RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a serious public health problem in India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as per the 2021 report, India accounts for 83% of malaria cases in Southeast Asia. Various interventions have been implemented to control malaria's burden in India. In October 2021, the WHO approved the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine for administration in four scheduled doses in children five months of age to reduce the burden and severity of malaria. The objectives of this study were to assess public awareness about the vaccine among residents of India and determine any associations with demographic characteristics. METHODS: The study was a web-based, cross-sectional survey. The survey questionnaire was sent out electronically using Qualtrics® (Provo, UT) and remained active for 12 weeks (December 2021 to March 2022). The questionnaire was self-administered anonymously, using a link that was shared with people across India through social media platforms. A total of 2,371 respondents above 18 years of age and current residents of India participated in the study. The chi-square test was used to examine the association between awareness about the vaccine and demographic characteristics. A p-value of <0.05 was used to describe a statistically significant association. RESULTS: Most participants (71.95%) had heard about the malaria vaccine, and 68.75% favored making it a required childhood vaccine. Similarly, 67.27% indicated that they would encourage caregivers to get their children/wards vaccinated. Age, gender, educational status, residence, and caregiver status were associated with the awareness regarding the malaria vaccine (p < 0.05). Males, participants between 18 and 24 years old, and caregivers of children aged five years or less were more likely to be aware of the vaccine. Participants with higher education and residing in urban localities had more awareness of the vaccine. CONCLUSION: The malaria vaccine has the potential to eradicate malaria in India, especially if included in the immunization schedule for children. However, it is critical that health policymakers target populations that are less aware of information on any intended rollout of the malaria vaccine to ensure rapid uptake toward the goal of eliminating malaria from India.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Malaria infection remains one of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years, several measures have been implemented for the prevention of malaria, including vector control with insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and seasonal or traveling prophylactics. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the use of the malaria vaccine in children. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study in three sub-Saharan African countries-Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria-to assess public awareness of the malaria vaccine among the residents of these countries. METHOD: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted between time January 2022 and April 2022 using Qualtrics® software (Version number: April 2022; Qualtrics, Provo, UT, USA). A total of 3896 responses were analyzed using SAS OnDemand for Academics software. Linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between the demographic characteristics and awareness of the malaria vaccine, using a level of significance (alpha) of 0.05. RESULT: Overall, there was significant association between the level of education and public awareness of the malaria vaccine in each of the countries studied. Gender and place of residence were associated with awareness in Nigeria and Uganda, while younger respondents were more likely to be aware of the malaria vaccine in Ghana. CONCLUSION: Given the negative impact of lack of awareness and knowledge, misinformation and conspiracy theories on immunization programs, public health campaigns preceding the population-wide roll-out of the novel malaria vaccine should target the less-educated, and those residing in more rural areas, while assuring equitable access to the malaria vaccine across sub-Saharan Africa.
