Browsing by Author "Abdullahi, Leila H."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Comparison of School based and Supplemental Vaccination Strategies in the Delivery of Vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa
    (F1000Research, 2017) Haddison, Eposi C.; Abdullahi, Leila H.; Hussey, Gregory D.; Kagina, Benjamin M.
    Some vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) still remain a public health burden in many African countries. The occurrence of VPDs in all age groups has led to the realization of the need to extend routine immunisation services to school age children, adolescents and adults. Supplemental immunisation activities (SIAs) and school based vaccinations (SBVs) are common strategies used to complement the expanded programme on immunisation (EPI). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of SIAs compared to SBVs in the administration of vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa. Systematic review methods were used to address our study aim. Several electronic databases were searched up to March 30, 2017 for primary studies investigating the delivery of vaccines via SIAs or SBVs to 5-19 year olds. This search was complemented by browsing reference lists of potential studies obtained from search outputs. Outcomes considered for inclusion were: vaccination coverage, costs of the strategy or its effect on routine immunisation services. Out of the 4938 studies identified, 31 studies met the review inclusion criteria. Both SIAs and SBVs showed high vaccination coverage. However, the SIAs reported higher coverage than SBVs: 91% (95% CI: 84%, 98%) versus 75% (95% CI: 67%, 83%). In most settings, SBVs were reported to be more expensive than SIAs. The SIAs were found to negatively affect routine immunisation services. Both SIAs and SBVs are routinely used to complement the EPI in the delivery of vaccines in Africa. In settings where school enrolment is suboptimal, as is the case in many African countries, our results show SIAs may be more effective in reaching school age children and adolescents than SBVs. Our results re-iterate the importance of evaluating systematic evidence to best inform African authorities on the optimal vaccine delivery strategies targeting school age children and adolescents.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Epidemiology of Hepatitis A virus in Africa among Persons Aged 1–10 years: a systematic review protocol
    (Systematic Reviews, 2015) Kanyenda, Tiwonge J.; Abdullahi, Leila H.; Hussey, Gregory D.; Kagina, Benjamin M.
    Africa is considered an area of high endemicity for hepatitis A virus infection. However, in the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in improving water sources and sanitation which are risk factors for hepatitis A virus infection. Recent studies suggest that several African countries could be in epidemiological transitions due to the evident socio-economic development. As a result, there may be a decrease in the exposure to and infection with hepatitis A virus at an early age. Understanding and mapping the shifting epidemiology is vital in developing control measures against the disease. We are conducting a comprehensive systematic review study to document the current burden of hepatitis A virus infection in Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Adolescent Vaccination among Parents, Teachers and Adolescents in Africa: A Systematic Review Protocol
    (Vaccine, 2016) Abdullahi, Leila H.; Kagina, Benjamin M.; Cassidy, Tali; Wiysonge, Charles S.
    Vaccines are the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions available to avert vaccine-preventable diseases and deaths. Despite global progress in adolescent health, many adolescents in Africa still get sick and die from vaccine-preventable diseases due to lack of vaccination. Adolescents, parents and teachers are key players in the development and implementation of adolescent vaccination policies. Optimal knowledge, attitudes and practices towards adolescent vaccination among these key players may improve vaccine uptake among adolescents. We conducted a qualitative and quantitative systematic review on knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescent vaccination among adolescents, parents and teachers in Africa. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, WHOLIS, Africa Wide and CINAHL for eligible quantitative and qualitative primary studies with no time limits. We also checked reference lists of included studies for eligible studies and searched grey literature. Two authors independently screened the search outputs, selected studies and extracted data; resolving discrepancies by consensus and discussion. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analyses where applicable, while analyses from quantitative studies used different methods based on the type of outcomes. We included 18 cross-sectional studies in this review. The included studies were conducted in 10 out of the 54 countries in Africa. The 18 studies focused on a wide range of adolescent vaccines. Thirteen studies evaluated vaccines against Human Papilloma Virus, while each of the remaining 5 studies, evaluated vaccines against rabies, HIV, tetanus toxoid, tuberculosis and adolescent vaccines in general. Among the key players, we found low to moderate levels of knowledge about adolescent vaccination. Positive attitudes and practices towards adolescent vaccination, especially against Human Papilloma Virus were reported. Despite the low knowledge, our results showed high levels of acceptability to adolescent vaccination among adolescents, parents and teachers. It was evident in our review that all key demographics (parents, adolescents and teachers) were receptive towards adolescent vaccines. We propose relevant policy makers in Africa to consider continuous education programs such as those aimed to inform the parents, adolescents and teachers on adolescent vaccination.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Use of Supplementary Immunisation Activities to Improve Uptake of Current and Future Vaccines in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review Protocol
    (BMJ open, 2014) Kagina, Benjamin M.; Wiysonge, Charles S.; Abdullahi, Leila H.; Uthman, Olalekan A.; Hussey, Gregory D.
    Immunisation coverage data in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) suggest that more strategies need to be implemented to achieve and sustain optimal vaccine uptake. Among possible strategies to improve immunisation coverage are supplementary immunisation activities (SIAs). We are therefore interested in conducting a systematic review to assess whether SIAs complement routine immunisation programmes to improve vaccination coverage and prevent disease outbreaks. Our systematic review will focus on studies conducted in LMICs. With the help of an information specialist, we will search for eligible studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Africa-Wide, Cochrane Library, WHOLIS, CINAHL, PDQ-Evidence as well as reference lists of relevant publications. Additionally, we will contact relevant organisations such as WHO and GAVI. Two authors will independently extract data from eligible studies and independently assess risk of bias by assessing the adequacy of study characteristics. The primary meta-analysis will use random effects models due to expected interstudies heterogeneity. Dichotomous data will be analysed using relative risk and continuous data using weighted mean differences (or standardised mean differences), both with 95% CIs. The findings from this systematic review will be discussed in the context of strengthening routine childhood immunisation services, routine adolescent immunisation services and introduction of future vaccines against tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.