Completed projects

CLSA-based study on pneumococcal vaccine uptake in older adults

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions due to their elevated risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. Despite these recommendations, vaccination coverage in Canada remains below the national target of 80% to be achieved by 2025. To better characterize self-reported pneumococcal vaccine uptake and explore differences in uptake among eligible Canadian adults – i.e. those aged 65 and older, as well as adults under 65 with at least one chronic medical condition, we conducted an updated cross-sectional analysis using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a nationally representative cohort established in 2011. This study analyzed self-reported pneumococcal vaccination status from the second follow-up visit (2018-2021), comparing it with data from the first follow-up visit (FUP1; 2015-2018), for which we previously published results. The updated analysis stratified findings by sociodemographic characteristics, recent influenza vaccination, and healthcare provider contact. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with becoming newly vaccinated for pneumococcal disease as reported during FUP2 (2018-2021) compared with FUP1 (2015-2018).

Want to know more? Check out the published paper here.

Barriers and facilitators to antibiotic stewardship in Nigeria’s private healthcare sector: a qualitative interview study with key interest holders

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria, where the private sector delivers the majority of healthcare but remains underrepresented in national stewardship efforts. This qualitative study will explore the perspectives of key interest holders from regulatory bodies, professional associations, and public health organizations in Nigeria to identify barriers and opportunities for implementing antibiotic stewardship in the private sector through semi-structured virtual interviews. The results will be thematically analyzed via Braun and Clarke’s framework within the Social-Ecological Model. The findings of the study will inform context-specific, sustainable stewardship programs tailored to Nigeria’s private healthcare sector to advance AMR control.

Want to know more? Check out the published paper here.

Funding: University of Ottawa