Abstract
BackgroundSeveral malaria vaccines are currently in clinical trials and are expected to provide an improved strategy for malaria control. Prior to introduction of a new vaccine, policymakers must consider the socio cultural environment of the region to ensure widespread community approval. This study investigated the acceptance of a malaria vaccine by child caregivers and analysed factors that influence these.MethodsInterviews from a standard questionnaire were conducted with 2,003 caregivers at 695 randomly selected health facilities across Kenya during the Kenya Service Provision Assessment Survey 2010. Multinomial regression of quantitative data was conducted using STATA to analyse determinants of caregivers accepting malaria vaccination of their child.ResultsMothers represented 90% of caregivers interviewed who brought their child to the health facility, and 77% of caregivers were 20-34 years old. Overall, 88% of respondents indicated that they would accept a malaria vaccine, both for a child in their community and their own child. Approval for a vaccine was highest in malaria-endemic Nyanza Province at 98.9%, and lowest in the seasonal transmission area of North Eastern Province at 23%. Although 94% of respondents who had attended at least some school reported they would accept the vaccine for a child, only 56% of those who had never attended school would do so. The likelihood of accepting one’s own child to be immunized was correlated with province, satisfaction with health care services in the facility attended, age of the caregiver, and level of education.ConclusionsResults from this study indicate a need for targeted messages and education on a malaria vaccine, particularly for residents of regions where acceptance is low, older caregivers, and those with low literacy and school-attendance levels. This study provides critical evidence to inform policy for a new malaria vaccine that will support its timely and comprehensive uptake in Kenya.
Highlights
Several malaria vaccines are currently in clinical trials and are expected to provide an improved strategy for malaria control
While childhood mortality is decreasing in Africa as a whole, malaria-specific mortality persists as a heavy public health burden, in sub-Saharan Africa
Majority of the caregivers interviewed were related to the child; mothers made up over 90% of the caregivers, while fathers represented 6% and grandparents approximately 2%
Summary
Several malaria vaccines are currently in clinical trials and are expected to provide an improved strategy for malaria control. Current progress toward developing a malaria vaccine has accelerated in the last decade with increased funding and research driving the discovery of new antigens and vaccine technology, and many more malaria vaccine candidates being moved through the development pipeline. The vaccine is undergoing phase III clinical trials in seven African countries (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania), with 15,460 infants and young children participating. A recent study reported that another vaccine containing live sporozoites of P. falciparum demonstrated potential for high-level protection against malaria in Phase I clinical trials [6]
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