Author:
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Mtenga, Sally; Kimweri, Angela; Romore, Idda; Ali, Ali; Exavery, Amon; Sicuri, Elisa; Tanner, Marcel; Abdulla, Salim; Lusingu, John; Kafuruki, Shubi
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Abstract:
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BACKGROUND: Within the context of combined interventions,
malaria vaccine may provide additional value in malaria
prevention. Stakeholders' perspectives are thus critical for
informed recommendation of the vaccine in Tanzania. This paper
presents the views of stakeholders with regards to malaria
vaccine in 12 Tanzanian districts. METHODS: Quantitative and
qualitative methods were employed. A structured questionnaire
was administered to 2123 mothers of under five children.
Forty-six in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions
were conducted with teachers, religious leaders, community
health workers, health care professionals, and scientists.
Quantitative data analysis involved frequency distributions and
cross tabulations using Chi square test to determine the
association between malaria vaccine acceptability and
independent variables. Qualitative data were analysed
thematically. RESULTS: Overall, 84.2 % of the mothers had
perfect acceptance of malaria vaccine. Acceptance varied
significantly according to religion, occupation, tribe and
region (p < 0.001). Ninety two percent reported that they
will accept the malaria vaccine despite the need to continue
using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), while 88.4 % reported
that they will accept malaria vaccine even if their children get
malaria less often than non-vaccinated children. Qualitative
results revealed that the positive opinions towards malaria
vaccine were due to a need for additional malaria prevention
strategies and expectations that the vaccine will reduce visits
to the health facility, deaths, malaria episodes and
treatment-related expenses. Vaccine related questions included
its side effects, efficacy, protective duration, composition,
interaction with other medications, provision schedule,
availability to the pregnant women, mode of administration (oral
or injection?) and whether a child born of HIV virus or with a
chronic illness will be eligible for the vaccine? CONCLUSION:
Stakeholders had high acceptance and positive opinions towards
the combined use of the anticipated malaria vaccine and ITNs,
and that their acceptance remains high even when the vaccine may
not provide full protection, this is a crucial finding for
malaria vaccine policy decisions in Tanzania. An inclusive
communication strategy should be designed to address the
stakeholders' questions through a process that should engage and
be implemented by communities and health care professionals.
Social cultural aspects associated with vaccine acceptance
should be integrated in the communication strategy. |