Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Abstract Background The National Expanded Program on Immunization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo implemented a program in 9 Provinces to generate georeferenced immunization microplans to strengthen the planning and implementation of vaccination services. The intervention aimed to improve id...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21578-x |
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| author | Dosithée Ngo-Bebe Patricia Mechael Fulbert Nappa Kwilu Théophane Kekemb Bukele Félicité Langwana Genèse Lolimo Lobukulu Marcelo Ilunga Kalonji Bahindwa Kalalizi Kevin Tschirhart Christophe Lungayo Luhata Carine Gachen |
| author_facet | Dosithée Ngo-Bebe Patricia Mechael Fulbert Nappa Kwilu Théophane Kekemb Bukele Félicité Langwana Genèse Lolimo Lobukulu Marcelo Ilunga Kalonji Bahindwa Kalalizi Kevin Tschirhart Christophe Lungayo Luhata Carine Gachen |
| author_sort | Dosithée Ngo-Bebe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The National Expanded Program on Immunization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo implemented a program in 9 Provinces to generate georeferenced immunization microplans to strengthen the planning and implementation of vaccination services. The intervention aimed to improve identification and immunization of zero-dose children and overall immunization coverage. Methods This study applies a mixed-methods design including survey tools, in-depth interviews and direct observation to document the uptake, use, and acceptance of the immunization microplans developed with geospatial data in two intervention provinces and one control province from February to June 2023. A total of 113 health facilities in 98 Health Areas in 15 Health Zones in the three provinces were included in the study sample. Select providers received training on gender-intentional approaches for the collection and use of geospatial data which was evaluated through a targeted qualitative study. A secondary analysis of immunization coverage survey data (2020–2022) was conducted to assess the associated effects on immunization coverage, especially changes in rates of zero dose children, defined as those aged 12–23 months who have not received a single dose of Pentavalent vaccine. Results This research study shows that georeferenced microplans are well received, utilized, and led to changes in routine immunization service planning and delivery. In addition, the gender intervention is perceived to have led to changes in the approaches taken to overcome sociocultural gender norms and engage communities to reach as many children as possible, leveraging the ability of women to engage more effectively to support vaccination services. The quantitative analyses showed that georeferenced microplans may have contributed to a dramatic and sustained trend of high immunization coverage in the intervention site of Haut-Lomami, which saw dramatic improvement in coverage for 3 antigens and little change in Pentavalent drop-out rate over three years of implementation. Conclusion The overall study identified positive contributions of the georeferenced data in the planning and delivery of routine immunization services. It is recommended to conduct further analyses in Kasai in 2024 and 2025 to evaluate the longer-term effects of the gender intervention on immunization coverage and equity outcomes. Trial registration The study was registered and given BMC Central International Standard. Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN65876428 on March 11, 2021. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b29a106dbb44c67846abda057207422 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b29a106dbb44c67846abda0572074222025-01-26T12:55:38ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111410.1186/s12889-025-21578-xAssessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of CongoDosithée Ngo-Bebe0Patricia Mechael1Fulbert Nappa Kwilu2Théophane Kekemb Bukele3Félicité Langwana4Genèse Lolimo Lobukulu5Marcelo Ilunga Kalonji6Bahindwa Kalalizi7Kevin Tschirhart8Christophe Lungayo Luhata9Carine Gachen10Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasahealth.enabledKinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaKinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaDepartment of Social Science, University of KinshasaKinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaKinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasahealth.enabledEarth Institute, Columbia UniversityNational Expanded Program on Immunization, Ministry of HealthGavi, The Vaccine AllianceAbstract Background The National Expanded Program on Immunization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo implemented a program in 9 Provinces to generate georeferenced immunization microplans to strengthen the planning and implementation of vaccination services. The intervention aimed to improve identification and immunization of zero-dose children and overall immunization coverage. Methods This study applies a mixed-methods design including survey tools, in-depth interviews and direct observation to document the uptake, use, and acceptance of the immunization microplans developed with geospatial data in two intervention provinces and one control province from February to June 2023. A total of 113 health facilities in 98 Health Areas in 15 Health Zones in the three provinces were included in the study sample. Select providers received training on gender-intentional approaches for the collection and use of geospatial data which was evaluated through a targeted qualitative study. A secondary analysis of immunization coverage survey data (2020–2022) was conducted to assess the associated effects on immunization coverage, especially changes in rates of zero dose children, defined as those aged 12–23 months who have not received a single dose of Pentavalent vaccine. Results This research study shows that georeferenced microplans are well received, utilized, and led to changes in routine immunization service planning and delivery. In addition, the gender intervention is perceived to have led to changes in the approaches taken to overcome sociocultural gender norms and engage communities to reach as many children as possible, leveraging the ability of women to engage more effectively to support vaccination services. The quantitative analyses showed that georeferenced microplans may have contributed to a dramatic and sustained trend of high immunization coverage in the intervention site of Haut-Lomami, which saw dramatic improvement in coverage for 3 antigens and little change in Pentavalent drop-out rate over three years of implementation. Conclusion The overall study identified positive contributions of the georeferenced data in the planning and delivery of routine immunization services. It is recommended to conduct further analyses in Kasai in 2024 and 2025 to evaluate the longer-term effects of the gender intervention on immunization coverage and equity outcomes. Trial registration The study was registered and given BMC Central International Standard. Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN65876428 on March 11, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21578-xGeospatial dataMapping for healthImmunization coverageVaccine coverage surveyImmunization equityDemocratic republic of the congo |
| spellingShingle | Dosithée Ngo-Bebe Patricia Mechael Fulbert Nappa Kwilu Théophane Kekemb Bukele Félicité Langwana Genèse Lolimo Lobukulu Marcelo Ilunga Kalonji Bahindwa Kalalizi Kevin Tschirhart Christophe Lungayo Luhata Carine Gachen Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo BMC Public Health Geospatial data Mapping for health Immunization coverage Vaccine coverage survey Immunization equity Democratic republic of the congo |
| title | Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_full | Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_short | Assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| title_sort | assessing the use of geospatial data for immunization program implementation and associated effects on coverage and equity in the democratic republic of congo |
| topic | Geospatial data Mapping for health Immunization coverage Vaccine coverage survey Immunization equity Democratic republic of the congo |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21578-x |
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