The influence of health service interactions and local policies on vaccination decision-making in immigrant women: A multi-site Canadian qualitative study
Abstract
Research on immigrant and refugee vaccination uptake in Canada shows that immunization decisions vary by vaccine type, location, age and migration status. Despite their diversity, these studies often treat immigrant and refugee populations as a single group relative to other Canadians. In this comparative study, we explored how previous risk communication and immunization experiences influence immunization decisions by immigrant and refugee women from three communities across Canada. Participants included women from the Punjabi immigrant community located in Surrey and Abbotsford, British Columbia (n = 36), the Nigerian immigrant community located in Winnipeg, Manitoba (n = 43), and the Congolese refugee community in Edmonton, Alberta (n = 18). Using focus groups, we sought to understand immunization experiences in Canada and before arrival, and what information sources influenced the immunization decision-making process by the women in the three communities. Given our participants’ different communication preferences and needs, we argue that a one-size-fits-all communication approach is inappropriate for immigrant and refugee populations.
Notes
Integration timeline: not defined
Key findings:
1) Participants had differing past experiences in Canada and before their arrival that influenced how they used information in their vaccination decisions.
2) Increased likelihood of vaccine uptake and trust in Canadian healthcare was fostered through clear vaccination communications and dialogue with Canadian health care providers.
3) Participants were more likely to decline future vaccines when faced with weak vaccine recommendations and/or antivaccination information in the community.
Community organizations: n/a
Future research / gaps identified: Data was collected before COVID-19 and participant/community perspectives may have changed since the pandemic.
Key populations:
Newcomer women from 3 different ethnocultural groups in 3 different locations:
1) Congolese refugee women in Edmonton
2) Punjabi women in Surrey or Abbotsford
3) Nigerian women in Winnipeg
Key recommendations:
1) Develop multi-pronged communication strategies instead of using a one-size-fits-all method
2) Create strategies that respond to previous experiences and (mis)information that may lead to vaccination hesitancy.
Locations:
1) Edmonton, AB
2) Surrey & Abbotsford, BC
3) Winnipeg, MB
Open access: No