significant results in favor of nonpharmacological interventions on at least one measure of NPS. These interventions included staff training in NPS management strategies, mental health consultation and treatment planning, exercise, recreational activities, and music therapy or other forms of sensory stimulation. Many of the studies had methodological limitations that placed them at potential risk of bias. Most interventions (n = 30, 75%) required significant resources from services outside of LTC or significant time commitments from LTC nursing staff for implementation.ConclusionsThere are several nonpharmacological interventions that may be effective for NPS in LTC, although there are a limited number of large-scale, high-quality studies in this area. The feasibility of some interventions will be limited in many LTC settings and further research into practical and sustainable interventions for NPS in LTC is required to improve usage of these important treatments.     

Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations of Primary Caries Prevention in 2- to 5-Year-Old Preschool Children

ObjectivesTo describe and summarize evidence on economic evaluations (EEs) of primary caries prevention in preschool children aged 2 to 5 years and to evaluate the reporting quality of full EE studies using a quality assessment tool.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted in several databases. Full and partial EEs were included. The reporting quality of full EE studies was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist.ResultsA total of 808 studies were identified, and 39 were included in the review. Most papers were published between 2000 and 2017 and originated in the United States and the United Kingdom. The most common type of intervention investigated was a complex multicomponent intervention, followed by water fluoridation. Cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis were the most frequently used types of EE. One study employed cost-utility analysis. The proportion of full EEs increased over time. The parameters not reported well included study perspective, baseline year, sensitivity analysis, and discount rate. The CHEERS items that were most often unmet were characterizing uncertainty, study perspective, study parameters, and estimating resources and costs.ConclusionsWithin the past 2 decades, there has been an increase in the number of EEs of caries prevention interventions in preschool children. There was inconsistency in how EEs were conducted and reported. Lack of preference-based health-related quality-of-life measure utilization in the field was identified. The use of appropriate study methodologies and greater attention to recommended EE design are required to further improve quality.     

Development of a road map to scale up the uptake and utilization of influenza vaccine in 22 countries of Eastern Mediterranean Region

BackgroundThe aim of this project was to develop a road map to support countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region in developing and implementing evidence-based seasonal influenza vaccination policy, strengthen influenza vaccination delivery program and address vaccine misperceptions and hesitancy.MethodsThe road map was developed through consultative meetings with countries’ focal points, review of relevant literature and policy documents and analysis of WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on immunization ((JRF 2015–2020) data. Countries were categorised into three groups, based on the existence of influenza vaccination policy and national regulatory authority, availability of influenza vaccine in the country and number of influenza vaccine doses distributed/ 1000 population. The final road map was shared with representatives of all countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region and other stakeholders during a meeting in September 2021.ResultThe goal for next 5 years is to increase access to and use of utilization of seasonal influenza vaccine in Eastern Mediterranean Region to reduce influenza-associated morbidity and mortality among priority groups for vaccination. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are at different stages of implementation of the influenza vaccination program, so activities are planned under four strategic priority areas based on current situations in countries. The consultative body recommended that some countries should establish a new seasonal influenza vaccination programme and ensure the availability of vaccines, while other countries need to reduce vaccine hesitancy and enhance current seasonal influenza vaccination coverage, particularly in all high-risk groups. Countries are also encouraged to leverage COVID-19 adult vaccination programs to improve seasonal influenza vaccine uptake.ConclusionThis road map was developed through a consultative process to scale up the uptake and utilization of influenza vaccine in all countries of Eastern Mediterranean Region. The road map proposes activities that should be adopted in the local context to develop/ update national policies and programs.     

Assessment of factors associated with complete immunization coverage in children aged 12-23 months: a cross-sectional study in Nouna district,Burkina Faso

Background

The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is still in need of improvement. In Burkina Faso in 2003, for example, the Nouna health district had an immunization coverage rate of 31.5%, compared to the national rate of 52%. This study identifies specific factors associated with immunization status in Nouna health district in order to advance improved intervention strategies in this district and in those with similar environmental and social contexts.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 41 rural communities and one semi-urban area (urban in the text). Data on 476 children aged 12 to 23 months were analyzed from a representative sample of 489, drawn from the Nouna Health Research Centre's Demographic Surveillance System (DSS) database. The vaccination history of these children was examined. The relationships between their immunization status and social, economic and various contextual variables associated with their parents and households were assessed using Chi square test, Pearson correlation and logistic regression.

Results

The total immunization coverage was 50.2% (CI, 45.71; 54.69). Parental knowledge of the preventive value of immunization was positively related to complete immunization status (p = 0.03) in rural areas. Children of parents who reported a perception of communication problems surrounding immunization had a lower immunization coverage rate (p < 0.001). No distance related difference exists in terms of complete immunization coverage within villages and between villages outside the site of the health centres. Children of non-educated fathers in rural areas have higher rates of complete immunization coverage than those in the urban area (p = 0.028). Good communication about immunization and the importance of availability of immunization booklets, as well as economic and religious factors appear to positively affect children's immunization status.

Conclusion

Vaccination sites in remote areas are intended to provide a greater opportunity for children to access vaccination services. These efforts, however, are often hampered by the poor economic conditions of households and insufficient communication and knowledge regarding immunization issues. While comprehensive communication may improve understanding about immunization, it is necessary that local interventions also take into account religious specificities and critical economic periods. Particular approaches that take into consideration these distinctions need to be applied in both rural and urban settings.

Abstract in French

See the full article online for a translation of this abstract in French.