Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP), John Snow, Inc. (JSI), 2733 Crystal Dr 4th Floor, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA.
Data Research and Mapping Consult Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria.
Int J Public Health. 2020 Dec;65(9):1785-1795. doi: 10.1007/s00038-020-01518-9. Epub 2020 Nov 2.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention that engaged traditional barbers to inform parents about the importance of vaccination and then refer newborns for vaccination services.
We conducted a pre-post quasi-experimental study (n = 2639) to evaluate changes in the coverage of three birth antigens among children aged 0-5 months in response to the intervention. We also conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to assess the enabling factors and challenges associated with implementation.
We found mothers who received a yellow referral card from a traditional barber were two to three times more likely to vaccinate their children with the three birth antigens. Qualitative findings indicated that the intervention influenced parent's decision to vaccinate their newborn because the barbers were considered a trusted community advisor. Challenges stemmed from the low levels of literacy among community leaders and barbers that resulted in the need for continuous training, low-literacy training materials and supervision.
Efforts to increase vaccine coverage rates in northern Nigeria should consider expanding the role of traditional barbers to encourage parents to accept vaccines.
本研究评估了一项干预措施的效果，该措施让传统理发师向家长宣传接种疫苗的重要性，然后将新生儿转介到接种疫苗服务机构。
我们进行了一项前后准实验研究（n=2639），以评估干预措施对 0-5 个月大儿童三种初生抗原接种覆盖率的影响。我们还进行了深入的访谈和焦点小组讨论，以评估实施过程中的有利因素和挑战。
我们发现，从传统理发师那里收到黄色转诊卡的母亲为孩子接种三种初生抗原的可能性要高出两到三倍。定性研究结果表明，该干预措施影响了父母为新生儿接种疫苗的决定，因为理发师被认为是值得信赖的社区顾问。挑战源于社区领导人和理发师的文化程度较低，这导致需要持续培训、使用低文化程度的培训材料和监督。
为了提高尼日利亚北部的疫苗接种率，应该考虑扩大传统理发师的作用，鼓励家长接受疫苗。
