Factors influencing child vaccine communication practices in Gondar town.

BACKGROUND

Communication is a critical tool for promoting child immunization by enhancing vaccine acceptance and uptake. However, its effectiveness in enhancing child immunization coverage is often hampered by multiple factors. The town of Gondar has been suffering from a conflict/civil war and has low child immunization coverage. Hence, exploring the diverse barriers that negatively influence communication practices in Gondar town is important.

AIM: To explore the barriers to child vaccine communication aimed at promoting child immunization in Gondar town.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive design was employed from May 2024 to June 2024. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with ten purposively selected health professionals providing routine vaccination services, as well as 18 mothers or caregivers of children participated in three FGDs. The data were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

There are multiple interconnected factors hindering child vaccine communication in the study area. Health system-related barriers included shortages of communication materials, insufficient immunization-communication training for health professionals, and limited staffing, which, together with heavy workloads, constrained providers' ability to engage effectively with caregivers. Individual, interpersonal and community-related factors also played a significant role; limited time availability among mothers, language-related challenges and low community involvement reduced opportunities for effective vaccine communication. Additionally, policy and structural challenges, such as child birth registration-related tasks, inadequate transportation, insecurity, and interruptions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, impeded the delivery and uptake of vaccination messages. Jointly, these findings highlight that barriers to effective child vaccine communication are multifaceted.

CONCLUSION

Child vaccine communication faces barriers across multiple levels. Integrated strategies, training, communication materials, health-system support, caregiver engagement, and policy coordination are essential for consistent communication and improved vaccination uptake in Gondar.