Does integration matter? an international cross-sectional study on the relationship between perceived public health and primary care integration and COVID-19 vaccination rates.
<h4>Background</h4>Immunisation against COVID-19 is crucial for controlling the pandemic, yet global challenges persist in vaccine coverage and equitable distribution. A well-integrated primary health care approach can enhance vaccination programmes.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore the...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317970 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | <h4>Background</h4>Immunisation against COVID-19 is crucial for controlling the pandemic, yet global challenges persist in vaccine coverage and equitable distribution. A well-integrated primary health care approach can enhance vaccination programmes.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore the relationship between perceived PC (primary care)-PH (public health) integration, as well as other vaccination program implementation factors, and national COVID-19 vaccination coverage.<h4>Design and setting</h4>A convenience sample of self-identified primary care professionals completed an online survey on COVID-19 vaccination programme implementation and their perceptions of PC-PH integration.<h4>Methods</h4>Countries with ≥5 responses were included in the data analysis. COVID-19 vaccination implementation approach and perceived PC-PH integration against COVID-19 vaccination coverage was investigated using bivariate and subgroup analyses, Spearman correlation, and linear regression.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 394 responses from 32 countries were analysed. Participants included primary care providers, academics, and researchers. The median national COVID-19 vaccination coverage was 28.41% at time of study. Perceived barriers included patient hesitancy and vaccine supply shortages, while facilitators included vaccine product choices, equity, and community engagement. The study revealed a positive relationship between perceptions of PC-PH integration and national vaccination coverage in upper-middle and lower-middle income countries.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Perceived PC-PH integration increased with decreasing economic quartiles and this perception was linked to actual national vaccination coverage. Integration may be especially important for countries with lesser vaccine supply. High-income countries may benefit from increased collaboration between PC and PH to enhance vaccination efficiency. The findings contribute to understanding the role of PC-PH integration in vaccination programmes in different settings. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |