Lassa fever is a zoonotic viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa. Currently, no approved and commercially available human vaccine exists to prevent Lassa fever. In addition to human vaccines to control Lassa fever, research efforts have suggested that vaccination of the reservoir host rodent species may be an effective alternative, especially new vaccine technologies such as self-spreading or transmissible vaccines. To date, very little research exists related to the sociological barriers to adoption of wildlife vaccination or perceptions of these new vaccine technologies in West Africa. To identify effective intervention strategies including development of reservoir host vaccination by both traditional and potentially self-disseminating approaches, this study sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of community members and other key stakeholders.To assess these factors, 203 individual interviews and 20 focus group discussions were conducted across 22 communities in Sierra Leone and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Survey participants were asked questions related to their previous experiences with human and animal vaccines, knowledge and risk perception of viral disease, and willingness for nearby wildlife to receive traditional and self-disseminating vaccines.
Almost all study participants (94%) were aware of Lassa fever, although the majority (62%) perceived the disease to be low risk. However, this perception was not correlated with a hesitancy toward preventive measures, as 94% of respondents said they would accept a human Lassa fever vaccine if offered and 98% said they would allow rodents in their homes to be vaccinated. Out of the 203 individuals surveyed, 201 said they would allow rodents to receive a self-disseminating vaccine if it would prevent disease. While attitudes toward self-spreading or transmissible vaccination are generally positive, respondents raised genuine concerns about the feasibility of the technology, its impact on traditional consumption of rodent meat, and potential negative effects to adjacent animal and human populations. Focus group discussions revealed further cultural considerations tied to vaccine hesitancy, including the impact of community education, role of religion, and best communication platforms for health messaging.
This study suggests that when developing new disease prevention technologies, it is critical to work together with intended beneficiaries, socialize key concepts, and co-create strategies that effectively address all concerns to health, safety, and equity. Additionally, the high levels of trust and reliance on hierarchical systems of power and responsibility in study communities point to the essential need for robust regulatory frameworks to guide the development and potential implementation of new technologies. Further participatory research is needed to expand upon the findings of this study and continue developing shared knowledge and understandings of community knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices related to viral zoonotic disease and human and animal vaccines.
