Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population of Pakistan regarding typhoid conjugate vaccine: findings of a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Typhoid fever, a common enteric disease in Pakistan, caused by Salmonella typhi, is becoming an extended drug-resistant organism and is preventable through the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV). Public adherence to preventive measures is influenced by knowledge and attitude toward the vaccine. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population of Pakistan toward TCV. The differences in mean scores and factors associated with typhoid conjugate vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and practices were investigated. A total of 918 responses were received with a mean age of 25.9 ± 9.6, 51% were women, and 59.6% had graduation-level education. The majority of them responded that vaccines prevent illness (85.3%) and decrease mortality and disability (92.6%), and typhoid could be prevented by vaccination (86.7%). In total, 77.7 and 80.8% considered TCV safe and effective, respectively. Of 389 participants with children, 53.47% had vaccinated children, according to the extended program on immunization (EPI). Higher family income has a higher odds ratio (OR) for willingness toward booster dose of TCV [crude odds ratio (COR) = 4.920, p–value <0.01; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.853, value of p <0.001], and negative attitude regarding the protective effect of TCV has less willingness toward the booster dose with statistical significance (COR = 0.388, value of p = 0.017; aOR = 0.198, value of p = 0.011). The general population of Pakistan had a good level of knowledge about the benefits of TCV, and attitude and practices are in favor of the usage of TCV. However, a few religious misconceptions are prevalent in public requiring the efforts to overcome them to promote the usage of vaccines to prevent the disease and antibiotic resistance.

Introduction

Typhoid fever is a systemic infection characterized by fever, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) (1, 2). The disease is transmitted by consuming fecal-contaminated water and food (3). Annually, typhoid affects 11 to 20 million people with 128,000 to 161,000 deaths worldwide.⁴ Underprivileged communities and children are at higher risk for typhoid fever (4). Children younger than 5 years of age had the highest rates of morbidity and mortality (12.6% of cases and 17% of deaths), followed by children aged 5 to 9 years (56% of cases and 59% of deaths). Typhoid fever is also a common disease in Pakistan, affecting 451.7 people per 100,000 each year (5). The improvements in sanitary infrastructure significantly control enteric fever in developed countries. The misusage of antibiotics in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) for the treatment of S. typhi is growing antibiotic resistance, raising danger to global public health (1, 6). The mortality rate due to S. typhi had also increased, attributing to antibiotic resistance. S. typhi strains resistant to antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, ampicillin, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and third-generation cephalosporin are labeled as extended drug-resistant (XDR) (7).

Pakistan had one of the highest rates of typhoid cases in South Asia. The rising level of antibiotic resistance in the country is raising global fear. The dire state of the sewage and water system along with low vaccination rates, non-compliance to treatment, and overcrowding are the major elements contributing to the spread of XDR typhoid within Pakistan (8). Furthermore, in 2016, XDR typhoid outbreak occurred in Sindh, Pakistan (9). The prevalence of positive cultures of S. paratyphi A raised from 0.2% in 2017 to 0.3% in 2018, then up to 0.9% in 2019 and increasing the prevalence of XDR typhoid fever across the country, indicating spread outside Sindh (9). Without active and effective measures, the preexisting and increased burden of XDR typhoid is expected to worsen, given the strain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is putting on the healthcare system (10, 11). The prevalence of diseases, disabilities, and deaths has been significantly reduced because of vaccination (12).

Vaccines prevent 4–5 million people from dying from fatal diseases each year (13). Numerous success stories against polio, tetanus, influenza, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) had been made possible by effective vaccination. Typhoid vaccination had been proven effective for the prevention and control of typhoid. Pakistan is the first country to introduce typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) in the extended program on immunization (EPI) and had vaccinated over 30 million children in the country with an effectiveness of 95% against protection from typhoid (14). The first single dose of TCV provides prolonged immunity and is effective and safe for children between 6 months and 2 years of age (15).

The vaccine coverage gap does, however, exist between nations and even within a nation (16). The World Health Organization (WHO) identified vaccine reluctance as one of the threats to global health (17). Vaccine hesitation had been caused by several factors, including erroneous safety worries about immunization as a result of measles, diphtheria, and pertussis outbreaks (12). Influential religious and political figures and false religious beliefs greatly influenced vaccine refusal (18, 19). Personal or philosophical convictions, such as the idea that a healthy lifestyle will prevent sickness or that active immunity obtained after natural infection is superior to that acquired by vaccination, are other factors contributing to vaccination refusal (20) (Figures 1–3).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

The vaccination rates of Pakistan’s population are below the required levels worldwide (21). The vaccination rates for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), polio combined with DPT (Diptheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus), and measles are each stated to be at 80, 65, and 67%, respectively (21). This is a result of logistical challenges, inadequately qualified medical staff, inadequate parental education and awareness, and political, religious, and commercial influences on the promotion of vaccine products (21–23). Education and vaccines are the most powerful tools, proven to be valuable, against preventable diseases (24, 25). Previously, in Pakistan, the literature had been published regarding awareness and attitudes toward TCV involving a specific and localized population (26). We are conducting this study among the general population of Pakistan to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding TCV and willingness toward the booster dose of TCV.

Materials and methods

Study design and study setting

A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among the general population of Pakistan, involving participants from all provinces, from 15 October 2021 to 30 November 2021.

Ethical considerations

Participation in this study was completely voluntary. Before beginning the survey, each participant provided informed consent and was given the option to withdraw from the study at any time before submitting their response. The anonymity of the participants was assured by not collecting any personal information such as name, email, or any other contact information. The review committee of Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani Institute of Medical Sciences, Gambat, Pakistan, with reference number: IRB/22/13, approved ethical approval for the study. Furthermore, the STROBE checklist is followed to report this study.

Sample size

The population of Pakistan is 227.3 million with a median age of 23.2 years and 51.5 and 48.5% being men and women, respectively, with the literacy rate of 62.3% (27, 28). The online Rao soft calculator [n = ^NxI ((N–1)E² + x)] was used to calculate the sample size of the study (29). A minimum sample size of 846 was calculated with a 98% confidence interval, 50% proportion of the population, and 4% margin of error. A total of 918 responses were included with a 96% response rate.

Data collection

A Google^® form was used to collect the responses through a convenient sampling method. The questionnaire link was circulated among friends and contacts in multiple social media groups such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Individuals were unable to understand the language of the survey, and non-Pakistani nationals were excluded from the study.

Questionnaire designing

The questionnaire was designed after a substantial literature review (12, 16, 24, 30, 31). It was validated by medical education and public health experts. To assess the relevancy and simplicity of the questionnaire, a pilot study was conducted with 40 individuals from the target population. The questionnaire was comprised of demographic information and questions about knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding TCV. The sociodemographic characteristics include age, gender, education, occupation, residence, marital and employment status, monthly family income, and the number of household individuals. The knowledge section was comprised of action, benefits, availability, cost, source of information, side effects of TCV, and awareness about the TCV vaccination program conducted by the Government of Pakistan. The attitude assessed participants’ beliefs about safety, efficacy, recommendation, and need for TCV for children. Furthermore, attitudes regarding religious beliefs toward vaccines were also inquired. Regarding practices of TCV, vaccination of own child, to comply with the booster dose, and family restrictions regarding vaccine were inquired.

Statistical analysis

The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM) was used for data analysis. Mean and standard deviation were used to present the numerical variables, and for categorical data, frequencies and percentages were used. Depending upon the nature of the variables, inferential analysis was applied. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of sociodemographic, knowledge, and attitude with willingness for a booster dose of TCV were conducted, and a value of p of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Sample characteristics

A total of 918 responses were received with a response rate of 96%. The mean age and number of family members were 25.9 ± 9.6 and 5.9 ± 3.7, respectively. Regarding sociodemographic information, 51% (468) were women, 25.7% (236) were married, and 39.5% (363) were employed. Among the majority of the people, 82.7% (759) belonged to urban areas, 59.6% (547) had graduation-level education, and 60.2% (533) had a monthly family income of more than 50,000 PKR (Table 1).

Assessment of knowledge in the participants

The majority of the people (783) responded that vaccine is used to prevent illness (85.3%), 834 (90.8%) reported that healthy child needs vaccination, 850 (92.6%) reported that vaccine lowers disability and mortality, and 796 (86.7%) reported that typhoid could be prevented by vaccination. In total, 54.2% (498) were aware of TCV, and 52.1% (478) of TCV vaccination programs conducted by the Government of Pakistan. Mass media [35.1% (322)] and healthcare workers [16.2% (149)] were major sources of information. Regarding side effects, fever [462 (50.3%)] and injection site pain and swelling [453 (49.3%)] were considered the most common reactions to TCV (Table 2).

Assessment of the attitude of participants

In total, 77.7% (713) and 80.8% (742) considered TCV safe and effective, respectively, and 91.8% (843) were in favor of vaccination programs designed by healthcare authorities. In total, 92.3% (847) would advise TCV to family and friends, 617 (67.2%) would strongly recommend others to vaccinate their children, and 53.3% (489) followed expert advice for TCV vaccination. Only 21.6% (198) had fear about TCV, and 13.1% (120) considered it a conspiracy theory against Pakistan; however, 623 (67.9%) believed that it may contain contents forbidden by Islamic law (Table 3).

Assessment of practices of participants

Only 389 (42%) participants had children, and 208 (22.7%) had vaccinated their children according to EPI including TCV. In total, 763 (83.1%) would comply with the booster dose, and 829 (90.3%) had family restrictions regarding vaccination. The majority would consult with the doctor for side effects of vaccination [533 (58.1%)], the missed dose of TCV [842 (91.7%)], and the next vaccination [845 (92.0%)] (Table 4).

Regression analysis of factors associated with willingness for a booster dose of typhoid vaccine

Being married has a significant association with willingness for a booster dose of TCV [crude odds ratio (COR) = 0.285, value of p < 0.001; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.562, value of p =0.038]. Participants with a monthly family income of more than 50,000 PKR have higher OR than those with lower income (COR = 4.920, value of p <0.01; aOR = 2.853, value of p < 0.001). Based on univariate and multivariate analyses, a negative attitude regarding the protective effect of TCV has less willingness toward the booster dose with statistical significance (COR = 0.388, value of p = 0.017; aOR = 0.198, value of p = 0.011) (Table 5).

Discussion

Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) had been proven effective in reducing the burden of S. typhi-induced morbidity and mortality, especially in regions with XDR S. typhi. The routine TCV vaccination prevents antimicrobial resistance and misusage of antibiotics. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the general population of Pakistan regarding TCV. In total, 85.3% of our study population responded that vaccines prevent illnesses consistent with the study by Sankar et al. that 91.86% responded as vaccines provide prevention against illnesses (30). Only 54.2% of participants were aware of TCV being lower than the study by Hanif et al. as 75% of the sample population knew about TCV in Sindh, Pakistan (21). It can be attributed to the possibility that Hanif et al. had conducted the study in the vicinity of the vaccination center having the probability of raising consciousness and awareness about the vaccines.

Mass media (35.1%) and doctors and nurses (16.1%) followed by friends and relatives are the major sources of information for TCV while Debnath et al. had reported that healthcare workers (39.2%), mass media (25.6%), and relatives (12.8%) are the sources of knowledge for vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases (31). Humans are now living in the era of mass and social media, and people depend on technological services even for basic daily needs making it the major source of information (23, 32). Social media campaigns had been proven effective in promoting awareness about health information such as their appeal, broad coverage, rapid provision, and cost-effectiveness (33).

The majority of the participants have a positive attitude toward TCV, as it was considered safe and effective by 77.7 and 80.8%, respectively. Memon et al. depicted that 75.7 and 87% believed that TCV is safe and effective, respectively (26). However, participants responded that TCV may contain contents forbidden by Islamic law (67.9%), have fear about the vaccine (21.6%), and is an international conspiracy against Pakistan (13.1%). Memon et al. reported that TCV is an international conspiracy against Pakistani children (73.5%), harmful (24.3%), and may have harmful contents (11.4%), and 92% would accept the vaccine if their issues and concerns were answered (26). Previously, religious leaders had spread the idea that polio vaccination will cause vaccine-induced infertility. Similarly, for the COVID-19 vaccine, people believed that it will make the population sterile, or the person getting vaccinated will die in 2 years (18). Similarly, the assumptions had been made against the other vaccines as TCV being comprised of harmful contents and would have hazardous effects on human health in the long run.

The advice from an expert (53.3%) and the provision of vaccination by the government (29.8%) would encourage the participants to vaccinate the children with TCV. Tahir et al. reported that the compulsion of vaccination by the government (48.06%) and the recommendation by the doctor (39.37%) are the reasons leading to vaccination against COVID-19 (12).

Healthcare workers are the most significant and trustworthy source of knowledge to the public for disease prevention and treatment, especially immunization, educating about the benefits of vaccination, and myths prevalent about the vaccine in society. Therefore, good communication between HCWs and the general population would promote vaccination and encourage them to vaccinate themselves and others in society (26). Majority, would consult a doctor for the missed dose of vaccine (58.1 %) and for side effects of vaccine (91.7%), and for the next vaccination (92.0%) corresponding with Sankar et al. as 70.2 and 29% would contact a doctor and nurse, respectively, for a missed dose of vaccine (30).

The higher income, education level, and less number of household members had more willingness for a booster dose of TCV. The higher income level contributes more to the affordability of medical treatments and utilizes available health facilities for healthy living and protection against diseases (34). Similarly, a higher education level raises awareness and knowledge regarding healthcare and reduces false beliefs resulting in a positive attitude toward the prevention and treatment of diseases and a willingness for vaccination. Older age, higher level of the perceived threat from the diseases, and positive attitude toward the vaccine are other factors contributing to the willingness for vaccination (35). The sociodemographic groups with low levels of education and income had lower willingness toward vaccination suggesting the modification in strategies to overcome the social inequalities to provide equal opportunities to vaccinate (36).

Limitations of the study

This study, however, would have some limitations. First, convenient sampling was utilized for which there would be chances of selection bias. It was an online survey, and people with the facility to the Internet had only participated in the study. Second, this study would have recall bias. Third, compared to Pakistan’s overall population, our sample size was more educated, wealthier, and more urban. Finally, despite the fact that the replies were anonymous because the study was self-reported, participants may have felt under pressure to adopt the favorable attitudes and perceptions that were socially acceptable. This study calls for additional research focused on the population residing in rural areas and with low education levels.

Conclusion

The general population of Pakistan had knowledge about the benefits of vaccination and the role of booster doses but was found to be lacking regarding the provision of TCV by the government in the country and its effectiveness against typhoid fever. The attitude and practices were reported to be in favor of promoting vaccination, but some false religious and national beliefs are also prevalent demanding the need to be addressed. People will also comply with the booster dose of TCV, indicating the awareness of the general population about the importance of completing a treatment course of vaccine for disease prevention. Furthermore, healthcare authorities, media, and government professionals should collaborate to conduct seminars and campaigns on domestic and national levels and should utilize electronic and print media to make an effort to address negative views about immunization and raise awareness about the disease, its adversities, mode of transmission, and the role of vaccines in the prevention of diseases and saving human lives.

Publisher’s note

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