Understanding Vaccine Perceptions among African-born communities in Southwestern Ontario
To view the French version of this webpage, please visit: https://globalhealthinnovationlab.org/the-vaccine-perception-project-copy/
This mixed methods project aims to generate a deeper understanding of vaccine perception using a participatory action research approach that directly engages African community members in Southwestern Ontario. In Canada, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the contextual and cultural factors influencing vaccine perceptions among African-born individuals. The findings of this project seek to bridge that gap by exploring the underlying influences shaping vaccine attitudes and the specific barriers to vaccination.
Overview
The Vaccine Perception Project (VPP) explores the socio-cultural and context-specific elements affecting vaccine attitudes among African-born communities in Canada, with a focus on Southwestern Ontario (London, Windsor, and Chatham-Kent). Participants will include African-born individuals who have immigrated to Canada, regardless of arrival date or immigration status. The project will conduct interviews, focus group discussions, cross-sectional surveys, and a scoping review on this topic area to gain a comprehensive picture of vaccine perceptions among African communities.
Objectives
The core objectives are (1) to investigate the factors contributing to vaccine perception and how they differ across sub-groups within African communities in Canada, and (2) to analyze the settings where vaccine perceptions emerge and the knowledge and decision-making processes shaping attitudes towards vaccines.
Implications
By exploring the socio-cultural and contextual factors influencing vaccine perceptions among African-born communities, the findings will provide evidence-based insights that can inform targeted public health interventions for this population. The study aims to leverage engagement with community organizations and health representatives serving African communities to better design the project, shape its outputs, and inform future research exploring similar topics within this population. Moreover, sharing the findings with policymakers and researchers can promote future collaborations and serve as a foundation for other collaborative initiatives within the community, as this topic area is under-explored.
Related Protocols
- Mixed methods study protocol accepted by PLOS One.
- Scoping review protocol registered in OSF: https://osf.io/s7rku/
Partners: London InterCommunity Health Centre, Middlesex-London Health Unit, Ethiopian Association London, Ghana Association of London and Middlesex, Igbo Association of London and Area
Funder: This project is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
Research Trainees: Christian Hines, Zantae Pellitier, Omolola Olorunbiyi, Meron Mengistu, Cecilia Wojcik