Conference abstract
The role of multipurpose community health workers (MCHW) in zero-dose catch-up: experience of the meningitis vaccination campaign in the North Region
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:23(83).26
Nov 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.23.83.2850
Archived on: 26 Nov 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: MCHW, zero-dose, PENTA1, catch-up
Poster
The role of multipurpose community health workers (MCHW) in zero-dose catch-up: experience of the meningitis vaccination campaign in the North Region
Bertin Aaron Jugnia1,&, Ayoh G1, Mbang M1, Djonhou G1, Moumi A1, Ekae S1, Massouck B1, Ekwe E1, Jeudi D1, Ebongo Z1
1Direction de la Santé Familiale, Ministère de la Sante Publique, Yaoundé, Cameroun
&Corresponding author
Introduction: vaccination is an essential component of primary healthcare. The 2030 Agenda for Immunisation envisions A world where every person, everywhere, at every age, benefits fully from vaccines for their health and well-being. One of the aims of this vision is to extend immunisation services to regularly reach zero-dose. and under-vaccinated children and communities. this study aimed to highlight the role of MCHW in catching up with zero-dose children during the meningitis vaccination campaign.
Methods: this study focuses on the two (02) health districts (Lagdo and Ngong) that were the subject of a preventive vaccination campaign against meningitis in the North region. The campaign ran from 12 to 16 June 2024. In addition to the main intervention, which focused on meningitis, this activity included another intervention involving zero-dose vaccination of children. The data collected and used is quantitative and from primary sources. They come from all the health areas of the districts concerned.
Results: as part of the catch-up of zero-dose children, the MCHW's first role was to identify these children, particularly through home visits and by identifying areas where immunisation services may be less accessible. These agents identified 1,527 children without PENTA1 in all 02 districts. The MCHW also raised community awareness of the importance of immunisation, particularly for zero-dose children. A total of 289,139 people were reached. Finally, these community players took part in catch-up efforts to ensure that all these children were vaccinated. As a result, 565, 545, 565, and 563 children were vaccinated with the PENTA1, VPO1, ROTA1, and PCV-13 1 antigen respectively.
Conclusion: during the campaign, the efforts of the MCHW helped to cover 37% of children who had not yet received their dose of PENTA1. Post-campaign monitoring mechanisms need to be stepped up to ensure that all children receive the doses scheduled in the vaccination calendar.
The role of multipurpose community health workers (MCHW) in zero-dose catch-up: experience of the meningitis vaccination campaign in the North Region
Bertin Aaron Jugnia1,&, Ayoh G1, Mbang M1, Djonhou G1, Moumi A1, Ekae S1, Massouck B1, Ekwe E1, Jeudi D1, Ebongo Z1
1Direction de la Santé Familiale, Ministère de la Sante Publique, Yaoundé, Cameroun
&Corresponding author
Introduction: vaccination is an essential component of primary healthcare. The 2030 Agenda for Immunisation envisions A world where every person, everywhere, at every age, benefits fully from vaccines for their health and well-being. One of the aims of this vision is to extend immunisation services to regularly reach zero-dose. and under-vaccinated children and communities. this study aimed to highlight the role of MCHW in catching up with zero-dose children during the meningitis vaccination campaign.
Methods: this study focuses on the two (02) health districts (Lagdo and Ngong) that were the subject of a preventive vaccination campaign against meningitis in the North region. The campaign ran from 12 to 16 June 2024. In addition to the main intervention, which focused on meningitis, this activity included another intervention involving zero-dose vaccination of children. The data collected and used is quantitative and from primary sources. They come from all the health areas of the districts concerned.
Results: as part of the catch-up of zero-dose children, the MCHW's first role was to identify these children, particularly through home visits and by identifying areas where immunisation services may be less accessible. These agents identified 1,527 children without PENTA1 in all 02 districts. The MCHW also raised community awareness of the importance of immunisation, particularly for zero-dose children. A total of 289,139 people were reached. Finally, these community players took part in catch-up efforts to ensure that all these children were vaccinated. As a result, 565, 545, 565, and 563 children were vaccinated with the PENTA1, VPO1, ROTA1, and PCV-13 1 antigen respectively.
Conclusion: during the campaign, the efforts of the MCHW helped to cover 37% of children who had not yet received their dose of PENTA1. Post-campaign monitoring mechanisms need to be stepped up to ensure that all children receive the doses scheduled in the vaccination calendar.