BMC Public Health
http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles
(Accessed 16 January 2016)

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Research article
Comparing the quality of pro- and anti-vaccination online information: a content analysis of vaccination-related webpages
Gabriele Sak, Nicola Diviani, Ahmed Allam and Peter J. Schulz
BMC Public Health 2016 16:38
Published on: 15 January 2016

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Research article
Sociocultural determinants of anticipated oral cholera vaccine acceptance in three African settings: a meta-analytic approach
Neisha Sundaram, Christian Schaetti, Sonja Merten, Christian Schindler, Said M. Ali, Erick O. Nyambedha, Bruno Lapika, Claire-Lise Chaignat, Raymond Hutubessy and Mitchell G. Weiss
BMC Public Health 2016 16:36
Published on: 14 January 2016
Abstract
Background
Controlling cholera remains a significant challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. In areas where access to safe water and sanitation are limited, oral cholera vaccine (OCV) can save lives. Establishment of a global stockpile for OCV reflects increasing priority for use of cholera vaccines in endemic settings. Community acceptance of vaccines, however, is critical and sociocultural features of acceptance require attention for effective implementation. This study identifies and compares sociocultural determinants of anticipated OCV acceptance across populations in Southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Western Kenya and Zanzibar.
Methods
Cross-sectional studies were conducted using similar but locally-adapted semistructured interviews among 1095 respondents in three African settings. Logistic regression models identified sociocultural determinants of OCV acceptance from these studies in endemic areas of Southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (SE-DRC), Western Kenya (W-Kenya) and Zanzibar. Meta-analytic techniques highlighted common and distinctive determinants in the three settings.
Results
Anticipated OCV acceptance was high in all settings. More than 93 % of community respondents overall indicated interest in a no-cost vaccine. Higher anticipated acceptance was observed in areas with less access to public health facilities. In all settings awareness of cholera prevention methods (safe food consumption and garbage disposal) and relating ingestion to cholera causation were associated with greater acceptance. Higher age, larger households, lack of education, social vulnerability and knowledge of oral rehydration solution for self-treatment were negatively associated with anticipated OCV acceptance. Setting-specific determinants of acceptance included reporting a reliable income (W-Kenya and Zanzibar, not SE-DRC). In SE-DRC, intention to purchase an OCV appeared unrelated to ability to pay. Rural residents were less likely than urban counterparts to accept an OCV in W-Kenya, but more likely in Zanzibar. Prayer as a form of self-treatment was associated with vaccine acceptance in SE-DRC and W-Kenya, but not in Zanzibar.
Conclusions
These cholera-endemic African communities are especially interested in no-cost OCVs. Health education and attention to local social and cultural features of cholera and vaccines would likely increase vaccine coverage. High demand and absence of insurmountable sociocultural barriers to vaccination with OCVs indicate potential for mass vaccination in planning for comprehensive control or elimination.

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Research article
Factors associated with incomplete childhood immunization in Arbegona district, southern Ethiopia: a case – control study
The prevention of child mortality through immunization is one of the most cost-effective and widely applied public health interventions. In Ethiopia, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) schedule is rare…
Abel Negussie, Wondewosen Kassahun, Sahilu Assegid and Ada K. Hagan
BMC Public Health 2016 16:27
Published on: 12 January 2016