Factors and misperceptions of routine childhood immunization service uptake in Ethiopia: findings from a nationwide qualitative study

Introduction: While the routine childhood immunization program might be affected by several factors, its identification using qualitative evidence of caretakers is generally minimal. This article explores the various factors and misperceptions of routine childhood immunization service uptake in Ethiopia and provides possible recommendations to mitigate them. Methods: In this study, we used a qualitative multiple case study design collecting primary data from 63 focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted with a purposefully selected sample of children's caretakers (n = 630). Results: According to the results of this study, the use of routine childhood immunization is dependent on four major factors: caretakers' behavior, family characteristics, information and communication and immunization service system. In addition, the participants had some misperceptions about routine childhood immunization. For example, immunization should be taken when the child gets sick and a single dose vaccine is enough for a child. These factors and misperceptions are complex and sometimes context-specific and vary between categories of caretakers. Conclusion: Our interpretations suggest that no single factor affects immunization service uptake alone in a unique way. Rather, it is the synergy among the factors that has a collective influence on the childhood immunization system. Therefore, intervention efforts should target these multiple factors simultaneously. Importantly, this study recommends improving the quality of existing childhood immunization services and building awareness among caretakers as crucial components

Social and behavior change communication competency among front-line healthcare system actors in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) plays a critical role in improving behavior and health outcomes across the continuum of healthcare. Failing to implement tailored SBCC strategies continues to pose a risk of ill health, increase disease burden, and impact the quality life of people. In Ethiopia, front-line healthcare system actors’ knowledge and skills about SBCC have not been rigorously assessed. Thus, the current study aimed to assess healthcare system actors’ competencies in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating SBCC interventions in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between 01 August and 31 October, 2020. Five hundred twenty-eight frontline healthcare system actors in SBCC in Ethiopia were included using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire adopted from Communication for Change; SBCC capacity assessment tool. Descriptive analysis frequencies, percentages, mean, median, standard deviation (SD), interquartile range (IQR) were employed. Besides correlations and linear regression with robust standard errors were carried out. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05 were used to declare significant statistical association. Results A total of 488 frontline workers participated in the study, with a response rate of 92.4%. The mean SBCC knowledge score was 13.2 ± standard deviation (SD) 3.99 and 59.2% scored below 60% of the expected maximum score. The standard mean score of overall skill in SBCC intervention was 2.36 (SD ± 0.98) and 52.6% of them scored below mean score. The SBCC knowledge was significantly predicted by the service year and the regional variation. On the other hand, SBCC skills was significantly predicted by sex, service year, profession, regional variation, and SBCC knowledge. The regional variation was the main predictor of both knowledge and skill on SBCC. The regression models explained 23.1% and 50.2% of the variance in knowledge and skill of SBCC, respectively. Conclusion Front-line healthcare system actors in Ethiopia has low knowledge and skills in SBCC. Variations in SBCC knowledge and skill were observed based on demographic and professionals experience related characteristics. Hence, continuous capacity building activities need to be given to frontline healthcare system actors to enhance their knowledge and skill on SBCC program and achieve the intended health results

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among healthcare workers in selected health facilities of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study conducted in 2021

Background The global COVID-19 pandemic poses substantial health challenges. Vaccination is key in preventing COVID-19, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs), essential in curbing the pandemic. Despite global data on HCWs’ vaccine uptake, information about vaccination among HCWs in the Somali Region, Ethiopia, is scarce.Objective This study aimed to assess COVID-19 uptake and determinant factors for HCWs in the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021.Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 October 2021 to 30 October 2021, involving 440 systematically selected participants. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, cleaned, coded and entered into Epi Info software (V.3.5.1; CDC). Subsequently, the data were exported to Stata software (V14.1) for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to report frequency, percentage, mean and SD. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the relationship between independent and dependent variables. In the final model, statistical significance was determined with a 95% CI and a p<0.05.Result A total of 427 HCWs were involved in this study. About 192 (45%) of the participants had a history of test for COVID-19 and 64 (15%) were tested positive for COVID-19 infection. Three hundred and three (76%) at 95% CI (70.3% to 80.6%) of HCWs got at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Other professions such as paramedics, environmental health and pharmacist were less likely to get COVID-19 vaccine than nurses (adjusted OR, AOR 0.2; 95% CI (0.06 to 0.53)). Participants who were concerned about the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine were less likely to receive it than individuals who were not concerned (AOR 0.01; 95% CI (0.002 to 0.052)).Conclusion The vaccination uptake among HCWs in the region was relatively low, with the type of profession and concerns about vaccine availability being significant factors affecting the uptake

Additional file 1 of Social and behavior change communication competency among front-line healthcare system actors in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

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