Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease and Prevention Products: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preferences of Kenyan Healthcare Workers in Two Counties in 2021
Bryan O. Nyawanda,
Victor A. Opere,
Joyce U. Nyiro,
Elisabeth Vodicka,
Jessica A. Fleming,
Ranju Baral,
Sadaf Khan,
Clint Pecenka,
Jorim O. Ayugi,
Raphael Atito,
James Ougo,
Godfrey Bigogo,
Gideon O. Emukule,
Nancy A. Otieno,
Patrick K. Munywoki
Affiliations
Bryan O. Nyawanda
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
Victor A. Opere
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
Joyce U. Nyiro
Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi P.O. Box 230-80108, Kenya
Elisabeth Vodicka
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health—PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Jessica A. Fleming
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health—PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Ranju Baral
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health—PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Sadaf Khan
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health—PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Clint Pecenka
Program for Appropriate Technology in Health—PATH, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Jorim O. Ayugi
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
Raphael Atito
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
James Ougo
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
Godfrey Bigogo
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
Gideon O. Emukule
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya
Nancy A. Otieno
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kenya
Patrick K. Munywoki
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi P.O. Box 606-00621, Kenya
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among infants under 6 months of age. Yet, in Kenya, little is known about healthcare workers’ (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions around RSV disease and the prevention products under development. Between September and October 2021, we conducted a mixed methods cross-sectional survey to assess HCWs’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of RSV disease and RSV vaccinations in two counties. We enrolled HCWs delivering services directly at maternal and child health (MCH) departments in selected health facilities (frontline HCWs) and health management officers (HMOs). Of the 106 respondents, 94 (88.7%) were frontline HCWs, while 12 were HMOs. Two of the HMOs were members of the Kenya National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (KENITAG). Of the 104 non-KENITAG HCWs, only 41 (39.4%) had heard about RSV disease, and 38/41 (92.7%) felt that pregnant women should be vaccinated against RSV. Most participants would recommend a single-dose vaccine schedule (n = 62, 58.5%) for maximal adherence and compliance (n = 38/62, 61.3%), single dose/device vaccines (n = 50/86, 58.1%) to prevent wastage and contamination, and maternal vaccination through antenatal care clinics (n = 53, 50%). We found the need for increased knowledge about RSV disease and prevention among Kenyan HCWs.
