A Qualitative Cross-Sectional Study Aimed at Identifying Barriersto Accessing Routine Vaccinations and Strategies for Improvement: Perspectives from Healthcare Workers in the City of Buea in Cameroon

Authors

  • Jerome Nyhalah Dinga Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon & Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon & African Vaccinology Network, Buea, Cameroon & Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA. Author
  • Vincent P K Titanji Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Elizabeth Mbonge Dinga Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Stanley Dobgima Gamua Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Synthia Eni Muki Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Glory Enjong Mbah Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Bamenda, Cameroon  Author
  • Andreas Ateke Njoh Expanded Programme on Immunization, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon Author
  • Irshad Ahmed Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA & AHealth Department, Balochistan AIDS Control Program, Quetta, Pakistan Author
  • Fred Ngwa Ngunjoh Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Nicholas Tendengfor Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Joseph Marie Essissima Amougou Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Orthodox Church, Yaounde, Cameroon Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JFMPM/2025(2)109

Keywords:

Vaccination Access, Healthcare Workers, Barriers, Immunization Strategies

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is a vital public health intervention that has saved millions of lives worldwide. In Cameroon, however, challenges persist in vaccination coverage, especially in the Buea region, where access and uptake remain uneven. This study aimed to assess the barriers to routine vaccination access in Buea from the perspectives of healthcare workers and identify strategies to improve vaccination coverage in children below five years.

Methods: The study used qualitative research design with in-depth interviews based on the WHO BeSD tool. Healthcare workers, including nurses and midwives with at least one year of vaccination experience, were recruited from various health facilities in the city of Buea. The interviews explored participants' views on vaccination access, barriers, and potential solutions. Audio recordings were transcribed, and thematic analysis was carried out using Dedoose software.

Results: Sixteen female healthcare providers, with an average age of 30 ± 5 years, participated in the study. The primary barriers to vaccination access identified were adverse reactions, false rumors, financial limitations, follow-up challenges, missed appointments, inaccessibility, vaccine shortages, poor cold chain management, inadequate staffing, negative past experiences, limited knowledge of vaccine importance, children's poor health, vaccine refusal, religious influences, and the unavailability of caregivers. Healthcare workers proposed several strategies to improve vaccination services, such as better communication with patients, community outreach and follow-up, ongoing education, enhancing cold chain management, increasing the workforce, and addressing cultural and religious factors. They highlighted the need to counter false rumors, provide financial support, and improve accessibility to vaccination services.

Conclusion: This study reveals the multifaceted barriers to vaccination access in Buea from the healthcare workers' perspectives. Overcoming these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including community engagement, targeted interventions, and policy reforms. The findings emphasize the need for context-specific research to develop tailored strategies for enhancing vaccination coverage and safeguarding vulnerable populations from vaccine-preventable diseases in Buea.

Author Biographies

  • Jerome Nyhalah Dinga, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon & Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon & African Vaccinology Network, Buea, Cameroon & Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.

    Jerome Nyhalah Dinga, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon & Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon & African Vaccinology Network, Buea, Cameroon & Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.

  • Vincent P K Titanji, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

    Vincent P K Titanji, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  • Elizabeth Mbonge Dinga, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon

    Elizabeth Mbonge Dinga, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon

  • Stanley Dobgima Gamua, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

    Stanley Dobgima Gamua, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Biotechnology Unit, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  • Synthia Eni Muki, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon

    Synthia Eni Muki, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon

  • Glory Enjong Mbah, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Bamenda, Cameroon 

    Glory Enjong Mbah, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Bamenda, Cameroon 

  • Andreas Ateke Njoh, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Andreas Ateke Njoh, Expanded Programme on Immunization, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Irshad Ahmed, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA & AHealth Department, Balochistan AIDS Control Program, Quetta, Pakistan

    Irshad Ahmed, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA & AHealth Department, Balochistan AIDS Control Program, Quetta, Pakistan

  • Fred Ngwa Ngunjoh, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

    Fred Ngwa Ngunjoh, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  • Nicholas Tendengfor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

    Nicholas Tendengfor, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon 

  • Joseph Marie Essissima Amougou, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Orthodox Church, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Joseph Marie Essissima Amougou, Michael Gahnyam Gbeugvat Foundation, Buea, Cameroon, Orthodox Church, Yaounde, Cameroon

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Published

2025-04-08

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Volume 2 Issue 2

Section

Articles