Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, a country that bears a large proportion of the global malaria burden. Despite being preventable and treatable, the disease continues to affect millions of lives annually, particularly children under the age of five. In response to this ongoing crisis, malaria vaccines such as RTS, S/AS01 and R21 Matrix M have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality. However, the successful implementation of these vaccines is not only dependent on their availability but also on the healthcare professionals who administer them, especially nurses who are often at the forefront of vaccination campaigns.
A study conducted across Nigeria aimed to evaluate the knowledge of nurses regarding malaria vaccines and their willingness to recommend these vaccines to caregivers of children under five. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of nurses from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with data collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The research sought to explore factors such as demographics, knowledge of the malaria vaccines, the sources from which nurses receive vaccine-related information, and their willingness to recommend vaccination.
The study revealed that a significant portion of the Nigerian nursing workforce lacked sufficient knowledge about the RTS, S/AS01 and R21 Matrix M malaria vaccines. Nearly two-thirds of the nurses were found to have poor knowledge about these vaccines. Only a little over half of the nurses were aware of the vaccines, and a substantial proportion could not accurately identify the recommended vaccination regimen or the appropriate age at which children should receive the vaccine. This highlights a critical gap in training and awareness, which is concerning given the pivotal role nurses play in the vaccination process.
Awareness of the malaria vaccines was identified as the primary factor associated with better knowledge. Nurses who were aware of the vaccines were far more likely to have accurate knowledge about their administration and benefits. Additionally, the study found that the perception of the vaccine’s efficacy was strongly linked to nurses’ willingness to recommend the malaria vaccination to caregivers. Nurses with a higher perception of the vaccine’s efficacy were 21 times more likely to recommend it compared to those with lower perceptions. This suggests that improving nurses’ understanding of the vaccines and their effectiveness could significantly enhance vaccine uptake.
Furthermore, the study showed that although many nurses were willing to recommend the vaccine, their willingness was often contingent on their level of knowledge and their confidence in the vaccine’s efficacy. Nurses who had a strong understanding of the vaccines and who perceived them as effective were far more inclined to recommend them. This underscores the importance of ongoing training and education for healthcare workers to ensure they are well-equipped to advocate for the vaccine.
The findings from this study have important implications for Nigeria’s malaria vaccination program. To address the identified gaps in nurses’ knowledge and improve their willingness to recommend the malaria vaccines, targeted training and awareness campaigns are crucial. These should focus on educating healthcare workers about the vaccines, including their benefits, dosage schedules, and age eligibility. In addition to formal training, efforts should be made to ensure that nurses have access to reliable information from trusted sources to help them stay informed.
Overall, the successful implementation of malaria vaccination programs in Nigeria will depend not only on the availability of the vaccines but also on the preparedness and support of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. Addressing the gaps in knowledge and perceptions among nurses can help to ensure the success of the malaria vaccination campaign, ultimately reducing the disease burden among vulnerable populations. By equipping nurses with the necessary knowledge and tools to confidently recommend the vaccine, Nigeria can make significant strides in the fight against malaria.
