Codesigning an intervention to strengthen COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Congolese migrants in the UK (LISOLO MALAMU): a participatory qualitative study protocol

Abstract

IntroductionMigrants positively contribute to host societies yet experience barriers to health and vaccination services and systems and are considered to be an underimmunised group in many European countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted stark inequities in vaccine uptake, with migrants facing access and informational barriers and lower vaccine confidence. A key challenge, therefore, is developing tailored vaccination interventions, services and systems which account for and respond to the unique drivers of vaccine uptake in different migrant populations. Participatory research approaches, which meaningfully involve communities in co-constructing knowledge and solutions, have generated considerable interest in recent years for those tasked with designing and delivering public health interventions. How such approaches can be used to strengthen initiatives for COVID-19 and routine vaccination merits greater consideration.Methods and analysisLISOLO MALAMU (‘Good Talk’) is a community-based participatory research study which uses qualitative and coproduction methodologies to involve adult Congolese migrants in developing a tailored intervention to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Led by a community–academic coalition, the study will involve (1) semistructured in-depth interviews with adult Congolese migrants (born in Democratic Republic of Congo, >18 years), (2) interviews with professional stakeholders and (3) codesign workshops with adult Congolese migrants. Qualitative data will be analysed collaboratively using reflexive thematic analysis, and behaviour change theory will be used in parallel to support the coproduction of interventions and make recommendations across socioecological levels. The study will run from approximately November 2021 to November 2022.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by the St George’s University Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 2021.0128). Study findings will be disseminated to a range of local, national and international audiences, and a community celebration event will be held to show impact and recognise contributions. Recommendations for implementation and evaluation of prototyped interventions will be made.

Co‐designing a theory‐informed, multicomponent intervention to increase vaccine uptake with Congolese migrants: A qualitative, community‐based participatory research study (LISOLO MALAMU)

“…to influence the health decision-making process. 48 Our findings align with other research which highlights preferences for face-to-face 58,59 and oral communication 60,61 among migrant populations, as well as strategies that build or reinforce trust. 59,62,63 They also align with systematic reviews that have indicated that culturally adapted interventions may be effective in community settings.…”

“…Participants were financially compensated for participation using vouchers (1‐h interviews—£20; 2‐h workshops—£40) and reimbursed in cash for travel costs. Nonacademic coalition members were paid for their time (according to rates set out by NIHR INVOLVE guidance 37 ) and Hackney Congolese Women Support Group and Hackney Refugee and Migrant Forum received financial donations to support their running, in addition to nonfinancial contributions (e.g., skills‐based training) 36 . A community celebration and presentation of key findings was held in July 2022.…”

Navigating vaccination choices: The intersecting dynamics of institutional trust, belonging and message perception among Congolese migrants in the UK (A reflexive thematic analysis)

“…This study originated from Congolese migrant community members identifying unmet needs and concerns around COVID-19 vaccination within their community, coupled with the academic partner's interest in exploring existing evidence gaps related to vaccination beliefs and behaviours among migrant populations (38)(39)(40). Within this CBPR study (reported elsewhere (41,42)), qualitative, semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with Congolese migrants to explore their beliefs, perceptions and lived experiences of migration and healthcare in the UK, the COVID-19 pandemic, and routine and COVID-19 vaccination. The coalition co-designed and pilot-tested the topic guide and jointly decided on the data collection approaches and all aspects of the study design.…”

“…Hackney was the 11 th most deprived local authority in England based on the Indices of Deprivation 2015 (45). It is thought to host one of the UK’s larger populations of Congolese migrants (41, 46). A single nationality migrant group was involved for an in-depth, culturally situated understanding of the research topic, although it was recognised the sample differed across a variety of other criteria.…”

“…The all-female coalition included an academic researcher with a background in community health research and lived experience of migration, three Congolese founders of a local community organisation in Hackney, with lived experience of migration and strong links with the local Congolese and Hackney communities, and an experienced community outreach coordinator from Hackney's voluntary and community support sector agency. The coalition met regularly to allocate roles and responsibilities and plan the study (described elsewhere (41)). As the three Congolese members of the coalition expressed an interest in conducting the interviews but had no prior research experience, the academic researcher (AFC) trained them in qualitative interview techniques and study design and the outreach coordinator (CH) provided training in facilitation skills two months prior to starting the study.…”