Challenges faced by community health volunteers in offering sexual and reproductive health care services to young women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khwisero and Nairobi in Kenya

Frontiers in Reproductive Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

Community health volunteers (CHVs) are fundamental in many systems across the globe. In Kenya, CHVs were essential providing sexual and reproductive (SRH) services during COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlights challenges experienced by community Kenya while SRH utilized a qualitative research design to explore offering Dagoretti North South sub-counties Nairobi Khwisero sub-county western pandemic period. We conducted 17 in-depth interviews, 7 focus group discussions, 1 discussion with CHVs. data was collected different periods: Khwisero, November 2022-August 2023, Nairobi, February-April 2023. study's findings show that several services. included distrust as result of interaction between anti-COVID-19 measures other past present interventions such vaccines for diseases, insufficient personal protective gear equipment (PPEs), limited human financial resources address needs, poor training on response misinformation led vaccine hesitancy, mental strain from stigma burnout. During pandemics, governments should provide adequate CHVs' work they deliver under risky conditions. addition, must be trained about relevant medical epidemics pandemics provided psychosocial support mitigate impact psychological distress.

Language: Английский

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COVID-19-related stress, anxiety and vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in South-Western Nigeria

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Feb. 3, 2025

COVID-19 ranks as one of the major pandemics in recent history, with healthcare workers disproportionately burdened by disease. Vaccination emerged most effective measure to curb spread and reduce morbidity mortality. However, vaccine hesitancy presents a challenge achieving optimal vaccination coverage Nigeria. This study assessed level COVID-19-related stress anxiety well factors associated among workers. A descriptive, cross-sectional was conducted 849 health tertiary hospital. Vaccine hesitancy, related were using Hesitancy Scale (VHS) SAVE-6 scale respectively. Also, WHO-5 index used assess perceived mental wellbeing participants. Data analysis SPSS 25 at univariate, bivariate multivariate levels. There slightly more males (479; 56.4%) than females about four-fifth (674; 79.4%) respondents married. About one-quarter hesitant, 236 (27.8%) while 96 (11.3%) had high levels anxiety. 38 (4.5%) poor wellbeing. Females when compared males, significantly higher odds (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.10–2.10; p = 0.023) having those who married their single counterparts lesser 0.60; 0.36–0.94; 0.026). there no significant association between hesitancy. exists even professionals. highlights that gender marital status influence Healthcare need receive vaccines protect themselves others. Given role educating patients community members against infectious diseases like COVID-19, targeted interventions are needed address optimize acceptance

Language: Английский

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Role of risk perceptions and vaccine hesitancy on decision-making among low-income mothers in Kenya: a qualitative study

BMJ Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3(1), P. e001601 - e001601

Published: March 1, 2025

Introduction Vaccine hesitancy among mothers in low-income communities Kenya presents a serious obstacle to achieving successful childhood immunisation. The aim of this study was explore the determinants vaccine from rural communities, risk perceptions associated with vaccines and how these factors influence decision-making regarding their children’s Methods A qualitative descriptive conducted three counties (Murang’a, Kiambu Machakos) using in-depth interviews focus group discussions children under 5 years. Participants were purposively sampled attending postnatal clinics at various health facilities. Thematic analysis used identify key themes subthemes, coding transcripts, identification patterns organisation into categories. Results Several critical that contribute immunisation identified through thematic analysis. Safety concerns emerged as primary issue, expressing fears adverse reactions such fever, pain, swelling or other unexpected complications. Misinformation significantly influenced perceptions, including beliefs might cause infertility long-term problems. Distrust system further exacerbated hesitancy, questioning quality, administration motives vaccinators. Limited knowledge also played role, which led misconceptions about severity risks vaccine-preventable diseases. Moreover, sociocultural religious decision-making, some viewing unsafe ineffective, driven by cultural norms, reliance on traditional remedies objections. Conclusions This provides valuable insights complexities Kenya. Furthermore, results emphasise complex nature an interplay safety concerns, misinformation, distrust, limited knowledge, influences. Addressing requires interventions would prioritise clear accurate communication safety, engagement community leaders, strengthening trust healthcare providers systems. Additionally, enhancing targeted education programmes be crucial for empowering make informed decisions health.

Language: Английский

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COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake: Prevalence, Health Facility Enablers and Barriers among Adult Tuberculosis Patients across Nairobi County Clinics, Kenya

Journal of Tuberculosis Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(01), P. 15 - 28

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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COVID-19, tuberculosis, and HIV triad: a prospective observational study in ambulatory patients in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa

PLOS Global Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. e0004471 - e0004471

Published: April 23, 2025

People living with HIV (PLHIV) have an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) and severe COVID-19. TB COVID-19 present overlapping symptoms co-infection can lead to poor outcomes. We assessed the frequency SARS-CoV-2 positive serology infection mortality at 6 months in PLHIV disease infection. This multi-country, prospective, observational study, conducted between 7 th September 2020 April 2022, included ambulatory adult investigated for (with or advanced disease) Kenya, Uganda, South Africa. Testing CD4 cell count, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay (sputum), Determine LAM Ag (urine), chest X-ray, blood test PCR (only if symptoms). Individuals were followed months. Among 1254 participants, 1204 participants had (54% women, median 344 cells/µL [IQR 132–673]), 487 PCR. positivity was 27.0% (325/1204), lower counts <200 (19.9%, 99/497) than those ≥200 (31.6%, 222/703), p<0.001. 8.6% (42/487) 27.7% (135/487) probable confirmed COVID-19, 6.6% (32/487) disease. In multivariable analyses, death higher both compared only (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 8.90, 95%CI 1.47-53.96, p=0.017), (aHR 3.70, 1.00-13.72, p=0.050) none them 6.83, 1.75-26.72, p=0.006). These findings support testing TB, vaccination, especially immunosuppression. would benefit from comprehensive management close monitoring.

Language: Английский

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A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy in Selected Rural Communities in Kenya

COVID, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(6), P. 715 - 730

Published: May 31, 2024

Purpose: The post-pandemic management of COVID-19 infections and any emergent outbreaks is because this endemic disease remains a public health concern. Vaccine hesitancy may continue to hamper efforts respond new future epidemics. This qualitative study aimed explore the factors influencing vaccine acceptance in Kenya gain deeper insights into issue. Methods: was implemented western using key informant interviews. Fourteen (14) informants were purposively selected for study. All interviews transcribed analyzed thematic analysis. interpretation findings conducted within framework Health Belief Model. Key findings: Knowledge critical factor combatting misinformation fostering among participants Misinformation included rumors that lowers immunity intended population control. Cues action influence from political opinion leaders observing loss life unvaccinated individuals. Perceived barriers uptake fear safety, side effects, long waiting times at time our study, contracting vaccination sites, family/spousal on unknown with vaccine. Conclusions: provide insight areas targeted strategies managing vaccinations pandemics. Within Model, identified salient facilitators be helpful inform pandemic responses.

Language: Английский

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Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2, IgM and IgG, and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Published: July 23, 2024

Seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in the postvaccination period Kenya remains to be elucidated. This study aimed determine seroprevalence anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG evaluate vaccination uptake Nairobi, Kenya. was a cross-sectional conducted university setting. Serum levels were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Mann–Whitney U test used for binary comparisons Kruskal–Wallis Test multigroup comparisons. Statistical significance set at p &amp;lt; 0.05. A total 189 participants enrolled (median age, 21 years; female, 50.8%). The 12.7% 87.8% IgG. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 titers higher among vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated individuals (p 0.001, = 2817.5), females males 0.024, 3616), those 6 months before &amp;gt;1 year earlier 0.002, H 12.359). hesitancy rate 43.4% underlying reasons included mistrust (22.4%), health concerns (19.7%), lack information (18.4%). Despite high IgG, vaccine necessitates community engagement education prior vaccines roll out.

Language: Английский

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Community Health Volunteers’ experiences of implementing COVID-19 vaccine education and promotion in Kenya: a qualitative descriptive study

Frontiers in Public Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: July 10, 2024

Background Vaccination was a key measure in the COVID-19 pandemic response, though much work needed to promote vaccine uptake and acceptance. In Kenya, Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) played role education promotion. We conducted this study explore CHVs’ experiences of implementing promotion during increase two areas Kenya. Methods qualitative descriptive study, we 30 structured in-depth interviews with 20 CHVs 10 Assistants from rural Kilifi County Kangemi, an urban informal settlement Nairobi Kenya between April 2022 July 2022. Findings Thematic analysis generated five themes relation promotion: Five emerged regarding (1) preferences influenced acceptance, (2) fear side effects barrier, (3) misinformation widespread (4) lack trust government politicization vaccines (5) efforts were facilitator increased uptake. Conclusion Extensive community outreach contributed high primary boosters pandemic. acting as models by receiving vaccinations first particularly important influencing communities accept vaccinations. provide evidence for prioritizing planning implementation future vaccination initiatives other countries.

Language: Английский

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Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG and COVID-19 vaccine uptake in healthy volunteers in Nairobi, Kenya: a cross-sectional study

Frontiers in Virology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Nov. 8, 2024

Introduction Seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in the postvaccination period Kenya remains to be elucidated. This study aimed determine seroprevalence anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG evaluate Covid-19 vaccination uptake a university setting Nairobi. Methods cross-sectional assayed serum levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A structured questionnaire was used vaccine uptake, hesitancy reasons for hesitancy. Results total 189 participants were enrolled (median age, 21 years; female, 50.8%). The 12.7% 87.8% IgG. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 titers higher among vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated individuals ( p &lt; 0.001, U = 2817.5), females males 0.024, 3616), those ≤ 6 months before &gt;1 year earlier 0.002, H 12.359). rate 43.4% underlying included mistrust (22.4%), health concerns (19.7%), lack information (18.4%). Discussion high is an indication exposure SARS-CoV-2 either through natural infection or vaccination. noted necessitates community engagement, public education dispel myths misinformation prior roll out new vaccines other interventions.

Language: Английский

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