Stakeholder perceptions of communication about vaccination in two regions of Cameroon: A qualitative case study.
Heather Ames, Diangha Mabel Njang, Claire Glenton, Atle Fretheim, Jessica Kaufman, Sophie Hill, Afiong Oku, Julie Cliff, Yuri Cartier, Xavier Bosch-Capblanch, Gabriel Rada, Artur Manuel Muloliwa, Angela Oyo-Ita, Awah Paschal Kum, Simon Lewin
Author Information
Heather Ames: Global Health Unit, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. ORCID
Diangha Mabel Njang: Department of Anthropology, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Central Province, Cameroon.
Claire Glenton: Global Health Unit, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Atle Fretheim: Global Health Unit, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Jessica Kaufman: Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Sophie Hill: Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Afiong Oku: University of Calabar, Nigeria, Calabar Municipal, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Julie Cliff: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
Yuri Cartier: International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Cedex, France.
Xavier Bosch-Capblanch: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
Gabriel Rada: Evidence-based Healthcare Programme, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Artur Manuel Muloliwa: Direcção Provincial de Saúde de Nampula, Departamento de Saúde, Nampula-Moçambique.
Angela Oyo-Ita: University of Calabar, Nigeria, Calabar Municipal, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Awah Paschal Kum: Department of Anthropology, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Central Province, Cameroon.
Simon Lewin: Global Health Unit, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
BACKGROUND: Understanding stakeholders' (parents', communities' and health workers') perspectives of communication about childhood vaccination, including their preferences for its format, delivery and content, is an important step towards designing better communication strategies and ensuring more informed parents. Our objectives were to explore stakeholders' views, experiences and preferences for childhood vaccination communication in Cameroon. METHODS: In 2014, in the Central and North West Regions of Cameron, we gathered qualitative data for our case study using the following methods: semi structured interviews; observations and informal conversations during routine immunization clinics and three rounds of the National Polio Immunization Campaign; document analysis of reports and mass media communications about vaccination; and a survey of parents. We conducted a thematic analysis of the qualitative data to identify themes relating to views, experiences and perceptions of vaccination information and its delivery. Survey data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. RESULTS: All of the parents interviewed felt that vaccinating their child was important, and trusted the information provided by health workers. However, many parents wanted more information. Parents did not always feel that they could ask questions during vaccination appointments. All participants felt that health workers and vaccination clinics were important sources of information. Social mobilisation activities such as door-to-door visits and announcements during religious services were important and accepted ways of communicating information, especially during vaccination campaigns. Information communicated through mass media and text messages was also seen as important. In general, stakeholders believed that more consistent messaging about routine vaccination through community channels would be helpful to remind parents of the importance of routine vaccination during ongoing rounds of vaccination campaigns against polio. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that parents regard information about childhood vaccination as important, but that health services need to be organized in ways that prioritize and facilitate communication, particularly about routine vaccination.
