Influence of Government Policies on Hand Washing and Vaccine Uptake in Kenya, Uganda, And Tanzania in Relation to COVID-19 Prevention and Control: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract Background: The government’s role in influencing policies related to COVID-19 vaccine distribution and handwashing uptake is essential in controlling the spread of the virus. This study aims to systematically review published studies to determine how government policies have influenced hand washing and vaccine uptake in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in relation to COVID-19 prevention and control. Methods and analysis: Using systematic approach, this study reviewed 136 published research papers to examine and understand how government policies have influenced hand washing and COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in relation to COVID-19 prevention and control. The search strategy was applied in three databases, papers were selected using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria including papers published between December 2019 and January 2023. The review was undertaken according to the PRISMA-P 2015 checklist and the PRISMA flow diagram was used for research article selection and screening. Findings: Eleven of the initial records were found eligible for review. The findings reveal that the government has a role in influencing policies related to COVID-19 vaccine distribution and handwashing uptake. Study results indicate that employment of public health campaigns and communication strategies by the government in Uganda increased vaccine acceptance and hand hygiene uptake. Similarly, results revealed that government efforts in making hand hygiene accessible increases uptake of handwashing. In Kenya, government efforts show informal settlements access soap and clean water at markets, results revealed that government incentives such as cash could increase vaccination rates and vaccination reminders combined with cash incentives increased childhood immunization coverage. Studies have indicated monitoring and enforcing compliance increases vaccine and handwashing uptake. Conclusion: The government’s role in influencing policies that promote handwashing and vaccine uptake. The effectiveness of these polices are also influenced by various factors including safety and efficacy, access to information among other. It is important to address these factors to successfully implementation these policies. Registration: PROSPERO ID CRD42023396319; registered on 2nd February 2023