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Evaluating the Influence of Strategic Health Communication Campaign on Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural Rivers State Communities

Gabriel, Obokuru, Prof. Nsereka, Barigbon Gbara, Dike, Harcourt Whyte PhD, Nwankpa Nduka N. PhD

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of strategic health communication campaign on vaccine hesitancy in rural rivers state communities. The study focused on three Local Government Areas of Rivers State: Abua/Odual, Khana and Etche. The research was guided by the theory of planned behavior. The sample for the study was 400 residents of the LGAs and three Medical Directors of the Primary Health Care Centers in the three Local Government Areas. Multistage cluster sampling technique used in the study, while structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. Data was analysed using simple percentages and weighted mean score. Findings of the study showed that while a variety of public communication campaigns are carried out to spread awareness on the HPV vaccine, rural dwellers in Rivers State mostly came across the campaign to encourage the uptake of HPV vaccine through health workers visitation of the community, social media, interaction with community members, and printed materials in nearby hospital. The study concludes that health communication campaigns to curb HPV vaccine hesitancy in rural Rivers State have not been successful in enhancing the vaccine uptake; many rural dwellers in Rivers State have limited knowledge about the HPV vaccine and its role in preventing cervical cancer. The study recommended that access to health communication campaigns should be improved by efforts taken at the policy, state and local government levels that will address transportation issues, guarantee sufficient availabilities of vaccination sites, provide home-based vaccination, incorporate vaccination sites into community facilities, and address financial barriers and existing inequities in access to HPV vaccines.

Keywords

Health CommunicationCampaignVaccine HesitancyInfluenceRural communities

References

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