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Research activities

The COMMVAC project aims to:

  • build research knowledge and capacity to use evidence-based strategies for improving communication about childhood vaccinations with parents and communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
  • build the evidence needed to support the implementation of effective communication interventions
  • translate this evidence into guidance for policymakers in LMICs on communication strategies to improve childhood vaccination uptake

COMMVAC Phase 1: 2010-2013

Project objective

Methods to address
the objectives

Research Outputs Completion date
1. To outline the range of communication interventions for childhood vaccination Systematic mapping of communication interventions Systematic map Paper in progress - November 2013
2. To classify these interventions based on their conceptual similarities Taxonomy of communication interventions for routine vaccination activities Taxonomy of communication interventions Completed and available here
3. To identify high priority topics for systematic reviews of interventions to improve communication around vaccination Systematic map, taxonomy and stakeholder views of priorities List of priority topics
  • Completed
  • Deliberative forum reports available here
  • Paper in progress – December 2013
4. To assess the effects of high priority interventions to improve communication on childhood vaccination Systematic reviews of high priority interventions Two new Systematic reviews of the effectiveness vaccination communication interventions and one update of a previous review
  • First systematic review published
  • Protocol for second systematic review published
  • Second review and review update to be completed in November 2013
5. To translate the evidence into accessible formats and messages for dissemination to LMICs Deliberative forums User-friendly evidence summaries In progress


COMMVAC Phase 2: 2013-2016

Project objective Methods to address the objectives Research Outputs Completion date
1. Developing a taxonomy of communication interventions used in campaigns Taxonomy of communication interventions used in SIA and PIRI activities An extended COMMVAC taxonomy November 2014
2. Developing an outcomes framework for provider-parent vaccination communication interventions Systematic mapping of outcomes, Categorizing of outcomes, Consultation with stakeholders Outcomes framework for future trials July 2015
3. Micro-analysis of how LICs are operationalising vaccination communication interventions Qualitative case studies of vaccination communication initiatives in four to six low income settings Descriptive map of what interventions are being delivered to whom, and how, in LICs July 2015
4. Understanding people’s perceptions of vaccine information and how they want to be communicated with Qualitative evidence synthesis Two systematic reviews of qualitative evidence November 2014
5. Exploring the health systems barriers and facilitators to the successful and sustainable scaling up of vaccination communication interventions in LICs Multi-country case study synthesis A structured overview of factors associated with the effective and sustainable implementation at scale of communication interventions for childhood vaccination June 2015
6. Translating the best available evidence into guidance for successful application of key communication interventions in LICs ‘Evidence profiles’ Deliberative forums
  • Best practice guidance
  • An online repository of intervention implementation experiences
September 2016

Sub-study 1: Developing a taxonomy of communication interventions used in campaigns (including periodic intensification of routine immunisation, single- or multi-antigen)

During the first phase of COMMVAC, a taxonomy of interventions to improve communication about childhood vaccination during routine immunization activities was completed. In COMMVAC 2, a taxonomy of communication interventions used in campaigns will be developed to complement the existing taxonomy. These taxonomies will then be synthesized. In addition, we will create applied examples of the taxonomy that include information on vaccination communication interventions from each of the partner countries.  Finally, we will develop an interactive online tool to facilitate searching of the information on communication interventions underlying the taxonomy.

Sub-study 2: Developing an outcomes framework for provider-parent vaccination communication interventions

Developing a clear outcomes framework for provider-parent vaccination communication interventions will facilitate the comparison of research findings from multiple studies. This outcomes framework will be developed using four steps:

  1. Using the COMMVAC database of relevant articles we will identify outcomes currently used in the literature to evaluate vaccination communication interventions
  2. These outcomes will then be grouped into categories to explore thematic similarities, patterns and relationships between particular communication interventions and outcomes
  3. An online consultation with experts and potential users will be conducted to receive feedback on the outcomes and categories
  4. Finally, the categories will be formulated into a comprehensive framework of outcomes related to childhood vaccination which will outline which outcomes are validated for which populations.

Sub-study 3: Micro-analysis of how LICs are operationalising vaccination communication interventions

Qualitative case studies of vaccination communication initiatives in four to six low income settings in Nigeria, Mozambique and Cameroon will be undertaken to map communication interventions currently being used in routine and campaign vaccination activities. This descriptive map of what interventions are being delivered to whom, and how, in LICs will help to identify small-scale interventions that have the potential to go to scale. The micro-analysis will also help identify stakeholders’ views on which vaccination communication interventions work well in their setting and will contribute to developing applied examples of the COMMVAC taxonomy for each country.

Sub-study 4: Understanding people’s perceptions of vaccine information and how they want to be communicated with

To follow up the three systematic reviews of effectiveness completed in the first phase of the COMMVAC project, two qualitative evidence syntheses will be completed. These syntheses will explore how stakeholders, including parents and caregivers,  would like to be communicated with regarding childhood vaccination and their perceptions of the vaccination information they receive.

Sub-study 5: Exploring the health systems barriers and facilitators to the successful and sustainable scaling up of vaccination communication interventions in LICs

A multi-country case study synthesis will be carried out of programme evaluations of large-scale initiatives in LICs to improve vaccination communication. This synthesis will be used to develop a structured overview of factors associated with the effective and sustainable implementation at scale of communication interventions for childhood vaccination. The review will use scientific articles, programme evaluations and grey literature on large scale initiatives to improve vaccination communication in LICs. The focus will be on the factors enhancing or hindering the successful, sustainable and equitable application of effective interventions.

Sub-study 6: Translating the best available evidence into guidance for successful application of key communication interventions in LICs

In order for the findings from the second phase of COMMVAC to be useful to policy makers and vaccination programme managers the recommended options for action need to be properly framed into guidance. Based on the outputs from sub-studies 1-5 of COMMVAC 2, and drawing on approaches and evidence developed by the partners and in COMMVAC 1, online evidence profiles will be produced summarizing:

  • Evidence on the effects of vaccination communication interventions
  • Implementation strategies used in different settings
  • Factors affecting the implementation of communication interventions

The evidence profiles will then be discussed by experts and key stakeholders in online forums, and they will be asked to recommend policy options for inclusion in guidance. Following from these deliberations, we will make available best practice guidance for the implementation of key communication interventions in LICs as well as an online, searchable repository of intervention implementation experiences that can be drawn on by vaccination managers in LICs.

 
Norwegian Institute of Public Health La Trobe University Ministry of Health Mozambique Catholic University Chile University of Calabar IUHPE Swiss TPH