Browsing by Author "Ismail, Abbas"

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    Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Readiness and Hesitancy Among Adults in Sub-Saharan Africa
    (PLOS Global Public Health, 2023-07-14) Abubakari, Sulemana W.; Workneh, Firehiwot; Asante, Kwaku P.; Hemler, Elena, C.; Madzorera, Isabel; Wang, Dongqing; Ismail, Abbas; Assefa, Nega; Azemraw, Temesgen; Lankoande, Bruno; Nuhu, Abdul R.; Chukwu, Angela; Mapendo, Frank; Millogo, Ourohire´; Olufemi, Adedokun A.; Okpara, Daniel; Boudo, Valentin; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Berhane, Yemane; Baernighausen, Till; Oduola, Ayoade; Vuai, Said; Sie, Ali; Soura, Abdramane; Killewo, Japhet; Tajudeen, Raji; Fawzi, Wafaie W.; Smith, Emily R.
    There is very limited data on the extent and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults living in sub-Saharan Africa since the global roll-out of vaccines began in 2021. This multi-country survey sought to investigate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and other predictors of readiness to get vaccinated. We conducted surveys among adults resid- ing in nine urban and rural areas in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania in late 2021. Log binomial regression models were used to identify prevalence and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and beliefs around COVID-19 misinformation. We com- pleted a total of 2,833 interviews. Among all respondents, 9% had never heard of a COVID- 19 vaccine, 12% had been vaccinated, and 20% knew someone else who had been vacci- nated. The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy varied by country (Ethiopia 29%, Burkina Faso 33%, Nigeria 34%, Ghana 42%, Tanzania 65%), but not by rural or urban context. People who did not think the vaccine was safe or effective, or who were unsure about it, were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. Those who reported they did not have a trusted source of infor- mation about the vaccine (aPR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.18,1.31) and those who thought the vaccine would not be made available to them within the year were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. Women were more likely to be vaccine hesitant (aPR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.19,1.43) and believe COVID-19 falsehoods (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02,1.08). The most commonly believed false- hoods were that the vaccine was developed too fast and that there was not enough informa- tion about whether the vaccine was effective or not. Educational campaigns targeted at misinformation and tailored to suit each country are recommended to build trust in COVID- 19 vaccines and reduce hesitancy.
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    Meals, Education, and Gardens For In- School Adolescents (MEGA): Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomised Trial of An Integrated Adolescent Nutrition Intervention in Dodoma, Tanzania
    (BMJ, 2022) Wang, Dongqing; Katalambula, Leonard K.; Modest, Andrea R; Young, Tara; Ismail, Abbas; Mwanyika-Sando, Mary; Tinkasimile, Amani; Mosha, Dominic; Malero, Augustine; Vuai, Said; Fawzi, Wafaie W
    Introduction Secondary schools have the transformative potential to advance adolescent nutrition and provide a unique entry point for nutrition interventions to reach adolescents and their families and communities. Integrated school nutrition interventions offer promising pathways towards improving adolescent nutrition status, food security and building sustainable skill sets. Methods and analysis The Meals, Education, and Gardens for In-School Adolescents (MEGA) project aims to implement and evaluate an integrated, school-based nutrition intervention package among secondary schools in the Chamwino District of Dodoma, Tanzania. MEGA is a cluster-randomised controlled trial, including six public secondary schools assigned to three different arms. Two schools will receive the full intervention package, including school meals, school gardens, nutrition education and community workshops. Two schools will receive the partial intervention package, including the school garden, nutrition education and community workshops. Two schools will serve as the controls and will not receive any intervention. The intervention will be implemented for one academic year. Baseline and end-line quantitative data collection will include 750 adolescents and 750 parents. The domains of outcomes for adolescents will include haemoglobin concentrations, anthropometry, educational outcomes and knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding nutrition, agriculture and health. The domains of outcomes for parents will include knowledge, attitudes and practices of nutrition, agriculture and health. End-line focus group discussions will be conducted among selected adolescents, parents and teachers to assess the facilitators and barriers associated with the intervention. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (approval number: IRB20-1623), the Institutional Research Review Committee at the University of Dodoma (approval number: MA.84/261/02) and the Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research (approval number: NIMR/HO/R.8a/Vol. IX/3801). A manuscript with the research findings will be developed for publication.