Psychosocial determinants of adherence to public health and social measures (PHSMs) in 18 African Union Member States during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a cross-sectional survey

Murukutla, Nandita; Gupta, Ashish K; Maharjan, Meena; Fabrizio, Cecilia; Myers, Emily W; Johnson, A.; Nkwanzi, Virginia; Wilkason, Colby A; Lacey, Natalie; Tshangela, Akhona; Djoudalbaye, Benjamin; McClelland, Amanda

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054839

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 45 publications

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“…The belief that the vaccine is a means to protect oneself from severe COVID-19 or death is consistent with previous research showing that the belief that health risk is likely or severe combined with the belief that one must use protection is known to be behaviour change motivators [ 35 ]. Since risk perception is dynamic, changing in response to disease situations and response to factors unrelated to the disease, it could have been more informative if a longitudinal assessment was made to interpret risk perception more accurately in the Zimbabwean setting.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Understanding facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in the Zimbabwean population: a qualitative analysis

Midzi,

Mutsaka-Makuvaza,

Charimari

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background Vaccines are effective biological interventions that reduce health burdens. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were concerns about varying levels of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the Zimbabwean population. This study aimed to understand facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Zimbabwean population. Methods In September–October 2023, key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with a sample comprising health workers, village health workers, church leaders, traditional healers, teachers, youth leaders and the general population selected across the country. At each site, the participant sample was homogeneous. Data were collected using audiotapes, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Data were analysed manually using thematic analysis. Results Ten FGDs and 30 KIIs were conducted across the country. Among the facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine uptake were the perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, such as protection from infection, severe disease and death. People also complied with COVID-19 vaccination because of the government’s call for mandatory vaccination, travel restrictions, restrictions when entering some premises for services, visiting, working, learning and functions. Barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake included low-risk perception, negative attitudes emanating from concerns about the origins of the vaccines, COVID-19 cases or death of vaccinated people, negative peer influence, religious doctrines, cultural beliefs and misconceptions circulating through social media. Other barriers included knowledge gaps on COVID-19 vaccines, safety, effectiveness, side effects, access-related challenges to COVID-19 services and concerns over the changing policy on COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusions The study has shown the importance of community engagement and data-driven public health communication strategies to facilitate behaviour change for increased uptake of a vaccine. In future epidemics, public health campaigns should focus on the timely provision of information explaining the benefits of an intervention, addressing safety concerns more effectively. To build trust and hence improve vaccine uptake by the public, there is a need for continuous engagement with people and to provide platforms for dialogue to address issues contributing to low vaccine uptake.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Understanding facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in the Zimbabwean population: a qualitative analysis

Midzi,

Mutsaka-Makuvaza,

Charimari

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Use of face masks for COVID-19 prevention: a qualitative study on barriers and motivators in Zimbabwe

Mutsaka-Makuvaza,

Midzi,

Charimari

et al. 2024

Discov Soc Sci Health

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Introduction To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, face mask use has been a key component of public health measures. Research in most settings has focused on understanding the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing COVID-19 transmission. This study aimed to identify the barriers and motivators of face mask use in the Zimbabwean population. Methods Thirty key informant interviews (KIIs) and 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with homogenous study groups of health workers, village health workers, church leaders, traditional healers, teachers, women leaders, transporters, youth leaders and the general population selected in 10 districts across the country from September–October 2022. Each study group consisted of key informants and FGD participants. Interviews and FGDs were captured using digital recording devices, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. The data were analysed manually via thematic analysis. Findings Six themes were generated in this study. The four themes identified as barriers were individual factors (low risk perception in rural areas and as the number of cases declined due to vaccination, lack of conviction and lack of knowledge on the importance of face masking resulting in practices such as sharing and improper wearing of masks), access challenges (due to scarcity and affordability resulting in reusing dirty masks or washing surgical masks), concern about side effects (breathing difficulties and other respiratory complications), and sociocultural and religious beliefs (resulting in removal of masks by traditional healers during consultations, removal of masks in church). Two themes that were identified as motivators included perceived benefits (confidence in the effectiveness of facemasks for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission) and environmental factors (fear of law enforcement agents and village health workers). Conclusions The study findings underscore the need of awareness campaigns, improvement of accessibility and affordability of masks, sensitivity to religious and cultural beliefs to increase the usage and effectiveness of face mask during pandemics of respiratory diseases.

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Information Security Intelligent Access System for High-skilled Talents in Electric Power Enterprises Based on Big Data

Zhang

Liu

et al. 2022

2022 International Conference on Knowledge Engineering and Communication Systems (ICKES)

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Psychosocial determinants of adherence to public health and social measures (PHSMs) in 18 African Union Member States during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a cross-sectional survey

Cited by 3 publications

References 45 publications

Understanding facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in the Zimbabwean population: a qualitative analysis

Understanding facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in the Zimbabwean population: a qualitative analysis

Use of face masks for COVID-19 prevention: a qualitative study on barriers and motivators in Zimbabwe

Information Security Intelligent Access System for High-skilled Talents in Electric Power Enterprises Based on Big Data

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