Effectiveness of Community-Based Interventions in Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy and Improving COVID-19 Vaccinations Coverage in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

Background: The resistance to getting the COVID-19 vaccine is still a significant barrier to achieving widespread vaccination in developing countries. The objective of this review was to evaluate how community-based programs can help boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in different demographics within these nations. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough search was conducted on databases such as Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Web of Science to identify studies assessing the efficacy of non-monetary interventions targeting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. However, research studies that concentrated only on intentions or monetary rewards were not included. Cochrane tools were used to evaluate the potential bias in the included studies; Six articles (with a combined total of 200,720 participants) were incorporated. Since there were no shared quantitative measurements available, we conducted a narrative synthesis. Results: All studies, except one randomized controlled trial, showed that interventions were successful in boosting COVID-19 vaccination rates. The interventions increased vaccinations as from 3.5% to 32% in people who were reminded on the upcoming vaccinations appointments. However, the reliability of data from non-randomized studies was restricted because of possible confounding. Conclusion: Community-focused strategies may enhance vaccination adoption rates. However, additional investigation is essential to design specific guidance tailored to different demographics. This emphasizes the importance of ongoing initiatives to combat vaccine hesitancy and enhance immunization rates in developing nations amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Key words: COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine refusal, systematic review, narrative synthesis.