Knowledge of Norovirus and Attitudes toward a Potential Norovirus Vaccine in Rural Guatemala: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Survey

Abstract

Given limited data on norovirus vaccine acceptance, we performed an exploratory survey in a rural Guatemalan community on knowledge, interest, and willingness to pay (WTP) for a norovirus vaccine. Cluster-randomized households with children aged 6 weeks to 17 years were enrolled into one of two norovirus surveillance studies: 1) a prospective cohort (N = 207 households) and 2) two separate, community-based, cross-sectional surveys (N = 420 households). After completion of the surveillance study, vaccine surveys were completed by 564 (90%) of 627 households. Most households correctly answered questions regarding norovirus symptoms and transmission; 97% indicated interest in a hypothetical norovirus vaccine. Households with higher education had greater WTP for a vaccine (prevalence ratios = 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.1) and households with lower WTP were more likely to use pharmacies, the Ministry of Health, and radios for health care and information. These results suggest that a future norovirus vaccination program could be acceptable and feasible even in rural areas.