A scoping review on integrated health campaigns for immunization in low- and middle-income countries

Bibliographic Data

ID15127140
AuthorsSyeda Tahmina Ahmed (0000-0003-3796-333X, BRAC University), Shams Shabab Haider (0000-0003-4895-253X, BRAC University), Suhi Hanif (0009-0002-2873-8309, BRAC University), Humayra Binte Anwar (0000-0001-5885-914X, BRAC University), Saima Mehjabeen (0000-0002-7857-4130, BRAC University), Svea Closser (0000-0001-8337-9957, John Hopkins University , Bultimore, Maryland 21218, US), Eva Bazant (0000-0002-1212-8410, The Task Force for Global Health , 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, US), Malabika Sarker (0000-0001-7293-8805, BRAC University)
Year2023
Volume38
Issue10
Pages1198-1224
Publication date2023-11-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy and Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-1080 • E-ISSN: 1460-2237
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/heapol/czad082
PMID37699072
OpenAlexW4386647687
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited39

Health campaign integration is a key implementation strategy outlined by the World Health Organization to achieve universal health coverage. This scoping review synthesizes the evidence on Integrated Health Campaigns (IHC) in the field of immunization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) regarding the most common strategies, facilitators and barriers. Four reviewers followed a systematic approach to identify, screen and analyse relevant articles. The team used three search engines (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) to identify peer-reviewed journal articles as well as select institutional websites for grey literature publications. Full-text articles using any study design and across any time frame were included. Data were extracted following a predefined matrix, analysed deductively and presented in a narrative synthesis. Thirty articles (20 academic and 10 grey) were included in the final review. All studies included identified IHCs as effective when planning or implementation is integrated. The common strategies were: using resources efficiently in remote locations; using national immunization days to maximize impact; targeting specific age groups by selecting intervention sites that are frequented by that age group; building community ownership over the integrated program; and integrating programs that already share common elements. The key facilitators were: closing the gap between services and communities; planning, coordination and resource management both before and during integration; cost-effectiveness; and utilization of pre-existing infrastructure. The common barriers included seemingly optimized initial cost to appear feasible only in the short term and additional responsibilities on the field staff. This review finds IHCs a common practice in immunization and identifies gaps in evidence on evaluation; indicating the need for additional research. Strong evidence accounts IHCs to increase coverage, improve community acceptance of health services and strengthen the community models of health service delivery

Business · Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Immunization · Low and middle income countries · Global Maternal and Child Health · Immunology · Medicine · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research

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