scholarly journals Are malaria transmission-blocking vaccines acceptable to high burden communities? Results from a mixed methods study in Bo, Sierra Leone

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaci D. McCoy ◽  
Caroline T. Weldon ◽  
Rashid Ansumana ◽  
Joseph M. Lamin ◽  
David A. Stenger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Transmission Blocking ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Transmission Blocking Vaccines

Abstract Background Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) could help break the cycle of malaria transmission by conferring community rather than individual protection. When introducing new intervention strategies, uptake is dependent on acceptability, not just efficacy. In this exploratory study on acceptability of TBVs in Sierra Leone, it was hypothesized that TBVs would be largely acceptable to adults and health workers in areas with relatively few ongoing malaria interventions, and that (i) knowledge of malaria and vaccines, (ii) health behaviours associated with malaria and vaccines, and (iii) attitudes towards different vaccines types could lead to greater TBV acceptability. Methods This study used a mixed methods approach in Bo, Sierra Leone, to understand community knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to malaria and vaccination in general. This included: (i) a population-based cross-sectional survey (n=615 adults), (ii) 6 focus group discussions with parents, and (iii) 20 key informant interviews. The concept of a TBV was explained to participants before they were asked about their willingness to accept this vaccine modality as part of an integrated malaria elimination programme. Results This study found that most adults would be willing to receive a TBV vaccine. Respondents noted mostly positive past experiences with adult and childhood vaccinations for other infectious diseases and high levels of engagement in other malaria prevention behaviors such as bed nets. Perceived barriers to TBV acceptance were largely focused on general community-level distribution of a vaccine, including personal fears of vaccination and possible costs. After an explanation of the TBV mechanism, nearly all focus group and interview participants believed that community members would accept the vaccine as part of an integrated malaria control approach. Both parents and health workers offered insight on how to successfully roll-out a future TBV vaccination programme. Conclusions The willingness of community members in Bo, Sierra Leone to accept a TBV as part of an integrated anti-malarial strategy suggests that the atypical mechanism of TBV action might not be an obstacle to future clinical trials. This study’s findings suggests that perceived general barriers to vaccination implementation, such as perceived personal fears and vaccine cost, must be addressed in future clinical and implementation research studies.

scholarly journals Leprosy perceptions and knowledge in endemic districts in India and Indonesia: Differences and commonalities

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. e0009031
Author(s):  
Anna Tiny van’t Noordende ◽  
Suchitra Lisam ◽  
Panca Ruthindartri ◽  
Atif Sadiq ◽  
Vivek Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Levels

Background Understanding how knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding leprosy differ in endemic countries can help us develop targeted educational and behavioural change interventions. This study aimed to examine the differences and commonalities in and determinants of knowledge, attitudes, practices and fears regarding leprosy in endemic districts in India and Indonesia. Principle findings A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used. Persons affected by leprosy, their close contacts, community members and health workers were included. Through interview-administered questionnaires we assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices and fears with the KAP measure, EMIC-CSS and SDS. In addition, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. The quantitative data were analysed using stepwise multivariate regression. Determinants of knowledge and stigma that were examined included age, gender, participant type, education, occupation, knowing someone affected by leprosy and district. The qualitative data were analysed using open, inductive coding and content analysis. We administered questionnaires to 2344 participants (46% from India, 54% from Indonesia) as an interview. In addition, 110 participants were interviewed in-depth and 60 participants were included in focus group discussions. Knowledge levels were low in both countries: 88% of the participants in India and 90% of the participants in Indonesia had inadequate knowledge of leprosy. In both countries, cause, mode of transmission, early symptoms and contagiousness of leprosy was least known, and treatment and treatability of leprosy was best known. In both countries, health workers had the highest leprosy knowledge levels and community members the highest stigma levels (a mean score of up to 17.4 on the EMIC-CSS and 9.1 on the SDS). Data from the interviews indicated that people were afraid of being infected by leprosy. Local beliefs and misconceptions differed, for instance that leprosy is in the family for seven generations (Indonesia) or that leprosy is a result of karma (India). The determinants of leprosy knowledge and stigma explained 10–29% of the variability in level of knowledge and 3–10% of the variability in level of stigma. Conclusion Our findings show the importance of investigating the perceptions regarding leprosy prior to educational interventions in communities: even though knowledge levels were similar, local beliefs and misconceptions differed per setting. The potential determinants we included in our study explained very little of the variability in level of knowledge and stigma and should be explored further. Detailed knowledge of local knowledge gaps, beliefs and fears can help tailor health education to local circumstances.

Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines: wheat germ cell-free technology can accelerate vaccine development

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 1017-1027
Author(s):  
Kazutoyo Miura ◽  
Mayumi Tachibana ◽  
Eizo Takashima ◽  
Masayuki Morita ◽  
Bernard N. Kanoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Wheat Germ ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Transmission Blocking ◽  
Transmission Blocking Vaccines

scholarly journals Malaria transmission-blocking conjugate vaccine in ALFQ adjuvant induces durable functional immune responses in rhesus macaques

npj Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Puthupparampil V. Scaria ◽  
Charles Anderson ◽  
Olga Muratova ◽  
Nada Alani ◽  
Hung V. Trinh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Functional Activity ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Transmission Blocking ◽  
Tlr4 Agonist ◽  
Functional Immunity ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Transmission Blocking Vaccines ◽  
Better Than

AbstractMalaria transmission-blocking vaccines candidates based on Pfs25 and Pfs230 have advanced to clinical studies. Exoprotein A (EPA) conjugate of Pfs25 in Alhydrogel® developed functional immunity in humans, with limited durability. Pfs230 conjugated to EPA (Pfs230D1-EPA) with liposomal adjuvant AS01 is currently in clinical trials in Mali. Studies with these conjugates revealed that non-human primates are better than mice to recapitulate the human immunogenicity and functional activity. Here, we evaluated the effect of ALFQ, a liposomal adjuvant consisting of TLR4 agonist and QS21, on the immunogenicity of Pfs25-EPA and Pfs230D1-EPA in Rhesus macaques. Both conjugates generated strong antibody responses and functional activity after two vaccinations though activity declined rapidly. A third vaccination of Pfs230D1-EPA induced functional activity lasting at least 9 months. Antibody avidity increased with each vaccination and correlated strongly with functional activity. IgG subclass analysis showed induction of Th1 and Th2 subclass antibody levels that correlated with activity.

scholarly journals No evidence for positive selection at two potential targets for malaria transmission-blocking vaccines in Anopheles gambiae s.s

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob E. Crawford ◽  
Susan M. Rottschaefer ◽  
Boubacar Coulibaly ◽  
Madjou Sacko ◽  
Oumou Niaré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae S.S ◽  
Transmission Blocking ◽  
Transmission Blocking Vaccines

scholarly journals Faculty’s attitudes and perceptions related to applying motivational principles to their teaching: a mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Grover Snook ◽  
Asta B. Schram ◽  
Brett D. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Teaching Effectiveness ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Faculty Attitudes ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Survey Results

Abstract Background It is uncommon for faculty development professionals to assess faculty attitudes towards their teaching responsibilities and their perceived obstacles to teaching effectiveness. The purposes of this study were (a) to document faculty attitudes and practices related to applying motivation principles, and (b) to identify the perceived contextual factors that may shape these attitudes and practices. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used. Faculty members (n = 272; 32% response rate) were surveyed about their responsibility for and application of the five motivational principles that are part of the MUSIC Model of Motivation: eMpowerment, Usefulness, Success, Interest, and Caring. Repeated measures ANOVAs and Student’s t-tests were computed to detect differences. Subsequently, two focus groups of faculty members (n = 11) interpreted the survey results. We conducted a thematic analysis and used the focus group results to explain the survey results. Results Faculty rated their responsibilities for applying principles related to Usefulness, Interest, and Caring significantly higher than they did for Success and eMpowerment. Most faculty also reported that they actually applied Usefulness, Interest, and Caring strategies within the past year, whereas over half of the faculty applied Success strategies and about a third of faculty applied eMpowerment strategies. Focus group participants identified factors that affected their ability to apply eMpowerment strategies, (e.g., offering choices), including students lacking generic skills (e.g., critical thinking, problem-solving), a lack of confidence in their abilities to implement empowering strategies and meet the needs of students, passive students, and large lecture-type courses. Focus group participants cited obstacles to implementing Success strategies (e.g., providing feedback), including difficulty in providing feedback in large courses, lacking time and assistant teachers, limited knowledge of technologies, and lacking skills related to guiding effective student peer feedback. Conclusions Faculty appear adequately prepared to implement some types of motivational strategies, but not others, in part due to contextual factors that can influence their attitudes and, ultimately, their application of these strategies. We discuss how these factors affect attitudes and application of motivational strategies and formulate suggestions based on the results.

scholarly journals “Our culture prohibits some things”: Qualitative inquiry into how sociocultural context influences the scale up of community-based injectable contraceptives in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Akinyemi ◽  
Bronwyn Harris ◽  
Mary Kawonga
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Injectable Contraceptives ◽  
Depth Interviews

AbstractObjectivesTo explore how sociocultural factors may support or impede the adoption of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Nigeria.DesignA qualitative study based on a grounded theory approach was conducted through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.SettingMost participants lived in Gombe State, North East Nigeria. Other participants were from Ibadan (South West) and Abuja (Federal capital territory).ParticipantsThrough seven key informant interviews, 15 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions, 102 participants were involved in the study.MethodsThis study, conducted in 2016 was part of a larger study on scale up of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives. Qualitative data were collected from traditional and religious leaders, health workers and community members. The data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic framework method.ResultsSociocultural challenges to scale up included patriarchy and men’s fear of losing control over their spouses, traditional and religious beliefs about fertility, and myths about contraceptives and family planning. As a result of deep-rooted beliefs that children are ‘divine blessings’ and that procreation should not be regulated, participants described a subtle resistance to uptake of injectable contraceptives. Since Gombe is largely a patriarchal society, male involvement emerged as important to the success of meaningful innovation uptake. Community leaders largely described their participation in the scale up process as active, although they also identified scope for further involvement and recognition.ConclusionScale up is more than setting up health sector implementing structures, training health workers and getting innovation supplies, but also requires preparedness which includes paying attention to complex contextual issues. This requires the health system and those who work in it, to move beyond a narrow health ‘comfort zone’ by actively engaging with, and learning from, those who are leading, caring for and living in, the community.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe study participants represented a range of stakeholders - users of injectable contraceptives, community members, providers and health system managers.Our results highlighted that scale up is influenced by several socio-cultural factors; thus, showing the importance of paying attention to complex contextual issues during innovation uptake.The findings of our study emphasized how health systems and communities should interact in order to ensure successful scale up of health innovations.As with any qualitative study, the findings of this study are not statistically generalizable.FundingThis research was supported by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). CARTA is jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center and the University of the Witwatersrand and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant No--B 8606.R02), Sida (Grant No:54100113), the DELTAS Africa Initiative (Grant No: 107768/Z/15/Z) and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)’s Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (UK) and the UK government. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.Declarations of interestNone.

scholarly journals Assessments of Ebola knowledge, attitudes and practices in Forécariah, Guinea and Kambia, Sierra Leone, July–August 2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1721) ◽  
pp. 20160304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed F. Jalloh ◽  
Rebecca Bunnell ◽  
Susan Robinson ◽  
Mohammad B. Jalloh ◽  
Alpha Mamoudou Barry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Public Health Protection ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

The border region of Forécariah (Guinea) and Kambia (Sierra Leone) was of immense interest to the West Africa Ebola response. Cross-sectional household surveys with multi-stage cluster sampling procedure were used to collect random samples from Kambia ( n = 635) in July 2015 and Forécariah ( n = 502) in August 2015 to assess public knowledge, attitudes and practices related to Ebola. Knowledge of the disease was high in both places, and handwashing with soap and water was the most widespread prevention practice. Acceptance of safe alternatives to traditional burials was significantly lower in Forécariah compared with Kambia. In both locations, there was a minority who held discriminatory attitudes towards survivors. Radio was the predominant source of information in both locations, but those from Kambia were more likely to have received Ebola information from community sources (mosques/churches, community meetings or health workers) compared with those in Forécariah. These findings contextualize the utility of Ebola health messaging during the epidemic and suggest the importance of continued partnership with community leaders, including religious leaders, as a prominent part of future public health protection. This article is part of the themed issue ‘The 2013–2016 West African Ebola epidemic: data, decision-making and disease control’.

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