Vaccine decision-making among pregnant women: a protocol for a cross-sectional mixed-method study in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and Pakistan

Jessica L. Schue, Prachi Singh, Berhaun Fesshaye, Emily S. Miller, Shanelle Quinn, Ruth A. Karron, Renato T. Souza, Maria Laura Costa, Jose Guilherme Cecatti, Kwasi Torpey, Caroline Dinam Badzi, Emefa Modey, Chris Guure, Ferdinand Okwaro, Marleen Temmerman, Saleem Jessani, Sarah Saleem, Muhammad Asim, Sidrah Nausheen, Haleema YasmeenGrace Belayneh, Vanessa Brizuela, Sami Gottlieb, Rupali J. Limaye

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Maternal immunization is a critical strategy to prevent both maternal and infant morbidity and mortality from several infectious diseases. When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available during the pandemic, there was mixed messaging and confusion amongst the broader public and among those associated with health care systems about the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy in many countries. A multi-country, mixed-methods study is being undertaken to describe how vaccine decision-making occurs amongst pregnant and postpartum women, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccines. The study is being conducted in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, and Pakistan. In each country, participants are being recruited from either 2 or 3 maternity hospitals and/or clinics that represent a diverse population in terms of socio-economic and urban/rural status. Data collection includes cross-sectional surveys in pregnant women and semi-structured in-depth interviews with both pregnant and postpartum women. The instruments were designed to identify attitudinal, behavioral, and social correlates of vaccine uptake during and after pregnancy, including the decision-making process related to COVID-19 vaccines, and constructs such as risk perception, self-efficacy, vaccine intentions, and social norms. The aim is to recruit 400 participants for the survey and 50 for the interviews in each country. Qualitative data will be analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, latent variable analysis, and prediction modelling. Both the quantitative and qualitative data will be used to explore differences in attitudes and behaviors around maternal immunization across pregnancy trimesters and the postpartum period among and within countries. Each country has planned dissemination activities to share the study findings with relevant stakeholders in the communities from which the data is collected and to conduct country-specific secondary analyses.

Original languageEnglish
Article number94
JournalGates Open Research
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Brazil
  • COVID-19
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • maternal immunization
  • Pakistan
  • pregnancy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Vaccine decision-making among pregnant women: a protocol for a cross-sectional mixed-method study in Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and Pakistan'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this