Sociological interventions for the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria: addressing misconceptions, cultural biases, and promoting vaccination

Abstract

Diphtheria is a fatal bacterial infection primarily affecting the respiratory system, characterized by a thick membrane formation in the throat, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This manuscript elucidates sociological interventions, aimed at protecting the population of Nigeria from diphtheria, a preventable yet persisting health threat. It delves into diverse strategies that could be employed to combat misconceptions, navigate deeply ingrained cultural biases, and instill the significance of vaccination within the context of diphtheria outbreak and prevention. The research question was: "What are the sociological interventions, used to address misconceptions, cultural biases, and promote vaccination in the context of diphtheria prevention in Nigeria?" In response to this inquiry, a comprehensive review methodology was employed to systematically gather, evaluate, and synthesize relevant literature outputs. The literature search, conducted across diverse academic databases and repositories, yields a rich collection of studies, reports, and case studies. The lens of Symbolic Interactionism was applied. The sociological interventions, considered in this context, engage directly with communities, healthcare providers, and local leaders. It addresses the vital need to combat misconceptions, cultural biases, and vaccine hesitancy, fostering a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between sociological factors and healthcare interventions. Sociological interventions for diphtheria protection in Nigeria require culturally sensitive approaches, community engagement, health education, addressing vaccine hesitancy, offering accessible vaccination services, tackling socioeconomic barriers, targeted messaging, behavioral change communication, data collection, and research collaborations to understand and address sociocultural factors influencing vaccine uptake and prevention. The findings and implications offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers, and lay the groundwork for more effective strategies to protect the population from this preventable disease