PARTNERS CONVENE IN WORKSHOPS TO CO-CREATE PROTECT’S KEY MESSAGES

As part of the PROTECT project – Preparing for Optimized Phase III/IV Trials of Group B Streptococcus Maternal Vaccines in Africa – the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) held two workshops focused on the co-creation of key messages. The sessions brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, community and religious leaders, pregnant women and their family members, as well as communication specialists, with the aim of developing communication messages and tools to strengthen confidence in maternal vaccines and promote informed participation in clinical trials.

PROTECT is an African country-led project that aims to lay the foundations for the decade of maternal vaccines. In Mozambique, it is implemented by CISM in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). The study seeks to understand the factors influencing pregnant women’s confidence in vaccines and their decisions to participate in clinical studies, contributing to the development of communication strategies tailored to the Mozambican context.

The workshops were informed by findings from the qualitative component of the study, conducted in Manhiça District and in the [name of neighbourhood] neighbourhood in Maputo City. The research involved interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations, enabling the identification of perceptions, concerns and information needs related to vaccination during pregnancy and participation in vaccine studies.

According to Estevão Mucavele, Coordinator of the study’s social component, the findings highlighted the importance of developing clear, culturally appropriate messages grounded in scientific evidence, with the aim of strengthening confidence in maternal vaccines. “The 14th and 23rd of July were days of great learning. We had different audiences in the same room discussing such a crucial topic, in a process that will culminate in the development of several communication materials,” said Estevão.

During the workshops, participants worked in groups to develop and validate messages targeting different audiences. The proposals highlighted topics such as the protection of mothers and babies, the safety of maternal vaccines, the support provided by healthcare professionals, participants’ freedom to make their own decisions, and the contribution of scientific research to improving the health of future generations. Participants also contributed to defining the most appropriate formats and communication tools for disseminating these messages.

For Avelina Manuel Matavel, a participant and pregnant woman, the workshops provided an important opportunity for learning and sharing experiences. “Vaccines may not directly benefit the participants in the studies, but they can bring benefits to future generations of mothers and babies. I was very pleased that we were invited. It is important that we are heard, as this can increase our confidence in the health system. I also think that social media could be used more extensively to disseminate information specifically aimed at pregnant women,” she said.

The contributions gathered will be incorporated into a set of communication materials and strategies aimed at supporting future awareness-raising activities on maternal vaccines, clinical trials, and vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The initiative seeks to promote more effective communication and participatory research based on the development of solutions jointly designed with communities and different stakeholders within the health system, thereby contributing to increased confidence in vaccines and improved maternal and child health in Mozambique.