Kuatewo Mawulom, Ebelin Wisdom, Doegah Phidelia Theresa, Aberese-Ako Matilda, Lissah Samuel, Kpordorlor Atsu Godsway, Kpodo Lebene, Djokoto Senanu, Ansah Evelyn
Hohoe Municipal Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Hohoe, Ghana.
Evangelical Presbyterian Health Services, Evangelical Presbyterian Headquarters, Ho, Ghana.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 10;20(6):e0316969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316969. eCollection 2025.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is characterised by loads of fake news and misinformation, which can influence vaccine acceptance. Implementing a harmonized public health strategy during an outbreak necessitates effective community engagement and communication, which facilitates public trust and decision-making. This study explored the role of community engagement in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine amid fake news and misinformation in two municipalities in Ghana.
A case study design was employed using in-depth interviews with government officials from the Ghana Health Service, Municipal Assembly, Information Services Department and the National Commission on Civic Education and community gatekeepers. Additionally, focus group discussions were conducted with a cross-section of women, men and migrants' community members to understand the role of community engagement in vaccine acceptance. Qualitative analysis software Nvivo 12 was used to support thematic coding and analysis. All ethical procedures and COVID-19 preventive protocols were observed.
Study participants reported the sources of fake news and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines from interpersonal communication, the radio, and a popular anti-vaccine song. Some of the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy were community members believed in the fake news and misinformation, low trust in the government and public institutions, and the lack of extensive education on COVID-19 vaccines. The Ghana Health Service was the most successful in engaging communities to promote vaccine acceptance amid fake news and misinformation. It leveraged on its existing community-based health planning and services (CHPS) programme, which engaged the communities frequently through routine programmes such as durbars, antenatal clinics, child welfare clinics, and other community programmes to carry out engagement.
Misinformation and fake news about COVID-19 vaccines were widespread in the study communities, with significant implications for vaccine hesitancy. The sources of misinformation ranged from social media platforms and radio broadcasts to personal interactions within communities. While government efforts at community engagement were noted, these efforts were often inadequate to counteract the deeply ingrained fears and misconceptions.
新型冠状病毒（COVID-19）的特点是存在大量假新闻和错误信息，这可能会影响疫苗的接受度。在疫情爆发期间实施统一的公共卫生战略需要有效的社区参与和沟通，这有助于公众信任和决策。本研究探讨了在加纳两个城市中，社区参与在假新闻和错误信息背景下对COVID-19疫苗接受度的作用。
采用案例研究设计，对加纳卫生服务局、市议会、信息服务部和国家公民教育委员会的政府官员以及社区守门人进行深入访谈。此外，还与不同群体的女性、男性和移民社区成员进行了焦点小组讨论，以了解社区参与在疫苗接受度方面的作用。使用定性分析软件Nvivo 12来支持主题编码和分析。所有伦理程序和COVID-19预防协议均得到遵守。
研究参与者报告了关于COVID-19疫苗的假新闻和错误信息的来源，包括人际传播、广播以及一首流行的反疫苗歌曲。导致疫苗犹豫的一些因素包括社区成员相信假新闻和错误信息、对政府和公共机构的信任度低以及对COVID-19疫苗缺乏广泛的教育。加纳卫生服务局在假新闻和错误信息背景下，最成功地促使社区接受疫苗。它利用了现有的基于社区的卫生规划和服务（CHPS）项目，该项目通过诸如杜尔巴、产前诊所、儿童福利诊所等常规项目以及其他社区项目，经常与社区互动以开展宣传活动。
关于COVID-19疫苗的错误信息和假新闻在研究社区中广泛存在，对疫苗犹豫产生了重大影响。错误信息的来源从社交媒体平台、广播到社区内的个人互动。虽然注意到了政府在社区参与方面的努力，但这些努力往往不足以消除根深蒂固的恐惧和误解。
