Community readiness and acceptance for the implementation of a novel malaria vaccine among at-risk children in sub-saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization novel malaria vaccine for at-risk children has the potential to greatly reduce the current malaria burden in sub-Saharan Africa. However, most studies have reported contradictory findings regarding community willingness for the vaccine, which could easily undermine the expected benefits of the vaccine. This study aims to ascertain the current state of community readiness and acceptance for the implementation of a novel malaria vaccine (RTS,S/ASO1) among at-risk children in sub-Saharan Africa, based on available evidence.

Methods: This study will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Relevant studies will be comprehensively searched from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and African journals online, in accordance with the Cochrane search guidelines. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full texts of eligible studies based on some specified eligibility criteria. When it is feasible to conduct a meta-analysis, a random effects model will be employed to estimate the common effect due to anticipated high heterogeneity of the data. The effect measure for readiness or acceptance will be reported as a pooled proportion with corresponding 95% confidence interval. Additionally, odds ratios with 95% confidence interval will be estimated to assess factors associated with readiness. These will be presented on a forest plot.

Dissemination plans: The findings of the study will be peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal. Conference presentations will also be made to the different stakeholders in the malaria vaccination campaigns.

Systematic review registration: The protocol has been registered with PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42023480528.