Drivers of Routine and Outbreak Vaccination Uptake in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo: An Exploratory Study in Ten Health Zones

We performed a cross-sectional survey on vaccination-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among randomly selected parents of <5 years-old children, elderly populations (aged ≥ 55 years), and health care workers (HCWs) in 10 health zones from 4 provinces of the Democratic Republic of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chammam, K. (Author), Ifufa, C. (Author), Kwete, P. (Author), Lupola, P.M (Author), Mangoni, P. (Author), Mbala, P. (Author), Meudec, M. (Author), Ntwan, J.M (Author), Peckeu-Abboud, L. (Author), van der Sande, M.A.B (Author), Vanlerberghe, V. (Author), Yango, J. (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI 2022
Subjects:
DRC
Online Access:View Fulltext in Publisher
LEADER 02495nam a2200313Ia 4500
001 10.3390-vaccines10071066
008 220718s2022 CNT 000 0 und d
020 |a 2076393X (ISSN) 
245 1 0 |a Drivers of Routine and Outbreak Vaccination Uptake in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo: An Exploratory Study in Ten Health Zones 
260 0 |b MDPI  |c 2022 
856 |z View Fulltext in Publisher  |u https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10071066 
520 3 |a We performed a cross-sectional survey on vaccination-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among randomly selected parents of <5 years-old children, elderly populations (aged ≥ 55 years), and health care workers (HCWs) in 10 health zones from 4 provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Questionnaires targeted both routine (BCG, measles, polio) and outbreak-related (cholera, Ebola, COVID-19) vaccinations. In total, 2751 participants were included, 1165 parents, 1040 elderly, and 546 HCWs. In general, KAP expressed were supportive of vaccination uptake, although concerns regarding side effects and feelings of being insufficiently informed were more prevalent among parents and the elderly. Vaccine acceptance was lower for outbreak vaccinations (57%) than for routine vaccinations (90%). HCWs expressed the highest vaccine ac-ceptance. Problems with the vaccine supply chain were reported by 20% of respondents. Despite a high level of positive KAP towards vaccination, parents and the elderly expressed a need to be better informed and had concerns regarding vaccine side-effects. A high acceptance for routine vaccinations was reported by participants, but somewhat less for outbreak vaccinations. In conclusion, HCWs in the communities could play a key role in the increased uptake of routine vaccinations and in optimizing uptake during outbreaks, provided that the supply chain is functioning well. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. 
650 0 4 |a DRC 
650 0 4 |a HCWs 
650 0 4 |a outbreaks 
650 0 4 |a vaccination uptake 
700 1 |a Chammam, K.  |e author 
700 1 |a Ifufa, C.  |e author 
700 1 |a Kwete, P.  |e author 
700 1 |a Lupola, P.M.  |e author 
700 1 |a Mangoni, P.  |e author 
700 1 |a Mbala, P.  |e author 
700 1 |a Meudec, M.  |e author 
700 1 |a Ntwan, J.M.  |e author 
700 1 |a Peckeu-Abboud, L.  |e author 
700 1 |a van der Sande, M.A.B.  |e author 
700 1 |a Vanlerberghe, V.  |e author 
700 1 |a Yango, J.  |e author 
773 |t Vaccines