Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics
Volume 14, Issue 7, 2018, Pages 1660-1664

Immunization and technology among newcomers: A needs assessment survey for a vaccine-tracking app (Article) (Open Access)

Paradis M. , Atkinson K.M. , Hui C. , Ponka D. , Manuel D.G. , Day P. , Murphy M.S.Q. , Rennicks White R. , Wilson K.*
  • a Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
  • b Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  • c Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
  • d Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
  • e Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
  • f Somerset West Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Canada
  • g Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
  • h Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
  • i Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract

Objectives: Newcomers experience unique challenges with respect to vaccination. These challenges are compounded by the need to navigate complex vaccination catch-up schedules upon arrival in their new home countries. Our group has pioneered the development of CANImmunize, a free, bilingual, pan-Canadian digital application designed to empower individuals to manage their vaccination records. To inform how a vaccine tracking app such as CANImmunize might be tailored to meet the unique needs of newcomers, this study sought to determine commonly spoken languages, technology use, and current methods of vaccine tracking among recent newcomers to Canada. Methods: Government-assisted refugees attending a health clinic in Ottawa, Canada were invited to complete a 17-question needs assessment survey. The survey captured data on household demographics, spoken languages, country of origin, technology use and methods used to track vaccination history. Results: 50 newcomers completed the needs assessment survey. Arabic was the predominant language spoken by surveyed individuals. Although 92% of participants owned a smartphone, the majority did not actively use digital health applications. 18 (36%) participants reported being vaccinated before arriving in Canada. 27 (54%) participants were parents, 23 of whom reported that their children were vaccinated prior to arrival in Canada. 38 (76%) participants indicated that they would use a vaccine tracking app such as CANImmunize if it were translated into their primary language of communication. Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that mobile technology may be a useful tool to help newcomer families stay on track with provincial and territorial immunization schedules. © 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis. © 2018, © Michelle Paradis, Katherine M. Atkinson, Charles Hui, David Ponka, Douglas G. Manuel, Paula Day, Malia S. Q. Murphy, Ruth Rennicks White, and Kumanan Wilson.

Author Keywords

Refugee health Immunization Public health mobile technology vaccines newcomers

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment education Parents Vaccines Eritrea refugee Syrian Arab Republic human Refugees middle aged statistics and numerical data Iraq Congo language Burkina Faso Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult Lebanon mobile application Mobile Applications Humans social media Adolescent CANImmunize application male Canada technology female Zimbabwe questionnaire Ambulatory Care Facilities outpatient department Article Ethiopia adult medical history Immunization Schedule vaccination Burundi immunization child parent relation public health vaccine
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85044609821&doi=10.1080%2f21645515.2018.1445449&partnerID=40&md5=297e64a0d54cd5f431e3555668d30048
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1445449
ISSN: 21645515
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English