COVID-19 vaccine coverage among adults in Sarlahi District of Nepal in 2022.

Nepal launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in January 2021 through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility. Vaccine coverage, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is measured using administrative-level data; however, this source is often subject to biases and limitations. We conducted a household survey in rural Sarlahi District, Nepal, to estimate COVID-19 vaccine coverage and assess associations with participant characteristics among adults.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, trust, and communication in Sarlahi District, Nepal.

Background: Strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage require an understanding of the extent and drivers of vaccine hesitancy and trust in government related to COVID-19 vaccine programs, especially in low-resource communities.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional household survey post-COVID-19 vaccine introduction among adults (n = 362) in four municipalities in Sarlahi District, Nepal from August to December 2022. The survey included modules on participant demographics and socioeconomic factors and vaccine hesitancy, information seeking, and trust in authorities related to COVID-19 vaccination.

Use of catch-up vaccinations in the second year of life (2YL) platform to close immunity gaps: A secondary DHS analysis in Pakistan, Philippines, and South Africa.

Background: Immunity gaps caused by COVID-19-related disruptions highlight the importance of catch-up vaccination. Number of countries offering vaccines in second year of life (2YL) has increased, but use of 2YL for catch-up vaccination has been variable. We assessed pre-pandemic use of 2YL for catch-up vaccination in three countries (Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa), based on existence of a 2YL platform (demonstrated by offering second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV2) in 2YL), proportion of card availability, and geographical variety.

Cognitive testing of questions about antenatal care and nutrition interventions in southern Nepal.

Large scale surveys such as the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) are used to measure the coverage and quality of antenatal care (ANC)-related services. Studies have increasingly validated questions from these surveys, though few have explored respondent comprehension or associated thought processes. This study aimed to use cognitive testing and validation approaches to understand how survey respondents understand questions related to ANC-related nutrition services.