Community Health Volunteers' experiences of implementing COVID-19 vaccine education and promotion in Kenya: a qualitative descriptive study. Front Public Health 2024;12:1406959
Date
07/26/2024Pubmed ID
39050596Pubmed Central ID
PMC11266037DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2024.1406959Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85199273419 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vaccination was a key measure in the COVID-19 pandemic response, though much work was needed to promote vaccine uptake and acceptance. In Kenya, Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) played a key role in vaccine education and promotion. We conducted this study to explore CHVs' experiences of implementing COVID-19 vaccine education and promotion during the pandemic to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in two areas of Kenya.
METHODS: In a qualitative descriptive study, we conducted 30 structured in-depth interviews with 20 CHVs and 10 Community Health Assistants from rural Kilifi County and Kangemi, an urban informal settlement of Nairobi County in Kenya between April 2022 and July 2022.
FINDINGS: Thematic analysis generated five key themes in relation to CHVs' experiences of implementing COVID-19 vaccine education and promotion: Five key themes emerged regarding CHVs' experiences of implementing COVID-19 vaccine education and promotion: (1) vaccine preferences influenced acceptance, (2) the fear of side effects was a barrier, (3) misinformation was widespread (4) lack of trust in government and politicization of vaccines was a barrier, and (5) CHVs' efforts were a facilitator to increased uptake.
CONCLUSION: Extensive community outreach from CHVs contributed to the high uptake of primary vaccines and boosters during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHVs acting as role models by receiving vaccinations first was particularly important in influencing communities to accept vaccinations. Findings provide evidence for prioritizing CHVs in the planning and implementation of future vaccination initiatives in Kenya and other countries.
Author List
Shumba CS, Kiraithe P, Kambo I, Shaibu SAuthor
Constance S. Shumba PhD Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultCommunity Health Workers
Female
Health Education
Health Promotion
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Kenya
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Qualitative Research
Vaccination
Volunteers
